GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS !! If you have any questions, or wish to arrange a practice speaking test, please don't hesitate to contact me by email or come and see me in A26.
30th May: Revision of 'Hobson's Choice'. We watched parts of the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvFveHbd8uE
It is quite similar to the play, especially in the dialogue, although it has some parts added (eg. actually seeing Hobson in the Moonraker's)
I printed out parts of the film script and we discussed certain key moments in it.
Here is the film script:
http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=hobsons-choice
30th May: Revision of 'Hobson's Choice'. We watched parts of the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvFveHbd8uE
It is quite similar to the play, especially in the dialogue, although it has some parts added (eg. actually seeing Hobson in the Moonraker's)
I printed out parts of the film script and we discussed certain key moments in it.
Here is the film script:
http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=hobsons-choice
16th May: We finished watching the film and discussed:
What are the sins committed by/done to Will ?
How does he get redemption?
What is the process that leads to his redemption?
What role does Sean play in this?
What life choices does Will make in the first half of the film?
How does this change towards the end?
Can you see any parallels with this and other works you have studied?
Homework for Thursday: Read Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol' and answer the questions on the sheet
What are the sins committed by/done to Will ?
How does he get redemption?
What is the process that leads to his redemption?
What role does Sean play in this?
What life choices does Will make in the first half of the film?
How does this change towards the end?
Can you see any parallels with this and other works you have studied?
Homework for Thursday: Read Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol' and answer the questions on the sheet
11th May: we got to right near the end of the film having discussed some about the choices in the film and the redemption/sin aspect. Is there a way to be good again for Will? We will finish the film and discuss more next lesson.
Homework for next Tuesday (16th May) Read Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol' and answer the questions on the A4 sheet.
Homework for next Tuesday (16th May) Read Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol' and answer the questions on the A4 sheet.
9th May:
Only 5 lessons to go with me ! make sure you do homeworks well and contribute – final A marks soon.If you would like practice for the oral exam, come and see me to arrange an appointment!
Read ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens – easy to find online. Read Staves 1 and 2 by Thursday. Complete the gap fill for Stave 2 – to be collected Thursday (11th May)
We continued watching ‘Good Will Hunting’ which can be used for either ‘Sin and Redemption’ or ‘Choice and Free Will’. We watched up to the point where he had said 'I don't love you' to Skylar, and turned down the job with the NSA. Why did he make these choices? What is it that is preventing him from opening up and cooperating? Do we get any clues in the dialogue?
Only 5 lessons to go with me ! make sure you do homeworks well and contribute – final A marks soon.If you would like practice for the oral exam, come and see me to arrange an appointment!
Read ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens – easy to find online. Read Staves 1 and 2 by Thursday. Complete the gap fill for Stave 2 – to be collected Thursday (11th May)
We continued watching ‘Good Will Hunting’ which can be used for either ‘Sin and Redemption’ or ‘Choice and Free Will’. We watched up to the point where he had said 'I don't love you' to Skylar, and turned down the job with the NSA. Why did he make these choices? What is it that is preventing him from opening up and cooperating? Do we get any clues in the dialogue?
31st March: Oral practice, notes from today's lesson:
2 texts: A. Lance Armstrong – Sin and Redemption
B. Japanese Green Tea – Choice and Free Will
Decide with your partner who is going to present each text.
Role of Examiner: Listen to the candidate’s presentation of the three questions, you may interrupt to question if you like, but allow them to speak as much as possible.
Ask questions about the text, the theme, the works they have studied:
Eg. Do you feel that characters in the texts you studied found it easy to get redemption?
What type of dilemmas of choice did the characters in the texts you studied have?
Role of Student: Talk as much as you can! Answer the questions in the maximum amount of detail to impress. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative in the conversation! Quote line numbers to refer to specific parts of the text. Be ready to answer questions about the works you have studied. Keep the conversation flowing !
Criteria
Fluency – ability to keep the conversation flowing without pausing or stuttering.
Accuracy – how accurate the candidate’s speech was free from grammatical mistakes like ‘he go’, etc.
