News Story #8
Found: Earth-Like Planet That Might Be Right For Life
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/05/143142279/found-earth-like-planet-that-might-be-right-for-life
*Question
What is the name of the planet which is recently found?
What features are similar with earth?
What do you think of the reason that scientists make an effort to find a new planet like earth?
*Vocabulary
habitable zone - One of the main ingredients for life as we know it is liquid water.
dim - not bright; obscure from lack of light or emitted light
obscure - not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, oruncertain
Reflection #6 (Richmond Public Library)
What?
We have visited Richmond public library from last week to give a presentation about our country. Many people did not come as much as I expected. Last week, I was with Abdull and one lady from France. This week, I was with Mabel, and our group members had been changed a lot with different people. We mainly talked with one lady from Illinois this time. We recycled our presentation which we had done at LLI. Our presentation was not that long. After the presentation, we had good conversation.
So What? & Now What?
I was not sure how many people would come to the library to listen our presentation because it is a public library. We cannot expect specific details at public facilities. We did not know about what kind of people would come and how many people would come; we did not have any information about audience. Fortunately, they were so nice. Last week, I talked with one lady from France, and she had knowledge in many fields. She brought many kinds of question and topics, so we could continue our conversation constantly. One thing what I remember is about the situation of U.S like Wall Street protest and president Obama. It was really interesting to me because I have been curious about American’s thought about Wall Street protest and president Obama. Nobody can tell who will be a next president of the United States. I have thought that the next president will be from a Republican party. However, she told me that there is no proper person in a Republican party for now; so we need to wait and see. The reason why I am interested in these topics is that our situation in Korea is really similar with the United States. We often have protest against current regime. Recently, we make contract ‘Free Trade Agreement’ with U.S; it draws strong opposition from citizens now because FTA will make Korea America colony. What we talked last week was very interesting to me.
This week, I had one guy who came first. Mabel and I gave our presentation. Unfortunately, he was not interested in our presentation. Also, when we made mistakes in our speaking, he laughed at us. He refused to repeat when we asked him tell us again what he said. We were so embarrassed about his behavior. I felt so bad at that time. I understand we could be seen like stupid when we speak, though. However, as one lady joined our group, we could make atmosphere better. She was a ESL teacher before at NOVA. She corrected our mistakes a lot; it was very good advice for me. One guy joined later. He seems he is very interested in other countries. We had good time talking about the best way to learn a second language.
This library activity was better than the others for me. I could share many knowledges with people including social issues. I think that the biggest difference is that they walked into the library by themselves because they are interested in learning cultures. Also, I could learn that not everyone can focus on our presentation. I need to speak fluently with various topics. I have been talking many topics with Michelle. I can be a better speaker later as a result of my effort!
Reflection #5 (Capitol visiting)
What?
Today, our class went to Virginia States Capitol as a class. We took a bus and walked through old city hall to capitol. Tour guides helped our tour. At first, he explained about basic information about American history and history of Virginia. He also explained about some statues and pictures, including some important American presidents. Second, Lady Tammy helped our discussion. We experienced how laws are made by House of Delegates. Michelle was a speaker, Anoud was a clerk, and rests of us were House of Delegates. We discussed about U.S health care affordable act. After discussion, we took a picture together.
So What? Now What?
I hadn’t had chance to visit capitol of Virginia even though I have been here almost 11 months. It was really good chance to visit capitol of Virginia. We had a good tour guide. He explained very well about the U.S history; he was like an actor. His speaking and pronunciation were not hard to understand. It was very interesting listen his explanation. I think it was effective to understand because it was not regular classroom but real capitol building where real histories were affected. I saw real statues and real room of House of Delegates. Virginia States capitol is the oldest capitol in the United States. This fact was very meaningful to me because this capitol was the first step of democracy in the United States.
Second, we discussed about health care in the House of Delegates room. I was surprised at informal because I really thought this discussion room would be very formal. My speaking was better than yesterday. I have studied a lot since I got the topic. However, it was not easy to appeal my opinion. I had many thought in my head, but not every thought came out from my mouth. I think I need to practice more about topics which I’m not familiar with. I can’t always get only what I want to talk, sometimes, I get harder questions and harder topics; it is the real world and I need to take these kinds of situations more in the future. Also, I realized that I need to develop my ability to react quickly in speaking.
I could learn exactly how Virginia laws are made. It reminds me how much it is important to vote something to show my opinion in democratic society. Korea also a democratic society, and I always try to vote when we have election. It is very important that every citizen show their opinion because a country belongs to the people. In conclusion, today’s tour was very good and interesting to me.
Reflection #4 (World Studies)
What?
I have gone to World Studies class from last week. Last week, we discussed about many laws like school voucher programs, government insurance plan, minority problems, gay or lesbian couples’ adoption problems, and gun control laws during 45 minutes. This week, I discussed about universal health care insurance with different group.
So What?
Many World studies students have visited our class every day. So I familiar with them, and I feel comfortable when I talk with them. However, World study class is really different from what I have done in ELP class. When they join our class, we are majorities in class. They speak slowly to make us understand, and they always try to explain something in detail to help our understanding. I can see many of them are really nice, and they enjoy discussion. However, the situation was totally different when I join the world studies group. Academic students are majority, and I was the only one person who is from ELP in group. Every world study students speak so fast, so I could not understand well. I got the big pictures of their thought, but it was hard to understand every sentences. Also, it was hard to interrupt and give my opinion.
