The Conversation Class at UPC

Welcome to the Conversation Class

2010-03-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to everyone who has enrolled in this semester's Conversation Class at UPC.

We will be practicing our speaking and listening skills by watching and discussing films, acting out scenes from English-language movies and learning about the history of rock music. It should be a fun interactive class.

I look forward to meeting everyone on Monday, March 22, at 1 p.m.

See you then!

--Ms. Drake

Final Presentations This Week

2009-11-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

Today and Thursday will be devoted to your final oral presentations on a singer or a musical group of your choice. The project is worth 20 percent of your final grade.

Here is the schedule of presentations.

Tuesday, Nov. 24

Magali: Michael Buble
Edú: Louis Armstrong
Denisse: Alanis Morrisette
Francisco: Linkin Park
Stephanie: Simple Plan
Giselle: Carrie Underwood
Claudia: Coldplay

Thursday, Nov. 26

Fiorella: Bob Marley
Tricia: Blink 182
Romina: Rascal Flatts
Maria Claudia: The Cure
Ana Lucia: Alicia Keys
Carlos:

Jackson Earns $72 Million after Death; No News of Trial

2009-10-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Reporter announced today that performer Michael Jackson has earned $90 million this year, making him the third highest-paid dead celebrity of the last twelve months. Most of that money ($72 million) was generated after Jackson's death five months ago.

Reporter Paul Bond notes:

Even before the "This Is It" opening, Michael Jackson had earned $90 million in the past year, with most of it coming since his death five months ago.

That sizable sum put him third on the Forbes list of dead celebrities making the most money.

Jackson earned less than the $350 million that fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent scored in the past year, and the $235 million earned by the songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.

Forbes counted money earned from October 2008--October 2009, even for Jackson, who died June 25. But about $72 million -- or 80% of the $90 million earned in the past 12 months -- came after Jackson's death, said a spokesperson for GreenLight, a consultancy company that represents "delebs," their term for dead celebrities still earning money.

On Wednesday, Jackson -- along with AEG Entertainment and Sony -- began raking in money for next year's list as the concert-rehearsal documentary "This Is It" opened in 3,500 domestic theaters and around the world.

Read the rest of the article here.

The documentary This Is It has been garnering praise from fans and critics, with some music insiders suggesting that it might win an Oscar for Best Picture. (See photo from last rehearsals for show, above.)

Director Kenny Ortega is among those pushing for the Jackson film to receive an Oscar nomination, reports the AP.

"He deserves one," said Ortega. "Come on, people."

Meanwhile, news about the pending trial over Jackson's homicide has been pushed to the back burner. It was last reported that trial information would be released in mid-October. Dr. Murray Conrad may be charged with homicide.

Is it a coincidence that the criminal case has been delayed just in time for the new movie to come out?

Talking and Improvising: "Juno"

2009-10-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

We've been watching and talking about the film Juno (2007), a Canadian-American comedy-drama about a 16-year-old girl who becomes pregnant after having sex one time with her best friend.

The film won an Academy Award for best original screenplay and stars Ellen Page as the title character, Michael Cera, Olivia Thirlby, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman.

As Wikipedia notes, the film Juno received "numerous positive reviews from critics, many of whom placed the film on their top ten lists for the year. The film has also received both criticism and praise from members of both the pro-life and pro-choice communities regarding its treatment of abortion."

Our class discussions have focused on teen pregnancy, adoption, abortion and Juno's relationship with Bleeker, the father of her child. We are also learning a lot of new vocabularly, including unusual teenager slang.

We finished watching the film together on Tuesday, and for Thursday, we are each writing a 100-word email that Juno might have written to Vanessa.

In Thursday's class we will be acting out a few scenes using the original script used in production.

We also we do some acting improvisations based on the scenes. Come to class prepared to play and to earn participation points.

Juno Links:

Official Juno movie website

Fans' favorite quotes from the movie

Update on Jackson Homicide Ruling

2009-09-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

Since we held our class debate on Michael Jackson's homicide, there have been no new announcements in the case.

However, it's rumored that the official investigation results about his death will be presented in early to mid October, report several entertainment-news sources.

The results will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney in "three to four weeks," reported the Hollywood Gossip on September 16. And Dr. Murray's professional conduct appears to be drawing scrutiny, the Gossip adds:

The bulk of the investigation is completed, and Michael Jackson's personal doctor at the time of his death June 25 remains the singular target, sources say.

