Post 10 (28-11) Evaluation of your Blogging Experience

Evaluation of Blog Experience

Write about your experience using blogs in the English class.

Say:

> What you think about the experience in general

> How much you feel your writing skills have developed

> What you would like to include in the future

> What else you would like to write about

Wordcount: 200

Make comments on 3 of your classmates' posts and on your teacher's as well.
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Evaluation of My Experience With Students:

As I have always said, when being here in front of a group of people in a class, I feel lucky to have the chance of being able to be their teacher and I take very seriously and passionately the fact that the work I can make may change History someday – No one knows for sure if some of the people you were teacher’s to, might grow to become a future senator or the future president.

Having said that, it is time to reflect upon the practices and understand the ways in which the experience of the process of teaching and learning has enriched one’s life. It is time to assess one’s motivations, one’s teaching practice and the learning gained from the students.

By doing the self-analysis exercise, I realize that by being related to the academic affairs of a wide diversity of students from several faculties and majors, this term as well as the former ones, I have learnt and gained deeper understanding in areas which were unknown to me and so I have learnt about the world of Dentistry and the different functions of the different organs involved in teething. Furthermore I have explored the world of cinema and the many dimensions to it, which are not always displayed for the mere spectator; I have enriched my understanding of the current national affairs just by listening to my Journalism students and the discussions they have in the hallways or when just having a coffee with their peers.

From the interaction with my students –in English most of the time, I always insist - I have seen art in a way that was distant to me, I could finally appreciate artistic forms that before, seemed sterile to me and needless say that as a whole, when reflecting upon the learning I have obtained from my students, I understand how wonderful my profession is and that from that nourishing feedback we both, teacher and students, receive from each other,  I believe we may endow the world with ways to stop inequity and contribute for citizens to overcome deprivation.

In the future I aim at opening up more to look over students learning styles, to take their ideas and try to include them in class activities that are even more profitable and beneficial not only for the academic endeavor but furthermore for the pursue of happiness.

Themed post 3 (post 9, 28-11) My Pet.

Dear All:

For today, as a class, we have decided to write about our PETS

Cover the following topics:
- How did you get it and what is it?
- What Characterictics does it have?
- What importance does it have in your life?
* In case you do not have a pet, let us know about someone you love who owns a pet.

- Comments: Leave a comment on the Teacher's post + 3 of your classmates posts
- Word Count: 190 words

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My Pet .

Last year I adopted Dulce Luna Primorosa Masías  at an “Adoption Session” sponsored by Garras y Patas Foundation. There I found Dulce, a very beautiful, two-year-old, female dog. She is a mixed dog and before we came across with each other, she had been given for adoption because her previous owner had got very ill and could no longer take care of her. Luckily, she didn’t spend too much time waiting for someone to take care her!

She is an old dog but paradoxically full of energy. She was not trained as a puppy and despite she has some bad habits she has never spoilt it badly inside the flat, the only very big issue with her is that she pulls on the leash! she’s always pulling and barking at cats in the streets which is dangerous because a fierce cat could attack her. Another thing is that she doesn’t have the best fur quality, she always losing it and I have to brush her twice a day, also I walk her three times a day and feed her also three times a day.

I look after her the best way I to have her in the best possible shape, after all she is my companion and at times I see her as my family, she is not very independent as any other dog so I have to arrange my schedule to have time to see her that’s why we spend quite a lot together and little by little we have become a small but very loving, human-dog pack.

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Post 8 (25-11) A Subject you've enjoyed studying this semester

Level 3 - Post 8_ A Subject you've enjoyed studying this semester

Write about your favorite subject this term. Among others, include:

> Name
> Describe what you do in classes
> Mention the main contents you have seen
> Explain why you like the subject

> Word Count: 180
> Make comments on 3 of your patners' posts and on your Teacher's.

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Example:

As a child, I really liked studying but I honestly disliked going to school because I felt I couldn't learn much and I used to see the institution with remorse for being more than a school, a jail to me.

I also disliked the type of things we had to learn, but all and all, I started to really enjoy a class where we had to use tools to build pieces of furniture, small robotic devices, etc.  The class does not exist in the school system anymore, it was called "Técnico Manual"

I remember the biggest challenge when I decided to work with metal and welding tools. It was just great! I could share a  lot with my father, getting to have a very healthy and loving environment for both of us to share and I developed a taste for architecture I did not have.

Learning to do things with my hands helped me in many dimensions. Nowadays, because of all the effort me and my family and school made, I could acquire plenty of knowledge, not only related to scholastic topics and it has been very useful in my life.

Post 7 (18-11) : Carrer-Related Website OR An Expert on your Field

LEVEL 3 >>  >> Carrer-Related Website OR An Expert on your Field 

For this post,  you have to choose only ONE of these  2 options:

Post 1 (Instructions). 
Write about a career-related website that you enjoy visiting.

You have to:

- provide the link
- describe the website (sections, features,etc)
- say how often you visit the site
- explain why you like the site.




>Add comments to 3 of your classmates’ blogs + a comment on your teacher's post
>Word Count: 170

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Post 2 (Instructions)
Who is a person/expert on your field that you admire?

