I received word today that H1N1, commonly called “Swine Flu”, has been found this week in several students at H.I.S.T. So far, classes are NOT canceled, but the faculty are requesting that all students take extra care so that we can keep the spread of this flu to a minimum. If you think you are coming down with the flu, DON’T COME TO CLASS!
Seriously, it’s better to miss a week of class than it is to get all the rest of us sick! Here are some more tips if you think you might be sick;
Know the signs and symptoms of flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Stay home or in your dorm if you are sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever (38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate or friend to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.
Cover you mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Drink plenty of clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, and electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from becoming dehydrated.
So, it’s been quiet around here all summer, sorry about that! It’s not because nothing was happening, in fact, the opposite is true! We were VERY busy this summer with the end of the Spring ’09 semester and the arrival of 13 cultural exchange students from America!
Now the Fall ’09 Semester has begun and in addition to the class I taught all last year, The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ),I am now also working in the foreign exchange office of the Hunan Institute of Science and Technology ( 湖南理工学院 )!
I have some new and exciting responsibilities that are going to make this next semester a new challenge, but one that I’m really looking forward to! I’ll be sure to post a story or two here about how things are going!
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 15 from the textbook which is an Introduction to Canada, the country and its people. (Due to the Dragon Boat Festival, my Thursday classes will not get this lecture until next week!)
If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.
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 13 from the textbook which is about Sports and Scenic Spots in America.
If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.
I was privileged to give a lecture for the Foreign Languages Department and International Exchange Department at the Hunan Institute of Science & Technology ( 湖南理工学院 ) on Wednesday, May 20th.
My topic was “Cross-Cultural Communication: Communicating Effectively in a Culturally Diverse Environment” ( 跨文化交际 ).
If you’d like to see my powerpoint slides, download them here.
This week in my class, “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ), we had our mid-term group project reports. Each group came up with a list of stereotypes that Chinese often have about Americans or America in general. From that list of stereotypes, I chose one and the group chose one and those two stereotypes became the basis for a research project.
The results of the research were put into a written report (500 words) and a 5 minute oral report to the class.
Everyone did a great job. If you’d like to see the reports, I’m slowly getting them online here. (They should all be up by next Thursday – that’s my goal anyway!)
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 12 from the textbook which is about US Foreign Policy.
If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.
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 11 from the textbook which is about Technology in America. We attempted to define “technology” and then we discussed briefly the history of technology in America from the 19th century until today.
If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.
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 9 from the textbook which is about Social Movements of the 1960′s. We took a look at what is meant by “social movement” and then we discussed briefly why the 1960′s were so active with social movements. The remainder of the class dealt with the three main movements of the 60′s; The Civil Rights Movement, The Women’s Rights Movement, and the Youth / Anti-War Movement (aka Hippie Movement.)
If you would like to have the Presentation Notes from this week’s class, click on the link to view or download them.
This week in my class, “The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries ( 英语国家社会与文化入门 ), we had our mid-term group project reports. Each group came up with a list of stereotypes that Chinese often have about Americans or America in general. From that list of stereotypes, I chose one and the group chose one and those two stereotypes became the basis for a research project.
Wow, this has already been such a long road!
