Academic English Cafe

The 63 lesson modules are independent and can be completed in any order.  Scroll down to read through all the lesson modules or view a quick list of all the lesson module topics. 

 To guide your learning, use the handouts that go along with each part of the lesson:

Java Journal Writing Paper Form, Café Sound Bite Listening Response Form, Cappuccino Corner Reader Response Form, and Academic Essay Outline Form.

Lesson Module 1

Topic: Cafés, tea and coffee

Java Journal

Have often do you go to a café? What do you like to order? Do you prefer drinking tea or coffee? Do you like to go to a café to talk with friends, listen to music, or surf the Internet?  What are some of your favorite cafés that you enjoy visiting?

Café Sound Bites 
  1.  Indian tea set for a revival

  2.  Starbucks’ Literacy Project

 

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. The History of Tea
2. Coffee, Beyond the Buzz

Academic Writing Topic

Chronicle the evolution of tea or coffee as a popular beverage in one country or a particular region.  (Research)

Lesson Module 2

Topic:  Names and naming practices

Java Journal

What does your name mean? Do you have a nickname? How does your name reflect your heritage? Who are you named after or do you have a new name in your family? How did your family decide on your name? How do you feel about your name? What will you name your children? Why?

Café Sound Bite 
1.  Pride Comes with a Native American Name

 Cappuccino Corner Articles 
1. A Culture of Naming That Even a Law May Not Tame 
2. Naming Practices & Patterns for Countries & Cultures

Academic Writing Topic

Research the naming practices of 3 countries and write an overview of them. (Research)

Lesson Module 3

Topic:  Schools and education
Java Journal

Describe a story of an important event you remember from school (elementary school, junior high, high school, college or university). What happened? Who was involved? What made this event memorable? What did you learn from the event?

 Café Sound Bite
1. Michelle Rhee: 'You Can Change People's Hope'

2. 'The Best Job I Have Ever Had in My Life'

 Cappuccino Corner Articles 
1. Montessori Education

2. New Investment in Envision’s Network of Charter High Schools Boosts Efforts to Expand

3. 'The Best Job I Have Ever Had in My Life'

Academic Writing Topic

Compare and contrast any two schools, such as a public, private, charter, or magnet school.
Some areas to research: curriculum, teaching philosophy, and overall effectiveness. (Research)

Lesson Module 4

Topic:  Seasons of the year

 

Java Journal

Which is your favorite season? Describe memories you have about each one: Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) and Winter. What colors do you associate with each season? What foods do you eat more of in each season? What sports do you play in each season?

Café Sound Bite

1. Spring Signals the Return of Baseball (Haiku)
2. SPRING RITUALS

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article

 Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?

Academic Writing Topic

Do you prefer spring or fall? Why? (Opinion)

 

Lesson Module 5

 

Topic:  Letter writing and friends

Java Journal

Write a letter to a friend telling him/her about what you have been doing lately. What is new in your life? What do you wonder about his/her life?

 

Café Sound Bites
1. Losing a Best Friend 
2. Pen Pals Reunited After 15 Years of Silence
3. 'Lost Boys' of Sudan Tell Their Story
4. The Art of the Letter 
5. Letter from the field

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Genesis Brings Old Friends Back Together

Academic Writing Topic

What are the differences between long-time friends and new acquaintances? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 6

Topic:  Important school subjects

Java Journal

What is/was your favorite subject in school or at the university? Do you still like that subject? What makes it interesting for you? How can you incorporate elements of that subject into your present/future profession?

Café Sound Bite

The Disciplined Mind

 Cappuccino Corner Article

New curriculum focuses on Africa

 

Academic Writing Topic

What are the 3 most important subjects that students should study in high school to prepare them for the future? Why? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 7

Topic:  Halloween and scary occurrences

Java Journal

For Halloween – Write about a scary event that happened to you or that you were told. List any fears you have. What are you not afraid of now that you used to be afraid of when you were younger? What are you afraid of now that you were not afraid of when you were younger? How do you overcome your fears?

