Last class of the term

Tomorrow, Tuesday 14 June, will be our last English class this school year. Please return your book Shortcuts 1 if you haven't done so already.

It's been a pleasure being your teacher this year. Good luck to everyone and have a great summer.

Grades

I have talked to most of you about your final grade already. Please return your course books to me. Tomorrow there are no classes. Thursday we will have some sort of English activity in the classroom, and that goes for next week as well. If you can think of any good ideas, please let me know :)

The remaining English classes

Wednesday, 1 June, I would like to collect your English books (Shortcuts 1). I will be in the classroom at 12:00. If you don't show up for class then, please return the books in class Tuesday 7 June or come by my office (B212).

Tuesday 7 June I will return your essays on the movie The Freedom Writers and also let you know your final course grade. See you then.

Course, performance & blog evaluation

Today you did an evaluation of the course, the blog and your own performance in the course. These were the questions I wanted you to respond to:

1. How would you evaluate your own performance in English class this year? What did you do well and what could you have done better?

2. How often have you visited our English class blog?

3. What do you think about using a blog in class?

4. Has the blog helped you in any way in your English studies? If so, how?

5. Have you ever refrained from (avstått från) writing on the blog for any reason? If so, explain why.

6. Do you think we should have used the blog more than we did, less than we did or was it just enough?

7. Is there any other way we could have used your laptops/the Internet more in English class? Give me ideas!

8. How would you evaluate the English classes in general this year? Consider the content, the course book, novel(s), movies, tests, teaching methods, student activity etc. 

Return your books, please

Please bring your course book (Shortcuts 1) today.

I would like you to do an evaluation of the blog, the course and of your own performance in class as well.

See you then!

Music quiz

Today we played this music quiz in class. You can find the quiz here.

Please e-mail me today's homework if you haven't done so already. What homework? See post below.

No English class Tuesday 24 May: Writing assignment on the movie Freedom Writers

Tomorrow, Tuesday 24 May, there will be no English class in the afternoon. Instead I want you to use that time to write an individual response to one of the questions below.

Your response is due Thursday 26 May at the beginning of class. Hand your text to me or e-mail it to me via Pednet.

You will have Wednesday's class as well to work but I want you to come to class then.

Here are the questions. Write a response to ONE of them. Length: 500 - 700 words. 

1.    1. Pick a couple of important scenes in the movie and discuss them in relation to the movie as a whole. Why are these scenes important in the story according to you?

2.    2. Describe, compare and discuss some of the backgrounds/stories of the individual students in the movie. In what ways did they change and what made them change?

3.    3. Describe and discuss the role of the teacher in the movie. In what ways does she bring about change? How does she change? Is she a good or a bad teacher?

4.    4. Describe and discuss the background to the movie. Find out what the racial riots were. Describe and discuss the situation in LA in the early 1990s following the Rodney King riots.

5.    5. Music plays an important role in the movie and in the students’ lives. Analyze the soundtrack. Listen to some of the songs and discuss why these songs were chosen. How are the lyrics related to the movie’s theme?

6.    6. Describe and discuss your personal experience of the movie. What did you like/not like and what did you learn?

Freedom Writers

Today we finished watching the movie about the Freedom Writers. Here is the web site of the real freedom writers and their foundation.

If you like you can read the real diaries by the students in this book.

On Tuesday you will do a writing assignment in class where you analyze certain aspects of the movie. Check back here for further details.

The real freedom writers and their teacher

Pictures: www.freedomwritersfoundation.com

Movie in room B427 today

Today we will watch the end of the movie Freedom Writers in room B427 since the screen works better in that room. See you there at 11:40.

Regular class tomorrow

Tomorrow I will see you in class since the national tests are over. Will some of you be doing a math test in the morning? Please let me know.

Reminder: Room B424 tomorrow at 08:15

All of the speaking tests will be in Room BERLIN on the 4th floor in the B-building. Please be there ahead of your scheduled time.

Tuesday, 3 May:

Speaking 

13:00: Jahed, Deniz, James - please note the early time

13:25: Malin, Sanela, Morsall 

13:50: Feri, Asma, Danne

Wednesday, 4 May everyone has to be there

Writing

08:15 – 09:35 regular classes after the test

Room D318

+ 12:00-12:45 on 4 May

Speaking 

12:00: Lukas, Jesper, Gustav 

12:25: Felicia Br, Molly A, Ajla

Thursday, 5 May 

Speaking 

11:40 Philip, Jacky, Christoffer

12:00 Kimia, Felicia Bo, Maya

Tuesday, 10 May everyone has to be there 

Reading + listening 

08:15 - 10:40 (break in between reading and listening)

Room: B 424

No English class in the afternoon.

Wednesday, 11 May 

Speaking 

12:00 Izabelle, Tina, Amine 

12:25 Molly H, Jessica, Ahmed

Thursday, 12 May

Speaking 

11:40 Beatrice, Marcus, Julia

Reading and listening update 10 May

Please see the test schedule in my previous post for updated information on time and place for the reading and listening test Tuesday, 10 May. New information in red.

Freedom Writers

Today we started reading the diaries of the Freedom Writers. After our national test period we will watch the movie The Freedom Writers in class. Please read the diaries we did not have time to read in class today.

Schedule for the national test updated

All of the speaking tests will be in Room BERLIN on the 4th floor in the B-building. Please be there ahead of your scheduled time.

Tuesday, 3 May:

Speaking 

13:00: Jahed, Deniz, James - please note the early time

13:25: Malin, Sanela, Morsall 

13:50: Feri, Asma, Danne

Wednesday, 4 May everyone has to be there

Writing

08:15 – 09:35 regular classes after the test

Room D318

+ 12:00-12:45 on 4 May

Speaking 

12:00: Lukas, Jesper, Gustav 

12:25: Felicia Br, Molly A, Ajla

Thursday, 5 May 

Speaking 

11:40 Philip, Jacky, Christoffer

12:00 Kimia, Felicia Bo, Maya

Tuesday, 10 May everyone has to be there 

Reading + listening 
08:15 - 10:40 (break in between reading and listening)
Room: B 424
No English class in the afternoon.

Wednesday, 11 May 

Speaking 

12:00 Izabelle, Tina, Amine 

12:25 Molly H, Jessica, Ahmed

Thursday, 12 May

Speaking 

11:40 Beatrice, Marcus, Julia

Old national tests

Use the following link to find all of the sample exercises from old national tests. The key to the tests will also be there below "bedömningsanvisningar".

Sample exercises for the national test of English A.

Schedule for the national test of English A

Tuesday,  3 May: national test: speaking (schedule for speaking will be posted soon)

Wednesday, 4 May: national test: writing

Thursday, 5 May: national test: speaking

Tuesday, 10 May: national test: reading + listening

Wednesday, 11 May: national test: speaking

Thursday, 12 May: national test: speaking

12 April

Today in class we watched two short movies about people who are studying English in New York and in Brazil. Watch the movies here.

Presentations and conversation

Yesterday we listened to presentations of New York, Los Angeles, Australia and bungy jumping in New Zealand. We covered four different places in the world of English :)

Today we had a conversation class where we used cards and answered questions in groups of three. See you guys on Tuesday again.

Reminder

Those of you who are going on an exchange: don't forget to bring your powerpoint presentations of Malmö/Sweden. Save it somewhere online or make sure you bring a usb to your destination. The teachers and the students will be eager to listen to your presentations, I've heard.

Tomorrow (and on Thursday, if needed) those of you who will stay in Sweden are going to do your presentations of an English speaking country. You need to speak for approximately 2-3 minutes each.

Homework for Tuesday 5 April

Study the words in the post below for Tuesday 5 April. This homework applies to everyone except for the students who are traveling to France.

Vocabulary

Here are some words/expressions from the two texts we read yesterday. Please translate them into Swedish OR explain them in English. 


Florence Nightingale

nursing = omvårdnad, vård
public hospital = allmänt sjukhus
ignorant = okunnig
wealthy = rik, förmögen
were expected to = förväntades göra något
relatives = släktingar
servants = tjänare
let alone = förutom/än mindre
she got her own way = hon fick som hon ville
abroad = utomlands
full extent = fullständigt
formal training = formell utbildning
gather information = samla information
devoted to = hängiven
various = olika
reorganize = omorganisera
thrilled = exalterad
wounded = sårad
agony = plåga
appalling conditions = miserabla förhållanden
crumble(d) = smulas sönder
cram(med) = klämma ihop, pressa ihop
in battle = i strid
shortage = underskott
ward = avdelning
rat-infested = full med råttor
filth = smuts, snusk
lavatory = toalett
laundry = tvätt
achieve = uppnå
death rate = dödstal
reward = belöning
literate = läs- och skrivkunnig
skilled = skicklig
ensure = försäkra
efficient = effektiv
______________________
consider = anse, överväga
aim = sikta, mål
run a hospital = driva ett sjukhus
conditions = omständigheter, tillstånd
staff = personal
contribution = bidrag


The Last Expedition


oxygen tanks = syretub
her sights set on = siktet inställt på
earn = tjäna
rare = sällsynt
mountaineering = bergsklättring
trifecta = trefaldig vinst
unrelenting = envis, ger inte upp
steepness = lutning
treacherous = förrädisk
formidable challenge = oerhörd utmaning
accomplished climbers = kompetent/rutinerad klättrare
summit = topp
slope = backe, lutning
grim statistics = skrämmande statistik
descent = på nervägen
avalanche =lavin
brush off = ignorera
claim = hävda, påstå
indulge in = hänge sig åt/engagera sig i
perilous = farlig
her favorite saying = hennes favoritcitat
recovery attempt = försök att återhämta sig/räddningsförsök
remain = återstå
conquer = erövra
_______________________________
to crown her career = kronan på verket/höjdpunkten i hennes karriär
an essential part of = en grundläggande del av
limit = gräns
victim = offer

Today's class: reading comprehension

Today I will let you read two texts from a sample national test of English A. You will read the texts individually - and quietly! Read the whole text before you start answering the questions.

If you finish earlier than your classmates, underline difficult words and expressions in the texts and make a word list where you explain or translate the words and expressions that you have found.

At the end of class we will take a look at the correct answers together.

Listening

Today and yesterday we did a couple of listening comprehensions to prepare for the national test that is coming up in early May.

Click on the link to find sample national tests and the listening exercises we did in class.

Feedback on your presentations

It was fun listening to your presentations of Malmö/Sweden yesterday. You all made Malmö sound like an attractive place. You had also put a lot of effort into making appealing Powerpoint presentations which enhanced the overall impression. You did not seem particularly nervous about speaking to the class either, which is a plus.

In a couple of areas there is room for improvement: Practice both on your own (so that you know what to say and can speak more freely), and together as a group many times (so that you know what the other group members are going to say). That will make your presentations more coherent and interesting to listen to. It's also nice if you really appear as a group "on stage" and that you take yourselves, each other and your audience seriously.

One more thing: The presentations will be more lively and personal if you use your own words/expressions rather than Wikipedia's. Also remember to use music as well as different props (objects) etc to make the presentations even more attractive to the audience.

Preparations for Tuesday

Today is the last class before your presentations of Sweden/Malmö on Tuesday, 22 March. I was informed by your Spanish teacher that one of the teachers in Spain has already arranged a time slot for you to do your presentations at a Spanish school.

When you do your presentations I will give you some feedback, but be well prepared. If you're not it's a waste of our time. Don't rely on your great abilities to improvise. Develop a plan together and stick to it. Use key words. Do not read from your manuscript.

You will present your topic as a group but I will grade you individually.

Essays

Today I returned your essays.

We also sorted out who is working together on the presentations. When you plan the presentations be prepared for the fact that you may not have access to laptops and a projector in the country you will be visiting.

On Thursday you will rehearse your presentations. See you then!

15 March

See you all in class this afternoon. I would like you to update me on your ideas for your presentations. 

The students who are going on an exchange will do the presentations in class Tuesday 22 March and the students who will stay in Sweden will do theirs Wednesday 6 April and Thursday 7 April. 

Schedule

Today's class will be devoted to preparing your presentations of either Sweden or Malmö. The students that will stay in Sweden will prepare a presentation on a country or a city where English is spoken. Everyone needs to speak for about 3 minutes.

The schedule for the upcoming classes looks like this:

Tuesday, 15 March: Plan your presentations.

Wednesday, 16 March: Utvecklingssamtal, no classes.

Thursday, 17 March: Practise in class.

Tuesday, 22 March: Presentations.

Exchange

Today I'd like to know who will be going on an exchange in April. In English you will be preparing group presentations where you introduce Sweden or Malmö. These presentations will be done in English class as well as on your exchange. I will give you 3 classes to prepare.

The students who are not going on an exchange will be preparing presentations on an English speaking country or city.

Today's class: news articles

Today I will make groups of 4 students. I will listen to one group at a time where you present your news articles. You all need to present an article.

