Struggling with this week's homework? Need some Homework Hints?

If you have been struggling with this week's cohesion exercise "combining and connecting sentences," do not fear!  Help is available.  Click on the "assignments" tab of this blog, where you will see the first sentence provided for you for each of the 10 sentence combining exercises.  Try it on your own first, however, and see how you do!

George Eastman House Tour

This Thursday our class will have a private, guided tour of the George Eastman House.  Transportation will be departing from the usual spot behind Golisano at 2:00 p.m. 

Check out their site:  http://www.eastmanhouse.org/

VOCABULARY WORDS FOR FRIDAY'S QUIZ

Here's the words of the week!  

robbery, robber (n), to rob (v):  taking something of another’s without permission

mugging, mugger (n), to mug :  stopping someone with the intent to rob them


kidnapping, kidnapper (n), to kidnap :  taking a person

fraud (n) :  deceiving someone

harassment (n), to harass (v) :  continually annoy someone


stalking , to stalk :  to pursue or follow someone; to harass with repeated & unwanted attention

DWI, DUI :  operating a car after drinking alcohol

assault:   a violent attack

blackmail:   threatening to reveal information about someone if he doesn’t give you $$


white collar crime: stealing from a company by the employees

rampant (adj): something that is rampant is bad, happens often in many different places, and is difficult to control; spreading very quickly and difficult to control (like weeds or rumors)

refurbish (verb): thoroughly repair and improve something; make like new

diminish (verb):  to become (or to cause something to become) smaller, less in amount, or less important

highlight (verb): to put importance on or draw attention to


conservationist (n): someone who works to protect animals, plants, the land, etc.

impact (n):  the effect or influence that an event or situation has on someone or something; a powerful or major influence or effect; the act or force of one thing hitting another

dramatic (adj) :surprising and often impressive; sudden and extreme

toxic (adj): poisonous

lenient (adj): showing tolerance; allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way : not harsh, severe, or strict

fury(n): unrestrained or violent anger, rage, or passion

Listen to Me!

Professional Athletes in the Olympics?

On Tuesday we discussed the difference between professional and amateur athletes, and how "being paid for participating in the sport" is often the distinction between the two.  We also talked about whether or not "professional" paid athletes were allowed in the Olympics.  The answer is:  prior to the 1980's, they were not allowed.  This has changed since then.  Read more about it here:  http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/july96/olympics_7-23.html

What do you think?  Should the Olympics be limited to amateurs like it used to be?  Or is it better now that we allow professional paid and sponsored athletes to participate?

Paow's News Post

Name: Ms. Soulivanh Rattanavong (PAOW)

Link to article:

http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/12/07/idINIndia-53396820101207

Laos says railway to China finished by 2014

BEIJING | Tue Dec 7, 2010 12:21pm IST

(Reuters) - The poor and landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos expects its rail link with China to be finished by 2014, boosting trade links with its giant neighbour and the rest of Asia, its deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.
The railway is part of a broader plan to connect Kunming city in southwestern China with Singapore, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
The country's Deputy Prime Minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, told a conference in Beijing that the Laos-to-China part of the railway should start construction early in 2011 and take four years to complete, after the two sides signed an agreement in April.
"To free our country from the least developed status ... our government has invested much in communication infrastructure development in order to complement both intra-ASEAN and ASEAN-China integration," he said.
"We believe that this project will contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Laos, as well as to the promotion of economic cooperation between ASEAN and China," Lengsavad added.
The railway will also help with "the masterplan for ASEAN connectivity and the implementation of the ASEAN-China free trade area", he said. It would be a "high speed" line, Lengsavad added, without elaborating.
Laos is already connected to Thailand by rail, though only up to just outside its capital Vientiane.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
A China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement came into effect in January, forming an economic bloc of 1.9 billion people.
Chinese companies are increasingly involved in logging and hydropower projects in Laos, and Chinese aid has helped build roads, markets and other infrastructure in the country, challenging Laos' traditional close ties with Vietnam.
Bilateral trade between China and Laos grew by more than half in 2009 to $751.8 million.

Opinions:

Ten years ago, life around Vientiane seemed less dynamic than it is today. There are more opportunities for businesses and more diversity throughout the country. According to this news article, it states that there will be a high speed railway ranging from the south to the north of Laos. Due to the fact that Laos is geographically the best shortcut for transportation, the neigboring countries particularly China is willing to increase the trade and market its goods to elsewhere. This project is a join-ventured between China and Laos and it takes approximately four years to finish the first high speed railway of Laos. The Deputy Prime minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, stated that this high speed railway project will benefit to the country’s development as well as the strong tights between China and Laos. Personally, I think this is good for Laos to utilize the this figure to develop the country and for all Aseans countries to usebecome more tighten in the world of business.

