Tuesday, October 30, 2007

word form link

http://www.athabascau.ca/courses/engl/155/support/word_forms.htm

Organization Pattern s


Two Types of Analytical Papers



ScientificHumanistic
EpistemologyDiscover the truthCreate meaning
Human NatureDeterminismFree will
Value PriorityObjectivityEmancipation
Purpose of TheoryGive universal lawsGive rules for interpretation
Research MethodsExperiment and SurveyTextual analysis and ethnography
Standards for EvaluationExplanation of data
Prediction of future
Relative simplicity
Testable hypotheses
Practical utility
Understanding of people
Clarification of values
Aesthetic appeal
Community of agreement
Reform society

Writing Skills -- ISTEP

Writing Skills and the ISTEP+ Test (Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress)

In its listing of writing skills the ISTEP+ test focuses on the writer's ability to:
(words in parentheses indicate highest level of proficiency)
a) stay (completely) focused on topic and task
b) organize ideas (logically)
c) exhibit (exceptional) word usage
d) demonstrate (exceptional) writing technique
e) (effectively) adjust language and tone to task and reader


More specifically, the good writer must:
Ideas
a) unify theme or main idea
b) not go off on tangents
c) fully accomplish the task (summary, essay, article...)
d) fully explore many facets of the topic

Organization
a) create a cohesive, meaningful whole (i.e. introduction, body, and conclusion)
b) progress in an order that enhances meaning
c) make smooth transitions between ideas, sentences and paragraphs to enhance meaning of text

Style
a) choose vocabulary to make explanations detailed and precise, descriptions rich, and actions clear and vivid
b) demonstrate control of a challenging vocabulary
c) use varied sentence patterns and complex sentences (yet fluent and easy to read)
d) uses writer's techniques (i.e. literary conventions such as imagery, humor etc.)

Voice
a) choose appropriate register (i.e. formal, personal, or dialect) to suit task
b) display a strong sense of audience (the readers)
c) have a unique perspective; may be original, authoritative, lively and/or exciting

Mechanics
a)words should have no or few capitalization errors
b) sentences should have no or few punctuation errors
c) words should have no or few spelling errors
d) sentences should have no or few grammar or word usage errors
e) good writing has no or few paragraphing errors
f) good writing has no or few run-on sentences or sentence fragments

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Important Work Vocabulary Words

Important Work Vocabulary Words
From: http://www.mtstcil.org/skills/job-6.html
An easy way to be better prepared for a job is to understand many of the common words people use when discussing jobs. Below are some words that you may come across when searching for a job, interviewing, or on the job and examples of how they may be used.

Application
Attitude
Benefits
Career
Classifieds
Deductions
Experience
Goal
Gross Wages
Interest
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Job
Net Wages
Network/Networking
Occupation
Opportunity
Qualifications
Reference
Resume
Skill
Tax/Taxes
Value
Application
A form used to apply for a job

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Attitude
A feeling or opinion about something or someone; a mental position with regard to a state (a "negative" or "positive" attitude)

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
What is your attitude toward working in large groups? (feeling/opinion)
You are more likely to succeed if you have a positive attitude. (mental position)
Benefits
Things that employers may offer you in addition to your wages; for example, health insurance, annual or sick leave, holidays, paid vacation, parking space or monthly reimbursement for parking space area, mileage for travel, and tuition reimbursement

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Although the salary was less than I wanted, I took the job because it had excellent benefits.
Career
A profession for which one trains; a job or series of job that you do during your working life He wants a career in social work.

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Her career as a computer technician is very rewarding.
What are your career goals?
Classified Ads/Classified Section/Classifieds
Advertisements in a newspaper, magazine, or online, regarding job opportunities; the section of a newspaper, magazine or Web site devoted to advertisements about job opportunities

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
The job will be listed in this Sunday's Classified Section.
I saw your advertisement for an assistant in the classifieds.
Deductions
An amount of money taken from your paycheck every payday (usually for things such as federal and state income taxes, employment taxes, social security taxes, workers compensation coverage, and health insurance payments)

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Her paycheck was $178 after deductions.
Experience
Knowledge or skill that one gets from doing, seeing or feeling something; the experience a person already has of working

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Do you have any experience working in a restaurant or serving food?
I have experience working in an office, filing, typing, and answering phones.
Goal
Aim or purpose; the end toward which effort is directed

