1. In this unit, you are expected to learn
a. about what to include when you introduce yourself or other people for various purposes;
b. how to conduct interviews to get personal information about the interviewees;
c. how to write a personal statement when applying for a university exchange program.

2. In daily life, we often encounter situations where we need to introduce ourselves either verbally or in writing. In other situations, we may need to introduce other people to an audience. Some introductions can be as short as a single sentence in casual conversations. Others may take a few hours, as in documentary films about certain historical figures, or a few hundred printed pages, as in the case of biographies or autobiographies.
Reading
Read the two self-introductions (Texts 1 and 2) below and complete the following activities.

3. Text 1

4. Text 2
Hi, I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Wendy and I live just right outside of Fort Worth, Texas. I am on this site because I know that I have a sugar problem and the more I eat, the more I crave. I also get very sleepy when I eat sugar, so I know there is something going on chemically that just isn’t right.
I am looking to stop dieting and learn to eat healthily. I was trying to buy a bathing suit last weekend and it was actually the first time that I have ever cried because they all looked so terrible. I am not severely obese but I don’t want to get that way either.
Currently, I am just not happy about the way I look and want to take better care of myself. I need accountability and am coming here to look for support and guidance. The hardest part is just getting started.

5. Activity 1 Situation A. Meeting new friends in an online forum
For each text, select the most likely situation in which the self-introduction has been made. Then try to find the clue(s) that helped you to arrive at your conclusion.
Situation
Clue(s)
Text 1
Text 2
Situation
A. Meeting new friends
in an online forum
B. Seeing a doctor
C. Job application
D. Homepage posting
Comparatively more formal language (with complete sentences); Detailed introduction of professional background and research interest, like the ones you find in such formal situations as academic conferences.
Informal language (e.g., Hi, thought I would introduce myself.); Rather than giving information about education or career, the author talks about her concerns in daily life and shares personal stories D A
Key
Clear

6. Activity 2
In different situations, people tend to provide different information in their self-introductions for different purposes. Read the two texts again and put a check ( √ ) in the relevant box if the information is given. The first line is done for you as an example. Add more items in the first column if necessary.

7. Information Text 1 Text 2 √ _________________ √ √ Name Appearance
Family
Education
Address
Affiliation
Career
Interests
Problems
Needs
_________________ √ √
Key
Clear

8. Viewing/Listening Activity 1 A B C
Watch a video clip of a self-introduction and complete the following activities.
Activity 1
Guess the purpose of the self-introduction and then write down the reasons for your choice. A
Purpose :
Clues :
To compete in a competition B
To make friends C
To look for a job
I am privileged to participate in this year’s Miss China Town USA Pageant... Please vote for me for this year’s TVB choice of award. I would love to be your choice.
Key
Clear

10. Activity 2 festive intellect pageant privileged showcase UC San Diego
Read the following words and expressions used in the video clip. Then find the correct explanation for each of them.
festive
intellect
pageant
privileged
showcase
UC San Diego
_____________(v.) to display or present
_____________(n.) the quality of being very intelligent or clever
_____________(adj.) having an advantage or opportunity that most other people
do not have
_____________(adj.) special, colorful, or exciting, especially because of a holiday
or celebration
_____________(n.) a competition in which young women are judged to decide
which one is the most beautiful
_____________(n.) University of California at San Diego
Key

11. Activity 3 Clayon Yuan 21 UC San Diego Last Spring
Watch the video clip again and complete the following table with the information you have heard.
Name
Age
Name of university attended
Time of graduation
University major and minor
Time taken to complete university studies
Name of contest
Purpose of contest
Name of award
Clayon Yuan 21
UC San Diego
Last Spring
Political science and psychology
3 years
Miss China Town USA
Key
To showcase talent, intellect and Chinese culture
TVB choice of award
Clear

12. When we write introductions about either ourselves or other people, some conventions need to be followed. The formality of the language, for example, will vary according to the situation. Relevance of content is also very important for those who make detailed introductions, as it will lead to either interest or boredom from the audience. Focus on these important aspects while going through the sample introductions in this part.
Reading
Learn about giving self-introductions in formal situations, such as job interviews. The type and variety of information that should and should not be included in such self-introductions are of great concern to people introducing themselves.

