listening skills

1.  Write a list of listening skills that you learned about from each of the units that we studied.  Find them on - page 9, page 35, page 58, page 82, page 107.

Identifying main ideas:
-main ideas
-examples, arguments, or other types of supporting information

Making inferences 
-not always state their ideas or opinion directly

Listening for examples
-listening for phrases
-Noticing rising intonation

Recognizing appositives that explain
-a phrase that gives additional information in sentence.
-set off by commas and intonation

Organizing notes with T-chart
-cause&effect, problem&solution, discussions of difference before and after a particular event
-dividing paper into two columns and write one category at the top of each column
-connecting ideas between each other  


2.  Which listening skill (mentioned above) did you find the most valuable?  Why?
Organizing notes with T-chart.
I always write down lots of words and incomplete sentences while taking notes. It becomes difficult that everything mixes together and isn't in order, and then I will have trouble continuing summary and even a short oral feedback. In this way, it helps me to induce and clarify the connection between ideas immediately. Reviewing main ideas and remembering key points become easy because of the illusion of T-chart in mind. 

3.  What are some ways in which your listening in English has improved this semester?

Because we have listened to many different types of listening materiel, I think I'm more familiar with different speed and accents; moreover, I can guess what will be mentioned next by some of information provided before which helps me to catch the points of listening more easily. 

4.  What are some challenges that you still face in your English listening?  How do you plan to overcome these challenges?

I can't write and spell words as fast as I can think. That is, there is not enough time for me to record everything which passes through my mind. I'll try to enrich my vocabulary by listening again and again, so I can recognize the words immediately. Also, I will listen more materiel especially focus on news reports like BBC and NPR and take notes by several tips we mentioned in this semester in order to speed up.
5.  Based on your experience with listening to many different types of activities in English this semester (listening to radio reports, radio interviews, TED talks, the audio book, a song, etc.), what is the most efficient way that you can train yourself to improve your English listening on your own?  Explain your answer.

I think TED talks are the most efficient way for me, but it's also the most difficult one. For a university student, lectures and speech are the most common way gaining knowledge and new information. TED talks, platforms delivering ideas through some funny and humor ways, not only provide interesting materiel to practice notes taking, but also serve as models of attractive presentation.  

Music Video

Why are you sharing this song?

What is the meaning of the lyrics?

The song "The Music of the Night" is from the well-known musical "The Phantom of the Opera", which is my favorite musical and I have seen the live show twice in London and Taipei. I also have the DVD and several versions of soundtracks because I am addicted to the touching plots and dramatic music. The lyrics of this song is written in graceful words just like a poem and the reason why I would like to choose this song is because I think the song which has a story is really meaningful and more moving. And another reason is the singer's pronunciation with very clear and deep voice sounds sexy. 

The song is from a part of miserable story. The man is trying to persuade and hypnotize the woman to give up the light and to enjoy the music, the darkness, and the life in the cellar with him. He use the words "Slowly, gently, softly, deftly, floating, and falling" to show the gradual coming of darkness, but she need not to be afraid due to "Night time (can) sharpens heightens each sensation" and "Darkness (will) stirs and wakes imagination".The man repeatedly appeals her for believing him and discarding the consciousness.

TV Commercial in English

What is happening in the commercial?
The commercial emphasizes on the connection between the town Omaha where First National Bank was born and raised and people who live there, showing pictures about their live in surroundings, careers and activities. The heartbeats at the great city, pounding with history, cultures and ambitions seem to be closed related to the bank, and they are willing to help people who put others first. It says that this is a town with history of doing great things, and in the future we'll do even more.

What is the product or service?

The bank itself, including saving, investing and loaning, etc.


Who is the target audience?
People who may want to achieve something with financial assistance; for example, the poor want to hold a store but they don't have enough capital.

 What emotions does it use to persuade the reader to buy the product or service?
The bank want to shape a reliable and honest image; besides, it want to convince the audience that the bank will always stay with people.

