Video Lesson resources

Hello all,

Here are some resources for the video you're making. I promised I'd post the examples we've looked at in class, so ...

Easy Feet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp2-IpLIrf0

PooPourri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKLnhuzh9uY

MagnaVolt (Fake ad from Robocop 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w39o6eSI06Y

Sunblock 5000 (Fake ad from Robocop [2013])
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jPaxiz8i_4

There were also questions about video editors. A couple of points to remember. First, you do not need a video editor. You can set this up as one long take. That would be perfectly fine. Two, you're looking for freeware or shareware editors, if you're using any at all.

With that in mind, here are some lists that focus on software to try for Windows and OSX.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-6-free-video-editors-mac-os/
http://www.tekplz.net/best-free-video-editors-windows-mac-os-x
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/best-free-video-editing-software-9-top-programs-you-should-download-1136264

I hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything. Good luck, and happy filming.

Stu

Also, a Canadian comedian talking about Canada's weather. It's short, and I think funny, but he speaks quickly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EQdXyKiFY4

Week 9 Listening Homework (and an extra exercise)

Week 9

There are TWO listening exercises this week. One is homework for everyone; the other is an extra for people who want the extra practice (or grades). In any event, enjoy, and we'll see you on Monday.

The first assignment (for everyone) - is about an Australian man who invented a new texting symbol. The audio is on this page. Make sure that you click the audio file. You can watch the video if you wish, but that's not necessary.

1 Where was Mr. Mathis when he had the idea for this invention?

2 How many different designs did he try?

3 Why did Apple reject the app that Mr. Mathis proposed?

4 How many people have downloaded the app from his site?

5 Does he think there's a risk of ruining English by over-simplifying the language?

Extra Listening activity. You do not have to do this activity. But if you wish to, I'll give you extra points for the homework.

This is a story about odd birds in East London, United Kingdom. You can listen to the story here, from (20:40 - 27:11). I suggest that you download the file so that you can skip ahead to the story about the birds. The stories that open the podcast are either rude or quite sad.

1 Why is Lorraine trying to save the birds?

2 What do the birds look like?

3 What is the name of the government official who is trying to get rid of the birds?

4 What does Lorraine do when she sees that man trying to catch the birds?

5 How many of these birds are there in total? How many in Lorraine's neighbourhood?

6 How much money is the UK government spending to get rid of the birds?

Week 8 Listening Exercise

Hello All,

This week we have a shorter and easier presentation to look at. This is a TED Talk - which means that it has subtitles. Please do not look at the subtitles available in your native language. If you must use subtitles, then enable the English subtitles after you've listened to the presentation a few times.

The presentation is available here or 

 http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself.html

Enjoy the long weekend, and we'll see you on Tuesday.

1 Does it help to tell someone your goals?

2 Why is telling someone your goal a bad idea?

3 When was this idea most recently tested?

4 Why do some of the pictures have zippers on their mouths?

5 What can you do to better reach your goals (2 things)?

Bonus Question:

What is the expression in English that means "be quiet" that is referred to - but not used - in the video?

Week 7 Listening: Calgary Floods

This week we're looking ahead to the disasters chapter, and listening to an interview with a woman who helped out during the floods in Calgary this past June. This section is a little longer, but it's an interview and should be pretty easy because of the format.

http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/episode/2013/06/21/calgary-flood-rescue-bell-of-batoche-semple-on-afghanistan/

1:45 - 9:11

1 Why did Corine decide to help her friend Maggie?

2 Name two things that Corine saw when she was driving to Maggie's house.

3 What did Maggie think was going on? Why did she think that?

4 What did Maggie take with her when she left her house?

5 Why didn't Maggie's neighbours know what was happening in the neighbourhood? How was she feeling?

6 How are Maggie and Corine related?

Bonus Question:

How many animals does Maggie have?

Extra Tricky bonus question:

Who and what was in the van when Corine drove out of Bowness?