Saturday, December 8

Level 1: We finished page 138 and students made some good questions using Would.......if ? We did pair work and some class discussions. Great group those students. They were happy to hear that I would not assign any homework this week nor any the following week.

Level 2- We had a great discussion using the Mind Map and personalization questions. The students used some really good vocabulary in their discussions. For homework, do the Discussion Questions on Page 46 and the Warm Up questions for The Future on Page 50 for homework. Also, try to do the crossword puzzle on page 49.

Level 3- We had a very interesting conversation using the "Personalization and  Discussion Questions on page 45. We found out which members believe in ghosts, love at first sight and telepathy. Fun discussion.

Homework: Do the Warm Up questions and vocabulary for The Future unit on Page 50. Also, try to do the crossword puzzle on page 49.

Level 4- We had a great discussion using the questions on Page 130, then we completed All the Listening 1 activities and Discussion Questions on Page 133.

Homework: Please do the Listening 2 Life Expectancy Before College Vocabulary activities on Page 135-136. Also, listen to the conversation at home and complete the Listening for Main Ideas and Details. Prepare your answers for What Do you Think Questions A&B on Page 138.

Saturday, December 1

I hope that everyone is having a great start to the week!

Here is an update from Saturday's classes.

Level 1- We finished page 63 and did an activity using 'if' and 'would' statements to plan a hypothetical trip. Everyone did really well with the language. For homework, please review the questions on page 138. We will discuss these questions at the beginning of next class.

Level 2- We had a great discussion using the warm-up questions to talk about beliefs. We also finished the vocabulary section and briefly discussed your mind maps on page 44. For homework, please read 'Points of View' on page 45 and prepare your answers for the 'Personalization' and 'Discussion' sections on page 46.

Level 3- We also had a very interesting conversation using the warm-up questions to talk about beliefs. We also completed the vocabulary section and discussed your mind maps on page 44. For homework, please read 'Points of View' on page 45 and prepare your answers for the 'Personalization' and 'Discussion' sections on page 46. We will try to finish this unit next week.

Level 4- We had a wonderful discussion using the questions on page 129 to talk about success. It was really interesting to hear everyone's definition of success. For homework, please finish the vocabulary on pages 131 and 132. Also, please listen to or read the article called 'Changing Ways to climb the ladder.' You might want to prepare your answers for the 'Main Ideas' and 'Details' sections on pages 132-133.

LEO Christmas Party!

On December 15, 2012 we will be having a LEO Christmas Party in the Itami campus Student Hall from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be a 300 yen entry fee for food and drinks. You also need to bring a 500 yen present for a gift- exchange. Please come to the LEO lounge, room N301, to sign up. Friends and family are welcome, too. I hope to see you all there!

Homework update for Saturday, November 24

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are having a great Sunday. Here is an update from Susette on yesterday's classes.

Level 1- We did word cards and completed the pair work on Frequency. Then we shared some of our answers as a wrap-up.
We started the Unit on Will/Would but I only had time to introduce the patterns on page 63. We will do further practice next week.
Homework: Write your own questions for 5&6 on page 63. You should Answer the Will/Would Questions on Page 138 and write your own questions for 15-19. Try to think of original or interesting questions.

Level 2: We did a bit of warm up with word cards. Everyone did a great job on the discussion questions on Page 40. We also tried the Role Play on Page 41. The students did a good job but it was a little hard. Homework: Do the crossword puzzle as review. Start Beliefs, page 44: Do the Warm up questions, vocabulary and Mind Map. Please read Points of View and also do Personalization Questions.

Level 3: Did bit of warm up with word cards. We finished the Unit on City Life. Please do the Crossword Puzzle. We will discuss the answers next week.
Homework: Do Belief's Unit Page 44, Warm up, Vocabulary and Read Points of View and Do the Personalization Questions.

Level 4: We finished up the genetically modified foods unit. Please do pages 118-122 as self study if you want to do it.
Homework: We will start Unit 7 "Is one Road to Success Better than Another?" Please do the Preview the Unit questions A&B.

LEO Christmas Party!

