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About Me
- Anthony
- My name is Anthony Prato and I teach English as a Second Language at The City University of New York (http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/clip/) and Columbia University (http://ce.columbia.edu/node/295). I have been an ESL teacher for 6 years, and a teacher or trainer for 10 years.
30 comments:
1. Title: Experts' discussion & Debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. (Online)
2. Length: 120 min.
3. Summary:
Like the last debate of candidates of president, this debate was similar.
The main issues were foreign policy and domestic economy. Both nominees did debate not like before. Palin showed active and improved debate and Biden showed a little quiet debate.
Their opinions were focused on supporting their president candidates.
4. Reaction:
To me, they did really excellent debate in public because debate still difficult for me.
But, I don't agtree with the opinion of Sarah Palin and John Mccain: having a meeting with dangerous contries are naive and stupid plan. Then, should they have a war with them? In internatioan sociey, keeping a friendly relationship with conversation is the most important.
5. New vocabulary
1) deregulation
: the removal of controls and restrictions in a particular area of business or trade
2) blunder
: make a stupid or careless mistake.
3) diplomacy
: the activity or profession of managing relations between the governments of different countries.
4) barometer
: an instrument that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is changing.
1> Title: New York Now: Over Scheduled Kids 1, 2, 3(on Youtube.com)
2> Lenth: 30 min.
3> Summary:
It was a talking program with experts and a real parent of little kids. They talk about today's overscheduling phenonmeon, side-effects and solution. The problem is more severe than the moderator thought. Even though kids are in Kindergarten, they are forced to do so many things.
4> Reaction:
I just looked through the Youtube.com and found these videos. I was really glad because those are related with my group discusstion topic.
In this program, Professor of psychology said " I believe that they have to stop this trend of getting kids ready for hih pressure academic world. It's true, we don't have to let kids know the reality of academic world. They have their own pure feature in their age. They should be respected and they have to do whatever they want if it is not harmful to them.
5> New vocabulary:
1)spontaneous
: not planned or arranged, but are done because someone suddenly wants to do them.
Elyas Mourcy
CS 4
Title : What Happen In Vegas
Running time : 1: 40
The movie what happen in vegas is about these two people that have nothing in common. They meet in vegas by mistake and they decided to hang out together. After that they end up having to much to drink. The end of the day they got married. Next day they were about to divorce and thats when Ashton and Eameron win 30 million dollar. Therefore, they tried to get each other in trouble so the other person can get the 30 million.
I think that this movie is one of the best movies for this year. I learned that the real love is more than any thing a person can ask for.
New Vocabulary :
Esthetic
Tamp-ax
Pe bra
debauchery
Elyas Mourcy
CS 4
Movie tittle: Pineapple Express
Running time: 2:10
The star of this movie is Seth Rogen. He is a process server. This movie is about this guy that loves to smoke marijuana. One time while he is smoking he saw a man getting shot by a nother man and a police woman so the chase started on from there. He got his drug dealer in trouble with him. After all he is trying to save his life from getting killed.
I think this movie is really good. Its also about friends ship and people in need of help.
New vocabulary :
Bud
Drug lord
revelation
explosion
Elyas Mourcy
The debate between Obama & McCain
Running time : 2 hours
CS 4
In the debate, Senator Obama was the best candidate for the United States Presidency. I support his policies and his liberal views because Senator Obama said that he can make a changes in the United States that this country needs. Some of the policies that Obama stands for are very important to me and are the main deciding factors when I choose to support Obama. For an instance, I support the end to the war in Iraq. I believe the United States wastes hundreds of thousands of dollars there every day and this money could be used to better the lives of the American people. This leads me to my next reason for supporting Obama, which is the ways in which this “extra” cash could be used if available. I think the American people should get free healthcare. The current healthcare system is messed up and leaves too many people dead and ill when their lives could be spared. Social programs like these benefits the bulk population in America who need these programs, rather than focusing funds and policies on the wealthy. Lastly, I, like Obama believe the environment is a blessing from God and should be taken care of. Obama believes that just because the world is full of many resources, the world should not just go out and abuse and overuse all that we have. Specifically in regard to oil, Obama does not believe we have to drill for oil in every place that we find it.
Because of all these reasons, I support Obama and his run for presidency. I am very optimistic that Obama will become president of the United States and make the changes that this country desperately needs.
