Sunday, December 11, 2011

M1 Students: next exams / program of revisions

The second main exam  ("examen final" for students in this case) will take place next week (Dec 16) and will cover:
1/ Audio reports (listening comprehension + vocabulary) 
  • Blood Diamonds
  • Press Freedom
  • WikiLeaks (2 reports)
2/ Grammar in translation
  • units 132, 133, 134 and 135
  • units 38, 39, 40 and 41
3/ Vocabulary: chapters 34, 35, 38, 39 and 42
4/ There will be no False Friends next week (Dec 16 - second main exam/"contrôle final"), students in "contrôle continu" will have them in January (they will be in 2nd short vocab text)
The second short vocab test will take place on Jan 06:
1/ Audio reports (vocabulary) 
  • Blood Diamonds
  • Press Freedom
  • WikiLeaks (2 reports)
2/ Vocabulary: chapters 34, 35, 38, 39 and 42
3/ False friends: ex: 1, 2, 3 and 4
4/ Students in "contrôle final" can also take this short vocab test, they will get extra points too.
REMINDER:
There will be no catch-up session whatsoever if you are absent for the exam on December 16, even if you have a valid and sincere reason.

M1 students: grammar exercises corrected

Since, some students were not able to stay longer last Friday, as promised, here are the corrections of the exercises from Units 40 and 41.

Ex 40.1

1/ TR: Si j'avais su que tu étais à l'hôpital, je serais allé te voir.

2/ If he had missed the train, he would have missed his flight.

TR: S'il avait manqué son train, il aurait raté son vol.

3/ If you had not reminded me about Amanda's birthday, I would have forgotten it.

TR: Si tu ne m'avais pas rappelé l'anniversaire d'Amanda, je l'aurais oublié.

4/ If I had had your address, I would have sent you a postcard.

TR: Si j'avais eu ton adresse, je t'aurais envoyé une carte postale.

5/ We would have enjoyed it more if the weather had been nicer.

TR: On en aurait profité davantage si le temps avait été meilleur.

6/ It would have been quicker if I had walked.

TR: Cela aurait été plus rapide si j'avais marché.

7/ If I was tired, I would go home now.

TR: Si j'étais fatigué, j'irais à la maison.

8/ If I had been tired, I would have gone home earlier.

TR: Si j'avais été fatigué, je serais rentré à la maison plus tôt.

Ex: 40.3

1/ TR: Je regrette d'avoir mangé autant!

2/ I wish I had applied for the job.

TR: Je regrette de n'avoir pas postulé à ce travail.

3/ I wish I had learnt a musical instrument when I was a child.

TR: Je regrette de n'avoir pas appris à jouer d'un instrument de musique quand j'étais enfant.

4/ I wish I had not painted the gate red. / (other possibility) I wish I had painted the gate in another colour.

TR: Je regrette d'avoir peint le portail en rouge. / Je regrette de n'avoir pas peint le portail dans une autre couleur.

5/ I wish I had brought my camera.

Je regrette de n'avoir pas amené mon appareil photo.

6/ I wish they had phone first.

Je regrette qu'ils n'aient pas appelé d'abord.

Ex: 41.2

1/ TR: Si seulement la pluie pouvait s'arrêter de tomber!

2/ I wish she would arrive!

TR: Si seulement elle venait!

3/ I wish somebody would give me a job!

TR: Si seulement quelqu'un me proposait du travail!

4/ I wish the baby would stop crying!

TR: Si seulement, le bébé pouvait cesser de pleurer.

5/ I wish Brian would not wear the same clothes for years! / I wish Brian would buy some new clothes!

TR: Si seulement Brian ne portait pas les mêmes vêtements pendant des années! / Si seulement il pouvait s'acheter de nouveaux vêtements.

6/ I wish you wouldn't drive so fast!

TR: Si seulement tu ne conduisais pas si vité!

7/ I wish you wouldn't leave the door open all the time!

TR: Si seulement tu ne laissais pas la porte ouverte tout le temps!

8/ I wish people wouldn't drop litter in the street.

TR: Si seulement les gens ne jetaient pas les détritus dans la rue.


41.4

1/ TR: Je regrette de l'avoir dit.

2/ TR: Si seulement la pluie pouvait s'arrêter de tomber!

3/ I wish I knew the answer.

TR: Je regrette de ne pas connaître la réponse.

4/ I whish I had taken your advice.

TR: Je regrette de ne pas avoir suivi tes conseils.
 REMINDERS:
  • un conseil: a piece of advice / des conseils: advice, advice is always singular: your advice is relevant/useful etc.: tes conseils sont pertinents/useful, etc.
  • other uncountables: furniture, luggage, information, evidence, news
5/ I wish I could come with you.

