This week we will be concentrating on the Cambridge Advanced Examination (CAE) which will be our final test for this course.
In order to give you some idea of the level we will look at two parts of the test this week.
Today 9 a.m. Listening. This takes about 40 minutes
Friday
8 a.m. Book talks for those who have not done it yet (Last chance café)
Simon J Alice
Kalle A Passage to India
Effe Dorian Gray
Marina Pride and Prejudice
Isak Oliver Twist
Lukas Alice thru' the looking glass
Johan N Treasure Island
Jessica Persuasion
8.45 a.m
Reading part of CAE ( takes max. one hour)
Apart from common sense and being careful to read the questions there are not many ways to prepare for this.
Just take it easy and do your best!
Monday, 25 November 2013
Friday, 22 November 2013
Classic books 2
Today we continue with the classic book talks.
If we don't have time for everyone this morning I have a slot at 1 p.m. today or you can mail me your skype name and a suggestion for a time.
Here is the running order for today:
1. Treasure Island Erik / Anna
2. Alice in Wonderland (Simon J)/Simon E/ Emma S/Astri
3. Dorian Gray Emma E/ Daniel
4.Oliver Twist Isak/
5. Short Stories Poe Martin
6. Brave New World Filip
7 Alice through the looking glass Lukas
8. Short Stories- Kipling Linnea
9. Hound of Baskervilles Hanna
10. Robin Crusoe Henrik
11. Frankenstein Jonathan G
12. Rip Van Winkle Linda
13. Sons & Lovers Catrine
(14. Passage to India Kalle)
15 Sherlock Holmes Nathalie
Don't forget!
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is available in the library!!
Last chance for the book talk is next Friday for those we don't have time for today.
If we don't have time for everyone this morning I have a slot at 1 p.m. today or you can mail me your skype name and a suggestion for a time.
Here is the running order for today:
1. Treasure Island Erik / Anna
2. Alice in Wonderland (Simon J)/Simon E/ Emma S/Astri
3. Dorian Gray Emma E/ Daniel
4.Oliver Twist Isak/
5. Short Stories Poe Martin
6. Brave New World Filip
7 Alice through the looking glass Lukas
8. Short Stories- Kipling Linnea
9. Hound of Baskervilles Hanna
10. Robin Crusoe Henrik
11. Frankenstein Jonathan G
12. Rip Van Winkle Linda
13. Sons & Lovers Catrine
(14. Passage to India Kalle)
15 Sherlock Holmes Nathalie
Don't forget!
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is available in the library!!
Last chance for the book talk is next Friday for those we don't have time for today.
Monday, 18 November 2013
Classic book talks
This week we will be doing the classic book talks.
I put a document on the blog on 16th September as a basis for the talk. We will discuss the following points:
Today:
Hanna
Marina
Jonathan S
Anton A
Yixuan
Eric A
Effe
On Friday
Everyone else!
I will take two/three people with the same book title on Friday
N.B. If you will not be around for the two lessons you must contact me so that we can arrange a skype meeting to discuss your book!
I put a document on the blog on 16th September as a basis for the talk. We will discuss the following points:
- The Story
- The message
- The characters
- The language
- The style
- The authenticity of the work
- Why it is a classic?
Today:
Hanna
Marina
Jonathan S
Anton A
Yixuan
Eric A
Effe
On Friday
Everyone else!
I will take two/three people with the same book title on Friday
N.B. If you will not be around for the two lessons you must contact me so that we can arrange a skype meeting to discuss your book!
Friday, 15 November 2013
Translation and preparation for Classic book talks
Today we have reached the end of our writing course.
To recapitulate
We have talked about the general characteristics of writing:
Then we have tried our hand at formal and informal English.
Today we finish off with the skill of translation.
I will start off by distributing and going through a handout with you.
Here it is.
Translation involves transferring the meaning from one language to another as faithfully and accurately as possible.
It is not the same as paraphrasing or summarising in another language.
It is a very useful skill.
If we look just at Leksand and its municipality we can see many areas where translation is needed.
So the uses are endless.
Nowadays it is possible to use eletronic tools to assist in translation.
If you use google translate "It's raining cats and dogs" it no longer says:
"Det regnar hundar och katter" but if you put in
"How are you going to worm your way out of this?" the result is just as bizarre!
Try "He turned up like the bad penny!" and see what you get!
The problem of producing a good translationis not only to be accurate but also to get the right "feel" conveyed by the original text.
Here is your translation task. Easy? Probably not!
Good luck!!
Now let's turn to next week.
We have the classic book talks.
10 people will do their talks with me on Monday and 20 on next Friday.
Please fill in the sheet which is circulating in class with
To recapitulate
We have talked about the general characteristics of writing:
- How it stands "outside" time
- How it requires a structure
- How it is governed by many rules and constraints such as:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Syntax
- Register
- Paragraphing
Then we have tried our hand at formal and informal English.
Today we finish off with the skill of translation.
I will start off by distributing and going through a handout with you.
Here it is.
Translation involves transferring the meaning from one language to another as faithfully and accurately as possible.
It is not the same as paraphrasing or summarising in another language.
