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What two Americans think about homosexuals' rights?

ashort:

harbeyp:

Last Thursday, Yaya and I were talking about homosexuals’ rights with Brandie and Kevin. We asked what their opinions about homosexuality are. They answered that they respected sexual orientation because that was a personal choice. Also, they thought that to be homosexual it was well for them. We asked if they supported homosexual marry. Brandie and Kevin told us that homosexual people should have the same rights that the heterosexual couples. Then, we asked what their opinions about homosexual patrimony rights are. They said that they supported the homosexual patrimony [INHERITANCE IS A MORE COMMON WORD AND LESS SEXIST - NOTICE THAT PATRIMONY COMES FROM THE LATIN “PATER” MEANING FATHER.] rights because they work and share like other heterosexual couples. They told us that if you have a legal marry [MARRY VS MARRIAGE], you will have benefits, such as social security, health insurance, and others social state welfare. Finally, we asked if they thought that people in Virginia agree with homosexual rights. They said that Virginia was a conservative state, and they were skeptical about people in Richmond support homosexual rights. In addition, I noticed that they didn’t say any derogatory words about homosexuals. In contrast, they said, “They are nice”.  DID YOU EXPECT THEM TO USE DEROGATORY WORDS?

Honesly, I was concern about theirs words, but I was happy because their ideas were respectful. 

HOW ARE HOMOSEXUALS TREATED IN COLOMBIA?

In Colombia, unfortunately some people think first with their right-wrong conception and they forget that we cannot decide who you should to love. I read today a article in my country (http://www.eltiempo.com/opinion/columnistas/nataliaspringer/del-amor-simplemente_4598416-1) about the debate in the Congress about homosexual rights and I hope they will give equal rights to everybody. 

Speaking reflection

ashort:

harbeyp:

This was my second class, and I want to say that I have enjoyed your speaking class so far. In my opinion, the most useful was the debates because they were about academic topics. The debates were an opportunity to listen and learn from many people about interesting topics. I think that speaking is not just speak, it is the art to listen. Another useful thing was the fishbowl because I leaned how I can participate in a conversation. Also, I liked the prepared and impromptu speeches because I need to be ready for speaking in academic classes like my American classmates. I enjoyed all activities because I thought that they can improve my English speaking. However, sometimes work with the World Studies students was not good because I felt that they didn’t like to talk about some topics. I know that it is hard to work with different people, but I hope you and the other teacher will find activities that can get students’ attention. In addition, the homework was good enough because I learned a lot with the news report and talking with American people. Thank you Audrey because you shared with us your passion for teaching.

Thank you, Harbey, especially for your patience in listening to some of the same instructions as last term.  Your comments about the World Studies students (which could also be applied to some of our students), shows that each class has different dynamics and levels of enthusiasm.  Dr. Kissel-Ito and I will certainly think about how to improve the situation for Fall 2.

Your class was the best so far! I know that Dr. Kissel-Ito and you will improve your class and you will have a great Fall 2 class.

Can the water tell us something?

ashort:

harbeyp:

Masaru Emoto is my Japanese hero. Why? because he is a famous scientific [SCIENTIST VS SCIENTIFIC] that discover something amazing related with water, words, and your life! After I met him in Colombia, I try to think before I speak. The following News is about different water theories:

http://www.health24.com/news/Natural_health/1-932,48010.asp


Questions:

1. Do you believe that the water can recorder [VERB ISSUE]information?

2. What do you think if I say that your words can change the water moleculeS in your body?

3. Do you believe that your emotions can influence the water around you?

Vocabulary:

1. Launch: to set (a boat or ship) in the water.

2. Molecule: the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound.

3. Laureate: a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field or with a particular award: a Nobel laureate.

4. Clusters: A group of the same or similar elements gathered or occurring closely together; a bunch.

If you are interested in Masaru Emoto, you can see his web page: http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/e_ome_home.html

HAVE YOU SPOKEN WITH AZUMI ABOUT THIS PERSON?  I HAD NEVER HEARD OF HIM BEFORE BUT THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

No, I never have spoken with Azumi about Masaru Emoto. I will do tomorrow October 14th because we have a plan. Thank you!. I think you will like Emoto’s research. 

