Week 14 - Holiday Stuff

Did you do the course survey on Manaba? Thank you.

Holidays activity

Christmas present activity

Xmas janken game

Homework #4 - Read 4 books and pass the quizzes on Xreading is due today!

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授業改善アンケート

If you haven't done the course survey (授業改善アンケート) on Manaba yet, please do it.  [Manaba ➔ My Page ➔ 授業改善アンケート ➔ コミュニケーション・スキル 1B]

Week 13 - Speaking Quiz #2

Good afternoon!

Maybe we will have presentations from Aika & Keigo. We will do that first.

When you have a free moment today, please do the course survey (授業改善アンケート) on Manaba. [Manaba ➔ My Page ➔ 授業改善アンケート ➔ コミュニケーション・スキル 1B]

Speaking Quiz #2 is today (Dec. 13). An image with quiz questions is below.

Quiz order is by Spinner. I will spin to see who goes first, then it will be attendance order after that.

Watch the video while Kevin is talking to students one by one.

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Week 12 - Superstitions (迷信)

Today, let's talk about ...

What superstitions can you see in this image?

Superstitions

We will do some rotation talking re. the topic of 'superstitions'. I will also show you the quiz questions for next week.

Quiz #2B will be next week (Dec. 13). Don't be absent!

"迷信"を信じるのは都市？地方？ article - Insight Signal 2018

https://www.is.nri.co.jp/report/short-research/2018/000244.html

10 Japanese Superstitions

Picture Differences

Week 11 - Complaints

Complaints

We will do some listening and pairwork in class re. the topic of 'complaints'.

Coming soon ...

Quiz #2B will be in two weeks (Dec. 13).

Next week (Dec. 6), I will show you the quiz questions in class. Please don't be absent.

English Reader Marathon will finish tomorrow at midnight. However, you still have time to read 4 books for Com Skill 1 homework, due Dec. 20.

Picture Differences

Week 10 - Relationships

Students who didn't present last week (survey topic) will present first. This will be your last chance to present.

Forever Single PDF / Audio 🔊 / Backup Audio 🔊

Finding the Right One PDF / Audio  🔊 / Backup Audio 🔊 

International Relationships

What do you think about international relationships? Does it matter which country the person comes from? Would you live in your partner's country or in Japan?

International Relationships Video - LINK

Questions

1) Petra wants to marry someone from another country.  True or False?

2) Petra wants to live in her partner's country.  True or False?

3) Petra thinks she will not have cultural problems with her partner.  True or False?

4) Petra does not want to have children.  True or False?

5) Petra thinks her parents and possibly her brother and sister may help her with her children.  True or False?

6) Petra does not want to travel to her partner's country.  True or False?

7) Petra is looking forward to learning the foreign language of her partner.  True or False?

8) Petra is not interested in her partner's culture.  True or False?

Opinion Questions

9) Would you like to have an international relationship? Why or why not?
10) If you marry someone from another country, would you like to live in Japan or in your partner's country? Explain.

Picture Differences

Week 9 - Presentations

Presentations Today (Nov. 15)

Picture Differences

Week 8 - Presentation preparation in class

Last week's quiz results were pretty good (except past tense verbs 😠).

Today (Tues, Nov. 8) you will work in rotating pairs to prepare your presentation. You will speak to many partners. If you don't come on this day, you cannot present the following week. You will lose many points. Please don't be absent!

The English Reader Marathon will end on Nov. 30. Also, don't forget to read four books on Xreading and take the quizzes. Do this by Dec. 20. (Homework #4)

Picture Differences

Week 7 - Speaking Quiz 1B

Good afternoon!

Speaking Quiz #1B is today. The prep handout is here. 

Quiz order is by Spinner. I will spin to see who goes first, then it will be attendance order after that.

There will be a short written quiz on past tense verbs.

Watch the Simpsons video on Bullying while Kevin is talking to students one by one. You already have a handout with vocabulary words.

The Simpsons crossword puzzle is not homework. However, if you do it, it will help you understand the video better. (I gave you the handout last week.)

After you have taken the quiz, you may leave.

The Presentation Activity starts next week. It's a 2-week project. You will prepare your presentation together in class and present it the following week. If you are absent next week, you can't present the following week. Don't be absent next week!

Be ready today when it's your turn for the quiz!

Quiz 1B 2022 quiz questions

Week 6 - Halloween & Quiz 1B Review

The quiz questions for next week's speaking quiz are here:

Quiz 1B 2022 quiz questions

Quiz 1B will be on Nov. 1. Don't be absent.

Important Announcement!

