Norway and Norwegians ..? :-)

This is Norway - a brief introduction




Read about weird things Norwegians do here

and how to make things "koselig" here :)

Last but not least watch this video about socializing with Norwegians



Write your own text about Norway and Norwegians.

Outsourced - learning about cultural differences

Todd is an American who works as a manager in a company that sells American trinkets. He is sent to India to train his replacement. There he is introduced to the Indian culture. He learns many lessons about their cultural norms (shared beliefs and practices). The Indian workers also learn about how Americans live and some beliefs that they have

Introduction - before watching the film answer the following:

1) What is “outsourcing”?

2) Why do companies outsource to India?

Answer the following questions. Refer to the film!

1) What is typical of the Indian culture. Also list some of the norms you noticed and the reason behind the norm

2) Todd first tells the new employees in India that they must learn more about America. Why does he feel that this is impotant? Explain. Do you agree with him?

3) Explain the difference between American and Indian cultures when it comes to family.

4) How did Todd change during the movie and become more accepting of the Indian way (norm) of life? 

5)  Did some of the employees become more like an American? Explain with two examples.

6) According to some of the characters how does a “native” speaks English? What mistakes in language usage are represented in the film?

Sources

Film review or film analysis?

This might help you:

Review	Analysis
Subjective evaluation	Aid to understanding
Introduce and identify      Title, director, genre, producer, studio, (country), year, running time, actors/cast, rating. The reviewer often situates the film with reference to other work by the same director / main actors, and other films in the same genre.	Simple identification is enough (Title, year, director). Other elements mentioned as necessary
Analyse/sum up the plot	Assume that the reader has a working knowledge of the plot – no summary is necessary unless the plot is your focus.
Discuss the genre Evaluate the acting Broader context	Chooses one or several elements and analyses how they work and contribute to the film (setting, narrative, theme, characterization etc.).

This document shows an introductory paragraphs for a film review and a film analysis for 3 different films. 
Read it and try to write your own introductory paragraph for a review and an analysis of a movie you have seen.

My first Kahoot! :-)

My students love Kahoot! and I think it is amazing. I have tried it with my German classes as well. It certainly was a huge success :-) 


I started the school year with this Kahoot!:
Introduction to the English speaking world (you need to sign in first).

Want to make your own? Take a look here.

Freedom writers

Before we watch the moving film the Freedom Writers together, work with the following tasks and remember that the movie is based on a true story (and a book):

1) In your study group (of four students):

Find out about: 

student a) Rodney King, 

student b) racial Riots in LA  

student c)  integration programs in schools

student d) war zones in the LA Ghetto areas

Need help?

Present your findings to the other group members before watching the film.

Also take a look at the following links: Wikipedia and Foundation

2) After you have seen the film, write a brief summary of the film. Discuss the theme(s) with a peer/partner. 

Answer at least 5 of the questions on the worksheet here.

Take turns and present the questions you have prepared in groups. Maybe the other group members/ the class can contribute with more knowledge on the topic.

3) Then the group discusses the questions below:

a) Why do you think they called themselves the Freedom Writers? Where and when does the story take place (background information is very important)? Who are the main characters and how do they change throughout the movie?

b) Explain why one or more of the film's important issues are 

 tolerance, respect, trust, overcoming adversity, family, inequality in the educational system and success.

c) Read in pairs:  The truth behind the film

4) We have worked with the film the Freedom Writers and focused on the following competence aims:

"vurdere og bruke ulike situasjoner, arbeidsmåter og læringsstrategier for å videreutvikle egne ferdigheter i engelsk"

"vurdere egen framgang i arbeidet med å lære engelsk"

"drøfte engelskspråklige filmer og andre kulturuttrykk fra forskjellige medier"

Answer the following questions which are to be presented in your studygroups:

1. Which working methods have you used to learn about the Freedom writers Diary, and also to improve your English skills?

2. What have you learnt about setting, plot, characters and important themes from watching, discussing and analyzing the film

5) Want to learn more and improve your listening skills? Watch this: Ted Talk: Erin Gruwell

Goanimate: Fun fun fun!!

Create an account on goanimate.

Here are some examples from other students.

How to create a goanimate video? Have a look here or here.

Your task is here: 

The Kite Runner. Questions to the film

1)      What do you think of Hassan and Amir’s friendship? Was Amir using Hassan? Why or why not?

2)      Does Amir stand up for himself or Hassan later in the film? How?

3)      What do you think Amir should have done when he saw the boys attacking Hassan? Why do you think he didn’t act?

4)      How do you think Amir felt later? What about Hassan?

5)      Do you think Baba is an honorable and ethical man? Why or why not? What was your opinion of him before he stood up to the soldier who wanted to have sex with the new mother? What about after you found out he slept with the wife of his servant and was Hassan’s father?

6)      Which character do you identify with the most? Why?

7)      Baba states in the film that, “All sins stem from stealing of one form or another.” What do you think of that philosophy?

Source

8)      What did Rahim Khan mean when he said to Amir, “There is a way to be good again”? Was it important for Amir to redeem himself? Why?

9)      What are the main themes in this story? Why did you choose these themes? Refer to the film. Suggestions: discrimination, redemption, family, nationality.

10)   Describe the main characters – refer to the film.
Khaled Hosseini