2013-03-21 No news is GOOD news!


Tonight, we talked about some fun news and some serious topics as well.

Lucas shared his presentation about the future of the smart phones and tablet computers. He provided us some clear pictures of the new coming types of models of cell phones and computers. One of his favorites is the one with a transparent touch screen! He told us it would be interesting to manage all of the functions and modify the pictures or videos on it!

Then, Barrett stepped on the stage to share something really technical and offered us a powerpoint file with lots of useful information about the alternative recourse - Shale oil. He reminded us of last week's topic we talked about - Are there any alternative powers which can replace nuclear power? He did a profound research on the shale oil and gave us some positive thoughts about the declining resources we rely on nowadays. According to Barrett's report, the costs of the shale oil are lower than any other type of energy we produce now. He also mentioned that the technology of the extraction of shale gas/oil was created by George P. Mitchell, who is an American businessman from Texas.

Barrett also predicted some upcoming trends of the global economy. By the time of 2020, the US oil production will exceed Saudi Arabia. In 2035, the US will become o oil importer and the manufacturing industry will return to the US. The greenback will be strong again and the price of gold and oil will be steady and lower.

Jerry brought up a very interesting piece of news right after the break. He said the news is more or less related to everyone. In Taiwan on March 19, Women's group urged the government to abolish an article in the Criminal Code that punishes adultery because it is unfavorable to women and unhelpful in repairing marriages. The DPP legislator Yu-Mei-Nu said that according to statistics, 50 percent of women who sue their husbands for adultery will eventually drop charges, but only 23 percent of men will drop charges against their wives, resulting in a higher conviction rate among women. Jerry told us the law should be amended to provide more protection for women and hopefully it can bring more justice and equality.

Everything changes day by day and everyone get influenced by the things happening around them. We have the right and power to make the world different once we believe that we can! Every class, we learn from each other and we'll always keep this way.

Before we said good-bye tonight, our teacher, Abbie helped us brainstorm some ideas about the content of good news and bad news. Here are the ideas we shared:

What types of news we consider "Good News":
sympathy, uplifting, inspiring, compassionate, affectionate,charity, positive

What types of news we consider "Bad News":
discrimination, too personal, invasion of privacy, disasters, tragedy, cruelty, murder, violence, war, politics, suicide, negative

Moreover, the ways reporters report the news affect our feelings to define it's good news or bad news.

When the news is about justice, something justifiable, objective, responsible, logical, rational or true, we would think of the news "Good news."

However, when we see some news with the words of biased, subjective, sensational, based on rumors, repetitive, too private, threats, and prejudiced, then we would consider it "Bad news."

What a great night! Many thanks to our teacher, Abbie, who is always hardworking and devoting, and to those classmates who spoke out to share their thoughts and feelings. Our CI class wouldn't be so fun without your participation. Thanks again and wish you all a great weekend, and see you all really soon at the same time at the same place!


In the News on 3/14


This week on 3/14, our topic is "In the News," and we'll be talking about events that have been in the news recently.  

When I was in university, I had a professor who always clipped interesting articles out of newspapers.  His whole office was full of the files which were stuffed with years' and years' worth of his newspaper clippings.  Now that I'm a teacher, I find myself clipping out interesting newspaper articles for my students too!  Though with the internet, I can find them all online, I somehow still enjoy keeping the paper copies, and I still keep adding to my file of newspaper clippings!  

For the next few days, please pay attention to the news, either the English-language or the Chinese-language news, either from an actual newspaper, or from the t.v., radio, or internet, and choose an article or news item that you personally think is interesting.  Then in class this Thursday, 3/14, please share that news item or article with us.

Just tell us (briefly if you want, or in great detail if you want!) what the article's about, and what you think about the information in the article!   

This evening, I checked out CNN's website, http://edition.cnn.com/, and I found this article interesting: 

"Two enemies discover a 'higher call' in battle," by John Blake, CNN

and I also watched this short video:  

"Japan's unusual energy solution" 

I often buy Taiwan's English language newspaper, the Taipei Times, a source for English-language news about Taiwan, as well as international news.  Their home page is at:  http://www.taipeitimes.com/  

Today's Taipei Times includes this headline:  

"Protesters use exercise to make nuclear point," by Lee I-chia

I hope that each of you will be able to find some news that interests you this week.  

Class on 3/14 should be fun for all, and we'll have lots to discuss as we discuss the news!  

Please don't forget, our class time has been changed: the new C.I. class time is Thursdays from 7pm to 9:30pm!  

See you all at 7:00 on 3/14!  

Welcome to the Spring 2013 Semester!

Welcome to those of you who are new students, and welcome back to those of you who are returning students!  It was great to see all of you last Thursday!  

Last week on 3/7, after my introductions we played "Two Truths and a Lie."  In this game, we each had to tell two truths and one lie about ourselves, and the others had to guess which was the lie.  But we were all "honest liars," and told only the truth when revealing our lies!!  We learned some unbelievable truths about each other last time!  

We also brainstormed a list of different types of presentations, including drama, powerpoint, reading an article, giving a prepared speech using key words as memory aids, "off the cuff" (impromtu), drawing on the blackboard, singing a song, telling a story, showing photos, bringing in objects and/or other visual aids, and many more ideas.  I was impressed with all the great ideas that everyone came up with!  

I hope you'll all feel free to get creative with your presentations this semester, and I hope that our brainstorm got you all inspired to give whatever type of presentation that you feel comfortable giving this Thursday and in the future. 

As I said in class, we welcome any type of presentation, and from any length starting from half a minute, to twelve minutes long!  The more people who share ideas in class, the more fun we'll have, so I welcome you all to share something in class on Thursday!  


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