Week#4 Discussion Topics

Class A


Beijing in lockdown for China's World War II military extravaganza
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/01/asia/china-military-parade-preview/index.html

Related Materials 
- Parade to 'lift curtain' on opaque military
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/30/opinions/china-military-parade-nurkin/
- Forgotten ally? China's unsung role in World War II
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/31/opinions/china-wwii-forgotten-ally-rana-mitter/index.html

Discussion Questions

1. The world's current political leaders largely declined invitatons to the porade, and only those few whose countries had close ties to China attened.
So, Here is a question. If you are President Barack Obama, what is the main reason you said no to the invitation?

2. A lot of restrictions to citizens during preparation, including no buses on the streets, the closed shops, no drama on TV excepting TV serious about the Second World War. If you are a citizen living in Beijing, would you feel proud of your country? or complaining?

3. President Park Geun-Hye attended to China for this Huge event.
It might not be easy decision for Korean government to attend because of the close relation with the U.S.
Which country do you think comes first, U.S or China? why?

4. With China's Massive Military parade, Japan's security bill passed last week,
and North Koreas's constant provocation, What do South Korea to do to protect out own country?

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Class B

Please read the 'study article' clicking the rink the below.
http://www.theguardian.com/env...r-the-next-25-years-study-says

and add another link from TED
http://blog.ted.com/7-talks-on...-ideas-for-life-without-water/

and watch the TED Video I recommend!

another movie clip:

Fahad Al-Attiya: A country with no water

5 Discussion Questions

1. Do you think Korea has limited water supplies? why?
2. Which nations you know have the most serious water shortages?
3. Which one is the big deal related to the water scarcity issue, money, climate, war, developing or technology ?
4. How did Qatar solve the water problem (after watching the movie clip below)?
5. which one do you think is more serious problem, Draought and Water Shortages or floods?

Featured Reporter Procedure

Beginning week#4, students will take turns being a 'featured reporter'

Featured Reporter Procedure

Before Class
- Choose a topic related to some current event or social issue.

- Find an appropriately challenging 'study article' and several supplemental articles and/or videos that provide background on that issue.

- Write at least five engaging discussion questions related to this topic.

- Post all of these materials on your blog and post a link in the course Band. (by Sunday)

- Prepare at least a 2 minute spoken presentation.

  Options include:

• reading from a single article
• providing an overview of the topic and/or reading excerpts from several articles
• narrating some kind of visual presentation

Feel free to add links to related materials and/or interesting discussion questions by commenting on this post.

In Class:
The featured reporter will make that presentation. We will then go over the 'study article' for points of language learning.  We will then break into discussion groups.

After Class: The featured reporter will add vocabulary words to the Group Quizlet.  Everyone will post a short reflection about this topic on their blogs by the Sunday after class.  Reflections can be written or audio recordings (Clyp.it is a useful tool for audio recording) The featured reporter can also reflect on the recording of their spoken presentation

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Audio/Video Sources of News Stories with transcripts

• PBS Newshour
• NPR Morning Edition from NPR
• AM Show. from Australia National Radio
• VOA News and Learning English
• Breaking News English

Other Sources of News Articles

• Aljazeera
• CS Monitor
• Google News
• Reuters
• The Gaurdian
• Vox

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Apps to install:

Blogger Android   Apple

Google Translate Android   Apple

Google Docs Android   Apple

Quizlet Android   Apple

Clyp.it   Android   Apple

Chrome Browser Google Dictionary

This can be useful for quickly checking the meaning and pronunciation of words online.https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-dictionary-by-goog/mgijmajocgfcbeboacabfgobmjgjcoja?hl=en

Week#3 Topic: The Refugee Crisis

The Refugee crisis

Study Article:
The turmoil of today's world: leading writers respond to the refugee crisis
You do NOT need to read the entire article. You only need to read the first portion written by Pankaj Mishra
Here is s a print-friendly Google Doc of only that part.

Please read that part of the article and take note of any words or phrases that are difficult to understand.  We will discuss the main points of the article and address any language learning points in class.

It is a pretty linguistically challenging article.  For more easily digestible information about this topic, check out some of the materials below.

Related Materials  (not required)

• The refugee crisis: 9 questions you were too embarrassed to ask
• Mapping the Syrian refugee crisis
• Rallies Across Europe Urge Help for Refugees
• Influx Of Migrants Could Be A Good Thing For Europe (NPR)
• The Little Syrian Boy: Here's Who He Was (NPR)
No country for refugees? Japan and South Korea's tough asylum policies
• Hungary to begin arresting claimed 'illegal immigrants'

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Discussion Questions

• What don't you understand about the current refugee crisis in Europe?
• Who do you think is most responsible for causing the crisis?  Why?
• Who should be most responsible for trying to solve the problem? Why?
• What do you think would be the best way for the global community to address the refugee crisis? 
• When (if ever) does a country have a moral obligation to accept refugees or migrants from another country? In what ways is it advantageous (or not) to do so?
• What role do you think the image of the drowned boy played in public perception and government actions?  Do you think the media should show images like this or not? 
• What role would you like to see Korea play in this current situation and other humanitarian crises around the world? Should Korea accept more refugees?
• Have you ever met someone who was a refugee?  If so, what did you learn about their experience?  

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Vocabulary and Language Learning Points

What's the difference between a refugee and a migrant?Refugees are forced to flee their homes and seek safety in another country, often times without warning. Migrants are people who make a conscious decision to leave their countries to seek a better life elsewhere. 

Week#1

IN CLASS

• Get Acquainted Jigsaw
• Check the Class Band for Recordings

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ASSIGNMENTS due by Sept. 6

• Register for a Gmail account if you don't already have one.

• Create a blog at Blogger.com (Blogger Guide here and Screencast here)

• On your blog, post a link to a news story or article of interest. Write a few sentences describing why you think it is interesting, along with a few discussion questions

• Complete the Entrance Questionnaire
• Register for a Quizlet Account and join the IKE 1106 Quizlet Class.

• Join the IKE 1106 Course Band
  GSIT - IKE 1106-01
  GSIT - IKE 1106-02

• Post a 1~3 minute video introduction to the course BAND
  You can take a ‘selfie video’ with your phone or get help from a friend. Be as creative as you like! (e.g. give a tour of your home, take us out with you on Friday night, sing your favorite song, et