13. Activity 1
A first-year student is preparing for his self-introduction in a new English course. Cross out the irrelevant information and make appropriate additions that you think might be of interest to his classmates. Share your opinions within groups.

14. Activity 1

15. Activity 2
Now, it is your turn to compose a self-introduction in written form for the same situation. When this is done, present it in groups. Finally each group should choose someone to present to the class.

16. Viewing/Listening Activity 1
Watch a video clip of a self-introduction and complete the following activities.
Activity 1
Take notes on the important information about the singer.
Her name:
Her childhood dream:
Her part time job as a singer in the pub:
Her family:
Her Participation and her performance in the Super Voice Girl Competition :
Her strength in singing:

18. × Activity 2 Her name Her personality Her way of making a living
Do your notes include the following information? Cross out the items if you do not find them. One item has been crossed out as an example to show you how this can be done. ×
Her name
Her personality
Her way of making a living
Her age
Her performance in the singing competition
Her family
Her childhood dreams
Her strength in singing
Her plans for future career development
Her education
Key
Clear

19. Activity 3
For the items that were not crossed out in the above activity, write them in the following flow chart according to the order they were presented. Discuss in groups the underlying reason(s) for the way the information is tailored and sequenced for its particular audience.

20. Her way of making a living1 2
Her name
Her childhood dream 4
Her way of making a living 3
Her family 5 6
Her performance in the competition
Her strength in singing
Key
Clear

21. Activity 4 Tips for interview questions:
Work in pairs and conduct an interview between a television reporter and the singer. Construct the interview in writing first and then act it out.
Tips for interview subjects:
Family and / or education background that might have an influence on the singer
Relevant childhood experience
Personal interests and style preferences
Interpretations of certain kinds of music
Successes and setbacks
Future expectations
Tips for interview questions:
Would you like to tell our viewers…?
When did you start …?
Why did you …?
What did you … after …?
Please describe ….
Can you explain …?
If you were …, what would you …?

22. Interviewer Interviewer: Singer: Interviewer: Singer: Interviewer:

23. In this part, you will read two passages, an excerpt from an autobiography and a story that introduces a childhood friend.
Passage 1
The following excerpt is taken from former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s famous autobiography.

24. My Attachment to New Orleans ①
3. “Dick and Jane” reader《迪克和简》读本。美国20世纪30年代至70年代流行的一种儿童简易读物。
1. New Orleans 新奥尔良。美国南部城市，濒临墨西哥湾，是路易斯安那州的一个重要港口城市，以爵士乐和法国殖民地文化闻名。
2. Hope (阿肯色州) 霍普镇（克林顿的出生地） 词汇
My Attachment to New Orleans ①
Bill Clinton
I was born on my grandfather’s birthday, a couple of weeks early, weighing in at arespectable six pounds eight ounces, on a twenty-one-inch frame. Mother and I came home to her parents’ house on Hervey Street in Hope, where I would spend the next four years. That old house seemed massive and mysterious to me then and still holds deep memories today. The people of raised the funds to restore it and ill it with old pictures, memorabilia, and period furniture. They call it the Clinton Birthplace. It certainly is the place I associate with awakening to life — to the smells of country food; to buttermilk churns, ice-cream makers, washboards, and clotheslines; to my readers, my first toys, including a simple length of chain I prized above them all; to strange voices talking over our “party line” telephone; to my first friends, and the work my grandparents did.
Hope②
“Dick and Jane”③
1/5（to be continued）

25. My Attachment to New Orleans
6. Club My-Oh-My“My-Oh-My”俱乐部。位于新奥尔良市法国区的一家历史悠久的酒吧，主要演奏爵士乐。曾在20世纪30年代以drag show，即扮成异性的演出，成为参观新奥尔良的游客最喜爱的景点之一。
5. Dixieland music迪克西兰爵士乐。爵士乐的一种，20世纪初起源于新奥尔良地区。
4. Charity Hospital （新奥尔良的）慈善医院
My Attachment to New Orleans
Bill Clinton
（continue）
After a year or so, my mother decided she needed to go back to New Orleans to , where she had done part of her nursing training, to learn to be a nurse anesthetist. In the old days, doctors had administered their own anesthetics, so there was a demand for this relatively new work, which would bring more prestige to her and more money for us. But it must have been hard on her, leaving me. On the other hand, New Orleans was an amazing place after the war, full of young people, , and over-the-top haunts like the where men in drag danced and sang as lovely ladies. I guess it wasn’t a bad place for a beautiful young widow to move beyond her loss.
Charity Hospital④
Dixieland music⑤
Club My-Oh-My⑥
2/5（to be continued）

