Saturday, November 21, 2009

A very important message for my L3 students

Here is a very important message from Professor Mathis from the History department: could you please also inform your friends and classmates?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anglais pour historiens (L5/L6 HI029A): étudiants de M. Nassor


L'absence de M. Nassor est prolongée jusqu'à la fin du premier semestre. Les étudiants de L3 inscrits dans les TD de M. Nassor (Mardi 8 h.-9 h 30. s. F 366 et Jeudi 8h-9h30 F366) doivent se répartir dans les autres TD de L3 existant. 

Pour ce faire, ils doivent envoyer un message (bref) à M. Mathis (charles-francois.mathis@paris-sorbonne.fr) dans lequel ils classeront TOUS les TD offerts par ordre de préférence, en indiquant, pour chaque TD, s'ils peuvent les suivre en contrôle continu (CC) ou en contrôle final (CF). Un TD leur sera affecté en fonction de leur choix et de leur ordre d'arrivée dans la boîte mail de M. Mathis. Voici les TD proposés et le nombre d'étudiants qu'ils peuvent accueillir:

- Mercredi 11 h.-12 h. 30 (Amphi Chasles, M. Payen): 10 étudiants
- Jeudi 15 h.30-17 h. (s. d’épigraphie, Mme Gordeeva): 10 étudiants
- Vendredi 14h30-16h (F363, M. Mathis): 15 étudiants
- Vendredi 18h-19h30 (E659, M. Mathis): 10 étudiants

Les étudiants devront assister à leurs nouveaux TD à partir du lundi 23 novembre.


Merci de votre compréhension.

M. Mathis (charles-francois.mathis@paris-sorbonne.fr)

Monday, November 9, 2009

My absence until Nov 22


Dear students,

As a result of my sickness, I will be absent until Nov 22.

In case my sick leave is prolonged, check the sign boards at the History department. As I could be hospitalised some time soon, I may not be able to update this website before Nov 22 or to respond to your emails.

In the meantime, keep working on your English as much as you can (grammar, listening comprehension, vocabulary, etc.).

I again sincerely apologise for this very unexpected  and very unfortunate absence.

Best regards,

MN

Saturday, November 7, 2009

My absence this second week (Nov 09 to Nov 15)


Dear students,

As a result of my being sick and since I have not recovered, I will not be able to have class this second week again.

I apologise for my absence but it is completely involuntary.

Everything that was planned for this week is postponed to next week. Can you continue working on the grammar exercises and continue listening to audio reports in English from the websites I had indicated?


Hopefully, see you next week on Tuesday (Nov 17) and on Thursday (Nov 19).

Best regards,

MN

Monday, November 2, 2009

My absence this week

Dear students,

I am sick and extremely tired, I am not feeling well at all.  As a result, I will not be able to have class this entire week.

I apologise to the Tuesday group for not having been able to inform them in advance.

Everything that was planned for this week is postponed to next week.


See you next week.

Best regards,

MN

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Short test on Nov 03 and Nov 05 (Tuesday and Thursday groups)

There will be a short test on Nov 03 (Tuesday group) and on Nov 05 (Thursday group) on:

    * Phrasal verbs (page 1 and 2)
    * Vocabulary (Eastwood's movies and Dog Serial Killer)

Should some of you be absent that day, do provide me with a valid and sincere justification, otherwise, they will get a zero.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Permanent link for documents (audio reports, transcripts, etc.)

Here is the link all L3 students (Tuesday and Thursday groups) will have to use to find the documents (audio reports, phrasal verbs, vocabulary, etc.) used and discussed during the class sessions:

[in case this link does not work, switch to Mozilla/Firefox or to Internet Explorer or email me, I will send the documents and audio reports by email

http://www.neufgiga.com/n/50-17/share/LNK55304acb03f04fca3/

Sunday, October 4, 2009

2009 - 2010 Hours and Class sessions / Attendance rules


Dear L3 students,


Here are the hours and rules for the English class in L3:

Tuesdays:
  • 8 am to 9:30 am in room F366 (Sorbonne)
    Thursdays:
    • 8 am to 9:30 am in room F366 (Sorbonne)
      Attendance is compulsory for those who are in "contrôle continu": if you are absent 3 times (ie 2+1) for unjustified reasons, if you cannot provide me with a valid and sincere justification, you will be automatically registered in "contrôle final".

      Those of you who would like to be in "contrôle final", I recommend that you come and talk to me about this at the end or at the beginning of a class or send me an email about this as soon as possible.


