How do we treat people who are different? How should we treat them?

"The Elephant Man" introduces us to a character who is very different from other people in his physical appearance. People around him don't always treat him well. Below is a clip from a movie about another person with a similar physical difference. Like "The Elephant Man" it is also based on a true story. If you would like some extra credit, watch the clip and answer some questions in the comments!

If you would like some extra credit, answer one or more of these questions! How do people treat the main character, Rocky? What do they do? What does Rocky do when people treat him differently? Describe Rocky's personality. If you met Rocky, what would you do? What would you say to him?

Describe a Character: Keith "Some Kind of Wonderful"

This week in class we practiced describing a character. Here is the full clip from the beginning of the movie "Some Kind of Wonderful." What can you tell me about Keith to introduce his character? Try watching a few more minutes of the clip. What new information can you learn?

Now write your ideas in the comments! If you write a lot, I will increase the extra credit value of your comment!

MOVIE CHOICES PART 5: Animation, Musicals and Fantasy

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

 “Up” (2009) – Carl Fredericksen (animation, adventure) LOUNGE     

The first scene of this excellent animated movie (watch the clip below)  always makes me cry. Always! Every. Single. Time. The rest of the movie is equally touching. If you love animation or sentimental movies, I highly recommend "Up." 

“Hook” (1991) – Peter Banning (fantasy, adventure)           

This fantasy and adventure movie follows a real-life Peter Pan who grew up and forgot who he was. This movie is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars some of America's best actors - Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts, as well as the famous British actress Maggie Smith. 

“Big Hero 6” (2014) Hiro Hamada (animation, adventure)

I haven't seen this one yet, but my husband wrote this description: "This computer-animated adventure story takes place in the imaginary city of San Frantokyo (San Francisco + Tokyo).  A 14 year-old boy genius invents technology to solve a mystery, but he needs the help of a funny healthcare robot named Baymax and his friends." Recommended if you love animation!

“Annie” (2014) Will Stacks (musical)

If you enjoy musicals or you dream of becoming suddenly rich, you might enjoy this movie. It's a remake of an old musical, updated with new music styles, and a very good performance by Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie. 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about dramas, romance movies and comedies! 

MOVIE CHOICES PART 4: The Comedies!

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Yes Man” (2008) – Carl (comedy)       

Jim Carrey is both funny and inspiring in this hilarious comedy about a man who learns to say "yes" to everything. I have watched this movie at least 10 times, and I always love it. 

“Groundhog Day” (1993) – Phil Connors (comedy)   

This is one of the most famous and funniest comedies from America, and Bill Murray is one of the best comedians/actors there is. This is also a really unique story, about a man who has to live the same day over and over and over again... What would you do if you couldn't move ahead in time? 

“About a Boy” (2002) – Will Freeman (comedy)               

Hugh Grant stars in this touching British comedy about a selfish man who learns to care about other people. I always feel happy when I watch this movie, because the characters are so realistic and the story is very beautiful. 

“The Internship” (2013) Nick Campbell (comedy)

In this comedy, two older guys take an internship at Google. I watch this movie a lot when I just want to relax, because it's not too serious. If you are getting interested in using Google Drive you might also find this movie interesting. The real Google campus was used in many scenes, and the founder of Google even makes a cameo appearance. "Cameo appearance" means that he doesn't do much acting, he just walks through or says one thing. 

“Freaky Friday” (2003) Tess Coleman or Anna Coleman (comedy)

What would happen if you had to live your mother's life? In this movie a mother and a daughter switch bodies and have to figure out how to get back to their own life. For this movie, you can choose to write about either character - the mother or the daughter.

                                                           

“The Princess Diaries” (2001) – Mia Thermopolis (comedy) [first movie only]

Many people know this movie, the first big starring role for Anne Hathaway.This movie has a little fashion, a little romance, and is good for people who would like to be a princess or a queen. 

