Workshops L2 L3 MAG & Reinforced L1

Yesterday in class, I had groups 4A, 6, and 3B.

In all groups, I asked students to give me examples of questions that are frequently asked in job interviews. The idea is that when preparing for an interview, you should try to think of the types of questions you will be asked, and prepare your answers in advance. This way you will be much more confident when it comes to the actual interview, and more comfortable with answers you have already practices reciting, especially if you ever have to do an interview in your second language of English. After the students gave me their questions, I read off this list of commonly asked interview questions. In some classes I gave additional CV advice. I also in some classes discussed using career building websites like LinkedIn.fr or .com to post your CV in French and English, and using facebook applications like BeKnown to build an online presence. Most employers these days will Google prospective employees, and it is a good sign to have an additional online presence other than facebook. I also advise students to start blogs about travel or something else they are interested in. It's good to have a good online presence, and will only become more important in the future.

In the Group 6 class, I also spent the last few minutes of class giving a basic overview of the United States geographically speaking, with a brief overview of our history as a country. I described the regions of the United States, and what brings tourists to each region. I additionally discussed travel across the United States. Many people believe that we use planes more to travel, however, travel is always quite expensive because things are much farther apart. I discussed the difference between using planes contrary to cars, where you can enjoy the country side, but that is takes much longer to travel from place to place by car, and can cost as much with the cost of gasoline. Our highways and roads are the easiest way to travel. I discussed the use of buses (autocars) that can be much cheaper than using trains. In the 1960s and 70s, we got rid of many train lines, or abandoned the train stations and tracks, and instead built roads and in some cases paved over the old train tracks, especially in the Northeast, where we had already a lot of well developed areas. Here is a list of some links to websites for different travel modes in the U.S.

Southwest - not exactly Ryanair, but a discount domestic flight company.

Amtrak - an expensive Train service that travels between States.

MTA - Manhattan Transit Authority - Here is an example of a city transit system - that also extends in the surrounding areas. For example, trains also leave New York City and go into the surrounding areas, much like the RER.

Greyhound Lines - A bus company that goes between most major cities in the U.S.

Megabus - A discount bus service, also available in the U.K. and Canada.

Boltbus - additional discount bus service.

First Class & Week 1

Hello MAG 1 students!! The first day of class I gave an overview of the class, and my expectations. Attendance is mandatory as well as class participation. The groups are not split up into Levels, everyone is mixed, and I ask that everyone feel welcome to ask questions.

The first day of class, we came up with questions that you could ask someone upon first meeting them. We then interviewed a partner, and introduced them to the class. For the groups who did not finish introducing their partners, or for the students who did not attend the first day of class, you will be presenting your partner or yourself this coming Friday, January 20th.

Today, the 17th in class, we practiced asking questions, using a secret destination or place. Each student came up with a place they liked, and a place they didn't like. Students took turns asking other students questions in order to figure out which place the first student was thinking of. We rotated partners so everyone had a chance to speak with someone different. At the end of class, we totaled up the points for each team. I also assigned homework, 10 sentences written or printed out for Friday morning, on why you prefer the place you like, to the place you don't like. If you use sources, as always, please list them.

I will correct this assignment, and we will use it in class next Tuesday.

Class Expectations

Prof. Samantha Schlegel
• Contact –
samantha.schlegel @ univ-angers.fr
samanthaschlegel @ gmail.com

Expectations & Grading
• Participation - Oral & Group Activities, Pronunciation, and LISTENING • Project – Utilization of Lessons to Prepare a Presentation or Group Project • Evaluation – Scheduled outside of class, 3 to 5 minute interview

Subjects Covered
• Basic Grammar – Even within higher levels of English, Grammar will be reviewed.
It is the building blocks of learning a language
• Technology - Used the world over. e-mail, websites in English, social media and networking, software, hardware, standard vocabulary.
• Tourism & Business – The focus will be the oral aspects: conducting phone conversations,
Ordering lunch, Business Meetings, and other vocabulary specifically related to Tourism.
• Culture – It’s always necessary to learn about who speaks a language in addition to learning it.
You will be presented with material and multimedia that presents English speaking culture.

Building & Continued Interest Topics
My style of teaching approaches each class and individual differently. I will work to incorporate subjects you are interested in learning about into my course planning. I will observe weaknesses, and construct grammar reviews around this. I will observe strengths and attempt to build your vocabulary and current language. • Please contact me with any topics you may be interested in covering this semester.

Discussion
• Questions & Topics, Debates
• Some Prepared Responses & Presenting
• Increase ability to Improvise Speech & Conversation

ABSENCES -

WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL COUNT AGAINST YOUR GRADE.
You must follow the University Policy. Absences are only excused with a Doctor’s Note, Transit Strike, or other serious issue. I expect to be contacted in ADVANCE about missing class, not one or two days after you missed my class. If I have to be here, so do you. Please be respectful of my class, entering late you will also cause you to be counted as absent.