Vocabulary – how complex and wide ranging the vocabulary is to express fine shades of meaning.
Content – how well read, informed and knowledgeable were the things the candidate said
4 – not nearly up to the required standard
5 – not quite up to the required standard
6 – adequate
7 – good
8 – very good
9 – excellent
10 – perfect
2 texts: A. Lance Armstrong – Sin and Redemption
B. Japanese Green Tea – Choice and Free Will
Decide with your partner who is going to present each text.
Role of Examiner: Listen to the candidate’s presentation of the three questions, you may interrupt to question if you like, but allow them to speak as much as possible.
Ask questions about the text, the theme, the works they have studied:
Eg. Do you feel that characters in the texts you studied found it easy to get redemption?
What type of dilemmas of choice did the characters in the texts you studied have?
Role of Student: Talk as much as you can! Answer the questions in the maximum amount of detail to impress. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative in the conversation! Quote line numbers to refer to specific parts of the text. Be ready to answer questions about the works you have studied. Keep the conversation flowing !
Criteria
Fluency – ability to keep the conversation flowing without pausing or stuttering.
Accuracy – how accurate the candidate’s speech was free from grammatical mistakes like ‘he go’, etc.
Vocabulary – how complex and wide ranging the vocabulary is to express fine shades of meaning.
Content – how well read, informed and knowledgeable were the things the candidate said
4 – not nearly up to the required standard
5 – not quite up to the required standard
6 – adequate
7 – good
8 – very good
9 – excellent
10 – perfect
29th March: We began 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. Write answers to questions 1, 2 and 3 on the sheet. Finish for Thursday’s lesson (31st)
Narrated Christmas Carol :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68LxZiTamM
Narrated Christmas Carol :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68LxZiTamM
21st March: We looked at writing diary entries. In Thursday’s lesson I will give you a task to write a diary entry, read over your notes from today’s lesson in preparation. We outlined the following strategies:
Use appropriate language
Express thoughts and feelings
Using conditionals
Starting with phrases and developing into more complex sentences
Use appropriate language
Express thoughts and feelings
Using conditionals
Starting with phrases and developing into more complex sentences
16th March : Information about the Bacc. L2 Oral:
There will be a text of 400 words on one of the themes (loosely related) may be literature or non literature. You will be asked about works you have studied and current affairs in general.
Usually 3 questions:
1. A summary of the text
2. More specific about the text
3. More general away from the text
20 mins quiet preparation to make notes on the text and prepare answers.
Do take initiatives in the conversation and always be positive to steer the conversation in the way you want it to go.
As well as the texts, you should also be familiar with general knowledge eg. Globalization, education, technology, the EU, major historical events, Trump, Brexit, climate change, etc. so do read newspapers, watch the news, show interest in current affairs.
Next lesson I will give you some examples of oral texts from previous years
There will be a text of 400 words on one of the themes (loosely related) may be literature or non literature. You will be asked about works you have studied and current affairs in general.
Usually 3 questions:
1. A summary of the text
2. More specific about the text
3. More general away from the text
20 mins quiet preparation to make notes on the text and prepare answers.
Do take initiatives in the conversation and always be positive to steer the conversation in the way you want it to go.
As well as the texts, you should also be familiar with general knowledge eg. Globalization, education, technology, the EU, major historical events, Trump, Brexit, climate change, etc. so do read newspapers, watch the news, show interest in current affairs.
Next lesson I will give you some examples of oral texts from previous years
Write a speech which you (or someone else) is giving in a situation such as:
A wedding, graduation, christening, etc.
A political event or gathering
A school sports evening, annual dinner, etc.
Speech strategies:
Appropriate greeting/beginning
Short sentences/paragraphs
Anecdotes/jokes to engage the audience
Finish on an optimistic high
Use of repetitions of key phrases
Use of triplets (you’ve been tenacious, hard-working and inspirational)
Use of appropriate language which engages the audience (metaphors, talking about us/we, etc.)
For next Tuesday (21st March)
A wedding, graduation, christening, etc.
A political event or gathering
A school sports evening, annual dinner, etc.