Weeks 8, 9 (Nov. 8, Nov. 15) are for the next presentation. On Nov. 8, we will do an activity that prepares you for the presentation. On Nov. 15, you present what you prepared the week before. You must attend both days! If you are absent Nov. 8, you cannot present on Nov. 15, so you will lose all points!

Picture Differences - skateboarder

Week 5 - Fears

  What are you afraid of?

Intro: Listen to Erik and Amy talk about the things they are afraid of. What is Amy afraid of? How about Erik?    audio

Next, listen to the short talks of the people below. Write the answers (a, b or c) on a piece of paper, then submit them on the answer form at the bottom of this exercise.

Alex - audio

Trish - audio

Carlos - audio

Blaire - audio

Ken - audio

Fear Factor

Rock climber fights off bear attack
Three Minutes of Acrophobia
Cage underwater

Disgusting ice cream

Fears Conversation

Picture Differences

Quiz 1B is Nov. 1. Questions will be provided next week (Oct. 25).

Week 4 - Pranking & Bullying

Good afternoon!

"Naomi's Dilemma" audio

Would you say this is a case of bullying? Harassment? Both?

Some videos

Jigsaw Activity

Vocabulary Quiz

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Week 3 - What a coincidence!

Do you understand the meaning of 'coincidence'? Kevin will tell you!

Some funny YouTube coincidences

Listen to the audio files for the three coincidence stories below. Fill in the blanks on the PDF. (If you can print the PDF, please do so. If you can't print it, write your answers on blank paper.) After you have written all the answers, put your answers on the Answer Form (link below) and send it to Kevin (click Submit).

In class listening activity. This is a graded activity.

Three Amazing Coincidences PDF

The Church audio  /  The Train audio

The link for the third story ("Strange as it seems") is on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m29PQBLwF4E

 

Picture Differences - Beach

Week 2 - More Past Tense Stuff

Good afternoon!

Did you complete Homework #1 re. Past Tense?

Today, Kevin will introduce Calvin & Hobbes, the popular American comic.

The activity below is for the live class; please wait for Kevin!

Slideshow  (Kevin will do this in class, so please wait.)

Forgot Something Comic / Summer Day Comic (Please wait.)

Don't forget to read four books and take the quizzes on Xreading before the end of December.

Welcome Back!

Welcome to Com Skill 1B! 

This website:  comskill1.blogspot.jp

Let's look at the Fall schedule and grading policy together. (scroll down)

This summer I taught the Summer Intensive Course at Tsurumi Univ.

Summer Intensive Course 2022

Did you do anything interesting this summer?

Student A:  Hi! Did you do anything interesting this summer?

Student B:  Yes, I had a barbecue with some high school friends.

Student A:  Sounds nice!

Student B:  How about you? Did you do anything interesting this summer?

Student A:  Not really. I worked at a convenience store all summer. I didn't have much free time.

Student B:  Oh, that's too bad.

Reader Marathon Homework (Fall)
The 2022 English Reader Marathon is still going on. Please read at least 4 books this semester for the Communication Skill 1 class as homework. Your books will also count for the Reader Marathon. To get class grade points, please read the books by Dec. 20. Xreading link. Your user name is your student email. Your password is your student number. Tsurumi English Dept. Blog  If there is no quiz, email Kevin and I will tell you a way to get points.

The Simple Past Tense (過去形)

Singular	Plural
I spoke English.	We spoke English.
You spoke English.	You spoke English.
He spoke English. She spoke English. It spoke English.	They spoke English.

The Simple Past (Negative)

Singular	Plural
I didn’t speak English.	We didn’t speak English.
You didn’t speak English.	You didn’t speak English.
He didn’t speak English. She didn’t speak English. It didn’t speak English.	They didn’t speak English.

The Simple Past (Interrogative)

Singular	Plural
Did I speak English?	Did we speak English?
Did you speak English?	Did you speak English?
Did he speak English? Did she speak English? Did it speak English?	Did they speak English?

Example sentences in the Simple Past.
Yumi worked at a convenience store this summer.
I walked my dog twice a day.
She didn't like Taylor Swift's new song, but she liked the music video.
We didn't put mayonnaise on the sandwiches because we hate mayonnaise!
They usually took the Keikyu train, but sometimes they took the bus instead.

These are NOT simple past tense:
He was eating dinner.
They were not enjoying the movie.

Simple Past Tense video (easy)

Past Tense Song (It's cute! Watch it and learn some words.)

Simple Past grammar exercise; do now! (Kevin will tell you when)

In class listening exercise

Homework #1B; due next Tuesday, Sept. 27, before class.

