Good Reading Activities: (3) THE KOREA TIMES

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/

On the site of "THE KOREA TIMES", you can read the articles and translated ones, and listen to ones.

The language of the reading activities depends on what articles about, so the learners had better choose what to read appropriate to their level. And there's no means of matching the learners to the appropriate level of language.

Most articles are written in 5Ws, so the activities help learners focus on 5Ws in reading.

There are translated script and computerized voice in male and female which reads the article.

News article is one of the best method of discussion so guides learners to work with classmates and contribute to online discussions.

There's no explicit instruction to teach specific linguistic points found in the texts because the site just show the articles. But using them, related materials help you pre-teach and develop follow-up activities.

Learners can type replies below the articles.

There's no evaluation to check learning outcomes.

The activities really promote good language learning and reading strategies.

Also the activities provide guidance in helping learners develop strategies that will help them work with electronic texts outside of class.

Good Reading Activities: (2) Project Gutenberg

http://www.gutenberg.org/

 
 

Project Gutenberg is the place where you can download over 30,000 free ebooks to read on your PC, iPhone, Kindle, Sony Reader or other portable device. It's the first digital library which was made as a project mainly by Michael S. Hart who was a student of the University of Illinois in 1971.

The language of the reading activities may fit the learners according to the level of ebooks or learners.

Learners can choose ebooks which they want to read so the program provide a means of matching the learners to the appropriate level of language.

The activities depends on how learners read ebooks so it's doubtful if they help learners focus on particular linguistic aspects of the reading.

The activities provide opportunities for learners to interact with the computer to receive help.

There's no activities guiding learners to work with classmates and contribute to "online discussions". But it can be helpful if there's collaborative activities based on the materials.

There's no teaching methods with ebooks. But there's some programs with materials to help you pre-teach and develop follow-up activities such as listening activities.

The activities provide feedback to learners about their responses. For example, you can donate, volunteer or ask the missing contents in ebooks.

There's no evaluation such as quizzes.

With accessability to many kinds of ebooks, the activities promote good language learning and reading strategies.

You can "download" ebooks so the activities provide guidance in helping learners develop strategies that will help them work with electronic texts outside of class.

Good Reading Activities: (1) Common Errors in English Usage

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

This site arranges grammatic errors which English learners usually make. With brief contents, it's easy to read them and helps learners recognize the differences in the errors when reading.

The language of the reading activities isn't difficult to learners so given program matches the learners to the appropriate level of language.

It focuses on particular errors.

Because it just shows the errors usually made by learners there's no interaction with the computer to receive help.

There's no guidance for learners to work with classmates and contribute to online discussions. But there could be collaborative activities if they are developed.

The activities provide explicit instruction to teach specific linguistic points found in the texts. But there's no program which comes with materials to help you pre-teach and develop follow-up activities.

There's no bulletin board for users so feedback can't be made about learners' responses

Also there's no program providing evaluation of learning outcomes through quizzes.

The activities promote good language learning and reading strategies, especially how to find and correct errors.

Also learners can easily access to the list of errors on the site so it helps them work with electronic texts outside of class.

