My notes on your presentation are available to download here, with corrections and further comments available here.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Mini-Presentation Feedback
My notes on your presentation are available to download here, with corrections and further comments available here.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Your Paragraphs Edited
The word file featuring your paragraphs and which we edited in class is available to download here.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Grammar Questions
In the last week I've had a few requests for extra grammar exercises. As this is such a huge subject, I think it would be better if you just submit questions and I can reply with posts on how to explore whatever grammar area you ask about. So...get your questions ready and either post them as comments or e-mail me directly.
Why Presidents Have More Sons
Friday, August 08, 2008
Grammar for Writing 3 : Presentations
Thank you very much for your lovely, informative, and helpful presentations. Powerpoint files are available for you to download here: Adjectives in Arabic, Articles in English and Chinese, and Gender and articles in Spanish, English, and Chinese. Enjoy!
Grammar for Writing 3 : Writing Task Key
Here are your fascinating paragraphs without any words missing:
Yu Ting
Three months ago, my university classmate introduced me to a guy, a computer engineer, to go on a blind date with. At first I asked him to help me fix my laptop in a restaurant, so he just concentrated on upgrading programs instead of talking too much, but I really appreciated his help. After that, we kept talking and getting to know each other via the Internet. We share the same interests and hobbies, such as travelling, going to concerts, and martial arts, and we even have the same taste in food. I think he is my soul mate, for whom I have always looked in my life. We are going to consider our future together.
Ting Ting
When I was a child, I swam in the sea. Actually, I just lay in the sea, floating with a rubber ring. Thus, I am not a good swimmer. However, my friends taught me with a very interesting method. They usually take me to a swimming pool divided into two areas, one of which is one metre and the other two metres deep. They push me into the deep water then leave me alone with my rubber ring. I then ask for help from other swimmers, who are always kind enough to pull me to the one-metre-deep area.
Catherine
I went to the USA with my friends and teachers in the summer of 1998. The cities we visited were San Francisco and Los Angeles, where Disneyworld impressed me because of its colourful activities and unique architecture. Everyone can have fun and relax; it’s just like a paradise, a world apart from work stress and cities. American culture focuses more on respecting an individual’s choice about their lifestyle. For instance, gays and lesbians are allowed to get married as long as they insert a gay liberation flag in their window.
Adriana
I have worked Banco de la Republico, the central bank of Colombia, since 2004. I work in the inflation department, but I decided to continue with my postgraduate studies. For this reason, I travelled to the UK to study English and start my Masters degree at Essex University. Currently, I am employed by Banco de la Republico de Columbia, and when I graduate I must continue working there.
Cecily
In my high school, I met my boyfriend, my first love. When he travelled to Beijing, he gave me a small red white and blue Channel bag with metal straps. My boyfriend did not tell me the price of the bag, because true love is a priceless treasure.
Yu Ting
Three months ago, my university classmate introduced me to a guy, a computer engineer, to go on a blind date with. At first I asked him to help me fix my laptop in a restaurant, so he just concentrated on upgrading programs instead of talking too much, but I really appreciated his help. After that, we kept talking and getting to know each other via the Internet. We share the same interests and hobbies, such as travelling, going to concerts, and martial arts, and we even have the same taste in food. I think he is my soul mate, for whom I have always looked in my life. We are going to consider our future together.
Ting Ting
When I was a child, I swam in the sea. Actually, I just lay in the sea, floating with a rubber ring. Thus, I am not a good swimmer. However, my friends taught me with a very interesting method. They usually take me to a swimming pool divided into two areas, one of which is one metre and the other two metres deep. They push me into the deep water then leave me alone with my rubber ring. I then ask for help from other swimmers, who are always kind enough to pull me to the one-metre-deep area.
Catherine
I went to the USA with my friends and teachers in the summer of 1998. The cities we visited were San Francisco and Los Angeles, where Disneyworld impressed me because of its colourful activities and unique architecture. Everyone can have fun and relax; it’s just like a paradise, a world apart from work stress and cities. American culture focuses more on respecting an individual’s choice about their lifestyle. For instance, gays and lesbians are allowed to get married as long as they insert a gay liberation flag in their window.
Adriana
I have worked Banco de la Republico, the central bank of Colombia, since 2004. I work in the inflation department, but I decided to continue with my postgraduate studies. For this reason, I travelled to the UK to study English and start my Masters degree at Essex University. Currently, I am employed by Banco de la Republico de Columbia, and when I graduate I must continue working there.