LAPD detectives have requested opinions from several medical experts who will analyze the evidence and offer their opinions on Dr. Conrad Murray's conduct.

Several glaring inconsistencies and suspect findings regarding Murray's actions on the above date have police pondering what to believe and how to respond.

Read the complete article here.

Likewise, we found Dr. Murray's behaviors puzzling.

As Group 3's research showed, the first things to do when someone stops breathing are (1) check breathing; (2) call 911; (3) administer CPR. However, Dr. Murray first gave CPR and only called 911 one hour and 21 minutes after he says he observed that Jackson had stopped breathing.

A Film about Climate Change and Food Scarcity: Soylent Green

2009-09-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Soylent Green (1973) is a classic science-fiction film starring Charleton Heston and Edward G. Robinson. It's set in New York City in 2022, after the world's climate has collapsed due to global warming and most of the world's plant life has died. People survive by eating a processed food product called Soylent Green. But just what is it made of, some curious people begin to wonder? And why do the people who know the secret want to die or end up being murdered?

We will be watching scenes from Soylent Green in class, and students will be required to view the entire film over the coming weekend. It's available at Polvos Azules (under the title Cuando El Destino Nos Alcance), as well as online at Google Video.

Click here to see the film online, without English or Spanish subtitles.

I'll be handing out a Student Viewing Guide tomorrow.

Will Peruvian Potatoes Help Save the World?

2009-09-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

After last Thursday's discussion about Super Size Me and the connection between obesity and nonfresh foods, our class came to an important agreement: Peruvians don't eat that often at fast food places like McDonald's because they prefer fresh foods prepared from scratch.

It was a refreshing change of pace for me, a U.S. citizen, to stand in front of a roomful of college students and hear many give the thumbs up to choclo and boiled potatoes, and a thumbs down to greasy french fries. Thank god young Peruvians have healthy eating habits.

It turns out that Peruvians' love of good food isn't just beneficial for them; it may be the key to safeguarding our planet's future food supplies.

The amazing variety of non-GMO (non genetically modified) potatoes that farmers have cultivated in the Andes for thousands of years are being applauded by scientists, reports CNN.

Andean potatoes can grow at different altitudes and in different temperatures, depending on the type. This diversity makes Peruvian potatotes ideal for coping with the shifts of climate change, which are intensifying throughout the world.

Read here about how Peru's farmers are being paid to nuture their special potatoes and how they may someday feed the world.

It's part of an effort by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, whose website explains how the group is helping to preserve and promote agricultural diversity around the word. A video on the group's homepage shows farmers in the Andes working with different potato crops and talking about climate change.

Vocabulary & Grammar to Describe an Image

2009-09-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Your mid-term project for the Conversation Class is to present on one of your favorite English-language films, using a PowerPoint or other visual aids (Sept. 29 and Oct. 1).

One of the required elements in the presentation is that you discuss a film still from one of your favorite scenes in the movie.

Here's a link to a PowerPoint that I made on "Vocabulary & Grammar to Describe an Image."

Bring to class on Tuesday a favorite image (a family photo, an image from a movie, something funny) to discuss with a partner. We will review the PowerPoint on Tuesday and practice using these terms to talk about your image.

Click here for last Thursday's handout on the mid-term oral presentation.

Thinking about "Super Size Me"

2009-09-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the questions we'll be discussing on Thursday about the documentary Super Size Me:

1. In America, some people are suing fast food restaurants. Where does personal responsibility start and corporate responsibility stop? Is it fair to point the finger at McDonalds?

2. What are some of the ways that corporations lure in customers to fast-food restaurants? What do consumers value? Why do they super-size? Are they really adding value for their money?

3. Is healthy eating just a matter of good education? What are the factors that influence your food choices? Taste? Money? Having a restaurant nearby? Having someone cook for you at home?

4. Is it fair to confront fat people for how they eat? What about thin people like Don Gorske who are “super heavy users” of fast food? Is it the shape you are that makes you healthy or unhealthy? Or is it what you do (how you eat and how much activity you get) that matters?

5. How much influence do you think the media has on the way you think you should look? How much influence does the media have on the food choices you make?

6. Are Peruvians heavier than they used to be? Why or why not?

7. What influence does McDonald’s have in Peru? Is it very popular? Does it influence our diet?

Super Size Me

2009-09-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

This week, the Conversation Class is discussing fast food, nutrition and Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary Super Size Me (Engordame in Spanish).

