Useful websites for language teaching (Listening)

1. BBC

 

 

 BBC stands for 'Brithish Broadcasting Corporation'. It's website provides many elements for English learning, especially for listening skill.

 In the website, There are many categories learners can choose to learn English. Various levels are provided, so learners can choose a right course for them based on their English skill.

 

 As you can see, the website provides audio files and scripts. It also show lists of hard vocabularies so that listeners can focus on the audio file easily.

 The website also provide many videos for learning English.

 Quizzes llike this is provided with work sheet. Learners can evaluate themselves with this work sheet.

 It has pretty everything which English educating website should have. The only problem is that the speakers are all British, but I think that it doesn't really matter since we also need to learn British English to be fluent.

 This website can be a good teaching method because it gets updated once a week. I would direct my students to look for updated materials every week and I'll test them.

(one of the videos from BBC Learning English)

2. TED

 TED stands for 'Technology, Entertainment, and Design.' The website provides hundreds of videos for learning English.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

This is one of the most viewed video file. It you click 'Interactive transcript', it will show you the script of the video. It also provides you Korean script!

 It doesn't provide any quizzes though. However, the videos are really qulified, so showing these to students and making quizzes by myself would be a great way to teach children.

3. TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests - YBM Sisa

 The last website is TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests - YBM Sisa. This website provides many lectures and working sheets for English learners. Since this website is made for educating purpose, it's teaching method is quite well-built. Moreover, Korean students need to get good a good score of TOEIC so it would be the best way for them to study English with TOEIC teaching program.

 The educating system is all in it, so I would just need to check students' works.

http://exam.ybmsisa.com/

MUNOS

 As I mentioned before, getting a position in UN is my final foal. Therefore, I would need to learn many things about works in UN. One of the most effective method I can use is to participate for  MUNOS, Model United Nation of Seoul.

Model United Nations of Seoul Summit is a…

-Three-day simulation of the United Nations for university and graduate students, conducted entirely in English.
-Student-led conference marking its seventh anniversary as of 2012.*
-Partner conference with The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN), world-renowned NGO in the Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
*Unlike other MUNs, MUNOS Summit is not affiliated with any university and is a completely independent student organization.

You should participate so that you may…

-Have a taste of what it’s like to work as a diplomat in the United Nations.
-Obtain extensive knowledge surrounding the most pressing international issues of our time.
-Practice English public speaking and debating in the presence of over a hundred delegates from across Korea and foreign countries.
-Receive insight and guidance through speeches from distinguished guest speakers from the Seoul diplomatic scene.
-Polish up your grasp of international debate tournaments and other MUN conferences

UN

 Passing JPO test is actually for my ultimate goal - getting a position in UN.
The United Nations (abbreviated UN in English, and ONU in French and Spanish), is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its missions.
There are 193 member states, including every internationally recognised sovereign state in the world but Vatican City. From its offices around the world, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year. The organization has six principal organs: the General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security); the Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (which is currently inactive). Other prominent UN System agencies include the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The UN's most prominent position is Secretary-General which has been held by Ban Ki-moon of South Korea since 2007.

http://www.un.org/

Difference between British and English accent

 In the video, the British guy pronouce 't' strongly, which not like American would pronounce it.
 The regional accents of English speakers show great variation across the areas where English is spoken as a first language. This article provides an overview of the many identifiable variations in pronunciation, usually deriving from the phoneme inventory of the local dialect, of the local variety of Standard English between various populations of native English speakers.

JPO

JPO stands for 'Junior Professional Officer'. JPO test is a test which collect people for international organization. Passing the test is one of my final goal.

http://prezi.com/f9xqxipanfj2/present/?auth_key=3uc88w4&follow=emll08m0pkcz

컴퓨터와 영어교육 13주차

TEPS

Since my final goal is to pass JPO test, I would have to study TEPS first. 
 The 'Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University' or 'TEPS' is an English proficiency test created by the Language Education Institute to evaluate Korean test takers' English language skills. TEPS has been administered nationwide since January 1999. TEPS consists of 200 questions which are divided into four sections: Listening (60 questions), Grammar (50 questions), Vocabulary (50 questions) and Reading (40 questions). TEPS is designed to test applicants' communicative English skills and to minimize test-taker reliance on certain strategies such as rote memorization. A study of the test indicated that it is valid and fair.
This test may be reliable, but the multiple choice nature of the test may raise test validity concerns. While TEPS is taken by thousands of Koreans each year, the scores are not recognized by many organizations outside of Korea as an indicator of English proficiency.
 It's similar with TOEIC, so I'm expecting to get a fine score by studying TOEIC.

