Nordhausen course

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

Many thanks for you keeping us up to date. Uli and I will send you some suggestions as to what you might want to cover with the group once you take over. If you have a chance it would be great if you somehow could get your hands on a copy of How to Prepare for the TOEIC Bridge Exam (Paperback) since one of program goals to prepare the group for the TOEIC test which they are going to take around December 10.

Also, as your arrival date approaches we'll give you more details regarding the logistics and we'll book an Avena room for you.

More on that soon.
Regards,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: Could you tell me how to get to the Center Building?

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten,
many thanks for your good advice how to shape the lessons successfully.
I shall follow your kind guideline. All the best.
Regards Uli

[Torsten]

Hi Uli,

Many thanks for your quick response. Please be so kind as to give me the following information:
1) Which pages of Business Basics have you covered?
2) Which of the words and phrases do you suggest I review with the group on Monday morning?
3) Which pages of the Murphy Grammar did you cover?
4) Which of the words I gave you did you review with the group and how?
5) How did the Nordhausen presentation/report go down and when can I get a look at the glossary/draft report?
6) Is one person in the group still taking the minutes on a daily basis?

The more details you give Richard and me, the more effective our work with the group will be.
Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: Don't we have to sign in at the front desk?

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten,

Here is a short summary of what we did on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Nordhausen:

Grammar exercises:
- formation of comparative & superlative
- repetition of plural formation
- Questions & Negations
- review of the present continuous (We used the two chapters on Present Continuous in the new Murphy Grammar in Use book which I left for you again in the Nordhausen classroom.)
- explaining words in English/vocabulary review (I created according to your kind advice 8 cards with 7 words on each and handed one card to each participant. The person had to choose the 'easiest' word on his/her card and explain it to the group in English. All the words I wrote on the cards we had covered before -- they either occurred in the Business Basics books, in How to Prepare for the TOEIC Bridge Exam (Paperback) or somehow during the program.).
- brainstorming, mind mapping commonly used verbs
- listening comprehension (We used the Business Basics CD and I played the track 18 with questions about a hotel reservation, flight confirmation …..).
Of course it was a bit new to the three newcomers ( Lars, Katrin and Yvonne) but they are integrated now rather good in the group.
- creating a company profile following the examples in "Business Basics" at page 15/ 16 .)
- presenting a report about the Nordhausen sight seeing walk with Mr. Becker at Tuesday mentioning the famous Roland with the sword in his lifted right hand, the Protestant St. Blasi Church and the Catholic Church “Dom”, the Finkenburg (free masons meeting place in the 19th century…) , Municipality, the old market, the remarkable rests of the historic Town wall, the tobacco museum, the swimming hall, the cinema, the University of Applied Sciences and the famous Nordhäuser historic distillery etc. pp.
During this presentation we used the key words related to both the city of Nordhausen (population, location, economy, logistics, infrastructure, education, culture, entertainment, shopping, people, industries etc.) and the historic distillery.

We have continued to do the exercise Unit 2.2 “Flying out to Budapest …” in Business Basics and
We managed some TOEIC tests in the English-test.net system (finish versus end; synonym tests; make versus do etc. pp.)
You are right it makes sense to prepare the participants better before we make these tests in order to be successful.
Next week the group will visit the Schachtbau area with a leading engineer for better understanding in which fields the Bauer Schachtbau team is concentrating its efforts for a world wide successful product marketing in the future. Please visit in preparation of this working visit the English website www.schachtbau.de for a good mental preparation if this working visit.
Best Regards,
Uli
PS: 1. Yes, Friday, October 31st is a religious holiday in Thuringia too, so no class next Friday!
2. I have deposited your chip-card for entering the schachtbau area with the watchman for you.
3. Please find attached the one page English-for-winners document that I have downloaded…(attached to the parallelly sent e-mail ! )
4. I shall look for the 29 pages version of this document.

[Torsten]

Hi Uli,

Thanks a lot for your summary. You can download the document here: www.english-for-winners.com

TOEIC listening, question-response: What did William do with the invoices?

[HansUlrich]

hi Torsten,
1. many thanks for the English for winners materials. I have downloaded them and and I 'll use it in the Nordhausen class. Many thanks.
2. I have collected my teaching materials for the financial system discussions from very different sources I have mentioned roughly at the end of the GFS - Global financial system excel table (e.g.: IMF, IBRD, Krugman, Greenspan, Bernanke, Friedman, Galbraith , Samuelson, etc.pp. ..)
Have a relaxing weekend.
Best regards Uli.

[Torsten]

Hi Uli,

Here is a run down of the two days:
- review of vocabulary and phrases they learned with you (everyone had to create a list with at least 10 keywords, then they worked in pairs dictating their words to each other using the NATO alphabet, then every learner dictated a word to the group, which they took turns pronouncing and we finally created a short sample sentences with those words)

- review of the simple past (I dictated four groups of words:
a) subjects (my best friend, our new colleague, his mother in law, etc.)
b) verbs (listen to MP3 files, see a new movie, meet somebody at the local pub, create my CV, etc.)
c) objects (with my friends, a former classmate, our Chinese customers, etc.)
d) time (last month, three years ago, last Friday, at the weekend, in 2004, earlier this morning, etc.)

