Sunday, November 30, 2014

3C - Homework for Thursday, December 4

We will continue discussing fad diets - you will have to know enough about the diet you presented in class to a) discuss it and b) write a text about it. (In case you need a reminder:  http://ennsvalleyenglish.blogspot.co.at/2014/11/3c-in-class-thursday-november-27.html)

In class we will do some Schularbeit preparation.

Looking forward:  Don't forget you should give me an outline of your presentation (including organization of your topic and details you will include)

On Thursday, December 11 we have a grammar revision including a review of all tenses and the passive voice.

Exam Day Instructions and Consequences

So tests and exams can be administered efficiently, please follow these instructions:

1)  If your exam is in the first lesson, make sure you arrive ON TIME (Consequence: You may miss part of the exam).
2)  Leave your cell phone at the front of the class.  You may retrieve it only when all students are finished with the exam.
3)  Sit at a separate table (when possible) or with at least one chair between you and your neighbor
4)  Put your name on the OUTSIDE of the folded exam paper and on each page.
5)  Do not open the exam paper until all students have received theirs.
6)  Finish each part of the exam in the time allotted. Listening and reading will be collected.
7)  Do not talk to or signal other students during the exam.
8)  Do not look at or copy from other students' papers
9)  When you are done with your exam, check your work before turning it in.
10)  When you are sure you are finished, give your exam to the teacher and wait outside the classroom quietly.

Students caught cheating will receive a 'nicht bewertet' and must repeat the exam on their own time at the teacher's convenience. Cheaters can expect a Wiederholungsprüfung to be significantly different from the original.

Examples of cheating include (but are not limited to):
* Cheat sheets (Schummelzettel)
* Notes written in dictionaries
* Copying from your neighbor
* Talking to your classmates during the exam
* Signaling to your classmates during the exam
* Texting answers before, during or after the exam.
* Photographing an exam.


5IW - Homework for January 7, 2015


Saturday, November 29, 2014

If Teachers Were Treated Like Football Stars

From Buzzfeed Video

1HAS - Homework for TUESDAY, December 2

For TUESDAY, December 2:

Do exercises 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 on this worksheet.


Know the vocabulary words on the worksheet (Ex. 8, 9) and how to use them (Ex. 10). Use an online dictionary (dict.cc, leo.org, linguee.com) if you need help.

For Exercise 11, the vocabulary you need is: afford - apologize - catalogue - debt - fabulous - fit - offer - size

For Exercise 13, change the prompt to 'Write a text about the last time you went shopping.'  Write a continuous text of 50-80 words.  Make sure you answer some of these questions in your text:
*  When was the last time you went shopping?
*  What were you shopping for?  Did you find what you were looking for?
*  Where did you go shopping?
*  Who went shopping with you?
*  What did you buy?
*  How much did it cost?  How much did you pay?
*  Was there a special offer?
*  Did you eat a meal/snack while you were shopping?
*  How much did you spend on the day?

Example (nicht abschreiben!):  Last week I went shopping in Liezen. I was looking for a new ball gown. I went to Aigner but they didn't have anything in my size, so I went to Fußl. They had a nice turquoise ball gown but it was too expensive. While I was shopping, I ran into my best friend, Heidi, and we drank a cup of coffee at Mitter. Although I didn't find what I was looking for, I did find a cookie press on sale at Pagro for €19,99.  It was marked down from €24,95!

P.S.  MY homework, of course, is to bring something sweet to atone for saying 'Monday' instead of TUESDAY :-$ . - Fr. Prof. Sandrock

Writing Checklist

Before you turn in written homework, please follow this helpful checklist!

TASK ACHIEVEMENT IS EVERYTHING!
Did you write the text the prompt called for? (formal letter/e-mail, informal letter/e-mail, blog, article, proposal, report, brochure). A description of the different text forms can be found here: https://www.bifie.at/system/files/dl/srdp_lfs_textsortencharakteristika_2013-06-20.pdf
*   For letters/e-mails:  Did you include a subject line, salutation, closing and signature line?
*   For blogs, articles, reports, proposals: Do you have a title/subject line, introduction, conclusion?

Did you follow the prompt?
*   Did you write the text the prompt called for (see above)
*   Did you address all of the bullet points?
*   Did you follow the instructions to the letter?

Did you use language appropriate for the task?
*   Contractions should not be used in any formal writing (short forms like 'cause' for 'because' and 'though' for 'although' should only be used in informal e-mails).
*   If you are writing a formal letter/e-mail, be as polite as you can possibly be: use 'please' and 'thank you' and 'could's and 'would's (Would you be so kind as to/could you please send me your newest catalogue?)

