Wed, Oct 28 15 Blog Discussion

Today, you have a few questions to consider. Please look up any words that you do not understand and make sure you are prepared to discuss these in class. Thanks!

Should people who have drug and/or alcohol problems have their children taken away from them by the government?

If yes, how long should they be taken away for?
If no, what should be do to protect the children?

Is workaholism as bad a alcoholism or drug use?

Which is worse, kids with uncaring parents, or kids with no parents?

Oct 21 2015 Blog discussion

Before you watch the video below, please think about these questions.

1) What dangerous things did you do when you were a kid?
2) What activities did your parents allow you to do when you were a kid?
3) Does doing dangerous, but fun, activities help children become better adults?
4) Is today's world worrying too much about children's safety?

Now please watch the video

http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangerous_things_for_kids#t-543649

5) Do you agree with this presenter?

6) Would you want your children to attend his camp?

7) Which activities do you really disagree with and think would be too dangerous?

See you in class!

Matthew

Blog Discussion Oct 14 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you got to eat some super good food!

There are two for today! A bonus due to the short week!

1) Which is the better situation, to live alone, or to live with people (roommates, a girlfriend/boyfriend, a friend, a husband/wife)?

Remember to think of 'why'!

2) In your home culture, which is more respectable, to rent your home, or to own your home? What about here in Canada?

See you tomorrow. I hope you had a fun or relaxing (or both) long weekend!

Matthew

Oct 7 2015 Discussion Topic

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO. MAYBE YOU'LL NEED TO WATCH IT MORE THAN ONE TIME.

-       What is your first impression of this food?

-       Why do you think people are willing to eat this?

-       Do you think this food is expensive?

-       I would try it, so I have to ask, would you try it?

-       In Canada, there are a few foods that I will not eat, are there any foods you won’t eat in your country?

http://www.reuters.com/video/2014/09/14/mexico-dishes-up-creepy-crawly-fare?videoId=343257229&videoChannel=4

See you in class!

Matthew

Sept 30 2015 Blog Discussion

It's the end of September! Halloween and winter are on the way. Be prepared...

Today we are discussing the following topic. Please read the article and understand it the best you can.
Read it once without looking at a dictionary and without worrying about vocabulary that you do not know.
Read it again with a dictionary and look up the words you do not know.
Read it a third time and try to understand it.

You only really need to read about half of it.

Garbage
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/neighbourhood-battle-over-tim-hortons-cups-1.1991589

Who should be responsible for cleaning up the mess, the companies, the people who live in the area, or the city? 
Should companies be fined if their garbage is found in public places? 
How could the city prevent littering? 
What does the government do in Japan or Korea Is littering a problem there?
What public problems do you have in your home country?

Sept 23 2015 Discussion Topics

If you are a new student, then hello and welcome to blog! If you've been in class for a while, then hello and welcome to the blog again!

The conversation topics for today will include

1) The customer is always right.
Please agree or disagree with the statement and have reason for your answer.

2)Exploring space is a waste of time.
Please agree or disagree with the statement and have reason for your answer.

Please make sure to really think about your answer and your comments.

See you in class!

Matthew

Sept 16 2015 discussion topic

Girl and Halloween costumes

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/provocative-halloween-costumes-for-girls-1.2129318

For the last three years or more, police have been spending a lot of time and money arresting pedophiles (adults who like children). At the same time, Halloween costumes (and general clothing) for young girls have been getting more and more provocative (please look this word up). Why do you think this is happening when it is clear that acting on sexual thoughts about young girls is a terrible crime?

Also, should these types of costumes be illegal?
Should parents allow their children to wear these costumes?
What do people think about little girls who wear these costumes?
What do you think about little girls who wear these costumes?
Is there Halloween in your home country? If there is, what do people wear? If there is not, is there another holiday when people dress up in costumes?


Please make sure to look at the pictures and listen to the file. The listen file is in the top corner of the webpage and the pictures are in the top middle.

See you in class!

Matthew