Café Sound Bites
1. Fright Night at the Grand Canyon
2. Anne Rice An Interview with the Vampire Writer

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Halloween

 

Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 common fears and how can people overcome them? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 8

Topic:   Halloween story starters

Java Journal

 
For Halloween, write a story that starts with one of the following phrases

1. A cold wind blew open the windows and…
2. The moon rose eerily over the pumpkin patch and…
3. The sound of wolves howling filled the night air and…

 

More Halloween story starters

Café Sound Bites

1. Festa Della Spiga 
2. 'Morning Edition' Returns Serious Pumpkin Smashing

3. Day of the Dead

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Harvest festivals around the world

Academic Writing Topic

Describe 3 fall or harvest festivals around the world. (Research)

Lesson Module 9

Topic:  Hobbies and sports

 

Java Journal

Describe a hobby that you enjoy. When did you start doing this hobby? What tools do you need to do it? How did you learn about this hobby? What are your goals for this hobby? What are 5 additional hobbies that you would like to try in your life?

Café Sound Bites

1. Hobbies 
2. Turning to the Trombone for Tranquility

 Cappuccino Corner Article

List of hobbies

Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 good hobbies or sports? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 10

Topic:  Families and genealogy

Java Journal

Write a story of a family gathering you remember well. Who was there? What happened? What did your family members talk about? What food did you eat together? How often do you get together with your family? Have you ever done genealogical research in your family? What did you discover?

Café Sound Bite

Putting the 'Genes' Back into Genealogy

Tracing African-American Genealogy Why It Matters

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Growing your family tree

Academic Writing Topic

What are the benefits of knowing your family history? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 11

Topic:  Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims

Java Journal

For Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? Make a list of 100 things. Go into detail about a few.

Café Sound Bites
1. A Native American Chef's Thanksgiving
2. Debunking Pilgrim Myths The First Thanksgiving

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The First Thanksgiving

Academic Writing Topic

Research the history of Thanksgiving and write a letter to the Pilgrims asking them questions about their livelihood and explaining how life has changed since the 1600s.  (Research)

Lesson Module 12

Topic:  Songs and lyrics

Java Journal

What is your favorite song? Write out the lyrics. Why is this song so great? Does it have any special significance?

Café Sound Bite
Holiday Songs You Love... and Loathe

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Music on the Brain

Academic Writing Topic

Compare and contrast 2 songs. Some criteria to consider are beat and tempo, lyrics, musical style, and singers. (Research)

Lesson Module 13

Topic:  History of holidays

Java Journal

What is your favorite holiday? How is it celebrated? What makes this holiday special? What are the traditions surrounding this holiday? What food is served? When did this holiday begin? Who in the world celebrates this holiday too?

Café Sound Bite

Google's Holiday 'Doodles'


 Cappuccino Corner Article

Earth Calendar

Academic Writing Topic

Research your favorite holiday to find out the history of how it began and its cultural significance. (Research)

Lesson Module 14

Topic:  World peace

Java Journal

What is would peace on earth look like? What would happen if all countries resolved their disputes? What would change?

Café Sound Bites
1. Video-Game Designers Target World Peace
2. U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Wins Nobel Peace Prize

3. Trailblazing Nobel Laureate on Environment, World Peace

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. The Nobel Peace Prize and its Past Winners
2. Annan cautions against religious injustice, calls for cooperation

Academic Writing Topics

1. What has the role of the United Nations in settling disputes been? (Research)

 

2. What should the role of the United Nations in settling disputes be? (Research)

Lesson Module 15

Topic:  Christmas

Java Journal

What do you do for Christmas? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, what do you do for another holiday?

