Haikus

English project fest
Lives are disrupted again
Students did awesome.

Does Language Shape How You Think?

As we go into our Unit called New Perspectives. You will read a very interesting article published in the New York Times. The Article is called Does Language Shape The Way You Think?
You will read the article and write your impression in a two hundred word essay where you use expressions an verbs followed by, either gerunds or infinitives.
The essay will be printed and handed in on Thursday, September 2nd.
You can go to the article by clicking on the title or on the hyperlink in the text.
After you have opened the article, leave a comment bellow.

Letters of Inquiry

Let's get formal
go to

1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2214846_write-formal-letter.html
   
2. http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/w_make_enquire.htm
   
3. http://www.uwgb.edu/careers/Professional_Letters.htm

Now that you know that. I want you to to the following:

1. Look for a company that offers tours to Finland or Russia.
2. Decide what special interest tour you want.
3. Write a letter of inquiry asking for information.
4. Mail your letters to ralf.ortiz@yahoo.com as emails, NOT attachments
   
5. Be careful with grammar and spelling
   
6. Be creative
   

Being Bilingual

I am sure you have heard the saying "The pen is mightier than the sword". I believe that being articulate and the ability to write with eloquence go hand in hand.
Your blog assignment for this week is to read the article from the BBC about bilingualism, Then write your views on bilingualism.

I do NOT want:

1. Overly simplistic vocabulary (good, bad, all that stuff, things, big, small).
2. Extremely obvious and effortless opinions.
   
3. Rigid opinions that sound like you are saying what your parents want you to say. I'm not your dad.
4. Mechanical uncreative writing.
5. Texts written in Spanish and processed by a translator, or you.
   
6. Copied and pasted material.
7. Uninspired or boring writings.
8. Spelling mistakes.
9. Verbs written in past when they should be in simple form or vice versa. Your grammar will be graded
10. LESS than 500 words. That means that you have to write at least 501.

Do an outline. Think carefully. Post by Wednesday night at the latest. That is June 2nd

MAKE A MOVIE!

1^st Short Film Contest

UVM, Campus San Luis Potosí.

It’s very simple to participate:

1. Go to www.doctorralf.blogspot.com and download the entry form.

2. Fill out the form and give it to your English teacher

3. Get a video camera or a cell phone to record.

4. Organize your friends.

5. Make a movie!

RULES:

1. Movies must be maximum 15 minutes long.

2. Do NOT hurt yourself.

3. Dialogs must be in English.

4. Be respectful.

5. Turn in films on CD or DVD by June 7, 2010

The Single Story

Read instructions carefully and completely before doing anything.

As you produce your work, for school or in your professional life, you must put yourself into it. It should show who you are, what you are all about. You represent a culture, a lifestyle, an idea, a concept. You are not, or should not be, a cliché

1. Click on this link and watch this 5 minute video that will help you with your note taking as you follow the next step and will be your guide for step 3. Mind mapping
   
2. Click on the title. Watch the 18-minute conference. Take notes.
3. Write a 500-word essay where you will express your opinion on the topic of the video.
4. You must turn in your essay on Friday, along with your notes.
5. Write a brief comment after watching both videos.
   

As you are working on your grammar and punctuation exercises on the links on the posts below, you should have no trouble.

GLION English IV

Class:

Welcome to English IV. This semester we will be learning about tourism, hospitality and the food and beverage industry through English. It is of the utmost importance that you approach this class in English, rather than an English class. During this semester, we will listen, read, write and speak more English than you have ever done so. I would like to remind you that I am your teacher everyday, all day, do not hesitate to ask me anything anytime. On the right you will find two links to download the "encuadre". The 1st part covers weeks 1 to 8, while part 2 covers the second part of the semester. All four (4) projects are detailed in the documents.

I wish you success,

Rafael Ortiz