26. My Attachment to New Orleans
8. Al Hirt艾尔·贺特( ) 美国著名的小号手和乐队领队， 主要演奏迪克西兰爵士乐。1922 年出生于新奥尔良市的一个警察 家庭。1950年，他接受完专业音乐训练后回到新奥尔良，建有自己的乐队。
9. Bentley宾利。源于英国的汽车品牌，世界上最为豪华和昂贵的品牌之一。
7. Gulf Coast弯区海岸带，包括西佛罗里达、阿拉巴马、密西西比、路易斯安那和德克萨斯海岸。 词汇
My Attachment to New Orleans
Bill Clinton
（continue）
I got to visit Mother twice when my grandmother took me on the train to New Orleans. For more than fifty years, from that first trip, New Orleans has always had a special fascination for me. I love its music, food, people, and spirit. When I was ifteen, my family took a vacation to New Orleans and the , and I got to hear , the great trumpeter, in his own club. At first they wouldn’t let me in because I was underage. As Mother and I were about to walk away, the doorman told us that Hirt was sitting in his car reading just around the corner, and that only he could let me in. I found him — in his no less — tapped on the window, and made my case. He got out, took Mother and me into the club, and put us at a table near the front. He and his group played a great set — it was my first live jazz experience. Died Al Hirt while I was President. I wrote his wife and told her the story, expressing my gratitude for a big man’s long-ago kindness to a boy.
Gulf Coast⑦
Al Hirt⑧
Bentley⑨
3/5（to be continued）

27. My Attachment to New Orleans
13. Sugar Bowl糖杯橄榄球赛。每年元旦在美国路易斯安那州新奥尔良市举行的大学橄榄球季后杯赛之一，是全美除玫瑰杯外另一个历史最长的杯赛，始创于1935年。1998年起，糖杯和其它三个杯一起，成为BCS杯赛系列之一。
11. Rhodes scholarship罗氏奖学金。根据英国人 G. J. Rhodes 的遗嘱创设于牛津大学的奖学金，以英国、美国和前西德的优秀学生为授奖对象。
12. French Quarter 法国区。亦简称为the Quarter，新奥尔良市最著名、最古老的城区，法国殖民者在新奥尔良最早的落脚点。保留有许多著名的历史文化古迹和建
14. Bear Bryant熊·布赖恩 （ ）。 美国著名的 橄榄球队教练，被《体育新闻》评为美国体育史上50位 最伟大主教练之一。1958起任阿拉巴马大学橄榄球队主 教练，之后的25年，他带领他的球队取得 6 次全国比赛 冠军和13次东南部联赛SEC冠军。每场比赛他都会戴着那顶标志性的方格帽出现在场边教练席。
10. Tenor saxophone solo次中音萨克斯独奏 词汇
My Attachment to New Orleans
Bill Clinton
（continue）
When I was in high school, I played the on a piece about New Orleans alled Crescent City Suite. I always thought I did a better job on it because I played it with memories of my irst sight of the city. When I was twenty-one, I won a in New Orleans. I think I did well in the interview in part because I felt at home there. When I was young law professor, Hillary and I had a couple of great trips to New Orleans for conventions, taying at a quaint little hotel in the , the Cornstalk. When I was governor of Arkansas, we played in the there, losing to Alabama in one of the legendary
last great victories. At least he was born and grew up in Arkansas! When I ran for President, the people of New Orleans twice gave me overwhelming victory margins, assuring Louisiana’s electoral votes for our side.
tenor saxophone solo⑩
Rhodes scholarship⑪
French Quarter⑫
Sugar Bowl⑬
Bear Bryant’s⑭
4/5（to be continued）

