Computer Lab for August 4, 2011

Good morning students.

Today you will start your own blog, where you can share your knowledge, ideas and experiences with others via text, multimedia and links.

But first,  I want you to take a vocabulary test to assess you vocabulary knowledge.

1.   Go to   http://www.lextutor.ca/tests/levels/recognition/1k/test_1.html

      and take the test.   Tell me when you are finished and have the score.

2.   Go to    http://www.lextutor.ca/tests/levels/recognition/2_10k/

      and take the tests for Level 2000, Level 3000 and Level 5000.  Tell me
      when you are finished and have the score.

3.   Set up an English e-mail.   Yahoo or Google is best.   

4.   Create a blog.    Go to www.blogger.com and proceed through the steps of  

      creating a blog.    You will need a Google account to set it up.   You can 

      give my phone number (2508021492) to send a text message for a

      verification number if you don't have a Google account. Think of a name for your    

      blog.  (Your blog should somewhere indicate who you are .)

5.   The first entry on your blog should be about yourself.  It is to be  short one           

       paragraph introduction,   including a photograph.   

6.    Send me an e-mail from your new e-mail account with the url of your new blog.

7.    On your own time, browse some other blogs on the Internet.

       Here are some such blogs.     Find a blog that you like.    Your homework task

       for next Thursday is to review a blog about ESL or something Canadian.    The 

       review should describe/summarize the blog (including a link) and give reasons 

       why you like it.  This will be another post in your blog.

Using English Blog

ESL Blogspot

Canada Blog Friends  (A survey of Canadian bloggers)

Top Blogs  (Canada's best blogs)

ESL Trail

Canada Blogs  (More links to Canadian blogs)

Top 25 ESL Blogs

Here are some additional websites that you can browse at your leisure.

Wordsmyth     ( a very good online dictionary -- use the advanced dictionary)

Study Skills Assessment  (try this survey and see how your study skills are)

Living in Canada    (the government of Canada website for newcomers to Canada)

Picture Dictionary Online    (a fun resource for developing your vocabulary and spelling)

Sounds of American English   (an excellent pronunciation website)