*** This is not a quiz. It's homework. You should get ALL correct. 100%. Don't guess. Look up the answers and write the correct words. Spell correctly.

To Do List
1) Read and understand the course schedule and grading policy.
2) Do the Grammar Exercise and Listening Exercise (during class)
3) Homework #1B (due Sept. 20  before class); link is above (also Xreading)
Gambatte!
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Schedule Communication Skill 1B 2022

Kevin Miller ▪ Office 121, Bld. 6      Room 505      15 classes

Tuesdays  ▪  5th Period (16:20-17:50)

Sept. 20               How was your summer?; Homework #1b; Homework #4b (4 readers)

Sept. 27               Homework #1b due ↩

Oct. 4                   Homework #2b

Oct. 11                 Homework #2b due ↩

Oct. 18               

Oct. 25                 Review for quiz #1b

Nov. 1                  Quiz #1b (7 pts)

Nov. 8                  Presentation Homework #3b assigned

Nov. 15                Presentation #3b ↩

Nov. 22               

Nov. 29              

Dec. 6                  Review for Quiz #2b

Dec. 13                Quiz #2b (7 pts)

Dec. 20                Homework #4b due ↩ (4 graded readers; must pass quiz!))

Jan. 10                Review of 2022 activity                                         

↩ = homework due        5 absences = FAIL; 3-4 absences = probably FAIL

◆    If you`re absent on a quiz date, you will lose all quiz points & attendance points!

Grading Policy 2022

Week 15 - Final Spring Class

Today (July 26) is the last class of Spring 2022. Otsukare.

Today we will do some Eiken practice.

Ex. 2 - 1

A - 2 - 1

B - 2 - 1

C - 2 - 1

D - 2 - 1

E - 2 - 1

F - 2 - 1

G - 2 - 1

H - 2 - 1

Xreading homework (Homework #4) is due today. You should have read 4 books and passed the quizzes on Xreading.

The first meeting of Com Skill 1B will be Sept. 20 (Tues), Room 505. Which of you will be here in the fall?

Have a great summer!

Week 14 - Speaking Quiz #2

Good afternoon!

Speaking Quiz #2 is July 19. The prep handout is here.

I will use the spinner to find who goes first. After the first person, the order is the same as attendance order.

Take the written quiz while Kevin is talking to students one by one. Please don't talk during the written quiz.

After you have taken the speaking quiz, written quiz, and watched the video, you may leave.

Be ready when it's your turn to speak!

Spinner

We have one more class next week (July 26). Xreading homework (4 books) is due that day.

Week 13 - Quiz Preparation and more

Today, we will do some exercises re. 'where things are located' (July 12).

But first, Kevin will show you this.

Oral Quiz #2 will be July 19 (next week). Today Kevin will give you the quiz questions.

Quiz 2 Prep Handout 2022

Materials Exercise

Phrasal Verbs Exercise

Xreading Homework (Homework #4a) is due soon; July 26. You are supposed to read four books on Xreading and pass the quizzes.

This online activity will help you practice for Quiz #2. You don't have to register (but you can if you want to see your score ranking). To play without registering, click the blue link at right, as in the image below.

There are two more Tuesday classes; July 19 and July 26.

Week 12 - More Describing Things

Long-term Study Abroad Orientation is July 11 & July 14.

Today, we will do some more exercises re. 'describing things' (July 5).

Oral Quiz #2 will be July 19 (in two weeks). 

Materials Exercise

Phrasal Verbs Exercise

Xreading Homework (Homework #4a) is due soon; July 26. You are supposed to read four books on Xreading and pass the quizzes.

Week 11 - Describing Things

We will do a 'describing things' guessing activity (June 28). You will have time to prepare, then speak in front of the class.

One or two students who were absent on presentation day may present their topics (for reduced points).

Oral Quiz #2 will be July 19 (in 3 weeks). On July 12, I will show you the quiz questions.

Xreading Homework (Homework #4a) is due soon; July 26. You are supposed to read four books on Xreading and pass the quizzes.

Week 10 - Presentations Today

BTW ... TOEIC IP sign-up deadline is June 22 (tomorrow)!

June 21 is Presentation day. Everyone be ready to present. I will use the spinner to find who goes first.

• Try to have a conversational style; don't just read. 
• You need intonation and emphasis on important points.
• Check the pronunciation of words in advance (use 'define: ___' in Google to get the definition with audio)
• Check your spelling if you make a slideshow.
• Only put keywords on the slideshow, not long sentences.
• Send the slideshow to me in advance.

Spinner

If time, we'll also do some conversation practice with partners.

See you in class!

