Dear all,

This term we started a long trip, from the past to the present. We analysed and discussed key concepts such a culture, civilization, language and modernity. Not only that, we also looked into the relationship between the former and education and your understanding was put forward in the form of presentations and critical essays on your blogs.

I have to say that this was an extremely interesting teaching-learning experience to me. Most of you demonstrated great critical skills and engagement. You managed to make the connection between the course and your future as English teachers. And, most of all, you managed to grow an understanding of the importance of being reflective and critical professionals to improve. Being an English teacher in a country like Chile is a great responsibility, and I think you will do a very good job.

Before finishing, I invite all of you to write a critical assessment of the course in the form of entries on this blog.

Good luck to those who are going to the USA. Bring back all your learning and experience to share with us. Those who stay, take advantage of the summer to rest, have fun and read as much as you can....

Best wishes,

Claudia

Dear all,

Before saying goodbye, there are several things we need to. So, let´s wait until the end of the term and use the little energy we have left to do a good job, shall we?

Reminders....

1. Group 2 students have to upload the entry about the Victorian age (see previous post for instructions) the latest on Monday 10 by midnight.

2. Both group one and group two students will have to write their film review of "Modern Times" by Thursday 13th at 9 am as I will have to correct them during the day to have the marks ready for Friday 14 (same instructions as previous film review whose mark will be sent to you via webmail shortly).

3. All students will write a 700-word essay IN CLASS based on any of the topics we have discussed during the course. Group two students will write it on Monday 10 and group one on Wednesday 12. It would be wise to bring an outline of your ideas and any articles that might help you write your essay.

Possible topics:

• Relationship between civilisation, culture and language


• Crtitical thinking, British culture and EFL


• Medieval England, culture and language


• The shaping of an empire, from Elizabeth I to Modernity


• Etc.

Remember to relate your topic to teaching. You will find the marking criteria and instructions on how to write an essay in the following links

http://www.siue.edu/~deder/grrub.html

http://www.siue.edu/~deder/grstand.html

http://www.nd.edu.au/downloads/colleges/arts/res_essayguide.pdf

See you next week,

Claudia

Dear all,

This is a reminder of what you have to do for Friday (group 2 students only). Paty has got an article which you need to photocopy "The Victorian Age. Industrialism: Progress or Decline?". Read it and compare it with the article by Hibbert: "The Age of Reform". Post an entry on your blog. Deadline, Friday 9 am.

What are the main criticisms made in the first article? What is your opinion?

What big changes took place during the industrial revolution?

What were the working conditions of women and children like then?

Refer to the immigration of workers from towns to industrial towns, what were the consequences?

Visit the following webpage and read the poem "The Cry of the Children" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/ebbrowning/bl-ebbrown-cry.htm

How does the poem relate to the article, and the picture?

On Friday group 1 will have the recuperation session at 11.30 in K-53, and the following session in E-53. Group 2 will have both sessions in classroom E-53.

See you then,
Claudia

Dear all,

A few reminders....before we finish the term
1. I will upload the recuperation scheme to the virtual campus so that you know when, what and where we´re meeting.

2. Another article will be left in Agustinas this afternoon for you to photocopy. It covers the period of pre-Victorian to Victorian England.

3. So far, we have discussed until Restoration, which is the period between 1660 and 1780. Group one students have to post a 150-long-post on their blogs about the sub-periods they will present next session.

Here are some of the questions we´ve based our discussion of the pre-Restoration period on (see article by Hibbert)

1. What major scientific and literary events took place at the beginning of the 17th century?

2. What was the Mayflower?

3. Who were the Pilgrim Fathers? Where did they settle down?

4. Why does the text refer to James I way of speaking as "full of dialect of his country?

5. When was the King James Bible translated? Why is this important?

6. Why did James I dissolve Parliament, when did he restore it?

7. How was Charles I described?

8. What was Charles´s relationship with Parliament like?

9. What were his religious beliefs?

10. Why is the period after Charles I called the Commonwealth? How was it different from the monarchy?

11. Why is this period so important in terms of Parliamentary power?

Claudia

Dear all,

Here is some information on how to write your reviews about the film "Elizabeth". Follow the steps suggested in the following webpage, they are very clear. Your review should be about 300 words long. The deadline to post your reviews is Monday 20, at 09.00 am.

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/englishresource/filmreview.html

...and you will find the marking criteria I will use in the following link

http://www.siue.edu/~deder/grrub.html

http://www.siue.edu/~deder/grstand.html

Here is a film review of a very good film (2007) called "The Counterfeiters" as an example. I hope you enjoy it. The film is really good!!

http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=163113&section=review

I have also left another photocopy in Agustinas for the period after Elizabeth I. Remember that to write your film reviews you need to read the previous photocopy that covers the period between the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I (article by C. Hibbert on Tudor England left in Agustinas some weeks ago!!!). Remember that this is a review about a film based on historical facts. Therefore, if you refer to history, quote the corresponding sources/authors.

Issues you may focus on:

Opposition between Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart

Why was Elizabeth I called the "Virgin Queen"?