Speech strategies:
Appropriate greeting/beginning
Short sentences/paragraphs
Anecdotes/jokes to engage the audience
Finish on an optimistic high
Use of repetitions of key phrases
Use of triplets (you’ve been tenacious, hard-working and inspirational)
Use of appropriate language which engages the audience (metaphors, talking about us/we, etc.)
For next Tuesday (21st March)
Analyze the theme ‘Sin and Redemption’ in The Shawshank Redemption.
500 words to be handed in next Thursday (9th March)
500 words to be handed in next Thursday (9th March)
28th Feb: We finished watching the film. For homework Thursday (2nd);
For Andy, how does he get redemption and what kind of redemption is it?
For Red, what kind of redemption does he get?
Make notes about these for next lesson.
Look on imdb quotes from the film and collect some which you think are most relevant
For Andy, how does he get redemption and what kind of redemption is it?
For Red, what kind of redemption does he get?
Make notes about these for next lesson.
Look on imdb quotes from the film and collect some which you think are most relevant
14th February: Second instalment of The Shawshank Redemption (based on the Novella by Stephen King)
We completed these sentences, discussed a little regarding 'Sin and Redemption' in the film, then watched up to 1,01.
Shawshank Prison is one of the most..
where the prison officers routinely..
Officer Hadley is the chief officer and to ‘welcome’ prisoners, they..
The narrative voice is provided by Red, who..
Enter Andy Dufresne, a high powered banker, who…
Andy manages to inform Hadley of a way he can avoid paying tax on a lump sum he received, and..
We completed these sentences, discussed a little regarding 'Sin and Redemption' in the film, then watched up to 1,01.
Shawshank Prison is one of the most..
where the prison officers routinely..
Officer Hadley is the chief officer and to ‘welcome’ prisoners, they..
The narrative voice is provided by Red, who..
Enter Andy Dufresne, a high powered banker, who…
Andy manages to inform Hadley of a way he can avoid paying tax on a lump sum he received, and..
19th January. Final preparations before the exam!
I stressed to you how important it is to ANSWER THE QUESTION in your section 3 essay rather than just narrating the story. The best way to do this is to MAKE ALL YOUR TOPIC SENTENCES RELEVANT TO THE QUESTION. This will help keep the subject of your paragraphs relevant. If the question is about 'reasons for sins', then make them all relevant to the reasons why the characters sin in the works you have studied; if it is about 'the results of sins', then make them all relevant to the results. This is obvious, you don't write about what you haven't been asked. Here is an example from the internet - the question is about how having a shared dream can bring hope, friendship and determination - notice how all the topic sentences are relevant and this helps make the whole essay is relevant. The essay is about Of Mice and Men, but I am sure you can see the principle.
Good Luck and any questions please pop in and see me or write an email.
http://seniorhigh.spring-ford.net/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/2446097/File/Announcements/Summer%20Reading/12th/Sample%20Five%20Paragraph%20Thematic%20Essay%20on%20Of%20Mice%20and%20Men.pdf
I stressed to you how important it is to ANSWER THE QUESTION in your section 3 essay rather than just narrating the story. The best way to do this is to MAKE ALL YOUR TOPIC SENTENCES RELEVANT TO THE QUESTION. This will help keep the subject of your paragraphs relevant. If the question is about 'reasons for sins', then make them all relevant to the reasons why the characters sin in the works you have studied; if it is about 'the results of sins', then make them all relevant to the results. This is obvious, you don't write about what you haven't been asked. Here is an example from the internet - the question is about how having a shared dream can bring hope, friendship and determination - notice how all the topic sentences are relevant and this helps make the whole essay is relevant. The essay is about Of Mice and Men, but I am sure you can see the principle.
Good Luck and any questions please pop in and see me or write an email.
http://seniorhigh.spring-ford.net/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/2446097/File/Announcements/Summer%20Reading/12th/Sample%20Five%20Paragraph%20Thematic%20Essay%20on%20Of%20Mice%20and%20Men.pdf
17th Jan: We discussed The Crucible and JP's redemption being at the heart of the play.