28. Morning Call on the Mississippi⑮ Aaron and Charmaine Neville⑯
19. Sheriff Harry Lee警察局长哈里·李（ ）。美国唯一的华裔警察局长，2007年10月因白血病去世。自1980年起连续7次通过竞选连任新奥尔良城郊Jefferson Parish区的警察局长，并长期得到该区居民的支持。
15. Morning Call on the Mississippi 密西西比河上的“早晨叫起床服务”。喻指每天清晨密西西比河上定时响起的喧闹嘈杂声。
18. John Breaux约翰·布雷克斯。路易斯安那州保守的民主党前参议员。
17. Preservation Hall （位于新奥尔良法国区的）典藏厅。著名的爵士乐表演厅。 词汇
16. Aaron and Charmaine Neville爱伦•奈维尔和佘诗曼•奈维尔。爱 伦•奈维尔1941年出生于新奥尔良。美国黑人歌手，外号“大粒墨” ，与 其兄弟组成合唱团。嗓音圆润柔美，幼细滑溜，与他粗犷豪壮的外表形 成强烈的反差。最著名的专辑叫《Warm Your Heart》。佘诗曼•奈维尔 是爱伦•奈维尔的侄女，也是个歌手，在当地有一定名气。有自己的乐队，长期在新奥尔良的酒吧里表演。
（continue）
Now I have seen most of the world’s great cities, but New Orleans will always be special — for coffee and beignets at the ; for the music of , the old guys at , and the memory of Al Hirt; for jogging through the French Quarter in the early morning; for amazing meals at a host of terrific restaurantswith ,
,and my other pals; and most of all, for those first memories of my mother. They are the magnets that keep pulling me down the Mississippi to New Orleans.
(746 words)
Morning Call on the Mississippi⑮
Aaron and Charmaine Neville⑯
Preservation Hall⑰
John Breaux⑱
Sheriff Harry Lee⑲

29. Activity 1
Choose the best answer to each of the following questions based on what you’ve read in the passage.
Which of the following best explains why Clinton acknowledged his grandparents’ house in Hope as his “birthplace”?
A) He was born ahead of his due date in that building.
B) His beloved grandparents lived there.
C) He spent his early childhood there. C
Key
Clear

30. A B 2. What can be inferred about Clinton’s father?
A) He had died when Clinton’s mother left Hope.
B) He moved away when Clinton was born.
C) He had divorced Clinton’s mother. A B
Why was Clinton denied admission to Al Hirt’s club at first?
A) He could not afford the ticket.
B) He was not old enough.
C) He did not know Al Hirt.
Key
Clear

31. What did President Clinton do later on to return Al Hirt’s kindness when the
great trumpeter died?
A) He wrote a letter to Al Hirt’s wife expressing his gratitude.
B) He invited Al Hirt’s wife to the White House to tell her the story.
C) He made a TV address to publicize Al Hirt’s kindness from long ago. A C
5. Why did Clinton visit New Orleans when he was governor of Arkansas?
A) To attend conventions.
B) To secure more votes.
C) To watch a football games.
Key
Clear

32. Activity 2
Choose the answer that best explains each of the following sentences.
I was born on my grandfather’s birthday, a couple of weeks early ... (Line 1)
A) I was born on my grandfather’s birthday and that was several weeks
ahead of my due date.
B) My birthday was very close to that of my grandfather, just several weeks
earlier.
C) Several weeks after my grandpa’s birthday celebration, I was born. A C
2. It certainly is the place I associate with awakening to life ... (Lines 6 – 7)
A) I felt really close to this place since I started my life’s journey right here.
B) I was awake in this house after my birth, and therefore it is my real
birthplace.
C) It is my birthplace in the sense that I had the earliest growth in my life
here.
Key
Clear

33. 3... so there was a demand for this relatively new work ... (Lines 13 – 14)
A) People were needed for this new type of work.
B) Requirements for this new kind of job were high.
C) The job opportunities were new but the training was old. A B
I found him — in his Bentley no less — tapped on the window, and made
my case (Lines 25 – 26)
A) I found him in his room. He tapped on the window and granted my
request.
B) I found him in his car. I then tapped on the window and explained the
situation to him.
C) I found him in the bar by tapping on the window and then told him the
story.
Key
Clear

34. B 5. When I ran for President, the people of New Orleans twice gave me
overwhelming victory margins. (Lines 37 – 38)
A) When I won my battle in the presidential election, the people of New
Orleans twice held grand parties to celebrate our victory.
B) When I competed in the presidential election, the people of New Orleans
twice supported me by giving me most of their votes.
C) When I campaigned for the presidency, the people of New Orleans twice
gave me great confidence in my fight for the final victory. B
Key
Clear

35. Activity 3
The author described his many visits to New Orleans at different stages of life in the passage. What were the purposes of these visits to New Orleans? Match the purposes with the time of the visits, and then place the visits in chronological order.