      In "contrôle continu", in case you fail to be present at one of the two main exam sessions, you will be automatically registered in "contrôle final" even if you have a valid and sincere justification.

      In "contrôle continu", if you have no valid and sincere justification for your possible absence for the short tests and quizzes that will also take place during the semester, you will get a zero.
      There will be no catch-up session whatsoever, even if you have a valid and sincere justification.

      Class will start from October 05 and unlike last year, instead of 13 class sessions, there will only be 12 class sessions for the first semester and 13 sessions for the second semester.

      All my students are required to check this website on a regular basis (at least 3 times per week) and before coming to class. All the homework and assignments and exam dates will be repeated on this website. 

       

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor
      (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      USEFUL TOOLS AND SITES

      Online dictionaries:

      • English/French - French/English dictionary
      Wordreference:
      http://www.wordreference.com/enfr/
      • English/English dictionaries
      Longman:
      http://www.ldoceonline.com/


      Merriam-Webster:
      http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

      PBS (USA) Newshour 

      ABC (Australia) The World Today


      BBC (UK) World Service


      Phrasal Verbs:


      BBC Learning English


      BBC Idioms


      Anglais Facile.com

      Thursday, June 11, 2009

      Second Semester Grades

      Thursday group:

      Vnglst Nrbrt: 12.3
      Gvn J-Bptst: 14.8
      Pnchn Ls: 14.2
      Srx Nn: 10.5

      Tuesday group:

      15.0 Brnrd Cmll
      15.2 Chbd Fnn
      19.2 Crl Stfn
      13.0 Dlprr Mthld
      14.2 D'Llrs Sr
      13.2 L Gllc Rl
      13.5 Dbz Cdrc
      13.7 Ppntr Frçs
      15.3 Ptt Ml
      15.7 Rgr Md
      14.7 Schndr Dlphn
      13.7 Vrmll Frçs

      Wednesday, June 3, 2009

      Corrections of the grammar exercises


      Dear students,

      Here is the link for corrections of the grammar exercises (Unit 7 to 16 and Unit 80 & 81):

      [switch to Internet Explorer or Mozilla (or vice-versa) in case this link does not work. If nothing works, email me and I will send it by email]


      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor

      email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in

      blog: http://L3englishclass.blogspot.com/

      Sunday, May 31, 2009

      Screening of the movie Parzania by Rahul Dholakia next Tuesday (June 02) in amphi Milne Edwards


      Dear students,

      You are all invited for the screening of the movie Parzania by Rahul Dholakia at La Sorbonne (amphi Milne Edwards) next Tuesday (June 02) at 7pm.

      Check the following link for further information on this movie (trailer, articles and other links):

      http://m1englishclass.blogspot.com/2009/05/screening-of-movie-parzania-at-la.html

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor
      (email : mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Monday, May 25, 2009

      Message for the Tuesday and Thursday groups

      May 25, 2009

      Dear students,

      We will have class tomorrow (Tuesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 28) at La Sorbonne in our "normal", "official" room, ie F366 from 8 am to 9:30 am and from 8:30 am to 10 am on Thursday.

      This morning (Monday, May 25 - around 10 am), the rooms were open...but there were hardly any students in the corridors...!

      They should remain open tomorrow as well (hopefully...).

      Very best regards,

      Mounir Nassor

      (email : mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Thursday, May 14, 2009

      Message for the Tuesday group ONLY

      Dear students,

      Since the rooms at La Sorbonne remain locked, we will have class next Tuesday (May 19) at Institut de Géographie from 8 am to 9:30 am in room 402.

      Best regards,

      M
      ounir Nassor

      (email : mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Tuesday, May 12, 2009

      Reminder for the Tuesday group

      There will be a vocab and listening comprehension test next Tuesday (May 19):
      • the entire list of the vocab on media (except the sentences)
      • listening comprehension (Coretta Scott King / Oregon Discovery / Barefoot College in India / Cartoons Coverage)
      You will hear extracts from these 4 reports and you will have to explain what these extracts deal with.

      Best regards,

      M
      ounir Nassor

      (email : mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Tuesday, May 5, 2009

      Message for the Tuesday group


      Dear students,

      For next week, (May 12), as said this morning, we will correct the answers on the report titled "Australia". Below is the link for the audio report and the questions:

      In case this link does not work, switch to Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox (or vice-versa) or email me and I will send the report by email:


      In case nothing works, send me an email and I will send them by email.

      Reminder:
      Also, do some of the grammar exercices from the handout on "Possession" and revise the present perfect (progressive-simple forms) and preterit structures.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor
      (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Monday, May 4, 2009

      Message for the Thursday group ONLY


      Dear students,

      Since the rooms at La Sorbonne remain locked, we will have class next Thursday at Institut de Géographie from 8:30 am to 11 am in room 411.

