Kolya Krasotkin

presentation

Slang

Let’s get started... Americans use slang all the time. This can make it difficult to understand what people are saying. Have you heard someone say something that doesn't make sense? It's probs slang.

Activity 1

3 minutes

With your partner, write a list of American idioms or slang that you have heard.

Background

Idioms and slang are special words and language used within a culture or group of people. For example, in the United States, there is “California slang” and “New York slang”, and they are very different. If an idiomatic expression or slang becomes popular enough, it may spread across the country or even around the world.

Language changes very quickly now because of TV and the Internet. Old slang may become outdated and be replaced by new words and phrases. When someone uses a new idiom or slang, it can be difficult to understand what they mean. But if it is used by enough people, it may become part of common, everyday conversation.

Discussion 1

In pairs for 5 minutes, ask and answer these questions:

1. In your home country do some groups of people use slang more than others? (An age group? An economic group? A social group?) Do you know something about people just by listening to the way they talk?
2. What is one of the common idioms or slang words used in your native language? What does it mean literally? What does the idiom mean? When do people say it?

Discussion 2

In pairs for 5 minutes, ask and answer these questions:

1. Is there a particular idiom (in English or in your native language) that you like? Is there one that you do not like?
2. In America where do you hear the most slang and idioms used? When is it most difficult for you to understand English? (Conversations, TV shows, news, telephone, business, etc.)

Discussion 3

In pairs for 5 minutes, ask and answer these questions:

1. How do you feel about slang and idioms? Are they good or bad? When is it ok to use slang?
2. Is it appropriate / funny / interesting when someone speaks like a person from a different age or economic group?

Here are some common American expressions. What do they mean? When are they are used?

Vocal of the Week - High Fashion

Apparel – another word for clothes, clothing and garments
Example: I don't think you're wearing the right apparel for a funeral.

Trendy – an adjective used to describe someone who is very fashionable or stylish. Comparative – trendier, Superlative – trendiest)

Example: Andrew looks so trendy in his light blue shirt and dark jeans!

Must-haves – highly essential clothes that you must have in your wardrobe this season. Clothing must-haves also comprise the essentials of your wardrobe. 

to have a sense of style- to be aware of your own individual fashion preferences and taste

Example: Marco's sense of style is unique. I can’t think of anyone who dresses the way he does!

to strike a pose- to take on a certain position or posture

Example: Sebastian struck a pose in front of the mirror when he was trying on his new suit.

Story Elements

Character

A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.

Setting

The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting.

Plot

A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.

Conflict

The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story. The main character is usually on one side of the central conflict. 

On the other side, the main character may struggle against another important character (man vs. Man), against the forces of nature (man vs. wild), against society, against an evil force, or even against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).

Vocab of the Week - Idioms for Difficult Situations

To hang in there - be patient, carry on, keep trying. "I know you are having a hard time, but hang in there. Exams week is almost over."

To be easier said than done - Not as easy as it appears to be. "We need to get people from both teams to work together." "Easier said than done."

To cut someone some slack - To not judge someone to harshly. "Cut him some slack, he just got back from his honeymoon."

Every cloud has a silver lining - You can find good in every situation. You can also just say "silver lining". "It's be a rough week but the silver lining is that I've shown my bosses how hard I can work."

Pull yourself together - Calm down, clean yourself up, and behave normally. If you see a friend crying and you have to go to class, you might say "Pull yourself together."

Vocab of the Week: Chatting Abbreviations

TTYL - talk to you later

OMW - On my way

LMAO - Laughing my a**(butt) off

YOLO -  You only live once

BRB - Be right back

SMH - Shaking my head.
(You use SMH to react to something that you find so stupid/bad/ridiculous that no words do it justice.)

FYI - For your information
(Information is simply being shared and that no immediate action is required or expected. Can be used to change the subject. HOWEVER, you could get "FYI it's mom's birthday today.")

