Lab Assignment #5

This must be handed in by Monday, Oct. 8:

1. Read this article on the Internet: (click on link)

“GM Ends Strike, Tries Health Plan”

Use the vocabulary helps below to help you get started.

2. Write a paragraph summary of at least 6 sentences in your own words to tell what the article is about. Notice the date of the article. This happened last week.

3. Add at least 5 more words from the article to the vocabulary list with the English meanings you determined from context, if possible, or from the dictionary.

Vocabulary helps: (Put these in your vocabulary notebook)

strike – act of stopping work for a period of time to force the employer to improve salaries, working conditions, etc. Usually this is organized by a group or labor union.

labor union – an association of workers organized to defend their interests. United Auto Workers (UAW) is a union for workers in the auto industry.

pickets – persons posted by a labor union at the place of work where employees are on strike; picket is also the verb describing the action of the pickets: walking or standing, usually with signs (See photo when you click on the link that says: the ostensible reason for the strike.)

ostensible – apparent (what is visible or evident or seems to be)

ratify – to approve officially

rank and file – the members of a group (not including the leaders) In this case the workers who are members of the union

skepticism – doubt or a doubting state of mind

walkout – a labor strike

convened – called, caused to come together for a meeting, etc.

launched – started, began

hailed – praised, said good things about something

bargaining – discussion between two parties with opposing viewpoints or interests (in this case between management and labor) in order to determine give and take (what each side should give up and receive)

Internet assignment for Wednesday, Oct. 3

The Learning Edge: Issue 5

This Web site is from Canada so some words may have British English spelling, but the audio is very clear and may help you with the reading. The text turns to a blue color to show you what sentence you are hearing. You need a computer with the Internet and sound for this, but you can also read the questions and answers without the sound. It’s better to do both. Click on this link:

http://www.thewclc.ca/edge/issue5/index1.html

1. First click on the 10 Top Interview Questions. Copy each question. Write your own answer to the question according to one of the job ads you found for the last lab exercise or make up a new job you are applying for. Adapt your answers to that job. Compare your answers to Frieda’s. Make a list of 6 or more new vocabulary words you learned from the Interview Questions -- with their meanings. Write C if you figured out the meaning from the context or D if you had to look it up in the dictionary. You will need your paper with the questions and answers for Wednesday's in-class activities, so please do this on time and bring it to class. It should be in ink or typed.

2. Extra Credit: Click on Cold-calling at the link above. Go through the scenes and then do the Learning Activities. Do the writing activity on your homework paper to hand in. If you learned any new words add them to the list you made for #1.

Vocabulary: “Workaholics”

A workaholic is a person who is compulsively addicted to work.

An alcoholic is addicted to alcohol.

Alcohol and work can both be addictive.

Compulsive work can keep you from enjoying life.

That executive is compulsive about work. He lives in his office -- even on weekends.

Work, alcohol, smoking and shopping can be addictions for people with compulsive behavior.

Note that adjectives can describe persons or things. Decide whether the word describes persons or things:

addicted = adjective describing _____________________

addictive = adjective describing __________________________

compulsive = adjective describing ________________________

or _____________________________

compulsion, addiction = nouns describing a problem of behavior without self-control.

Drinking too much alcohol is a sign of an addiction. He has a compulsion to work all the time.

Lab Assignment #4

Lab Assignment #4. Due Monday, October 1.

Job Search.

Imagine that you are trying to find an interesting job in an American city where you would like to live. Look in 2 or more different newspapers – each from a different city – for 2 or more different jobs. Find jobs that sound interesting even if you are not qualified for them now. (You can use real newspapers from a library or news stand or search online using the Internet.) For each of the jobs, answer the following questions in complete sentences. (Try to use some vocabulary from Unit 3 of our textbook and new vocabulary you learn from reading about the jobs.)

1. What kind of job is it? What company is offering the job? Where is it located?

2. What kind of training or experience is necessary for the job?

3. What is the job description? (What are the duties or responsibilities of the job?)

4. Does the job announcement or ad list the salary? Does it have good benefits (health insurance, retirement plan, etc.?)

5. How many months or years of study or training would you need to qualify for the job? (4 years in college? Masters degree? Technical training?)