We also said that in the essays, especially the conclusion, in order to reach the highest grade you must synthesise across texts. We then discussed the similarities and differences between The Kite Runner and The Crucible and its treatment of the theme.
We also said that in the essays, especially the conclusion, in order to reach the highest grade you must synthesise across texts. We then discussed the similarities and differences between The Kite Runner and The Crucible and its treatment of the theme.
13th December: We started looking at ways to improve essays and talked about conclusions, integrating quotations and linking words. We will continue with punctuation and varying sentence length next week.
Essays to prepare for writing in the first lesson after the holiday – 10th January (without books). We will write on ONE of the following:
How successfully do the characters in The Kite Runner gain redemption for their sins?
How do the characters’ sins in the Kite Runner affect the development of their characters?
You can come at 8.15 to start if you want to.
Essays to prepare for writing in the first lesson after the holiday – 10th January (without books). We will write on ONE of the following:
How successfully do the characters in The Kite Runner gain redemption for their sins?
How do the characters’ sins in the Kite Runner affect the development of their characters?
You can come at 8.15 to start if you want to.
Homework for next lesson (Tue 13th): Finish the book and make a summary of the last chapter like the summaries we have been giving to the class: Plot, characters/theme.
For next Tuesday: 6th December: Write an essay of approximately 500 words:
Analyze the role of race in Amir’s sin.
29th November: We talked about how to structure the esssay in terms of making a paragraph about how race was a reason for Amir's sin of not helping Hassan and then planting the watch so he had to leave, and then other paragraphs about the other factors which played a role in his sin.
We did a test on the following questions:
What does Amir have to do to get Soraya’s hand in marriage?
What is Soraya’s secret and how does Amir feel when she tells him?
What exact words does Rahim Khan use in his phone call to Amir in America?
When Amir returns, in what state does he find the orphanage that his father had built?
What was Sanaubar’s sin and how did she try to get redemption?
How does Hassan react to Baba’s death?
Name two ways in which Sohrab takes after (is similar to) his father.
Analyze the role of race in Amir’s sin.
29th November: We talked about how to structure the esssay in terms of making a paragraph about how race was a reason for Amir's sin of not helping Hassan and then planting the watch so he had to leave, and then other paragraphs about the other factors which played a role in his sin.
We did a test on the following questions:
What does Amir have to do to get Soraya’s hand in marriage?
What is Soraya’s secret and how does Amir feel when she tells him?
What exact words does Rahim Khan use in his phone call to Amir in America?
When Amir returns, in what state does he find the orphanage that his father had built?
What was Sanaubar’s sin and how did she try to get redemption?
How does Hassan react to Baba’s death?
Name two ways in which Sohrab takes after (is similar to) his father.
22nd November.
Everyone is responsible for reading and understanding the book in detail for themselves.
You are responsible also for presenting to the class your chapters.
Recount the plot (events) – present tense.
Characters and relationships (any changes, developments, etc.)
How is this chapter(s) relevant to our theme ‘Sin and Redemption’
We will start the first presentations on Thursday
Everyone is responsible for reading and understanding the book in detail for themselves.
You are responsible also for presenting to the class your chapters.
Recount the plot (events) – present tense.
Characters and relationships (any changes, developments, etc.)
How is this chapter(s) relevant to our theme ‘Sin and Redemption’
We will start the first presentations on Thursday
17th November: We started reading chapter 10:
Describe how they had left Kabul.
What was Kabul like now? Give examples.
Homework: continue reading the book !!
Describe how they had left Kabul.
What was Kabul like now? Give examples.
Homework: continue reading the book !!