Question for discussion:

1.      What do you think about this high speed railway project? Will there be any advantage or disadvantage? Which one is outweight one another?

Aung Myo's News Reflection

Aung Myo’s Reading Reflection:

I read an article or a news about political situation in a country, the Republic of Sudan, North Africa.I think It is interesting for all of us because the newest nation was born last Saturday and the map of the world has to be redrawn.

The article I read is about the South Sudan which became the world's newest nation just last Saturday and leaders across the world also send their warmest congratulations to South Sudan on the day it became the world's newest nation. For over the years, there had been civil wars in the country followed by the ethnic, religious and economic conflicts and the civil war pitted a government dominated by Arab Muslims in the North against black Christians and Animists in the South and about 2 millions people died in the fighting. But now the Republic of South Sudan is officially recognized as a sovereign and independent state upon the day of July 9,2011. The Independence ceremony was held in the capital city of South Sudan, Cuba, on Saturday.

But there will be challenging between North and South Sudan for many conflicts and problem still to solve. The two sides must decide on issues such as drawing up the new border and how to divide Sudan's debts and oil wealth as South Sudan is rich in Oil resource more than North's and the status of  citizenship is also a key point to be considered. Although there become peace and freedom for South, on the other hand, there are still conflicts between South and North. South Sudan will be develop by using Oil resource but the North may be remain underdeveloped as it has not much any resources.

So question for my classmates is ," How do you think of the future of North and South Sudan?"

Here is also my link to read the article,    http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/09/sudan.new.nation/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

May God Bless you all!

Your sincerely,

Mr.Aung Myo Htut (Myanmar)

Current News: Reflection by Teresa

After years of struggle, South Sudan becomes a New Nation

Link to article: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/world/africa/10sudan.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=south%20sudan&st=cse

Teresa’s Reflection:

This article published on July 9, 2011 by Jeffrey Gettleman on the New York Times, talks about the South Sudan celebrates its first day of Independence from its northern neighbor in the new South Sudan’s capital, Juba, where there were thousands of people to manifest their happiness including an array of visiting foreign dignitaries and the presence of the Sudan President Mr. Bashir on which hangs warrant indictment for genocide in Darfur.

In my opinion this was a special day for the people of south, but I don’t agree with Mr. Kiir’s words, because it’s very difficult to forgive the crimes committed during all these years of “captivity” (in particular it is impossible to forgive the Bor massacre in 1991).

I don’t agree with Bashir’s presence in this moment of happiness, too, because when he said “Sudan’s unity would have been better, but I convinced myself that unity shouldn’t be through war”, I believe that he has not really thought about it but it was his tactic to win over his people.

And now I want to ask you what do you think about this “Independence Day”?

Posted by Teresa

Welcome new members of our class!

We have recently welcomed four new students to our class:
Teresa Di Lucchio from Italy, Aung Myo Htut from Myanmar, Xigna Ye from China and Soulivanh Rattanavong from Laos. 

Xigna has already set up her blog, which can be accessed at    http://xingna-ye.blogspot.com/ .  As the rest of our new class members set up their blogs, they will all be added to the resource section of the blog.

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful summer weather this weekend!

News From Home

A new page has been added to the blog with the dates of your "News from Home" presentation to the class.  Instructions are included on that page, but please ask or email me if you would like clarification about anything.  Remember that your article and discussion question should be emailed to me on the Tuesday prior to your Thursday presentation.

Thank you!

Independence Day Celebrations!

Nazareth College Center for International Education (CIE)  invites you to attend the following Independence Day Celebrations:

Saturday, July 2nd 
Picnic & Fireworks for International Students
Join with international students from around the world at this traditional celebration of summer and Independence Day.  Transportation will be provided by the CIE - meet in front of Golisano Academic Center (GAC) at 2:30 p.m.  The day's  activities will run from 3:00-9:00 p.m., concluding with a fireworks display!  Cost is $15.00 per person.


Monday, July 4th
A "hometown" July 4th Celebration
The CIE invites you to celebrate Independence Day with all of the international students at Nazareth College.  The day will include a picnic, a parade, a performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and more fireworks!  Transportation will be provided by the CIE -- meet in front of GAC at 9:00 a.m..  This is an authentic day of American culture that you won't want to miss!  All expenses will be covered by the CIE.

Tour of the Rochester Subway Tunnels!

On Friday, July 1 we will be taking a tour of the abandoned Rochester subway tunnels.  The tour will be led by Tom Hack, a structural engineer with the City of Rochester.  The tour will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  I will drive you back to your apartments following the tour.  Here are the guidelines he sent me:
- flashlights required (I will provide)
- no open-toe shoes
- good walking shoes required (sneakers are acceptable)
- dress for the weather:  tour is rain or shine
- tour is about 1-2 miles in length!