Then I had everyone create sentences using the clues I had given them and asked them to add their own sentences. Then we practiced the simple past with those sentences.

TOEIC Bridge vocabulary review -- I described words that occurred in the TOEIC Bridge book and they had to guess those words. In addition we went through p21 (daily routines). I left photocopies of the TOEIC Bridge book for you on the desk so you might want to use them with the group. We also started on the "Listening Comprehension Skill Building Activities" and worked through pp 26 to 33.

More grammar: Murphy pp 15 (BE verb), 20/21 (present simple).

Today we started on 'Intermediate Commercial Correspondence' and covered pp 4-7. In the afternoon I gave them the following project assignment: 'English words and phrases in the German retail and service industry'. Purpose: To analyze how widespread English expressions and words are in German retail outlets. Please help the group create an electronic file which should contain the following information:
1) word or phrase (i.e. 'The Spirit of Georgia)
2) meaning or definition in English ('the symbol or backbone of the US state Georgia' etc.)
3) product and/or company (soft drink, Coca Cola Germany)
4) German translation (der Geist des Bundesstaates Georgia)
5) additional information/notes (i.e. I was not aware of that product, I'm surprised they chose that name, etc)

Also, please continue working with Business Basics and go through all the exercises and play all the audio tracks. Have the group create word lists that contain new vocabulary they find in the book.

In addition, please prepare the Schachtbau tour and give the group a specific assignment. For example, tell them to create a glossary with words and expressions used by the company and its customers. Or have them create a chart that shows the organizational structure of the company including the parent company and its subsidaries in Germany, the US and Asia. At any rate the assignment should be clearly defined so the result can be measured. Please help them create an electronic file as the result of a team effort.

Once you have reviewed the vocabulary and grammar structures we've covered so far, please help the newcomers get familiar with our online tests. Yvonne and Kathrin haven't created their user accounts yet so please read this with them: http://www.english-test.net/community/3/index.html#How_can_I_join_the_forum

Then you might want to complete one of Alan's Response tests:
Responses 1
Responses 2
Responses 3
Responses 4

Before they take the tests, they should browse through the Explanations. Here is an example: might be very healthy vs. must be very healthy

Please try to show them how they can ask questions on the forum. We give them so much information every day and they sometimes might be overwhelmed. That's why it's vital that we encourage them to learn how to ask questions. There quite a few learners from all around the world who ask hundreds of vocabulary and grammar questions on the forum every day. If every of our Nordhausen students asks just one question per day they will be able to speed up their learning process tremendously.

Since we have a beamer and laptops in Nordhausen, I highly recommend you incorporate Money as Debt by Paul Grignon into our program since we can practice a variety of skills and gain new information about an important issue.

In addition, we should introduce Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve to the group. This will require proper preparation and we should watch the film in small portions of 2 to 3 minutes and create word lists, glossaries and scripts that contain the vocabulary used in the film.

Let me know what you think.
Regards,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: I bet the shipment will be late again.

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten and Richard,
we have followed Torsten's kind advice (vocabulary lists, grammar, ABC exercises, spelling, telephoning, booking hotel rooms and flight reservation...).

In addition to this we are preparing the visit to the memorial place of the Nazi concentration camp Mittelbau Dora near Nordhausen.

Application letter for a "work placement" / practical work in a regional company to stimulate the international communication (defining new clients, customers, competitors, stake holders....) in these enterprises.

We used the beamer for better understanding the text presentation of regional institutions especially the Schachtbau company.

Tomorrow we'll manage some tests and continue with our business letters and telephoning.
Best regards,
Uli

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten and Richard,

Here is a short summary of what we did on Wednesday and Thursday:

- explaining new words and refreshing old words in English/vocabulary review (we have created individual cards with eight words on each and handed one card to each participant. The person had to choose the 'easiest' word on her/his card and explain it to the group in English. All the words I wrote on the cards we had covered before - they either occurred in the Business Basics books, in How to Prepare for the TOEIC Bridge Exam (Paperback) or somehow during the program.). Please find here some of these words:
apply – application
internship
“Spirit of Georgia”
advertisement
progress
success
imagine – imaginable – unimaginable
manage – manager
direct – director
assemble – assembler
board – board of directors – full board
shares – share holder company
CEO - Central executive officer
bed and breakfast
arrival
departure etc.

