Put it all together

Listening practice

Karen and Jael have just finished the school term (semestre) and they are talking about how well they did. Listen to their conversation.

Karen: Hello Jael, what's up? You look troubled.

Jael: Hi Karen, I'm so upset; look at my grades; I'm not going to make it for the university course I want to enroll in. My academic average is getting lower.

Karen: Did you fail any subject?

Jael: Yeap! Not just one, two subjects! Chemistry and History

Karen: Oh dear!. But tell me what happened, you're a great student, you always participate in class, and I know you "know" a lot.

Jael: Sure I do! But the problem is that I'm not so organized, and I get nervous during the exams. What about you?

Karen: Oh, I did so well; I got passing grades in all the subjects, even Maths, it was a real challenge for me.

Jael: Yes, I remember you mentioned it some time ago, but what did you do? How did you manage to succeed in that subject?

Karen: Jael! I used to have the same problems as you do, and you know, I just visited the CCH web page, and clicked on the link to the PIA (Institucional Advice Program) page, and I got help from them.

Jael: Tell me, what kind of advice did you get?

Karen: Well, first, I sent an email and then got an appointment with an academic advisor. Next, we discussed the subject I was struggling with, and finally we both made an action plan to set back on track with that subject.

Jael: Oh Karen, it sounds awesome, but now it's too late, I'm going to waste all my summer vacation studying for my "extra" exams and you know, I'm not sure I'll pass them. What should I do?

Karen: Jael! Why don't you ask for some advice at the PIA web page? I'm sure they can help you, even if we are on summer break you can get some on-line help with a course called "Learn to learn". Come on! Let's get on the web page and email them.

Jael: Ok, it sounds cool Karen. You know you're an angel? Don't you?

Karen: Hmm! Sure I am!

Conversation
True or false exercise

Listen again and mark True or False

1. Karen failed two subjects.
2. Jael isn't happy about his grades.
4. Jael wants Karen to help him with Maths.
5. Karen suggested Jael to relax during the summer break.
Writing exercise

Number the events in the order they happened.

Karen visited the CCH-PIA web page.
2
The advisor and Karen made an action plan.
4
Karen got a passing grade in Maths.
5
Karen was having problems with Maths.
1
Karen got an appointment with the advisor.
3
Supporting friends

Supporting friends

True or false exercise

Listen again and mark the best answer.

1. The school advisor...

 told Jael to take another Chemistry course.
asked Jael to take the school’s “learning to learn” on-line course.
suggested Jael to ask a classmate for help during the summer break.

2. According to Jael, a good advice to prepare for an exam is...

to study more than two hours every day before the exam.
to memorize the answers of the previous exams.
to plan your time and study little time but several times.

3. Jael took a test where he was able to identify...

his learning style.
his weaknesses as a student.
his personal problems.

4. Jael discovered that one of his weaknesses was that…

he didn’t pay attention in class.
the teacher did not explain well enough.
he didn’t have any study habits.
Hi again!

Karen: Hi again! If you found this advice useful you can click on this link https://tutorial.cch.unam.mx/ and do the Learning to Learn course!

Jael: Hey buddies! Don't miss this course , I'm sure you will learn so many strategies that can help you now and in your future studies!

Jael: That’s true, you can get plenty of easy to use tips!

Reading practice / Writing exercise

Read the blog entries, then match the images (a-e) to the entries (1-5).

Patty’s tips-n-more

Pain in the ear?

When we have a pain in the ear we don’t want anyone to talk to us, we don’t want to listen to music or talk on the phone because it’s very painful and annoying. So, what can we do to stop an earache? Ask me your questions. I’ll try to give an answer to all of them.

  • Entry 1

    @James2010

    Dear Patty,
    I have a terrible pain in my right ear. It started two days ago and it doesn’t go away. What should I do?

    @Patty’stipsnmore

    Dear James,
    Ear infections are more common in kids, but that doesn’t mean that adults wouldn’t have them. If you have an earache you should go to your doctor’s office, even though they, sometimes, go away on their own, the best thing to do is to get some medical advice.

  • Entry 2

    @ClauBella

    Dear Patty,
    My great grandma told me that, if I have an earache, I can cut a cockroach in half and put it in my ear. She says that can make my pain go away. What should I do?

    @Patty’stipsnmore

    Dear,
    You should never do that. It isn’t a very good idea to put a dead insect into your ears. I know people, in the ancient times, used to do that, but it was only a belief. Nowadays we are certain that that remedy doesn’t work and, on the contrary, could bring a lot more problems to your health. If you did that you should see a doctor right away.

  • Entry 3

    @DanyBoy96

    Ms. Patty,
    I have pain in both my ears. A friend of mine gave some drops, but I’m not sure I should use them. What do you think?

    @Patty’stipsnmore

    My dearest Dany,
    I think you should go to the doctor’s for a correct and more complete prescription. Even though there are some ear drops with pain relievers that could make your pain go away, it’s only your doctor who can prescribe them. So, you shouldn’t use them unless your doctor says otherwise.

  • Entry 4

    @MariotheBross

    Patty,
    I grew up in a little town in Tlalnepantla. I remember that, when I was a little boy, people used to grill a garlic clove and put it into their ears for five minutes, then they grilled it again and put it back into their ears for another twenty minutes. I never did that, but I remember watching my grandpa doing it. Does that really work?

