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So, welcome, and thank you for registering for the class this term.
Our aim is to cover all of unit 2 of Skillful 3: Reading and Writing, which we should be able to do over the next three weeks. In addition to your paper book, there is also a very useful digital version of the text, and an online workbook for further practice.
As with the Google Apps for Education that we will use and this class blog, it might take a couple of sessions for you to become familiar with these tools, but I am confident that you will find that initial effort worthwhile. By moving some of the work to out-of-class activities, we can then focus our class time on preparation for and discussion of the skills you will practice at home, or wherever you like.
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Response
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| The digital version of the book is very convenient |
Another point that I like in her introduction is Zemach's emphasis on practice, for which she suggests that we do "a little bit each day." The research on this is strong: regular practice in small chunks of time is far more effective than long sessions once or twice a week. We meet on three different days, which is not bad, but more is still useful!
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Question
As Rogers and Zemach often do, giving readers a specific question or two to respond to is often an effective way to engage readers. It helps to check that we understand what we have read, that we have thought about the ideas critically, and to that we can apply them to our own of more general situations.- Which one of the five strategies that Zemach introduces on page 6 do you think will be most useful for you to focus on over the next three weeks?
It's good if you think all five are useful, but this question asks you pick one of them, so you will have to write a little more to explain your choice of that one over the others. About 90 to 120 words in twelve minutes sounds good: read for 2:00 minutes, plan for 3:00 minutes, and write for 7:00 minutes.
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Reference
- Rogers, L. & Zemach, D. E. (2018). Skillful 3: Reading & Writing, Student's Book Pack (2nd. ed.). London: Macmillan Education
An important aspect of academic writing is citing sources when we use the exact words (quote or use a quotation) from a source, or when we state the ideas from a source in our own words (paraphrase). In my short response section above, I have both paraphrased Zemach's ideas and copied some of her exact words. In addition to making it clear to readers that I've done that, it is also usual in formal academic work to write a reference citation, which gives readers all the information they need to find the exact source that has been quoted or paraphrased.
For me, the most useful strategy that will help me do well on this course is practicing. Doing so would allow me to focus on the lessons and practice using the language at the same time. Many of my AUA English teachers also advise me to do the same thing, because it make the language enter into my brain. Human brain learn well when we are in action.
ReplyDeleteI used to study this book before. Personally, I found that all the strategies really work for me. Preparing, question, practicing, reviewing and be independent learning are very useful. All this tricks remind me to remember well and understand better, but the strategies that I like the most is reviewing. The process helps me to focus on my mistake and understand it better when I have spent more time focusing it. And reviewing also help me to remember well, I reviews a little amount per day so I am not tired because of overload studying.
ReplyDeleteCome to class prepared to learn is the most effective choice for me in these three weeks. Despite other strategies being useful such as be an independent learner, joining class provides many things that hard to find out of the classroom. For example, conversation with classmates, comment from teachers and exchange of opinions and perspective. The main reason why we should prepare ourselves well before coming to the classes is we have limited time in classes, therefore, we should try to gain and catch up everything that we can.
ReplyDeleteI know I've written above that I like both Zemach's suggestion that we "be an independent learner" and that we practice, but if I had to pick one that is most useful for our class, it would be to "ask questions and interact." I agree with Zemach's reasons for this, especially her idea that asking questions helps your classmates. If you would like to know more about something, or are unsure about an idea, it's likely that a classmate or two is in the same situation. Also, giving more information or explaining something to another person helps to strengthen your own understanding of it, so asking classmates questions really does help them. And I think that the class is more interesting for everyone if we are asking questions about what's in the book and what our classmates have said.
ReplyDelete(My quick paragraph above is 138 words.)
I think most successful way is practice. Like when you finish class or lesson because it help you to remember your lesson
ReplyDeleteyou can find some exercise on internet or practice your lesson in your homework. Practicing is about patient and responsibility and it is the best way for me to do when Im have test
All five strategies for using this book to be successful are important. Personally, “ask questions and interact” is the most effective way. From my experiences, learning a language is daring to show personal opinion. After people show their opinion, they usually gain new knowledge, a different opinion, and a correct answer from their classmates or teacher. I reckon having ideas is the most important part because it made the processes after this easier. Interacting and asking is an easy way to develop my English skills.
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