TOEFL

 The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL, evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It was developed to address the problem on ensuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at American universities. It has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported since a candidate's language proficiency could have significantly changed since the date of the test. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.
 Policies governing the TOEFL program are formulated with advice from a 16-member board. Board members are affiliated with undergraduate and graduate schools, 2-year institutions and public or private agencies with an interest in international education. Other members are specialists in the field of English as a foreign or second language. The TOEFL Committee of Examiners is composed of 12 specialists in linguistics, language testing, teaching or research. Its main responsibility is to advise on TOEFL test content. The committee helps ensure the test is a valid measure of English language proficiency reflecting current trends and methodologies.

 To apply for exchange student program, I would need to get a good score of TOEFL. I'm planning to apply for the program after I get discharged from the army, so I will start preparing for this after that.

How to learn TOEIC

 To learn how to study TOEIC, we need to know the forms of questions.

 The test consists of two different parts; Listening, and Reading.

 First, let's talk about the listening test.

 This is the first type of the listening test. A speaker describes the pictures, and learners need to choose right answers. Difficulty isn't so high.

 This is the second type. One listening for one question. Difficulty isn't so high either.

 Now this type is a tricky one. One dialogue for three questions. Therefore, learners need to check the questions before the listening starts, and remember the needed information as the speakers speak. These questions are the most difficult and important questions throughout the listening test, so learners need to focus on this type and practice checking questions beforehand(this is really important).

 Now, we'll move on to reading test.

 This is the first type of reading test. It simply requires learners to choose right vocabularies after reading a short sentence. Some of them are tricky, so learners are suggested to memorize vocabularies to prepare for this type.

 The second type is similar to the first one. Learners need to choose right vocabularies after reading a paragraph.

 The last type of reading test is a real reading test. Learners are required to answer questions after reading a long paragraph. Since the time is limited, learners need to adjust time well. It's a good way to check the amount of time learners need for this type, and try to cut it down.

About TOEIC

 TOEIC stands for 'Test of English for International Communication'. It is an English language test designed specifically to measure the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment.

 There are two types of TOEIC; Listening & Reading Test, and Speaking & Writing Test. TOEIC Speaking & Writing Test, which is the popular test people take for various reasons, is a two-hour multiple-choice test consisting of 200 questions evenly divided into listening comprehension and reading comprehension. Each candidate receives independent scores for written and listening comprehension on a scale from 5 to 495 points. The total score adds up to a scale from 10 to 990 points.

 I'm preparing for TOEIC. My goal is to get a high score so that I would be able to apply for CATUSA. Next time, I'll write about how to prepare for TOEIC.

Good language learning resource

 Learn to Read : http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/help/play.htm?f

 This is the best website I've chosen.The program presents English at a level that is appropriate for learners, and it also help the learners focus on particular linguistic aspects because It has various materials so people can choose what they need to learn. It also provide quizzes so that people can evaluate what they've learned immediately. Finally, It's basically sets video files which help people have interest in it and learn it efficiently.

Map of America

Made it yesterday for a class. It looks nice, isn't it.

It was an assignment for one of my class. Drawing whole map of America actually helped me to memorize some important states and rivers.

New department room!

The room got much bigger than before! We've done some works, but it totally worth it. I love our new department room.

Came back from farming voluntary service

(Picture of our accommodation)

It was really awesome. All the experiences I had are so meaningful.

Feel so exhausted. Need to go bed.

Love you guys.

9gag

 9GAG is a startup image-based social media website launched in 2008, which centres around user-uploaded, usually comical, images dubbed "gags". Similarly to websites like reddit and Digg, users can vote and comment on images, with the newest and most popular appearing first.

 
(some of gags from 9gag)

 This website has lots of funny elements. Using this website as an entertainment will improve English learners' reading skill.

Funny commercial

It's very exaggerated of course. I like the way how they advertise their product though. Watchers would get strong expression from this commercial. I beleive that this commercial actually did it's job.

Church

Awesome picture of a chuch.