Homework for Thursday 17th - I will collect your work:
For chapter 9, write comprehensively about:
The plot, what happens (use present)
How the characters change/relationships between them change (highlight relevant quotes)
How is any of this relevant to our theme
For chapter 9, write comprehensively about:
The plot, what happens (use present)
How the characters change/relationships between them change (highlight relevant quotes)
How is any of this relevant to our theme
10th November: We talked a bit about Trump and read some articles and then started chapter 8: For next Tuesday, read chapter 8 and write comprehensively about:
The plot, what happens (use present)
How the characters change/relationships between them change (highlight relevant quotes)
How is any of this relevant to our theme
The plot, what happens (use present)
How the characters change/relationships between them change (highlight relevant quotes)
How is any of this relevant to our theme
8th November: We did the test about chapter 7 (see below)
I also said to you that in order to practice for the oral test, I am offering for you to come and see me to arrange a practice oral test before the actual oral in July. Because we are short of lesson time we won't have a lot of time in lessons to do this, so please come and see me so we can arrange this if you wish.
Questions:
P. 24 Amir says ‘I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either’ explain why he doesn’t.
P. 27 Amir says ‘I would tease him, expose his ignorance’. What did he tease Hassan about?
Why was Amir sometimes jealous of Hassan? Explain.
Briefly describe the dream that Hassan had at the beginning of chapter 7.
‘the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last’. (p.63) What had happened?
Amir goes looking for Hassan who is running his kite. He sees him cornered by Assef and his cronies. Why did Assef want to get revenge on Hassan?
Assef says to Hassan on p. 68 ‘Someday you will wake up from your little fantasy and learn just how good a friend he is’. Explain what Assef means by this.
We presume that Hassan had been violently sexually assaulted by Assef’s gang. What did Amir do about it? Describe in full how he feels about what happened.
I also said to you that in order to practice for the oral test, I am offering for you to come and see me to arrange a practice oral test before the actual oral in July. Because we are short of lesson time we won't have a lot of time in lessons to do this, so please come and see me so we can arrange this if you wish.
Questions:
P. 24 Amir says ‘I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either’ explain why he doesn’t.
P. 27 Amir says ‘I would tease him, expose his ignorance’. What did he tease Hassan about?
Why was Amir sometimes jealous of Hassan? Explain.
Briefly describe the dream that Hassan had at the beginning of chapter 7.
‘the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last’. (p.63) What had happened?
Amir goes looking for Hassan who is running his kite. He sees him cornered by Assef and his cronies. Why did Assef want to get revenge on Hassan?
Assef says to Hassan on p. 68 ‘Someday you will wake up from your little fantasy and learn just how good a friend he is’. Explain what Assef means by this.
We presume that Hassan had been violently sexually assaulted by Assef’s gang. What did Amir do about it? Describe in full how he feels about what happened.
Read chapter 7 very well as it is one of the most important parts of the book.
On 8th November we will have a short test particularly about ch. 7 but also other parts of the book we have read so far.
On 8th November we will have a short test particularly about ch. 7 but also other parts of the book we have read so far.
Homework for Thursday 27th, complete the following questions:
Chapters 5 and 6:
In what ways does Amir mock Hassan ?
Who is Daoud Khan and what does he do?
Describe Assef’s personality in your own words:
What does he Assef say about Daoud Khan?
Describe the bullying incident with Assef:
What is Baba’s present for Hassan?
Describe ‘running kites’
How was Hassan so good at it?
Why does Amir so much want to win the tournament?
Chapters 5 and 6:
In what ways does Amir mock Hassan ?
Who is Daoud Khan and what does he do?
Describe Assef’s personality in your own words:
What does he Assef say about Daoud Khan?
Describe the bullying incident with Assef:
What is Baba’s present for Hassan?
Describe ‘running kites’
How was Hassan so good at it?
Why does Amir so much want to win the tournament?
Homework: Finish chapter 4 and prepare to tell us next lesson (Thursday 20th) about exactly what happened.
Write four sentences using significant quotes like.
Amir teases Hassan and says things to ‘expose his ignorance’ (p. 27). He used to read to him and make up wrong meanings for words such as ‘imbecile’ in order to laugh at him.
Write four sentences using significant quotes like.
Amir teases Hassan and says things to ‘expose his ignorance’ (p. 27). He used to read to him and make up wrong meanings for words such as ‘imbecile’ in order to laugh at him.
13th October: For next Tuesday, answer the questions:
What does Baba say about sin?