Title/ The debater between Sarah Palin and Joseph Biden
• Length of listening/ 120 min
Summary/
The candidates covered everything from the economy to energy policy to foreign policy. Sarah supported McCain plan and she believed that McCain should be the president for United State. On the other hand, Joseph opposed the Bush and McCain plans and he mentioned that Obama offered a clear plan. Both candidates discussed many things such as; health care, oil drilling and taxes.
Opinion of listening/ I think the debate between Sarah and Biden was exciting. Sarah was a good speaker and she had a convincing argument. Joseph was quite, but has a strong and short replying. They was discussing together without more argument.
Vocabulary/
Maverick (noun& adjective): someone who thinks or behaves in a way that is different from most people. Example: a political maverick.
Partisan (noun & adjective): showing support for a particular political party, plan, or leader, and criticizing all others. Example: a partisan speech
Title/ Was The Bailout Bill A Good Idea?
• Length of listening/1 : 30
Summary/ Alex Blumberg and NPR's international economics correspondent Adam discusses this important issue in the United State. Adam against the Paulson plan because it has a lot of problems. The main objection to this plan, says Davidson, is that "there's all these crappy assets the banks don't want, and the U.S. government is about to buy them. And so we're about to be the owners of $700 billion of crap." He supported a stock-injection plan because it is better for the taxpayers. Also, the taxpayers, the government become stockholders and owners of the banks.
Opinion of listening/ I think nowadays, America has a financial crisis and the republicans opposing the stock – injection plan. I agree with Adam because he explained this problem and gave evidence and resolution.
Title: If Only
Length: 96min
Summary: Romanist samanda who studied violin, and worker-holic Ewan who was success in his business. They loved each other, but both of them wanted to understand more. The man always focused on the work, so the woman was always disappointed from him. On the other hand, he wanted to the girl understood him. After trivial dispute, the girl got car-accident, and was died. The man could not permit her death, because he loved her too much even though he didn’t show his love. After she was died, he realized that how much he loved her. Unbelievably, next morning, his life was same with yesterday. He found her beside of him on the bed like yesterday. However, the day was the last day that he could show love to her. Lastly, he tried to show his love, and was died instead of her.
Reaction: very sad love story! I remember the word “Appreciate her, and what you have. Just Love her”.
New vocabulary:
well that's all that matters. ; It’s good
go away; left
Title;WHALE RIDER
Length : 1Hr 41min
Summary
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny
Finally the maori tribe must contend with the distinctly non-traditional concept of having a female leader
Reaction
This movie was brilliant and very emotional. Pai struggled to prove herself and her grandfather that she was the one, the heir to the throne.
This movie traces the place of women in a traditional society.
Heir: successor, beneficiary of the heritage
Maori: an ancestral tribute of New Zealand
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title: real time with Bill Maher
Length: 1hr
Summary
As usual Bill and his guests were talking about Sarah Palin and also about the debate between the two VP. Most likely once again she was sometimes unclear and evasive about some issues. The guests emphasized the fact that she is not ready to lead this country if something happen to McCain.
They also talked about the economic crisis and the Iraq war and how both are related to each other. If the government decides to stop it will be a saving of 1 trillion dollars more that what they need for the bail out.
Reaction
I agree totally with them. I think there are issues more important than the fact that this woman is not competent.
I hope people will vote for barrack Obama because he incarnates the change and the future of this country need.
New words
Battlefield: combat zone, arena
Tourniquet: when someone gets dizzy
Praise: admire, honor
Lena Yasmina Sakaly
Title: debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden
Length: 2hr
Summary
The debate was more spirited than the one last week between the Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, and his Republican rival, John McCain. Foreign policy provided the biggest flashpoint of the debate. They also talked about domestic issue and the economic crisis.
Throughout the debate, Palin tried to connect with viewers, looking directly into the camera when she spoke and talking about their own experiences, in particular over the economic crisis
Both Palin and Biden devoted most of the debate to talking up their respective presidential candidates. Palin portrayed McCain as a maverick who would shake up Washington while Biden claimed the Republican lacked a grasp of economics, pointing out that a fortnight ago McCain was saying the economy was strong, but two hours later it was in crisis
Reaction
Even if some people said that she exceeded expectations but for me she was below average. She has not enough experience to talk about some issues. Therefore, she kept saying that she represents "Joe Six-pack” and used sometimes a non formal English which upset me the most.
Joe six-pack: a term used to describe the average American
Maverick: nonconformist, unconventional person, a rebel
Title/ Movie(On the line)
• Length of listening/2 hours
Summary/ There was a man his name Kevin. He is so cute and good looking. Most girls wanted to know him, but he is very shy and embarrassed. One day when he finished his work, he took train to go home. In the train he met a pretty girl, and they had a short conversation without know each other names. .. Both of them feel love of each other. Kevin told his friends the whole story, and they decided to help him to find that girl . They suggested making advertisement in news paper (young man look for the girl who met him in the train). His friends were receiving the out coming calls. He met more than one girl, but unfortunately no girl was her. His friends they were keeping to receive calls, because they want to meet girls and have fun with them. Kevin felt disappointed to find this girl. One day one of his friends met the girl. She was the girl who Kevin look for. She thought Kevin make fun or something like that. When Kevin knew that his friend met the real girl, he hit his friend and became angry. Their friends decided to correct their mistake and think carefully to help him. They made a advertisement in many public Street in Chicago, and also in the TV. They made appointment for the girl to come in particular place to meet Kevin at 7 pm. All people enthusiastic with this event and waiting for the real girl to come. Eventually the girl appear and meet Kevin. All people were happy especially his friends. They hug and kiss each other.
Opinion of listening/
It was funny movie and had a lot of comedy. The most thing was funny when their Colleagues in the work made fun of him, they called him Romeo. The best thing that I like in this movie, when his friends helped and stand beside him.
Vocabulary/
Cosmic(adj): : relating to space or the universe: • a cosmic explosion or connection.
"Don’t be a dummy"
Obsession(n) : an extreme unhealthy interest in something or worry about something, which prevents you from thinking about other things:
Title/ The second debate- between Obama and McCain
• Length of listening/1 : 30
Summary/ In this debate each candidates mentioned his plan for United States. John McCain mentioned that he wants to return America strong economy. Also he mentioned that American workers are the best workers in the world. In addition John McCain said" we lost thousands of jobs last years, because the taxes are higher. He supports to keep taxes low especially fro companies. On the other hand Obama wants to low tax for middle class. Also they mentioned greenhouses gases and both senators have plan for reduce them. Also they told audience and viewers about their plan for Iraq war and the political problems with Russia.
Opinion of listening/ This debate was completely different than the first debate between John McCain and Obama. It was strong debate and difficult for both candidates because they directly have to response for all question from Journalists. In my opinion John was very confident about his self, but Obama didn't have more experience for his kind of debate.
Vocabulary/
Watchdog (noun): a person or group that makes sure other people follow rules. Example: a consumer watchdog group.
Deregulation(noun) : The removal of government controls from an industry or sector, to allow for a free and efficient marketplace.
Title:
The second presidential debate
Length:
150minutes
Summary:
Two candidates were asked to respond to prompt questions from audiences and internet users covering tax, health care and foreign policies.
4. Reaction:
It was interesting to watch the candidates interacting with people in the studio since I've never seen this kind of debate. Even though two candidates tried to use friendly gesture and words, atmosphere wasn't relaxed. Thanks to the questions selected by public, I could learn what Americans' major interests are.
New vocabulary
entitlement: An entitlement to something is the right to have it or do it
social security:Social security is a system under which a government pays money regularly to certain groups of people, for example the sick, the unemployed, or those with no other income.
Title:
Eagle Eye.
Length:
2 hours (118 min)
Summary:
The movie was about two people received a call from a women ordering them to kill the president of the USA. The woman was actually a computer and she threatens the two people’s family if they didn’t follow their orders. They had to do what the woman says. In the end, when the boy was about to kill the present, he changed his mind and started shooting on the air. Everybody escaped and the police shot the boy.
Reaction:
It wasn’t a good movie. The story wasn’t so good and it was really hard to follow. I couldn’t understand the story exactly. Also Sho didn’t get it.
Vocabulary:
Premise: Building
Decoy: trap
Set me up: if someone manipulated to make you guilty.
Title:
Sicko (Documentary).
Length:
2 hours (123 min)
Summary:
The documentary was about the health care in the USA compared to the free health care in UK and France, etc. Further, he shows the corruption in the political system. Then he travels to Canada, Great Britain and France to compare their systems showing their hospital, doctors, staffs and patients. Last but not the least, he shows that the prisoners in Guantanamo have better medical treatment than the people in USA.
Reaction:
It was a very good and interesting documentary. It shows you the different between the US and other developed countries. Also, it shows you how the American people suffer from the corruption of the health care in the US. I really recommend this documentary to others to watch.
Vocabulary:
Bound: jump.
Botched: failed.
Dysfunctional: not working.
1. Title: Second debate between Obama and McCain
2. Length: 100 min.
3. Summary:
Another debate was held as a vote for preisdent is coming soon. The way of debate was different from the first debate. Two nominees respond to the questions from audience. Main focuses were economy and foreign policy like the first debate.
4. Reaction:
One thing the most shocking was John McCain's calling Obama as "that one". Some of CS classmates were really upsey about that. I also think it is rude for opponent and it's not an etiqutte.
Even though I was in affirmative group in in-class debate, I support Obama and his policies for renovating the America.
5. New words/phrases:
1) crack down
: indicate the point suddenly and make it important.
2) bridge the gap
: to overcome the difference.
3) maternity
: the state of being or becoming a mother, relating to pregnancy or giving birth
Title: Girls with a Pearl Earring.
Length: 98 minutes
Summary: In 1665, the girl entered to the artist’s house as a servant. The artist tried to teach her the art. However, he could not express his interest mind to her, because of greedy wife and law in mother. The supporter of the artist tried to induce the artist to draw the girl, servant. In the long run, the artist drew the servant, so he finished the great work, Girls with a Pearl Earring. However, the girl, servant exiled from the house, because the artist’s wife noticed strange atmosphere between the girl and the artist
Reaction: Owing to different social level, the love could not be achieved. It was sad love story. The movie was like beautiful picture.
New vocabulary:
1. lick:When people or animals lick something, they move their tongue across its surface.
2. master: A servant's master is the man that he or she works for.
1. Title Experts' discussion & Debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.- by Radio
2. Length 2 hours
3. Summary
They had strong argument from both side during the debate. McCain tried to attack Obama again and again, and his speech was so rude what I neven seen before in other debate
They talked about severa issuses such as, Foreign policy, taxes, health care, Etc..
4. Reaction:
I think John McCain tried to get revenge in this debate because many people defineded that last debate's winner was Barack Obama.
I astonished when McCain mentioned "That one" to Obama. I think that it would negative affect to John McCain
5. New vocabulary
consequence - Something like Result
panel - insurance
1.Title: debate vice president
2.Length: 2hour
3.Summary
They talked about policy which would affect to Americac economy. and they explained why they support Barack Obama and John McCain.
I think most importan part of the debate was, they tried to show people that they are common people.
Biden said with his experience.. his accident which killed his wife and daughter, and Palin said quote word "Darn night" and "betcha"
4.Reaction
I think sometimes Palin's answer was so strange and I think some answers were not correct. sometimes her speech was not on the focus. so it made me that i confused what was going on.
5.New vocabulary
betcha - of course, sure
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
Movie title: 300
Running time: an hour and 57 minute
300
The movie 300 talks about a tale of Persians who are attacking one village after another trying to take over the world, but there is one village that rejected the Persians offer to share land, water, and food. Leonidas the prime leader of Spartans who rejected the Persian offer by killing the Persians messenger decided to gather up 300 of Sparta’s best worriers to plan an attack on the Persians before they attack Sparta. The 300 Spartans where inspired by Leonidas carriage to attack. My reaction to this movie is that this movie contains lots of rage and violence act in it, but else than that it is a good movie. 300 makes some viewers want to be in a good healthy body shape. Personally I recommend a lot of people to watch it to see how Spartans protected their land and legacy.
New Vocabulary :
exclusive
invasion
Thermopile
insurmountable
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
CS 4
Movie title : The Dark Knight
Running time : two hour and 31 minute
Batman: The Dark Knight
It is allegory movie about action and horror. It talks about how Gotham city gets attacked by the joker who is trying to kill Gothams protector batman the knight in the shining armor. Batman disconcerting smoke, disband organized crime, deploying high-tech weapons, knight in shining armour.
New Vocabulary :
unleashed
terrified
mysterious
psychopathic
allegory
Title: the second presidential debate
Length: 2 hours
Summary:
Obama and McCain argued some issues that we know. Obama claimed his tax plan and alternative energy. When they talked about alternative energy, I could see the difference between Obama and McCain clearly. McCain is going to use nuclear power and oil more than Obama.