BTW  - By the way
(Similar to FYI. Also, a way to introduce a new topic or add information. "BTW we have that test on Monday.")

IDK - I don't know

w00t - Whoomp. Hooray! 
(To indicate something good. "w00t, got at A+ on my test")

n00b or noob - newbie
(Someone is a novice at something. Use this when someone does something dumb because he or she has no exeperience.)

Dating - Vocal of the Week September 26th

1. Date 

2. To have a crush (on somebody)

3. To dump somebody

4. Ex

5. To hit on somebody

1. Date (noun) Two people getting together for an activity, usually with the possibility of romance. A date can occur before a couple has entered into an “official relationship,” or after they are officially together. 

Related: to date (someone), to go out with, to be seeing someone

Example 1)

“Yeah, Mike and I went on a date last night. He's cute, but I'm not sure if I want to get involved with him or not.” 

2. To have a crush (on somebody) (phrasal verb) To have a crush on somebody is a great feeling and it means that you’re attracted to somebody and would like them to be more than just your friend. And if somebody has a crush on you, well it’s the same – they like you in a more intimate way.        

Example 1)

“I have the biggest crush on Simon. He’s so cute!”

“Isn’t he dating Jenny Parkes?”

“No, not anymore, apparently they broke up a few weeks ago!” 

“Cool!”

Instead of saying have a crush you can also just say crushing on – it means the same thing but it’s usually used among the younger generation and teenagers.  

     

Example 2)

“Oooh, you’re so crushing on Michael right now!”

“I am not! We’re just friends!” 

“Liar! I can tell you like him.”

“Is it that obvious?”

3. To dump somebody (phrasal verb) If you dump somebody, you’re probably going to break their heart. If you dump your boyfriend or girlfriend it means you stop having a romantic relationship with them for some reason. And if you’re dumped, it means that somebody doesn’t want to date you anymore – don’t worry, there are plenty more fish in the sea! (There are many more great single people out there to date).     

Example 1)

“What’s wrong with Amy? She’s been walking around the campus all day looking sad and like she’s going to start crying anymore.”

“Didn’t you hear? Alex dumped her last night! Just don’t mention his name at all!”

“Wow, I’m surprised. They always looked so happy together!”

Example 2)

“Landon looks so mad! What happened?” 

“He and Samantha broke up.”

“Oh no, who dumped who?”

“I’m not sure, but I have a feeling it was Sam!”

4. Ex (noun) Usually if you hear to a friend referring to their ex, they’re referring to their old boyfriend or girlfriend who they no longer date. But if you put it with another noun for example ‘boss’ ex-boss it means your boss from before. I met my ex-boss in the supermarket the other day and he asked me to come back and work for him. I’m not going to now I’ve found this awesome new job.        

       Example 1)

 “Who was that guy you were talking to before?”

“Oh Cam? He’s my ex!”

“And you’re still friends?” 

“Kind of, we only broke up because he moved to LA.” 

         Example 2)

“My ex always sends me messages on Facebook. I wish she’d stop, it’s really annoying!”

“Tell her, or just delete as your friend!”

From: http://www.fluentu.com/english/blog/american-english-slang-words-esl/

5. To hit on someone (phrasal verb) to flirt with someone, to make a pass (at someone) with the clear intention of having romantic relations with him or her. 

Example 1)

“This guy at the club was totally hitting on me last night. He kept asking me to dance and gave me his number.”

Biz Markie - Just a Friend

The Great of the Union

The Great of the Union

Jan 14, 2016

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSNKPj6fZUg

Who are these people?

