Minggu, 03 April 2011

Speaking Lesson Material

Activity 1

Read the report text below!

Dance

Our body can perform some actions such as rotating, bending, stretching, jumping, and turning.  With all these physical actions, we can create a number of body movements. 

Every culture emphasizes certain features in its dance styles. For example,  lilin dance from West  Sumatra, has some candles carried by the dancer, or topeng dance from Betawi, uses a mask to perform its dance. And there are many more.

Basically, our body has the potential to be developed, usually through long periods of special training. For example, in ballet, the ballerina exercises to rotate, or turn out the legs at the hips and many more.

Next, study the following pictures carefully. Then, answer the questions that follow orally!
1.

Source: http://avianty.student.umm.ac.id/files/2010/06/tari-bali21.jpg

2.

Source: http://staylifeoptimistic.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/tari_saman1.jpg


3.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodMm1wnTEf8HxTamHeow8CmNylgsaD5PPNa1D5F0utwxaPoePbUXeia-2xXX7jQm9r3pAYVPNp8kTtrOU0hYjB0qPFXm-pMioRaosBgcCRGbciG0dDdujBXQ-uaH-eTRKFgjXrjeJ0JrP/s1600/tl-pendet.jpg

1. Do you know where the traditional dances above come from?
2. Do you like dancing?
3. What kind of dancing do you like?
4. What is the difference between modern dances and traditional dances?

Enjoy this Activity!
Here you can watch a Balinese dancing video. After you watch, retell to your friends the most interesting part in the video which you like. Check it out and happy watching!



Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRaGDXokK10

Activity 2
Study some expressions below. How do you express agree and disagree? When do you express agree and disagree? Look at the examples of agreeing and disagreeing expressions!

Agreeing
I agree with you.
So do I.
Me too (Informal)
Me neither (agreeing about a positive idea)
I don't either (agreeing about a negative idea)
You're right.
That's right.
Good idea.
I think that's a good idea.

Disagreeing
I disagree with you.
I don't think so.
Yes, but...
(I'm sorry, but) I don't agree.
Right. But, I think I have a different point of view.


Next, you will hear several expressions about agreeing and disagreeing. Listen to the speaker and repeat the pronunciation of each word in the expressions correctly! Check it out!



Source: http://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_agr_disag.mp3

Note:
We use agree and disagree expression when we agree or disagree with someone’s opinion. Although we disagree, we have to express our disagreement politely and we have to respect another opinion.

Activity 3
Act out the following dialogue with your friend. You can find agree and disagree expressions in the dialogue below.

Situations: Budi and all his classmates are going to Dufan. Budi is chatting with his best friend, Dani.
 Budi : It’s very exciting today.
Dani : Yes, it is. I’m having so much fun.
Budi : Which is the most exciting game for you here?
Dani : Well, I must say that roller coaster is the most exciting game.
Budi : Yes, I agree. The roller coaster gave me an unforgettable experience. I think I want to ride it again.
Dani : Yes, me too. By the way, are you chewing gum? Can I have some?
Budi : Yes, of course. Here you are.
Dani : Thanks.
Budi : Do you want the new banana flavor? It tastes good.
Dani : Not for me, thanks. I don’t like bananas.


Source: http://images.detik.com/content/2010/05/02/766/rollercoaster-%28gettyimage%29-dalam.jpg

Exercise: It’s time to speak up guys!

You have learnt about traditional dances also agree and disagree expressions. Now, create your own dialogue with your partner with the given situation. Choose one situation.

1. You like most the modern dance while your friend likes most the traditional dance. Express your disagreement. Provide your reason too.
2. You like most the Balinese dances while your friend likes most the Javanese dances. Express your disagreement. Provide your reason too.
3. You and your friends love watching live dances performance on stage. Express this favorite activity with your reason.

Act out your dialogue with your partner. Do your best!

Selasa, 29 Maret 2011

Website for Teaching Speaking

Website URL: http://www.eslgold.com/speaking.html

Website ESL: English study and learning materials ESLgold.net provides some English learning materials. There are some features and all of them can help the learners to study English easily. Some menu which are provided in this website are: Speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, business, pronunciation, TOEFL/TOEIC, and idioms.

Speaking Area

There are a lot of menu which are provided by this website for teaching speaking. There are 2 menu ESLgold researchers. The first one provides phrases for conversation, textbook recommendation, learning strategies, topics for conversation, quick link, teaching speaking, speaking situation, and the quizzes. The other one provides the levels of speaking teaching-learning.

-With this website, teacher can teach their students using the facility that this website provides. It can help the teachers explore the speaking material, besides they use the textbook in school as usual. The teachers can take advantageous of this website a lot to drill the students' ability in speaking.

-With this website, students can explore their ability to improve their speaking skill. With or without their teacher, students can do the learning activities a lot using this website. Virtual learning can be done within this website. Students can improve their skills because of many features in this website. Some menu like conversations are very helpful for them. The quizzes are also easy to follow and it is helpful also.

My Opinion: This website is easy to follow by ESL/EFL learners because this website uses the simple instruction and very easy to follow. The features are complete and this website are appropriate for many grades of ESL/EFL learners because it provides some levels in its menu from low beginning, low intermediate, high beginning, high intermediate, and advance.

Therefore, I recommend both the teachers and students to use tghis website to improve their skills in English.

Senin, 21 Maret 2011

http://www.4shared.com/audio/xtIvnpCR/listening_new_stars_discovered.html

Listening Through Report Text Audio

Report Text

Definition of Report text
Report is a text which presents information about something, as it is. It is as a result of systematic observation and analysis

Generic Structure of Report text
1. General classification: Stating classification of general aspect of thing; animal, public place, plant, etc which will be discussed in general
2. Description: Describing the thing which will be discussed in detail; part per part , customs or deed for living creature and usage for materials

Language Feature of Report text
• Introducing group or general aspect
• Using conditional logical connection; when, so, etc
• Using simple present tense

In short, report text describes the way of certain things and frequently refer to phenomenon of nature, animal and scientific object. Mostly, report is written after getting careful observation. This scientific and technical sense make clearer difference from descriptive text. The way of descriptive text in showing thing is based on the objective fact of the thing. It describe the specific thing simply as the thing is.

source: http://popernity.blogspot.com/2010/07/report-text-definition-of-report-report.html

Let's go on to the next session.

Pre Listening

Activity 1

Now, look at some pictures below.

1.



2.



3.



4.



5.


Match the statements below with the pictures
1. It looks so blue, bright, and not cloudy
2. We live here, in this planet
3. They have their own light
4. It can produce the scorching hot
5. A group of millions or billions stars in this space

Whilst Listening

Activity 2

Listen carefully to the example of report audio text below! The audio is about the new stars discovery. Check this out.


If you want to download this audio, please go to this address: <embed src="http://www.4shared.com/embed/546535188/9e9badc3" width="420" height="250" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed>

After you listen to the audio, please take the quiz. Check this out!



Post Listening


Activity 3

There are some important words or phrases that you listened from the audio. It can enrich your vocabulary. Look at these words or phrases below.
1. astronomers
2. composition
3. powerful instrument
4. galaxies
5. the cosmos
6. balmy
7. scorching hot
8. universe

Find the meaning of the words and make the new sentences with the words or phrases above. Practice it in your own learning! Do your best dear! :-)