Café Sound Bites
1. James Brown's 'Please Come Home for Christmas'
2. For Sailors During Christmas, a Network of Gifts

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Booksellers Pick Their Holiday Favorites

Academic Writing Topic

What is the true meaning of Christmas? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, what is the meaning of another holiday you celebrate? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 16

Topic:  Goals

Java Journal

List 10 goals that you achieved this year. These goals can be personal, academic, spiritual, or economic. Describe 1 or 2 achievement that did not end up as you had planned. Describe 1 or 2 accomplishments that worked out better than you imagined.

Café Sound Bite
A List of To-Dos Before You Die

 Cappuccino Corner Article 
 Ten Things to Do Before This Article Is Finished

Academic Writing Topic

What are your top 3 to-dos on your life’s list? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 17

Topic:   New Year’s resolutions

Java Journal

List some New Year's resolutions, personal goals, or objectives that you hope to achieve in the next 12 months. What are your New Years wishes for the world?

Café Sound Bite
Making and Keeping Resolutions

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Resolutions

Academic Writing Topic

What are the benefits of personal goal setting? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 18

Topic:  Martin Luther King, Jr.

Java Journal

Write what you know about Martin Luther King, Jr. When did he live? What did he do in his life? What is segregation? What is integration?  What is a non-violent approach to solving problems? Who else in history used a non-violent approach?

Café Sound Bites
1. I Have a Dream Speech 

2. Power, Prescience of King's 'Mountaintop' Speech
3. Jeffrey Mumford Remembering MLK in Music
4. Memories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 Cappuccino Corner Article

I Have a Dream Speech & Video

Academic Writing Topic 

Choose 3 quotes of Martin Luther King, Jr. and explain their importance today. (Research)

Lesson Module 19

Topic:  Scientific discoveries

Java Journal

What is your favorite branch of science? Why? What scientific theories do you know about? What scientific theories are you curious about? If you could study a particular science more in depth, which one would you choose?

Café Sound Bite

1. L'Engle's Fiction Inspired Real Science

2. The Science of the Very, Very, Very Small
3. Siemens High School Science Awards

 Cappuccino Corner Article
10 Great Scientific Discoveries

 

Academic Writing Topic

What are the most important scientific discoveries since 1900? (Research)

Lesson Module 20

Topic:  Decorating and architecture

Java Journal

Choose a room in your house and describe how it is decorated now OR how you would decorate it, if money and time were not concerns. What kind of paint? What kind of furniture? What kind of objects d’art? Is there a widescreen TV or a stereo? Are there books?

Café Sound Bites
1. Redecorating TV
2. US Architecture

 Cappuccino Corner Article
House Styles in North America

Academic Writing Topic

Compare and contrast any 2 architecture styles, past or present. (Research) 

Lesson Module 21

Topic:  Superheroes

Java Journal

Who are your favorite superheroes? Do you prefer to read about them, watch them on TV, or see them in the movies? Describe one scene you remember where the superhero saved the day.

Café Sound Bites
1. WordGirl Fights Crime with Her Voluminous Vocab
2. 'Krrish' is Bollywood's Latest Superhero
3. The Physics of Superheroes


 Cappuccino Corner Article
The Science of Superheroes

Academic Writing Topic

What makes someone heroic? What qualities or characteristics are most important in a hero? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 22

Topic:  Valentine’s Day

Java Journal

For Valentine’s Day. Who do you love? Write a love poem to someone (14 lines as in a sonnet). What do you love? Write a love poem about it.

Café Sound Bite
1. Love Poetry
2. Do We Need Poetry?

 

 Cappuccino Corner Articles

1. Valentine’s Day History

2. How Do I Love Thee? poem and its analysis

Academic Writing Topic

In order to have a successful marriage, what steps should a couple take before getting married? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 23

Topic:  Cultural norms

Java Journal

What advice about your culture would you give international visitors to your country so that they would do well and would not unintentionally offend anyone?

