Scuze me? Responses (archived)

responses to comments made on my "Scuze me?" blog

Responses to Comments for Post #1

Hi, everyone.

Following are responses to text comments made 2-04-07 through 2-11-07 on my
'Scuze me? blog. You may have to go to the Archives in the right sidebar menu
to see some of these responses.

There are also audio responses (linked on 'Scuze me?).

Thanks to all who added their thoughts!

I had originally planned to follow each text comment with a response from me; in some blog platforms, this can be done by altering the code for when the response post was made. It wasn't possible (as far as I know) to do that with the software used to generate 'Scuze me?, however, so I ended up making a separate Responses blog—this one. In this set of responses, I have a separate post for everyone who made a text comment during the period 2-04-07 through 2-11-07. I probably won't do that if further responses to text comments are posted. Why? – Because it's very time-consuming!

I greatly appreciated the comments. Besides including some very kind words, a number made suggestions for how to improve 'Scuze me?. I've already begun implementing those improvements and will make further revisions to the format of 'Scuze me? based on what I've learned while making the improvements.

One change will be to remove colors other than black within the content text, with the exception of text that is linked. I actually like to use color within the content and saw no problem in doing so (since in the preview mode, colored non-linked text is not underlined while colored linked text is); I discovered, however, that the underline disappears when a post becomes "live," so in order to lessen confusion, I'll forego use of color for emphasis and use it only for links.

Best wishes to all!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 17:04 | link | comments |

Response to Jane

Hi, Jane.

At 17:24 on 2-11-07, you wrote:

Response

Thanks for the very kind words!

I also think this is a good way for ESL/EFL students to learn about and practice the way we truly speak—at least in American English. In addition, I think that "the way we truly speak" is critically important: if our students only understand slowed-down, carefully articulated "classroom language," a vital ingredient is missing!

If all goes well, I'll be posting another recording later today (2-12-07), but time will tell!

Thanks again, Jane.

Best wishes—

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 16:34 | link | comments |

Response to Cora

Ni hao, Cora!

At 05:54 on 2-04-07, you wrote:

Hi Dennis,

Thank you for sharing this blog with us. It's important for non-native speakers of English to learn about the "relaxed pronunciation" in order to understand and communicate with native speakers of English more effectively.
:-) Cora C.

---

Response

I greatly appreciate your kind words. Xie-xie!

As to my sharing the blog, you're entirely welcome.

I also feel that it's important non-native speakers of English (or any language, actually) to learn about "relaxed pronunciation" in order to understand and communicate with native speakers of English (or any language) more effectively. As I mentioned in at least one of my audio responses, students have often told me that they understand me fine, but they often don't understand monolingual Englsh-speaking friends, clerks in stores, telephone conversations in English, the language used in many films, the language they hear in popular music, and so on. When students go on to say that "real world English" doesn't even sound like English, I wonder why. I suspect that there are many reasons, but one of them is (in my opinion) "relaxed pronunciation" (and also the broader area that I call "relaxed speech").

Thanks again, Cora.

Best wishes—

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 16:26 | link | comments |

Response to Berta

Hola, Berta.

At 06:08  on 2-04-07, you wrote:

Great idea, Dennis!

Your recording is clear and your voice sweet. Your picture is catching and the bubble attracts one´s attention immediately.

Thanks for sharing this idea and I hope this blog keeps growing as creatively as it started.

Cariños, Berta

---

Response

Mil gracias for your very kind words, Berta! I'm very grateful!

I'm glad you felt that the recording was clear. I don't know whether having a sweet voice is a plus or not, but a sweet voice is definitely better than a gruff one! I'm also glad that you were engaged by the picture and the speech bubble: that was exactly what I hoped these graphics would accomplish!

As to my sharing the ideas that led me to create 'Scuze me?, you're entirely welcome. I hope other educators who see this blog will take those ideas and use them as a "springboard" for creating other kinds of content applications. I also appreciate your suggestion that I keep 'Scuze me? creative as I add to it. Actually (as I've noted in several other responses) I originally hadn't planned for this blog to be anything more than an experiment for the BfB and BaW07 workshops; now, however, I'm reconsidering those thoughts.

Cariñosamente,

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 15:15 | link | comments |

Response to Susan W.

Hi, Susan.

At 7:55 on 2-04-07, you wrote:

Hi Dennis

-- An audioblog for pronunciation? What a great idea! I can see the potential both for teachers and students.

I love your photo and speech bubble -- it made me want to listen right away. Also, the clean, clear design is great, not visually confusing, and with easy-to-follow instructions. The site loaded quickly despite my slow connection and antique computer -- a definite bonus. It was also fun to have the option of adding voice comments. I'm looking forward to seeing how you expand all of this! :-)

Susan W (in Estonia)

---

Response

Thanks for your kind words. I greatly appreciate them!