ORGANIZATION
*   Did you use paragraphs?  A good rule of thumb is one paragraph for each bullet point in the prompt.
*   Did you use proper conjunctions to link ideas (first, second, third, finally, moreover, furthermore, in addition, on the one/other hand, etc. See other discourse markers here)

LANGUAGE RANGE
*   Reread what you've written!  How many times did you use the same word or phrase?
*   Avoid repeating language from the prompt.
*   Avoid unnecessary repetitions (instead of 'for example' use 'including' 'this includes' 'for instance')
*   Avoid Germanisms ('My English is not the yellow of the egg but it goes' is not English!)

LANGUAGE ACCURACY
*   Did you use proper spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation?
*   Pay special attention to tenses and word order.
*   Seriously, did you check all your subjects and verbs for 3rd-person S!?

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
*   Is your text your own work? Have confidence in yourself that with a little practice, you, too, CAN ACTUALLY WRITE ENGLISH!
*   Did you copy it from the Internet? (if the answer is 'yeah, but I changed a few words' or 'yeah, but it was a German text and I ran it through Google Translate' then it is NOT your own work.  Stop being lazy and start over!).
*   Did you copy it out of the book?  (if the answer is 'yeah, but I rearranged a few words and left some stuff out' then it is NOT your own work.  Stop being lazy and start over!)
*   Did you copy it from a classmate?  (if the answer is 'yeah, but she's in the other group' then it is NOT your own work. Stop being lazy and start over!)
*   Did you run a German text through Google Translate?
*   Did you copy a classmate's computer file and print it out with your name?




Friday, November 28, 2014

4AHK - Homework for Tuesday, December 2

A BLOG ENTRY is used to convey information, tips or personal opinion (a blog comment is a response to something that has been written like we did for Coca-Cola's sponsorship of the American Family Physicians).

You contribute to the BHAK Liezen English blog, The B-HAWK.  You have been asked to write an entry about the American business tradition of Black Friday, and to get feedback from your readers for a similar event in Austria.  Write a blog entry about Black Friday in which you

* Describe the Black Friday tradition in America
* Explain why Black Friday is so important for retailers
* Suggest a way or ways in which Austria could hold a similar sales event to increase revenues at the end of the year.

CHECKLIST (see Writing Checklist at http://ennsvalleyenglish.blogspot.co.at/2014/11/writing-checklist.html)
Did you use a catchy title?
Did you catch your readers’ interest in the first paragraph? (rhetorical questions or directly addressing your readers are good for this)
Do you have a paragraph for each of the bullet points?
Did you encourage your readers to leave comments?
Did you use correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization  and grammar?
Did you do your own work (nicht abgeschrieben vom Internet, Buch, NachbarIn, Google Translate)?
Is it something you can be proud of?


Enjoy this video about Black Friday!



And then there's this article from the Onion!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Easy One Pot Fudge Brownies

Here is a link to the recipe for the brownies I bake when my cell phone rings in class or I accidentally say 'Do your homework by Monday' in the 1HAS (of course, I mean 'Tuesday'!)

http://www.neighborfoodblog.com/2014/06/easy-one-pot-fudge-brownies.html

Ingredients
  • 170 g butter
  • 200 g 'gelben Zucker'
  • 150 g baking sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 packet bourbon vanilla
  • 65 g cocoa powder
  • 42 g  all purpose flour
  • 150 g chocolate chips
(See link above for instruction:  350 degrees Fahrenheit is 180 degrees Celsius.  An 8 x 8 inch baking dish is 20 x 20 x 5 cm).

3C - In class, Thursday, November 27

Take a look at these fad diets.  Work in the assigned pairs.  Follow the links.  You will present your fad diet in class!

Dzenis, Andre - Atkins diet
Manuel, Eldin - Raw Food Diet
Christian, Jakob - Paleo diet
Armin, Markus G. - Sugar Busters!
Hans, Patrick G. - The Zone Diet
Julian, Markus K. - Mediterranean Diet
Patrick K., Kivanc - South Beach Diet

Answer the following questions:

What is the philosophy behind the diet?
What foods are allowed on the diet?
What foods are not allowed on the diet?
What are the advantages of the diet?
What are the disadvantages of the diet?
Are lifestyle changes part of the diet, e.g. exercise?

10 Most Famous Fad Diets of All Time (with links to descriptions and sample menus in English)
http://www.everydayhealth.com/food/the-10-most-famous-fad-diets-of-all-time%20.aspx

Seven Day Color Diet
http://www.livestrong.com/article/440155-the-7-day-color-diet/

7C - Preparation for Schularbeit, Monday, December 1

Here are the multiple choice questions for Chapter 3, Exercise 3 (reading, top) and Exercise 10 (listening, track 7).