It is a very useful skill.
If we look just at Leksand and its municipality we can see many areas where translation is needed.
- Business (international companies)
- Twinning arrangements (Uganda-Leksand)
- Tourism
- Music/Song
So the uses are endless.
Nowadays it is possible to use eletronic tools to assist in translation.
If you use google translate "It's raining cats and dogs" it no longer says:
"Det regnar hundar och katter" but if you put in
"How are you going to worm your way out of this?" the result is just as bizarre!
Try "He turned up like the bad penny!" and see what you get!
The problem of producing a good translationis not only to be accurate but also to get the right "feel" conveyed by the original text.
Here is your translation task. Easy? Probably not!
Good luck!!
Now let's turn to next week.
We have the classic book talks.
10 people will do their talks with me on Monday and 20 on next Friday.
Please fill in the sheet which is circulating in class with
- Your name
- Author's name
- Title of book
- Monday or Friday
Monday, 11 November 2013
Informal/ neutral English
Today we are going to deal with the easiest part of our writing course- informal writing.
Some of the characteristics of informal writing are given in the "English C" text book on pages 95-98.
It is very important to remember that the same rules and constraints such as paragraphing, structure, spelling and correct grammar apply just as much in informal writing as in more formal forms.
Here are 3 assignments. Please choose one of them and write it NOW.
1. A letter or email to a pen-friend from another country who will be coming to spend the Christmas with you here in Dalecarlia.
You need to give the person some information about what they can expect, what to bring along and some general information about the celebration of Christmas in Sweden.
2. A diary entry for the week-end which has passed where you not only talk about events but also your feelings and expectations for the rest of 2013.
3. You write a lifestyle blog in English about being young in Sweden. Write a blog entry about Swedish youth culture and their attitudes to alcohol and partying.
Use the whole time we have in the lesson (about 40 minutes) and then take some time during the week to complete the assigment.
It should be in my digital mailbox on Friday morning by 8 a.m.
This Friday we will deal with the final part of our writing course- translation.
We shall also revise what we have said during these two weeks and look at the keys to successful writing.
Some of the characteristics of informal writing are given in the "English C" text book on pages 95-98.
It is very important to remember that the same rules and constraints such as paragraphing, structure, spelling and correct grammar apply just as much in informal writing as in more formal forms.
Here are 3 assignments. Please choose one of them and write it NOW.
1. A letter or email to a pen-friend from another country who will be coming to spend the Christmas with you here in Dalecarlia.
You need to give the person some information about what they can expect, what to bring along and some general information about the celebration of Christmas in Sweden.
2. A diary entry for the week-end which has passed where you not only talk about events but also your feelings and expectations for the rest of 2013.
3. You write a lifestyle blog in English about being young in Sweden. Write a blog entry about Swedish youth culture and their attitudes to alcohol and partying.
Use the whole time we have in the lesson (about 40 minutes) and then take some time during the week to complete the assigment.
It should be in my digital mailbox on Friday morning by 8 a.m.
This Friday we will deal with the final part of our writing course- translation.
We shall also revise what we have said during these two weeks and look at the keys to successful writing.
Friday, 8 November 2013
Could someone please explain what a formal and informal register is?
Sorry I forgot to distribute the timetable for our writer's course.
here is the document. As on Monday, we will work without the computer today, until we start writing the relevant assignment.
I also want you to bring along your copy of our text book "English C" today since there is a lot of relevant material there.
As a follow-up to your 5 paragraph essay there is an excellent section on
All of these strategies can help you become a more confident writer.
However, there is one key question which must always be addressed when writing- the question of "register"
On the "Yahoo answers" website the question was asked which is the title of today's blog.
With regard to writing it is the most important question of all.
Here is how one of the people who answered the question expressed himself:
This is reflected in the curriculum and grade guidelines for our course where it talks about:
Bearbetning av språk och struktur i egna och andras framställningar, i formella och komplexa sammanhang, och för att skapa anpassning till genre, stilnivå och syfte
and for the "E" grade it says:
I muntlig och skriftlig interaktion i olika, även formella och komplexa, sammanhang kan eleven uttrycka sig tydligt, relativt ledigt och med flyt samt med anpassning till syfte, mottagare och situation.
There is a clear distinction made between "formal" English and other registers.
I want you to start off today by discussing Section A on page 95 in the "English C" book.
What conclusions did you reach in the group?
Look at the picture of the gardens- Formal or informal?
Now look together at Section B on page 95-96.
What characterises "Formal" and "Informal" writing?
Today we are going to concentrate on formal English..
In what circumstances do we use it and why?
The first hand-out today is about the use of formal English in science...
The guidelines which are presented are relevant even for non-scientific writing.
The same hand-out contains a definition of formal English and some of the areas of usage.
It also gives a comparison of levels of spoken and written English.
Your task today is to do a piece of formal writing.
You can choose Task D on page 98 in "English C" or one of the following (also found on the second hand-out)
Now you may begin writing!
here is the document. As on Monday, we will work without the computer today, until we start writing the relevant assignment.
I also want you to bring along your copy of our text book "English C" today since there is a lot of relevant material there.
