Well, It's Been Real

Tomorrow's our last class, so I just wanted to say thank you to all my students for being so great. I had a really fun time working with you, and you all deserve some delicious cookies like the ones in the picture above. However, I'm a mean teacher, so unless one of you brings cookies tomorrow, this note will have to be thanks enough for you.

If you're finishing the Advanced Courses or if you're taking a break for some reason, then I wish you the best of luck! If you're continuing, there's a good chance that I'll be your teacher again in the future, either in the next class or another upcoming one.

Keep in touch--if you ever have any English questions that I may be able to help with, or if you just want to say hi and hear my opinions about Guns N' Roses, rice, Quebradas, or Celine Dion (Great, Monotonous, Skinny Roads, Horrible), then call or send an email. I also have my language learning blog, Sitzman ABC. You can follow it directly or through Facebook, and if you have an English question, please submit it and I'll try to cover it in the blog.

Once again, thanks for a great class, and best of luck to you all!

-Ryan 

Homework Assignment Before Final Class

As you (should) know, this Saturday is our final class. For most of the class we'll be doing presentations, so please be prepared with those. Remember that they'll count for your final grade. That also means that we'll have to be efficient, since I've got to give you all your final grades after your presentations.

The other thing I need you to do before our final class is to make sure that your blog is complete. Remember that it'll count towards your grade, as we discussed in class. This week will be your last chance to add any more information, posts, or comments on your partners' blogs that you didn't get done before.

Your final blog homework is this:

Write a paragraph or two responding to one of the following prompts:

1. What will your life be like 10 or 15 years into the future?

2. What sorts of advances will be made in medicine and healthcare in the future?

3. How will education and/or business change in the future?

4. What do you think life in Costa Rica will be like in 20 years? Will things be better or worse, and why?

Regardless of the topic you choose, please make sure your answer is complete with good thoughts, explanation, and carefully-checked grammar and mechanics. Your homework assignment was pages 50 and 51 in the textbook, and those pages contain good phrases and vocabulary that can help you out with your blog.

Remember, I need to review and grade your blogs this before class on Saturday, so the deadline for this and any other blog-related items will be this Friday at noon. If you have any questions or problems, please comment or email me as soon as possible.

Have a great week, and see you on Saturday!

Note Before Class Tomorrow

Hello Everyone! Two things:

1. I decided to not collect a résumé from you as part of this class' requirements. I think that most of you are in a point in your lives where it's not really necessary. If you are interested in creating a résumé in English, you can find many resources online. The following sites have good examples for professional and student résumés, and I'm sure you can find more:

Student Résumé Examples

Professional Résumé Examples

If you do make a résumé and want me to check it for you, I'd also be happy to help you with that.

2. One of our biggest priorities for tomorrow's and next week's classes is to do your final presentations. A few of you were scheduled to do them tomorrow, but aren't able to now (Alejandro, Juan Miguel & Amalia, and Gaby & Marlon). We can still have presentations from Ricardo and Andrea, but if anyone is willing to present tomorrow, that'd be great. I just want to make sure we don't run out of time in our last week.

So, I'll see most of you in class tomorrow. Until then, take care!

Notes For Easter Break

In Costa Rica, people seem to be more interested in crucifixion than the Easter Bunny.
I'm not a big fan of crucifixion OR the Easter Bunny, so this picture will have to do.

First of all, I hope that you all have a great Easter Break, whatever you do! Remember that there's no class on Saturday, April 23rd. That means you'll have to go two weeks without seeing your Favorite English Teacher, but I'm sure you'll get through the withdrawal symptoms... somehow.

In any case, you don't have any new assignments over Easter Break IF you are up to date with your previous homework and blog assignments. If you've NOT been doing your blog posts or commenting on your group partners' blogs, this is your big chance to get caught up. Remember that according to what we negotiated in class, the blog posts will count as 25% of your final grade, so be sure to make them count!

In the week after Easter I'll be posting an assignment related to a résumé; basically, the assignment will be that you'll need to write your own, personal résumé. I'll give you a few examples then, but you can also start looking for them on the Internet now, if you've got nothing better to do next week--haha!

So, once again, during Easter Break take care, have fun, eat your veggies, don't do anything I wouldn't do (and if you do, then name it after me), don't forget to floss, and remember to put down the toilet seat when you're done! See you again on Saturday, April 30th!

Week 5 Homework

Hello there! There are a few things to do for homework this week but fortunately for you, none of them are especially difficult or time-consuming. Here they are:

1. FINAL PRESENTATION:

Remember that you'll have a final presentation in week 8 (and as I mentioned in class, we may actually start in week 7 if necessary). That's still a few weeks away because of the Easter holiday, but I still want you to start thinking of your presentation topic. By next week, I want you to post on your blog (or email me) the following information:

-Your presentation topic, and whether you'll work alone or in a group

-How you'll be presenting the topic (what activities or techniques will you use?)