I can also see the potential of such a blog for both teachers and students, and I think a blog and a webpage might yield different results and be used in different ways. (See, for example, the Online Dictation Practice page that I've had online for quite a while.)

I'm glad that the photo + speech bubble engaged your attention: that was why I included them! I also wanted to suggest that this blog focuses on understanding casual spoken language. I'm also glad you felt that the design of the blog is straightforward and has easy-to-follow instructions: both are important in getting people involved in content, I think. In addition, I'm pleased that you liked the option of adding voice comments; I thought that would be a plus—and also appropriate, given the nature of the content of 'Scuze me?.

Originally, I didn't really have plans of expanding 'Scuze me?: it was intended as no more than an experiment for the BfB workshop. Now, however, I'm beginning to think I should keep adding to 'Scuze me?, but time will tell.

Thanks again, Susan—and very best wishes!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 15:01 | link | comments |

Response to Teresa

Olá, Teresa—mestre e colega e amiga!

At 11:32 on 2-04-07, you wrote:

Dear Dennis,

I love the photo. Very cute!!! And the bubble with the expression in the title!

The idea of referring to this type of language through sound makes it much more powerful than just through text. Great idea! :-)

I'll leave a voice message later.

Warm hugs, Teresa

---

Response

I really appreciate your kind words, "Radical Teacher." Muito obrigado!

I'm glad you like the photo. I used it either last year or the year before in a presentation I did at the college where I work; people there liked it, too. I'm also glad you liked the speech bubble. I hoped it would suggest that speaking is important in the 'Scuze me? blog.

I'm glad you feel referring to the type of language used in expressions like * gonna through sound makes the content much more powereful. I do, too—and that's why I used sound. Also, I wanted to suggest that  "relaxed" pronunciation (and the larger area, "relaxed" speech) are typical of a spoken language, not a written one.

I look forward to your voice message.

Muitos abraços!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 14:39 | link | comments |

Response to Beyza

Merhaba, Beyza.

At 14:09 on 2-04-07, you wrote:
 
Merhaba Dennis

Your audioblog is really nice. It is a great idea to teach pronunciation and provide ss practice. I can spend a little time to teach my ss pronunciation right now because of the overloaded program but an audioblog can be a great opportunity for them to learn and practice. I wish u success in your new blog:)

Hoscakal
Beyza

---

Response

I greatly appreciate your kind words: tesekkür ederim! (I'm sorry that the software for this blog won't permit me to type the correct "s.")

I completely understand not having much time to work with pronunciation. I've had the same problem except when I was teaching a class that focused only on pronunciation. However, I've also worked a little with pronunciation in other classes (such as listening, writing, and grammar) whenever it was necessary because of student interest or confusion. Of course working only a little with pronunciation offers limited benefits to students, but working only a little with pronunciation is much better than not working with pronunciation at all.

I don't know whether I'll continue the 'Scuze me? blog after our BfB workshop (because I originally intended it only as a learning experience for myself), but the comments I've received indicate that there is definitely a need for the kind of material I've touched on so far, so I may change my mind.

Thanks again for your kind words, Beyza.

For now, güle-güle!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 13:26 | link | comments |

Response to Dafne

Hola, mi maéstra, colega, y amiga Dafne.

At 14:07 on 2-04-07, you wrote:

Hi Dennis,

What a great idea! I love the recordings and the photo ;-)

I wonder why you did not make the links active in the entry? Any special reason?

abrazos,

Daf

---

Response

Mil gracias for your very kind words. I'm glad you like the recordings and the photo!

I don't know why I didn't originally make the links active in the entry. I may have had
a reason, but if I did, I've forgotten it. In any event, I've revised my first entry in
'Scuze me? so that the links are now accessible in the copy—not just in "Links" in
the right sidebar menu.

Thanks for your very useful suggestion about the links.

¡Abrazos para ti también!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 12:41 | link | comments |

Response to "No Name"

Hello, nameless friend.

At 14:21 on 2-04-07, you wrote.

Cool idea! I can't wait to share this blog site with some of my colleagues. Looking forward to your next post!

---

Response

Thanks for the very kind words! I hope, when you share 'Scuze me? with your colleagues, that I've posted more than the initial entry.

Best wishes—

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 11:48 | link | comments |

Response to Barbara

Hi, Barbara.

At 14:54 on 2-04-07, you wrote:
 
Dear Dennis:

This is a very nice blog. It helps people learn about pronunciation.
Hugs,

Barbara

---

Response:

Thanks for the kind words, Barbara. I'm glad you feel that my 'Scuze me? blog can help people learn about pronunciation because that was my main purpose in creating it.

Hugs to you also!

Dennis

posted by: DennisOliver at 11:43 | link | comments |