On December 15, 2012 we will be having a LEO Christmas Party in the Itami campus Student Hall from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be a 300 yen entry fee for food and drinks. You also need to bring a 500 yen present for a gift- exchange. Please come to the LEO lounge, room N301, to sign up. Friends and family are welcome, too. I hope to see you all there!

Saturday, November 17

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are managing to stay dry in this raining weather!

In the level 1 class today, we talked about frequency. We finished page 44 and then played a really fun board game. J For homework, please finish the “How Often” conversation on page 105 and preview the frequency questions on page 77 and 78.

In the level 2 class we discussed city life. Great work on your mind maps (page 38)! I was quite impressed with all of the detail. We also finished the points of view section on page 39 and the personalization section on page 40. For homework, please answer the discussion questions at the bottom of page 40.

   

In the level 3 class we discussed city life. Your mind maps were also really well done! I really enjoyed listening to you present them. You did a very good job connecting all of your ideas. After discussing your mind maps, we finished the points of view section on page 39 and the personalization section on page 40. For homework, please answer the discussion questions at the bottom of page 40.

In the level 4 class we finished listening 1. The listening was quite challenging but judging by your answers to the main ideas and details questions and from your discussion on the “what do you think?” questions, it seems like everyone fully understood the article. Next week we will do listening 2 so please complete the vocabulary section on pages 115 & 116 and listen and/or read the article a few times before coming to class.

I am looking forward to seeing you all again on December 1. Please note that all of the classes will be held in room M206 on DECEMBER 1.

Regards,

Robert 

Saturday, November 3

Hello everyone,

I hope that you had a great weekend! It was really nice seeing everyone again last Saturday. It felt like it had been a long while…

Here is a brief update. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Remember that there will be no class on November 10 due to the Otemae School Festival. I will be there all day on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 so please come pop by the festival to say hello if you have some free time.

Regards,

Robert

Level 1: We finished the unit on “Duration.” For homework please preview the next unit on “Frequency” and answer questions 1 – 18 on page 44.

Level 2: We completed the unit on “Work.” We also discussed the warm-up questions and did the vocabulary section on page 38 of the unit on “City Life.” Please create your own mind map on cities, like the example on page 38, to discuss in the next class.  

Level 3: We completed the unit on “Work.” We also discussed the warm-up questions and did the vocabulary section on page 38 of the unit on “City Life.” Please create your own mind map on cities, like the example on page 38, to discuss in the next class.

Level 4: We completed the vocabulary and grammar sections on pages 97-100. I will bring you in some more grammar examples like I promised next class. We also started unit 6 and had a great discussion on GMOs. We finished page 109 and the vocabulary section on pages 111-112. For homework, please listen to listening 1 and answer the “Listen for Main Ideas,” “Listen for Details,” and the “What do you think?” questions on pages 112 – 113. 

Saturday, October 27

I hope that everyone is having a great week!

The following update is from Susette:

Level: 1 We finished Duration on Page 43. 
Homework:  Complete examples 5,6 on page 55. They also have to answer the Duration Questions on Page 77-78.
Extra homework: I asked them to write 5 sentences about something they have been doing for a long time(except studying English. We talk about that enough).
 Its a more personal way to practice the grammar and they can learn more about each other. I think it should prompt some follow up questions when they talk about it in groups. I told them they can write about anything they have been studying, doing,  interested in for a long time. I told them for example that I have been studying ikebana for 6 years. (They asked why, what school of ikebana and so on.)
 
Level 2: I told them we will start the new unit next time after they do the Discussion Questions on Page 34. 
 
Homework: Do discussion questions on Page 34 and try to use the discussion strategies when they talk in groups.  Also, I ask them to do the Crossword on Page 37. Please check the answers with them.They also have to do the City Life Warm Up Questions on Page 38.  (They did a lot of work on the mind map for Unit 5 in class so I will leave it up to you to assign the City Life one for in class or homework)
 
Level 3: They finished the Work Unit Discussion questions today on page 34. They also finished working on a job ranking print that Janelle gave them as homework so that took a bit of time but they enjoyed it. I told them we will start Unit 6 next week. 
 
