Dear my 'old' students

Dear all,

It's been like forever! How have you been?

I'm writing to tell you a good piece of news. Lang-8--the website that I've introduced to you before about learning language writing--has been updated! It's now a totally new online platform with very powerful communication functions like 'facebook.' It's also equipped with automatic spelling checker and dictionary!

I'm sure you're gonna love it and will benefit a lot if you continue to post journal entries! I also found there are a larger group of English native speakers up there, as a result of which I am sure there is a better chance that your journals can get corrected. I also recommend that you post 'English questions' on Lang-8. I've practiced this for quite a while and each single time I got replies or comments in less than 10 minutes. I'm indeed loving it now. Ha! You may read some questions I posted and what others replied from here: Lang-8

Finally, wish you a great Chinese New Year and hope to see you (or teach) you again in the future.

With kind regards,
John

Goodbye and Take good care

Hi class,

Thank you so much for your assistance today. You indeed did me a great favor.

I'm really glad to have this chance to teach you for the past year. You are brilliant and quick learners. Hopefully, I'll be given another chance to teach you in the future.

Finally, I'll be happy to see you continue to use your blog or Lang-8. Before that, take good care!

Best regards,
John

About your final journals

Dear class,

I am so proud of you after finish reading your final journals. Although I feel very tired now after rating 26 pieces of writing in one day, I think it's worthy the effort. Every single one of you made great progress in writing skills--organization, vocabulary, and language in particular. The linking words and skills used in your writing were quite good, too.

I also thank you for providing kind feedback and comments for me. Some of you made great suggestions, too, such as writing a book report as an assignment and printing out handouts for note-taking. Additionally, I am particularly happy when hearing most of you guys approve of teaching writing by using blogs. I was worried that you might think it troublesome or were not used to it, but now I am relieved and am glad I chose to use blogs. :)

Finally, I want to share 4 great pieces of writing with you. Hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I did. Please click HERE to access them or click on Good Articles above. They are titled as Good Read 1, Final Journal to Good Read 4, Final Journal.

See you this Friday!

Bests,
John

Final Journal 2010

Dear students,

I would like you to write a journal reflecting on your learning with me for the past year. I want you to share with me your most honest thoughts, whether positive or negative, about my teaching and your learning. For example, you can talk about the in-class interactions among the class, between you and me, facilities/media used in class, handouts, lectures, your learning attitude, my teaching method or anything else. Please provide reasons and/or examples to support your opinions. Try to make it an organized journal.


Journal requirements:

1. Please send your journal to me by email before Friday, June 11th. (Notice that this is
part of your final exams. Failing to complete this work may lead to a serious
loss of your final scores.)
2. My email: johnlinminghuei@gmail.com ; save your file as S2FJ 9822000 Name
3. Word limit: 250 to 350 wrods.
4. You can decide whether or not you want a specific title for this journal.
5. Font: Times New Roman only.
6. No late final exam will be accepted.

Extra journals

More extra journal topics for you to write:

1. Quite a few youths nowadays choose to end their life by committing suicide. It seems to them that suicide is the only way to solve their problems (or to escape from their pressure). What do you think about suicide?

2. Have you ever dreamed about an ideal boy/girlfriend? Please list three most important characteristics of a good boy/girlfriend. Remember to support your ideas by using specific reasons and/or examples.

3. What type of book are you into and why? Have you read any books lately?

P.S. 1. I will come up with more new topics for you. Keep tuned!

P.S. 2. You can decide a topic for your extra journal. It is fine, too, if you don't need one.

P.S. 3. Please post your extra journal on either your student blog or Lang-8!

Good articles & material for next week (June 4)

Hi Class,

Please go to Good Articles and read the second piece composed by using narrative writing style. This is what we will be looking at in next week's class. We'll examine its grammar and learn some writing skills.

Also, please make sure that you post your journal 4 so that we can review and revise your works next week (June 4) in class. I'll do a one-on-one session with each one of you.

Best regards,
John

Material for May 28

Hi class,

Please go to LMS and download the file for May 28's lesson.

Take care,
John