      Reminder: there will be an in-class exam next Thursday.

      Revision program:
      • Media vocabulary: the first 2 pages
      • Vocabulary on Coretta Scott King and Oregon Discovery
      • There will be a listening comprehension test on an unknown report
      Best regards,

      M
      ounir Nassor

      (email : mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Monday, April 13, 2009

      Grades: Tuesday group

      Vocab Test / Idioms Test
      April 07 / April 07
      /20 / /20

      14.5 / 17.5 Brnrd Cmll
      20.0 / 18.0 Chbd Fnn
      20.0 / 20.0 Crl Stfn
      14.5 / 14.5 Dlprr Mthld
      12.5 / 8.5 D'Llrs Sr
      19.5 / 12.5 L Gllc Rl
      11.0 / 15.5 Dbz Cdrc
      20 / 12.5 Ppntr Frçs
      11.5 / 20.0 Ptt Ml
      19.0 / 16.5 Rgr Md
      11.0 / 14.0 Schndr Dlphn
      20.0 / 11.5 Vrmll Frçs

      16.13 /15.08 Average grade
      20 / 20 Max
      11 / 8.5 Min

      Thursday, April 9, 2009

      A communiqué from the History department

      Motion des professeurs, maîtres de conférences, PRAG, ATER, Allocataires-moniteurs et chargés de cours de l’UFR d’histoire de l’Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne

      7 avril 2009

      Les enseignants-chercheurs de l’UFR d’histoire :

      1° expriment leur très vive inquiétude devant la gravité d’une situation dont les conséquences sont, d’ores et déjà, après huit semaines de désorganisation, très lourdes pour l’avenir de la formation et de la diplômation des étudiants ;

      2° appellent chacun à l’esprit de responsabilité et au respect de la liberté de travail afin que tous les enseignants puissent, en conscience, assumer leur mission de service public ;

      3° demandent instamment au président Georges Molinié de rétablir effectivement les conditions concrètes du fonctionnement de l’Université. Il s’agit aujourd’hui d’une reprise immédiate des cours sur tous les sites de la Sorbonne afin de préserver le contenu réel des enseignements et rendre encore possible la validation du second semestre de l’année 2008-2009. Les conditions d’évaluation (contenu, modalités) relèveront exclusivement de l’appréciation des enseignants responsables. Il y va désormais de l’image et de la crédibilité de l’Université de Paris-Sorbonne.


      Votants : 62 ( +2 partis avant le vote et 1 arrivé après = 65 présents)

      OUI : 41 ( + 2 oui partiels : 1 aux points 1 et 2 – 1 au point 3) – NON : 6 – Abstention : 13


      approbation de la motion par 66 à 70 % des participants au vote et par 87 à 91% des suffrages exprimés

      Sunday, April 5, 2009

      Message d’un étudiant d’histoire L2

      [this message was sent by the History department]

      Permettez moi tout d'abord de me présenter: je m'appelle XXXXX et je suis étudiant en Histoire au sein de votre établissement.

      Si j'ai pris l'initiative de vous écrire, c'est pour vous faire part du chaos que provoquent ces grèves et blocages depuis le début du mouvement. Vous n'êtes pas sans savoir que cette semaine le mouvement de contestation entre dans son deuxième mois et que le dernier cours sans incident ou perturbation concernant l'UFR d'Histoire remonte au 21 Décembre 2008.

      Cela fait donc près de trois mois qu'aucun cours n'est assuré. Je ne chercherai pas ici à vous donner mon point de vue sur les réformes tant contestées mais je m'attarderai sur l'état d'esprit dans lequel se trouvent la plupart des étudiants qui ne comprennent plus le mouvement et se sentent abandonnés.

      En effet, si nous avons choisi d'entrer à l'université, c'est évidemment dans le but d'y apprendre et d'évoluer. Cependant, les conditions actuelles ne le permettent pas: avoir trois mois de cours complets sur une année entière me semble inadmissible. Certains ont dû louer un logement autour de Paris en venant de province pour étudier à Paris IV, d'autres payent des abonnements de transports relativement chers etc. Ces dépenses sont conséquentes et en tant qu'étudiants nous n'avons pas de ressources financières régulières et suffisamment fortes pour pouvoir nous permettre de payer "à vide" alors que le mouvement nous empêche d'avoir cours.