Homework: Do Crossword puzzle as review, Complete the Warm-up Questions and Vocabulary for Unit 6. Do as you wish with the Mind Map. I think sometimes its good for them to do it in class so they can ask questions but please assign for homework or in class if you prefer.)
 
Level 4: We finished the 2nd Listening and they did What do you Think Questions on Page 96.
 I asked them to review the grammar pages on Page 97-100. It's easy for them I think but useful. 
 
Homework: Do Grammar activities on Page 97-100. Also, Do the Preview the Unit Questions A&B for next time.  (Doing preview questions and C and D on Page 110 plus vocabulary cards if you want, should be enough.

Homework for October 27

Hello everyone,

I am truly sorry for not updating this site right after the last classes. I have only received one email asking me about the homework so I hope that everyone knows what the homework is and has hopefully already completed it. :)

Here is an update from our wonderful guest teacher, Janelle, on the level 2 and level 3 classes.

Level 2 - The warm up activity actually took longer than expected, but they got to know each other on a different level too I think despite easy grammar.

We also went through the homework on pages 32 and 34 through pair discussion work

For homework I gave them big B4 paper to make their brainstorm about an ideal job (hopefully colourful too).

I also gave them a ranking exercise to link in with this homework, and inspire BIG ideas!

The Level 3 class was fun, clever, very passionate and involved.

They really wanted to know about me, so I just went with the flow.

This class also enjoyed the WORK personality quiz, and learned many new words to help with this unit.

They did mini speeches in pairs for their homework practice, and small groups for some of the p 34 discussion questions.

They shared their mind maps, and did the ranking activity for ideal job.

We did a two team game challenge after that based on WORK ideas, and to wrap up the class.

Homework was to complete a questionnaire on work (attached with attendance sheet)

and to write up their p. 34 answers.

In the Level 4 class, we looked at the rankings of the best selling manga of all-time and in 2012. We then had a very lively discussion about it using the three "What do you think?" questions on page 92. At the end of the discussion, each group shared their ideas and opinions with the rest of the class

For homework, please do the vocabulary section on pages 94 and 95 and make word cards for 10 new vocabulary items from the text or the word lists Susette passed out in October 6th's class.

Saturday, October 6

I hope that everyone enjoyed last week's lesson. Here is a homework update in case you were absent or if you just wanted to double-check the homework.
 
100 - We started the unit on the "Future." For homework, please write your examples for 5&6 of the practice activities on Page 54. Also, answer the Future questions for pair work on Pages 75-76.

200- We finished the vocabulary for the "Work" unit. For homework, write your answers to the Warm up Questions on Page 32 and answer the Personalization Questions on Page 34. There should be lots of material for discussion.

300- We finished the vocabulary section in the "Work" unit. Please write your answers to the Warm up Questions on Page 32 and Personalization Questions on Page 34. In the last lesson, the students did the Mind Map about their Ideal Job at the end of class. So after discussing the Warm up questions, each student will show and answer questions about their Mind Map. Finally, we will discuss the Personalization Questions.

400 - We had lots to talk about so we only ended up finishing the Vocabulary and Listening for Manga's New Popularity. Students had some good stories about their favorite manga and so on. The homework is to prepare answers to the What do you Think questions 1-3 on Page 92. Also, please prepare a short answer on whether you think reading manga leads to increased interest in reading other kinds of literature - this was one of the points from the Listening.

Saturday, July 21

Everyone did such a great job with their homework last week; I did not assign any homework this week.

We will be playing some review games in our last class of the semester next week so you might want to review your notes from the semester.

I am looking forward to seeing you again this Saturday!

Business Class July 18

You are all doing such a great job with your word cards. It is a really effective way to help you increase your vocabulary and remember the new items.

You all worked well together in the role-play activity. I think we just might have to take a class-trip to London, England sometime soon! :) I can't wait to hear a few stories from Tomo after his business trip there in September.

For homework, could you please finish exercise 2 on page 29 for next week? I will prepare some more examples on how to properly and effectively use the new vocabulary items and phrases from exercises 1 and 2 on pages 28 and 29 for next class.

I am looking forward to seeing you again soon! I can't believe the semester is almost over. Time has just flown by!