Here's a plot summary from the Internet Movie Database:

Why are Americans so fat? Two words: fast food. What would happen if you ate nothing but fast food for an entire month? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock does just that and embarks on the most perilous journey of his life. The rules? For 30 days he can't eat or drink anything that isn't on McDonald's menu; he must wolf three squares a day; he must consume everything on the menu at least once and supersize his meal if asked.
Spurlock treks across the country interviewing a host of experts on fast food and an equal number of regular folk while chowing down at the Golden Arches. Spurlock's grueling drive-through diet spirals him into a physical and emotional metamorphosis that will make you think twice about picking up another Big Mac.

We will watch part of the film in class. Click here to view Super Size Me online through Google Videos.

Last Thursday's Class

2009-09-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

We had an interesting class debate last Thursday (9/3) about the Michael Jackson homicide ruling and whether Dr. Conrad Murray should be charged with manslaughter, murder or no crime at all.

Those who felt he should be convicted of commiting a crime argued the "pro" position; those against were "con." Students faced off, two at a time, at the front of the class and argued their position for two minutes each while a monitor kept track of the time.

At the beginning of class, 10 out of 12 students were firmly in the "pro" camp. Giselle, Tricia, Fiorella, Denisse, Edu and Magali were among those who felt that Dr. Murray deserves to go to jail for involuntary manslaughter.

Dr. Murray's culpable errors include not calling 911 immediately when he found Jackson dead; administering Propofol outside of a hospital; and mixing Propofol with bennies and other sedatives. Those acts directly caused Jackson's death even if the doctor did not intend to murder the singer, the "pro" side argued.

Claudia was the first to argue for the defense. Michael Jackson is the only person to blame for his death, she argued. Claudio mentioned Jackson's long history of drug abuse and his ties with multiple doctors who supplied him with prescription drugs. Even if Dr. Murray had refused to give Jackson Propofol that night, said the defense, Jackson would have found some way or another to get it. And Dr. Murray did not administer Propofol in amounts over the legal limit, she added. Jackson's death is not attributable to anything that Murray directly did.

The debate turned a corner when Francisco decided to argue that Jackson's death was murder -- planned by someone other than Murray. Murray was used as the "fall guy" for the plot, Francisco said, a sure-fire way to divert attention from the behind-the-scenes murderers since it is very hard to convict a doctor of "grossly criminal negligence." At the most, Murray would be sentenced to a few years in prison -- and then be released to enjoy some of the spoils snagged by beneficiaries of the estate.

Various members of the class shot down Francisco's argument, noting that it was all speculation. But the doubts had been raised, and we all began to wonder if there wasn't something to the idea that greed had engineered Jackson's homicide.

Was it so far-fetched to imagine a murder plot being carried out?

Murder, Manslaughter and Michael Jackson: A Class Debate

2009-08-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

This coming week, August 31--September 4, the Conversation Class will focus on the death of Michael Jackson and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)'s pending criminal case against Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray (see photo, left).

On Tuesday, September 1, class members will make short group presentations about topics related to Jackson's death: What happened on the night and morning before Jackson died? (Group 1); What drugs did Dr. Conrad gave to Jackson and what their dangers and effects? (Group 2); What are you supposed to do someone stops breathing? (Group 3); and, What other drugs was Jackson addicted to and what doctors gave him these drugs? (Group 4).

(See class handout from Thursday's class here, which includes links to recommended stories to help in your research. Click here for tips on making a good group presentation.)

I will explain the difference between "murder" and "manslaughter" and how these terms are used by police departments and courts of law in the state of California, where Jackson was killed.

The media is speculating that Dr. Murray will be charged with the crime of manslaughter, an event that will probably make the news this week. But members of the Jackson family, including Michael's sister LaToya, have said that Murray and other doctors should be charged with murder. The Jackson family's lawyer Brian Oxman told reporters in July that Michael Jackson was afraid of being murdered. As reported in the Boston Globe (July 1):

The pop superstar was reportedly terrified of being murdered for his money
or the music publishing rights he owned, which included his own work and
over 200 songs from the Beatles back catalogue. The rights are estimated to
be worth over £600 million.

On Thursday, September 3, we will have a class debate: Is Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of killing Michael Jackson or are other people guilty as well? If Dr. Murray is guilty, what crime should he be charged with, manslaughter or murder?

Note: If you missed class on Thursday, you are in Group 4 and need to present on that topic. Email me to coordinate with the other members of your group.