The state of the union: 

an annual message to Congress in which the president reports on the state of the nation and outlines a legislative program

What are at least two things that Obama said were positive changes that were seen under his administration?______________________________________________________________________________________

What is the one thing he really regrets about his time in office? ______________________________________________________________________________________

What did Paul Ryan say he had to practice before he went to the State of the Union speech? ______________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you think he had to practice it? ______________________________________________________________________________________

Name at least two things that Paul Ryan did not respond to that he probably should have. ______________________________________________________________________________________

What kind of politics does the President say that we need to reject?______________________________________________________________________________________

How does that part of his speech relate back to Donald trump?______________________________________________________________________________________

What was Obama’s campaign slogan in the last election?

______________________________________________________________________________________

The Hero's Journey

The Elements of Fiction

Plot, Setting, Character, Conflict, Symbol, and Point of View are the main elements which fiction writers use to develop a story and its Theme.

Today we are going to focus on plot

Giant Pandas

Panda Field Work

Pandas

Should we save the panda?

Giant Panda versus Land Use Scale 

Save Giant Pandas at all costs (1 being strongest) 

                             1    2    3    4    5    6 

Meet human needs even at cost of panda (6 being strongest)

Giant Panda Role-Play Activity

1· farmer near giant panda reserve

2· hungry villager living near panda reserve Friends of the National Zoo

3· giant panda living in panda reserve

4· local governor of village near panda reserve

5· nature-oriented tourist hoping to visit panda reserve

6· hunter trying to illegally catch giant panda and other wildlife in reserve

7· student hoping to later work as biologist in reserve

8· biologist working in panda reserve with very limited resources

9· zoo scientist hoping to train and assist reserve biologists in monitoring pandas

10· zoo veterinarian trying to work with reserve biologists and other zoo people to learn more about zoo and wild pandas

Elephant Debate

animal conservationists

Animals - Factory Farming Pros & Cons

Debate Printout

Format for Interactive Debate

Seating Arrangement: students facing each other.

1. Affirmative team: argument 1 
2. Negative team's rebuttal
3. Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion 
4. Negative team: argument 1
5. Affirmative team's rebuttal
6. Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
7. Affirmative team: argument 2
8. Negative team's rebuttal
9. Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
10. Negative team: argument 2
11. Affirmative team's rebuttal
12. Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
13. Affirmative team's closing comments 
14. Negative team's closing comments

Entertainment / Reality Shows p2 + the Schwa

SCHWA

The Schwa : Schwa

Reality TV
http://freeenglishlessonplans.com/2013/04/18/reality-tv-conversation-class/

Partner work: Questions

Get into parents. Switch off asking each other questions. Write down your partner's answer and circle the schwa sound. 

1. Do you ever go to concerts?
2. Where do you like listening to music?
3. Do you like going to the cinema?
4. Do you enjoy playing computer games?
5. Do you enjoy shopping?
6. Do you like going to parties?
7. How much TV do you watch in a week?
8. Tell us about a TV programme you’ve seen recently?
9. Do you have a favourite newspaper or magazine?
10. What do you spend your time doing?
11. Do you enjoy reading?
12. What sort of books do you read?
13. Does anyone you know have an interesting hobby?
14. What’s the difference between reading the news in the newspaper and watching it on TV?
15. Who do you spend your free time with?
16. Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free time?

Reality TV - Shark Tank

Shark Tank

Source: http://gazettereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shark-tank.jpg

Name: Shark Tank

Premise: Entrepreneurs present their ideas in front of a panel of five businesspeople (sharks) in hopes of getting one of them to buy or invest in the company.

Genre: Talent Search / competition

Target audience: Adults 25-45

Filming location(s): New York City

Air time: Evening

Revenue ideas/sponsors: All contestants will

Rule: You cannot use your own money to complete a task

Structure/Rounds: There are 10 rounds, in each round there is a challenge, like raise $100 at an ice-rink. Challenges become more difficult.

Host: A mean CEO, like Donald Trump

A typical contestant: Mixed ages/intelligence, driven, outspoken.

Think: Why will people watch the show?

Activity:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ott9y7ImP6VbmMFos5Onlz6MnQamkN2VqhJiWwrXkS0/edit?usp=sharing