Saturday, July 14

From Susette: I have enjoyed all our lessons very much this semester. I am learning more and more about each student as I listen to your discussions, and that is good. It was unusual but really fun to see the students 3 weeks in a row for a change. I had a good time. I wish everyone a pleasant and cool summer vacation.
One of the great things I notice is that you are all learning from one another. Every time a classmate uses a new word, someone asks the meaning and spelling and make a memo. That is great. I think you are all improving your vocabulary.

Level 1- Great job on making your 6 homework questions and coming up with follow up questions on the spot during pair work. That shows how much you have improved. Everyone was laughing and really seemed to be enjoying talking to each other in English.
We finished Page 41 (Past) activities and did the practice on Page 52.

Homework: Please write your own examples for Past tense Dialogue questions 5&6 on Page 52. Use them for short pair warm up next week. Also, please complete the Past Tense Questions on Page 75&76 so we can do the pair practice activities next time.

Level 2: Everyone seems to enjoy the Family Unit. Today we enjoyed a warm up with the Carpenter's Yesterday Once More. We finished our personal Mind Maps and completed the Personalization Questions on Page 28 and shared our ideas as a class.

Homework: Please answer the Discussion Questions on Page 28 for next week's discussion. Try to use the Discussion strategies in your discussions.
Also, please do the Follow-up Question Activity on Page 29. List three things you know about your family's history. Look at the example and try to write 3 interesting things about your family's history. Also, try to think about possible follow up questions.

Level 3: The Family Unit discussion is one that everyone seems to enjoy. We finished talking about our personal Mind Maps in pairs and had a lively group discussion using the Personalization Questions on Page 28.
Homework: Please do the Discussion Questions on Page 28 for the next class. Also, please do the Follow-up Question Activity at the top of Page 29. Try to think of 3 interesting things about your family's history and be prepared to talk about it and answer some questions.

Level 4: I think you are all now experts on the topic of Medical Tourism- both the advantages and disadvantages. You also came up with some great ideas for how countries such as Thailand and India can find a balance between serving the needs of medical tourists as well as the local population.
Homework: A little bit of vocabulary and grammar this time: Pages 75-76 Vocabulary Skills and Pages 77-78 Grammar.
Also, please prepare for Unit 5 by doing the Preview the Unit Questions A&B on Page 87.

Saturday, July 7

Level 1 - We finished the unit on "Location" and started the unit on "The Past." Everyone did a really good job with the "Location" pair work practice activities on Pages 73-74.
Homework: Write 6 original questions similar to ones on Page 73 (Location) and come prepared to ask your questions and then ask appropriate follow up question during pair practice.
Also, please complete the Multiple Choice and Fill in the Blanks questions on Page 41.

Level 2: We had a great discussion today. We enjoyed hearing about some members' happy childhoods with their friends and another member's scary childhood experience with a Lion Dance.
We also heard one member's story about how music today is sometimes not very good. We had a fun talk today.
We started Unit 4 "The Family" and finished the warm up questions and vocabulary on Page 26.

Homework: Please draw a mind map similar to the one on Page 26 about you.
Also, please complete the personalization questions on page 28 for discussion.

Level 3- We had a good discussion and the speeches were well done today. The discussion went on for a long time which was good. We started Unit 4 "The Family" and finished Warm up Questions on Page 26.
Homework: Please do Vocabulary on Page 26 and make a mind map like the one on Page 26 about you.
Also, please answer the Personalization sentences on Page 28.

Level 4 - Another lively discussion. This one was about Medical tourism in Thailand and India and whether we would travel outside of Japan for medical treatment.
We finished Listening 1, all activities.
Homework: Please do the vocabulary for Listening 2 (Page 71) and Read the Audio Script/Listen to Listening 2. After that, please answer "What do you Think" Questions, A&B on page 74. We will do the final listening in class.

Business Class July 4

I was thoroughly impressed with everyone's homework yesterday. GREAT work! I think that you taught each other a lot from your examples.

