Listening class

Toady I informed you of the dates for the national test of English B. The writing test (an essay) will be on Friday, 6 May 2011 and the reading + listening test will be on Thursday, 12 May 2011.

We did a couple of listening comprehensions from a sample national test today in class. You can find them all here.

Please remember to bring your text book for the upcoming classes.

Have a nice mid-term break!

Speaking class

Today's class was devoted to speaking. In groups you talked about what causes stress in you and other people. I listened to you and you all seem to have a good flow when it comes to speaking English. You are also good at expressing yourselves in an every-day-type situation. What we need to work on is some grammar. I heard a few "she have", for example ;)

Speaking preparation

Today we looked at an article about the recent shootings that have occurred in Malmö. The article appeared in the online paper called The Local where you can read Swedish news in English.

On Wednesday, 27 October you will do a speaking exercise in groups. We prepared for that by reading the material from an old national test. The speaking assignment is about stress. Please make sure you read the material here and here.

Questions Dead Poets Society + course information

Today we read the Wikipedia article on Dead Poets Society and you answered four questions on the movie in writing.

For those of you who will do "praktik" this term and next term, make sure you check the blog on a regular basis to keep you updated on the reading in the course. I will post everything we do in class on the blog and it's your responsibility to do the work.

Dead Poets Society part 2

Today we finished watching the movie in class. That final scene always makes me cry...

On Wednesday you will be given some questions on the movie to respond to. If you were not here to see the movie this week, please make sure you see it on your own before Wednesday. The questions will be general questions on the movie and your personal response to it.

Movie part 1

Today we watched the first half of the movie Dead Poets Society. Make sure you come to class on Friday to watch the other half. See you then!

Word list and chapter 2

Today we made a word list together (see the post below). These words will be your homework for Wednesday, 20 October. We also read chapter 2 of Dead Poets Society.

On that same day (20 October) I will give you some questions to answer on the movie Dead Poets Society.

The classes on Wednesday 13 October + Friday 15 October will be devoted to watching the movie in class. Be sure to come to class so you don't miss the movie.

Check your e-mail for response on your "Everyday Hero"-text.

Words Ch 1 Dead Poets Society

nestled = to settle and snuggle comfortably, (inbäddat)
dais = a podium (podium/scen)
reverberation = an echo (genljud)
strolling = walking around (promenera)
cluster = a bunt of (klunga)
aisle = a walkaway between a section of seats (mittgång)
husky = coarse (hes)
a robe = a costume (dräkt)
beamed = glowed, shone/shined (strålade)
gaze = a look (blick)
subside = sink (sjunka)
octogenerian = someone in their 80's (åttioåring)
alumnae = a former student at a school (f d elev)
smugly =  (självbelåtet)
vicar = priest (kyrkoherde)
fervent = passionate (passionerad)
acknowledgement = when you admit something (erkännande)
scholarly = a person with an academic degree (lärd, vetenskaplig)
tense = uptight (spänd)
quiver = shake (darra, skaka)
squirmed = move in an uncomfortable way(skruva på sig)
pay no heed = show no attention (inte visa någon uppmärksamhet)
distinguished = stylish (stilfull)
stiffly = rigidly (stelt)
faculty = a department in a university (fakultet)
dorm = where university student live (studentboende)

Introduction to Dead Poets Society + homework

Today we did an oral quiz of today's homework. I asked you to talk about the story "What's Hiding in The Dark" and we explained a few words and expressions from the text in English.

After that we did the translation exercise at the bottom of page 44 in your book.

For the next couple of weeks we will read an extract from the book Dead Poets Society and we will also watch the movie in class. Today we started reading the first chapter in the book. We also underlined words and expressions from that chapter.

Your homework for Friday 8 October is to make a word list of the words that you underlined and write down either an English or a Swedish explanation to the words. Be prepared to tell me which words you have looked up and give me an explanation in English or a translation to the words.

What's Hiding in the Dark?

Today we read the chapter "What's Hiding in the Dark?" (page 38 - 42) It's about a forensic scientist who is working on a case involving a serial killer. We also finished the exercise "Check your reading A" on page 43.

This text is your homework for Wednesday 6 October. Look up the words on p 237 - 238. They will help you understand the text. Make sure you understand the text and that you are able to explain what it's about. Also be sure that you are able to explain words and expressions from the text in English.
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We talked about the characteristics of a serial killer. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_killer

If you haven't e-mailed me your text about an everyday hero (for instructions, se post below), be sure to do so during the course of the day.