For the last few weeks of the school year, we'll be working on how to
how to organize a public speech and stand in front of an audience an
give a presentation. The focus will be impromptu speaking. According to
the Free Dictionary, impromptu is something "spoken, performed,
done, or composed with little or no preparation; extemporaneous."
Impromptu speaking is also known as "extemporaneous speaking." An
impromptu speech can't be prepared in advance, so the student must learn
the skills to quickly organize the topic, and then present that topic
with ease and confidence.
For our purposes, each student will be given a card with a topic written on it. They will then have a few minutes to prepare a speech about that topic. Here are some topic examples
·My three favorite animals.
·What you would find in my closet. Make something up.
It is important to know how a speech is organized before you begin. The picture to the right is a helpful way to think about your speech.
After you have your topic:
First: Make a mental list of
three things you want to say about it, and reasons or examples for each. These three things will make up the body of your speech. Once you have these, the remaining elements of your speech, the introduction and conclusion will be easy!
Here's how you speech will look:
Introduction:
“Hello, my name is_______and
today I’d like to talk to you about________.
Body: (your three things)
·“The first reason/thing …..because……”
·“The second reason/thing” or “secondly” “….because….”
·“The final reason/thing” or “finally…..because”
Conclusion
“To
conclude” or “in conclusion…these are the reasons/things….”
Use this "map" for every speech, and you will be on the road to giving a successful presentation every time!
The Fluency students have created so many great comics (see last post), we've added a few more on this special "Comic Page." So just sit back, relax, and get ready to be entertained! --The first one is a special creation by a student who created his comic by hand, and then did a special animation for it. You'll love it, I promise!!
Go Comics All your favorites including Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Ziggy and tons more.
King Feature Comics Includes Blondie, Popeye, Denise the Menace and numerous others.
If reading comics is good for language skills, creating your own is even better! For this lesson, we made sure we all knew "comic" vocabulary, for example, comic book, comic strip, speech bubble, story board, etc., and then practiced making our own on comic templates. (For lesson plan and blank comic templates, see here).
The next step was to try our hand at creating our own using tools available free online. Some of the sites the students enjoyed using include:
The fluency students came up with some very clever dialogues and characters, and then got to work creating. Below you will find just a sample of the many--Enjoy!
When was the last time you really laughed? I mean, you laughed so hard your sides started aching? We interviewed our classmates to find out what they find funny. Most admit that they laugh when someone is clumsy (think of how we laugh when we see the old slip-on-a-banana-peel gag!). Some of us laugh when other people are laughing, or when someone is being silly. Some people laugh when they are nervous, or don't know what to say. Tickling makes most of us laugh too. Almost everyone agreed that jokes make us laugh--even if the joke is corny (meaning very silly!).
But, what is it that makes a joke funny?
In a famous study, Professor Richard Wiseman, in cooperation with The British Association for the Advancement
of Science, set out to discover the funniest joke in the world. You can read more about it here on his LaughLab website (and download lots of funny jokes!). Here is the joke which they rated as the funniest one of all:
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't
seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy takes out
his phone and calls the emergency services.
He gasps: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says: "Calm
down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence,
then a gunshot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: "OK, now
what?"
Did that make you laugh, or at least chuckle? What is it about this joke that makes people find funny? Most likely it is the surprise ending!
Now watch this video about a guy who is trying to find the best joke ever. You will be aware of a series of puns, clichés, double meanings, and play on words.
Quite clever isn't it? Many of these jokes are visual. Did you catch them all? How often did you laugh?
There are actually formulas for creating good jokes, and every joke should have at least one of these elements:
They make use of words that have double meanings (puns, play on words, homonyms)
The answer is something you weren't expecting.
They create a funny picture in your head.
Using the criteria above, look at this video and determine what element (or elements) each joke has.
Now, read each joke below (it's better if you have friend to tell them to!), and use these criteria to categorize them. Some could fit more than one element. (For those of you who did these in class, I've added a few new jokes!)
D= Double meaning
U= Unexpected (ending)
P= (creates a funny Picture in your head)
_________1.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side
_________2.
Why is the sky so high?
So the birds don't bump their heads
_________3.
What did one traffic light say to the other traffic light?