As a follow-up to your 5 paragraph essay there is an excellent section on
Paragraphing ( p. 89)
The opening sentence (p. 90) using different techniques to grab the reader's attention (grabbers)
Sentence length and how to vary it (p.91)
Linking words and expressions (p. 92-93)
Structuring argumentative essays (p. 93-94) by expressing yourself using ready-to-go phrases
All of these strategies can help you become a more confident writer.
However, there is one key question which must always be addressed when writing- the question of "register"
On the "Yahoo answers" website the question was asked which is the title of today's blog.
With regard to writing it is the most important question of all.
Here is how one of the people who answered the question expressed himself:
The difference between formal and informal English is not a difference between correct and incorrect, but a difference of what is known as register. A register is a variety of language related to a particular subject matter or area of activity, a set of words and expressions as well as syntactical features that may be said to characterise that specific area of language. There are many registers: technical, academic, mathematical, scientific, etc. Very broadly speaking, we can also speak of a “formal” and “informal” register in English. In writing academic reports and the like, it would be normal to draw most of the vocabulary and expressions from the formal register, and few, if any, from the informal. This entails avoiding colloquial (everyday) or slang expressions in your writing assignments. The question of register is far more complicated than indicated here; for example, there are many degrees of formality and informality
This is reflected in the curriculum and grade guidelines for our course where it talks about:
Bearbetning av språk och struktur i egna och andras framställningar, i formella och komplexa sammanhang, och för att skapa anpassning till genre, stilnivå och syfte
and for the "E" grade it says:
I muntlig och skriftlig interaktion i olika, även formella och komplexa, sammanhang kan eleven uttrycka sig tydligt, relativt ledigt och med flyt samt med anpassning till syfte, mottagare och situation.
There is a clear distinction made between "formal" English and other registers.
I want you to start off today by discussing Section A on page 95 in the "English C" book.
What conclusions did you reach in the group?
Look at the picture of the gardens- Formal or informal?
What characterises "Formal" and "Informal" writing?
Today we are going to concentrate on formal English..
In what circumstances do we use it and why?
The first hand-out today is about the use of formal English in science...
The guidelines which are presented are relevant even for non-scientific writing.
The same hand-out contains a definition of formal English and some of the areas of usage.
It also gives a comparison of levels of spoken and written English.
Your task today is to do a piece of formal writing.
You can choose Task D on page 98 in "English C" or one of the following (also found on the second hand-out)
Examples of Formal English:
Report writing
Obituary
Academic essays (or parts
thereof)
Minutes of a meeting
Business Letters
-Covering letter (job/course application)
-Enquiries
-Ordering
-Complaint
-Resignation
Serious Press article
Now you may begin writing!
Monday, 4 November 2013
Writing course- Boot camp!
Well, my mail box wasn't exactly inundated with film reviews!
We are now in an intensive period of writing where all of the assignments will be graded.
The film review was going to be the first one!!
TODAY WE WORK WITHOUT THE COMPUTER, SO SWITCH IT OFF AND PUT IT AWAY.
We start off today with a gist summary of your neighbour's half-term break. Remember? 20 words based on the five questions
Who? What? How? When? Why?
Interview then go for it! Hand it in to me!
Now we will start off by discussing writing in groups of three to four students. Here is the handout. Today we will also get it on paper
TODAY, all assignments on paper please!
Now we are going to write a story in three's.
The story is about Peter and John ( Petra and Jane).
The first person sets the story on his /her slip
It was................................
The second person writes about an unexpected occurrence
Suddenly.........................
The third person writes about the consequences of this occurrence
As a result/Consequently.............
You should write WITHOUT looking at each others' slips of paper.
Now put the story together!
What do we learn about writing as a skill from this exercise?
Now we move on to a building- block of writing-
namely the 5 paragraph essay.
Here is the first one and here is the other hand-out.
Your task BY Friday is to write a five-paragraph essay based on the title Mike will give you today. Send it to Mike's mailbox.
We are now in an intensive period of writing where all of the assignments will be graded.
The film review was going to be the first one!!
TODAY WE WORK WITHOUT THE COMPUTER, SO SWITCH IT OFF AND PUT IT AWAY.
We start off today with a gist summary of your neighbour's half-term break. Remember? 20 words based on the five questions
Who? What? How? When? Why?
Interview then go for it! Hand it in to me!
Now we will start off by discussing writing in groups of three to four students. Here is the handout. Today we will also get it on paper
TODAY, all assignments on paper please!
Now we are going to write a story in three's.
The story is about Peter and John ( Petra and Jane).
The first person sets the story on his /her slip
It was................................
The second person writes about an unexpected occurrence
Suddenly.........................
The third person writes about the consequences of this occurrence
As a result/Consequently.............
You should write WITHOUT looking at each others' slips of paper.
Now put the story together!
What do we learn about writing as a skill from this exercise?
Now we move on to a building- block of writing-
namely the 5 paragraph essay.
Here is the first one and here is the other hand-out.
Your task BY Friday is to write a five-paragraph essay based on the title Mike will give you today. Send it to Mike's mailbox.
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