OUR CLASS'S ROLE - PLAY

After practising and hoping alot,all groups brought out their own products.Our class's role play was taken play yesterday-the nice day.
I honestly to say that it's a big and sucessful.Fisrt, i say something in general : the preparing was very good, well-acted.Therefore many groups used music ,the clothes fitted with the members that made me very excited.
Now i look back and recover the role-play.There are some personal opinions about each group.But i want to say my group first.I think it's bad if compared with others group.We said shortly and didn'd have so much expressions.We had many problems but i want to hear from you - my friends.
The role-play began with " E -girl" ; it is successful presentation:the clothes was well-prepared,the pronunciation was good especially Nghi and Thuy.A fairy tale in modern.
The second was G7 : good music but i think your voice was low.
The third was ours that i said before
The fourth was Sakura with modern problem in many families nowaday.The story familiar with" Alex Mark" which i have ever seen on television.Your acting was good.
The fifth was "Four leaf clover" group.I like your story much : the lovely pigs with a wolf .Your acting was excellent .The content was humorous.It made me laugh alot and you used many expressions.
Finally was "How to smile to life" with" Modern Tam -Cam".I was so surprised because Quan - played the mother i laugh but i didn't hear many sentences while Mai was crying and Oand said a little bit fast.
Certaintly nothing is perfect, no one is perfect .Although we didn't use many expressions which we have studied ,we had many experiences.Every members tried the best with sweat and preparing,I hope we will many role plays in future.

Preparation for role play

We started to prepare for our role play 2 weeks ago. It's quite difficult for us to write the script and to act appropriately, because all of us have never join in any play before. Anyway, we tried hard and practised diligent. We had much difficulties in acting, but we also had fun together. In my view point, role play is a good chance for us to act as a dramatic actors/actresses. It could bring all the members in a group together, and I think it will make all the members in our class close up. Do you think as I do ?

JOURNAL FOR PRESENTATION!!!!-new version

-Hey! Are you feel relieved ? Yes! We have just finished our given task, I am sure that you have many thoughts about that. So let’s share!

-You know before the presentation performance, we were really nervous. We really didn’t have enough preparation, you know: first, it’s too urgent; second, we lacked experience. Fortunately, Mr Binh knew all about that, as far as I remember he said that was the first time so you shouldn’t think that you don’t perform well, just relaxed and tried your best. So I tried, and I talked to myself “It doesn’t matter that your presentation isn’t the best, all you need to do is to conquer yourself”. Thus, I went to the stage with an air of confidence and then I left on behalf of a winner. Now, I think that I have nothing to regret. I don’t care what the other people think or say.

-Let turn to our presentation. Truth be told, there are many outstanding members in our class. For instance: Ms Nghi really has a good voice and an original style, she likes a typical teacher; or Ms Vy, she has a good voice too, and she used it effectively and so naturally, besides that Mr Hiep is really creative while Mr Tuan had a good effort last week and so on, you know I can’t name all here.

-I think that all presentations are also special and well prepared. If only there hadn’t had any sound problem, they would have been better. After the performance, I found that it’s necessary to have the solidarity among group members. We should forget our personal characteristic to blend with group spirit. It’s too hard I think so. But once you can, there’s nothing can prevent you from success.

-Mr Binh didn’t have any comment on our group, it made me a little bit sad. Maybe he didn’t pay attention to our group so it caused him nothing to say, or maybe we are so normal. May be, may be not.

-Lessons from friends:
+ 4 clovers: a ready group. They tried to protect themselves from our teacher’s misunderstanding successfully. So never give up when you know you’re right.
+ Sakura…: a nearly perfect group. They knew how to promote each member’s strength.
+How to smile to life: a funny group. They made a friendly sense in class. Their power _point was also beautiful.
+G7…: a creative group. Their clips are so lovely. So always try to renew yourself.
+ E-girls: an E-group… an energetic group. They prepared their presentation so carefully and they were really active.
-Lessons from our teacher:+ It’s crucial to prepare your presentation with all your heart and your head
+ It’s important to search information on the highway
+ It’s vital to have a good picture with appropriate to the example
+ It’s an indispensable thing to interact with your audience.
+It’s critical not to take advantage of technology excessively.
+It’s essential to be creative.
+You had better lecture than just read.
+ And last you need to have a good journal.

-------------------------That's all---------Bye

PREPARING FOR THE POWER -POINT

It's the first time our group present power point before the class.We felt very nervous .So we discussed alot in order to find the best way to finish it.We had to share the work to each other.
Dan was responsible for collecting ordering the expression.I seached for the pictures and the music on the internet.Hong found some conversations which had the expression.Lai and Hong were charged of the presentation.
Finally,we synchronized the imformation we had found to be full_done.We tried our best for the power point.I personally think we can get good mark or not we still successfull in co-operating.