 Does it do a good job in persuading the watcher to buy the product? Why or why not?

Not really. I think it is a successful image advertising which promotes an overall perception of a company instead of  promoting a product or service's specific attributes. The bank is always regarded as a huge monster swallowing the poor's money; thus, through the commercial, people may tend to cooperate with bank and believe in it, which is the usage of this commercial.

Animal Documentary

Why am I sharing this documentary?

The bird is one of my favorite animals and I have kept them as pets since I was a kid. They are adorable,vivacious, and smart. However, which kind of birds is special enough to share with the class? The birds of paradise first come to mine mind because of their scarcity and unique.

Summary of the documentary:

This is an introduction about the series documentaries of the birds of paradise are made by Ed Scholes the evolutionary and Tim Leman the wildlife photographer. They went to New Guinea and passed through impenetrable mountains because these remarkable birds exist no where else on earth. The birds of paradise are famous for their amazing ways to attracting opposite sex and showing off their gifted appearances and skills of courtship; for instances, they can swagger like celebrities walks on the red carpet and serenade like a passionate boy who is in love play guitar outside a girl's apartment, not to mention the basic tools - dancing and displaying. These birds are  miraculous not only for their exceptional beauty, but as veritable living textbooks on adaptation and sexual selection.  

Long TED Talk

Summary:

Amy Cuddy, a Social Psychologist, her research on body language reveals that we can change other people’s perceptions — and even our own body chemistry — simply by changing body positions.She mentioned that our bodies change our minds, and our minds change our behavior, and our behavior changes our outcomes.People who maintain the high power poses often feel confident with themselves, and they do work powerfully. In conclusion, she suggests that even we think we are not supposed to have something and to be someone, we should fake it until become it.

What can listeners learn from this talk?

We know the body languages show what we think, such as crossing arm shows nervous,lack of eyes contact shows dishonesty ; however, do we know the type of poses play an important role in self-consciousness? Before we are giving a speech or taking an interview, we should enlarge our body. Let the poses lead mental identification.

Short TED Talk

Summary: 

Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook , is also the first woman to serve as board of director in Facebook. She shares her answers to the question'' Why women are not making in to the top in any profession and anywhere in the world ? '' There are 3 suggestion to women who want to stay in the work force: First, set up the table and  catch the opportunities. Second, make your partner a real partner . Man should even the housework out and let women stay in the work force. Third, do not leave before you leave. Women should keep putting their feet on the gas pedal until the very day they need to leave for a child and then make a decision. The conclusion, which inspires me , is that Sheryl wants  her son to have a choice to contribute not only in the work force but also in home and wants her daughter to not to succeed but to be liked for her accomplishment.  

What can listeners learn from this talk?  

Sheryl gives listener a lot of ideas and researches . Mostly, men attribute their success to themselves,while women attribute theirs to other external factors. Success and likability are positively correlated for men and negatively for women. Although they are not absolutely correct and universal, they make think about the difference between men and women. As a man, he should try his best to support his wife and coworkers. To me, as a woman should believe in myself and have a positive attitude even I'm still a student. 

Movie Clip

Which movie does this clip come from?

This clip is from the movie Les  Misérables.

What is this movie about?

Les  Misérables  is a epitome of historical tragedy . It reflects several poor lives suffer from different kind of pain in 19 century in France. Jean Valjean the prisoner who can't get rid of  the past and the prejudice just like a ghost followed him through his whole life. Fantine is  a struggling single mother who becomes a street prostitute in order to pay for her child's well-being. Javert is often regarded as a bad guy in this movie, but he suffered from the dilemma between the duty of police and his conscience and finally suicided.

What is happening in this clip?

 Fantine was hurt by her lover and became a poor single mother. She had to work hard to make a living. The supervisor of the factory did sexual harassment to her and wanted to offend her. Others worker insulted her was a  prostitute while the supervisor also wanted to drive her out because he shamed into anger.