TR: Je regrette de ne pas pouvoir venir avec toi.

6/ I wish I wan't so tired.

TR: Je regrette d'être si fatigué.

7/ I wish they hurried up / (other possibility if irritation, frustration, exasperation) I wish they would hurry up!

TR: Je regrette qu'ils ne se dépêchent pas. / Si seulement ils se dépêchaient!

8/ I wish we didn't have to leave now.

TR: Je regrette que nous devions partir maintenant.

9/ I wish we could have stayed longer.

TR: Je regrette que nous n'ayons pas pu rester plus longtemps.

10/ I wish it wasn't so cold. / (other possibility) I wish it was warmer.

TR Je regrette qu'il fasse si froid. / Je regrette qu'il ne fasse pas plus chaud.

11/ I wish he decided. / (other possibility if irriation, frustration, exasperation) I wish he would decide!

TR Je regrette qu'il ne se décide pas./ (other possibility) Si seulement il se décidait!

12/ I wish we had not gone there.

TR Je regrette que nous y soyons allés.

Friday, December 9, 2011

M2 students - next exams

The second main exam  ("examen final" for students in this case) will take place next week (Dec 13) and will cover:
1/ Audio reports (listening comprehension + vocabulary) 
  • Blood Diamonds
  • The Cost of Coffee
  • Dot Com Camps
  • Bunker Roy
2/ Grammar in translation
  • units 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136
  • units 38, 39, 40 and 41
3/ Vocabulary: chapters 34, 35, 38, 39 and 42
The second short vocab test will take place on Jan 03:
1/ Audio reports (vocabulary) 
  • Blood Diamonds
  • The Cost of Coffee
  • Dot Com Camps
  • Bunker Roy
2/ Vocabulary: chapters 34, 35, 38, 39 and 42
+ for bonus points: chapters 50, 51 and 52
3/ Students in "contrôle final" can also take this short vocab test, they will get extra points too.
REMINDER:
There will be no catch-up session whatsoever if you are absent for the exam on December 13, even if you have a valid and sincere reason.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

MESSAGE FOR M1 STUDENTS ONLY: NO CLASS ON DEC 02

12/01/11

Dear M1 students,

I sincerely apologise but I won't be able to have class tomorrow (Dec 02) as I was asked to attend a meeting for a disciplinary hearing ("conseil de discipline") at Villejuif at 2:30 pm and, most probably, I will not be able to make it at Immeuble France at 4 pm. Some students at my engineering school in Villejuif had misbehaved and an emergency meeting for a disciplinary hearing has been called for tomorrow afternoon by the head of the school.

As a result, I will catch up next Friday (Dec 09) and we will have class from 4 pm to 7pm.

The short vocab test next week (Dec 09) is maintained and will cover the following:
  • vocab chapters: 34/35/38/39/42
  • vocabulary from "Blood Diamonds" / "Press Freedom" / "WikiLeaks" (both audio reports)
  • False Friends (exercises 1/2/3/4)
 
The homework for tomorrow is postponed for next week too: 
  • Grammar unit 40 ex 1/3
  • Grammar unit 41 ex: 2/4
OPTIONAL WORK: in the meantime and if you can, do check and watch the following documentaries online:
  • "Wikisecrets" (PBS), click on "CC" so as to have the subtitles in English:

  • Read the interviews by Jullian Assange, Daniel Domscheit-Berg and Adrian Lamo:
  • Arte:
"WikiLeaks: la guerre contre le secret:":

Could you also inform your classmates whom you may be in touch with? Thanks in advance! 

I apologise again for the inconvenience and for this very short notice.

Best regards,

M
ounir Nassor

email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in

Saturday, November 26, 2011

M2 STUDENTS

Here is the link regarding Bunker Roy's talk at TED, select the English subtitles and the "interactive transcript" is on the top right side of the page:

Thursday, November 24, 2011

M1 STUDENTS


11/24/11

Dear M1 students,

As I said last week, we will watch a documentary on WikiLeaks, which means that the class  tomorrow will end at around 6 pm instead of 5:30 pm. If, for one reason or another, you really need to leave at 5:30 pm, then no problem, you may leave at 5:30 pm.


Here is the link for Julian Assange's interview on TED:
http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_assange_why_the_world_needs_wikileaks.html
Here is the link for the PBS report on WikiLeaks:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june11/wikileaks_01-28.html
Choose the English subtitles and the "interactive transcript" is also on the top right side of the page. 