JOURNAL OF OUR GROUP:THE RELEVENT LESSON

Few day ago we study formal sentence:"What if ...".Mr binh gave us an exciting situation:"Nowaday many children were spoilt because their parents didn't take care of them".They felt lonely so they were depraved : distracted in the study,even jioned in the social evils.The parents realized their fault and regreted.
After the situation was given every member of our class discussed alot. Each gave many different solutions.Our group's solution wasn't so good but we could learn many things in the real life.After the situation we can learn the relevant lesson

Reading newspaper

Journal_
Do you often read the English language newspapers?
What do you read newspapers for?
Which section of a newspaper would you prefer to read?

These are some questions appearing in my mind after Speaking period with Mr Thanh Binh.In class,the teacher give us lots of topics to discuss.We all have freedom of speech,either agree or disagree.There are some topics I can speak fluently with conclusive proofs such as 'Advertising is great fun' or 'Household pets are disgusting',but there are also some topics I have no idea or do not know how to express my thoughts,for instance, 'Developing nuclear power is essential' , 'Soft drugs like marijuna should be legalized' or 'Women's liberation is ridiculous' .In other words,I am lacking of knowledge of the outside world,especially the one relating to politics,science,human right...Not only I but also some my classmates suffer from this problem.

To solve it,I think we should collect as much information as possible and update it regularly through means of communication.Among the means,newspapers play an important role.According to Wikipedia, "A newspaper is a written publication containing news, information and advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint. General-interest newspapers often feature articles on political events, crime, business, art/entertainment, society and sports."
In my opinion,the purspose of newspapers is to provide us with the daily news happening in the country & around the world.We also learn so many things interesting from article on culture as well as new life styles.So,keep yourselves reading ,your common knowledge will increase day by day.And then,you will not feel outside but involve yourselves in any talks,because at that time you always have something to discuss or debate firmly.
Thanks to newspapers,our mind,point of view,and reasoning power are also enriched.It's really help,especially in Speaking subject.
You can read the newspapers issued every day such as:the Young People newspaper,or the Youth newspaper because it have a lot of useful information on universities,youth's activities,and part-time jobs, or you can choose the weekly newspapers:the Vietnam News,the Saigon Times...

If you don't like the idea of old newspapers piling up on your shelves,you can access the Internet or surf Google news ,where you select from thousands of information sources.

There are some address you can drop in http://voanews.com/ or http://www.cnn.com/ I hope reading newspaper is really an opportunity for us to increase our vocabularies as well as knowledge to a level where we can use English effectively in this semester.

Source of pictures:Google.com

Some time you feel so confused about why you have to consider English as your main major while another student can use English as efectively as native speaker without training at the university like you. I think it’s a big question for us. But maybe you don’t think about what you can gain from it. You know learning English has limitless advantages..As world goes richer there is strong chance that English is more and more vital. You will benefit greatly from learning English simply because so many people speak the English language. New horizons and opportunities will expand before your eyes.
Use the following tips to help you in your language learning process.
• Have desire –Want to learn a new language. Learning English requires a lot of study and dedication. Only true desire will keep you motivated.
• Know your motive –Why do you want to learn English? Is it to help you in school, your business or something else? Identify your reason and remember it when you are having a hard time.
• Set goals –Set goals for yourself whether it be learning twenty words a week or giving a presentation in English at work next month. Goals will keep you motivated.
• Study a little each day –Studying formally for at least 30–60 minutes a day will help you retain what you learn. At the beginning of each study session, review what you learned in the lesson before.
• Make a set study schedule –Set aside a specific time for study each day. That way you are less likely to skip your lessons.
• Study out loud –Pronounce the words out loud to yourself as you study. You will remember them more easily and you will be able to practice your pronunciation at the same time.
• Use different learning methods –Language can be learned through different activities such as speaking, reading, writing, and associating pictures with words. Find out which method works best for you and use a variety of other methods for practice.
• Practice speaking –Practice the language you have learned as much as possible.
• Don't be afraid –Never be afraid to try speaking to other people even if you don’t know everything. They will appreciate your efforts.
• Surround Yourself –Surround yourself with English. Read it, listen to it, watch it and speak it with others.
• Listen to native speakers –Pay careful attention to native speakers using English. Observe the way they pronounce the words and how they use them.
• Pronunciation is key –Imitate native English sounds as closely as you can. The more closely you pronounce words like native speakers, the better you will be understood.
• Use what you know –Even if you know relatively little English, you should use what you know. You will be surprised at how much you can communicate with a few words or phrases.
• Don't get stuck –If you don’t know a certain word, work your way around it. Use different words and actions to explain it, but don’t give up.
• Have fun! –Learning a new language is fun and exciting. Recognize your progress and use your language for ultimate enjoyment.
These tips will help you on your way to English fluency. Enjoy your study and remember to use the language you have learned in as many circumstances as possible. Full immersion(the state of being completely involved in sth) in the language is the fastest way to learn and learn well.
(extract from www.useit.vn)

picture for sad day

Keep running boy ! don't stand still ! fill your mind as much as you can everything make you enough.
---your mother's message

JOURNAL FOR TODAY!