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
The department's goal is to provide better customer service.
My goal is to find a job where I can work with children.
Gross Wages
The total amount of your pay or wages before any deductions are taken out of your paycheck

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Your gross wages are $200, but your net wages are $150.
Interest
The desire to learn about and/or be involved in a particular field or topic; activities that you enjoy doing or subjects that you like to learn about and spend time studying

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
She has always had an interest in healthcare.
His interests include politics, computers, and exercise.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
A department of the U.S. government that collects taxes

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
You must file your taxes with the IRS by April 15.
Job
Employment; the regular work a person does to earn money; a specific task or piece of work; a specific task or project that is one's responsibility

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
I am looking for a job as a teacher's aide. (employment)
We hope to have the job done by next week. (piece of work)
It will be your job to answer the phone and file papers. (responsibility)
Net Wages
The amount of pay or wages you take home after all your deductions are taken out of your paycheck

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Your gross wages are $200, but your net wages are $150.
Network/Networking
Using friends, family, and people in organizations that you know to help you find a job

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
One of the most successful ways to find a job is through networking.
Occupation
A person's job

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
The application asks you to list your occupation.
He answered "teacher" when they asked his occupation.
Opportunity
The chance to do something you want to do, advance, or progress; the chance to get a job

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
I had the opportunity to learn computer skills at my last job. (chance)
Will there be the opportunity to advance in this job? (advance/progress)
There are many opportunities for people who have gone to technical school. (job)
Qualifications
An ability, characteristic or experience that makes you suitable for a particular job or activity

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Nursing experience is a necessary qualification for this job.
Reference
A person who knows you and is willing to describe and usually praise you to support you when you are trying to get a job; a statement as to a person's character or ability

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
She used her computer teacher as a reference for the job.
Resume
A short written description of your education, qualifications, and previous employment, which you send to an employer when you are trying to get a job; also sometimes called a curriculum vitae or CV

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
People interested in applying for the job should send their resume by mail.
Skill
The ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practiced it

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Helping raise my younger brothers gave me great skills with children.
I learned my office skills while volunteering in the school office.
What skills does the job require?
Tax/Taxes
An amount of money that is paid to the government, which is based on your income

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
Every person in the United States is required to pay state, federal, and social security tax.
Value
How important or useful something is; "value" can be used to describe something's basic worth (how important or useful people find it) or monetary worth (how much something costs)

Have you answered all the questions on the application form?
The company places a lot of value on honesty. (basic worth)
What is the value of the prize? (monetary worth)

Unit 3: Work Vocabulary

Work - What do they do? Where do they work?
from: http://www.learnenglish.de/vocabulary/jobs.htm
Job What do they do? Where do they work?
Accountants Look after the finances in an organisastion. They work in an office.
Bakers Bake bread. They work in a bakery.
Barbers Shave men's beards and cut men's hair. They work in a barbers.
Barmen/women Serve drinks. They work in a bar, pub or restaurant.
Butchers Prepare and sell meat. They work in a butchers.
Chambermaids Clean and tidy rooms. They work in a hotel.
Chefs Prepare and cook food. They work in a kitchen.
Dentists Look after people's teeth. They work in a dentists.
Doctors Look after people's health. They work in a hospital or surgery.
Fishmongers Prepare and sell fish. They work in a fishmongers.
Flight attendants Look after passengers. They work in an airplane.
Hair dressers Cut and style people's hair. They work in a hair salon.
Judges Judge and sentence people. They work in a law court.
Lawyers Defend and prosecute people. They work in a law court and in a lawyers office.
Nurses Look after patients . They work in a hospital or doctor's surgery.
Opticians Look after people's eye sight. They work in an opticians.
Porters Carry other people's bags and luggage. They work in a hotel or train station.
Receptionists Meet and greet visitors. They work in reception.
Sales Assistants Sell goods and look after customers. They work in a shop.
Secretaries Arrange appointments, type letters and organise meetings. They work in an office.
Surgeons Operate on people who are sick. They work in a hospital.
Vets Look after people's animals. They work in a veterinary surgery or vets.
Waiters/Waitresses Serve people food and drink. They work in a restaurant.

Leaving or Losing your job
There are many different ways to express leaving or losing a job.