Café Sound Bite
America 101

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Travel writers tend to perpetuate cultural stereotypes for tourists

Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 important cultural norms or traditions from your cultural background? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 24

Topic:   Books

Java Journal

Describe your favorite book. What happens in the story? What are the themes that run through the book, such as love, mystery, or adventure? How did you learn about this book?

Café Sound Bites
1. School Picks Favorite Books Ahead of Main Awards
2. Favorite Books with Susan Stamberg

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. Oprah’s Favorite books
2. Harvard Bookstore
3. Celebrity book pics

Academic Writing Topic

Is book learning or experience more significant in a person’s life? Why? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 25

Topic:  Movies

Java Journal

Describe the plot of your favorite movie. What kind of movie is it comedy, drama, musical or other? List 5 more movies that you enjoy. What are common themes in these movies?

Café Sound Bite
Bob Mondello's Favorite Movies of 2004

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl

Academic Writing Topic

Do movies stars have a responsibility to be good role models? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 26

Topic:  St. Patrick’s Day

Java Journal

For St. Patrick’s Day, read the history of St. Patrick. What is your favorite religious story? What is the theme or moral?

Café Sound Bite
One Irishman's Take on St. Patrick's Day

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Who was St. Patrick

Academic Writing Topic

Is luck or effort more important in one’s life? Why do you think so? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 27

Topic:   Sports and athletes

Java Journal

What is your favorite sport? If you could be a professional athlete, which sport would you play? What are your favorite games to play with friends and family? What sporting events have you seen live?

Café Sound Bite
1. U.S. Woman Plays Record 300th Soccer Match
2. Tiger Woods Takes PGA Championship, Again


 Cappuccino Corner Articles

1. Profiles of Olympic Athletes

2. Profiles of Soccer/Football Players 

Academic Writing Topic

Should caps or limits be put on the salaries that professional athletes can earn? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 28

Topic:  Theory of evolution

Java Journal

What is evolution? What have you changed in your life this year? How has your life evolved?

Café Sound Bites
1. Teaching Evolution A State-by-State Debate
2. Evolution and the Catholic Church

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The art behind modern behavior

Academic Writing Topic

Explain the theory of evolution. (Research)

Lesson Module 29

Topic:   Stem cell research

Java Journal

What do you know about stem cell research? What do you think about stem cell research?

Café Sound Bite
Scientists Find Less Controversial Stem Cell

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Stem Cells Research

Academic Writing Topic

Describe the benefits and drawbacks of stem cell research. (Research)

Lesson Module 30

Topic:   Natural disasters

Java Journal

Have you ever been in a natural disaster? What happened? Do you live in an earthquake zone or near a volcano?

Café Sound Bites
1. Rebuilding after Disaster
2. Pakistan Earthquake's Youngest Survivors
3. The Economic Costs of Natural Disasters
4. Reconciling Religious Faith and Natural Disaster

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Natural Disasters

Academic Writing Topic

What is the government’s role in providing assistance to survivors of natural disasters? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 31

Topic:  Overcoming Pollution

Java Journal

What do you think about air and water pollution? What do you think about global warming? What does your community, town, city, region, or country do to reduce, reuse and recycle? What are 20 ways people can improve the environment?

Café Sound Bites
1. Al Gore Sounds Global Warming Alert
2. High Court Rebukes EPA on Emissions, Environment
3. California Gets Tough on Global Warming

4. X-Prize Sets Sights on 100 mpg Cars

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. Q & A An Examination of the Kyoto Protocol
2. Climate Connections
3. Debate 'Global Warming Is Not a Crisis'

Academic Writing Topic

Explain the science of global warming. (Research)

Lesson Module 32

Topic:   Gardens and gardening

Java Journal

What gardens have you visited? What is your favorite garden? Have you ever gardened? What did you grow? What would you like to grow in a garden?