I had a normal period with Mr Binh. He taught us to plan and to talk about something probally happen in the future. What I learnt from that is to read the text books carefully before going to class. But it makes me confused that the teacher doesn’t foretell the next lesson that we will learn so I go to the class with an empty head. In addition, the text books seem not in order, I hardly recall the previous lesson that I learnt. I wish that the teacher could bring us an outline of the course. I want to be prepared.

Talking about the last lesson, we learnt some waysto express our ideas and to predict. It needs a good memory to memorize all the structures so it’s not simple. The teacher asked us to get into groups of three, then each group sent the best student to perform in font of class. I am not the best, so my work was to sit motionless. I found it a little bit boring. To become a good student you have to study yourself as a poor boy wants to become a millionaire, he has to make it himself. It’s a kind of tough.

I can say for certain that if I keep study as the way I do now in the next three there is no chance for me to go out of this school. “If you want to have the thing that you have never had you have to do the thing you have never done”-Anonymous-
…………..that’s all fortoday………………many thanks…………………...

to make us go...

I have ever studied a really interesting period with Mr Binh,teaching us Speaking subject.
First of all,the teacher divides us into each group of 5 or 6 & gives us the specific situation to solve.All members in group have to imagine,discuss & cooperate together to know how to behaviour perfectly,how to speak E precisely,as well as how to act well.We all try our best to do st exciting & st creative to each other.And then,the teacher will comment on each group & give us the typical behaviour which everyone supposes that it is the best.
I think that this lovely way of study brings us a lot of fun & benifits.Through this enriching & stimulating period,he help us not only develope our communication,presentation skills,but also cultivate social skills such as sharing & cooperation.
I want to give thanks to the teacher who plays an important role in both supplying knowledge and shaping our attitude towards life.

Last week Dathahola had a funny lesson with Mr Thanh Binh. As far as Dathahola can remember he taught us the way how to tell a story. To tell you the truth, It is a kind of tough to me. From that lesson, Dathahola know some ways to make the others want to continue their story, for instance, you can say: Oh ! really- how did you feel?- What happened next?- Too bad- You’re kidding ( with unbelivable content…)-Yes- Oh! No- and so on.
After that Dathahola learnt how to tell a story. Dathahola can cite some typical questions to start a story that Dathahola remember:
-As far as I can remember…
-That time I was first…
-I can’t remember clearly but…
-After that…
- Before that…
And so on Dathahola can’t count all…
But afer shool, It has occurred to me that I don’t have enough ability to make my friends listen to my boring story. Sometimes I stumble over my words, I’m so embarrassed about that.
Thus, Dathahola have colleted a helful lesson about telling story skill and Dathahola’d like to share with you.Have a nice day! Bye!!