Best regards,

Mounir Nassor

email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in

Monday, November 7, 2011

MESSAGE FOR M2 STUDENTS ONLY


11/08/11

Dear M2 students,

Due to an unpredictable and unfortunate mishap, I sincerely apologise but I don't have other solutions but to cancel the exam scheduled this afternoon. As a result, we will do the exam next week hopefully. 

Could you please inform as soon as posiible other students you may be in touch with? 

I apologise again. 

Best regards,

M
ounir Nassor

email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Exams and dates (M1 and M2)

"Contrôle Continu" exams (M1 and M2 groups):

As said in class, as far as exams in "contrôle continu" are concerned, there will be:
  • two main exams (duration: entire class session ie 90 minutes): 
    • the first main exam will count for 30% of the semester grade, 
    • the sesecon main exam will count for 40% of the semester grade
  • two short tests (around 20-30 minutes) mostly on vocabulary and false friends: each test will count for 15% 
 M2 Group:
  • the first main exam will take place on Nov 08 13/ the second main exam will take place on Dec 13
  • the first short vocab test: Nov 22 29 / the second short vocab test: January 03 (2012) 
  • The First Main Exam (Nov 08) will cover: 
    • vocab lists (words and expressions only): chapters 34, 35 and 38
    • false friends: ex 1, 2 and 3
    • audio reports: "Blood Diamonds" and "The Cost of Coffee" (vocab + listening comprehension)
    •  grammar (in translation): units 132, 133, 134 and 135
 M1 Group:
  • the first main exam will take place on Nov 18 / the second main exam will take place on Dec 16
  • the first short vocab test: Dec 09 / the second short vocab  test: January 06 (2012)
  • The First Main Exam (Nov 18) will cover: 
    • vocab lists (words and expressions only): chapters 34, 35, 38 and 39
    • false friends: ex 1, 2 and 3
    • audio reports: "Blood Diamonds" and "Press Freedom" (vocab + listening comprehension)
    •  grammar (in translation):
      • units 132, 133, 134 and 135 
      • unit 38
 "Contrôle final" exam (M1 and M2 groups): the second main exam for "contrôle continu" students will stand as "contrôle final" for those concerned and will cover everything done during the semester:
  • M2: Dec 13
  • M1: Dec 16

REMINDER: As said in class, in case this second main exam ("contrôle continu" students) -"contrôle final" ("contrôle final" students) cannot take place on Dec 13 (M2) and/or on Dec 16 (M1) for major, unpredictable reasons, these exams will take place in January 2012 ie Jan 03 (M2) and Jan 06 (M1).

Mounir Nassor

Thursday, October 20, 2011

M1 STUDENTS: ROOM - LOCATION / HOURS CHANGED FROM OCT 21, 2011

[MESSAGE FOR M1 STUDENTS ONLY]

Dear HCEAI-M1 students,

As agreed  last Friday, I confirm that next Friday (Oct, 21) until the end of the first semester, we will have class in room 007 at "Immeuble France" (near BNF), 190 avenue de France, Paris 13ème, room 007, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.

For the second semester, the class will take place at La Sorbonne (main site) in room D 664, same day and hours (Friday: 4 pm - 5:30 pm).

Best regards,

Mounir Nassor
email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in

Monday, October 17, 2011

Blood Diamonds


Courrier International (July 22, 2011): "Le retour des diamants de la honte" by Hélène Buzzetti:

RAPAPORT at JCK2011: Izhakoff Is Optimistic for Consensus on Zimbabwe:

 

Monday, October 3, 2011

M2 CLASS: INDICATIONS ABOUT OUR CLASSROOM


Dear HCEAI M2 students,

As I told some of the M2 students I met in the History department, our classroon is located on 06 rue Jean Calvin, Paris (5th district).

It's a CROUS building but in fact our classroon is NOT on the 06 rue Jean Calvin but at the opposite of this street.

So, cross this street, there is a black door on the opposite building to 06 rue Jean Clavin, open it and go downstairs.

Could you please send these indications to the rest of the M2 students? 


Reminder: class is on Tuesdays, from 3 pm to 4:30 pmThanks in advance and best regards

Mounir Nassor
 email: mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Permanent link for documents used this semester

Here is the link all my HCEAI students (M1 and M2 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://9giga.sfr.fr/n/50-17/share/LNK45824cab4194aca22/ 

Friday, September 23, 2011

M1 and M2 HCEAI students: class and rules

Dear students M1 and M2 students, 

M2 students: 
  • the English class will take place on Tuesday (3 pm - 4:30 pm) in room Jean Calvin at CROUS ( 06 rue Jean Calvin, Paris 05).
  • the first class will take place next Tuesday ie on September 27, 2011.
M1 students: 
  • the English class will take place on Friday (6:30 pm - 8 pm) in room E 659 (Sorbonne - main center).
  • the first class will take place on Friday, October 07, 2011.

