Dear students,

This month, I'm going to propose a more intense participation on the blog.

I've selected some topics on Politics, Culture and Technology to suit all tastes and hope to have your lively participation. Here they are:

1) SCO Summit. Do you know what SCO stands for? If not, go to the following video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m5pPXXT68g&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qWs4aX7Efs&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYlo6GM0vFs&feature=channel

Also, go to WIKIPEDIA to be well-informed about SCO:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Cooperation_Organisation

Then, you can post your comments on the following point:

Do you think these international organizations (SCO, BRIC, to name some) can help improve regional and international trade and security? Why?

2) Endangered Cultures:

This video shows some interesting points on endangered cultures. Watch it and point out which aspects you agree or not with:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/por_br/wade_davis_on_endangered_cultures.html

3) Twitter, Facebook - new technologies:

This is a very interesting presentation by Clay Shirky on the new technology trends. At the end of the presentation, he asks a question that you can try to answer:

How can we make best use of this media even changing the way we've always done it?

http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cellphones_twitter_facebook_can_make_history.html

Have fun and mind work with English!

Hope to see your post here!

Flávia
http://www.creativeenglishlearning.com.br/

BRAZIL, THE CRAFTY SUPERPOWER - Newsweek Article of April 22nd, 2009

Hello, everyone!

I invite you all to read this article on http://www.newsweek.com/id/194604?from=rss and have in mind the following questions to guide your comprehension and encourage you to write your comments on the blog.

1) How did the journalist Mac Margolis describe Lula's participation in the Domestic and International scenario (number of embassies/ number of International trips/ number of departments in Foreign Ministry) ? What about Brazil's participation ?(G5/BRIC/peacekeeping mission/ trade with Latin countries and USA) . What do you think?

2) What is your view on Brazil having military expenditures stagnant compared to other countries?

3) Do you agree on what was said about Fernando Henrique Cardoso? Why?

4) What about WTO rules in favor of Brazil? Was Lula responsible for that?

5) Do you think the journalist was partial or impartial when talking about Lula and Brazil? Give examples from the article.

6) Is there any relevant piece of information that you disagree on? Why?


Hope you all take this very chance to post your ideas in writing. Have a nice work!

Best wishes of fun with writing!

Flávia

Watch and comment CNN interview with young Chinese pianist Lang-Lang

Dear students,

Hope you can make the best of this blog and participate the most you can.

This is the link to CNN site (www.cnn.com/talkasia ). Hope you can enjoy it! http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/04/06/ta.langlang/index.html

Hope to see your posts here and you build good networking with your English virtual classmates.

Best wishes,

Flávia

What would you like to discuss in April?

Dear students,

This is the new Blog version, I'll be using from April on.

I invite you all to post your questions or topics for discussion.

Don't be shy! Give it a shot!

I'll be waiting for your participation!

See you all here,

Flávia