The Schularbeit is two hours on Monday, December 1

The format of the exam is
1 Listening
1 Reading
2 Writings (total of approximately 400 words)

The Stoff for the SA is:

Text sorts:      Formal email/letter (reply to inquiry, letter of complaint)
                       Blog entry

Grammar:       Basic sentence structures (positive statements, negative statements,                         questions)
                        Passive voice
                        Participles (active, passive)

Topics             Advertising, interactive advertising, advertising technology
                        RFID, Internet of Things, NFC
                        Big Brother, Surveillance, (Biometrics)

When you are finished studying for the Schularbeit, treat yourself to an episode of the old Mission: Impossible series!  

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

4AHK - Homework for Friday, November 28

For Friday, November 28, write a follow up letter of enquiry TO TURN IN.

A) Look at the correspondence between FreiLuft Austria GmbH and Apex Leisure Ltd.

LETTER 1 
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Gustav Kuddelmuddel and I represent FreiLuft Austria GmbH.  I recently saw your advertisement in the current edition of Campers' World and my company is interested in your range of solar-powered camping lamps.
We are a leading distributor of camping equipment in Linz, Austria, and we would like to request three copies of your current catalogue, including a list of prices.
Thank you for your help and we look forward to receiving the information shortly.
 Sincerely, 
Gustav Kuddelmuddel
LETTER 2
Dear Mr. Kuddelmuddel, 
Thank you for your enquiry about our product line here at Apex Leisure Ltd.  As requested, I am sending you three copies of our current catalogue, complete with updated price list. 
I hope that you will find what you need within these pages.  We would be very happy if you would choose Apex Leisure Ltd as your next supplier, and we look forward to your first order with us. 
Sincerely,
Anjeli Sen
B) Now follow prompt 3 on page 43 of Focus on Modern Business Communication 3 to write a follow up letter of enquiry to Anjeli Sen.  Here are a couple of translations/hints!

* Probebestellung - trial order
* verbindliches Angebot - binding offer
* Be really polite!  Don't write: 'We absolutely expect you to give us the usual trade discount (Handelsrabatt)." Don't write "The owner's manual (Benutzerhinweise) must be translated into German"  Find ways to ask for these things politely!
* Do you all learn about Incoterms in your Wirtschaft classes?  DDP is discussed on pp. 115-116)

B) If you want extra practice, or extra credit (because maybe you haven't written any texts all semester), feel free to write a letter of enquiry based on prompt 4 on page 43.


1 HAS - Homework for Friday, November 28

You received a handout, entitled "Unit 2: SHOPPING"
Do exercises 3 (Negatives), Exercise 4 (Asking Questions about the past) and Exercise 5 (The Simple Past) TO TURN IN!

Looking forward:  Grammar Revision #2, Friday, December 5.

Monday, November 24, 2014

1C - Homework for Monday, December 1

Study the vocabulary on page 45, and the language of shopping on pp. 32-33.  We will do a short! vocabulary quiz over these words and phrases.

Print off Englische Zeiten from Lehrer Schüler TAUSCH (1CHMBF - Sandrock - Englische Zeiten) and put it in your English folder.

Looking forward:  we will do a grammar revision on Thursday, December 15 (present simple, present progressive, past simple, past progressive, including questions and negations).


7C - Homework for Thursday, November 27

The SA is on Monday, December 1. It will be two hours.  There will be at least 1 listening, 1 reading, and 2 texts (formal email enquiry, answer to enquiry, letter of complaint, blog entry)!

To practice your READING,
1) look at the Biometrics article on pp. 31-32.  I will post the multiple choice questions if someone will remind me!
2) Look at the Exam training article on page 39 (complete the sentences with a maximum of 4 words)

To practice LISTENING,
1) Try the listening exercise on page 33 (Ex.5) - this is general practice in listening.
2) Do the listening exercise on page 36 (Ex. 10) - complete the sentences with a maximum of 4 words).



Sunday, November 23, 2014

3C - Homework for Thursday, November 27

Vocabulary (in addition to page 80 in Focus on Modern Technology 2)

carbohydrates
fad diet
legumes
starch


2C - Homework for Thursday, November 27

Make sure you have a copy of Chapter 7 - Moving Pictures:  TV and Cinema from the NEW edition of Focus on Modern Technology 1 (on Lehrer -> Schüler Tausch or copied for you last Thursday).

WRITE OUT THE ANSWERS IN YOUR BOOK SO YOU CAN
A) Prove you've done your homework,
B) Answer quickly in class, and
C) Correct your own mistakes.

Page 107 - Read exercise B1 (we did this in class)
Page 108 - Do exercise B2 (we did this in class)
Page 108 - Exercise B3 (sequencing:  first, next, after that, then, finally)
Page 108-109- Exercise B4 (put verbs into the passive. Use present simple or simple past... be careful about negative sentences and questions!)
Page 109 - Exercise B5 (Change the active sentences into passive. Look at the examples first!)
Page 109 - Exercise B6 - (Using modal verbs with passive infinitive)
Page 110 - Exercise B7.1 - Use passive verbs in the simple past.
Page 110 - Exercise B7.2 - Use passive verbs in the simple present.

Here are irregular verbs you need to memorize:
All tenses and forms of the verb "to be"
burn - burnt - burnt
choose - chose - chosen
do - did - done
draw - drew - drawn
find - found - found
keep - kept - kept
make - made - made
shoot - shot -  shot
speak - spoke - spoken
spend - spent - spent
take - took - taken
wear - wore -worn
write - wrote - written


So true!


Saturday, November 22, 2014

CFC - Important Links!

Link to "Information for Candidates 2015"
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/181310-first-information-for-candidates-2015-document.pdf

Link to 2015 Cambridge First Certificate Handbook
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf

Link to Exam Schedule at WIFI-Graz
http://www.stmk.wifi.at/default.aspx/Internationale--Sprachdiplome/@/menuId/2175/

Link to Writing Tasks




9C - Homework for Thursday, November 27

HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27

1) Be able to discuss the issues about gun violence raised in “Bowling for Columbine” (see worksheet below). If you need to watch the film again, here's a link:  http://vimeo.com/27577994

2) In the next few days, check the English speaking news sources about Ferguson, Missouri and watch the situation carefully.  Start with the article http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ferguson-missouri-gun-sales-to-first-time-buyers-surge-ahead-of-grand-jurys-decision/ 


3) Think of questions you would ask a person who supports gun rights in the United States.  Write your question in the comment section below!



7C - Homework for Monday November 24

WRITING A LETTER OF COMPLAINT - Due Monday, November 24

This semester there have been several incidents involving the student break room at the HTL Trieben.  The director is worried that students are becoming increasingly destructive, and he has decided to install a surveillance camera complete with microphone in the break room.  The system will cost about 750-1000 and the parent association (Elternverein) will have to pay for it.

Write a letter of complaint to the director in which you:

                  * Describe the problems with the break room this semester
                  * Express your concerns about student privacy
                  * Suggest alternative methods of monitoring the break room

You may, of course, address other issues in this letter, such as the cost.

Make sure you follow the directions for a letter of complaint on page 34 of Focus on Modern Technology 4/5.  Before you submit the assignment, PROOFREAD! 
                  * Does your work reflect the assigned task?
                  * Did you use proper punctuation, capitalization, paragraphs and spelling?
                  * Did you include addresses, date, greeting and appropriate closing?
                  * Did you use the correct register for a letter to the director?
                  * Is your letter something you can be proud of?


As always, you should do your own work.  You may, of course, use dictionaries or phrases you’ve learned from our short study of surveillance, but don’t resort to Google Translate or copying from your classmate. Such work will not be evaluated.

Figure out German Animal Names


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

3C - Revised Prompt for WiFi Blog Entry

For Thursday, November 20, prepare an outline/handout for your 10-12 minute presentation.  The handout should reflect what you will talk about, including organization and sources.

REVISED PROMPT FOR BLOG ENTRY - WIFI

You are one of the authors of “TechnoEnglish,” a blog where HTL students can practice writing (and reading) English.  Write a blog entry informing your schoolmates about the risks of wireless technology.  In your blog entry, you should:
·      Summarize the controversy about WiFi and health risks (2-3 sentences),
·      Express your point of view about the health risks of wireless technology in schools,
·      Suggest ways in which people can lower their risk.

Your blog entry should be 140-160 words.

HELPFUL HINTS
            * Give your blog entry an interesting title
            * Your introduction should indicate what the entry is about, but it should also build reader interest (rhetorical questions are good for this! you can also ask your readers to comment on your post)
            * You may address your readers (in this case, English students at the HTL)
            * You should have a separate paragraph for each bullet point

            * Did you proofread for spelling, capitalization, punctuation and                                        paragraphs?

All Speaking is Storytelling

  Tell a story about your Project week.  Talk for at least two minutes.  Don’t go over three.  Add your own details. Do not simply repeat w...