Can the water tell us something?

Masaru Emoto is my Japanese hero. Why? because he is a famous scientific that discover something amazing related with water, words, and your life! After I met him in Colombia, I try to think before I speak. The following News is about different water theories:

http://www.health24.com/news/Natural_health/1-932,48010.asp


Questions:

1. Do you believe that the water can recorder information?

2. What do you think if I say that your words can change the water molecule in your body?

3. Do you believe that your emotions can influence the water around you?

Vocabulary:

1. Launch: to set (a boat or ship) in the water.

2. Molecule: the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound.

3. Laureate: a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field or with a particular award: a Nobel laureate.

4. Clusters: A group of the same or similar elements gathered or occurring closely together; a bunch.

If you are interested in Masaru Emoto, you can see his web page: http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/e_ome_home.html

Speaking reflection

This was my second class, and I want to say that I have enjoyed your speaking class so far. In my opinion, the most useful was the debates because they were about academic topics. The debates were an opportunity to listen and learn from many people about interesting topics. I think that speaking is not just speak, it is the art to listen. Another useful thing was the fishbowl because I leaned how I can participate in a conversation. Also, I liked the prepared and impromptu speeches because I need to be ready for speaking in academic classes like my American classmates. I enjoyed all activities because I thought that they can improve my English speaking. However, sometimes work with the World Studies students was not good because I felt that they didn’t like to talk about some topics. I know that it is hard to work with different people, but I hope you and the other teacher will find activities that can get students’ attention. In addition, the homework was good enough because I learned a lot with the news report and talking with American people. Thank you Audrey because you shared with us your passion for teaching.

What two Americans think about homosexuals' rights?

Last Thursday, Yaya and I were talking about homosexuals’ rights with Brandie and Kevin. We asked what their opinions about homosexuality are. They answered that they respected sexual orientation because that was a personal choice. Also, they thought that to be homosexual it was well for them. We asked if they supported homosexual marry. Brandie and Kevin told us that homosexual people should have the same rights that the heterosexual couples. Then, we asked what their opinions about homosexual patrimony rights are. They said that they supported the homosexual patrimony rights because they work and share like other heterosexual couples. They told us that if you have a legal marry, you will have benefits, such as social security, health insurance, and others social state welfare. Finally, we asked if they thought that people in Virginia agree with homosexual rights. They said that Virginia was a conservative state, and they were skeptical about people in Richmond support homosexual rights. In addition, I noticed that they didn’t say any derogatory words about homosexuals. In contrast, they said, “They are nice”.

The leaders of the United States said: Trust us. People said: Not this time!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/29/AR2008092903325.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

Questions:

1. What is your opinion about the leaders of the country said: Trust us, and people answered: Not this time. Why?

2. Should people help to solve the financial crisis with their taxes? Why?

3. Are you concern for the financial crisis effects in your country? Why?

4. In your opinion, who is responsible for the financial crisis?

Vocabulary:

1. Bailout: an instance of coming to the rescue.

2. Heed: careful attention; notice; observation.

3. Plunge: to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation.

4. Puffing: a short forceful exhalation of breath.

Definitions from www.dictionary.com

A Different Speaking by Harbey Peña Sandoval

ashort:

harbeyp:

On Monday, after my listening quiz I went to Students Commons. I saw an American girl that looked friendly. Like the others times, I asked if she had time to talk with an international student. She said, “Sure, I can help you”. I took place next to her, and it was the first time that I felt “chemistry” with an American. Chemistry for me is when I feel comfortable with someone. I asked her name, and she spelled her first name R-e-b-e-c-c-a.  I asked her second name, and Rebecca said, “Severson-Irby”. Her second name was interesting for me because it is two second names, like people from Latin America. She explained me that her mother didn’t want to lose her last name when she had got married. I told Rebecca that many times I had spoken with American people about their majors, but she said that she wanted to talk about me. That was the reason because I entitled my reported speech “A Different Speaking”. That was the first time that I spoke more about me with an American student. I told Rebecca about my family in Colombia, my University in Bogotá, my English learning process, and about my goal -study Conflict Resolution at George Mason University-. The time passed very fast, and Rebecca had to go to her class. I want to say thank you Rebecca!