Sum up Baba’s attitude towards Amir in this chapter.
Why does Amir feel that Baba hates him?
Why is Amir jealous of Hassan?
Choose 5 of what you think are the most significant quotes in this chapter and write sentences to say why they are important (on the appropriate character sheet).
For example: When Baba says that ‘there is something missing in that boy’ it shows that he thinks Amir is not a real man in his eyes, and he can’t live up to his expectations. He expects boys to be braver and interested in more masculine pursuits like sports and fighting, rather than reading and poetry like Amir is interested in.
What does Baba say about sin?
Sum up Baba’s attitude towards Amir in this chapter.
Why does Amir feel that Baba hates him?
Why is Amir jealous of Hassan?
Choose 5 of what you think are the most significant quotes in this chapter and write sentences to say why they are important (on the appropriate character sheet).
For example: When Baba says that ‘there is something missing in that boy’ it shows that he thinks Amir is not a real man in his eyes, and he can’t live up to his expectations. He expects boys to be braver and interested in more masculine pursuits like sports and fighting, rather than reading and poetry like Amir is interested in.
11th October: We just were starting chapter 3
6th October: For next Tuesday’s lesson :
Complete the questions on the sheet after reading chapter 2.
Fill in the information on the ‘Pashtuns and Hazaras’ sheet – try to include sentences which are in the present and contain short, relevant and integrated quotes.
Complete the questions on the sheet after reading chapter 2.
Fill in the information on the ‘Pashtuns and Hazaras’ sheet – try to include sentences which are in the present and contain short, relevant and integrated quotes.
3rd October:
Writing Skills for Essays :
How to write good sentences with integrated quotations from the text.
Good consistent tenses.
Make the quotations short, relevant and integrated.
Tenses – main tense present simple.
He says that the past always comes back to you. He has a phone call with Rahim Khan who asks him to come and visit him in Pakistan and he remembers that Rahim said that ‘There is a way to be good again’.
Main tense is present (unless it refers back to events before) and the quotation is short, relevant and part of the sentence.
For next lesson, write sentences like this about Hassan’s character.
Writing Skills for Essays :
How to write good sentences with integrated quotations from the text.
Good consistent tenses.
Make the quotations short, relevant and integrated.
Tenses – main tense present simple.
He says that the past always comes back to you. He has a phone call with Rahim Khan who asks him to come and visit him in Pakistan and he remembers that Rahim said that ‘There is a way to be good again’.
Main tense is present (unless it refers back to events before) and the quotation is short, relevant and part of the sentence.
For next lesson, write sentences like this about Hassan’s character.
29th September: We read the first chapter of 'The Kite Runner' and reflected on sin and redemption, and wrote a short summary of the first chapter.
We looked at the text showing a short history of Afghanistan and then put the events on a timeline.
Then we talked about:
How do people get redemption for their sins?
Why do people want redemption? Who is it for?
We will also review the timeline of Afghanistan’s history in the next lesson
Then we talked about:
How do people get redemption for their sins?
- Confess (like in Catholic religion)
- Admit
- Aplologize
- Promise never to do it again, and put this into practice
- Punishments – prison sentences for example to atone for the crime
Why do people want redemption? Who is it for?
We will also review the timeline of Afghanistan’s history in the next lesson
20th September: Today we started reading ‘First Confessions’ by Frank O’Connor and talked a little bit about our theme 'Sin and Redemption'.
Link to book: http://www.ireland-information.com/firstconfession.htm
Homework for Thursday: Read the short story ‘First Confessions’ by Frank O’Connor. Study the events and characters carefully and I will give you a short comprehension test next lesson.
Here is the book I gave you details about:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
9781408824856
€12
Link to book: http://www.ireland-information.com/firstconfession.htm
Homework for Thursday: Read the short story ‘First Confessions’ by Frank O’Connor. Study the events and characters carefully and I will give you a short comprehension test next lesson.
Here is the book I gave you details about:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
9781408824856
€12
Sin and Redemption
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
We looked at two texts, one about Polish immigration to the UK, and the other about competitive sport - we used it as a speaking activity