    @Patty’stipsnmore

    Mario,
    People shouldn’t put anything in their ears. It isn’t a good idea. I don’t know if that helps to relieve the pain, but putting a garlic clove, apart from the smell, could lead you to the ER as some objects could go really deep into the ear and the only way to take them out is with the doctor's assistance.

  • Entry 5

    @AngieDickinson666

    Dear Patty,
    Every time I’m on the road or take a plane my ears start to hurt. What should I do to prevent this from happening? I’ve heard that chewing gum is a good idea, but I’m not sure. It sounds like a myth to me.

    @Patty’stipsnmore

    Angie,
    You should definitely chew gum. That should help you lower the air pressure and ease your symptoms. I know it sounds unbelievable, but it really works.

Ear
2
Ear
5
Ear
1
Ear
3
Ear
4
Writing exercise

Read the text again. Then read the ideas 1-5, they all have mistakes, find them and rewrite each sentence in the correct form.

1. James shouldn’t go to the doctor’s. James should wait until the pain goes away.
James should go to the doctor’s. James shouldn’t wait until the pain goes away.
2. You should cut a cockroach in half and put it in your ear if you want the ear pain to go away.
You shouldn’t cut a cockroach in half and put it in your ear if you want the ear pain to go away.
3. You should put ear drops with pain relievers to make the pain go away, unless your doctor says otherwise.
You shouldn’t put ear drops with pain relievers to make the pain go away, unless your doctor says otherwise.
4. You should put anything in your ears. It’s a good idea, especially if you want to make the pain go away.
You shouldn’t put anything in your ears. It isn’t a good idea, especially if you want to make the pain go away.
5. 5. You shouldn’t chew gum to lower the air pressure and ease the pain in your ears when on the road or in the plane.
You should chew gum to lower the air pressure and ease the pain in your ears when on the road or in the plane.
Select exercise

Multiple choice exercise. Read the conversation between two friends. Select the correct sentence.

A girl in distress

A girl in distress

Pao: Hi, Andy! Long time no see! How are you?

Andy: Not so well. Do you remember I’ve applied for the course in Cape Town?

Pao: Sure! What happened?

Andy: I’ve got accepted!

Pao: Wow! But why don't you look so excited?

Andy: I’m excited! But they let me know with such short notice. I’m leaving in a week.

Pao: No way!

Andy: Yeah! I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions?

    1Pao: First of all, __________

    • - you should make a list of the things you need for the trip.
    • - you first of all a list of the things you need for the trip.

    2. Andy: Yeah, you are right. Great idea!

    2Pao: __________

    • - You should also make an appointment with your doctor
    • - with your doctor also make an appointment

    3. Andy: My doctor?

    3Pao: __________ You are going to another country. You definitely should do that.

    • - Vaccinated you should get. Yeah!
    • - Yeah! You should get vaccinated.

    4. Andy: I didn’t think about it, but you are right. What else?

    4Pao: __________ It’s extremely important you have it with you.

    • - You shouldn’t pack your passport!
    • - You should pack your passport!

    5. Andy: Totally!

    5Pao: __________ to know for sure what to pack.

    • - You should also check the weather forecast
    • - Also check the weather forecast you should

    6. Andy: Oh, yeah! In that way I don’t pack things I’m not going to use. Tell me more!

    6Pao: Hmm… Oh! __________

    • - You should exchange money before you go.
    • - You shouldn’t exchange money before you go.

    7. Andy: I’m going to take my credit car, but it’s also a good idea. I will do it in the airport before I leave.

    7Pao: You can do it, but __________ , so the plane doesn’t leave without you. Ha ha ha!

    • - you should arrive with plenty of time
    • - with plenty of time you should arrive

    8. Andy: Ha ha ha! I will. A final suggestion? I have to leave!

    8Pao: Hmm… __________ , and… Relax!! Everything is going to be just fine!

    • - You shouldn’t print your boarding pass
    • - You should print your boarding pass

    9. Andy: Andy: I know!! Thanks a lot! You are my life savior! See you soon.

    Pao: See you.

Self evaluation

Now that you have done all the activities, please reflect on your learning and complete the chart below. In case you are not sure or you think you can’t do it, please click on the links and review the topics.

Self evaluation

I am an expert NOW in this topic!

Self evaluation

I think I need to practice a bit more.

Self evaluation

I am starting to believe I need to start over again.

I can easily identify vocabulary related to the parts of the body, health care jobs, disease, accidents, and remedies.

You are awesome!
Go to the section: Vocabulary

I can properly use should/shouldn’t to give suggestions and ask for advice.

Excellent!
Go to the section: Grammar
Check this: Modal verb should

I can identify pieces of advice in a text.

Great!
Go to the section: What should they do?
Check this: Modal verb should

I can identify and understand suggestions when I listen to them.

Very well!
Go to the section: Listening
Check this: Modal Verb Should

I can write pieces of advice and suggestions on topics related to health problems, school issues, relationships, etc.

Totally awesome!
Go to the section: Troubles to sort out
Check this: Modal Verb Should

I can talk about some issues and give suggestions to solve them.

Wow! We are glad to know that!
Go to section: What should I do?
Check this: Modal Verb Should