Hello everybody,
Today I wanted to make a few notes about my English 201 class and about my progress there. As you may know, this blog is a part of my English class too, so I may refer to my previous posts too.
Firstly, I would like to say that at the beginning this course seemed very unusual to me(also, like any other), because in high school the methods of education were rather different. For instance, we focused mostly on classwork and all process heavily relied on the teacher, not on students ourselves. Also, the number and the length of lessons do make difference. Here, in university, English is taught in another way. The vast part of what we do is homework and different assignments now. I was attending school that had a language specialization, thus we had a lot of lessons. Currently, I have only two lessons pro week; however, it is not less difficult too study. I just wanted to evaluate that from my point of view two main principles of English 201 is to study by yourself, that means that everything relies on you mainly, and the second principle that we are attending that course mainly not to improve our language but to improve our reading, writing and oral skills.
For that moment, I think I've done quite a good progress in the skills I've outlined below. Of course, I should not forget about technical language: it has improved in a result of huge amount of English, too. Talking about reading and writing skills, I would like to notice that I did not know the standard 3-paragraph essay model at all, for instance. Learning that concept helped me not only in English course but also to write some essays in Economics and other f/w assignments. What I wanted to notice about readings we do, is that they are really interesting and sometimes touching. So they make myself to think about some problems, too. In addition, I've used some facts from "The Hidden Life of Garbage", the one of the essays we discussed at class, in my work on other subject. Oral skills are very important, too. Nevertheless, we had not already had any global oral projects or assignments, so I simply can not evaluate my progress in it. Though for tomorrow we have to prepare the *first draft* of our first speech in this course, so right afterwards finishing that post I am going to start preparing for it.
Actually, as I said previously and mentioned it in mid-term survey, grammar and vocabulary projects are not that important to me. However, thinking objectively, I do need them. The reason for such a dilemma is that grammar and vocabulary are my weak points. So I can read all the David's comments about grammar in my formal writing assignment, fix all of them, move the most important in the grammar log and so on, but as soon as I upload grammar log to my.nes, I guarantee, I will forget everything. For me, the only way to improve grammar is to do a huge amount of exercises on it, that is what I was doing through all the 11 Grade at school and continue now, when I have a piece of free time, course. Vocabulary log is a good project itself; the only problem for me is to create an example of word usage from my head.
So, my goals for the next half of the semester remains quite the same: improve my reading ang writing skills, and separately overcome difficulties I have in speech. I think David does everything he can, so I should not be lazy and toughly work on myself. It also would be great, if you share your expierence in comments and correct me if I am wrong at something.
P.S. I really put my hands down trying to set a heading for my posts. I don't know what is the problem.
понедельник, 22 октября 2012 г.
понедельник, 15 октября 2012 г.
Hi everyone,
Today I want to tell you about the event that took place on that weekend. It was called "Dedication to students". Our great mates from Year 2 managed to organize everything that we did not have to think about such things. So we just paid some money and finally participated.
The event took place in a cottage next to the Moscow. It lasted for 2 days, including nights. As planned, there was a role-playing game in the beginning. I liked it very much, in spite of the fact that I was "killed" in the beginning by some "gangster". After that, we had a disco, which lasted due the middle of the night.
Next day, we were split into teams and were presented with some team-building activities. Each team had its own tutor, who were helping us to know each other better. I think the tutors were great, as they did their job perfectly! I acknowledged a lot of new facts about my classmates and made a few new friends. Also, the whole course became a one big family to me. That really makes me happy!
After the team-building activities, we had some free time. Actually, I slept during it, because I did not used not to sleep for the half of the night. But then the key part took place. Everybody were invited to the street and blinded with the pieces of cloth. Then, when we formed a row, I heard a strange noise in front of me. A few seconds later the lights came out and I started becoming wet. Tutors' surprise was to slush us with a champagne! That was funny and everybody started feeling the atmosphere of the party.
Finally, there was a great disco, that lasted for the whole night :)
In conclusion, I would like to say that it was one of the greatest events in my life :)
Today I want to tell you about the event that took place on that weekend. It was called "Dedication to students". Our great mates from Year 2 managed to organize everything that we did not have to think about such things. So we just paid some money and finally participated.
The event took place in a cottage next to the Moscow. It lasted for 2 days, including nights. As planned, there was a role-playing game in the beginning. I liked it very much, in spite of the fact that I was "killed" in the beginning by some "gangster". After that, we had a disco, which lasted due the middle of the night.
Next day, we were split into teams and were presented with some team-building activities. Each team had its own tutor, who were helping us to know each other better. I think the tutors were great, as they did their job perfectly! I acknowledged a lot of new facts about my classmates and made a few new friends. Also, the whole course became a one big family to me. That really makes me happy!