ALL STUDENTS (M1 and M2): 
  • if you are absent more than twice for unjustified reasons, you will automatically be in "contrôle final".
  • CONTROLE CONTINU STUDENTS:
Whether the students are absent for valid or invalid reasons, they will have to provide me with an entire chapter of exercices from a unit/chapter of their choice from the grammar textbook we used last year (Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings), this must be HANDWRITTEN and include ALL the questions and their answers. 

Failing to do so, I will add a zero mark each time I do not get these exercises, this zero mark will count for their "contrôle continu" semester grade.
  • ALL STUDENTS ("contrôle continu" AND "contrôle final" students):
THERE WILL BE NO CATCH-UP SESSION WHATSOEVER EVEN IF YOU HAVE A VALID AND SINCERE JUSTIFICATION FOR YOUR POSSIBLE ABSENCE FOR THE FINAL EXAM OR THE MAIN EXAM AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER. 

AS PER THE RULES OF THE UNIVERSITY, A ZERO MARK/GRADE IN CASE OF ABSENCE FOR THE FINAL EXAM  OR MAIN EXAM  IS THE ONLY OPTION I (REGRETFULLY) HAVE.
Best regards, 

Mounir Nassor
(mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

"CONTROLE CONTINU" STUDENTS - SECOND MAIN EXAM AND SECOND SEMESTER GRADES

Do check your grades and email me as soon as possible if there are any mistakes. If some of you would like to get their papers back, they can email me before July 04 and I will try to find a way to return them. After July 04, I will not be able to return them as I will be abroad after that date.

Mounir Nassor
(mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

SECOND MAIN EXAM - MAY 20 SECOND SEMESTER GRADE

/20 /20
BRFRH Ll 09,5 10,2
BTT Lc 13,5 13,8
CSSK Ss 02,7 04,6
CRNC Cln 08,5 10,6
D SLNS Cln 15,6 16,6
DN Sph 13,6 15,2
FQS Dvd 12,7 14,0
GCHR Prr Vncnt 11,6 12,5
GNCLVS Sn 05,8 07,5
GRTPNCH Qntn 07,1 09,2
JRSS Mgl 12,5 13,3
LR Mrn 17,6 18,5
MRL Srh 11,1 14,0
RNLD Ls 15,6 16,2
RVR Rl 04,5 07,1
SZCZRB L 08,2 11,2


AVERAGE GRADE 10,6 12,2
MIN 02,7 04,6
MAX 17,6 18,5


Friday, June 24, 2011

"CONTROLE FINAL" STUDENTS - FINAL EXAM - SECOND SEMESTER GRADE

Do check your grades and email me as soon as possible if there are any mistakes. If some of you would like to get their papers back, they can email me before July 04 and I will try to find a way to return them. After June 28, I will not be able to return them as I will be abroad after that date.

OTHER GRADES WILL BE POSTED SOME TIME SOON. 

(MN)


SECOND SEMESTER GRADE - MAY 20, 2011
NGL Lrnt 10,2
BNGN G Thrr 00,2
DLLN Mrgx 15,5
DRKS Mln 05,3
DPNT D DCHNN Nm 04,5
FRRR Lr 00,7
LBL Dr 06,7
TRRS Clr 13,1
AVERAGE GRADE 07,0
MIN 00,2
MAX 15,5

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

SHORT VOCAB TEST GRADES - MAY 27

YOUR SECOND MAIN EXAM GRADES AND SECOND SEMESTER GRADES WILL BE POSTED SOME TIME SOON. (MN)

 

VOCAB TEST MAY 27

/20
BRFRH Ll 16
BTT Lc 17.5
CSSK Ss 10.5
CRNC Cln 15.5
D SLNS Cln 19
DN Sph 17
DPNT D DNCHN Nm 11
FQS Dvd 16
GCHR Prr Vncnt 15.5
GNCLVS Sn 13
GRTPNCH Qntn 13
JRSS Mgl 16
LR Mrn 19
MRL Srh 19
RNLD Ls 16.5
RVR Rl 14.5
SZCZRB L 16.5


AVERAGE GRADE 15.6
MIN 10.5
MAX 19.0

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A call for jobs in the History department

APPEL A CANDIDATURES

RECHERCHE TUTEURS EN HISTOIRE


L'UFR d'Histoire de Paris IV cherche des étudiants de master pour devenir tuteurs en histoire pour l'année 2011-2012.

Le tuteur doit être motivé par le travail avec les étudiants et pédagogue. Il doit se distinguer par ses qualités méthodologiques et son bon niveau de français.

Il pourra être responsable:
*soit d'un groupe d'étudiants de L1 à Clignancourt 1h30 par semaine pour faire du suivi méthodologique et aider à l'organisation du travail

*soit d'un atelier d'expression française pour L1 à Clignancourt 1h30 par semaine pour remédier au niveau de français et préparer à l'oral

Chaque tuteur est rémunéré pour un total de 52 heures de tutorat par an (18,50 euros/heure)

Conditions de recrutement :
- être inscrit en Master 1 ou 2 à Paris IV en 2011-2012
- avoir obtenu de très bons résultats tout au long de son parcours universitaire
Les étudiants intéressés sont priés de faire parvenir un CV et une courte lettre de motivation à Mme Séverine Gregorczyk, PRAG en histoire grecque et responsable du tutorat en histoire


au plus tard le 10 septembre 2011

Saturday, May 7, 2011

LAST EXAM DATES - SMALL CHANGES

Dear students, 

As I said yesterday, the Second Vocab Test will take place on May 27 (not next week) and will cover all the vocabulary of the second semester. 

As for the Second Main Exam  / "contrôle final" for those students in this case:  May 20
  • Vocabulary
  • the first article on WikiLeaks ie "'Le Monde' Publishes Latest WikiLeaks Release"
  • The Brain Drain From Africa
  • Remembering Famine in Ukraine
  • Press Freedom
  • Media Vocabulary
  •  Listening Comprehension
  • all the audio reports on WikiLeaks
  • The Brain Drain From Africa
  • Remembering Famine in Ukraine
  • Press Freedom
  • Grammar: the entire second semester (including "Wish / "If" structures)
Second Short Vocab Test: May 27
  • Media vocabulary (the whole handout)
  • Vocabulary from all the audio report of  the second semester (WikiLeaks, Press Freedom, Remembering Famine in Ukraine, The Brain Drain From Africa)
REMINDER: 
  • THERE WILL BE NO CATCH-UP SESSION WHATSOEVER EVEN IF YOU HAVE A VALID AND SINCERE JUSTIFICATION
Mounir Nassor
(mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

Monday, April 11, 2011

Job/internship opportunities

These job/internishp offers might interest some of you, do check the following link: 

http://www.paris-sorbonne.fr/l-international/le-service-des-relations/les-opportunites/

Stage d’été à l’Ambassade des Etats-Unis (deadline: April 08)

Poste à pourvoir auprès d’un programme américain (deadline: May 31)

Poste à pourvoir auprès de la MICEFA (programme USA) (deadline: May 13)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Wikileaks / Listen and highlight the main ideas

 
Dear students, 

The next topic will work on is "WikiLeaks". Listen carefully to these short audio reports, highlight the main ideas and we will discuss them in class. Only after I will provide you with their transcripts with underlined vocabulary to be known.

Check them out from the link below:

[in case this link does not work, switch to Mozilla/Firefox or to Internet Explorer or Google Chrome or email me, I will send these audio reports by email]



Best regards,

Mounir Nassor
(mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

Contrôle Continu Students: First Main Exam (April 01)


Dear students, 

Your first main exam will take place on April 01 and will account for 30% of your "contrôle continu" semester grade. 

Program of revisions:
a) Gram: from Units 9 to 16 included (the explanations corresponding to these chapters are available on the Grammar folder on "NEUF GIGA")
b)Media Vocabulary: page 1 to page 4 (included)
c) Audio reports: listening comprehension + vocabulary 
- Remembering Famine in Ukraine
- Press Freedom
- The Brain Drain from Africa
Best regards, 

MN

(mounirnassor@yahoo.co.in)

Friday, February 18, 2011

HOMEWORK FOR FEB 25

  • Grammar: exercise 2 from units/chapters 11 / 12 / 13
  • Press Freedom (audio report): listening comprehension and vocabulary
  • Media Vocabulary: page 1
  • Revisions: Remembering Famine in Ukraine (audio report): listening comprehension and vocabulary

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 Newshour (USA - transcripts available)

ABC The World Today (Australia - transcripts available)

BBC World Service (UK - no transcripts)


Phrasal Verbs:


BBC Learning English


BBC Idioms


Anglais Facile.com

False Friends