To Leave Your Job:-
To resign | To quit | To leave your job = to give up a job or position by telling your employer that you are leaving.

To retire = to leave your job or stop working because of old age or ill health.

To Lose Your Job:-
To be dismissed | To be fired | To get fired | To be sacked | To get the sack | To get the chop | To get your P45 | To lose your job = to be asked to leave a job, usually because you have done something wrong or badly, or sometimes as a way of saving the cost of employing you.

To be made redundant = to lose your job because your employer no longer needs you.

Dialogue - Naturally Speaking
The job interview
John has a job interview for a Saturday job
Interviewer: So, you've applied for the Saturday position, right?
John: Yes, I have.
Interviewer: Can you tell me what made you reply to our advertisement?
John: Well, I was looking for a part-time job to help me through college. And I think that I'd be really good at this kind of work.
Interviewer: Do you know exactly what you would be doing as a shop assistant?
John: Well I imagine I would be helping customers, keeping a check on the supplies in the store, and preparing the shop for business.
Interviewer: That about covers it, you would also be responsible for keeping the front of the store tidy. What sort of student do you regard yourself as . . . did you enjoy studying while you were at school?
John: I suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all my exams and I enjoy studying subjects that interest me.
Interviewer: Have you any previous work experience?
John: Yes. I worked part-time at a take-away in the summer holidays.
Interviewer: Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position?
John: Yes. Could you tell me what hours I'd have to work?
Interviewer: We open at 9.00, but you would be expected to arrive at 8.30 and we close at 6.00 pm. You would be able to leave then.

I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to the interview.


John: Thank you. When will I know if I have been successful?
Interviewer: We'll be making our decision next Monday, we'll give you a call.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Process Topics

How to care for a cat (or any animal).
How to spend a holiday.
How to develop self-control.
How to find happiness.
How to keep your girl (boy) friend.
How to track a wild animal.
How to prepare my favorite dish.
How to cure a cold.
How to take good snapshots.
How to take notes.
How to criticize music.
How to make an ice cream soda.
How to keep friends.
How to spend a weekend.
How to take it easy intelligently.
How to plan a garden.
How to entertain the family.
How to paper a room.
How to be popular.
How to grow tomatoes (or any vegetable, grain, or flower).
How to choose a friend.
How to solve the housing problem.
How to make cheese.
How to make coffee.
How to write a good essay.
How to be a nonchalant when embarrassed.
How to study systematically.
How to prepare for an examination.
How to plan a meal.
How to cure insomnia.
How to get along with a brother (or sister).
How to enjoy music.
How a band moves into a formation.
How to give a gentle hint.
How to leave a party.
How to make an impression on a girl (or a boy).
How to learn a part in a play.
How to administer artificial respiration.
How (not) to prepare for a journey.
How to caddy.
How to review a book.
How to develop film.
How to spend your time profitably while standing in line.
How to clean a rifle.
How to enjoy a vacation.
How to hunt with a camera.
How to sleep in class.
How to approach Dad.
How I would change Present (traffic, food, education) laws.
Learning to ride a course.
Do's and don'ts for basketball fans.
Tinkering with machinery.
Steps in making a garden.
A good party game.
In case of fire . . .
Making something out of nothing.
A complicated play in basketball or football (use diagrams).
Helps for puzzle friends.
How to "psych out" a teacher.
How to play a game.
How to spend an enjoyable evening in . . .
Plan for a garden.
Where automobiles are likely to break down.
The serve in tennis.
Choosing a wardrobe.
Earning one's way.
The best scheme I ever heard of to make money.
Making a hobby profitable.
Miracles nature never thought of.
A good floor plan.
How books are classified in a library.
A chairman's (or speaker's) duties in a group discussion.
How to enjoy literature.
How to converse.
How to tie a shoe.
How to take care of a computer.
How to say "no".

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Questioning Strategies

Questioning Strategies
Developed by Karen Kimmel for the Gallaudet University English Department from Dr. Gerald Begy, SUNY College at Brockport
from: http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/reading/queststrategy.html
Memory Questions:
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?


Definitions of Terms:
What is the author's meaning of the term?
What is your meaning of the term?
Does the term change meaning in the article?


Generalizations:
What events led to this situation?
In what three ways does this situation resemble . . . ?
How do these events cause change?


Values:
What is said about this topic? Do you agree?
What kind of person supports this topic?
Did anyone say or do something that you wouldn't do?