      Même si ce point est important à mes yeux, il me semble que l'aspect mental est à prendre en compte: beaucoup de professeurs parlent de la sauvegarde de notre avenir en allant manifester et en nous bloquant l'accès aux cours; or je ne vois pas les évènements de la même manière: ces blocages conduiront à baisser fortement le niveau des diplômes qui perdront de leur valeur avec les années, les seuls pénalisés seront au final les étudiants. Qui prendra en charge ces étudiants au diplôme bradé lorsqu'ils seront sur le marché du travail ? Je vois ce mouvement comme un sacrifice de génération dont il n'y aura aucun effet réel dans l'avenir. Le mouvement aura peut-être un effet sur le court terme, mais aucun professeur ne semble s'intéresser au long terme.

      D'autre part, le moral des étudiants est au plus bas: ni vraiment en période de travail, ni en vacances, plus personne ne sait où donner de la tête. Beaucoup de professeurs invoquent qu'il faut continuer à travailler chez soi et avancer le programme: cela me paraît tout à fait absurde et même déplacé de leur part. Si nous avons choisi l'université c'est pour participer à des cours donnés par de grands professeurs, aller en bibliothèque est à la portée de tous et ce n'est qu'un complément. Les cours sont la base de notre apprentissage. Certaines matières n'ayant pas même eu lieu, nous ne connaissons pas tous les programmes du second semestre. Alors travailler oui, mais sur quelles bases ? Rendez-vous compte messieurs: certains enseignement ont plus de 20h de retard !

      Notez également que la désinformation est tout à fait scandaleuse puisque nous n'avons aucune nouvelle des UFR depuis une semaine et certains professeurs n'écrivent pas à leurs élèves pour leur donner des nouvelles du mouvement ou de la manière dont ils envisagent de finir l'année. L'UFR d'Histoire est particulièrement touchée puisqu'elle n'a pas eu le droit à des réunions d'information et de débats quand d'autres ont pu y avoir accès.

      Nous sommes le mercredi 1 avril et il reste officiellement 1 mois et demi avant la fin de l'année telle qu'elle avait été prévue. Il est donc évident que nous avons passé un point de non-retour irrattrapable, même en prolongeant les cours jusqu'à fin Juin. Certains d'entre nous comptaient sur plusieurs matières pour se spécialiser, et cela est impossible. Ce semestre de perdu n'est pas simplement un amas d'ECTS à combler, c'est un trou de connaissances pour notre avenir. Comment privilégier l'éducation pour tous alors que nous-mêmes en sommes privés et que cela fait partie de nos droits dès l'instant où nous nous sommes inscrits ?

      Oui le droit de grève est effectif. Oui les professeurs ont le droit de manifester leur mécontentement. Non ils n'ont pas le droit de sacrifier notre avenir. Au final, ce sont les étudiants qui passeront leurs examens, pas les professeurs. Et ce sont encore les étudiants qui ne démarreront pas dans la vie active à cause d'un diplôme que l'on aura tronqué. Enfin, ce sont les étudiants qui n'auront pas accès à un savoir pour lequel ils ont payé.

      Messieurs, le moral des étudiants est vraiment au plus bas. Un mouvement aussi long perturbe les esprits et nous ne savons plus où nous placer: beaucoup ont déjà abandonné, des étudiants étrangers repartent. Est-ce là le souhait réel des professeurs ? Redémarrer une année dès maintenant ou après les vacances de Pâques sera de toute évidence une épreuve mentale et nous demander de se remettre au travail comme si de rien n'était sera très dur. Rester en grève le sera encore plus.

      Ainsi, je vous demande, messieurs de considérer que derrière ce mouvement, il y a aussi un aspect mental qui n'a jamais été pris en compte depuis le début du mouvement et que quoi qu'il advienne de cette année, quoi que vous décidiez à l'avenir concernant les partiels ou la reprise (ou non) des cours, il y'aura de très lourdes séquelles. L'université, qui voulait nous protéger, s'est au final retournée contre nous...

      Je vous prie d'agréer, messieurs les professeurs et directeurs, mes salutations les plus distinguées.

      Thursday, April 2, 2009

      Message for the Thursday group

      Dear students,

      I sincerely apologise for not being able to come on time this morning: as you may have heard it in the news, there were HUGE disruptions on the RER B this morning and, though I had left home at 6:45 am this morning (it takes me 45 minutes to reach La Sorbonne), I only reached Gare du Nord at 9 am when it usually takes me around 20 minutes for the same route (from home to Gare du Nord).

      I was told that a secretary from the History departement had been able to tell you or to tell some of you that the class could not take place because I would be very late.