For homework this week, could you please do "Task 2" on page 27. Try to use as much of the (new) language from unit 5 as you can. Look at the listening script for "Listening 2" on page 107 as an example. Yurie, Junko, Tomo and Haru, you will be making a presentation on Vietnam so please use the information on page 99. Naoko, Hideki, Momoko and Yoshie, you will be making a presentation on Uzbekistan so please use the information on page 100.

I am looking forward to hearing your presentations next week!

Saturday June 30

I hope that everyone is doing well. I am sorry for the delay in posting this update.

Level 1- Students did a great job on the homework and had some great opinions to share. We started the Unit on Location and we  finished all the questions on Page 40.

Homework: Write their 2 original examples for exercises 1-4 on Page 52. Also, please answer the Location questions on Page 73 and 74 for next week's pair practice activity.

Level 2 - We had a lot of fun talking about our favorite toys from our childhood days.  A very fun and nostalgic topic.
Homework: Please write a short speech 6-8 sentences on one of the Speech topics on page 24 OR one of the Writing Opinions topic on Page 25.
Also, we will start Unit 4: The Family next week so Please do the warm up question Page 26 and read the Points of View on Page 27.

Level 3 - Good discussion about the past and their favorite toys.
Homework: Write a short speech (6-8 sentences)  on one of the speech topics on Page 24 OR one of Writing Opinion topics on page 25.
We will start Unit 4 The Family next week. Please do the warm up questions on page 26 and read the Points of View on page 27.

Level 4: Great discussion about Unit 4: How is Health Care Changing. We finished Preview the Unit questions on Page 65.
Homework: Complete page 66 C&D for next week's warm up. Also, please do the Vocabulary for Listening 1 on Page 67.We will do Listening  1 next week.

Business Class June 27

I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend.

In the last class, we finished pages 24 and 25 of unit 5, "Present facts and figures." For homework, check an online English newspaper (i.e globeinvestor.com, wsj.com) and try to find 5 article headlines which contain a figure. How is that figure presented? Is the figure presented in a favourable or unfavourable light?

Here is an example that I took from globeinvestor.com: "RIM shares down nearly 20% as turnaround looks unlikely." The number 20(%) is rounded up from 19.05(%). The figure is presented in an unfavourable light since it is exaggerating the stock's losses by almost 1%. Later on in the article, the writer repeats this figure, this time in an even more unfavourable light by using the verb, plunge. "On Friday, RIM shares plunged nearly 20 per cent, closing on Nasdaq at $7.39, a new 52-week low."

Good luck! I am looking forward to hearing your analysis of the headlines you chose on Wednesday.

Saturday, June 23

It was great seeing everyone on Saturday!

Level 1- On Saturday, we completed the unit on agreeing and disagreeing. As a review of the unit, could you please write 6 opinion statements using the 5 opinion statement expressions in the "Giving an Opinion" section on page 39 along with the expression "Don't you think...?" We will use these statements as a warm-up next lesson. Also, answer the 18 questions on page 40. We will be starting the unit on "Location" next week.

Level 2- On Saturday, we finished page 22. As a review, please write 3 statements about your past. In response to each statement, using one of the three rejoinders in the "Discussion Strategies" section on page 22 (It sounds like..., It seems as if..., It looks like...), write a rejoinder. Also, please complete the "Follow-up Questions" section at the top of page 23. List 3 of your favorite toys from childhood and explain why you liked each of them so much.

Level 3- On Saturday, we finished page 22. As a review, please write 3 statements about your past. In response to each statement, using one of the three rejoinders in the "Discussion Strategies" section on page 22 (It sounds like..., It seems as if..., It looks like...), write a rejoinder. Also, please complete the "Follow-up Questions" section at the top of page 23. List 3 of your favorite toys from childhood and explain why you liked each of them so much.

Level 4- On Saturday, we completed "Listening 2" in unit 3. For homework, please do the "Vocabulary Skill" exercises on pages 53 and 54 and answer the 3 warm-up questions in "Part A" on page 65. Next week, we will be talking about health care and how it is changing.

I look forward to seeing you again in 3 weeks time. Keep on studying hard!

Business Class June 20

I hope that everyone had a fun and relaxing weekend.

In last week's class we finished unit 4. Since you did such a great job in the final role-play activity, I decided to give you a break and not assign any homework (except for making 10 word cards of course).