Isn't it so magnificent?

Individual differences in SLL(second language learning)

 In 'Understanding Second Language Acquisition' class, I learned about the differences between individuals in SLL. As a second language learner(english), this chapter was very interesting to me. In this chapter, it talks about  many aspects like intelligence, aptitude, and learning styles.
 At the end of the chapter, it says that their aren't absolute factors that can lead you to failure or success in learning English. It a little bit disappointing that the conclusion is so uncertain, but now I believe that what it means is that people can learn languages regardless of their conditions.

Hundred Years' Wat and the Black Death

 I've learned about the Hundred Years' Wat and Black Death in 'Understanding History of English Language'class. It was interesting to know that these terrible events actually helped English to be spread.
 As workers die out of the war and disease, workers became scarce. Therefore, nobels, who hadn't used English because it was considered to be low-grade, started to learn English to get workers.

 The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France and their various allies for control of the French throne, which had become vacant upon the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings. The House of Valois controlled France in the wake of the House of Capet; a Capetian cadet branch, the Valois claimed the throne under Salic Law. This was contested by the House of Plantagenet, the Angevin family that had ruled England since 1154, who claimed the throne of France through the marriage of Edward II of England and Isabella of France.
  The war owes its historical significance to a number of factors. Although primarily a dynastic conflict, the war gave impetus to ideas of both French and English nationalism. Militarily, it saw the introduction of new weapons and tactics which eroded the older system of feudal armies dominated by heavy cavalry in Western Europe. The first standing armies in Western Europe since the time of the Western Roman Empire were introduced for the war, thus changing the role of the peasantry. For all this, as well as for its long duration, it is often viewed as one of the most significant conflicts in the history of medieval warfare. In France, civil wars, deadly epidemics, famines and marauding mercenary armies turned to banditry reduced the population by about one-half.

 The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Although there were several competing theories as to the etiology of the Black Death, it has been conclusively proven via analysis of ancient DNA from plague victims in northern and southern Europe that the pathogen responsible is the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Thought to have started in China or central Asia, it travelled along the Silk Road and reached the Crimea by 1346.
From there it was probably carried by Oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships. It spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30–60 percent of Europe's population, reducing world population from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in the 14th century. The aftermath of the plague created a series of religious, social and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history. It took 150 years for Europe's population to recover. The plague occasionally reoccurred in Europe until the 19th century.

KATUSA

 KATUSA stands for Korean Augmentation To the United States Army. Qualified Korean draftees who demonstrate a high level of English fluency and aptitude via a standardized written exam (usually the TOEIC) may apply for a KATUSA slot. Conscripts with qualifying test scores are selected on a random basis via lottery by the Korean government. Once selected, KATUSAs must complete six-weeks of ROK Army basic training. A brief orientation and OJT is conducted by the U.S. Army before they begin their full-time duty with a United States Army unit garrisoned in Korea for the duration of their military service.
 The number of candidates vying for an available opening is extremely high because many soldiers believe that the U.S. Army is less abusive and more professional in its training and treatment of soldiers compared with the ROK Army, and that junior enlisted personnel receive better treatment, have more educational opportunities (especially with regards to learning English), experience a higher standard of living, and have an overall better quality of life than their ROK counterparts. Many also believe that serving as a KATUSA engenders more respect from other Koreans, compared to their counterparts in the South Korean military. In 2012, roughly 3,400 KATUSA soldiers served with 25,000 USFK, versus 4,800 in 2005 and 11,000 in 1968. As the number of U.S. Soldiers in South Korea decreases, the number of KATUSA soldiers is decreasing as well. The ratio of U.S soldiers to KATUSA soldiers is roughly and informally 10:1.
 I'm planning to apply for KATUSA after taking TOEIC test this July.

Self introduction

Hi, nice to meet you.

My name is Woosub Lee. I was born in Nov. 5, 1992. I'm a student of Chung-Ang University,

and my major is English Education. 

I've been living in USA for about an year as an exchange student when I was a high school student,

and that's why I'm an year older than most of other students(just because I've been living in USA

doesn't mean my English is good).

Daejeon is my hometown, but I moved to Seoul few weeks ago.

My hobby is playing clarinet. Reading, and writing novels is also one of my hobbies.

I hope I can make a good relationship with you all.

Have a greay day. God bless you.