Translations:
Retell this situation in your own words.
What kind of diagram could you use to illustrate this concept?
How could we restate these ideas for a person from another culture?


Comparisons:
How is this idea like . . . ?
How does this idea today compare with ideas of 20 years ago?
How does this idea in the U.W. compare with ideas in another country?
Which three ideas are most alike?


Implications:
What will these ideas lead to . . . ?
What justification does the author give for these ideas?
If these ideas or events continue to happen, what will result?


Applications:
How can these ideas be applied to life here in school?
How can we show from this story that we need . . . ?
What would be necessary if we wanted to . . . ?


Analyses:
Discuss the statement, "ASL is not a language."
Some people think that English skills deteriorate when Sign is used, on what do they base this assumption? What do you think?


Evaluation:
What do you think of the person or situation; why do you feel this way?
Find the opinions; find the facts. Are the supporting reasons logical? emotional? ethical?

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Reading Links

Reading Links List from TESOL:
http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Reading/

Takako's Great Adventure

http://international.ouc.bc.ca/takako/

Voice of America:

Chimp http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2007-11-19-voa1.cfm

Parts of speech

n. (noun) - a name word; name of a person, place, thing, or idea
pn. (pronoun) - a word used in place of a noun
vb.(verb) - word for an action or state of being
adj. (adjective) - a describing word
adv. (adverb) - aa modigying word
prep. (preposition) - a word used to show a relation
intj. (interjection) - an interrupting word
conj. (conjunction) - a combining word

HAVE you ever heard anyone say, “I feel badly”? Of course you have, because almost everyone seems to have the mistaken idea that “I feel bad” is awkward and inelegant. In order to understand why “I feel bad” is correct, we must understand the difference between adjectives and adverbs.

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

As you recall, an adjective can modify either a noun or a pronoun; whereas an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. The following chart of a sentence will enable you to fix these facts in mind. As you study the plan, remember that the subject and the object must always be nouns or other parts of speech used as nouns.

THE SENTENCE PLAN
SubjectVerbObject
AdjectiveAdverbAdjective
AdverbAdverbAdverb


Two Positions of the Adjective

Few of us have any difficulty in identifying an adjective when it is close to the noun it modifies. In each of the four sentences at the top of Page 4, the adjective immediately precedes the noun it modifies.

Freemind tutorial link

http://www.geocities.com/shaila_kishore/Freemind

Freemind tutorial link

http://www.geocities.com/shaila_kishore/Freemind

SQ3R Reading System

SQ3R - A Reading and Study Skill System
Classic system presented by way of Virginia Tech: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/sq3r.html

SURVEY - gather the information necessary to focus and formulate goals.
Read the title - help your mind prepare to receive the subject at hand.
Read the introduction and/or summary - orient yourself to how this chapter fits the author's purposes, and focus on the author's statement of most important points.
Notice each boldface heading and subheading - organize your mind before you begin to read - build a structure for the thoughts and details to come.
Notice any graphics - charts, maps, diagrams, etc. are there to make a point - don't miss them.
Notice reading aids - italics, bold face print, chapter objective, end-of -chapter questions are all included to help you sort, comprehend, and remember.
QUESTION - help your mind engage and concentrate.
One section at a time, turn the boldface heading into as many questions as you think will be answered in that section. The better the questions, the better your comprehension is likely to be. You may always add further questions as you proceed. When your mind is actively searching for answers to questions it becomes engaged in learning.

READ - fill in the information around the mental structures you've been building.
Read each section (one at a time) with your questions in mind. Look for the answers, and notice if you need to make up some new questions.

RECITE - retrain your mind to concentrate and learn as it reads.
After each section - stop, recall your questions, and see if you can answer them from memory. If not, look back again (as often as necessary) but don't go on to the next section until you can recite.

REVIEW - refine your mental organization and begin building memory.
Once you've finished the entire chapter using the preceding steps, go back over all the questions from all the headings. See if you can still answer them. If not, look back and refresh your memory, then continue.

REMEMBER: THE INFORMATION YOU GAIN FROM READING IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU JUST "DO IT" WITHOUT LEARNING SOMETHING. YOU'RE WASTING A LOT OF TIME. TRAIN YOUR MIND TO LEARN!!!

Monday, October 1, 2007