- review of the present continuous
- review of the verbs to do , to have , to be
- brainstorming commonly used verbs
- creating a company profile
- listening to BBC news in preparation for the TOEIC listening tests
- - working with the “synonym finder” that almost all participants have bought via the Amazon network
- preparing the working visit to the memorial site of the Lager Dora Mittelbau Nordhausen ( concen-tration camp to assemble the V2 weapons at the end of the second world war …)
-
- We have continued to do some exercises in Business Basics ( Commercial letter, situation at an Airport, arrival and departure departments, duty free areas, …)
- Writing an Application for an Internship in a regional company to offer our assistance to improve the English communication with new clients, customers, stakeholders
- Preparing some questions to Richard for better understanding each other ( What do you mean by “….” ?
- Could you spell this word, please.
- What do you understand by this expression ?
- Please explain us a bit about your home country. Etc. )
- The group is happy to meet Richard as a native speaker and to learn from him and his experience as an English teacher.
- We (Mr Biedler, Mrs Thomas and me ) have discussed with the Vice Chancellor of the FHS Nordhausen ( University of Applied Sciences ) how to invite the FHS Students to the TOEIC test at the 2nd December 2008.
All the best for you.
Best regards Uli

[Torsten]

Hi Uli,

Tomorrow please review the present simple and present continuous and continue completing the exercises in Business Basics, especially the audio recordings. Also, we started to create an Excel spreadsheet containing the English expressions the group collected last week. Please help the group finish the file and send it everyone via email. In addition, please take the Responses 5 Test. Please go through the test together with the group reading and translating every singe expression and looking at the 'Explanation Links'.
My Richard will taking over on Thursday so we have to come up for a solution for Wednesday.
Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, talks: Newspaper executive announcing extension of deadlines due to bad weather

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten and Richard,
today we took some TOEIC tests,
sent some project work results to the forum for inviting some help (English Brands in German Retail trade and Service markets, Draft Application letter to a regional company to offer our cooperation skills in the English language communication system, irregular verbs list etc.)
We did some listening exercises via the Internet and a review of new words:
to translate literally
chairman
CEO
steal
almost
average
cause
reason
unimaginable
launch
access
dispatch
throughout
charge
election
communicate
change now
country first etc.
Richard is very welcome in Nordhausen. We are awaiting his arrival.
Best wishes
Uli

[Torsten]

Hi Uli,

Thanks a lot for doing such an excellent job with the Nordhausen folks. It's great that you have started the job hunting process and I'm sure we'll be able to keep up momentum. Lars posted your letter of application earlier today and here is Alan's version: Letter of Application (workplacement/internship)

You and Richard might also help the group register with job and recruiting sites such as Monster and StepStone using the English language interface to get an idea of the language and generate new leads.

Yes, Richard is going to call you tomorrow and maybe he'll meet you at Schachtbau in the afternoon. By the way, I've noticed that quite a number of our trainers might benefit this project: Netbooks for English teachers and trainers

Please let me know what you think and give my best regards to all group members and Richard.

Cheers,
Torsten
PS: By the time you read this, the most powerful nation in the world will have elected their new President whose name is very likely to have three vowels ;-).

TOEIC listening, talks: New sports club official gives encouraging introductory speech to players

[HansUlrich]

Hi Torsten, Alan and Richard,

Here is a short summary of what we did on Tuesday and Wednesday in Nordhausen:

Grammar exercises:
- formation of comparative & superlative
- repetition of plural formation
- Questions & Negations
- review of the present continuous
- explaining words in English/vocabulary review (I created according to your kind advice 8 cards with 7 words on each and handed one card to each participant. The person had to choose the 'easiest' word on his/her card and explain it to the group in English.
- brainstorming, mind mapping commonly used verbs
- listening comprehension (We used the Business Basics CD and I played the track 38 with questions about a presentation about online - internet marketing …..).
We listened to the special English edition of VOA about the US elections and Obama`s winning situation….
We have practised some telephone training and
We have compiled a word list that we e-mailed to you:
• Online sale
• New distribution channel
• Seller
• Penetration
• Accountant
• Human Resource Department
• Research & Development
• Well equipped
• Responsible
• Employees
• Employ
• Employer
• Recruitment
• Advertisement
• Introduction
• Public relation department etc.

We are happy that Alan helped us to improve our daft application letter for an internship in a regional company.
Richard is very welcome in Nordhausen.
Lars – the only Gentleman in the very cooperative Nordhausen group - (mobile 0170 469 39 79) will pick up Richard tomorrow Thursday morning at 07:15 at the “Avena”Hotel to take him with his car to the BZ Schachtbau seminar room.
Best regards
Uli

[HansUlrich]

Hello Torsten and Uli

Thanks again for helping me set up here.

Today we continued with the theme of Telephone Language and Things to do focusing on requests with can and could; object pronouns; would; verb + be. It was lucky the materials I prepared were in line with Uli's last lesson. I used Talk time 1 for these themes.
We then focused on Change (jobs, goals) with World Link 1.
I did not use Business Basics today as I just got it now but I will get back to it tomorrow.

They are a really nice group and I am looking forward to working with them.

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

Many thanks for keeping us up to date -- it's great to hear that everything worked out so well. Yes, the group is very dynamic and eager to learn. I really appreciate your telling us what materials you are using so we can maintain consistency and momentum.

If possible, please remind the group to take at least one of the tests on our site. For example, you can retake the following test: Responses 1.

You might want to read the sentences together with the group and discuss the possible answer option. Also, please use the 'Click for Explanation' links next to each question so the group can learn how to ask questions.

Have fun,
Torsten
PS: You might want to log in as 'Richard' next time.

TOEIC listening, talks: A company executive opens a PR team meeting to discuss critical situation