JOURNAL WEEKLY

Week 1
May 12- May 14
Introduction My-self

In this week we could saw the first introduction to this course and discuss about the content of the course syllabus. We review the vocabulary, language use, and mechanics. I read all of Unit 1 and I practice listening and speaking, I also checked some thing in the virtual lab “MyNorthStarLab”. I created a blog at https://www.blogger.com/start, called “ESSAYS ENGLISH III”. The address is: http://essaysenglishiii.blogspot.com/. I experiment with my blog, choosing an innovative format, uploading images, writing a welcome entry, and such. I Write a full introduction of myself and upload in blackboard and my blog.

Week 2
May 19-May 21
UNIT 1 “the Internet and Other Addictions”

Our activities (listening and speaking) were related to most common addictions we see in daily life, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, among others. I wrote in my column about gambling addiction, which was very positive because it knew a lot about this topic, because for a time, I was addicted to gambling and did not come out of the casinos. Thank God my family and I leave those vicious that could destroy me.

Week 3
May 26-28
INNOVATION WEEK

For this week I wrote a letter, to the organizer (her name is Ms. Paula Brenes), on what I learned at the activities I attended, and upload it to Blackboard. I did an oral presentation about what I learned. I need to admit, I failure in the presentation, I was confused and I forget what I had to say. What a shame!

Week 4
June 2-4
UNIT 2 “Honesty Is the Best Policy”

When I wonder if being honest is always the best policy, unfortunately I have to disagree. I repeat that lies are sometimes justified. Of course, this topic is controversial, but is my opinion only. I was learning a lot about modals-Degrees of certainty- and advance a level more in my knowledge of English. I invite you to visit the website: http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/modal1.html for more information about this topic.


Week 5
June 9–11
UNIT 3 “The Bold and the bashful”

People have different personality, you can see “bashful person” and reticent people, and every one is special. The problem is when your personality interferes in your daily life, for example in you are shy are not big problem, but in you have shyness, you’re in trouble.
The vocabulary I learned was: reticent, phobia, merit, extroverted, syndrome, chronic, kindred souls, misattributions, handicap, aloof and condescending; this came to increase my vocabulary previous.

Week 6
June 16-18
UNIT 4 “The Tipping Point”

This week we learned about “the principles of tipping point”. We discuss about the components of the model, those are: Connectors, Mavens and Salespeople. We did a presentation on how to apply these principles to a specific topic? In our group chose to design virtual classes in English to support and reinforcement to the English classroom lesson. I did my essay about “TECHNOLOGY WORLDWIDE TREND”: I enjoyed the adverb clauses of result and the story of two historical figures to American Revolution in the eighteenth century.

Week 7
June 23-June 25

For this week the best I remembered were “The corrections that the teacher had us do in the essays of other students. First, is good because we can learn more when other corrects our mistakes. Besides that led us on what he wanted to meet. We need to find the mistakes of form, content, grammatical structure if there were any such error. I thought it was an interesting way to learn.

Week 8
June 30-July02
UNIT 5 “FENG SHUI”

Everyone appreciates the benefits of beautiful, comfortable living environments. This is the promise of “Feng Shui way”, because if you follow its principles you can improve your physical and mental health, your relationships, and your worldly success.
Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway") examines how the placement of things and objects within it affect the energy flow in your living environment, and how these objects interact with and influence your personal energy flow. Your personal energy flow affects how you think and act, which in turn affects how well you perform and succeed in your personal and professional life. Feng Shui affects you every moment of the day. I read about Feng Shui, but the presentation of my partner giving me more information about where are Feng Shui and this was excellent and very clear.
Read more about Feng Shui in: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-the-principles-of-feng-shui.html#ixzz0wAEIoXpI

Week 9
July 07-10
UNIT 6 “SPIRITUAL RENEWAL”

In modern life, there are many forms of spiritual renewal. Many people practice small daily ritual, pray to God, such as intentionally remaining quiet or spending time alone, a growing number of people believe in the life after dead, every body look for a spiritual life. This is one reason for a few people withdraw from mainstream society to live in a monastery, and become a monks (males) or nuns (females).
I love this topic, because I believe in God and the live after death. The monasteries throughout the world share a similar commitment: harmony, prayer, communal work and brotherly love, and for my, this is one way to know your self and a God.

Week 10
July 14-16

PREVIOUS ENGLISH FEST ACTIVITY

We were getting ready for the English Fest activity on time. We talk to our classmates and getting together to have all the details ready. We made a plan and assign all the functions and roles that each partner had to do that day. In my case, I got to say a little introduction which was:

"Good evening Teachers, students, and classmatesMy name is Jose Castillo Navarro; I am one Business Administration student at this University. I welcome all of you to this English Fest activity sponsored by English III students, group # 05 of Professor Krissia Cantillano PradoLet me tell you the steps we followed to develop this activity:1. One and a half month ago we started to prepare this activity. We were encouraged to bring our own ideas to choose the best one.
2. The best proposal was the one brought by Javier Diaz, who is here. He proposed to do a similar activity to the program "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" which airs every Tuesday on Channel 7.

We call it "Who Wants to eat?" because we wanted to give food instead of money.

Today we are here, some weeks later, with this result.

We hope you enjoy the show because it is for you"


Week 11
July 21-23
English Fest activity (University Festival)

We did excellent. The teacher was very happy and we congratulate you.


YOU DID AN EXCELLENT ENGLISH FEST ACTIVITY!!!

FOR YOUR UNIQUE ENGLISH FEST ACTIVITY
"WHO WANTS TO EAT?"
Thank you for your participation and hard work!!!!!
English III Group 05 Students rock!!!!
I am very proud of all of you!!!!


Week 12
July 28-July 30
UNIT 7 “WORKPLACE PRIVACY”

In Wed. July 28th we had a debate in class. English Major Students from ULACIT visited our class to direct this debate. The topic was Biometrics method of personal identification taken to “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”, page 168-169 in UNIT 7. The class was divided into two team, and debating about the biometric system. The use of this technology is very controversial due to serious privacy concerns related to the method and amount of data collection. One team was in favored and the other in unfavored.
This day, we discussed about this method, the pros and cons. First, one of the team outlined their arguments, then hand it to question and answered the question. It was very entertaining and educational.
The last Friday the group participated in another debate in class #210. This English activity is sponsored by English II students. The topics are technology and Illegal immigration. It was very interesting and the participants are well-dressed.

Week 13
Aug. 07-09
UNIT 8 “WARRIORS WITHOUT WEAPONS”

I did my last oral presentation about UNIT 8 “WARRIORS WITHOUT WEAPONS”. We spoke about the Red Cross organization and its seven principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality. You can read more about those principles in: www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp