List of Prezi Presentation Topics – Small Business Ideas
5-6
List of Personality Adjectives - Antonyms
7
Boiler Room - Literary Elements
8-9
The Devil Wears Prada – Literary Elements
10-13
Broadcast News - Literary Elements
14-14
Workplace Romance
16
Wall Street – Literary Elements
17-18
Scams
19
500 Days of Summer – Literary Elements
20-21
Public Enemies – Literary Elements
22-23
Bank Robbery Five W’s
24
3
Introduction
My philosophy of second language teaching is to combine a high interest message + high
touch media + high tech media! For media I combine high touch and high technology.
Motivation is extremely important in the second language learning and the appropriate choice
of message and media can help motivate students.
The high touch media part of my lessons includes the use of props and video. I use props and
costumes to engage all the senses including the kinesic sense. Teaching with multiple
modalities accommodates different perceptual learning styles. The use of costumes is a fun
activity that lowers anxiety, boredom and doubt and lowers the affective filter. According to
Krashen’s Input Hypothesis, a lowered affective filter should enhance second language
learning. I also use video as the common classroom experience of a Language Experience
Approach (LEA) lesson in order to engage all the senses of the students prior to discussion.
The high tech media part of my lessons includes both hypermedia and student centered
technology projects. I use my blog to provide a hypermedia mode of instruction and this
increases teacher control over lesson content. The use of online hypermedia content means
the instructor can more readily control the difficulty level of text presented in the classroom
for lecture and/or discussion purposes. The instructor can easily share lecture and/or
discussion notes by sending links to the notes via social media. The students can access
information that was not presented in class through hyperlinks in the online lesson. The
hyperlinks are designed as extensions for remediation or enrichment.
When appropriate the students in my classes do technology based communication projects.
Second language learners may be unsure of their English skills but still have a strong interest
in technology that motivates them to try to communicate to their fellow students via
technology based communication projects. The infusion of technology as a communication
tool in the second language classroom also improves the technological competence of the
students. Finally, the best way to teach second language learners how to talk about
technology is through technology projects.
4
If the main second language objective of the class is the development of Basic Interpersonal
Communication Skills (BICS) then I pick topics from pop culture. I also use more high touch
media rather than a high tech media when BICS are the main goal.
If the main second language objective of the class is the development of Cognitive Academic
Language Proficiency (CALP) then I use authentic academic materials. I also rely more on
hypermedia to communicate complex material in a fun and interesting way in which the pace
of comprehensible input is tightly controlled. I am also more likely to put an emphasis on
technology based communication projects.
In either case, I use prior research that I have done on what EFL students find interesting in
order to guide my lesson content decisions. In Fox (2004) the focus was just on student
interests. The follow up article Fox and Miller (2007) compared student interests with
textbook content and found there was a poor match. This packet is an attempt to provide
research based high interest topics that is superior to that of most textbooks. In my opinion,
effective second language teaching is the masterful synergy of message and media to create
optimal conditions for learning!
In all my lesson plans there will be both a BICS and CALP activity but I vary the ratio of
time spent on the BICS versus CALP objective depending on the level. The table below is an
approximation of the ratio of time this instructor will spend on BICS versus CALP activities
depending on the ESL level.
If the level of the students is very low then I might focus on the BICS activity and forego the
CALP activity altogether. On the other hand, even with a very high level class, I would never
neglect the BICS activity altogether. The BICS activity acts as a natural motivational warm
up activity that introduces the CALP activity even in the case of very high level ESL learners.
References
Fox, H. & Miller, A. (2007). What EFL Topics do Students find Interesting? Hwa Kang
Journal, 13, 99-110
Fox, H. (2004). A Study of ESL Teachers and Their Attitudes about Computer-Assisted
Language Learning Usage, Hwa Kang Journal of TEFL, 10. 37-56
5
List of Prezi Presentation Topics – Small Business Ideas
http://foxhugh.wordpress.com/list-of-lists/list-of-small-business-ideas/
The student will pick one of the topics below for their Prezi presentation. No two students
can do the same topic.