6. Why do you think you would like this job? (Answer in a short paragraph. Give at least 3 reasons.)

7. List 5 new vocabulary words you learned from reading about each job. Total: 10 words. Copy the sentence with the word. Then write the meaning from context or from looking in an English-English dictionary.

(Extra credit if you answer all the questions for more than 2 jobs.)

You can search on Google to find American newspapers for certain cities. Please do all your searching and reading in English.

ESL Reading Assignments: Sept. 28-Oct. 5

Friday, Sept. 28, 2:30 p.m. TLC study session. Bring your quizzes and questions you have on vocabulary, main ideas, etc. Recommended if you had less than 80% on any quiz.

Friday, Sept. 28. “Are you a workaholic?”
Preparation: Do the Before you read, p. 23, and scan p. 22 to see which items you checked are in the text. Then read the whole text, p. 22. As you read, underline in pencil with two lines words that you think have a positive meaning. Underline with one line words that you think have a negative meaning. (See the Reading Tip at the bottom of p. 22.) This will help you with the exercises on p. 23.

After you read: Do ex. A

In class: We will finish p. 21 that we started on Wednesday. Then we’ll do ex. B and C, p. 23, together in class.

Monday, Oct. 1: Preparation: Do the Wrap-up, p. 24, A and B and put any more new words in your vocabulary notebook. Study the vocabulary of Unit 3.

Finish the lab assignment #4 and be ready to hand it in today.

In class: We will go over the Wrap-up and do an in-class reading together.

Wednesday, Oct. 3: Preparation: Reading assignment on the Internet. I will link to it on the blog soon. This will be a news article related to work. To be announced by Friday or Monday.

In class: Discussion of this and review in class.

Friday, Oct. 5: Short vocabulary review and Quiz on Unit 3 and outside readings.

Vocabulary list for Unit 3, Jobs, pp. 17-19

ESL Reading. Vocabulary, pp. 17-19. Put these words and definitions in your vocabulary notebook if they are new for you. If you have already looked up some of these in the dictionary, compare your definitions with these. Practice using these words in sentences if possible, in your vocabulary notebook.

Unit 3, Work, p. 17:

work experience = the jobs you have had in the past or are working at now

poll = a study of a group’s opinion on a subject, in which people are questioned and their answers are examined; like a survey

satisfied = happy, content

salary = the amount of money a worker or employee makes each month or annually (in a year)

starting position = an entry-level position; the position you have when you begin working for a company, an organization, etc.

job requirements = abilities or experiences needed for a job

flexible schedule = working hours that can be changed easily

advancement = promotion to a higher level within a place of work

“Your First Job,” pp. 18-19:

dog-eat-dog = having tough competition (each person may be interested most in his or her own advancement and not help co-workers)

personal errands = time-consuming things you have to do outside of work and outside of home -- like buying groceries, going to the bank, etc.

treated me = acted in a certain way, or with a certain attitude, toward me

substandard = below an acceptable level

flip a mental switch = stop and think about what is the appropriate thing to say in a situation

to your benefit = to your advantage; something good for you

benefits = services given to an employee in addition to pay (for example, health insurance)

put together = well groomed, professional looking

challenges = situations that require great mental or physical effort for success

Parade of Nations photos

Here's the group getting ready for the Parade of Nations in Hancock on Saturday morning, Sept. 15, 2007. Click on each photo for a larger version.


Crossing the Portage Lift Bridge from Hancock to Houghton. It was a bit windy and cold, even with the sun shining. Fumiya, is this how you caught your cold?

You're about half-way to Houghton and not yet out of energy.

Kumiko sells some tofu donuts, while Fumiya serves hot tea and Nick gives the victory (?) sign during the International food festival after the parade.


Gustavo loves to pose with beautiful women like Kana and Maiko.

More photos: These are from Nick:

Nick and Kumiko pose for a photo with a friend in Dee Stadium after the Parade.


Here's Nick with some more young friends. Thanks, Nick for these great photos!

Students, please post your comments. You may send me your best parade photo, too. Write a caption for it to describe who is in it, etc. Email it to me and I'll post it here.