Say:

-Who she/he is. (short biography)
-What she/he has done. (examples of their work)
-Why you like her/him.
-Include his/her image

> About 170 words
>Add comments to 3 of your classmates’ blogs + a comment on your teacher's post.

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Example: The man in the picture is Noam Chomsky, He is a very well known and widely respected Language Scientist. He is american and all his life, he has done research in the areas of grammar and language development among others. 

At the core of his theory there is the thought that the structures of language are not mere ordering of words in  that there aprinciples underlying the structrure of languge biologically determined in the mind and he thinks they are, therefore, genetically transmitted, in other words, since we come to life as humans, we come with the capability for language development.

He changed my perspectives of why people learn a language, of how people learn it and how can that proces be reproduced in further stages of life such as "learning" a laguange as an adult or  as he says, "acquiring" a foreign language in later stages and contexts of a lifetime.

He is considered the Father of Modern Linguistics and because of his extensive research, many new methodologies to language study, and also many new areas have opened up, an example is the applications of his language theory into Neuroscience and IT, and even today he keeps on opening up new ares of thought mixing his theories with discourse and particularly public discourse critical analysis, and needless say, he is a must-study for every linguistics or language-related-area-student.

Post 6 (18-11) : Themed Post 2: The Strangest Dream.

POST 6: THEMED POST 2

Today We have decided to write about "The Strangest Dream." in 160 words.

Mention:
- How often you've had it.
- How events/actions/perceptions go on and what the outcome is.
- Any possible interpretation.
- Include visual aids.


My Example:

The Strangest Dream.

Dreams are a whole unknown dimension, I believe it is not possible that all of them might be entirely untrue, nevertheless, we spend a great part of our lives sleeping and dreaming so, it might be that they not only represent a subjective part of ourselves but it might constitute a whole reality on its own.

My dreams in general are not so strange and neither have I had many repeated ones in my life, most of the time I don’t even remember what I dreamt he night before, but there is one particular dream I have had several times, but more than a dream, it’s the feeling of having dreamt it.

I picture myself over sunset in the streets of a big and people-empty city; at some point of the dream I start having physical sensations, as though I was having to lift a very heavy weight and finally I end up rising from the floor and flying. I make a great physical effort to go beyond the line of the buildings and start flying over the empty city which is now entering a dark night-time. I fly and fly and start losing the strength and I cannot longer go up beyond the level of the buildings and at some point of the dream, I just can’t go on flying because I am too tired and then I just wake up, as tired as in the dream.

I have talked about this dream with friends, family, therapists and no plausible conclusion or interpretation I have drawn from it. I just think it’s one of those stressful feelings that one can have at the back of one’s mind for ages and that will disappear whenever the time for it comes. Certainly, this dream is not bizarre, and neither anguishing; It has not really interfered with my circadian rate and therefore I have never paid a lot of attention to it, maybe that is why I have no interpretation.

Perhaps I will continue perceiving myself as though flying over and empty city at night, and even, I might continue waking up tired for having dreamt about the same, but as of now, I am sure this dream is not a nightmare, it’s just that I might want to fly so badly, that even my subconscious is showing me that feeling.
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- Comments:  to leave a comment on your teacher's post + 3 of your classmates posts.
- Word Count for post 6: 160 words

Post 5 (11-11): The Story of a Picture

Post 5: The Story of a Picture

Write about a photograph you like.

Say:

Who took it
What it shows
When it was taken
Why you like it
Upload it too

Include any other information you'd like to mention.
Write at least 150 words.

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

The story of a picture

This might look a bit naive but , let me tell you, it is alcohol!, it was taken at a pub in Paris, in a bar across from Place Vendome. I was with friends and we wanted to see the non-romantic and alternative side of the city.

This picture is a portrait of the memories I have from my best holiday ever, and even though I haven’t had many superb holidays, because most of time I prefer visiting my family more than anything else, I have had some memorable ones.

It was the year 2008, if I don’t remember incorrectly; and I was under big stress because I had had several problems at my job. Anyway, to make a long story short, I dropped by the place I used to work for and they told me: “here you are”… it was a NICE, FAT Christmas bonus.

That day, I was with a friend of mine, and after hearing that I had received my present, she shouted at me, from the entrance: “Man!!!! Let’s go out!!!”….

Two hours later, we were hiking around Paris Downtown, we meant to tour as much as posible, getting to see idilic landscapes and also, both being teachers, we wanted to share with the locals and not visiting the typical touristic places.

We toured around Montmartre, the Quartier Latin, and the Quartier de L'Opéra -where the picture was taken. We spent nearly the whole afternoon walking around, very lost until we ended up in the strangest bar, where drinks were all related to Hospital which we thought was very original. From that improvised adventure, there are many stories we can both tell our children, and other thousand anecdotes, I cannot let you know in this blog entry’s extension.

Blog 4, Themed post (21-10) My Favourite Movie/Series

Dear All:

For today, as a class, we have decided to write about our Favourite Movie(s)/Series.

