Welcome to the world's most efficient method of learning Mandarin Chinese, whether you are striving to learn Chinese on your own, or studying in a classroom setting. Part of the widely-used and highly acclaimed Kubler series, Intermediate Spoken Chinese provides separate but integrated tracks to help you learn to read, write and speak Chinese efficiently, at your own pace. Intermediate Spoken Chinese allows you to experience real-life situations in different Mandarin-speaking locales. (It also exposes you to the authentic range of Chinese accents; you're not limited only to learning an imaginary textbook Beijing accent as in other books.) You can choose to use this book with its corresponding Intermediate Chinese Practice Essentials Workbook, available separately, that offers you a wide range of one-of-a-kind activities to help you practice the language skills you learn here. Key features of Intermediate Spoken Chinese: Clear and detailed explanations of natural, colloquial Chinese grammar, pronunciation and usage Recommended strategies to help you learn to speak Chinese more efficiently Experience the actual speaking styles of Chinese people in various parts of mainland China as well as Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia Notes on Chinese culture and society allow you to understand situational etiquette Discussions of challenges faced specifically by English speakers who are learning Chinese and how to overcome them Audio recordings by native speakers of all the vocabulary, dialogues, and other vital items A separate Teacher's Guide and a full character transcript (Simplified and Traditional) are both available electronically An accompanying software program contains 56 videos shot on location which allows you to view conversations involving Chinese speakers from different parts of China. With this language learning set that includes a textbook, CD-ROM, and DVD, you will be speaking Chinese gracefully and fluidly and feel confident traveling in the Mandarin-speaking world.

Neil Postman's most popular work, Amusing Ourselves to Death (1985), provided an insightful critique of the effects of television on public discourse in America, arguing that television's bias towards entertaining content trivializes serious issues and undermines the basis of democratic culture. Lance Strate, who earned his doctorate under Neil Postman and is one of the leading media ecology scholars of our time, re-examines Postman's arguments, updating his analysis and critique for the twenty-first-century media environment that includes the expansion of television programming via cable and satellite as well as the Internet, the web, social media, and mobile technologies. Integrating Postman's arguments about television with his critique of technology in general, Strate considers the current state of journalism, politics, religion, and education in American culture. Strate also contextualizes Amusing Ourselves to Death through an examination of Postman's life and career and the field of media ecology that Postman introduced. This is a book about our prospects for the future, which can only be based on the ways in which we think and talk about the present.

Why doesn't the Millennial Generation embrace news as its grandparents' generation did? Who or what is responsible for the rejection of news by this generation born between the early 1980s and late 1990s? Is Millennial enthusiasm for social media related to a lack of affection for news? Is it too late to transform Millennials into consumers of news? Using never-before-published survey data on attitudes toward news and social media use as well as scholarly reports, public opinion polls, news stories, and observations from journalists, academics, and professionals, Millennials, News, and Social Media: Is News Engagement a Thing of the Past? answers these questions and much more - from the rarely expressed Millennial point of view. Millennials, News, and Social Media helps us understand the generation that came of age as the importance of news waned and social media emerged. It offers insight into which factors will determine whether we will be a society of news consumers who believe being informed is important or a nation in which news illiteracy is the norm. Devastating consequences await the news media, journalism schools, our democracy, and the everyday lives of individuals if we become a nation in which news consumers are extinct and being informed of news is no longer valued. As the first book to explore these important issues, it will appeal to students, scholars, and journalists as well as others who care about developing young people into informed and civically engaged citizens.

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As corporations ramp up "workforce globalization" and young professionals increasingly pursue opportunities to work abroad, social entrepreneurs use online digital platforms to create offline social events where foreigners can meet face-to-face. Through ethnographic study of such groups in Paris, Singapore, and Bangalore, Erika Polson illustrates how, as a new generation of expatriates uses location technologies to create mobile "places," a new global middle class is emerging. While there are many differences in the specifics between the expat groups, they share certain characteristics that indicate a larger logic to the way that the increasing mobility of professional career paths is connected to new subjectivities and changing forms of community among a diverse and growing demographic. This book opens up a new field of study, one which pays more attention to middle class mobility while questioning the privileging of mobility more generally.

The essays assembled in this volume focus on philosophical questions regarding various aspects of communication. They are predicated on the author's conviction that communication between human beings, regardless of the many difficulties involved, is something of sufficient importance to justify a patient philosophical exploration such as that embarked upon here. Interwoven with philosophical considerations readers will find insights gained from psychoanalytical thinkers such as Jacques Lacan and Julia Kristeva. The essays address a wide range of themes. Sometimes they concern fundamental things, such as the question of the very possibility of communication or the indispensable function of communication in sexual relations. The communicational significance of a certain kind of architecture is scrutinized, as well as that of images in our media-saturated, postmodern world, together with the connection between the latter and the experience of identity today. Other essays concentrate on communicational phenomena such as seduction and Kristeva's notion of 'revolt', the difficulties surrounding communication in the age of 'Empire', and the reappearance of communicational sophistry as a theme in contemporary cinema.