36. a. b. c. d. e. f. At age 21 Being governor of Arkansas
To watch a football game
To get a scholarship
To seek support from voters
To attend conferences
To take a vacation
To have a reunion with his mother
When the visit was made
Purpose of the visit a.
At age 21 b.
Being governor of Arkansas c.
Before the age of 5 d.
Running for president e.
At age 15 f.
Being a law professor
Key
Chronological order of the visits: c e a f b d
Clear

37. Activity 4
Bill Clinton writes in the text, “New Orleans has always had a special fascination for me. I love its music, food, people, and spirit.” Can you identify the specific remarks in this passage which show his love for the music, food, and people of New Orleans? What is the “spirit” of New Orleans?

38. Love for the music
Love for the food

39. Love for the people
Love for the Orleans

40. Activity 5
Recount the story about Bill Clinton’s birth and very early childhood (before he was five) from his mother’s point of view.

41. Passage 2
You are about to read a passage that introduces a grade-school classmate of the author. Complete the following activities before and after the reading according to the directions.
Activity 1
Now you are going to read about a classmate of the author, Beth. Before reading, make predictions by putting checks ( √ ) in the brackets located in front of the topics. After reading, check your guesses by putting checks in the brackets located after the topics which are mentioned in the text.

42. Guess Check √ √ √ √ 1. Beth’s appearance
2. Beth’s relationship with the author √
3. Beth’s relationship with the class √
4. Beth’s parents
5. Beth’s childhood
6. Beth’s future dream
7. Beth’s likes and dislikes
8. Beth’s academic performance √
Key
Clear

43. Beth
Dawn Sanders

44. A Activity 2 1. For how long were Beth and the author classmates?
Choose the best answer to each of the following questions based on what you’ve read in the passage.
1. For how long were Beth and the author classmates?
A) For 7 years.
B) For 5 years.
C) For 1 year. A
Key
Clear

45. 2. Beth was considered an outsider in the author’s class mainly because _______.
A) she had very low intelligence
B) she was unfriendly to the class
C) she looked different from others B
3. Why did Beth gradually stop trying to defend herself?
A) It was forbidden by the teacher.
B) It turned out to be useless.
C) She received more abuses after trying to defend herself.
Key
Clear

46. 4 . Why did Fred “calmly” go back to his seat when the teacher returned?
A) He pretended that nothing had happened.
B) He was unashamed of his cruelty.
C) He felt satisfied with the outcome of his prank. A C
Why was the author “a little relieved” to get away from Beth?
A) She was happy that Beth would not be bullied any more.
B) The sight of Beth in her class constantly reminded her of her
cruelty before.
C) She had had bad feelings about herself when she did not
come to Beth’s defense.
Key
Clear

47. Activity 3
Choose the answer that best explains each of the following sentences.
But even carefree, innocent children can be cruel. (Line 7)
A) Although children are cheerful and naive, they can still
sometimes hurt others.
B) Without loving care, the lives of naive children can be
really hard and full of pain.
C) Some naive children grow into cruel people even though
they were once happy. A
Key
Clear

48. B The ideas that were easy for us to understand seemed out of her
reach. (Lines 12 – 13)
A) She had difficulty understanding what we said.
B) The ideas that we found easy were difficult for her.
C) She was always kept out of our simple conversations. B
3. Still, no one dared come to Beth’s defense for fear of Fred’s vengeance.
(Lines 26 – 27)
A) No students dared to talk to either Beth or Fred because they
feared that the teacher would come back any moment.
B) No students dared to stand up and protect Beth because they
were afraid of Fred.
C) No students dared to defend Beth because Fred had a lot of
supporters in the class.
Key
Clear