Won Buddhism to bring ethics to G20 politics

Article Date	11-05-2010 16:37	Scrap Date	11-02-2010 19:25
Title	Won Buddhism to bring ethics to G20 politics
Topic	Won Buddhism of Manhattan, a U.N.-accredited NGO, opens the second annual G20 Universal Ethics Summit in Seoul, Sunday.
Text	By Ines Min   Won Buddhism of Manhattan, a U.N.-*accredited NGO, opens the second annual G20 Universal Ethics Summit in Seoul, Sunday.   The seven-day, *multi-faceted event looks to bring a return of global focus to ethics and leadership principles. The religion and culture summit seeks to *recalibrate the fundamental goals of influential figures in order to avoid further economic crises.   Comprising of lectures, panels and an inter-religious retreat, more than 60 participants are expected to attend the events of the G20 Universal Ethics Summit. The international meeting’s highlights are divided into three days of focused discussion, while the retreat lasts for longer than the duration of the activities.   The “G20 Moral Politics” forum opens Nov. 9 in Highwon Village at 9 a.m. The first full day of events will focus on creating a *draft statement on ethics for the eventual signing by 25 leaders of countries. Ven. Dr. Chung Ok-lee, executive director of the U.N. Affairs and Interreligious Work office of Won Buddhism, will provide a welcoming address, while opening remarks will be given by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-won, and Minister of Culture and Tourism Yoo In-chon.   Nov. 10 sees the opening of the “G20 Women Leaders Summit” at the Eundeok Culture Center at 9 a.m. Minister of Women and Family Baek Hee-young will welcome the audience, along with Kim Hae-sook, associate professor of sociology at the Long Island University. Keynote speakers include Monica Willard, a U.N. representative of the United Religions Initiative, along with Ewha Womans University professor Dr. Chang Pil-hwa.   “G20 Dialogue Among Civilizations, Cultures and Religions” opens Nov. 11, the first day of the official G20 summit in Seoul, at the Won Buddhism Headquarters in Iksan Holy Land, North Jeolla Province, at noon. President of Wonkwang University Na Young-ho will welcome guests, while speakers range from Dr. Lucinda Allen Mosher, interreligious relations consultant and educator, to Rev. John Baldock of the Saint John’s Anglican Church in Australia.   Other noted guests include Dr. Paul Chaleff, professor of fine arts at Hofstra University; Carman Moore, composer and conductor of 21st century spirituality; and Masami Saionji, president of the Goi Peace Foundation in Japan. The retreat will be held at the Iksan Holy Land from Sunday to Nov. 13.   Won Buddhism is an indigenous modern branch of Korean Buddhism and the official New York office was established in 1992, in order to socially engage in cultural and societal issues. The religion was founded by Sotaesan in the early 20th century. A representative of the religious *sect previously occupied the position of President of Religious NGS at the United Nations.
My Opinion	As a Won Buddhist, I'm glad to read this article. Won Buddhism takes the initiative for being in harmony with other religion. Inter-religion harmony is so important that global villagers can be united. That's because not only obeying religious principle but also creating international moral principle is inevitable. Taking this opportunity, I hope that everyone becomes united.
Vocabulary	*accredit : a. 인정된 *multi-faceted : a. 다방면의 *recalibrate : vt. 재조정하다 *draft statement : 선언문 *sect : n. 종파
Important sentence structure
None
reference materials
Participants of the inaugural G20 Universal Ethics Summit gather for the event at the U.N. Headquarters in Manhattan in April 2000. The second event takes place from Sunday through Nov. 13, in Seoul and North Jeolla Province, to seek a common ground within the ethical and religious realms for a stabler economic outlook. / Courtesy of Won Buddhism of Manhattan

Big trade surplus offset by weak outlook

Article Date	11-01-2010 17:18	Scrap Date	11-01-2010 20:18
Title	Big trade surplus offset by weak outlook
Topic	Korea’s trade surplus hit a new monthly high last month as exports expanded at a much faster pace than imports on the back of strong performance of semiconductors and automobiles, a government report showed Monday.
Text	By Kim Jae-won   Korea’s trade surplus hit a new monthly high last month as exports expanded at a much faster pace than imports on the back of strong performance of semiconductors and automobiles, a government report showed Monday.   However, *HSBC’s purchasing managers’ index, better known as *PMI, said that new orders are dwindling, manufacturing productivity slipping and employment’s increase rate slowing, meaning that Korea Inc.’s recovery may be *hitting snags.   The nation’s trade surplus reached a record $6.91 billion in October, up 52.5 percent from $4.53 billion recorded the previous month, according to the report by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. The previous monthly record was $6.67 billion set in June.   Exports led the remarkable record spiking 29.9 percent from a year earlier to a new monthly high of $44.12 billion, while imports rose by 22.4 percent year on year to $37.21 billion.   The country’s trade balance has *stayed in the black for nine *consecutive months. The trade surplus for the first 10 months of the year totaled $35.97 billion.   "The trade surplus of October is a new monthly record and the country's annual trade surplus is also expected to surpass last year's $40.4 billion, a record," Kim Kyung-shik, head of trade and investment team of the ministry, said at a *briefing for the press.   The ministry said exports went up from the previous month as shipments of semiconductors, automobiles and parts, information technology-related products and mobile communication devices remained brisk. *Outbound shipments of auto parts jumped 50.1 percent from a year before with exports of mobile communication devices growing 1.5 percent on strong overseas demand for new smartphones, marking the first positive growth in the year.   However, HSBC’s PMI, an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector, pointed to an ongoing *deterioration in business sentiment.   The PMI of the fourth largest economy in Asia fell to 46.7 last month, down 2.1 from the previous month. It was the second month in a row that Korea’s PMI has *dipped below a neutral 50. Five factors ― new orders, supplier deliveries, employment increase rate, inventory and output ― are used in the PMI indicator. Any number above 50 means a brighter outlook than below.   HSBC said despite the nation’s *robust growth in exports, Korean companies are facing evident margin pressures. “According to HSBC’s PMI, input prices *edged up again while output prices fell below 50 for the first time during 2010,” said Kim Song-yi, an economist of HSBC’s Hong Kong office at a report.   Kim said Korea faces danger of inflation problem as companies are tempted to transfer their costs to the price of products. “Input prices remain high due to rising international commodity prices and wages. At some point, firms may seek to pass on higher input costs, which could present a major inflation problem for the Bank of Korea,” she said.
My Opinion	I'm not that good at economics, but from this article, I understand Korean economic condition is on average looking up. Compared to last some months, Korea goes into the black. Despite global economic depression, Korea copes with the situation in its way. I hope that not only Korea, but other countries put forth their strength.
Vocabulary	*HSBC : 홍콩·상하이 은행 (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) *PMI : 구매자 관리 지수 (Purchasing Managers’ Index) *hit a snag : 장애에 부딪치다 *stay in the black : 흑자를 유지하다 *consecutive : a. 연속적인 *briefing : n. 상황 설명 *outbound : a. 외국행의 *deterioration : n. 퇴보 *dip below : 밑으로 떨어지다 *robust : a. 강건한 *edge up : 차츰 다가서다
Important sentence structure
None
reference materials

