Monthly Archives: April 2011

New website and new challenge.

April 30, 2011 4:48 pmLeave a Comment

I have decided that to celebrate the relaunch of my website and finally dipping my toe into the digital ocean. I am going to release one worksheet a day for the month May. All of the files will be released in PDF form and will be able to be printed and brought straight into a class.

I have to be a little crazy this is 31 classes of activities I will have to write in the next month. Not to mention my usual meandering thoughts as well. I hope you enjoy and find the activities useful and wish me luck.

P

Share
Posted in Professional, Uncategorized

Ugly Koreans Ugly Americans

April 28, 2011 5:13 pmLeave a Comment

Ugly Koreans, Ugly AmericansUgly Koreans Ugly Americans

By Professor Min Byong-Chul

while not really a comic book, more an illustrated guide.  This book is a must read for any teacher in Korea, and has proved invaluable in preparing several lessons that I have had to do in the past on the subject of cultural differences.  The book is divided into two parts, the first part deals with behaviour that Westerners often find unusual about Koreans.  The second part reverses the situation and looks at the behaviour of Westerners that Koreans find unsettling or unusual.

The use of illustrations throughout the book provides a visual representation of the actions that are being discussed. With English presented at the top of Page and Korean presented at the bottom of the page.

I have to say that this book has helped me to get through some very difficult times in Korea. Very insightful and a must have for any new English teacher to Korea.

Available from Amazon here

But honestly a lot cheaper if you can find it in a bookshop in Korea.

Share
Posted in Book reviews

Calvin and Hobbes

April 22, 2011 4:57 pmLeave a Comment

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

Calvin and Hobbes

One of my all time favorite Comics

one of the most successful and longest-running comic strips, was Calvin and Hobbes.  Telling the story of a young boy and his imaginary pet tiger, filled with stories of childhood and growth.

I have always had a soft spot this comic book may be because of identifying with Calvin.  A less than perfect student with an overactive imagination and a peculiar worldview.  Or possibly because it refused to sugar coat the realities of childhood.

The language in Calvin and Hobbes has a great deal of variety.  Calvin sometimes speaks like a normal eight year old boy, and sometimes speaks with a voice well beyond his years. The teacher should be able to find almost any linguistic feature that they were looking for in Calvin and Hobbes.

Published by UPS teachers are allowed to use up to five comic strips from Calvin and Hobbes a year in the classroom.

This comic strip is one of my favorite strips to use in classroom.  Mostly because it has examples of classroom behavior, a great deal of laugh out loud moments  and some really witty insights.

Calvin and Hobbes has recently been collected into a full published version as well are several other collections.

Available from Amazon here

 

Share
Posted in Book reviews, comics in the classroom