Café Sound Bites
1. An Irish Garden Dubliner Helen Dillon's Magical Mix of Random Colors, Shapes 
2. Late Bloomers Grace an Autumn Garden

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. Garden History
2. Famous National Trust gardens
3. Going Green

Academic Writing Topic

What are the benefits of gardening? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 33

Topic:  Justice and the Courts

Java Journal

What is justice? What is the role of the courts? Have you ever been to court? Do you like to watch TV shows or movies that depict legal problems and courtrooms? Why are these shows popular?

Café Sound Bite
'Original Meaning' and the Next Supreme Court Justice

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The Justices of the Supreme Court

Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 important decisions that the Supreme Court has made in the last 20 years? (Research)

Lesson Module 34

Topic:  Transportation

Java Journal

What kind of transportation do you use on a daily basis? How important is public transportation? What kind of transportation would you like to use?  Bike? Car? Helicopter? Train?

Café Sound Bite
Cities Take On Kyoto Challenge to Cut Emissions

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The Future of Transportation

Academic Writing Topic

What are advantages and disadvantages of cars? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 35

Topic:  Teachers and higher education

Java Journal

Who are your favorite teachers? What made them great? What subjects did they teach? What would you teach if you were a teacher? How would you make that subject matter interesting for your students?

Café Sound Bite
What's College For?

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The True Purpose of College and Higher Education

Academic Writing Topic

Should everyone go to college? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 36

Topic:   Equality between men and women

Java Journal

What is equality? Describe the traditional roles of women and men. How have these roles changed in the last 100 years? In the last 10 years? What jobs are now open to women that were traditionally only open to men? What jobs are now open to men that were traditionally only open to women?

Café Sound Bites
1. Women of India Seeing Social Gains
2. Dividing Power in Iraq, and the Role of Women

 Cappuccino Corner Article
1. The Talk of the Sandbox; How Johnny and Suzy's Playground Chatter Prepares Them for Life at the Office
2. When You Shouldn't Tell It Like It Is

Academic Writing Topic

What is the history of the women’s suffrage or right to vote movement? (Research)

Lesson Module 37

Topic:  Marketing and advertisements

Java Journal

What are the funniest advertisements that you have seen? What are memorable advertisements that you have seen? What roles does marketing play in your life? Do you fast forward through commercials or do you watch them?

Café Sound Bite
Marketing My Space, My corporation, my friend

 Cappuccino Corner Article
FCC Information for Parents

Academic Writing Topic

Should advertisers be allowed to market during children’s television programs? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 38

Topic:  Future cars

Java Journal

What is your favorite car? How were the first cars invented? What types of cars will be invented in the future?

Café Sound Bite

Deep-Fried Fuel: A Biodiesel Kitchen Vision

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Family Helps Realize Inventor's Dream

Academic Writing Topic 

What are the likely types of alternative fuels sources that will be developed in the near future? (Research)

Lesson Module 39

Topic:  Myths and Legends

Java Journal

What is your favorite myth or legend? Describe what you remember about it.  What are other stories you heard as a child?

Café Sound Bites
1. Joseph Campbell on The Power of Myth
2. Karen Armstrong Myths and the Modern World
3. MIT Open Course on Film as Visual and Literary Mythmaking

4. Athens Coverage News, History and Myth

5. An Exploration of Flood Myths

 
 Cappuccino Corner Articles 
Myths, folktales, and fairy tales

Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 important myths in Eastern or Western culture? (Research)

Lesson Module 40

Topic:  Vacation Spots

Java Journal

Describe your ideal vacation spot. Where is it? Have you visited this place before? What did you do? What kind of sports can you do while on vacation there? Who would you travel with while on vacation?

Café Sound Bite
1. Dream Vacations
2. Vacationing in Africa?

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. Travel Channel Destinations  Click on a few destinations and read the overviews
2. Swiss Resort Towns Promote Climate Friendliness


Academic Writing Topic

What are 3 fun vacation places that most anyone would enjoy? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 41

Topic:  Independence Day, 4th of July

Java Journal

In honor the 4th of July, Independence Day, explain what independence means to you.