What were the political and religious implications of Elizabeth´s decision to fight Phillip II of Spain?

Good luck!!

Claudia

Hi everybody,

Today´s class will be devoted to answering some questions about the historical and linguistic development of England/English from the Anglo-saxons to the Middle Ages (15th century).

You will work in groups and will try to answer the following questions based on the article by David Crystal:

The Anglo-Saxon Period 449 AD:

1. According to David Crystal, who are the barbarian invaders that reach the borders of England?

2. Which are three invaders that settled in Britain after the Roman Empire?

3. What happens to the Celtic language during the Anglo-Saxon period?

4. What was Latin used for, who introduced it again in 597 AD? What´s the relationship between Latin and literacy during that time?

5. Was there any standard spelling system?

6. What dialects emerge in England during the Anglo-Saxon period?


The Vikings 787 AD

1. How long do the Vikings raid Britain?

2. Where do they mostly rule during the 100 years until the Anglo-Saxons strike back in 878 AD?

3. What´s the Danelaw?

4. When does Canute rule England?

5. What was the influence of the Danish language on Old English? What words, names, etc, has the English language adopted from that time?


The Norman Conquest 1066

1. What changes does William of Normandy introduce when he invades England?

2. What language is established then?

3. Why does Crystal claim that England was then a trilingual country?

4. What developments does English suffer during the Norman Conquest?


The Resurgence of English 1200-1400

1. What languages, other than English, start being of interest in the 12th century? Why is this important?

2. What universities are established then?

3. What happens to French in this period? Who speaks it?

4. When does English become the language of power? What role does French and Latin have then?

5. How many French words entered the English language during the 14th century? Can you find examples?

In the next session, we will start analysing Tudor England (1485-1603). I will leave a photocopy in Agustinas.

See you later,
Claudia

Dear all,

I have uploaded an article to the virtual campus for you to read. It´s about the historical development of the English language. As we are working on building the historical and linguistic timeline of England/English, this will be very helpful to understand both processes. Pages 1 to 7 discuss the evolution of language until about 1500. I hope this helps to clarify some of the issues we are now discussing.

See you tomorrow,
Claudia

Dear students,

Tomorrow we will have a recuperation class at 15.00 in E-26 (section 1 students only). Also, both section 1 and section 2 students please post a comment on the Stonehenge video and the article to be found in the following links:


http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2008/09/22/uk_experts_say_stonehenge_was_place_of_healing/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7625625.stm


What do experts believe Stonehenge was? What evidence makes them believe so? What did people believe Stonehenge was according to the artible by C. Hibbert? What do you think?

Section 2 students, here is the link to the webpage about the ages of English, based on the book "The stories of English" by David Crystal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/lang_gallery_01.shtml

On Friday, we will discuss the main events from the Anglo-Saxon period until about the 15th century. We will will also reflect on how those events influenced the evolution of the English language.

Daniela and Juan, you will get your marks tomorrow. Sorry about the delay.
See you tomorrow,
Claudia

Dear section 1 students,

First I wish to apologise for not having been able to come today as I´m ill. We will discuss how to recuperate these classes on Friday.

Also, section 2 students were expecting me to leave a photocopy of a chapter of the book The Stories of English by David Crystal at the photocopying centre in Agustinas. I´m sorry, but I was meaning to leave it today. Never mind, we will have to do without it. The idea on Friday anyway is that we work on building a Medieval timeline that not only shows the history of England but also how language has evolved. Use your own skills, you´ve got many!!

On Friday, I will also give you the marks of your presentations. As a general comment I have to say that your presentations were really good. The way you approached each of the topics was extremely interesting. Well done!

See you on Friday.

Claudia

Dear all,

Watch the following videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrnXgVTTrCI

What are the differences between old and Middle English?

Try and figure out what the text is about.

How many words from Latin origin do you find?

Now watch the next video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5ANlFRDhKc

Enjoy!!
Claudia

Hi everybody,

I wish you all a very happy long weekend!! Just some reminders before next session:

1. Post a comment to evaluate one of your classmates´ presentations. Your comment has to be posted on that person´s blog. See my previous post for guidelines.

2. Read the following article about the Middle Ages (section one students need to read the article by Hibbert first, should you have any doubts see my previous posts).

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-timeline.htm then click on Middle Ages History. Try to build your own timeline so that you capture the most relevant events.

3. Section 1 students have a recuperation class on Wednesday immediately after the usual session. The class will be held in Almirante Barroso 06 room K57.