Please bring your cameras!  Remember, the ALI has requested that your blog posts for this trip be added to the Nazareth/ALI web site.  Kathy will work with us on this!

Rochester Subway Token - not required for this trip!

Thank you!

For the Class Artists - Something Cool to Try!!

 I just found a new website that allows you to create your own paintings and then save them to a URL.  You can also add text to your paintings.  For the creative ones in the group (hint:  those who love to draw snakes and birthday gifts and other drawings on their quizzes, homework, and erase boards!) this might be a fun way to create an interesting link to your blog.  Check out the site and see what you can do!

http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/

The site is EXTREMELY easy to use!

Here's my attempt!  http://artpad.art.com/?lnacfs1lmur4

 

Let The Games Begin!

The Second FREE RICE Tournament began today and will consist of six rounds of play.
Scores as of the end of Round 1 today are as follows:
Cake Taker                          20 
Wing It                                 90 
Rock n' Roll                         40

Will cake taker take back his cake?  Will Rock n' Roll roll over the competition?  Or will Wing It wing it all the way to victory?

FREE RICE UPDATE: Cake Taker's performance takes the cake!

In a stunning performance on Thursday, Cake Taker moved to the lead position.   Rumors are that members of  Wing It have been heard to say that Cake Taker's advantage is "hanging by a thread." 
 

Let the Games Begin! Free Rice Tournament!

Congratulations to all the teams in a well-played first round of our Free Rice tournament!  Listed below are the results for the teams.  How about some team names?  Any suggestions?

Team 1      130 Points
Team 2      110 Points
Team 3      40 Points

 Next Round - Thursday, June 9th!  Are you ready?

Trouble commenting on the blogs?

If anyone is having a problem posting comments to these blogs, check to see if you are using internet explorer as your browser.  If you are, try switching to Mozilla Firefox.  This solved the problem for me.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Yuan!  Thank you to all for sharing the birthday treats with me.  The Arabian coffee with the deliciously sweet cake really "took the cake!"

How did this become the theme of the day?

"Ask Hassan," said the chicken.

Movie Update: The End of the Line

RESCHEDULED:  Note this movie will be shown next Tuesday, June, 7th

Tuesday we will be watching a video about Rochester's Subway.  Check out the link below if you would like to see a video of some of the graffiti.



Rochester Subway Graffiti

Balloon Festival.... can I persuade you to go?

The balloon festival in Letchworth Park is being held this weekend.  If there is any way that you can get there, I highly recommend it!

Check out the site:

http://www.virtualtech.com/balloonsoverletchworth/

Only 2 Clicks.... Can you get in?

Please let me know if you are able to open "Only2Clicks" from the link below.  If it works, I will add it to the resource page.

Only2Clicks Link

Thank you,   Linda

THIS HAS NOW BEEN ADDED TO THE RESOURCE PAGE

Yousef's Photos of Rochester Tour

Please be sure to check out Yousef's blog for some great photos of the tour of Rochester.  Guess what his favorite part of the tour was?  

Here's the link

Yousef:  http://topazzzzzz.blogspot.com

Tour of Rochester

This Thursday (May 19), Ron Netsky will be taking our ALI class on a tour of the City of Rochester.  All students should meet at the Center for International Education at 1:45 p.m. and be prepared for the weather.   Ron is a professor in the Arts Department at Nazareth College who specializes in printmaking.  If you want to know more, check out his personal website

Ronald Netsky's personal website

Please note that this trip is a mandatory part of your program! 

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Just saying hello

Hello everyone! How are you all doing? I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to reading all your Blogs soon.

Braving Rochester Weather

Congratulation to our fearless students who braved the rainy Rochester weather today to attend our largest festival of the year - the Lilac Festival.

Lilac Festival Web Site
  I was worried this morning when I saw the cloudy, grey skies.  Then when the rain began to fall, I thought for sure that no one would want to go.  Fortunately, I was mistaken.  I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful flowers, delicious food, live music, crafts and people.  I look forward to hearing your stories and seeing some pictures.  Please send me some photos, so I can post them to our blog.
This is just the beginning!   There will be many more festivals all summer long -- check out this link:  Rochester Events Listings

Welcome to the United States....are you ready?

Welcome to Nazareth College American Language Institute

On behalf of the staff of the Intensive English Program at Nazareth College, we would like to welcome you to the United States and to Nazareth Colllege.   We look forward to working with you and providing you with a challenging, engaging, and productive experience.

This blog will be a resource for you as you progress through the program, serving as a way for us to communicate with you outside of class and keep you updated on assignments and other important information.

Please take a moment to complete the technology poll on the right-side of the page.  This will help us to provide interesting and relevant assignments using technology you can easily access.

Thank you and we'll see you on Monday at 8:00 a.m.

Best regards,  Linda Grossman and Debora Marques-daSilva