      We will try to speed up and catch up next time and possibly have class from 8:30 am to 10:30 am or to 12:30 pm if you can stay longer.

      The vocab quizz that was planned for today is postponed for next Thursday (April 09).

      My apologies again.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor
      (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Tuesday, March 31, 2009

      Message for the Tuesday group

      Dear students,

      Next week (April 07), there will be a test on the vocabulary and on the idioms we have discussed so far (second semester reports and idioms) except "Cartoons Coverage".

      Below is the link for the listening comprehension training execice on Australia (we will correct it next week).
      In case this link does not work, switch to Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox (or vice-versa) or email me and I will send the report by email:
      http://www.neufgiga.com/index.php?m=c9ae77e8&a=dc18f91e&share=LNK404748ff8c6a6d460

      Here is the link on the report titled "Cartoons Coverage" (check the vocabulary, prepare 5 insightful, interesting questions and their answers):

      http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june06/cartoon_2-9.html

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor
      (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Monday, March 23, 2009

      Movie screening transferred to Panthéon-Sorbonne

      Dear students,

      Since the rooms and amphis remain locked at La Sorbonne-Paris IV, the screening of the movie by Aparna Sen will take place at the following location at the same hour (7 pm) tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24):

      Université de Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1)

      12 place du Panthéon

      75005 Paris

      Amphi 3 (Galerie Soufflot)

      Thursday, March 19, 2009

      Message for all groups

      Dear students,

      1/ The vocab test scheduled for next week is postponed to the following week (March 31 and April 02).

      2/ In case the rooms remain closed, come and see me in room Chastagnol. I will try to have to the Boutruche Library again if it is possible and available.

      3/ Some of you might have noticed that at the end of our class last Tuesday in the Boutruche Library, Mrs Crouzet-Pavan got (very) angry at me because I was using this room for my students even if it was not occupied by other instructors of the History department...! I was not using it illegally but because the administration had given me the key. Needless to add that I did report this "incident" to the staff of the History department and to our director, Professor Luc, that this behaviour was very unfriendly and unacceptable considering the circumstances and the extreme difficulty of finding places and rooms to have a "normal" class.

      From next week, Mrs Crouzet-Pavan has decided that she would not allow us to have class there anymore even if the room is NOT occupied by other instructors and professors.
      I hope you will email Mr Luc and Mr Romanacce (make a copy for me) to express your strong disagreement and strong opposition to that very unfair and unfriendly decision by Mrs Crouzet-Pavan alone.

      If I do not have the support of the students to have access to that room, we will never get this room again
      so it is
      VERY important that you write to Professors Luc and Romanacce about this and ask them to make this room available for us, specially and particularly when it is available and not used by other instructors and professors at the same time.

      4/ Thursday group: I did come this morning (March 19), the Sorbonne is open and "easy" to get into but there only was one student and I had booked the Boutruche library...but as I said earlier, we may not have this room anymore...

      5/ Here is the link to the next report: Cartoons Coverage, the handouts will be distributed to the Tuesday group next Tuesday, but you can still start working on it in the meantime (listening, vocabulary, 5 questions, etc.):



      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Wednesday, March 18, 2009

      For March 19 / Message for the Thursday group


      Dear students,


      In case the rooms remain closed tomorrow at La Sorbonne, we will have class in the Boutruche library, near the History department's office, the room is on the same floor.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor

      Tuesday, March 17, 2009

      Movie Mr and Mrs Iyer by Aparna Sen next Tuesday (March 24) at 7 pm at La Sorbonne

      The movie Mr and Mrs Iyer by Aparna Sen will be screened at La Sorbonne (amphi Milne Edwards) next Tuesday (March 24) from 7 pm to 8:30pm. You are all most welcome to come and join us. The movie will be screened in original version with English subtitles.

      Here is a trailer (use Internet Explorer instead of Mozilla Firefox if this does not work):

      An insightful article from The Hindu:

      Which Mrs. Iyer?

      By Rahul De (published Feb 8, 2003):

      [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/02/08/stories/2003020800041000.htm]

      Other links and articles:

      "Love in times of riots" by MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER (The Hindu, Feb 24, 2003):

      http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/02/24/stories/2003022401730400.htm
      Wikipedia: "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer"

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._and_Mrs._Iyer

      Monday, March 16, 2009

      CLASS IN BOUTRUCHE LIBRARY (March 17 and 19)

      Dear students,

      In case the rooms remain closed tomorrow (March 17) and on Thursday (March 19), we will have class in the BOUTRUCHE Library (near the History Department's office, the room is on the same floor).