This multidisciplinary collection of articles illuminates the ways in which the concept of female deviance is represented, appropriated, re-inscribed and refigured in a wide range of texts across time, cultures and genres. Such a choice of variety shows that representations of deviance accommodate meaning-making spaces and possibilities for resistance in different socio-cultural and literary contexts. The construct of the deviant woman is analysed from literary, sociolinguistic and historical-cultural perspectives, revealing insights about cultures and societies. Furthermore, the studies recognise and explain the significance of the concept of deviance in relation to gender that bespeaks a contemporary cultural concern about narratives of femininity.

Der Band bearbeitet die Frage, mit Hilfe welcher sprachlichen Verfahren Wissen in zentralen Praxisfeldern des Alltags entsteht. Am Beispiel der Bereiche Medizin, Recht, Lehr/Lerninteraktionen und Massenmedien wird untersucht, was jeweils interaktiv als Wissen angezeigt wird bzw. was als Wissen gilt. Die BeitrAge gliedern sich quer zu den Praxisfeldern in vier Abschnitte und bearbeiten jeweils eine der folgenden Leitfragen: Wie wird Wissen situativ eingebettet, wie wird Wissen interaktiv hervorgebracht, wie wird Wissen institutionell zur Geltung gebracht und wie wird Wissen (massen)medial verbreitet.

Black Women in Reality Television Docusoaps explores representations of Black women in one of the most powerful, popular forms of reality television - the docusoap. Viewers, critics, and researchers have taken issue with what they consider to be unflattering, one-dimensional representations. This book discusses images of Black women in reality television during the 2011 viewing year, when much criticism arose. These findings provide a context for a more recent examination of reality television portrayals during 2014, following many reality stars' promises to offer new representations. The authors discuss the types of images shown, potential readings of such portrayals, and the implication of these reality television docusoap presentations. The book will be useful for courses examining topics such as popular culture; mass media and society; women's studies; race and media; sex and gender; media studies; African American issues in mass communication; and gender, race and representation, as well as other graduate-level classes.

Helping you build your public speaking skills for a variety of contexts, THE SPEAKER'S HANDBOOK, 12th Edition, covers the entire process of preparing, organizing, developing and delivering a speech, making it the ideal resource for beginning and experienced speakers alike. The handbook's comprehensive coverage emphasizes ethics, reasoning, audience analysis, and diversity throughout. Each chapter is designed to stand alone, so you can easily refer only to the sections you need. Vivid graphics illustrate key concepts like public speaking anxiety. Recent speeches from beginning speakers as well as public figures--including Congressman John Lewis's dedication speech for the National Museum of African American History and Culture--give you relevant speech models to analyze. In addition to valuable tips and advice, the handbook is packed with hands-on activities to give you plenty of practice and checklists to help you review what you've learned.

The volume takes a close look at discourse perspectives on academic genres. In the context of scientific communication and the evolution of postmodern culture and society, academic genres have undergone various changes. The study shows that cultural heterogeneity of academic genres, styles and discourses now gives way to an increasing hybridization and discusses theoretical aspects of this process. The second part focuses on specific dimensions of hybridization, in particular between global and local academic genres and discourses, and between real and virtual ones.

In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers -- and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen -- "Confessions of a Public Speaker" provides an insider's perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It's a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes.

With lively lessons and surprising confessions, you'll get new insights into the art of persuasion -- as well as teaching, learning, and performance -- directly from a master of the trade.

Highlights include: Berkun's hard-won and simple philosophy, culled from years of lectures, teaching courses, and hours of appearances on NPR, MSNBC, and CNBC Practical advice, including how to work a tough room, the science of not boring people, how to survive the attack of the butterflies, and what to do when things go wrong The inside scoop on who earns $30,000 for a one-hour lecture and why The worst -- and funniest -- disaster stories you've ever heard (plus countermoves you can use)

Filled with humorous and illuminating stories of thrilling performances and real-life disasters, "Confessions of a Public Speaker" is inspirational, devastatingly honest, and a blast to read.

Looking for a convenient way to build your Mandarin Chinese vocabulary without drills, books, homework or long lists to memorize? HOW DOES IT WORK? In this five-hour intermediate level audio course, Michel Thomas Method teacher Harold Goodman introduces over 600 new words and everyday phrases and the tools to allow you to create thousands more through the application of simple rules for building more words for concepts, people, places, adjectives and verbs. Learning alongside two genuine students, you will acquire essential language building blocks which allow you to increase your vocabulary in manageable, enjoyable steps by thinking out answers for yourself. You will learn at your own pace, pausing and repeating where necessary. You'll stick with it, because you'll love it. WHY IS IT SO SUCCESSFUL? Unlike most vocabulary courses which give you lists of words to memorize, the Michel Thomas Method based Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary Course allows you to further extend your vocabulary by unlocking what you already know. The course is designed to take advantage of the logic and patterns of Mandarin so you can exponentially build up your knowledge and understanding of the language. WHO IS THE COURSE FOR? Whether you have learned from other Michel Thomas Method courses or are simply looking for a new approach to help improve your proficiency, the high-beginner to Intermediate level Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary Course will introduce you to a unique way of acquiring language that will significantly boost your confidence in your ability to speak and understand Chinese. It is a Phase 2 course and should be used after you have completed the Intermediate Mandarin Chinese Course or equivalent. What's in the Course?* Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary Course includes five audio CDs. The booklet is available to download from www.michelthomas.com. *Note that the course content is the same as the previously entitled Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary Builder+ course, but does not include a CD-ROM. LEARN ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME! Reclaim your pockets of free time to learn a new language! Don't be tied to chunky books or your computer, Michel Thomas Method audio courses let you learn whenever and wherever you want, in as little or as much time as you have.