1. Explain what the article is about (don't read).
2. Explain where you found it and your reasons for choosing that particular article.
3. Brief discussion in the group about the different articles.

News articles

Today I want you to find a news article that you will be presenting in class on Tuesday. You will do the presentation in groups of 3-4 students. You need to know what your article is about and present it in an easily understandable manner. You are not allowed to simply read from the article so be well prepared. I will listen to each group on Tuesday.

You can find articles online. Here is a site that has Swedish news in English: www.the local.se You can also use www.bbc.co.uk or http://edition.cnn.com/ or any other newspaper of course.

Be prepared to summarize your article, explain why your article is interesting and why you picked it.

See you in class at 11:40 today.

Info

Yesterday we did the in class essay on the novel (Un)arranged Marriage. You will get them back next week.

Before we start our next project we will take a look at what's going on in the world around us right now. We will do a mini news project where your task will be to find a news article in English and present it to some of your classmates in groups. This will be your homework for Tuesday, 8 March.

But today we will start off by doing a news quiz and watch some news online.

Essay topics for Tuesday, 1 March

Tuesday, 1 March you will write an in-class essay on the novel (Un)arranged Marriage that we have read.

You are allowed to bring the novel and a dictionary (I will bring some dictionaries for you to use). You are also allowed to bring 20 key words to help you. You may use your laptop if you like.

Here are the topics: 

1. Ten years later: Write a letter from Manjit to his parents OR from his parents to Manjit and explain what happened during the ten years that have passed.

2. Culture and religion: Write a text where you discuss the different aspects of culture and religion that Manjit has to deal with. Could this have happened in another culture as well? Would he have the same thoughts about personal freedom if he had grown up in India?

3. Manjit's life and my own: Compare and contrast Manjit's life to your own. What are the similarities and the differences? What would you have done in his situation?

4. The ending: Write your own ending to the story.

5. Topic of your choice: If none of the topics above appeal to you, you may write a text about a topic of your choice. However, your topic needs to have relevance to the novel.

Suggested essay topics

In groups of three, write down at least three ideas for essay topics on the novel (Un)arranged Marriage. Make sure your topics are possible to develop into an essay.

Class 16 February

Translate the following words and expressions into Swedish, or, if you prefer, explain them in English:

Once the new day had dawned, I shot out of bed.

I was going to make it a priority to get a solid month or two of lie-ins.

The family wouldn't immediately notice my absence.

I creased up with laughter.

Looks like there's some kind of delay.

We had swapped addresses.

I picked up my bag and stumbled down the aisle.

They thought everything was hunky-dory.

He was the spitting image of his dad.

Ady said we should broaden our horizons musically.

Sunday nights became the regular overtime slot for me at work.

How lucky we were to be such a well-off family.

He just wanted to get it off his chest.

They thought that I had caved in to all the pressure.

The women congregated in another room, gossiping.

There was a volcano erupting inside me.

Let the game commence.

I needed to go to the loo.

They treated me like some kind of private possession and not as another human being.

I should be able to get some sort of funding. 

Room swap tomorrow 17 February

Please note: Thursday's English class will be in room B102.

Class Tuesday 15 February

Please answer the following questions individually:

1. Summarize what you find most important in this novel in a few sentences.
   
   
2. Manjit chooses his personal freedom before his parents' wishes. Do you think he did the right thing? Explain!
   
   
3. Is it possible to have your personal freedom and please your parents at the same time, do you think? Give reasons for your answer.
   
   
4. Do you think Manjit could have had any other options? Explain!
   
   
5. What's your overall impression/opinion of this book?

Homework for Tuesday 15 February

For Tuesday 15 Feb your homework is to finish reading the novel (Un)arranged Marriage. Bring your laptops too for that class, please.

BBC Wordmaster

Here you can find the word game that we played in class yesterday.

Page 156 – 210 Words and expressions

Work in pairs (or individually, if you prefer) and find 10 sentences on p 156 – 210 that you think are important to know the meaning of. Make sure you know how to translate/explain the sentences. Write your sentences + the page reference down. Tomorrow someone in the class will receive your sentences to explain and translate.

You can choose to post your sentences in the comments section below this post or use a handout that I will provide in class today. 

Page 156 - 210, 3 quotes

Individual work:

Please find three quotes/sentences that you find interesting/important on page 156 - 210 in the novel (Un)arranged Marriage.