Don't look at me, I'm changing
_________4. Why don’t you ever see hippopotamus hiding in trees?
Because they’re really good at it.
_________5.
What do you call a dog without legs?
Anything you like. It won't run after you
_________6.
Patient: doctor, doctor, I feel like a bridge.
Doctor: what came over you?
Patient: two cars and a bus
__________7.
What do you get if you cross a sheep with a kangaroo?
A woolly jumper
__________8.
Why do cows have bells?
Because their horns don't work
__________9. Why do golfers wear two pairs of pants?
In case they get a hole in one.
_________10.
A man walked into a hospital and said: "Doctor, doctor, I've grown
curtains." The doctor said: "Calm down man and pull yourself
together."
_________11.
Why can't a car play football?
Because it has only got one boot (in UK English, cars have "boots" not "trunks")
_________12.
Why wasn't Cinderella allowed to be in the soccer team?
Because she runs away from the ball
_________13.
Why did the boy take the pen and paper to bed?
So that he could draw the curtain
________14.
What does the secretary do to old nails?
File them
________15.
Why don't aliens starve in space?
Because they can find mars, a milky way, and a galaxy.
_______16. Two fish are in a tank. One turns to the other and asks “How do you drive this thing?” ______17. Why can’t a bike stand on its own? It’s two tired. ______18. When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble. ______19. You want to hear a pizza joke? Never mind, it’s pretty cheesy. ______20. What time is it when you have to go to the dentist? Tooth-hurtie. Answers: 1-U, 2-UP, 3-D, 4-UP, 5-UP, 6-DP, 7-D, 8-D, 9-D, 10-D, 11-D, 12-DP, 13-D, 14-D, 15-D, 16-DP, 17-D, 18-D, 19-D, 20-D
And now for something completely different... it's time for US to tell a few jokes!
In our last post, we talked about our personalities traits and how we might be perceived by others.
Now, think about your best friend. What is it about their personality that you really like? Are there things you wish they would change? Answer the survey questions below about your best friend, then use the list of adjectives to come up with a good description of them:
_____ Is your friend usually in a good mood?
_____ Is it important for your friend to be
successful in whatever he/she does?
_____ Does your friend notice your feelings?
_____ Does you friend often give presents, or pay
for a snack or drink?
_____ Does your friend work hard?
_____ Does your friend become angry or annoyed if
he/she has to wait for something or someone?
_____ Can you trust your friend with a secret?
_____ Does your friend listen well when you are
speaking?
_____ Does your friend keep his/her feelings to
him/herself?
_____ Is your friend usually not worried by things,
no matter what happens?
_____ Does your friend think the future will be
good?
_____ Does your friend often change their opinion
about things?
_____ Does your friend often postpone things he/she
has to do?
_____ Is your friend happy one moment and then sad
the next?
_____Does your friend like to be with people?
Which of these adjectives describes the quality asked about in each of the
survey questions?
Another way to think about personality is by simply using the first two letters of the alphabet, "A" and "B." What is and A Type personality, and how does it differ from Type B? Here's a video that will give you a good example of each type, in a humorous kind of way :)
What did you discover about these two types? Which category would you put yourself into? Your friend? Take a look at the chart below to see words that accurately describe these two types of individuals. Do you think it's easier to be friends with A or B types?
Well, no matter if you see your friend as an A or B type, remember, as the video above says, "We need BOTH types" So you A Types out there, RELAX!! And you B Types, take care of those Type "A"s!
We all have certain characteristics that make us who we are. What words do you use to describe your personality traits or the personality traits of others? Here's a list to get you started. You can click on each word to get the fuller meaning. There are many words to describe personality, both positive and negative. Here is and even more a complete list of 636 Primary Personality Traits
So, it is clear that there are many words to describe your personality and the personalities of those around you. Try this Personality Adjective Quiz, and see how well you understand the meaning of these descriptive words.
PERSONALITY ADJECTIVE QUIZ
1.
WHAT DO YOU CALL A PERSON WHO LIKES LOOKING AT HERSELF/
HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR ALL THE TIME?
A.
modest
B.
vain
C.
spoilt
D.
outgoing
2.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW THAT THEY
LOVE OR LIKE PEOPLE VERY MUCH?
