Contents
=> “Complete the Aphorism” - gap-fill thinking activity
=> “Write Your Own Famous Sayings” - writing
=> Answers to “Complete the Aphorism”
=> Statistics on Russian-American Exchanges
=> Solo Language Learning Tips Part IV: Unique Techniques
=> Cool Comments on FEELTA’s 2005 Winter Methodology School
=> In the Next Issues

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“Complete the Aphorism” - gap-fill thinking activity
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aphorism = a tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage, or saying.

Aphorisms are a fun way to examine language. And incomplete aphorisms make us examine language even more carefully. So what we’ve done is provided ten aphorisms for the Polish writer Stanislaw Lec (1909-1969). Each sentence is missing a verb.

You, or your students, supply the missing verb. (The verb “to be” and its forms are not acceptable).

First give students only PART A, They will have a good idea what verb is missing. But it’s not important if they find the exact word Lec used. This gap-fill activity is open-ended. That means there is more than one correct answer. Students can supply any word that makes sense. Discuss the answers.

Next, do PART B. Here the aphorisms are less clear, and the choice of verb will COMPLETELY affect the meaning. Students should then explain what their version means.

Finally, give students the original verb from Stanislaw Lec. Ask them to compare their version with Lec’s. Perhaps they will like theirs better.

Part A
1. The weakest link in a chain is the strongest, because it can _________ the chain.
2. No snowflake in the avalanche ever _________ responsible.
3. All is in the hands of man. Therefore _________ them often.
4. Is it progress if a cannibal ________ a knife and fork?
5. Thoughts, like fleas, jump from man to man. But they don’t _________ everybody.

Part B
1. He who _________ still walks.
3. To _________ a man, you have to know his pleasures.
8. Even the longest snake must _________
9. The window to the world can be ___________ by a newspaper.
10. Don’t __________ the heart, it ____________ your blood.

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Write Your Own Famous Sayings by Poosheesty
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A home writing assignment? Write your own famous sayings. You can use the Stanislaw Lec aphorisms as examples.

Brainstorm with the class first to see if they know any witty or famous sayings. Like this: “The only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about.” (Oscar Wilde). Or “It’s such a fine line between clever and stupid.” (Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins).

If you are not wise or witty, just pretend that you are.

Students be share their own famous sayings, make a book of them, or decorate the walls of the room.

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Answers to “Complete the Aphorism”
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Answers Part A
1. break
2. feels
3. wash
4. uses
5. bite

Answers Part B
1. limps
2. torture
3. end
4. covered
5. trust, wants

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Statistics on Russian-American Exchanges
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In a recent poll, 25% of Russians considered the United States to be their greatest enemy (see article in English or poll results in Russian). That’s discouraging, of course. But there is GOOD news: Russians and Americans are seeing more of each other, and that leads to greater understanding.

The following statistics are excerpted from a speech made at the US embassy in Moscow in March 2004 by US Assistant Secretary of State Patricia Harrison.

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In the last decade, more than 50,000 people have participated on various exchange visits between our two countries.

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In the last ten years, more than 3,500 Russian students and scholars have come to the United States to study or conduct research.

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During the last six years, American English Language Fellows have lived and worked in 20 Russian cities. In just the last two years, these fellows have conducted over 1,000 workshops, providing training to over 12,000 Russian teachers of English.

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5,000 Russian high school students have lived with American families and studied at American secondary schools through the future leaders exchange program.

To read the full speech click here.

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Solo Language Learning Tips Part IV: Unique Techniques
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How do you learn a language on your own? In this, the last part of our series, we will present language-learning methods sent to us by subscribers from around the word. These are unusual, mind you. It’s are the kind of cutting-edge stuff that makes “English Teachers in Russia and Elsewhere” probably the most important language journal in the universe.

Well, here goes…

16. Dr. Antoine De Pelucheux, of the Aix-en-Provence College of Modest Art, says, “I take a very fat pen and write vocabulary words on my pillow. During the deeper stages of sleep, why my face contacts the pillow, these words creep through my skin into the brain. It works! Trust me! Only remember to wash the face when you wake in the morning.”

17. Pavel Shevchenko, from Anadyr, Russia, sends us this tip: “I take a Russian poem or song. Translate it into English with an electronic translator. Then I translate it back into Russian. It makes me laugh. If you ever come to Anadyr you will understand. For example, the song title “Pod Movskovskie Vechera” translated back and forth from Russian to English became “Under the Tight Smell of Moscow.”

18. Lisa Shettleprig of Basingstoke, England, writes, “Dear Mr. Poosheesty, I like you. I like you best of all. You are more attractive than any of the actors in TROY and some of the other actors in recent historical films featuring cute actors.”

19. “Speak the target language in your head,” advises Professor of Linguistics Sri Vashti of Boston College. “I am trying to learn Spanish. So if someone says to me in English, ‘Hands up! This is a robbery!’ I do not answer too quickly. I think of my Spanish answer first.”

20. Masha Malasha from St. Petersburg, Russia, suggests “talking to a dog in English. I talk to dogs. I talk to birds and cats and mice. I talk to insects. It is not important if they don’t speak back to me! I am still practicing English. But wait. I’ll tell you a secret. Sometimes they DO speak back. Especially the insects. Listen carefully. They have a Scottish accent.”

Solo Learning Tips 1-15 (for saner learning styles) can be found in “English Teachers in Russia” #s 71, 72, and 73.

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Coolest Comments About FEELTA’s Winter Methodology School
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Here are some excerpts of letters we’ve received about the 2005 FEELTA Winter Methodology School in Vladivostok. These are compliments of the best-feelingist kind… Thanks…

“You see, I never wanted to be a teacher but now I really think that ithe best job of all! Thanks to you and FEELTA!” — Masha, Ussuriisk

“… [R]eading all those great topics of FEELTA seminars made me feel sorry about not living in Vladivostok… My friend Olya was so inspired by these courses that she has almost made up her mind to spend summer vacations in Vladivostok attending your seminars!”
– Zhenya, Samara

“… [T]hank you for everything you gave us durinng 3 days in Vlad. Can you imagine how all the materials you gave us is useful. But what is
more exciting - that is children’s laughter, their will to work, and their
happy faces during the lesson. It is a miracle!!!” — Yana, Ussuriisk

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In the Next Issues
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March 1:
“He doesn’t Know I’m Alive:” teen relationship lingo - by John Harrington

March 15:
Cats and Dogs of Africa

April 1:
The most absurd (and true) April Fool’s stuff ever published