I am looking forward to seeing you again on Wednesday! 

Saturday, June 16

Despite the lousy weather, almost everyone came today. It was great seeing you all again!

Level 100- In class, we finished pages 50, 71, 72 and 39. Next week we will continue with "Agreeing & Disagreeing" so please review the language on page 39. Also, write your own opinion statements for numbers 5 and 6 in sections 1, 2, 3 & 4 on page 51.

Level 200- In class, we finished page 20 and 21. For homework, complete the sentences in the "Personalization" section on page 22 with your own ideas. Also, preview the questions in the discussion section at the bottom of page 22. Make sure that you understand each question.

Level 300- In class, we finished page 20 and 21. For homework, complete the sentences in the "Personalization" section on page 22 with your own ideas. Also, preview the questions in the discussion section at the bottom of page 22. Make sure that you understand each question.

Level 400 - In today's class, we finished the questions related to "Listening 1" on pages 46-47. For homework, could you do the "Vocabulary" section on page 50 and 51 and listen and/or read "Listening 2." Also, answer A 1&2 from the "What do you Think?" section on page 52.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I am looking forward to seeing you again next week.

Business Class June 13

I hope that everyone is having a fun and relaxing weekend.

In class, we finished up to the end of page 22. You did a great job in the listening activity and preparing questions for interviewing a potential client. I was particularly impressed with the summaries that you prepared for homework. Between you and your partner, you were able to come up with almost all of the key information. Nice work!

For homework, please read the information on page 100 and prepare questions that you feel would be necessary to ask in order to do a thorough needs analysis of your potential client, the Training Manager from Elegante. Junko, Haru, Momoko and Naoko, you will be representing Headlamp. Tomo, Hide, Yurie and Yoshie, you will be representing Infos.

I am looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Saturday June 9

Level 100: I think that you are all improving. You did great with the follow up questions pair work activities on page 71/72. We finished all follow-up lesson work and started on Rejoinders and Comments. We finished all of Page 38.

Homework: Write their own questions for 5&6 on Page 50 and review the Rejoinders and Comments on pages 71 and 72 so they can do the pair work next week.


Level 200: We finished Unit 2. We spent most of the time discussing Personalization and Discussion strategies. You did really well and seemed to enjoy it.

Homework: The Past: Page 20 Warm-up Questions and Read Points of View on Page 21. Also please do the crossword as review.


Level 300 - We did the discussion questions on Page 16. Good job! We also did Collocation sets and made sentences using save time, kill time and run out of time.

Homework: The Past: Page 20 Warm Up Questions and Read Points of View on Page 21. Do crossword.

Level 400 - We had great group discussions of questions on Page 43. Then we did page 44 C&D as a whole class. We finished the vocabulary for Listening 1.

Homework: we did not do any of the Listening yet for Generation Next. The homework is to read the Generation Script and do the do you Think Questions on Page 47. Also, please make a proverb similar to the one: Only three things in life are certain: birth, death and change. In America it's birth, death and taxes.

Business Class June 6

Hello everyone! I am sorry for the delay in posting this update. It has been a really really busy week!

In Wednesday's class, we finished task 1 on page 20-21 and did the role-play exercise in task 2 on page 21. For homework, prepare a summary of the information you found out from your partner in Meeting 1 or Meeting 2. For the students who were unable to attend the last lesson, could you please read the information about Head lamp Inc. and Infos on pages 97 & 98 and answer the questions from task 1, "Questioning a prospective supplier."

I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon. I hope that you have a great weekend!   

Saturday, June 2

Wow! Isn't the semester just flying by?! Keep up the great work everyone!!

Level 100: In class today, we finished the follow-up questions listening and the fill in the blanks on Page 37. We also finished the pair work activity on Page 49.
For homework, please write one follow-up question for each of the Questions in the follow-up section on Page 71 and 72. Could you also write your answers to Questions 1-13 on page 71 and 72.

Level 200: You all did a good job with the mind map! In class, we also read and discussed “Points of View” on Page 15.
For homework, please answer the Personalization and Discussion Questions on Page 16.