Type the three quotes and explain why you chose each quote in the comments section below this post.

Homework for tomorrow February 8

Read up to page 210 and bring your laptops for tomorrow's class, please. See you then!

Words and expressions page 106-155

Explain, or translate, if you prefer, the following words and expressions:

unsupervized/unsupervised (Am E)

loads of grief

Harry had been made redundant from work

portable TV

a youth detention centre (center Am E)

a dead-end job

a child having a sulk

grinding his teeth

a fit of rage

I suppose you're wondering why I relented

it was my decision at the end of the day

my voice was thick with sarcasm

an envelope

I tore it open

I didn't have a clue what to think

the customs area

the queues (lines, line-ups Am E)

the arrivals area

a trolley

my boredom survival kit

my escape route

toddlers

a huge bloke

in a daze

shabby

surface

two storeys high

an advert

a smirk

exaggerate

occasionally

hand-me-downs

on a daily basis

dehydrated

the urban jungle

they nodded in unison

a few migrant families

an alleyway

a hypocrite

it finally dawned on me

daily chores

cheeky

a hand scythe

Homework for Tuesday February 8

Please finish reading up to page 210 for Tuesday, 8 February.

Today's class

Today I let you write down three questions (on page 106 - 155) per group. I typed the questions on the blog and let another group respond to them.

I think you did a good job however at times during class your focus is a bit off. Try to push yourselves a bit when it comes to thinking and writing. You will be rewarded for that, trust me.

The questions and the responses by the different groups can be read in the posts below.

Questions group 7

1. Manny doesn't want to go to India. If you were in his position, what would you do?
2. Jas tries to talk to Manny about his situation. How does that make him feel?
3. What would you do if your passports disappeared and you were stuck against your will?

Questions group 6

1. Do you think that Manny is going to marry the indian girl?

2. How would you handle the situation that Manny is in?

3. Do you think it´s common in the traditional families?



Grupp 6

Questions group 2

grupp 2

1. Do you think that Mannys parents will leave him in India, explain your answear.

2. why doesn't Harry react when he and Manny are arguing?

3. How would you react if you recieved that letter from Lisa? (look at page 113)

Questions group 4

Grupp 4.

1.why can't his familiy have their passports?
2.Why isn't he fighting for Lisa?
3.What do you think his parents would do if they found out that he is smoking ?

Questions group 3

1. Why do you think that Manny's parents re so hard on him?
2. What would you do if you were in Manny's position?
3. Do you think the people in the book are too judgmental? Why? Why not?

Questions group 5

1. Do you think it's a coincidence that the passports and tickets were lost? Why? Why not?
2. Is your real home the place you come from or where you live?
3. What would you have done if you were in Lisa's situation?

Questions group 8

1. Would you have gone to India if you had been in Manny's situation?
2. How would you react if you walked out from the airport and saw the poor people in the streets?
3. What do you think about Manny's dad's description of India? Do you think it's correct? And why do you think Manny's dad thinks of India like that?

Questions group no 1

1. What do you really think happened to the passports?
2. Is India as good, non-criminal and perfect as Manny's father says? Give examples.
3. Do you think Manjit prefers England or India? Why do you think so?

Questions page 106-155

Today I want you to work in groups of three. Write three questions/group that you find interesting to discuss (page 106 - 155). Hand your questions to me.

Open up the blog and respond to another group's questions. I will assign you a group number to make sure all questions are answered.

Ooops

I completely forgot about the math test today so I let you read your novel at a place of your choice.

Just make sure you finish page 155 for Tuesday. Bring your laptop for that class as well, please.

Homework for Tuesday

Please read up to page 155 for Tuesday, 1 February.

Words and expressions chapter 8-14 (page 63 – 105)

Translate these words/expressions into Swedish or, if you prefer, explain them in English:

By the time he had finished he had made me feel like a leper.

My mind was all jumbled up.

Emotional blackmail

I thought I'd get suspended.

You have managed to slide from very promising to below average.

Your record of unexplained absences continues to grow.

The football team went right down the drain.

The pub was really tacky inside.

You are half way through your GCSE:s.

I ain't letting society stereotype me.

I squinted up at my brother.  

Homework

Please post your response to the questions below by midnight. Be prepared to discuss your answers tomorrow in class.

Questions page 63 - 105 (Un)arranged Marriage

Please answer the following questions individually in the comments section below this post. 

1. Manny says that his father is too strict and his mother too soft. What do you think his parents' reasons are for acting the way they do?

2. Manny asks himself how he could be the cause of so much grief for his parents. Is he really worried about that, do you think? Give reasons for your answer.

3. In what ways are Lisa's parents different from Manny's?

4. Do you think it helps Manny to see that other parents can be different or does it only make him feel worse?

5. Give some examples of what Manny does to rebel against his family's values. Do you think he's doing the right thing? If not, what do you think he should do?

6. Manny's teacher is worried about his grades. What do you think a teacher should do in a situation like that?  

Scheduling issues resolved

It looks like our scheduling issues on Thursdays have been resolved. Our English class will still be 11:40 - 12:20 on Thursdays but the math class has been moved.

Check your schedule here.

Please bring your laptops this afternoon. See you then!

Reading for Tuesday: page 105

For Tuesday, 25 January, you need to finish reading up until page 105 in our novel (Un)arranged Marriage.


Also remember to bring your laptops for that class. There will be some questions for you to answer.

Today we will finish explaining the words/expressions in the post below. I will also talk to you individually about your performance so far in this course.

Words and expressions, chapter 2-7

Today we explained and translated the following:

Please translate into Swedish OR, if you prefer, explain the following in English:

An extension to the house

My extended family

It just seemed so claustrophobic

My whole world started to cave in

I had to put up with his various odours

I shrugged my shoulders

Frequent use of profanity is the sign of an inferior intellect

Whenever I showed the slightest inkling of brains

My dad walked in and belched twice

They slagged the place off

Two of Leicester's posher areas

She was wearing black combats

There's all the hassle of nicking it in the first place

Ady had put on a mock accent

A little white crop top

You're easy to wind up

My heart went haywire

I'd be dead meat if I brought a girl home

I didn't feel like a gooseberry because I was involved in the laughs

We hit it off straight away

They weren't going to lose face over it

We'd been skiving the afternoon lessons

He wouldn't let up

Today's class

In groups of 3 agree on three quotes that you find important on p 13 - 62 in the novel (Un)arranged Marriage. Discuss why these quotes are interesting/important. Summarize your discussion in writing together.

You need one laptop/group. Type your 3 quotes + your reasons for choosing these particular quotes in a comment below this post. Try to write more than just one line! Also write your names below your post.

Be prepared to talk about the quotes and your reasons for choosing them tomorrow in class.

Laptops

Reminder: Don't forget your laptops for tomorrow's class and make sure you keep up with the reading schedule, see post below.

See you guys tomorrow!

Discussion chapter 1

1. Explain what we know so far about the different family members.

2. Explain how the main character Manny/Manjit feels about himself and his family.

3. What do you think his reasons are for feeling this way?

Chapter 1 words and expressions

Today we read chapter 1 of (Un)arranged Marriage together.  For the second half of the class you got some time to read on your own.

Please make sure you know what the following words/expressions from chapter 1 mean:

All red from exertion


All she ever did was giggle.


Sister-in-law


My friends teased me.


Every joke seemed to be at my expense


..their in-laws


pissed on whiskey


in his range


they had nicked my room from me


I pulled the duvet over myself


he called me a poof


with some other lads


he'd poor out all of his prejudices


It was me who led Ady astray


it was a way of showing off


shoplifting


a prelude to my future

Reading schedule (Un)arranged Marriage

Tuesday, 18 January: Page 62

Tuesday, 25 January: Page 105

Tuesday, 1 February: Page 155

Tuesday, 8 February: Page 210

Tuesday, 15 February: Page 272
_____________________________________________________

For each English class you need to bring your novel. For Tuesdays' classes you also need to bring your laptop to be able to respond to the blog questions that I will be posting.

There will be blog posts, discussions, vocabulary and grammar exercises related to the novel.

Novel: (Un)arranged Marriage by Bali Rai

We're back!

For the upcoming weeks we will read the novel (Un)arranged Marriage by Bali Rai. Today we read the introduction to the novel together. Please bring your copy of the novel to class tomorrow. I will give you a more detailed reading schedule as soon as possible.

New blog design

I figured we could use some color for our blog since it's almost spring. What do you think?

Spring Term 2011

I hope you have had a nice holiday.

The spring term starts tomorrow. The fall schedule is still valid until Friday, 14 January.

See you tomorrow!