I’m a little surprised to read that this was the first time that you felt “chemistry” with an American.  How does this chemistry differ from how comfortable you feel talking with your group in the World Studies class?  Do you think it matters whether the people you are talking to are male or female?

I want to explain that “chemistry” in my words is when I feel a special conection with someone. It doesn’t matter if they are male of female. My group in World Studies is really good, but my feelings are different. I feel that I can work with them, but there it not not a special chemistry.

Kiki loves fashion by Harbey Peña Sandoval

ashort:

harbeyp:

ashort:

harbeyp:

On September 23 at 10:00 a.m., I went to Students Commons at VCU.  I spoke with Kierra Kemp, but she likes to call her “Kiki”. She is studying mass communication, but she will change her major for fashion merchandising. I asked why she is going to change her major. She said that she loves fashion. Her parents agree with her idea because they want that Kiki will be happy. I asked what classes she is going to take. She told me that there are different class levels. For example, Kiki is going to study Art History I and II, Accounting for not Business I and II, and Marketing I and II. Also, Kiki is going to take Introducing to Fashion. Then, I asked what kind of job she wants to work. She told me that she wants to be a buyer. I asked what a buyer is. Kiki explained me that it is a person that goes to fashion shows and buy the clothes there. A buyer is an important employee because it is who choose what kind of clothes the store will sell. A buyer should be really good in fashion. Finally, I asked in what fashion store she wants to work, and Kiki said that she wants to work in Saks Fifth Avenue. Kiki told me that Saks Fifth Avenue is an expensive store in New York, and she hopes to work there.

What do you think about the university offering classes such as Accounting for Non-Business Majors?  Do you think classes should be different for students who are in certain majors and for students who are not in those majors?  When I was an undergraduate student, my major was cultural anthropology and I had to take a Calculus for Non-Math Majors.  On one hand I was happy to be in competition with math majors and on the other hand, I wondered why I had to take calculus at all.

Oh my Good! your question is for writing a book, it is a interesting discussion. In my opinion there are two different things, one is should students take classes that are not directly related with their majors? and another is should students take classes such as non-something? In my opinion, I prefer to take classes only related with my major. However, students should be able to take classes from other majors, but It is only classes that they want to take. One thing is my major classes and other is my elective classes. On the other hand, I think that is better take classes such as non-something than regular classes with specific majors. Students are not equal on classes that are for specific majors. Also, teachers need to teach different if they have students from different majors. In some situations, it is depend to the topic. I don’t want to learn calculus with only mathematic students because we are not equal. They learn faster than me.

Thanks for your response.  You are right; the answer can be as long as a book (and perhaps someone has already written their PhD dissertation on this.)  You wrote that you prefer to take classes only related to your major.  Do you think that high school students should be able to choose only what subjects they want to take?  How about freshmen in college?

I don’t think that high school students should be able to choose only subjects that they want to take because in high school teachers teach general knowledge. In my opinion, students in high school need to know a little bit about everything. In college, students have taken a decision about what they want to be in their future. In the university, they should be able to choose their elective classes.

A Different Speaking by Harbey Peña Sandoval

On Monday, after my listening quiz I went to Students Commons. I saw an American girl that looked friendly. Like the others times, I asked if she had time to talk with an international student. She said, “Sure, I can help you”. I took place next to her, and it was the first time that I felt “chemistry” with an American. Chemistry for me is when I feel comfortable with someone. I asked her name, and she spelled her first name R-e-b-e-c-c-a.  I asked her second name, and Rebecca said, “Severson-Irby”. Her second name was interesting for me because it is two second names, like people from Latin America. She explained me that her mother didn’t want to lose her last name when she had got married. I told Rebecca that many times I had spoken with American people about their majors, but she said that she wanted to talk about me. That was the reason because I entitled my reported speech “A Different Speaking”. That was the first time that I spoke more about me with an American student. I told Rebecca about my family in Colombia, my University in Bogotá, my English learning process, and about my goal -study Conflict Resolution at George Mason University-. The time passed very fast, and Rebecca had to go to her class. I want to say thank you Rebecca!