1) Antique
2) Appliance Repair 3) Aquarium
4) Basement
Appraiser
Business
Maintenance
Remodeler
5) Bathtub
6) Blog Consultant
7) Blogging
8) Bookkeeper
Reglazing
9) Business
10) Candle Maker
11) Candy Maker
12) Carpenter
Consultant
13) Carpet Cleaning 14) Catering Service 15) Childproofing
16) Chimney Sweep
Expert
17) Cloth Diaper
18) Commercial
19) Composting
20) Computer
Service
Cleaning
Repair
21) Computer
22) Computer Tutor
23) Construction
24) Corporate Party
Trainer
Cleanup
Planner
25) Courier Services 26) Customer
27) Data Entry
28) Deck
Service Professional Service
Maintenance
29) Desktop
30) Direct Mail
31) Disaster
32) Disc Jockey (DJ)
Publishing
Marketing Service
Planning and
Prevention Service
33) Dog Trainer
34) Dog Treat Baker 35) Dog Waste
36) Doula
Remover
37) eBay Consultant 38) eBay Seller
39) ebay Trading
40) E-book
Assistant
Publishing
41) Faux Painting
42) Floor Installation 43) Florist
44) Freelance Writer
Home Interiors
45) Furniture Mover 46) Furniture
47) Garage
48) Gardener
Refinishing
Organizer
49) Genealogist
50) Gift Baskets
51) Google Adwords 52) Gourmet Pet
Consultant
Food Services
53) Grant Writer
54) Green Cleaner
55) Green Cleaning 56) Green
Products Distributor Consultant
57) Gutter Cleaner
58) Hair Salon
59) Handmade
60) Handyman
Owner
Crafter
61) Hauling
62) Holiday
63) Home Inspection 64) Home
Services
Decorator
Remodeling &
Restoration
65) Home Safety
66) Home Stager
67) Home Theater
68) Home
Inspection
Repair/Design
Weatherization
Professional
69) Home-Based
70) Homemade
71) Hot Tub Repair
72) House Painter
Child Care Provider Baked Goods
73) House Sitting
74)
75) Ice Cream Shop 76) Image
Housecleaning/Maid Business
Consultant
Services
77) Indoor Plant
78) Ink and Toner
79) Interior Designer 80) Internet
Care
Cartridge Refilling
Marketing Services
6
81) Internet
Researcher
85) Licensed Day
Care Center
89) Massage
Therapist
93) Nanny Service
82) Jewelry Maker
83) Laundry Service
86) Life Coach
87) Locksmith
90) Medical Billing
& Coding
94) Nutritionist
97) Party Planner
98) Patient or Health
Advocate
102) Personal
Trainer
91) Medical
Transcriptionist
95) Organic Hair
Care Products Seller
99) Personal Chef
101) Personal
Shopper & Errand
Service
105) Pet Groomer
106) Pet Sitter
109) Picture
Framing
113) Professional
Organizer
117) Resume Writer
110) Pizza Parlor
121) Senior Care
Provider
125) Soap Maker
122) SEO Consultant
129) Tax
Accountant
133) TV Repair
137) Voice-Over
Professional
141) Wedding
Planner
114) Project
Manager
118) Roof Repair
126) Social Media
Consultant
130) Tax Preparation
103) Pest Control
107) Photo
Restoration Service
111) Pool Cleaning
and Maintenance
115) Proofreader
119) Sales
Consultant
123) Snow and Ice
Removal Service
127) Speech Writer
138) Wallpapering
131) Translation
Service Provider
135) Virtual
Assistant
139) Web Designer
142) Window
Cleaning
143) Wine
Consultant
134) Video Producer
84) Lawn & Yard
Care
88) Marketing
Copywriter
92) Motivational
Speaker
96) Organic Lawn
Care Provider
100) Personal
Concierge
104) Pet Couture
Designer/Seller
108) Photographer
112) Private Tutor
116) Public
Relations Agency
120) Scrapbooking
124) Snow Removal
128) Stained Glass
132) Tree Farmer
136) Virtual Call
Center
140) Wedding
Photographer
144) Yoga Instructor
8
Boiler Room - Literary Elements
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/boiler-room-literary-elements/
A college dropout gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm, which puts him on
the fast track to success, but the job might not be as legitimate as it sounds.