A.
mean
B.
reliable
C.
affectionate
D.
moody
3.
WHAT´S THE OPPOSITE OF "VAIN"?
A.
charming
B.
sensitive
C.
jealous
D.
modest
4.
WHAT´S THE OPPOSITE OF "GENEROUS"?
A.
mean
B.
lazy
C.
selfish
D.
bossy
5.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THE CHILDREN WHO BEHAVE BADLY BECAUSE
THEY´RE NORMALLY GIVEN EVERYTHING THEY WANT?
A.
selfish
B.
spoilt
C.
reliable
D.
self-confident
6.
WHAT´S THE OPPOSITE OF "MESSY"?
A.
tidy
B.
untidy
C.
lazy
D.
unreliable
7.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THE PERSON WHO HAS COMMON SENSE AND IS
PRACTICAL?
A.
sensitive
B.
sensible
C.
oversensitive
D.
ambitious
8.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THE PERSON WHO LIKES GIVING ORDERS TO
EVERYBODY ELSE?
A.
aggressive
B.
shy
C.
bossy
D.
insecure
9.
WHAT´S THE OPPOSITE OF "CLEVER"?
A.
intelligent
B.
mean
C.
extrovert
D.
stupid
10.
WHAT DO YOU CALL THE PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST OR RELY ON?
Now it's time for a little Personality Test. Answer each question as honestly as you can--there are no right or wrong answers. When you're finished, use the Key at the bottom to calculate your score. The Analysis will then give you and explanation of your score. --Do you agree with your results? When you are finished, you may wish to take another personality test and compare results. Here's one for you to try: Big Five Personality Test
Personality Test
1. When do you feel your best?
a. In the morning b. During the afternoon and early evening c. Late at night
2. You usually walk a. Fairly fast, with long steps
b. Fairly fast, with short, quick steps
c. Less fast, head up, looking the world in the face
d. Less fast, head down
e. Very slowly 3.
When talking to people you a. Stand with your arms folded b. Have your hands clasped c. Have one or both your hands on your
hips d. Touch or push the person to whom you
are talking e. Play with your ear, touch your chin,
or smooth your hair
4.
When relaxing, you sit with a. Your knees bent with your legs
neatly side by side b. Your legs crossed c. Your legs stretched out or straight d. One leg curled under you
5.
When something really amuses you, you react with a. A big, appreciative laugh b. A laugh, but not a loud one c. A quiet chuckle d. A sheepish smile
6.
When you go to a party or social gathering you a. Make a loud entrance so everyone
notices you b. Make a quiet entrance, looking around for
someone you know c. Make the quietest entrance, trying to
stay unnoticed
7.
You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted. Do you.. a. Welcome the break b. Feel extremely irritated c. Vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a. Red or orange b. Black c. Yellow or light blue d. Green e. Dark blue or purple f. White g. Brown or gray
9.
When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep,
you lie a. Stretched out on your back b. Stretched out face down on your
stomach c. On your side, slightly curled d. With your head on one arm e. With your head under the covers
10.
You often dream that you are a. Falling b. Fighting or struggling c. Searching for something or somebody d. Flying or floating e. You usually have dreamless sleep f. Your dreams are always pleasant Add up your points using the table below:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
1
2
4
6
2
6
4
7
2
1
3
4
2
5
7
6
4
4
6
2
1
5
6
4
3
5
6
6
4
2
7
6
2
4
8
6
7
5
4
3
2
1
9
7
6
4
2
1
10
4
2
3
5
6
1
Total Points:
________________
Analysis
Over 60 points: Others see you
as someone they should "handle with care" You're seen as vain,
self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing
they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become
too deeply involved with you.
51 to 60 points: Others see you as
an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader,
who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you
as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who
takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because
of the excitement you radiate.
41 to 50 points: Others see you as
fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone
who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not
to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and
understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 to 40 points: Others see you as
sensible, cautious, careful and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or
talented, but modest...Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily,
but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the
same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot
to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time
to get over it if that trust is ever broken.
21 to 30 points: Your friends see
you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful,
a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did
something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine
everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They
think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
Under 21 points: People think you
are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always
wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved
with anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems
that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well
know that you aren't.