What we discussed were academic topics. Topics were unfamiliar with me even though I knew what is going to be topics in the class before I went to class. I only have basic information and opinions. However, they have deep thought and personal experiences. It impressed me. Also, I get impression from their interest sense of service to our class.
Now what?
It was really good opportunity to experience academic class in USA. I have never gotten into academic class since I came here. The atmosphere of class was tough and serious. I think I need to get used to that atmosphere because that kind of situation is going to be a real world which I will face in the future after graduation. In addition to that, I can search more about Korea health care system. I still have no idea about health care system both in Korea and in America. I want to study more about this topic because it is very controversial and important at the same time. I can learn more through this discussion, and this discussion could be a step forward to get used to academic topics.
News Story #6
The Affordable health care Act
* Questions
How many years have passed since president Obama signed the Affordable Act?
What articles are included in ‘Patient’s Bill of Rights’?
What do you think about Obama’s Affordable health care Act?
* Vocabulary
Affordable - that can be afforded; believed to be within one’s financialmeans: attractivenewcarsataffordableprices.
Eligible - fit or proper to be chosen; worthy of choice; desirable: tomarry an eligible bachelor.
Pre-existing conditions
Creationism vs Science in America’s Public Schools
Creation vs Evolution
Summary
Should American public school teach both scientific model of the earth’s creation (evolution) and the Christian idea of the Creationism? 90% of public school teachers want to teach both. This is very sensitive debate because this controversial is connected with personal belief structure. Some people believe that ‘God created the 1st human.’ The other side argues that ‘Human is evolved from ape.’ Young and educated people are more likely to support Darwin’s evolution theory. From the past, education was negatively related to belief in creationism. However, teachers are not satisfied with only evolution because teaching creationism in the classroom doesn’t mean teaching religion. Teaching by contrasts helps to understanding the source of knowledge an aids in comprehending information.
Argument 1
* Public school should teach only Darwin’s evolution theory, which believes that all life started as a single celled organism and that man evolved from apes.
* They believe that it is based on science.
Argument 2
* Public school should teach both Darwin’s evolution theory and Christian’s creationism. Students have right to learn both of them. They support the teaching of creation in the public schools.
Vocabulary
Theistic - the belief in one God as the creator and ruler of theuniverse, without rejection of revelation
Atheistic - pertaining to or characteristic of atheists or atheism; containing,suggesting, or disseminating atheism: atheistic literature;atheistic people.
Mutation - a sudden departure from the parent type in one or moreheritable characteristics, caused by a change in a geneor a chromosome.
Sectarian - of or pertaining to sectaries or sects.
Contention - a struggling together in opposition; strife.
Reflection #3
What?
Today I went to the Life Long Institution with Oral communication classmates. It was the last official class. I was in a group with Anoud and 2 ladies. We talked about ‘Art’. The members of LLI prepared foods today. There were a lot of foods like a buffet. After our presentation, we enjoyed that foods and we had good conversation. Everybody enjoyed the last class with various foods. At last, we took a group picture, and we gave them letters. It was a nice class.
So What? & Now What?
Today’s topic was art. Actually, I had no idea about art when I prepared my presentation. So I searched about what the important parts of Korean art are. There are some unique Korean art like ‘Samulnori’ and ‘Cookin’. I know what they are, but they are unfamiliar subject with me to explain to other people. I needed to study more than other subject. On this occasion, I also could learn about Korean art. It was good chance to know about Korean art. I’ve get lots of information through this activity not only Korean art, but also including what I have done.
Also, I have learned from my classmates. Whenever we visit LLI, I could see how much they enjoyed the class. They always say they really like this activity. I could see my classmates have had active conversation and debate with them. I think I’m not perfect at talking with the elderly yet. I need to learn from my classmates about how to communicate with people naturally.
The foods were really good today. I didn’t expect that abundant foods. It was good to enjoy foods with American people. There were unfamiliar foods in there, but I liked them a lot. I think they show thanks to us by foods. Actually, I wanted to serve Korean food, but the condition is not good. I couldn’t find big Korean mart in Richmond, so I couldn’t make it because Korean food are not simple to make. I feel bad about I didn’t serve Korean food.
As today was a last day, we said good bye and good luck to each other. I don’t like to say goodbye. So I feel sad at the end of today’s class. I feel thank to everyone who give this chance to me and who was with me in a group. The big difference from other community works is that this activity is not a volunteer work. It was not a one-way presentation, but an active communication. I think both sides of us get win-win effect. I had fruitful time in LLI and learned a lot in there. I hope see them again.
News Story #4
Saving for retirement; How much do you need?
by JENNIFER LUDDEN
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/28/140875965/saving-for-retirement-how-much-do-you-need
* Questions
We need to see what we spent in the last year when we calculate our money. And we need to subtract 3 things. What are they?
Retirement is proving more difficult than expected for many Americans. What is the reason?
What do you think how much money do you need when you retire?
*Vocabulary
Temptation - the act of tempting; enticement or allurement
Congressional - of or pertaining to a congress
Hypothesis - a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument
Treasure - wealth, rich materials, or valuable things
www.dictionary.com