Level 300: Great job this week! We discussed your “Mind Maps” and the “Personalization” questions on Page 16.
For homework, please answer the discussion questions on Page 16.

Level 400: The class had another lively discussion on the “What do you Think” Questions on Page 32. We also finished Listening 2 and answered all of the questions.
For homework, please answer the Discussion Questions for Unit 3 on Page 43 (A&B).

Business Class May 30

Although I thought the listening might be a little tough, all of you seemed to fully understand it. Great work! I was also quite impressed by how everyone was able to effectively use the language from unit 3 in the role play activities. Make sure you make word cards for all of the new language you have learned or you just might forget it. :)

In yesterday's class, we finished up unit 3 so we will be moving on to unit 4 next week. For homework, could you please review the language from unit 3 and make (at least) 10 new word cards. I just emailed the handouts from today's class to the students who were absent yesterday.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again next week. Keep up the wonderful effort!

Saturday Classes May 26

It was great seeing everyone again. Keep up the great work! You are all doing really well!!

Level 100: In class, we finished the "Giving Additional Information" activities on pages 48, 69 and 70. We then started "Follow-up Questions" on page 37.

For homework, I would like you to review the question patterns on page 37 and then write your own conversations for number 5 and 6 in parts 1,2&3 on page 49. In the next lesson, after we finish the listening section on page 37, we will do the speaking practice activities on page 49.

Level 200: I am sorry that I forgot the CDs you requested at home. I will send them to Susette through the Otemae internal mail system on Wednesday so she can hand them out to you next week.

In class, we finished up unit 1 and then did activities 1 and 2 on page 14.

For homework, please make a mind map showing what you like to do in your free time. Use the example at the bottom of page 14. In next week's class, you will explain your "free time" mind map to the rest of the class. At home you can practice how you are going to explain it, but remember, do not write more than 2 words in each bubble of your map. The purpose of this activity is to help to improve your fluency. I would like you to also read the "Points of View" section on page 15.  

Level 300: I am sorry that I also forgot your CDs at home. I will send them to Susette so she can give them out to you next week.

In class, we finished up unit 1 and then did activities 1 and 2 on page 14, followed by the listening activity on page 15.

For homework, please make a mind map showing what you like to do in your free time. Use the example at the bottom of page 14. In next week's class, you will talk about your "free time" mind map to the rest of the class. At home you can practice how you are going to explain it, but remember, do not write more than 2 words in each bubble of your map. The purpose of this activity is to help to improve your fluency. Could you also complete the statements in the "Personalization" section on page16? Use the listening on page 15 as an example.

Level 400: I was very pleased with the great group and pair discussions you had last week.

In class, we finished page 24, 28 and the vocabulary section on pages 29 and 30.

For homework, could you please preview "Listening 2" by listening to it or reading the listening script at the back of the book? I would also like you to answer the four discussion questions on page 32.

I am looking forward to seeing you all again soon. Keep up the tremendous work!

PS Would anyone like a puppy or a kitten? :)

Business Class- May 23

Hello Business Class Students,

As per Naoko's request, I will start posting what we did in each class along with the homework I assigned for the next lesson. I will try to update this blog every week by Friday morning. If you have any questions or comments, please feel to contact me by email.

In the last lesson, 3 students did their presentations and then we finished page 15. It took a little longer than I anticipated, but I was impressed with the expressions that you were able to come up with. I took a picture of these expressions and attached the photos to this post. For homework, could you please study and try to remember them.

I would like you to also finish the listening section on page 16 for homework. We will take up the listening at the beginning of next class and then do a few role plays using the new language from the unit.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon!

May 19

Everyone did a terrific job today! Please keep up the great work!!

Level 100: Page 48 - Please write two examples for the 4 sentence patterns for Giving Additional Information.  Also, please review pages 69 & 70 the Giving Additional Information section to prepare for next week's pairwork.

Level 200: We finished Unit 1.
Homework: 1. Write a sentence for the words on Page 12 "Extra Expressions": bump into, on the tip of my tongue, between you and me.
2. Page 13: Write 4-5 sentences about your opinions for one of the three choices (People I like, or Being a Good friend, or Good ways to make new friends.)
3. Do the warm up questions on Page 14 for Unit 2 so we can discuss that too.