Starting to Talk about Movies

2009-08-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

We begin to talk about movies this week, an activity that can help us improve our spoken English in so many ways. There are literally thousands of things that we can say about any given film. What elements will this course focus on?

First, we have begun to learn the basic terms in English for talking about movies and film in general. What are "genre," "setting," "plot" and "the climax"? How do we construct grammatically correct sentences that ask and answer basic questions about a movie? Last week's Movie Language Handout and Movie Riddles game gave us the tools to do just that. (These links are also provided in the sidebar on the left.)

Keep these class handouts in your notebook because you will be referring to them thoughout the semester each time we study a new film.

A main objective of this course is to be able to summarize a movie's plot or part of it. That brings me to our second area of focus: To practice retelling what happens in an individual movie scene. This activity involves describing characters' actions and what happens as a result. It requires that we have a good command of verb tenses and that we be able to remember what happens, when it happens and why it happens.

We begin to practice the art of summarizing this week with the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1991), a classic action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg.

This opening scene contains 13 nonstop minutes of mystery, terror, pursuit, close calls and gruesome deaths. Of the three characters we see in the opening minutes of the film, only one is alive at the end of Scene 1--our hero, of course. By then, he's met his arch-enemy and rival and has come face-to-face with the one creature he fears: snakes.

Click here to view and/or download the class worksheet for Scene 1 of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which also contains our homework assignment for Thursday.

You see, I like doing things, not reading about them.
―Indiana Jones to a co-worker, in 1917 Petrograd

Poll Results: Why Are You Taking an English Conversation Class?

2009-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

The online poll on "Why Are You Taking an English Conversation Class" has just closed. Fourteen out of sixteen class members took the poll (shame on the two of you who didn't vote!), and the results are in.

The largest majority of students (71 %) are taking the class because they need good spoken English to get ahead in their careers. The second most common reason for enrolling in HU150 is to better enjoy movies and TV shows in English.

Here are the complete results (multiple answers were allowed):

I want to improve my English so I can make new friends.
6 (42%)

I need good spoken English skills in my chosen career path.
10 (71%)

I would like to travel to the United States and other English-speaking countries some day.
1 (7%)

I am required to take this class for my degree at UPC.
5 (35%)

I want to better understand English-language movies and TV shows.
8 (57%)

I think it's cool to be able to speak another language.
6 (42%)

My parents told me I had to!
0 (0%)

Michael Jackson's Burial

2009-08-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, August 20, we read and discussed a BBC report on "Jackson's Birthday Burial," dated August 19. The report is part of Words in the News, an ongoing series of articles and lessons produced by the BBC for students of English. We will be studying and discussing Words in the News reports throughout the semester as part of our in-class and out-of-class coursework.

Before we listened to the audio recording online and read along with the article, the class brainstormed on words that we might expect to see in a story about burying the King of Pop (see a photo of Jackson taken in 1982 for his album "Thriller," above). "Cemetery," "to bury" and "deceased" were among the words that did, indeed, appear in the BBC's article, which triggered an unusual class discussion on things one says at a funeral!

The phrase "to lay to rest" is a polite way to say "to bury" in English. ("He was laid to rest last week.") The custom of using gentler language to describe things related to death is a commonality between Peruvian and American and British cultures.

The vocabulary we discussed will be helpful for those who like to watch the award-winning HBO series Six Feet Under, which is set in and around a funeral parlor in the United States.

Our homework assignment for Tuesday, August 25, is to read the full BBC article ("Jackson to Be Buried on Birthday") and to find three additional facts in that article that weren't mentioned in the shorter story we read on Thursday. Come to class with your three facts and be prepared to discuss them.

One important detail not mentioned in "Jackson to Be Buried on Birthday" is that the pop star's burial plans have been delayed yet again. On Friday, August 21, the Jackson family announced that the date has been pushed back to September 3.

I wonder if this is the last time the burial will be postponed?

Welcome to the Conversation Class

2009-08-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

It's a pleasure to meet everyone who has signed up for this semester's Conversation Class at UPC.

Our class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2 to 4 p.m., in building D.

I start class promptly on the hour and take attendance at five minutes after the hour, so please be on time. Your contributions are so important to making this a successful interactive class.

You will have plenty of opportunities to talk and share your opinions in this class. We will be watching film scenes and retelling what happens, analyzing characters in film and short stories, summarizing news stories, making comments, giving short oral presentations, and much more.

View the course syllabus by clicking here.

Welcome!