After the team-building activities, we had some free time. Actually, I slept during it, because I did not used not to sleep for the half of the night. But then the key part took place. Everybody were invited to the street and blinded with the pieces of cloth. Then, when we formed a row, I heard a strange noise in front of me. A few seconds later the lights came out and I started becoming wet. Tutors' surprise was to slush us with a champagne! That was funny and everybody started feeling the atmosphere of the party.
Finally, there was a great disco, that lasted for the whole night :)
In conclusion, I would like to say that it was one of the greatest events in my life :)
понедельник, 8 октября 2012 г.
Hello everybody,
Today I want to tell about one event, which took place a couple of weeks ago and remained very memorable to me. I hope if you get interested in it and will join me next time.
Actually, a few years ago socially active HSE students founded two organizations: "HSE event" and HSTV(High School of Television). The common goal for both organizations is to provide HSE students and students from other universities with social activities and different events. Last year, the concept of bike night was created, and an expermental first-time bike night took place. It was rather successful, so this year, they managed to gain more popularity to this kind of event. As a result of good *marketing* I have heard about that event. I am a great bike-lover, so I had decided to participate this time. Let me tell you the sense of the "bike night". Approximately at 10 p.m. all the participants take their own bikes and meet at some Moscow square. When everybody is ready, column of bikers is being formed and that column start moving along the route, which is planned long before event. So, this action lasts for the whole night with the short pauses, just because everybody needs some rest. At the end of the route, the whole column already sleeps and wants to see only their bed.
I decided to go there with some of my friends. This year, the meeting point was on Bolotnaya square, near the Kremlin. While everybody were arriving, we were presented a fire and dance show, some funny competitions and a free can of Red Bull, in case we will start falling asleep during the night. At least, we started moving along our route. The problem was that me and my friends are keen on biking, so we moved in the head of column, much faster then its end. So we had to stop every 20 minutes to wait for others. Our route lead us round boulevard circle, then through Arbat, moving to Lughniki and so on. It was quite easy to ride in the first half of the night. Approximately at 3 a.m. it started showering rapidly. Fortunately, our procession was next to the bridge, so we managed to hide under it and wait till the rain stops. Afterwards, we were blowing Chinese torches, which we had with ourselves. It was an amazing view, when dozens of torches flown up to the nightly sky. It was 4 a.m. when we reached Gorky Park. Everybody already were exhausted, so we rested there for about half an hour, and then headed to Sparrow Hills. Sparrow Hills are located much higher than Gorky Park. In the result, we faced a huge ascent without any stamina. I will never forget this run. I wished I died while climbing up :). However, we made it! The whole route was 54 kilometers. A few days after event I was not able to walk or seat. But it was worth it. At least, I met some new friends there) I will definetely participate next time.
Also, I am seeking for other events organized by HSTV, as the organization was at high level and I have not got any reasons to claim. If you heard about some, please tell me. I will be very grateful)
P.S. I do not know if it is a problem inside Blogger system, but I could not set a heading for that post.
Today I want to tell about one event, which took place a couple of weeks ago and remained very memorable to me. I hope if you get interested in it and will join me next time.
Actually, a few years ago socially active HSE students founded two organizations: "HSE event" and HSTV(High School of Television). The common goal for both organizations is to provide HSE students and students from other universities with social activities and different events. Last year, the concept of bike night was created, and an expermental first-time bike night took place. It was rather successful, so this year, they managed to gain more popularity to this kind of event. As a result of good *marketing* I have heard about that event. I am a great bike-lover, so I had decided to participate this time. Let me tell you the sense of the "bike night". Approximately at 10 p.m. all the participants take their own bikes and meet at some Moscow square. When everybody is ready, column of bikers is being formed and that column start moving along the route, which is planned long before event. So, this action lasts for the whole night with the short pauses, just because everybody needs some rest. At the end of the route, the whole column already sleeps and wants to see only their bed.
I decided to go there with some of my friends. This year, the meeting point was on Bolotnaya square, near the Kremlin. While everybody were arriving, we were presented a fire and dance show, some funny competitions and a free can of Red Bull, in case we will start falling asleep during the night. At least, we started moving along our route. The problem was that me and my friends are keen on biking, so we moved in the head of column, much faster then its end. So we had to stop every 20 minutes to wait for others. Our route lead us round boulevard circle, then through Arbat, moving to Lughniki and so on. It was quite easy to ride in the first half of the night. Approximately at 3 a.m. it started showering rapidly. Fortunately, our procession was next to the bridge, so we managed to hide under it and wait till the rain stops. Afterwards, we were blowing Chinese torches, which we had with ourselves. It was an amazing view, when dozens of torches flown up to the nightly sky. It was 4 a.m. when we reached Gorky Park. Everybody already were exhausted, so we rested there for about half an hour, and then headed to Sparrow Hills. Sparrow Hills are located much higher than Gorky Park. In the result, we faced a huge ascent without any stamina. I will never forget this run. I wished I died while climbing up :). However, we made it! The whole route was 54 kilometers. A few days after event I was not able to walk or seat. But it was worth it. At least, I met some new friends there) I will definetely participate next time.