Consider the following:

        •What movie/series it is,

•What it is about

•Why you like it

•Anything else important

- Comments: Leave a comment on the Teacher's post + 3 on your classmates' posts
- Word Count: 140 words
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Black Mirror: San Junipero Love Story.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/208471851 


I don't usually have much time for watching movies, however, recently I had lots of pressure from friends and finally I decided to get Netflix and OH My God, I started wasting time but enjoying myself.

I love movies, I am a real fan but to decide on my favourite of all times its rather complicated because there are so many  I love but to be honest, my favourite plot it is not a movie, it is a series of which I'll talk about.

Many people had talked to me about the good series on the Online TV Platform mentioned aboive; and many had mentioned series about many issues but one in particular caught my attention, because, as I was told, it dealt with issues of current life including in its plot situations either provoked or as a consequence of the extreme inclusion of technology in the contemporary world.

Once I got Netflix, I searched for the series and found out it was not a real series but several science fiction episodes which talked about the unseen effects of new technologies and from a satirical stand point, reflected upon the construction of new societies which might seem a bit decadent.

I watched several episodes but I came accross with the chapter named "San Junipero" which I just loved. The episode was about a strange story of two girls who fell in love and used to live in different times and ages. Later it was revealed that San Junipero was a simulated reality for people who were about to die and in this simulated reality they could live in their younger body, and eventually, after dying they could remain in the virtually constructed world.

The love story is about two girls and using a very frantic narrative, it keeps you all the while wondering about what is going in on. Finally, and as opposed to other chapters of the series, the ending is seemingly happy.

Black Mirror, I think, is one of the best series that I have seen on Netflix so far, not only because of the quality of the plots and production, but furthermore, because it is the first time I have seen a TV series stimulating reflection on society upon the future consequences that technology may have in human life if we do not foresee it.

Post 3 (14-10) Favourite piece of technology.

LEVEL 3 >> POST 3 (week 5) > MY FAVOURITE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY

Write about your favourite piece of technology

Say:

What it is.
When you got it.
How you use it.
How often you use it.
Why you like it.
What life would be like without it.




- 130 words minimum.
- Include a picture. 
- Comment on your teacher's post and 3 of your classmates’ blogs.

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The Apple Without The Worm

For some time I had been quite disconnected from all society, I had already spent 6 months without a mobile. Back then I had started working for a telecommunications company and I had to be on the phone mostly all day long, and that's why I decided, in the end, to get rid of the "cell-phone".

Time went by and some day I had an urgency, I had to hand in a very, very importan document, but with the rush, I left it over my desk at home, and the only way to get it was to call my friend and ask him to drop by and bring it along.

Having thought so, I rushed out the underground to get a pay-phone but guess what, ALL of them were not working, and after several tries, and a big anguish, I managed to contact my friend and get my papers...but it was already a bit late, and the only way I could get in touch was by borrowing a co-worker's mobile!

After that I got a mobile phone, in the 2011, after nearly a year without it. After a while I learnt there were new models, and new apps and the inclusion of 3G, I finally changed to iphone!!!... I use it for everything: to make a call, a free-call, to use wasap, teaching apps, grading apps, ppt creation and many more tools that I have come accross with.

I love my new mobile because of its functionality and the freedom it gives me, because I do not longer need to be behind the desk to do all of the tasks my profession requires. I also love it because it helps me being updated on everything I need updating on, and furthermore, because I might have lots to do, and even though I am very forgetful, with my iphone, I can always be aware of it all!.

Without it, life would be rather the same, perhaps, with the difference that I would be forced to spend less time behind the mobile, but at the same time, forced to spend longer hours behind the desk. If I did not have it, I would be even busier, not being able to work on the run. That's why I now love and use my mobile.

Post 2 (07-10) Why did you choose this career/study programme?

Level 3 - Post 2 (week 4) Why did you choose this career/study programme?

Write about:

- your dream jobs when you were a child

- other career options that you had at the moment of applying to university

- what made you decide in the end

- your experience at university until now

- the kind of job you would like to have

 > word count: 120 words

 > don't forget to leave comments on 3 of your classmates posts and on your teacher's post as well.

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Example: 

LOL

I studied English Linguistics, and I always thought "what would my future job be?". And here I am!!

I always wanted to have a fun, light, easy going and not too hard to do job, but always wanted to be with people.

From all the many areas I could work in, I always wanted something neither too-much outdoors nor indoors. Furthermore I wanted something that would produce some kind of social change, a good, important and deep change.

Moreover, I wanted to travel, to see the world, to meet strange people, well... strange meaning, different from me, and my friends, and family. While teaching languages, I have been able to do all the former, which leads me to think it was the right choice.

I tried working in an office once. It was a job not as stressful as a teacher's job, but after a year, and after missing the classrooms a lot, I decided to go back to stressful, challenging but rewarding teaching.

Nowadays, I am thinking on taking up on PHD studies in the field of Applied Linguistics, I would like to do it either in the Netherlands, Switzerland and/or England. 

I would like to do it in those countries, in the two first ones, actually. This is because both have a long history of successful multilingualism and also they are definitely good at languages. England, on the other hand, would be my last choice. This is because of a fact that gave birth to a joke, that is, - and please, no offense-, the joke goes: "how do you call a person who speaks only one language? […] you call them British"...LOL