Café Sound Bite
A Living Document: NPR's Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Declaration of Independence and History

Academic Writing Topic

What is independence and why have so many wars been fought over it? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 42

Topic:  Leadership

Java Journal

What is leadership? What are the essential characteristics of a leader? Which characteristic is the most important? Which leaders do you admire,

and why?

Café Sound Bites
1. Polling the People on Qualities of a Good Leader
2. France Sees Unprecedented Diversity in Leadership

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Leadership in America

Academic Writing Topics

 

1. What are the 3 most important characteristics of a leader? (Opinion)

2. What are the 3 most influential leaders of the 20th century and why? (Research)

3. What are the 3 most influential leaders today and why? (Research)

Lesson Module 43

Topic:   Space exploration

Java Journal

Do you like to look at the stars? Have you ever visited a planetarium? What is your favorite star in the sky? Would you like to travel to outer space?

Café Sound Bite
Space Update Planetary Exploration

 Cappuccino Corner Article
The X PRIZE Foundation Proudly Announces the Launch of the Google Lunar X PRIZE

Academic Writing Topic

What are the benefits of space exploration? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 44

Topic:  Art

Java Journal

What is your favorite art? What museums have you visited or would you like to visit? If you were an artist, what medium would you use, such as painting, sculpture, music, writing or other?

Café Sound Bite
Art Historian Launches 'Da Vinci Code' Tour

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Another Way to Visit the Louvre Virtual tours

Academic Writing Topic

Should art be taught in public schools? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 45

Topic:  Weather

Java Journal

What is the ideal weather? What is the weather like in your town? Is the weather changing? What is your favorite time of year?

Café Sound Bite
Summer Weather Goes to Extremes

 Cappuccino Corner Article
BBC Weatherwise

Academic Writing Topic

Classify the weather patterns in a region of the world. (Research)

Lesson Module 46

Topic:   Music genres

Java Journal

How do you listen to music, via the radio, CDs, IPod, or the Internet? What are your favorite types of music? Have you been to a concert? Whose concert would you like to attend in the future? Do you play music? If you could play any musical instrument, what would you play?

Café Sound Bites
1. Best Friends Make the Best Music
2. 'Nat King Cole The Singles Collection'
New Boxed CD Set Celebrates Capitol Records' Top Artist

 Cappuccino Corner Article
1. Yahoo Directory Music Genres
2. Billboard.com Number 1 by Genre

Academic Writing Topics

 

1. Describe 3 popular musical genres. (Research)

2. Describe 3 popular musical genres of the 1960s. (Research)

 

3. Describe 3 popular musical genres of the 1920s. (Research)

Lesson Module 47

Topic:   Courage and Rosa Parks

Java Journal

What is courage? What is the most courageous action that you have done? is the most courageous action that you known someone to do? What courageous actions would you like to take in the future?

Café Sound Bite
Civil Rights Icon Rosa Parks Dies

 Cappuccino Corner Article
1. Rosa Parks How I Fought for Civil Rights
2. Civil Rights Leader Dies

Academic Writing Topic

Why did Rosa Parks not give up her seat on the bus? What were the effects of Rosa Parks’ courageous action not to give up her seat on the bus? (Research)

Lesson Module 48

Topic:  Immigration

Java Journal

What do you think about immigration in the United States or in other countries, such as England or Australia? Why do people immigrate? To what degree should people maintain their cultural heritage or assimilate into the new culture? What role does language play?

Café Sound Bites
1. Small Towns and Immigration
2. How Words Shape the Immigration Debate

 Cappuccino Corner Articles
1. The Immigration Debate
2. Q&A Inside the Immigration Debate

Academic Writing Topics

1. What are the major issues in the current immigration debate? (Research)

2. What were the major issues in the United States 1920s immigration debate? (Research)

3. What were the major issues in the United States 1880s immigration debate? (Research)

Lesson Module 49

Topic:  MySpace

Java Journal

Are you a member of a social networking site, such as MySpace? What sites do you visit often? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of sites?

