Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Week 4: USA (Unit 4 – Political System)

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

For my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book Two / Second Edition)

This week’s lesson covered unit 4 from the textbook and the lecture was an overview of The political system of the United States of America.  We covered a range of topics including the formation of the USA’s government as well as some of the fundamentals of how the USA’s political system works.

If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.

Week 3: USA (Unit 3 – American Beginnings)

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

For my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book Two / Second Edition)

This week’s lesson covered unit 3 from the textbook and the lecture was an overview of The United States of America’s ‘Beginnings’.  (The text inaccurately refers to this as “American Beginnings”)

If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.

Week 2: New Zealand (Units 1 & 2) Spring ’11

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

For my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book Two / Second Edition)

This week’s lesson covered units 1 & 2 from the textbook and the lecture was an overview of New Zealand’s history, politics, major elements of NZ society and unique cultural characteristics.  This is the only class we will spend talking about NZ this semester, so if you were absent or didn’t pay very close attention in class, be sure to spend a little extra time reviewing the units in the book and maybe borrow a classmate’s class notes!

If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.

Next week we begin our study of my home country, the United States of America!

Fall ’10 Week 14: (Unit 16 – Australia: Religion & Worldview)

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

This week’s lesson covered unit 16  from the textbook which discusses Australia’s  Religion & Worldviews (unit 16).  The primary focus of this unit was on the various worldviews and religions present in Australia and how and when they were introduced to the continent.

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)

Fall ’10 Week 13: (Unit 15 – Australia: Land & People)

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

This week’s lesson covered unit 15  from the textbook which introduces Australia and takes a look at The Land & People (unit 15).  The primary focus of this unit was on the indigenous peoples of Australia, often referred to as ‘Aboriginal’ peoples of Australia.

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)

Fall ’10 Week 12: (Units 13 & 14 – Ireland: Culture, Lifestyle, Language, Literature & Art)

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

This week’s lesson covered units 13 & 14  from the textbook which concludes our study of Ireland and takes a look at The Culture, Lifestyle and Language (unit 13) and Literature & Art (unit 14).

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)

Fall ’10 Week 11: (Units 11 & 12 – Ireland: Land, People & History, Politics & Economy)

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

This week’s lesson covered units 11 & 12  from the textbook which introduces Ireland and takes a look at The Land, People & History (unit 11) and Politics & the Economy (unit 12).

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)

Differences In Western and Eastern Teaching/Learning Styles

Friday, November 12th, 2010

This list contrasts some of the values assumptions which affect teaching and learning in China.  It is general in nature, and you may want to argue with some of its assertions.  We feel that it may be helpful in giving some handles with which to grasp some of the cultural differences.

Western Eastern
Teacher is the facilitator. Teacher is the authority.
Individual is most important. Individual is least important.
Group is least important. Group is all important.
Students ask questions. Students hesitant to ask.
Students are encouraged to do their own thinking. Student learn official answer without question or comment.
Student expresses self and own ideas. Student says what he/she thinks the teacher wants to hear.
Group discussion is important mode of instruction. Group discussion is difficult at best.
Student assimilates concepts and applies to other situations. Restatement of concepts in learned mode only.
Making mistakes is part of learning. Saving face is all important.
Excuses tend to be truthful. Excuses given to save face.
Student sometimes polite to teacher. Student always polite; respectful of authority.
Students respect colleagues. Students put down colleagues.
Lecture is one of several modes used; often least important. Lecture is only mode of instruction.
Memorization is least important means of learning. Memorization is most important means of learning.
Sometimes does not require text. Always requires a text.
Can begin with any concept and in any order in the book. Systematic and sequential treatment of text.
Often relies on outside/additional resources. Relies on textbook only.
Respects copyright laws. Disregards copyright laws.
Student determines own class attendance. Student always comes to class.
Students develop discipline. Students are disciplined.
Students take tests in stride. Students are test-oriented.

Fall ’10 Week 8: (Units 9 & 10 – UK Media, Sports, Holidays & Festivals)

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

This week’s lesson covered units 9 & 10  from the textbook which covers British Media (unit 9) and British Sports, Holidays & Festivals (unit 10).  In this unit we discussed the traditional media (TV, Radio, & Newspapers) and how radically things have changed in this area since your textbook was written.  (Your textbook doesn’t even mention the internet!)  We discussed the over-all effect the internet is having on society and we discussed the trends that can be seen in the traditional media and what that might look like 10 or 20 years into the future.

We also discussed sports, holidays and festivals in the UK.  We pointed out that the UK is rather diverse, so there are also a diverse set of sports, holidays and festivals enjoyed by UK citizens.  However, there are still some predominant sports and holidays enjoyed by the average British person.

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)

Fall ’10 Week 7: (Unit 8 – UK Foreign Relations)

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

This week’s lesson covered unit 8  from the textbook which covers British Foreign Relations.  In this unit we discussed the major bodies that affect British foreign policy (both domestic and international) and we covered the significant international events of the past 60 years or so that have shaped modern British foreign policy.

If you would like to have the PPT slides from this week’s class, click HERE to view or download them.

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This post is for my students at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) who are taking the course: “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ) : An Introduction (Book One / Second Edition)