Level 300: We finished Unit 1.
Homework: 1. Write 5 sentences on one of the topics in *Writing Opinions on page 13.
2. Do the warm up questions on Page 14 and read Page 15.

Level 400 - We completed all of Listening 1 and all activities for it.

Homework: 1. Do All of page 24.
2. Also, please do Page 28 "What do You Think Questions?"

May 12th

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. It was really great to see all of you in class last Saturday!

Remember to ask follow-up questions whenever possible and make sure that that you ask comprehension and clarification questions when you do not completely understand something.

Level 1- For homework, could you please preview the "Asking the Same Question" questions on page 69 and 70. Next class, you will be using these questions to interview each other. We will also be doing the "Giving Additional Information" section in your textbook.

Level 2- For homework, could you please think of:

1. Expressions that are often used on the telephone
2. Ways to ask somebody for a date (invite someone to do something)
3. Ways to accept and refuse an invitation  

You can find these questions on page 11 in the "Telephoning a Friend" section.

Level 3- In next week's lesson, we will also be doing the "Telephoning a Friend" section on page 11. Please think of:

1. Expressions that are often used on the telephone
2. Ways to ask somebody for a date (invite someone to do something)
3. Ways to accept and refuse an invitation.

Level 4- You did a great job with both of the listening activities in unit 1. I know that some of you found it a little difficult, but don't be discouraged in the least little bit because the listening in this textbook is very authentic and spoken at "native English speaker speed."

For homework, could you please do the discussion questions in part A on page 23.

I am really looking forward to seeing you all again really soon! 

April 28

Level 1: Make sure you make your word cards! Please review the top of page 35. We will start with the "listen and fill in the blanks" section at the bottom of page 35 next class. Last class, we practiced page 47 "asking the same questions" together. For homework, please write two other examples for each pattern on that page.

Level 2: Think about and write answers for the discussion questions at the bottom of page 10. Could you also complete the "follow-up questions" section on page 11? Write three sentences and be ready to do that activity at the beginning of the next class. Also, don't forget to make your word cards.

Level 3: Think about and write answers for the discussion questions at the bottom of page 10. Could you also complete the "follow-up questions" section on page 11? Write three sentences and be ready to do that activity at the beginning of your next class. Also, don't forget to make your word cards.


Level 4: In the class, we finished the vocabulary activity for "listening 2". For homework, please do the "preview listening" activity on page 11, no. 1 and 2: List two ways that people change negatively when they become leaders. You need to also think about the "What do You Think Questions?" on page 12 as a preparation for the listening and discussion after.

I hope that you have a fun and relaxing golden week!

Saturday April 21

I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!

Remember to make your word cards and study them as often as possible.

Here is the homework to be completed for your class next week with Susette:

Level 1- Make 10 word cards and review pages 34 and 46. It is so important to ask questions when you do not understand or you would like to get more information. Everyone did really well asking questions in yesterday's class so make sure that you keep it up (continue asking questions)!

Level 2- I think everyone learned a lot of new vocabulary in yesterday's class so you should make word cards for those words and study them. You need a lot of repetition if you want to remember the new words well. Complete the sentences on page 10 for next week's class. Use page 9 as an example.

Level 3- I was very impressed with all of the words that you came up with as a class yesterday to describe good and bad friends. I am sure that your fellow classmates taught you some new words so make sure that you make word cards for those new words. Complete the sentences on page 10 for next week. Make sure you use the paragraphs on page 9 as an example.

Level 4- The listening that we did yesterday was quite long and challenging, but you all seemed to understand it well. If you have time this week, use the website that I showed you yesterday and do vocabulary 1 and listening 1. Answer the "What do you think?" questions on page 7. You will discuss your answers in small groups next week. 

I hope that everyone has a great class next week and a relaxing Golden Week the week after that!

Welcome to Robert's Homework Paradise!

Thank you for visiting the site. Homework and assignments for all of my classes should be posted within 24 hours of the end of each class. If you have any specific questions or don't understand your homework, feel free to email me.