Café Sound Bites
1. The Making of Musicians on MySpace
2. 'Marketplace': MySpace in China

 Cappuccino Corner Article
MySpace Adds a Security Monitor

Academic Writing Topic

Should MySpace be moderated for safety? Why or why not? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 50

Topic:   Technology and computers

Java Journal

List all the technological items that you use on a daily basis. Which are the most important to you?  Why?  What inventions can you think of to make?

Café Sound Bite
'Marketplace' Report A Laptop for Every Child

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Best inventions 2006

Academic Writing Topic

What are the advantages and disadvantages of computers? (Opinion)

Lesson Module 51

Topic:  Writing

Java Journal

What do you like to write about? Do you like to write fiction, non-fiction, or poetry? What are your earliest memories of writing? What writing are you most proud of?

Café Sound Bite
'The Writing Life' Authors Discuss Their Craft in Virtual Roundtable

 Cappuccino Corner Article 

Julia Cameron Interview with Writer's Digest:  Becoming Intimate With Your Own Creative Impulses

Academic Writing Topic

Research an author that you admire and write a short biography of that writer. (Research)

Lesson Module 52

Topic:  Dance

Java Journal

Do you like to dance? What is your favorite dance style? What type of music do you like to listen to when you dance? If you could take formal dance training, which type of dance would you take? Ballet, Salsa, Ballroom, Tap, or Jazz?

Café Sound Bites

1. Behind the Scenes with 'Dancing with the Stars'

2. Salsa World Champions visit London

3. Evolution of Dance video

4. Ballroom Dancers Waltz to Healthier Hearts

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Dance as Art Form as Well as Exercise

Academic Writing Topic

Compare and contrast any 2 dance styles. (Research)

Lesson Module 53

Topic:  Staying healthy

Java Journal

What do you do to stay healthy? What type of foods do you eat? What type of exercise do you do? Do you like organized sports, such as soccer or football? Do you like to swim, hike, dance, or run? When were you in the best shape of your life?

Café Sound Bite

1. Group Maps City Access to Healthy Foods

2. Ballroom Dancers Waltz to Healthier Hearts

3. Ah, the Joys of Sushi — and the Green Monster

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Comparison of international food guide pictorial representations

Academic Writing Topic

If “a healthy body equals a healthy mind,” what should a person do to take care of their body and stay in good health? (Research)

Lesson Module 54

Topic:  Online learning

Java Journal

What do you think of online learning? What classes would you take online? Is there a certain age when online learning would not be appropriate? Do you read books online? Do you write papers before typing online? What role does the teacher play in an online environment? Have you taken online courses before?

Café Sound Bite s
1. Online Learning Helps Rural Communities

2. Online Makes Inroads in Higher Learning

 Cappuccino Corner Articles

1. What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Online Education? 
2. Online Learning

Academic Writing Topic

Compare the effectiveness of online learning with classroom-based learning. (Research)

Lesson Module 55

Topic:  Music sharing

 

Java Journal

What kind of music do you like?  Where do you get most of your music from:  buying CDs, downloading songs, or in online stores?   

Café Sound Bite

MIT Students Develop Online Music Sharing System

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Week in review: Download dilemma

Academic Writing Topic
How should downloading and music sharing be fair for those who want inexpensive music and those in the music industry who want to make a profit? (Research)

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Lesson Module 56

Topic:  News media and bias

Java Journal

Do you think the news media is biased? Can you give examples? Can you give examples when a news story was not biased?

Café Sound Bite

The Science of Bias

 Cappuccino Corner Article

How to Detect Bias in the News

Academic Writing Topic

Explain journalists’ responsibility to report the truth.  (Opinion)

Lesson Module 57

Topic:  Health care

Java Journal
Does everyone have the same right to health care, as they do to police and fire protection? In other words, should it be freely available to everyone, regardless of their employment or financial situation?

