Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Welcome to TOEFL Prep!

Hello everybody!
This will be our online journal and our “virtual classroom” throughout the year. Here you’ll find lots of multimedia activities and information to access at the lab or at home. Check out the sidebar for useful sites, online dictionaries and extra exercises. You’ll also be able to post any comments or queries or just keep in touch with classmates. Let’s make the most of this wonderful tool! Let’s start blogging!
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29 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 16, 2007 at 2:40 PM

    I can´t remember which the homework is for next Monday. Could someone help me?. Stella.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 16, 2007 at 4:37 PM

    I am interested in the Toefl exam so as to have the opportunity in the future to study abroad.
    Answer for Stella: the homework is this writing that you did and that I am writing in this moment, that is to write some comment on this page in english.

    Gabriela

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  3. Carla RaguseoMarch 16, 2007 at 5:32 PM

    Hi, Stella and Gabriela!

    It's nice to "see" you here again.
    As regards your homework, you are supposed to watch and listen to the second part of the TOEFL iBT Tour and jot down the most important facts about each part of the test(listening, reading, etc.), such as the type and number of exercises. We'll discuss your notes in class next Monday.
    Also, it would be nice if you could write a brief personal introduction as well as the goals you wish to achieve by taking this course or the reason why you want to take the TOEFL. Setting clear goals always helps us focus and reflect on our work and keep track of our progress.

    Best regards,

    Carla

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  4. AnonymousMarch 18, 2007 at 6:40 PM

    Hi ARICANA´s Bloggers. I was nine years old when I first came to this Institute as a student. Now, i´m twenty nine and a lot of things have changed, like Lab´s Layout, homework´s format, teachers, students, and even that my parents don´t pay ARICANA for me anymore.
    I hope TOEFL´s help me find new opportunities in the US related with my profesional career and keep me in touch with this beautiful language. Simply, that are the reasons i´m here again.

    Lots of success for everybody,

    Andrés.

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  5. Carla RaguseoMarch 19, 2007 at 3:31 AM

    Welcome back, Andrés!
    It is our pleasure to have you with us again. As you said, many things have changed,(even the TOEFL !) but the most important thing is that this time it is your own choice and responsibility. I know what it is like since I also used to study here and four years ago I came back as a teacher. A big change, indeed! I really hope this course will meet you expectations and help you achieve you personal and professional goals.
    See you tomorrow in class, :)
    Carla

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  6. AnonymousMarch 19, 2007 at 3:04 PM

    Hi everybody,

    I´m prepearing TOEFL first because I love the english languaje (and the english and american literature), and then because I want to apply for a schoolarship related to comparative literature.

    Luciana

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  7. AnonymousMarch 19, 2007 at 3:17 PM

    Hi, I´m Ma.Florencia. I´m 22 years old and I come from Santa Fe, but I´m living in Rosario now.
    I´m in the fifth course of International Relationships´
    I decided to start with the TOEFL´s preparation course because of my studies. In my career languages are very important; for that reason I want to take the TOEFL exam in order to have an international English certificate.
    With the preparation course I want to improve my pronunciation and my writing, so that I could feel more confident with myself at the moment of the examination.Bye!!
    FLOR

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  8. Carla RaguseoMarch 19, 2007 at 4:32 PM

    Welcome girls!

    Luciana, I share your interest in English and American literature. Some of my favorite authors are Orwell, Poe, Cheever and, of course, Shakespeare (especially Hamlet!). What about you? I’m sure your background in Language and Literature will help you a lot throughout the year.Your scholarship plans sound really exciting!

    Florencia, I understand having a good command of several languages is essential in your field of study since it helps you broaden your mind and gain a greater insight into world cultures and international issues. How many languages do you speak? Check out the quotation I added to the header (under the blog title). You may also be interested in the CNN link on the side bar. ;)

    I look forward to sharing more ideas with you in class.

    Regards,
    Carla

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  9. vaniMarch 19, 2007 at 8:16 PM

    Hi everyone, I'm Vanina the one that was late on wed. I'm 24 and I'm a law student, I love english actually I love languages...and the reassons why I wanna take the toefl exam is that I would like to study abroad and I think to speak english is the way to be intouch with the world I have proven it my self... but I will tell you later about this cuz I'm running late for the course...
    Later....

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  10. vaniMarch 20, 2007 at 2:38 AM

    hey again, I was really late when I wrote before so I didn't really think what I was writing. I've read all the comments you people wrote and I see a patron, we all would like to study abroad. I'm very excited I'm in contact with people who have similar expectations and goals as I do and share the same love and enthusiasm for english and for a foreing language.
    Speaking another language, specialy english, breaks all the barriers between the human beings,cultures and countries. I would like everybody could see the oportunities they would have if they studied english.

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  11. AnonymousMarch 23, 2007 at 11:26 AM

    Hi, I'm Maxi and this is my first contribution to this blog (or any blog actually).
    My first contact with the English language was when I was 8 on my first day at ARICANA. I continued coming until I was 18.
    After that I kept practicing by not reading subtitles in the movies, thinking in english from time to time andd reading a couple of books in English (I'm not as cult as to read the classics, Stephen King is my all time favorite).
    See you on monday.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Carla RaguseoMarch 25, 2007 at 8:10 PM

    Hi Vani and Maxi!

    Vani,
    Thanks for your comment. Your enthusiasm is really inspiring! It's good to see, as you point out, that we all share similar interests and we are ready to make the most of our time together. I strongly believe that we become proficient users of a foreign language by having meaningful experiences through it and by collaborating and working with others in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. As a teacher, I’ll strive to provide you with the necessary resources and support throughout the year.