Enjoy!!
Claudia

Dear all,
Take a look at the following timeline, compare it with the article by Hibbert.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001198.html

Select one picture, from the article by Hibbert, think of what the different inhabitants and immigrants did with Stonehenge
http://www.viator.com/tours/London/Stonehenge-Private-Viewing-Bath-and-Lacock/d737-2452T2/photos-2?scrollLeft=360

Claudia

Dear all,
Listen to the following music, what do you know about Celtic music? What images does it bring to you?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/music/celticconnections/prog1/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/player/?item=44534298

Now, let´s discuss the article about natives and immigrants...
Hope you enjoyed the music.
Claudia

Dear all,
Please read my previous post about the article that you have to read for the session after the oral presentations. Also, you are expected to write a comment to one of your classmates about his/her presentation. The idea of this comment is that you provide your feedback. Think of the following:

1. How was the presentation organized? Was it easy to follow?
2. Did the presenter know the subject well? Was he or she able to answer questions?
3. Was the choice of images, slides, etc. helpful to understand the presentation?
4. What aspects of the presentation do you think need improvement? Don´t need improvement?
5. More feedback...?

Claudia

Dear all,
The oral presentations will take one more session. So far, the people who have presented in both groups have done a great job. Congratulations!!.

After the presentations have finished, both section one and section two students should get a photocopy (from the photocopying centre in Agustinas) of chapter 1 of the book The story of England by Christopher Hibbert. We will discuss it in class, so read it beforehand. Section one students should read it for Friday 12, section two students will have to read for Monday 15.
See you in class,
Claudia

Dear all,
Next session we will discuss the critical thinking articles (the two uploaded so far). Also, you will have to decide on the topic of your presentations and let me know. Presentations will take place on Friday 5 for section one students, and on Monday 8 for section two students.

You can choose to make a presentation on any of the following articles:

1. John Berger (Ways of Seeing chapter 1)
2. Claire Kramsch (The relationship of language and culture)
3. Culture and civilization (links to websites on this blog)
4. Critical thinking (links to websites on this blog)

The presentations will last 5 minutes, allowing for about 5 more minutes for questions and short discussions.

The main idea of these presentations is that you give your account and viewpoint of the articles. You are not expected to tell us what the articles say in detail. It is assumed that everybody has read them already. What is expected from you, is a presentation of your understanding of the article/s and how you relate it/them to your future as an English teacher.

The marking criteria is to be found in the following link

http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/rub.pres.html

I´m really looking forward to your presentations!!
Claudia

Dear students,
Today´s class is going to be devoted to "critical thinking".

As it was explained in the previous class, you are expected to have read the article whose link was provided in the latest post. Also, we are going to discuss the following article

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v7n1/JTEV7N1.pdf#page=23

together with another article that will be given to you in class.

We will work on definitions of critical thinking and how those can be applied to cultural studies.
See you,
Claudia

Dear all,
In the following link you will find an article about critical thinking. Section 1 students are expected to read if for Friday 29. Section 2 students will have to read it for Monday, September 1st.

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/critthnk.html

Think of the following:
How can critical thinking be fostered among English language learners at school and university level?
How would you, as a future English teacher, foster critical thinking among your students?
How do you think culture and critical thinking are linked?
Claudia

Dear all,
I´m happy to see that many of you have managed to create their blogs. Those of you who haven´t done so yet will have to create one the latest during next class as you will be asked to write a summary of your understanding of civilization and culture.

Section one students are expected to write their summaries the latest before tomorrow´s class, i.e. 12.00. Also, you will find the photocopy of the article about culture at the photocopying centre in Agustinas. Section two students will first discuss the article by Berger. After that, a discussion of the definitions of civilization and culture will follow.

Questions to have in mind:
What definitions of civilization have you found?
What´s the relationship between culture and language?.
What´s the relationship between language and social identity? and culture?
Claudia

Dear all,
So far only 12 people have created their blog and have sent the link to me. Deadline to do so is before next class. You will be asked to write a short commentary as a follow up activity, therefore your blog is essential.

Remember that you are expected to have read the article by Berger and the definitions of culture and civilization provided in the links. A series of follow up actitivies will be done which are based on the assumption that you have read them all.
Claudia

Dear students,
For the sessions about culture and civilization, please read the articles provided in the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization. In this article, click on the word "culture" which will take you to another website.

Think of the definitions of culture you came up with last class and compare them with those provided in the articles. What´s the relationship between culture and civilization?

We will do a series of activities based on the articles, definitions and concepts developed, so it is your responsibility to come to class well prepared to participate.
See you then,
Claudia

First class

Dear students,

Welcome to the course! This semester, we will study the main cultural tenents of the British and American culture. The aim of the course is to foster your critical thinking and an understanding of the importance of cultural diversity for a more egalitarian educational system. As a future English teacher, you will need to understand how the British and American civilizations have emerged and consolidated. Also, the relationship between culture, civilization, language and power will be discussed.

For the first class, please get a photocopy of the introduction to the book Ways of Seeing by John Berger. We will discuss it in the first class along with the course programme. Think of how your own beliefs influence the way you see and approach new things. How have history and works of art been presented to us? By whom?

Also, you will be asked to create your own blog as a way to keep a log of what you do in this course. This will be done together in the first class so don't worry. Some of you may have created a blog for other courses already, or for personal reasons. Whatever is the case, this is going to be a shared blog so that we learn from one another. Therefore your blog will be linked to mine so that everybody in the class has access to everybody's blog. I hope you find this collaborative way of learning useful.
See you soon,
Claudia