49. A C 4. The class she moved into was more accepting. (Lines 35 – 36)
A) Her new class treated her in a more friendly way.
B) Her new class held a reception party for her.
C) Her new class accepted more new students. A C
We saw only the shell, not the person within. (Lines 40 – 41)
A) We saw the shell, but the person inside did not.
B) We saw a turtle shell, but we did not find the person inside.
C) We saw her appearance but not the strengths of her character.
Key
Clear

50. Activity 4 Her hair Her face Her nose Her teeth Her shoulders
Describe Beth before she changed classes by matching her physical features on
the left with the descriptive words on the right.
Her hair
Bony
Her face
Having an overbite
Homely
Her nose
Old and faded and out of style
Her teeth
Pale
Her shoulders
Her sweater
Pointy
Her complexion
Stringy
Key
Clear

51. Activity 5
Group the adjectives and nouns that you would use to describe Beth before and after she changed classes.
quiet
loser
ashamed
withdrawn
malnourished
stupid
confident
stylish
active
quiet
loser
confident
ashamed
stylish
withdrawn
malnourished
stupid
active
Key
Clear

52. Activity 6 B T G F G=Girls B=Boys T=Teachers F=Fred the class bully
All the following actions that were targeted at Beth were performed by different people. Decide who was responsible for each kind of punishment, and then pretend you are Beth and tell your parents about the unfair treatment you received at school.
G=Girls
B=Boys
T=Teachers
F=Fred the class bully
_______teased her B T G F
________ ignored her
_______scolded her
________ pulled her hair
_______followed behind her, giggling
________ threatened her
_______called her names
________ taunted and tormented her
_______stole her food at lunch
________ gave her rders
_______pushed her hand
Key
Clear

53. Activity 7
Suppose you were Beth and were very interested in the vacancy for the school assistant librarian. Finish the following application letter by adding a brief self-introduction.
Dear Sir/Madame,
I read on our school bulletin that you are looking for an assistant librarian. I am very interested in this position and I am writing this letter to apply
I am an a eighth-grader. I am active, confident, and I get along cope well with people. I am a member of the varsity volleyball team. The sport not only strengthens my body, but also gives me confidence in myself. Last semester I had took a part-time job as a campus guide. It was a great experience. I got to know different people and learned to communicate with others. That part-time working experience also taught me the importance of hard work-working and self-respect.
I used to be treated badly by my classmates and I felt really bad about myself. But now I’ve gotten back my recollected confidence in myself. Having been through all these difficulties, I trust I can do the job better than anybody else. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Please give me favorable considerations.
Your earliest reply will be highly appreciated.
Key
Clear

54. In this part, you will apply for a student exchange program in order to get an opportunity to study at an American university for one year. The application process mainly includes getting to know some of the former or current students in the exchange program, completing an application form, writing a personal statement, and attending an interview.

55. Step 1
As this is the third year of the exchange program to which you are applying, one group of students has returned from abroad and the second group is still at the American university. Try to contact some of the students from the program (either former or current) and get the following information about them:

56. Name
Department
Major area(s) of academic interest
Reasons for the applying
Academic strengths (e.g., past academic records, awards, research experience)
Communication, especially language skills (both Chinese and English)
Other experiences

57. Step 2
Based on the information you’ve collected, write an introduction about one of the students who you think is a model applicant. Share your introduction with your classmates so that you can improve your own application.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

58. Step 3
To begin the process of applying, you will need to fill out the following Application Form.
__/__/__/__
mm/dd/yy
Name
Sex
Date of Birth
Department
Major
Reasons for Applying
Strengths and / or
Important Experiences
Study Plans

59. Reason 1: Reason 2: Reason 3: Reason 4: ... Reason 5: Step 4
Form small groups and exchange application forms with other groups. Each group will take turns serving as a panel of judges: reading the application forms, giving comments on each of them, and deciding on the ones that are more acceptable for further consideration. List the reasons why you favor the applications which you accept.
Reason 1:
Reason 2:
Reason 3:
Reason 4:
...
Reason 5:

60. Step 5
Read the following directions for writing applications for similar exchange programs and complete the following activities.
Personal Statements for Foreign Exchange Students
More mature than a high school graduate, less scholarly than a doctoral candidate, a prospective exchange student should be able to demonstrate both strength of character and seriousness of purpose. An admissions committee evaluating potential foreign exchange students will likely ask themselves two basic questions:
1) Will this student be able to cope with the stress of living in a foreign culture?