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) Giovanni Ribisi as Seth
3.2) Nia Long as Abby
9
3.3) Ben Affleck as Jim Young
3.4) Vin Diesel as Chris
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
10
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) Does the movie have any cultural lessons?
8.0) What are the literary conflicts of the movie?
11
The Devil Wears Prada – Literary Elements
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/the-devil-wears-prada-literaryelements/
A naive young woman comes to New York and scores a job as the assistant to one of the
city’s biggest magazine editors, the ruthless and cynical Miranda Priestly.
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
Monomyth?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly
3.2) Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs
12
3.3) Emily Blunt as Emily
3.4) Stanley Tucci as Nigel
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
13
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) Does the movie have any cultural lessons?
7.1) Does the fashion industry sexualize overly young models?
7.2) Does the fashion industry lead to unhealthy eating habits?
7.3) Does the fashion industry have an abnormal obsession with eternal youth?
8.0) What are the literary conflicts of the movie?
14
Broadcast News - Literary Elements
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/broadcast-news-literary-elements/
Take two rival TV reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer,
female. Mix well and watch the sparks fly.
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) William Hurt as Tom Grunick
3.2) Albert Brooks as Aaron Altman
3.3) Holly Hunter as Jane Craig
15
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) Does the movie have any cultural lessons?
8.0) What are the literary conflicts of the movie?
16
Workplace Romance
http://foxhugh.com/five-ws-lessons/workplace-romance/
1) Who engages in workplace romances?
2) What are some pros and cons of workplace romances?
3) When is a workplace romance a bad idea?
4) Where do workplace romances occur?
5) Why do people engage in workplace romances?
17
Wall Street – Literary Elements
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/wall-street-literary-elements/
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko
3.2) Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox
3.3) Daryl Hannah as Darien Taylor
18
3.4) Martin Sheen as Carl Fox
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) Does the movie have any cultural lessons
7.1) Greed is Good
7.2) 7 Business Lessons to Learn from Gordon Gekko
19
Scams
http://foxhugh.com/communication/scams/
1) 15 Online Scams You Might Get Fooled By
2) 25 Most Popular Scams You Should Watch Out For
3) Ponzi Schemes
4) Top 10 Scams
5) 4 Signs that a Job is a Scam (in 3.5 minutes)
6) Protecting Yourself Against Financial Scams
7) Car Dealership Scams
20
500 Days of Summer
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/500-days-of-summer/
Explain the title of the movie.
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
2.1) What is a nonlinear narrative?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen
3.2) Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) What does the movie teach us about love?
The student will be able to discuss (1) types of love, (2) components of love and (3) facts
about love.
7.1) Types of Love
What is philia?
What is storge?
What is eros?
What is agape?
21
7.2) Triangular Theory of Love
What is passion?
What is intimacy?
What is commitment?
7.3) Facts about Love
8.0) What are the literary conflicts of the movie?
22
Public Enemies – Literary Elements
http://foxhugh.com/tv-series-esl-discussion-questions/public-enemies-literary-elements/
The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson
and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
1.0) What is the point of view of the movie?
2.0) What is the plot of the movie?
3.0) Describe the following characters using the Fox Character Analysis Pyramid which
includes name/title, physical appearance, personality, character’s role, character’s
problems/challenges, major accomplishments, cultural context, and world view.
3.1) Johnny Depp as John Dillinger
3.2) Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis
23
3.3) Marion Cotillard as Billie Frechette
3.4) Channing Tatum as Pretty Boy Floyd
4.0) What is the theme of the movie?
5.0) What is the setting of the movie? How important is the setting?
6.0) What is the genre of the movie?
7.0) Does the movie have any cultural lessons?
8.0) What are the literary conflicts of the movie?
24
Bank Robbery – 5 W’s
http://foxhugh.com/five-ws-lessons/bank-robbery/
1) Who are some famous bank robbers?