“Accepted” (2006) Bartleby Gaines (comedy)

Everyone in our class qualified for university - but what if you didn't? Bartleby Gaines has to find a way to keep his parents from finding out that he didn't get into school. What he does ends up being much more impressive than just going to school. If you like to watch movies about crazy ideas and university life, check this out!

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about dramas, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 3: Dramas About Older Characters

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Blue Jasmine” (2013) – Jasmine (drama)      

Cate Blanchett won an Academy Award for her amazing performance in this movie, directed by one of the most famous American directors, Woody Allen. Jasmine is one of the most interesting characters in all the movie choices. There will be a lot to write about and talk about if you choose this movie. 

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013) Walter Mitty (drama, adventure)

If you're interested in traveling or photography, this movie is a good choice for you. Ben Stiller plays a timid man who embarks on adventure in this popular recent movie.

“Passion Fish” (1992) May-Alice Culhane (drama, comedy) 

This is one of the ten best movies I have ever seen in my life, and I watch A LOT of movies. The characters and the dialogue in this movie are excellent. It also shows the music and landscape of a really unique area in the American South. Check to make sure you can find it first, but this is a fantastic film if you can get your hands on it!

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about comedies, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 2: Dramas About Younger Characters

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Good Will Hunting” (1997) – Will Hunting (drama) 

This movie was nominated for many Academy Awards in the U.S., and it won the award for Best Screenplay. It's about an unexpected math genius played by Matt Damon. If you're interested in math or American university life, you might find it interesting. 

    

“Bend it Like Beckham” (2002) Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra (drama, sports)

If you're a soccer fan or soccer player, I strongly recommend this movie, about an Indian girl in London who dreams of being a soccer star. You can also see Keira Knightley before she became famous. Finally, this is a good choice if you want to learn about British culture and hear British English. 

“Girl, Interrupted” (1999) Susanna (drama)  

Can you imagine if your parents sent you to a mental institution? This movie tells the story of one girl who has this experience in the U.S. in the 1960s. This is also one of Angelina Jolie's first movies. 

“Precious” (2009) Precious (drama – very intense)

 This is a very intense drama about a teenage girl who endures terrible hardships and abuse and begins to look for a better life. It's an independent film which won Academy Awards for best supporting actress and screenplay. You won't forget this movie! 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, check out the other blog entries about comedies, romance movies and other movie possibilities!

MOVIE CHOICES Part 1: The Romance Movies

This semester, you will write an essay about a movie character. You can choose from many different movies. On the blog this week, I will post videos and pictures from some of these movies. See what you think! If you have any questions, ask in the comments!

“Dirty Dancing” (1987) – Frances “Baby” Houseman (romance, dance). 

This is an early scene from the movie which shows the 1960's style dancing in the movie. This movie is very, very popular in the United States with people of all ages. It's a classic!  

“Casablanca” (1942) – Rick Blaine (drama, romance) LOUNGE   

This is the oldest movie on our list, and it is considered one of the greatest films of all time. If you're interested in film studies, you should see it! This is the trailer. This movie is also available in the lounge!

 

“Romancing the Stone” (1984) – Joan Wilder (romance, adventure, comedy) 

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's a really good choice if you like comedy, action and romance. The story is very exciting and the dialogue is well-written. The action takes place in New York and Colombia. Check it out! Here is an interview from the main actor in "Romancing the Stone". It shows some clips from the film. 

“Tootsie” (1982) Michael Dorsey (comedy, romance) 

This movie is really unique! It's a comedy and romance about an actor who pretends to be a woman to get an acting job. Unfortunately, the girl he loves doesn't know he's a man! 

What do you think? Do you have any questions about these movies? If you do, please comment below! Also, stay tuned for blog entries about comedies, dramas and other movie possibilities!

Introducing my Husband

In this entry I'm going to introduce my husband three times. The first time is the same as you saw in class and in our Google Drive folder. The next two paragraphs, however, will use different topic sentences, organizational styles and will contain some different information. Notice that you can write an introduction different ways! Notice some methods I use to organize information (first, second, also). Notice that some information changes and other information stays the same in each paragraph!