Storytelling and persuasion: Selling vs leading
Your first step is to find a story. Not just any story. Find a story you love! You’ll tell it often, and you want to enjoy it every time.
Storytellers learn their stories in many different ways. Some read or listen to a story over and over. Some meditate on it. Some type or write out the story. Some draw charts. Some begin telling the story at once.
HoDathaholaver you do it, you must absorb the story until it becomes second nature. Find the best way for you.
Some parts of the story can be memorized word for word—beautiful beginnings and endings, important dialog, colorful expressions, rhymes and repeated phrases. But don’t try to memorize an entire folktale that way. Strict reciting creates a distance from your listeners that is hard to bridge.
Instead, picture the story. See the scenes in your mind, as clearly as you can. Later, these pictures will help you recreate your story as you tell it—whether or not you consciously call them to mind.
It’s best to practice your story with a “mirror.” This can be a real mirror, or an audio or video recorder, or a friend—anything that helps you “see” how you’re doing.
First practice to get the storyline. Your version won’t convey everything from the story you found, but it must convey enough to make sense. Then, once the story is straight in your mind, focus on how you tell it.
Use repetition.. Pay special attention to repeated rhymes and phrases. Repetition helps your listeners stick with the story by providing familiar landmarks.
Alongside repetition, use variety. Vary the tone, the pitch, and the volume of your voice, your speed, your rhythms, your articulation (smooth or sharp). Use silences. Remember, variety catches and holds attention.
Use gestures, but only ones that help the story. Use them to mime the action, or just for emphasis. Make them big! Gestures keep the eyes on you.
In your story, pay special attention to beginnings and endings. You may want to practice an introduction along with the story. This introduction can tell something about the story or about you. But don’t give away the plot!
Endings should be clear, so your listeners know that your story’s over without your telling them. You can do this by slowing down and adding emphasis. For example, many story endings use a “slow three”—“happily ever after,” “that’s the end of that,” “and they never saw him again.”
Pay special attention also to how you portray your characters. Good characters bring a story to life—so put life into them, with face, voice, gesture, body posture. Try to make each of them different enough so they’re easily told apart.
When portraying two characters talking together, try a trick called “cross-focus": Make each one face a different 45-degree angle.
You’ll tell stories at your best if you prepare not only your story but yourself. Your voice and body are your instrument, and it helps to use them Dathaholall.
To project and sustain your voice, you must breathe deeply and correctly. To check this, place your hand on your stomach. As you inhale and your lungs expand, you should feel your stomach push out. Many people do the opposite, holding in their stomachs and breathing only with their upper chests. Also be sure to keep your back straight, so your lungs can expand fully.
Don’t push your voice too hard or use it unnaturally (except maybe when speaking as a character.) To avoid strain, relax your throat and jaw muscles, and the rest of your body as Dathaholall. A big, loud sigh will help this. Also try the “lion’s yawn”—open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out as far as it goes.
Pronounce each sound of each word distinctly. Tongue twisters are good for making the tongue more nimble.
Don’t think you have to be perfect the first time you tell your story. It’s not likely! But, if you love your story and have prepared it reasonably Dathaholall, you will surely give pleasure to your listeners and yourself. And, each time you tell the story, you and your story will improve.
If possible, tell your story first to friends in a small group. As you gain confidence, perform for larger, less intimate groups. Before long, you’ll think nothing of telling to a large room full of strangers.
Storytellers have their own styles, differing widely. If a suggestion here doesn’t fit your idea of how you want to tell stories, ignore it. Don’t be afraid to try something different, if it feels right.
A good storytelling space is comfortable, intimate, and free of distractions. Check the space ahead of time, so you can spot problems and arrange any special needs—a stool, a glass of water. You may also want time alone just beforehand, to collect yourself, or to “warm up” your voice and body.
Give your listeners the full force of you. Aim your voice at the back row. Make your words ring. Avoid verbal trash like “um” or “y’know.” Sit or stand, but face your audience squarely, and with a straight back. No fidgeting, hands in pockets, or shifting from foot to foot.
Storytelling is magic in part because it’s personal—so make a personal contact with your listeners. Talk to them—not at them—and don’t be afraid to talk with them.
Look them in the eyes. If there are too many of them, or you can’t see them all, look mostly at the ones in front. If some aren’t paying attention, focus on those who are.
As you tell your story, take your time, and give time to your listeners—time to “see” the story, time to laugh, time to feel, time to reflect, time to hang on the edge of their seats for what comes next. It’s easy to go too fast, hard to go too slow. If you’re losing their attention, you may need to slow down! After the story, be sure to leave time for the audience to appreciate you.
Storytelling is interactive. As your listeners respond to your story, let your story respond to your listeners. Make your voice and gestures “bigger” or “smaller.” Stretch or shrink parts of the story. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, so next time you can change, add, or subtract.
Above all, trust yourself, your audience, and your story. Remember, anyone who comes to hear a storyteller is already on your side. Just being a storyteller is magic—even before you say a word.
· Next Page
Here are some ways to go further with storytelling.
See and hear as many good storytellers as you can. You’ll pick up performance techniques, new stories, and general storytelling magic. Storytelling festivals are wonderful events held all over North America and the United Kingdom.
Take a class. Many colleges, universities, and other organizations sponsor them. This is a fairly “safe” way to begin storytelling, with support and helpful comments.
Join a local storytelling group. Many communities have groups that meet to try out stories or organize performances.
Above all, tell, tell, tell, as often as you can. That’s the best way to learn storytelling!
From: www.aaronshep.com

DATHAHOLA

Hi,everybody!We’d like to introduce ourseves.Our group has 4 girls:Dan,Thao,Hong,Lai,and that is the reason why we choose the nickname dathahola as the initials of each name.At first sight,the word dathahola is the little same as 'aloha' in spelling,huh?
To tell the truth,we all are similar to each other in that we like going swimming,enjoy breathing fresh air,love the beautiful Hawaii(maybe we will visit it someday in the future).So,if we meet U and say 'aloha',don't surprise.Ah,we also like coffee too.You know,sitting & drinking coffee,we can easily observe,think and discuss everything happening around us.Join us and share ur knowledge,feelings and thoughts,please. Dathahola always wants to have a lot of comments, agreement as well as disagreement.
Wish you a happy day !!! Smiling J