      I also want you to think about the fact that this strike will have very adverse consequences on mostly the students themselves, specially the weaker sections of them. In this case, is it really worth to continue it? Could not there be other means of voicing protests and oppositions that would not hurt and affect the weaker parts of our community of students and be efficient at the same time?

      Days and weeks are passing by and many of these weaker parts of our community will have no other choices that stop their studies at the end of this academic year because of financial, family, housing reasons and the like. If there is no class at all, how will they be graded and how will they get their diplomas? What will they write on their CVs and résumés? Will they report that they were in third year in the History department but they could not finish their studies and could not get their degree because of a prolonged strike? Only the "priviledged" and the strongest parts of our community will be able to continue their studies. Only those who have their parents and family to support them financially will be able to afford one more year to make up for the year that will be (most probably) lost. Only those who are good and strong enough will be able to catch up quickly and efficiently, but what about the rest of the students? What about the weaker parts of our community that will be most affected because they do not have the financial means and family ressources (housing and food and the like) to afford another year to make up for the time lost and, because they are already weak, they will not be able to catch up as easily as the strongest parts of the good students. Is that all fair?

      Should not a movement of protests and strikes also be mindful of these weaker parts of the community that will deeply be affected by the movement itself? The question is not about the legitimacy of the movement but, at some point of the movement, maybe there could be other ways of protests that could protect these weaker sections and be efficient at the same time. And if there are not, well, we have to decide what is fair and what is not and how we should make sure that our actions will not affect these weaker parts of our community we are all most concerned of...or are we really??...

      I hope you will all share your thoughts with me and express your views and suggestions. If you wish so, I will publish your reactions and suggestions on this blog itself.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Wednesday, March 11, 2009

      Message for all groups / vocab quizz on March 24 and 26

      Dear students,

      There will be a short vocabulary quizz on March 24 (Tuesday) and 26 (Thursday) on the vocabulary from "Oregon Discovery", "Coretta Scott King" and "Barefoot College in India".

      The questions will be asked orally, so you should be able to understand them orally. I will not repeat the questions more than twice.

      There will be questions on the vocabulary, on entire phrases and sentences from these two reports.

      Therefore, it is crucial that you listen to oral English a lot and particularly the reports we are discussing and studying.

      Should you be absent that day, you are required to provide me with a valid and sincere justification, otherwise, you will get a zero. There will be no catch-up whatsoever!

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      Tuesday, March 10, 2009

      Message for the Tuesday group

      Dear students,

      I would like to apologize for this morning. A mishap in the RER B prevented me from coming to class this morning. When I finally arrived at Luxembourg, it was around 8:55...

      We will definitely catch this up: from 9:30 to 10 am, 3 times.

      My apologies again.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor

      Monday, March 9, 2009

      For the Thursday group only

      Dear students,

      As convened and agreed, on Thursdays, from next Thursday onwards (March 12), we will start class at 8:30 am except when there is an in-class test. To allow you to finish your test for 10-15 extra minutes, we will start at 8 am. As you know, the next class after our class starts at 10am.

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

      For March 10 and 12: message for all groups

      Barefoot College in India: prepare 5 questions and their answers, check and start learning the vocabulary:

      Monday, March 2, 2009

      Movie Earth by Deepa Mehta next Tuesday (March 10) at 7 pm at La Sorbonne

      The movie Earth by Deepa Mehta will be screened at La Sorbonne (amphi Milne Edwards) next Tuesday (March 10) from 7 pm to 8:30pm. You are all most welcome to come and join us. The movie will be screened in original version with English subtitles.

      Here is a trailer (use Internet Explorer instead of Mozilla Firefox if this does not work):


      Synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

      Deepa Mehta's epic tale of the hateful religious and civil wars that took place in India and Pakistan in the 1947 battle to gain independence from the British, EARTH is the second movie in a trilogy from the director, preceded by FIRE (1996) and followed by WATER (due in 2001). The story, which is based on an autobiographical novel entitled CRACKING INDIA, by Bapsi Sidhwa, is told through the eyes of a little girl, Lenny (Maia Sethna), who has one leg in a brace. The impediment keeps Lenny from being very active, so she spends her time sitting and talking with her loving nanny, Shanta (Nandita Das), whose beauty attracts a faithful following of about six male friends. Lenny and Shanta sit in the park, fly kites, take long picturesque walks through the ruins outside their village, and all the time Lenny is absorbing the conversations around her. Between Shanta's Muslim and Hindu suitors--one of whom is a Sikh--and Lenny's parent's varied group of Parsee and Catholic friends, the debates about the futures of India and Pakistan, including a litany of stereotypes, fearful opinions, and hateful feelings about all parties involved, become more and more heated. Finally, Lenny watches as the warring begins. A horrific trainload full of the bodies of massacred Muslims arrives in their town. Gangs march through the streets raging with violence. Hindu tenements are burned to the ground. Lenny is terrified, and as she struggles to understand all that is happening--and why--the tragedy only gets worse. EARTH is an intense and moving film that illustrates beautifully the terrifying political and cultural atmosphere of 1947 India.

      Synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

      http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/1099317-earth/?critic=creamcrop#contentReviews

      Thursday, February 19, 2009

      Message for all groups: for Tuesday (March 03) and Thursday (March 05)

      • Listen to the report on Coretta Scott King from PBS.ORG very carefully and several times
      • Prepare 5 questions and their answers on this report (we will use them for class discussions/debates)
      • Check the vocabulary and start learning it
      • those students who want more grammar explanations and exercices, we will do that from 9:30 am to 10 am (after the class)

      Program of the second semester:
      • Phrasal verbs (see list given during the first semester)
      • Idioms (the idioms studied during the first semester will be in the bonus questions: ARM/EYE/FOOT/HEAD/HORSE/LEG)
      • Vocabulary based on second semester (audio) reports and articles
      • Audio reports (listening comprehension + expression)

      Thursday, February 12, 2009

      Message for all groups: for Tuesday (Feb 17) and Thursday (Feb 19)

      • Listen to the report Oregon Discovery from PBS.ORG very carefully and several times
      • Prepare 5 questions and their answers on this report (we will use them for class discussions/debates)
      • Check the vocabulary and start learning it
      • those students who want more grammar explanations and exercices, we will do that from 9:30 am to 10 am (after the class)
      • Reminder: you are all most welcome to see the movie Water by Deepa Mehta next Tuesday (Feb 17) at 7pm in amphi Milne -Edwards

      Monday, January 19, 2009

      Food Crisis

      This report is from VOA (Voice of America - 14 April 2008). For the transcript, here is the link:

      http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-04/2008-04-14-voa1.cfm


      Message for all groups : grades / your second exam papers

      Dear students,

      I will return your last papers this week starting from tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan 20) every morning in room Chastagnol (one floor below the history department's office-near the announcements sign boards) from around 9:30 am to 01:00 pm until Friday (Jan 23) 1 pm (...except Saturday and Sunday mornings!).

      In order to get up to 2 points maximum, you will have to correct all the mistakes and rewrite the entire paper before Monday (Jan 26) noon at the latest and return it to the History dept's office or preferably to me in room Chastagnol from 9 am to 1pm.

      You can also come and see at the same place (room Chastagnol) on Wednesday (Jan 21) and Thursday (Jan 22) afternoons (from 2 pm to 6pm).

      My deadline for returning your grades to the administration is on Tuesday Jan 27. So no extra time will be given since I will not be able to do anything to those of you who are late. You can also send your corrections by email and scan the original paper.

      DO NOT FORGET TO RETURN THE ORIGINAL PAPER SO THAT I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE!

      Best regards,

      Mounir Nassor (mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)


      THURSDAY GROUP


      IDIOMS VOCAB AUD REPORTS

      /20 /30 /40
      BSS Mxm 10 17,5 6,5
      CHN UZN Jc 13,5 25 1
      VNGLST Nbt 11 20,5 13
      GVN Jbpt 15,5 27 20
      GNT Lvr 16,5 15 18
      GLLR Jsc 8,5 8,5 0
      L GRSLR Jstn 14 12 2,5
      LMRT Mcl


      PNCN Ls 12,5 9 18
      SRX Nn 11,5 13 4
      SVL Fn 16 18,5 0
      TFR Mrt 16 24,5 23
      UHL Flx 8 1,5 0




      AVERAGE GRADE 13,18 17,32 9,64
      MINIMUM 8,50 8,50 0,00
      MAXIMUM 16,50 27,00 23,00









      UNKNOWN REP PHRAS. VERBS TOTAL 1

      /20 /10 /120
      BSS Mxm 2,5 1 37,5
      CHN UZN Jc 2,5 0 42,0
      VNGLST Nbt 4,5 2 51,0
      GVN Jbpt 7 7,5 77,0
      GNT Lvr 7 6,5 63,0
      GLLR Jsc 0 0 17,0
      L GRSLR Jstn 13 8 49,5
      LMRT Mcl