Week 9 - Pet Peeves

Presentations are next week. Make your slideshow and send it to Kevin.

The following person hasn't sent me any writing:  Sho

Do you know the meaning of Pet Peeve? It's always a popular topic on YouTube.

A pet peeve (or pet hate) is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to him or her, to a greater degree than others may find it.

YouTube video: 100 People Tell Us Their Pet Peeves

What are your pet peeves?
a. What is your pet peeve related to home or family?
b. What is your pet peeve related to work or school?
c. What is your pet peeve related to shopping, driving or public transportation?
d. What is your pet peeve related to Covid-19?

Start your answer like this:

My pet peeve is when ...

I really get annoyed when ...

I really hate it when ...

I can't stand it when ...

Presentations are next week: June 21
I will use a spinner to determine who speaks. You must be ready. 

We will have another speaking quiz on July 19 (in 5 weeks). Pet Peeves will be one of the topics.

To Do List
1) Do the Pet Peeves Listening & Online Exercise (in class)
2) Do the Pet Peeves Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle. Do this anytime before Quiz #2 (July 19)
3) Prepare to give your presentation next week; June 21.

Week 8 - Phrasal Verbs

back up break into break up call back call off call up catch up check in (check out) cheer up clean up come apart do over drop by drop out eat out fall apart fall down figure out fill out fill up

find out get along with get away get over get together get up give away give back give up go out with grow back grow up hand in hand out hang out hold onto keep up let (someone) in log in (log out) look after

look for mix up pass out pay back pick out put off run into run away send back set up take apart take off tear up throw away turn on turn off try on wake up warm up work out

Example sentences:

• back up - Your car is too close to my car. Please back up a little.
• fill up - He filled the tank up with gasoline.
• find out - I don't know when the assignment is due. I'll have to find out from another student.
• look after - My sister went out of town and wants me to look after her cat.
• look for - She is looking for an apartment near Tsurumi.

Spinner

Activity

1) Look at the list of phrasal verbs above. If you don't know some, look them up.

2) Use the spinner to choose 2 phrasal verbs at random. (You can spin again if you want to.)

3) Make a conversation with your partner using the phrases.

4) Perform the conversation in front of the class.

5) You should finish this during class time!

* If you finish early, study the phrasal verbs you don't know well.

Gambatte!

Example:

I used the spinner and hit "call up" and "come apart".

Person A: Oh no! My gaming console came apart!

Person B: Tomohiro will know how to fix it. Let's call him up.

If you need to make more sentences, no problem.

Example with 3 sentences:

I used the spinner and hit "figure out" and "run away".

Person A: I can't figure out how to do this homework.

Person B: Well, I'm not going to help you. Bye!

Person A: Hey, don't run away like that! I need your help!

Online Phrasal Verbs Practice (optional)

Common Phrasal Verbs 1-10 at Agendaweb.org
Common Phrasal Verbs 11-20 at Agendaweb.org
Common Phrasal Verbs 21-30 at Agendaweb.org
Phrasal Verbs (Elementary) at English Grammar

QuizIzz Game

joinmyquiz.com

Presentation writing is due today. This is not the slideshow! This is the words you will speak in your presentation. Send it to me by email if you haven't done so yet.

Presentations are June 21 (in two weeks).

Week 7 - Speaking Quiz #1

Good afternoon!

Speaking Quiz #1 is today. The prep handout is here.

Quiz order will be decided by the spinner.

Watch the video while Kevin is talking to students one by one.

Write your impression after you have seen the video two times.

After you have taken the quiz and written your impression, you may leave.

Presentation writing is due next week. This is not the slideshow! This is the words you will speak in your presentation. Send it to me by Gmail.

See the Week 5 blog post for more information about the presentation.

Be ready when it's your turn today!

Week 6 - Self-improvement & Quiz #1 Prep

Today's topic is Self-improvement. Here's the form.

Quiz #1 Prep Questions

The speaking quiz is next week; May 31.

Week 5 - Healthy Diet and Body

Don't forget to read 4 books on Xreading!

Learn all of the body parts below.

Parts of the Body:  Arm / Leg / Torso Parts / Internal Body Parts / 

🠊 Vocabulary Quiz 

Optional: more body & health vocabulary

Two discussion questions for class

1) Is there some part of your body you would like to change? What and why?

2) Is there some part of your body that you are proud of? What and why?

Today's topic is Healthy Diet.

Kevin will introduce a healthy foods ranking video. Top 10 Healthy Foods PDF. >> Top 10 Healthy Foods Video <<

Listening Exercise
What's for lunch? PDF  /  audio 🔊  /   backup audio 🔊  /  online exercise

Also ...
Diet habits:  What is your worst diet habit? Tell me 3 things you should do to improve your diet. Say “I should …” (Kevin will ask this question.)

Healthy Diet Game - These questions will be on the quiz on May 31.

____

Introduction to Presentations

Choose one:

• Introduce a musician, singer or band
• Introduce a manga artist
• Introduce any designer or artist
• Write what you will say in a Google Doc and email a link to Kevin using the Google Share function
• Make a Google Slides slideshow and email a link to Kevin using the Google Share function
• Send links to Kevin of your writing and slideshow by June 7; presentations are June 21

____

To Do List (after class)
1) Take the Parts of the Body Vocabulary Quiz at the top of this page. Study the vocabulary words first!

2) Prepare your artist presentation and get your Google Slides slideshow ready to send to Kevin (an artist or band you want to introduce) by June 7

3) Xreading - 4 books by July 26; you must take the quizzes!

Week 4 - Appearance & Fashion

Good afternoon, everyone! How was your Golden Week?

Today the topic is 'appearance & fashion'.

Slides

Fashion Discussion Questions
The following are discussion questions. Please be prepared to speak your opinion in English in order to answer these questions.

1) Do you need a lot of money to be fashionable? Why or why not?
2) How do you feel about brand-name goods? Please say your opinion in detail.
3) What kind of clothes do you usually wear to school?
[Be specific; start "I usually wear ..."]
4) Where do you usually buy your clothes? Why?
[The answer should be a store or a mall, not a city.]
5) What do you think of nose rings and pierced eyebrows?
['I like __' or 'I don't like __' is not enough.]
6) What do you think of dyed hair and tattoos?
['I like __' or 'I don't like __' is not enough.]

Green Hair (for absent students)
1) Download and print the PDF below OR get a blank piece of paper and write 1-9 on the left side of the paper while keeping the PDF open on your PC or smartphone.
2) Listen to the audio about  two people discussing a job candidate.
3) Fill in the blanks with the words you hear.
4) Do the online exercise and submit it to Kevin.
PDF / audio 🔊 / online exercise

Homework #2 - Fashion; due May 17 at the beginning of the next class period

If you are absent from class on May 10 or if you will be absent on May 17, you can use the form below for your homework. Submit it by May 17 before 16:20.

Homework #2 Form

To Do List

1. Class speaking & listening about Fashion & Appearance
2. Green Hair - in class listening activity
3. Homework #2 Fashion (due May 17)

If you have questions, send me email.

Week 3 - Fun TOEIC listening exercises

Today you will listen (and speak) quickly! Gambatte!

Homework #1 is due today. Did you do it? You will pass it in to Kevin today only!

English Reader Marathon 2022 starts May 1.

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Week 2 - Recommendations

Let's talk about recommendations. (make a recommendation = 何かをお勧めします)

Recommendations Activity
3 topics to recommend

1) Recommend a place to eat - It should be in Kanagawa or Tokyo; it can be a restaurant, izakaya, bar, chain restaurant, cafe or even a nice spot to have a bento.

2) Recommend a place to shop - It can be a shopping mall, a shopping street, or a specific store in Kanagawa or Tokyo (not an online shop, please).

3) Recommend a place to have fun with friends (like an amusement park, a sports center, a park, a beach), or any place that is good for friends, family or dates. It should be in Kanagawa, Tokyo, Chiba or Saitama. Be specific.

You should have an answer for all three questions, and you should have reasons for choosing the places you chose. 

Sample dialog (but with a different topic)

A: Hey, do you like movies?

B: Yeah, I love movies.

A: Can you recommend a movie I should see?

B: Sure. I think you should see Jojo Rabbit. It's about a young boy in Nazi Germany. There are some crazy characters, and there are many surprises. You will laugh and cry!

A: OK, thanks! I'll check it out!

Ask your group members:
1) Can you recommend a place to eat in Kanagawa or Tokyo? Why do you recommend it?
2) Can you recommend a place to shop in Kanagawa or Tokyo? Why do you recommend it?
3) Can you recommend a place to have fun with friends or family? Why is it a great place?

To Do Now (during class time); Kevin will tell you when to start.
1) As a group, discuss each of the topics in order. What are your favorite places to eat, shop and have fun in Kanagawa and Tokyo? You will do this for 15 minutes (5 minutes each topic).
2) We will come together as a class and I will ask students from each group for their recommendations.

Homework
Homework #1 is due next week; April 26. Please do it and don't be late. (PDF)

• If you are absent, you must still do the homework! The PDF is above, so you have no excuse!