Cecily
In my high school, I met my boyfriend, my first love. When he travelled to Beijing, he gave me a small red white and blue Channel bag with metal straps. My boyfriend did not tell me the price of the bag, because true love is a priceless treasure.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Grammar for Writing 1 : Presentations
Handouts from your wonderful presentations are now online and available for you to download. Mike and Wilson (?)'s powerpoint presentation is here, Mo and Lot's is here, and Radwan and Hasan's is here. Representing the classic school of presentation is the beautifully designed handout provided by Anis and Tarek here.Please e-mail me with any questions, or ask Radwan if you want to know more about some of the technical jargon used in his and Hasan's comma lecture.
Grammar for Writing 1 : Writing Task Key
Here are your paragraphs in all their glory:
Hasan
I stayed in Northern New Zealand to learn English last January. When I was there, I saw dolphins off the North Coast, which made me feel very happy because it was the first time I had seen dolphins in the wild.
Lu
Last year my father bought me a motorbike as my birthday present. The motorbike was a black Honda with a 300cc engine. Although I don’t have a licence to ride a motorbike, I already know how to and I plan to get a licence this winter.
Lot
Last year, I got my first job as a trainee lawyer at a legal company in my country. I had to work from 8am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, during which time my duties were to support the senior lawyer. My job was difficult because I did not know how to use law in each situation. Therefore, I had to read my law textbook even more than when I studied at university.
Radwan
Last year, I met N A, the mayor of Amman, who did well in this position because he was responsible for all technical things, urban planning, and building bridges in the city. When I met him he gave me a good position in his company and also increased my salary.
Tarek
By chance, I met the president of Syria last year when I was shopping in Damascus, the capital. I was surprised and enthusiastic about talking to him. I took a photo with him and I appreciate that he gave me this opportunity. The president of Syria is an incredibly handsome man, and anyone who looks even slightly similar to him must be gorgeous.
Mike
I went to London with my classmates by coach in order to visit The British Museum, after which we went shopping in Chinatown. On the way back, we got lost in London because we asked some people for directions, but everyone told us a different way to get back to the museum. As a result, we could not get our coach in time. Therefore, we had to go back by train from Liverpool Street.
Mo
Last Christmas, I took a holiday in Switzerland for 7 days with my friends, with whom it was fantastic to travel. There were twelve people in our group so it was fantastic when we took photos together. I went to many places, such as Geneva, Luzern, and Interaken, where we went skiing. Although the weather was freezing, it was nice because we come from a hot country so it was really fantastic to see snow.
Hasan
I stayed in Northern New Zealand to learn English last January. When I was there, I saw dolphins off the North Coast, which made me feel very happy because it was the first time I had seen dolphins in the wild.
Lu
Last year my father bought me a motorbike as my birthday present. The motorbike was a black Honda with a 300cc engine. Although I don’t have a licence to ride a motorbike, I already know how to and I plan to get a licence this winter.
Lot
Last year, I got my first job as a trainee lawyer at a legal company in my country. I had to work from 8am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, during which time my duties were to support the senior lawyer. My job was difficult because I did not know how to use law in each situation. Therefore, I had to read my law textbook even more than when I studied at university.
Radwan
Last year, I met N A, the mayor of Amman, who did well in this position because he was responsible for all technical things, urban planning, and building bridges in the city. When I met him he gave me a good position in his company and also increased my salary.
Tarek
By chance, I met the president of Syria last year when I was shopping in Damascus, the capital. I was surprised and enthusiastic about talking to him. I took a photo with him and I appreciate that he gave me this opportunity. The president of Syria is an incredibly handsome man, and anyone who looks even slightly similar to him must be gorgeous.
Mike
I went to London with my classmates by coach in order to visit The British Museum, after which we went shopping in Chinatown. On the way back, we got lost in London because we asked some people for directions, but everyone told us a different way to get back to the museum. As a result, we could not get our coach in time. Therefore, we had to go back by train from Liverpool Street.
Mo
Last Christmas, I took a holiday in Switzerland for 7 days with my friends, with whom it was fantastic to travel. There were twelve people in our group so it was fantastic when we took photos together. I went to many places, such as Geneva, Luzern, and Interaken, where we went skiing. Although the weather was freezing, it was nice because we come from a hot country so it was really fantastic to see snow.
EAP : Presentation Workshop
The powerpoint file from today's presentation workshop is available to download here.
For more examples of good and bad presentations, there are lots of videos on youtube. A search of good ones would lead you here, but it might be more entertaining to look at examples of bad presentations, like this one:
For more examples of good and bad presentations, there are lots of videos on youtube. A search of good ones would lead you here, but it might be more entertaining to look at examples of bad presentations, like this one:
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