Café Sound Bite Health care

Prescriptions for the U.S. Health Care System

 Cappuccino Corner Article

Healthcare Crisis Debate Transcript on Oprah Show

Academic Writing Topic

1.  Compare and contrast 3 health care systems around the world. (Research)

 

2. Should businesses that pay for healthcare require employees to exercise? (Opinion)

 

3. Does everyone have the same right to health care, as they do to police and fire protection? 
    (Opinion)

Lesson Module 58

 Topic:  Learning a Second Language

Java Journal

How many languages do you speak? What do you remember from learning a second language in school or in your travels? Do you know anyone who speaks English as their second language?

Café Sound Bite

1. Essayists Reflect on Studies of Language and Life
2. Learning a Language, Inventing a Future
3. What's the Best Way to Teach English?

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article
Cognitive Benefits of Learning Languages

Academic Writing Topics

1. Should school require students to learn a second language? Why or why not? (Opinion)

 

2. What are the benefits of learning a second language? (Research)

Lesson Module 59

 Topic:  Creativity

Java Journal

What is creativity?  Give an example of when you felt creative.  What creative activities do you like to do?  What creative activities would you like to try?

Café Sound Bite

 

1. Intersections: Inspiration and Creativity

2. MIT Open Course on Creativity

 Cappuccino Corner Article

1. New Biography Focuses on Einstein's Creativity

2. How To Improve the Nature of  Creativity

Academic Writing Topics

What is creativity and what 3 activities can a person do to improve creativity? (Research) 

 

Lesson Module 60

 Topic:  Food

Java Journal

What is your favorite meal? Can you cook it? What do you like to cook? Which restaurants do you like to eat at? What is your favorite cuisine? What cuisines are you are interested in but you haven’t tried yet? What food do you dislike? What was the worst meal you ever had?  Describe an ideal food day to you.

Café Sound Bite

 

Remembering When American Food Got Better

 Cappuccino Corner Article

The Strange Tale of General Tso's Chicken

Academic Writing Topics

What is creativity and what 3 activities can a person do to improve creativity? (Research) 

Lesson Module 61

 Topic:  Giving

Java Journal

 What is charity? Why do we give to others? What kind acts of giving do you remember in your life? What was given to you? What did you give to someone else?  What are the kindest acts of giving that you have heard about so far?

Café Sound Bite

 

1. Pay it Forward Stories on Oprah 

2. Kiva.org Helps Small Business Owners Find Lenders
3. Beyond Charity: Micro-Lending as Good Business

4. Teaching Kids How to Give to Charity

 Cappuccino Corner Article

1. On Giving by Kahlil Gibran

2. Kiva -- Loans that Change Lives

 

Academic Writing Topics

 What are the benefits of giving?  (Opinion) 

Lesson Module 62

 Topic:  Animals and Pets

Java Journal

Do you like animals? What is your favorite animal? Do you have a pet? If you could have any animal, what would it be?

Café Sound Bite

 

1. Preserving Endangered Species

2. Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin Videos

3. Madagascar Movie Preview

 Cappuccino Corner Article

 

1. BBC Science and Nature Pets

2. Rehabilitating Horses and Prisoners

3. Animals and the Elderly

Academic Writing Topics

What are the benefits of having pets?  (Opinion) 

Lesson Module 63

 Topic:  Games and Learning

Java Journal

List 10 games that you like to play – from soccer to crossword puzzles. What were your favorite games when you were younger?  What games would you like to play?  What games have you played in school?  What games help you learn?

 

Café Sound Bite

1. Crossword Puzzle Beginnings and Endings

2. iPod Mathematical Riddle Solved

 

 Cappuccino Corner Article

1. Simulations, Games and Learning

2. BBC Learning Games

3. Yahoo Word Games

4. Merriam-Webster Word Games

 

Academic Writing Topics

Explain how people learn while playing games.  (Research)