Idioms and Reading-Reaction Journals

Wednesday, July 6th

Firstly some new language changes and contemporary idioms we discovered while reading an article from The Daily Mail

50 k - 50 000 £

 to keep the wolves from the door - to keep away hunger and poverty

to bulkbuy - buy in large quantities at a low price

the soaring cost of everything - dramatically increasing cost of everything

woes - worries or problems

to spalsh out on something - to spend without thinking

to be weary - to be careful with money

utility bills - not only trash, but also water and electricity bills

digs - students`residences

As you can understand the article was again on the current woes of the whole world, not just Britain!

READING-REACTION JOURNALS

It`s one of the many methods to enhance learner autonomy!

Once a week students know they have to bring along their Reading-Reaction Journals including the

 summary of a newspaper or magazine article(can choose themselves or you give the address of some

e-publication) and students exchange their information in groups. Firstly you teach the students how 

to make this summary, what kind of stages there are and then students can assess themselves their 

work including comments. And the teacher can write comments or assess finally.

I think paraphrasing seems to be  difficulty for nowadays children and they often tend to copy-paste

information from the internet. We were given a definite system how a direct copy can be developed 

finally  into an original explanation and what kind of footnotes you have to use.

Or alternatively they can write about their learning experiences once a week (reflecting), the teacher

 will comment on them.

Some Culture Notes!

Usually people  cross the street with red light, you are lucky if you can do it with green for 

pedestrians. It was very unusual for me at first, but now I don`t want to be the only silly-billy waiting

for the green light.

                                        

                                   

              I had fish and chips in the afternoon.

                       

English people like having meaningful notices everywhere around you.