61. 2) Will this student take full advantage of the opportunity to come to our university?
The first question addresses your character. The university
officials want to know that you will not arrive in the United States
and become so depressed that you have to go home. An anecdote
might help you to make the point that you are a self-reliant, capable
person.
Have you faced challenging situations before?
Have you ever lived in a foreign country? For how long?
Have you ever studied a foreign language?
Did you ever manage to accomplish something that you had thought was impossible or difficult?
What kinds of experiences have given you a strong sense of self-identity?

62. This part of the personal statement also allows you to tell a good story so that the admissions committee has a better sense of what kind of person you are. Any specific detail that can make your application memorable will work to your advantage. 2.
The second question addresses your sense of purpose. The university officials will want you to demonstrate somehow that you will not arrive in the United States and spend all of your time at nightclubs. They would like to believe that by allowing you to attend their university, you will make some progress towards an interesting future. So, if you have a clear sense of what you will be doing in five years, you should mention this future goal in your personal statement and explain how spending a year at an American university will help you to realize this goal.

63. What, specifically, interests you about American Studies?
Is it the literature, the history, the language, the culture?
Why does it interest you?
How will knowing English help you with your future plans?
Why will living in America help you make progress toward your goals?
What classes would you take at the host university?
Why have you chosen to apply to the host university (as opposed to another one)?

64. This part of the essay should show that you are a serious student, that you have thought about your future, and that you have done some research to plan your time abroad. You should at least mention the name of the university to which you are applying. From the committee’s perspective, you are asking to attend that specific university, not to experience American culture in general.

65. Activity 1
List 2 to 3 past activities or experiences of yours that can prove you are ready for the exchange program as far as your character is concerned.
Activity 2
Revise and possibly expand the “reasons for applying” and “the study plans” that you wrote for Step 3 to show you are a goal-oriented person and show how the exchange program can help you accomplish your short-term and long-term academic goals.

66. Step 6
Work in pairs, with one student acting as a professor from the American university and the other as an applicant to the exchange program. First the applicant will give a brief introduction of him / herself and will then be asked a few questions concerning his / her application. The student who acts as the professor can select some of the questions from the list below or can ask other questions of their own. Students can take turns acting as professors and applicants.

67. Step 7

68. Step 8
Choose some students to serve as a panel of judges and select others to be interviewed in front of the whole class, while the interviews are being conducted.

69. Evaluation Guide Language: Pronunciation and intonation Grammar
Word choice
Smooth and logical development
GOOD
POOR
Content:
Relevant personal experience
Interesting stories / anecdotes
Academically well prepared
Clear and feasible study plans

70. Appropriate gestures and eye contact
Delivery:
Sincere attitude
Self-confidence
Appropriate gestures and eye
contact
Overall evaluation:__________________

71. Step 9
Write a short personal statement that includes the major points discussed in the previous tasks and submit the essay for final evaluation.

72. Step 10
Divide the class into 2 groups. Each group will select 5 students to form an evaluation committee. The evaluation committee from Group A will evaluate the essays of students from Group B and likewise for the other committee. Each committee will select two students for further consideration by the university authorities. A short paragraph of recommendation will be offered by the evaluation committee for each candidate.

73. Guide for Assessment 1. Have I achieved the objectives of this unit?
2. What have I learned in this unit?
3. What are my biggest problems?
4. What needs to be improved?

74. 团队阵容 2012年03月 中国 · 烟台 高等教育出版社 南京大学 烟台大学 圣坤网络科技公司 联合出品 教材总主编： PPT荣誉指导：
王海啸
PPT荣誉指导：
郝树壮 宁 燕
监 制：
马文敏
教案主编：
于巧丽
架构设计：
李 丹 王 浩
字幕编辑：
侯艳芳
美 工：
李 丹
普通高等教育“十一五”国家级规划教材
2012年03月
中国 · 烟台
高等教育出版社
南京大学
烟台大学
圣坤网络科技公司
联合出品