    Maxi,
    I really appreciate your contribution. Just like Andrés, you’ve been studying at ARICANA for a long time. I really hope you enjoy this new experience.
    I see you are already an independent learner of English. Developing autonomy in language learning is one of the keys to success at this level. Keep it up!

    Carla

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  13. AnonymousMarch 26, 2007 at 6:01 PM

    HI CARLA! I DIDN´T GO TO CLASSES LAST WEDNESDAY AND I´M NOT GOING TODAY NEITHER. I WANNA KNOW WHICH WAS THE HOMEWORK FOR TODAY AND WHICH WILL BE THE HOMEWORK FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY. I´LL GIVE YOU BOTH ON WEDNESDAY OR THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, COULD BE?THANKS!!
    FLOR

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  14. Carla RaguseoMarch 27, 2007 at 2:01 AM

    Hi, Florencia,

    Thanks for leaving a message. You can find Monday's homework in the Class Summary entry. As for Wednesday,you have to read the "Guide to Listening" section in your book (pages 234 to 245.

    Hope to see you next class.

    Carla

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  15. AnonymousApril 4, 2007 at 3:56 PM

    I´ve never entered the blog again after we had to explain our reasons for prepearing toefl, so I´m a bit "out of context". I have no idea you people talk to each other by this way.
    Carla: I didn´t know you like John Cheever. He´s such a great narrator! I like very much Norman Mailer, Philip Dick, Ballard, Thoreau,... (Not to mention the "classics" authors like Heminway, Faulkner....)
    Regards,

    Luciana

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  16. AnonymousApril 4, 2007 at 7:43 PM

    I agree with the Phillip K. Dick part, I have no idea who the others are. Like I sayd, I'm not so cult.
    Asimov is great to read in english too, as well as Arthur Clarke and comic book authors like Frank Miller.
    Bye
    Maxi

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  17. AnonymousApril 4, 2007 at 7:48 PM

    I was lying, I do knoww them, Ijust don't enjoy them very much.
    See you
    Maxi

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  18. vaniApril 11, 2007 at 7:37 PM

    Hey guys... I've been on vacation so I'm kind of lost. Is it late to ask if there is any homework for today?

    ReplyDelete
  19. vaniApril 11, 2007 at 11:11 PM

    After listening to the CNN news I got curious about it and I found it interesting and funny, so I came back home and googled it to get more info. Click on the following link ... enjoy http://www.backwardsbush.com/

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  20. AnonymousApril 12, 2007 at 10:02 PM

    Just for taking school year vacations you didn´t deserve that information. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. vaniApril 13, 2007 at 6:42 PM

    Hey again... there is a site on line where u can find over a hundred tongue twisters, it s very useful to get rid of an accent and a very good way to practice our speaking and improve our pronunciation. Copy and paste the link on internet explorer.
    http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8136/tonguetwisters.html

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousApril 19, 2007 at 10:06 AM

    Hi there!
    I couldn´t be present yesterday.
    Could anybody please tell me what do I have to do as homework for Monday 23?

    Thanks, and have a nice weekend.

    Andrés.

    ReplyDelete
  23. vaniApril 19, 2007 at 3:32 PM

    I´m posting my msn adress I´m online 24/7 It´s also a good way to get in touch. vanicuffia@hotmail.com
    Andres: I don´t remember exaclty the page of the book, so I´ll tell u as soon as I get my folder what the homework is.
    hugs...

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  24. AnonymousApril 19, 2007 at 11:02 PM

    Andrés: you should read the topics on Independent Writing from pg 647 to pg 651 as well as the Sample responses and their comments. The actual homework is to complete the Preview Test on pg 657 (about the zoos).
    Like Vani said, MSN is another great way to satay in touch, so whatever you people need, my address is maxicarrillo747@hotmail.com
    See you
    Maxi

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 19, 2007 at 11:03 PM

    Carla: how can I post my comments with a small picture next to it?
    How can I send you the recording task?
    Maxi

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousApril 20, 2007 at 10:20 AM

    By the way, I'm selling my CPU, if someone is interested, write me an email to maxicarrillo@yahoo.com or maxicarrillo747@hotmail.com
    Maxi

    ReplyDelete
  27. Carla RaguseoApril 20, 2007 at 2:12 PM

    Dear Maxi and Vanina,
    Thanks a lot for helping Andrés and providing him with all the information about your homework. Way to go, guys!
    I definitely agree about using MSN. In fact, I was planning to introduce some other environments, like Tapped In, to have online conferences, but MSN could be a good way to start since most of you are already familiar with it. I'll add you to my contacts, then.
    Just a last tip, please try to post your comments on the latest entries, so that they can be found more easily. Thanks! ;)

    More soon, Carla

    ReplyDelete
  28. Carla RaguseoApril 20, 2007 at 2:58 PM

    Maxi,

    You can add a small photo to your comments by signing up for a Google account (click on Regístrate aquí)and adding a photo to your Blogger profile. The photo will automatically appear next to your comments.
    As regards the speaking task, try sending the audio file to computerlab@aricanabnc.com.ar and I'll check it on Monday.

    Best regards,

    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousApril 20, 2007 at 5:12 PM

    Thanks very much Maxi And Vani for letting me know about homework.
    See U on Monday guys.

    Andrés.

    ReplyDelete

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