Welcome to a new school year!

Welcome to a new school year at Fagerlia!

We are excited to start this blog project with you 😀
In this class both you and we use blogs to share information, curriculum, assignments, and answers. At the end of the year we will host a Blog Awards, awarding the best blog, best layout, the blogger with the most posts etc.
Let’s get started!

The first order of business is for you guys to create your very own blogs. Remember, this is an educational blog, which will be evaluated, so keep it tidy and professional. Use https://www.wordpress.com and choose a free account. When making your account you can choose whether to have a public, private or hidden blog, but no matter which you choose you have to share the link with your teacher.

Most of the assignments given will be answered on your blogs, all of them will be read and be Godkjent/Ikke Godkjent. This is a great way to practice and develop your writing skills.

So, get to it! Make your blog, include links to other public blogs of your classmates, as well as our teacher blog, and maybe even a map, so you can see where your visitors are from.

We also encourage you to read each other’s blogs.

After having created your blog, your first blog assignment is simply this: Write a post about the UN sustainable development goals which we have talked about in class. Your post should include which goals you think are most important, and most interesting for you to work with – and why. Also, share your thoughts on how you would like to work with this goal.

Good luck!

Hilde, Ingunn and Hannaun development

The Terminal

The movie “The Terminal” (2004) starring Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg covers our final competence aim; “varieties of English outside the Aglo-American region”. Answer these questions and be ready to discuss them in class on Tuesday:
1. What are your first impressions of Viktor as he begins his long stay in the international transit lounge at JFK? How well do you think Dixon explains what has happened and what the rules force him to do with Viktor?

2. Although Viktor lacks a full command of the English language, he manages to demonstrate a remarkable resiliency during his nine-month stay in the international transit lounge. Look up the word resiliency and explain why this word applies to Viktor.

3. Describe Viktor. What kind of person is he? What is it about his personality which makes him endure the stay at the airport?

The Terminal

Adapted from http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/visions-features/view/14964/the-terminal

The Kite Runner and The Good Lie

Write a blog post based on one or two of the following questions:

1. Comment on how common themes are explored in the two films and how the films show these. Focus especially on the theme of redemption.
2. Comment on the titles of the film. Why do you think the directors chose these titles? Is there a symbolic meaning behind them?
3. Write a character analysis of Amir and Hassan in the Kite Runner.
Focus on their personality, physical appearance and the conflicts they go through and how these change them. At the end, say something about what we can learn from these characters
4. Write a character analysis of Mamere, Paul and Jeremiah in The Good Lie.
Focus on their personality, physical appearance and the conflicts they go through and how these change them. At the end, say something about what we can learn from these characters
5. In both films, brotherhood is an important concept. Explain how this concept runs through one or both of the films and influences the message we are left with after watching the film(s)
6. Both films deal with people who have to flee their home country because of conflict and in both films, the main characters end up in the USA. Discuss what challenges refugees go through when they flee their country and resettle in another. Include examples from the film and also comment on the opportunities they are given.

Ingunn

Work and migration

As mentioned last week, we are going to move on from studying abroad and volunteering to working abroad.

Today we will look at migrant workers, mostly through listening to accounts found on E2 – which is Gyldendal’s resource for international English.

You will work with some questions based on these accounts, before moving on to reading an excerpt from Zadie Smith’s short story “The Embassy of Cambodia.” You will get the excerpt as a handout, but if you are interesting in reading the entire story, you can find it here.
embassy of cambodia

After having read the excerpt, I want you to write a blog post discussing Fatou’s story and comparing it to the statistical information you will also be given in class.

Publish your blog post at the end of class today.

– Hanna

Goal nr. 14 – Life Under Water

Since Norad is hosting an event with a special focus on the UN Sustainability Goal nr. 14 right here in our town, we think it proper to spend some extra time on this too.

We are surrounded by fjords, but do we really know what’s going on in them?

If things continue the way they have, by 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic than fish. That is why the UN has made “Life Under Water” one of their 17 goals for sustainable development, and they hope to improve conditions somewhat by 2030.

So…what’s really the problem?
Let’s start by reading up about ocean pollution here.

That’s the problem. Trash, fertilizers, cleaning products dangerous for life under water, chemicals, and plastic.

The big bad wolf in this scenario is plastic, especially the plastic produced for one time use – such as cups, bottles, bags, straws, cutlery etc.

plastic turtle

(Picture from: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/watch-kind-hearted-biologist-save-6990496)

We are going to watch the 46 minute long documentary “The Plastic Whale” about an incident which took place right outside Bergen last year.

After watching this documentary, write a blog post where you:
– discuss the problems life under water are currently facing
– reflect on the impact this documentary had on you
– do you think it will help the oceans that we put more focus on this problem? Why/why not?
– Finally, what are you most likely to do in order to preserve our oceans, and what do you think others should do?

Find a fitting title to your blog post.

– Hanna

Photojournalism

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-powerful-moments-photojournalism-2017

What is the purpose of photojournalism? How is it different from other forms of photography? Pick one of the images in the link above or find another example of a photojournalistic image that has made a great impression on you. Write a blog post where you add the image and describe what it shows, what you think is so great about it, and what message(s) it carries.

Read more about photojournalism here: http://www.photography-schools.com/photojournalismhistory.htm

The personal statement

Many learning institutions outside of Norway demand a personal statement from their applicants. This statement is meant to set you apart, to show why you belong at this school, or this particular program. You have read an example of a personal statement, and now it is your turn to try:

Write a personal statement to a university/learning institution that tells about yourself- your hopes, ambitions, life experiences and inspirations. You could focus on your background and how this has shaped your dreams and aspirations, or tell about a personal talent or quality, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. How does this relate to what person you are? Remember to write persuasively.

UCAS has some tips on how to write your text:
– “Structure your info to reflect the skills and qualities the universities and colleges value most.
– Write in an enthusiastic, concise and natural style – nothing too complex.
– Try to stand out, but be careful with humour, quotes or anything unusual – just in case the admissions tutor doesn’t have the same sense of humour as you.
– Proofread aloud and get your teachers, advisers, and family to check – then redraft until you’re happy with it and the grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct.