Class theme/topics discussed:

Introduction to class
Getting acquainted

How did you pick this theme or topic?

There are three new students in class, so there should be an activity to facilitate the process of getting to know each other.

How did you present the material? (handouts, group work, general discussion, student presentations, etc.)
Group work, individual presentation, handouts.

How did students react?

Interviews went well, but the comic-strip task might have made the students feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Did they engage with each other and you?
Yes.

What materials or media did you use? (articles, satellite tv, digital projector, etc.)
Handouts.

Please attach a copy.

Would you recommend this activity for a future class? Why or why not?

Yes, I would. It is an efficient start of the semester, and the interviewing activity seems to help them feel more comfortable with each other. Although the comic strip task should be done in pairs or even small groups, since students are not eager to share the product of their individual work. Moreover, in the process of fulfilling the task they do not talk, and more communication could be produced if they did it in pairs.

Advanced Conversation
August 31, 2010

1. Introduction to class: schedule, requirements, projects.

2. Getting to know each other: students work in pairs. The task Is to interview each other and find out as much interesting information about their partners as possible. They can take notes. After ten minutes they introduce each other.

3. Comic strip: students get a comic strip with blank balloons that they are asked to fill in. They read out their stories, we vote anonymously and define the best/funniest story.