      0,0
      PNCN Ls 2,5 2,5 44,5
      SRX Nn 5,5 0 34,0
      SVL Fn 2,5 0 37,0
      TFR Mrt 3 0 66,5
      UHL Flx 1,5 0 11,0




      AVERAGE GRADE 4,55 2,50 43,25
      MINIMUM 0,00 0,00 0,00
      MAXIMUM 13,00 8,00 77,00





      TOTAL 2 FINAL GRADE PREVIOUS

      /20 /20 GRADE
      BSS Mxm 6,25 6,5 3,5
      CHN UZN Jc 7,00 7,0 CF
      VNGLST Nbt 8,50 8,5 9
      GVN Jbpt 12,83 13 12
      GNT Lvr 10,50 10,5 12,5
      GLLR Jsc 2,83 3 1,5
      L GRSLR Jstn 8,25 8,5 CF
      LMRT Mcl 0,00 0 7,5
      PNCN Ls 7,42 7,5 12
      SRX Nn 5,67 5,5 8
      SVL Fn 6,17 6 9
      TFR Mrt 11,08 11 7,5
      UHL Flx 1,83 2 CF




      AVERAGE GRADE 7,21 7,25 8,25
      MINIMUM 0,00 0,00 1,50
      MAXIMUM 12,83 13,00 12,50


      TUESDAY GROUP



      IDIOMS VOCAB AUD REPORTS

      /20 /30 /40
      BNGN G Thr 0,0 2,0 0,5
      BRND Cml 15,5 24,0 35,0
      CHBD Fnn 18,5 30,0 21,0
      CRL Stpn 17,0 29,5 31,0
      DSM Jltt 8,5 2,0 15,0
      DLPR Mtld 14,0 26,5 12,0
      DLLRS Sr 16,0 24,0 18,0
      L CB LM Bt 15,0 8,0 6,0
      L GLL Arl 18,0 30,0 22,0
      MTRT Bttn 7,0 18,0 0,0
      DBZ Cdr 12,0 20,0 15,0
      PPNTR Frs 13,5 30,0 17,0
      PTT Ml 18,5 29,0 30,0
      RGR Md 13,0 30,0 20,0
      SCHNDR Dlphn 15,5 30,0 28,0
      VRML Flrn 19,0 21,0 7,0




      AVERAGE GRADE 13,81 22,13 17,34
      MINIMUM 0,00 2,00 0,00
      MAXIMUM 19,00 30,00 35,00









      UNKNOWN REP PHRAS. VERBS TOTAL 1

      /20 /10 /120
      BNGN G Thr 2,0 0,0 4,5
      BRND Cml 6,5 1,0 82,0
      CHBD Fnn 7,5 1,5 78,5
      CRL Stpn 14,0 10,0 101,5
      DSM Jltt 6,5 0,0 32,0
      DLPR Mtld 1,0 3,5 57,0
      DLLRS Sr 5,5 8,5 72,0
      L CB LM Bt 4,5 0,0 33,5
      L GLL Arl 5,0 6,0 81,0
      MTRT Bttn 1,0 5,0 31,0
      DBZ Cdr 13,0 0,0 60,0
      PPNTR Frs 1,5 7,0 69,0
      PTT Ml 9,0 6,5 93,0
      RGR Md 5,0 9,0 77,0
      SCHNDR Dlphn 9,5 1,0 84,0
      VRML Flrn 2,0 0,0 49,0




      AVERAGE GRADE 5,84 3,69 62,81
      MINIMUM 1,00 0,00 4,50
      MAXIMUM 14,00 10,00 101,50













      TOTAL 2 FINAL GRADE DEC GRADE

      /20 /20
      BNGN G Thr 0,75 1,0 0,5
      BRND Cml 13,67 14,0 14,0
      CHBD Fnn 13,08 13,0 14,0
      CRL Stpn 16,92 17,0 18,0
      DSM Jltt 5,33 6,5 0
      DLPR Mtld 9,50 9,5 10,5
      DLLRS Sr 12,00 12,0 12,0
      L CB LM Bt 5,58 5,5 C F
      L GLL Arl 13,50 13,5 12,0
      MTRT Bttn 5,17 5,0 C F
      DBZ Cdr 10,00 8,0 8,0
      PPNTR Frs 11,50 9,0 9,0
      PTT Ml 15,50 17,0 17,0
      RGR Md 12,83 13,0 11,0
      SCHNDR Dlphn 14,00 14,0 C F
      VRML Flrn 8,17 11,5 11,5




      AVERAGE GRADE 10,47 10,59 10,58
      MINIMUM 0,75 1,00 0,00
      MAXIMUM 16,92 17,00 18,00