-What you'll do to involve classmate participation

-Any resources you'll need

As we mentioned in class, your final presentation will be in a different format than your midterm presentation. The final will have to be more like a training session or an interactive demonstration. You must involve your classmates in some way; try to get them up and moving, and doing something. We brainstormed quite a few presentation ideas in class but if you're having trouble coming up with a good one, tell me.

2. RÉSUMÉ:

Before the course is over, you'll need to make a personal résumé in English. For now, just start thinking about work, educational, or professional experience that you could include. Also, think about what your objective would be (i.e., a specific job, a place in a university, etc).

3. BOOK/BLOG:

Read the "Kick Off" questions on p. 36. Then read the three excerpts in the "Words at Work" section on p. 36 and 37. On your blog, write a response to one of them. Which of the three do you think makes the best points? Based on your own experiences in the world, which is the most correct?

4. US/UK DIFFERENCES: 

We talked in class about quite a few spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation differences between American and British English. Do a bit of research and find at least three additional differences. Write a couple of sentences on your blog explaining the differences you found. 

5. PARTNERS' BLOGS:

As usual, read your two group partners' blogs and comment on their posts from last week (when they talked about a proverb).

So, that looks like a lot, but it should be pretty manageable. See you on Saturday but until then, have a great week!

Week 4 Homework

I saw this bug in Palmares the other day and thought it was cool.

Hi Everyone!

Here's your homework for this week. Please have it done by Friday at noon. If you're behind on the homework assignments for other weeks, please finish them, so your group partners can comment on your blogs. So:

#1: Read your group partners' blog posts from week 3 (remember you all had to choose from one of four topics). Please leave a constructive comment for each of your group partners.

#2: I'd like you to do a few exercises related to advertising: TEXTBOOK: p. 28, ex. 2; p. 29, ex. 4; WORKBOOK: p. 24 (all); p. 25 (all).

#3: Choose one of the proverbs below. Then, write a paragraph or two on your blog about the proverb. Mention why it's interesting to you and how you interpret it (rephrasing it in your own words, perhaps). Then, try to give us an example of a real instance when you've noticed that proverb in effect in your own life.

Thanks, and have a great week!

THE PROVERBS FROM CLASS:

-A hairy man is a happy man, a hairy wife is a witch.
-Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
-Fall seven times, get up eight.
-Doubt is the beginning, not the end of wisdom.
-Every ass loves to hear himself bray.
-Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.
-Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.
-The cobra will bite you whether you call it "Cobra" or "Mr. Cobra."
-An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
-Beauty without virtue is a flower without perfume.
-The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
-If you believe everything you read, you had better not read.
-Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.
-Many know how to say nothing, few know when to.
-Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.
-The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.

For Tomorrow

Good evening, everyone!

I've been reading your blogs and commenting. Please check your posts and see if there are any questions from me or your group partners and respond to them, if necessary. If you've not finished your posts, please do so as soon as possible (once again, better late than never).

I'm excited to see your presentations tomorrow! I'll bring a computer and a cable for the projector, if you need them.

I think that's it for now. Have a good night, and see you tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn (well, at 8:00).

Week 3 Homework Reminder

I know you're chilling on the couch, but don't forget your English homework!

In case you've already forgotten, here are the homework assignments for this week. Please have them done by Friday at noon:

1. Write your weekly blog post. You can choose one of the following topics:

A. What professionalism means to me: my past, present, and future.

B. My experiences as a student/ professional, and what I would change if I could start over again.

C. How social networking has impacted me and my friends/ classmates/ coworkers.

D. Why I'm a great/ terrible conversationalist.

These topics are based on the book and what we've been talking about in class. If you have another topic you'd prefer, please email me for approval ASAP.

2. Using the topic you chose in part 1, prepare a short (5-10 min.) presentation related to your response. Since you'll be evaluated on your English use above everything else, you don't need to bring any materials for the presentation. If you decide you do want to bring materials (like a handout or a PowerPoint presentation, for example), please tell me if you'll need the projector. And remember: if you do choose to bring materials, they should enhance your presentation. If they don't, it's better to leave them at home. I think we've all sat through enough presentations where the presenters boringly read their notes off their PowerPoint slides; let's not do that on Saturday, OK? 

3. Comment on your group partners' blogs. Follow the same procedure as last week, but this time you'll be commenting on your partners' posts about "good/bad" companies.

4. Check out the Common Errors on my language-learning blog. I've noticed quite a few of them in class recently, and it's good to review them occasionally.

5. Have a good week!

Fast Note

This has nothing to do with this post, but people are more
likely to read something if there's a picture involved.

Hi Everyone! I've been reading about your "good" and "bad" companies, as well as a few of your dream jobs. Most of them are looking very good, so keep up the good work!

I've also noticed that a few of you -but definitely not all of you- have been commenting on your 2 group partners' blogs. There are some good conversations are coming out of these comments, so I want to just mention again that you should be reading and commenting on your group partners' blogs. You can read and comment on any class member's blog, but you have to do it with your group members.

So, if you've not done the comments, or if you still have to put up or change any previous blog posts, it's better late than never.

I'll see you all in class tomorrow. Have a good night!

Week 2 Homework Reminder

Hi Everyone! Since I promised I'd post a homework reminder a few days after class, here's your homework reminder:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

OK, here are the assignments:

1. On Saturday you got into groups of three. You need to read your group partners' blogs and respond to what they wrote in the comments section of their blogs. You can agree, disagree, react, or comment on their English usage, but your comment must be constructive and add to the conversation (Don't just say, "Haha, great work." or "I agree."). Please make your comments by Friday at noon.

2. Read your group partners' comments (and any comments I made) and please respond to them.

3. For your blog homework this week, you need to choose a "good" or a "bad" company and write a little about it on your blog. You should describe the characteristics of a good or bad company, and explain why the company you chose embodies your description. Try to use as many details and examples from your personal experiences and interactions with the company as possible. Please do this by Friday at noon.

4. In the workbook, please finish the exercises from chapter 1 (p. 7, 8, 9, and ex. 7 on p. 10; you don't need to do p. 11).

5. Don't forget to participate in the Online Conversation Club! Click Here for more information about how to start, and to see the current schedule.

So, that should keep you busy till Saturday! Have a great week, and see you then!

Chicken & Waffles

Ricardo: I told you they were real.

Now be sure to bring an extra pen next week.

Everyone else, take care and have a good week!

A Few Comments Before Class

Another strange job I had: I worked at a dairy.
Also not very glamorous, since I occasionally
had to put my arm IN cows. Yuck.

Hello Everyone!

I enjoyed reading your posts about your dream and nightmare jobs. Hopefully in real life, you'll all get your dream job, whatever it may be.

If you've not posted your response to your blog yet, you can (and should!) do it still; it's better late than never. Also, I'd like you to check your blogs sometime in the next few days. If you have a comment from me or a classmate (and most of you do or will), I'd like for you to respond to the comment, if necessary. 

So, that's all for the moment. I'll be explaining your week 2 assignment tomorrow in class so in the meantime, rest up and have a good night, since class starts tomorrow at 8:00! AM! Not 8:06! Haha!  

Week One Homework: Dream Jobs

You may not have known it, but I actually was a bus driver
for about six years while I was studying in college.
I can't say I felt very prestigious doing it, though.

Your first assignment for this week is to write a couple of paragraphs on your blog. Since we were talking about dream and nightmare jobs, I'd like you to write your thoughts about what you think the perfect job for you would be, and why. For example, if you think your ideal job would be driving buses, explain what aspects of your personal goals, personality, or career wishes make that job ideal for you. Alternately, you could talk about your "nightmare" job, if you prefer. Also, comment about whether the job you mention carries prestige with it in Costa Rica. If so (or if not), is it prestigious in other parts of the world? Explain.

Please finish your blog post by noon on Friday, so that I'll have time to read and comment on them. You can also feel free to check out your classmates' blogs and leave comments.

For your second assignment, I'd like you to complete exercises 3 and 4 on page 7 of your text; in the workbook, please do pages 5, 6, and 7. We may not have a lot of time to review these during our next class, but if you have any questions about these exercises, be sure to ask them.

I'll be excited to read and comment on your blog posts this week! Take care, and see you on Saturday!

Online Conversation Club

Hello Everyone! I forgot to remind you in class yesterday about the CCCN's Online Conversation Club. I've written details here, like the schedule and how to participate. I'll hope to see you online!

Welcome to AP-4!

Hello! My name's Ryan, and I'm the teacher of the Advanced Program, Level 4 at the CCCN in Palmares. I'll be posting some comments and assignments on this blog, and you can also send comments to me through this page.

I'm looking forward to our class together, and I'll do everything I can to make the class useful and interesting for you. I'd also appreciate any feedback you have for me along the way.

There is one thing I need you to do as soon as possible. If you've had an AP class with me before, then you possibly have a blog already. If you do, great! If you don't have a blog yet, then please start one. The process is usually very quick and painless. If you're not sure what to do, check this link for more detailed instructions on how to start a blog.

When you have your blog's address, or if you already have one, please send the link to me. You can send it by email or by copying and pasting it in the comments section below. I'll then put together a list of all the students' blogs and put the list on this site.

So, that's all for the moment! I'll hope to see you all tomorrow, bright and (too) early!