Reaction:
I could see that McCain was more friendly to people and persuasive. On the other hand, Obama was a little stiff. However, I still think that Obama's plan is better than McCain's plan. I really want the world to use alternative energy so that we can stop the global warming.
New vocabulary:
vital - necessary or essential in order for something to succeed or exist
weatherize? - to protect a building against the effects of cld weather
Title:
Eagle eye
Length: 2 hours
Summary:
One day, a man suddenly received lots of weapons at his home by someone. Because of that, he were chased by the police. A woman, kidnaped her, was terrified by the someone. They met and followed the directions by the someone, was actually a computer. The computer tied to kill the president, but was defeated by them.
Reaction:
That was a little confusing, and not interesting. kind of boring.
New word:
obey - to do what you are told or expected to do
decoy - to make someone come by something attractive.
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
CS 4
Movie title : John Q
Running time : two hours and 50 minute
This movie is about this family of three Mom ,Dad and there son. It is started when when the son had a heart problem. When they took their son to the hospital and they refused to help him because he doesn’t have health care. After that he decided to take over the hospital with gun. Soon after the police came and showed up but they couldn't enter the hospital because he had all the entrance and exits lucked. Therefore, the police lie to him by saying they found a heart for his son but he found out about the lie. So he decided to make the biggest design of his life. He wants to take his own life so his son can live. In the same time his wife was trying to reach her husband to tell him that they found a heart for there son and the an insurance company decided to help him.After all she reached him and told him the good news and the son got the new heart. The Dad went to court for taking over the hospital.
Vocabulary:
Acceptability
Defender
provincial
omissions
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
Movie title: Wanted
Running time: two hours
This movie is a bout this guy that works in a office and his best friend is fucking his girlfriend. There is a secret organization of assassin so they trained him to kill an ex assassinate . When he got the job done he found out that the person he killed was his Dad and the head boss of the agency that he worked for. After that, he decided to make every thing right.
I think that this movie its not what i expected but it was kinda nice. I liked the way they talked about guns and how guns never shoot strait.
Vocabulary:
assassinated
unassuming
overbearing
headquarters
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
CS 4
Movie title : Blade
Running time: 2 hours
Blade
This movie talks about a vampire who attacked a pregnant woman who gave birth to a burned child the child became a vampire slayer killing one vampire after another foiling there plan. The vampires are trying to create a breed of vampires by capturing Blade and getting a sample of his blood to become day walkers.
Day walker, brutal killing,
Elyas Mourcy
Instructor: Anthony Prato
CS 4
Movie title: Quarantine
Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
This is a horror, suspense, and mystery movie. The movie chronicles one night in the life of a fire department viewed through the eyes of a news crew. As the interviewer and cameraman from the news station follow two firefighters on a call, they soon find themselves in a horrifying and almost unbelievable predicament. When they arrive at the apartment complex where the call had come from, they become witnesses to a gruesome murder scene. Ultimately the audience learns that the apartment complex has become a breeding ground for a new strain of the rabies virus. The movie ends in the death of all characters in the movie. The movie was great, but one problem, it was a documentary movie which was on a moving camera. I don’t really recommend you to watch this movie but if you want to good luck and enjoy.
Vocabulary:
chronicles
horrifying
predicament
strain
Elyas Mourcy
CS 4
Movie tile: Bad boys
Running time: two hours
This movie is an action movie about two cops who get involved in a case involving stolen drugs and a murder. Mike Lawrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) play the two cops who are constantly getting into trouble and seem to always be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mike Lawrey is really smooth though and manages to get out of bad situations without a scratch. His partner, though, is not smooth at all and the situations he is in always look bad, even if they aren’t. I like this movie because it is clever and witty and is also got a good plot that is filled with action!
Title: The boy with the incredible brain
Length: 50 min
Summary:
That is a documentary of a boy who has “incredible brain.” This boy can multiply and divide extremely big numbers for instance to divide 13 by 97. He solve the math problem better that the calculator because the calculator did not give the whole answer of the problem. When Daniel explained how make these big calculation he said that he has a figure for every number from 1 to 10 000. Every number has different shape. He also can speak 9 languages. He can learn a foreign language from scratch. He learned Icelandic for one week.
savant – very intelligent person, genius
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