Youtube site of koreatimescanada

Youtube site of koreatimescanada

Alonso snatches Korean Grand Prix champion

Article Date	10-24-2010 20:37	Scrap Date	10-24-2010 23:30
Title	Alonso snatches Korean Grand Prix champion
Topic	YEONGAM, South Jeolla Province — In a postponed Formula One Korean Grand Prix due to rain Fernando Alonso of Ferrari clinched the top podium with a time of two hours 48 minutes 20.810 seconds.
Text	By Yoon Chul   YEONGAM, South Jeolla Province — In a postponed Formula One Korean Grand Prix due to rain Fernando Alonso of Ferrari *clinched the top *podium with a time of two hours 48 minutes 20.810 seconds. Alonso captured the win in front of about 80,000 spectators in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, Sunday as *pole-positioner and race leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull had to retire due to a blown engine on 46 of 55-lap race.   It is Alonso’s fifth victory of the season — the most among drivers — and the Spanish driver took the lead in the F1 championship points with two more Grand Prix left.   “This is the first wet race that I won, so I am even happier,” Alonso said.   “Nothing changes. It was bad luck for Mark and Sebastian but anything can happen in the next two races,” added Alonso.   Alonso shared second with 206 before the Korean GP but his 25 winning points for 231 overwhelmed Mark Webber of Red Bull, who was first with 220 but failed to score.   “Totally my mistake. Wasn’t my day,” Webber told the BBC. “This is my second non-finish of the year. There are still two races to go, I’ll do my absolute best.”   Lewis Hamilton of McLaren finished second, which made him third in the championship standings with 210 and another Ferrari driver Felipe Massa came in at third.   Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher of Mercedes GP finished fourth — equalizing his best record of the season.   Because of rain on the newly launched Korea International Circuit, the race was in chaos and nine drivers couldn’t finish the race including two Red Bull drivers Webber and Vettel.   The race was halted for about an hour and the restarted race was led by the safety car for 17 laps.   Unable to overcome the difficult condition former championship leader Webber *spun out in the 19th lap.   The Australian racer lost control of his car spinning, and being hit by Nico Rosberg of Mercedes GP at turn 13.   Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, who was third-sitter, retook the chance to overtake Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.   Alonso was about 12 seconds behind Vettel but the second safety car’s appearance erased the gap.   But Vettel, who is one of the best drivers in the rainy day races re-extended the gap with follower, Alonso.   As many drivers kept losing control on the slippery track the safety car *dispatched few times more and it shortened the gap with Vettel every time.   But the 23-year-old aggressive driver never gave up his position for a long time.   At the beginning of 46th lap, however, Alonso overtook the top position as Vettel’s machine slowed on the start-finish straight and was suddenly on fire and he had to retire from the game.
My Opinion	It's said that there are three big sports game. World Cup, Olympics, and Formula One. World Cup and Olympics are well known to Korea as the host country of both of them. But Formula One is not that known to many of us. By the way, Yeongam, my parents' hometown, decided to host Formula One. Many people doubt if it can be popular or beneficial because the admission fee is so expensive that not many people can watch the race. Nonetheless, many public and government-led campaigns succeed in introducing the F1 to the public and hosting the F1. Finally, all of three games were held in Korea.
Vocabulary	*clinch : vt. 못박다 *podium : n. 맨 밑바닥의 토대석(土臺石) *pole-positioner : n. 유리한 입장에 있는 사람 *spin out : (차가 고속으로 커브를 돌 때의) 도로에서 튀어나가다 *dispatch : vi. (일 따위를) 급히 해치우다, 신속히 처리하다
Important sentence structure
None
reference materials
Fernando Alonso of Spain holds his trophy aloft after winning the Korean Grand Prix on the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, Sunday.