Lee and I went to Kyoto in September, 2011. This is Arashiyama, where you can see a monkey park!

EXAMPLE 1: My Husband, Lee Gumienny

My husband, Lee Gumienny, is a very kind and interesting person. He is 39 years old, and he's originally from New Jersey in the United States. Like me, he's an English professor at Dongguk. He really likes teaching, and he teaches Sophomore Level B and Freshman Level A. Lee also has two major hobbies. First, he loves photography. He takes black and white photographs with a film camera. He usually does street photography, which is taking unposed pictures of people on the street. He's a very good photographer. He has won a few prizes for his work, and he has shown his pictures in small galleries. Lee also really likes listening to music. He particularly likes jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music, but he listens to all kinds of music. Lee has a wonderful personality. He is very kind, he's a good friend, and he's really good with animals. My cat loves Lee more than she loves me these days! I'm very lucky to have Lee as a husband!

My cranky cat, Lucy, loves Lee the best!

EXAMPLE 2: Introducing Lee Gumienny

Lee Gumienny is a kind person with many interests. Lee is my husband. We live together in Seonggeong-dong in Gyeongju and we both teach English at Dongguk University. He is a very kind husband. He often cooks for me or helps with household chores. He always listens sympathetically when I have a problem. He is very affectionate. He is also very kind to our cat, who is very cranky. I trust Lee completely. Lee is also very good to talk to because he has many interests. His main interest is photography. He does street photography with a film camera. He's also very interested in music, books and movies. He particularly likes science fiction movies and book and jazz, hip-hop and electronic music. He often introduces me to new music that I haven't heard before. These are not Lee's only interests, however. He is interested in a wide variety of topics like spirituality, current events and politics and cooking. I'm really happy that I found such a kind and interesting husband.

Lee took this self-portrait in the elevator of our old apartment building in the Seomyeon neighborhood of Busan.  

EXAMPLE 2: Lee Gumienny: Great Photographer, Great Teacher

My husband, Lee Gumienny, is a great photographer and teacher. First, he's a great photographer. He takes mainly black and white photos using a film camera. Unlike many photographers these days, Lee doesn't change his photos much with Photoshop or other programs. Lee does street photography*, which is photography of real people on the street, not models. When he goes out to take pictures, he must pay careful attention to the people around him and be ready to snap an interesting photo. Lee studies photography books and other photographers' work on the internet to learn new techniques and to find inspiration. Because of his dedication, he has won several prizes for his photography. Photography isn't his job, however. He is also a great teacher. He cares a lot about his students. He spends a lot of time preparing for his classes. He also spends a lot of time helping his students in the office outside of class. Lee's students often tell me that he is friendly and funny. I'm really proud of Lee.

*You can see Lee's pictures at http://www.leegumienny.com/

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT! Do you have any questions about writing? About my husband, Lee? Feel free to write any comments or questions below! Remember to log in with your gmail account and/or tell your class time and name!

Welcome to Spring 2015 Students!

Hello to my new Sophomore Level B students (and any students from last semester who might still be around!) I'm happy to be back!

Here is how to use this blog for the class!:

1. Read the entry or watch the video in the entry.

2. Look at the bottom of the entry for the questions. You can answer this question or just make any comment you have!

3. Log in to gmail and comment. (It's a good idea to copy [control C] your comment before hitting "publish" because sometimes the comment doesn't go through the first time). 

4. I will write back to your comments!

5. Three comments=1 homework point!

For the first entry this year, I'd like to share a video with you about English-learning goals! I study German and French every day, and I set goals for myself. For example: My French goal for last year was to finish all the lessons on the website duolingo.com (I achieved it!) This year I want to finish reading "Harry Potter" in French and I want to complete all the English homework I give you in class in French. Watch this video to think more about learning goals. Click CC for subtitles in English:

What do you think? Do you have an English-learning goal? (For example: I want to get an A on my final essay; I want to get a 7 on TOEIC Speaking; I want to write 10 letters to a friend abroad).

Do you think having a learning goal is important? Share your goals or your thoughts below!