Also, I am seeking for other events organized by HSTV, as the organization was at high level and I have not got any reasons to claim. If you heard about some, please tell me. I will be very grateful)
P.S. I do not know if it is a problem inside Blogger system, but I could not set a heading for that post.
понедельник, 1 октября 2012 г.
Post #4. Peculiar continuation of the pervious post. Moscow.
Hello everybody,
Today I would like to expand the topic mentioned in the previous post. As you could remember, last time I talked about Moscow Subway, which is a special place for me. And when I was thinking of today's pos topic, I decided to tell not only about subway, but about the whole city. Actually, you are not going to see a precise and deep description of city look, because I want to focus on description of Moscow problems, unique features and controversials.
As I wrote in my very first post, I was born in Moscow and lived here since then, so I think I know the city quite good. In addition, I have visited a lot of countries and towns, thus I have something to compare with. Firstly, I'd like to say that I have never seen such a diversified city. What do I mean: you can find any style of any epoch in Moscow. Starting from 12-th century reconstructions in Kolomenskoe or Izmailovo, then going on with 15-th century Kremlin, 16-th century churches, basilicas and monasteries like Novodevichii monastery. There are a lot of 19-th century bulidings in the center of Moscow, like city bank buliding. Then goes the period of Stalinism-style architecture, which reflected in seven gorgeous skyscrapers (MSU central bulding on Sparrow Hills). In 1960-1980 city was outlined with boring apartment bulidings. However, these bulidings sovled the problem of the lack of accomodation in Moscow. In the late 1980-s new fancy types started to appear in the suburbs. For instance, I live in such a buliding. Finally, you can find an extremely modern hi-tech skyscrapers im Moscow-City district. The desribed styles amazingly exist within each other: that is unique for Moscow, I think.
In the same way the poverty co-exists with the ultimate richness and people's distress co-exists with fun an enlightment of streets. In my opinion, you should be a very cinic person not to pay attention to what sometimes happening on the streets. Also, you sholud take
everything easy. For example, it is normal that subway cashier in Moscow can easily be rude to you. It is not only
about the cashier: everybody on the streets seem very angry. On the other hand, you can easily see funny persons,
who entertain pedestrians just for fun. I can continue with examples, but for better understanding and feeling it is
better to walk through the center of Moscow by your own and see it with your own eyes.
If I succeed in interesting you in Moscow you can ask for interesting places to visit in comments :)
Today I would like to expand the topic mentioned in the previous post. As you could remember, last time I talked about Moscow Subway, which is a special place for me. And when I was thinking of today's pos topic, I decided to tell not only about subway, but about the whole city. Actually, you are not going to see a precise and deep description of city look, because I want to focus on description of Moscow problems, unique features and controversials.
As I wrote in my very first post, I was born in Moscow and lived here since then, so I think I know the city quite good. In addition, I have visited a lot of countries and towns, thus I have something to compare with. Firstly, I'd like to say that I have never seen such a diversified city. What do I mean: you can find any style of any epoch in Moscow. Starting from 12-th century reconstructions in Kolomenskoe or Izmailovo, then going on with 15-th century Kremlin, 16-th century churches, basilicas and monasteries like Novodevichii monastery. There are a lot of 19-th century bulidings in the center of Moscow, like city bank buliding. Then goes the period of Stalinism-style architecture, which reflected in seven gorgeous skyscrapers (MSU central bulding on Sparrow Hills). In 1960-1980 city was outlined with boring apartment bulidings. However, these bulidings sovled the problem of the lack of accomodation in Moscow. In the late 1980-s new fancy types started to appear in the suburbs. For instance, I live in such a buliding. Finally, you can find an extremely modern hi-tech skyscrapers im Moscow-City district. The desribed styles amazingly exist within each other: that is unique for Moscow, I think.
In the same way the poverty co-exists with the ultimate richness and people's distress co-exists with fun an enlightment of streets. In my opinion, you should be a very cinic person not to pay attention to what sometimes happening on the streets. Also, you sholud take
everything easy. For example, it is normal that subway cashier in Moscow can easily be rude to you. It is not only
about the cashier: everybody on the streets seem very angry. On the other hand, you can easily see funny persons,
who entertain pedestrians just for fun. I can continue with examples, but for better understanding and feeling it is
better to walk through the center of Moscow by your own and see it with your own eyes.
If I succeed in interesting you in Moscow you can ask for interesting places to visit in comments :)
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