A practical, easy-to-read and often amusing guide that describes how to hone your argument skills. Features contemporary examples of debates on current topics with sidebar notes demonstrating weak and strong techniques. Provides tools to identify and avoid the most common verbal traps. Contains strategies for effectively making your points during a disagreement--whether it's a formal debate or a shouting match.

A practical, easy-to-read and often amusing guide that describes how to hone your argument skills. Features contemporary examples of debates on current topics with sidebar notes demonstrating weak and strong techniques. Provides tools to identify and avoid the most common verbal traps. Contains strategies for effectively making your points during a disagreement--whether it's a formal debate or a shouting match.

The volume focuses on the evidence of scenic art present in Quintilian s Institutio oratoria to verify its influence on the education of the speaker. The enquiry will also make reference to all Greek and Latin sources useful in highlighting the mutual dependence between oratory and theater from the fifth century B.C. to the second century A.D."

This unique portfolio puts at your fingertips 158 model speeches covering virtually every topic a school administrator must address. Included are speeches for holidays, speeches for celebrations, speeches for parent/teacher meetings, plus eulogies, testimonials, introductions and much more. Each speech feature special data as to its topic, audience, time of presentation, pitfalls to avoid, as well as suggestions for movements or gestures and strategies for getting maximum audience involvement.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

• Part I: Effective Model Speeches For All Occasions
• 1. Icebreakers and anecdotes that are dignified -- yet funny
• 2. Introductions and transitions you can use when serving as MC
• 3. A variety of speeches for opening or closing a program
• 4. Speeches that aid in effective school-- community communications
• 5. Speeches to use when addressing your fellow educators
• 6. Speeches that will help you motivate and inspire any audience
• 7. Dynamic speeches for retirements and testimonials
• 8. Dignified and meaningful eulogies and testimonials
• 9. Speeches for special occasions -- from a find-raising kick-off to a graduating class address
• 10. Lively holiday speeches for use throughout the school year
• Part II: An Administrator's Blueprint for Preparing and Delivering a Speech
• 11. A step-by-step guide for preparing and delivering a speech from scratch, all based on practical experience
• 12. An administrator's Survival Guide for Avoiding the pitfalls of public speaking

The German verbs verwerfen, nicht implantieren or abtAten have the same denotations when used in reference to dealing with artificially-inseminated embryos; however, the meanings of these words are respectively different. The book examines, against the background of the debate about the introduction of pre-implantation diagnostics in Germany, the role of linguistic naminga " so-called thematizationsa " in the public sphere. The study shows that these thematizations not only reflect linguistic controversy, but at the same time, precisely mirror the current societal debates.

Public speaking is a much coveted yet difficult art. This book illustrates the use of various linguistic devices and persuasive strategies with examples from the speeches of powerful orators in history. It systematically draws on the various approaches to public speaking and persuasive discourse to present new insights and techniques. The volume: Critically examines strategies of persuasive oratory. Draws on extensive investigation of a corpus of famous public speeches in history. Focuses on the needs of those who want to brush up their public speaking skills. The volume will be a key reference for aspiring civil servants, lawyers, business and corporate professionals, and politicians. It will be of great interest to scholars of linguistics, and political and business communication.

Seventy-five years after the infamous broadcast, does War of the Worlds still matter? This book answers with a resounding yes! Contributors revisit the broadcast event in order to reconsider its place as a milestone in media history, and to explore its role as a formative event for understanding citizens' media use in times of crisis. Uniquely focused on the continuities between radio's "new" media moment and our contemporary era of social media, the collection takes War of the Worlds as a starting point for investigating key issues in twenty-first-century communication, including: the problem of misrepresentation in mediated communication; the importance of social context for interpreting communication; and the dynamic role of listeners, viewers and users in talking back to media producers and institutions. By examining the "crisis" moment of the original broadcast in its international, academic, technological, industrial, and historical context, as well as the role of contemporary new media in ongoing "crisis" events, this volume demonstrates the broad, historical link between new media and crisis over the course of a century.

This study brings linguistic history and contemporary history together. Using the tools of discourse analysis it examines the linguistic quality of upheaval in the critical discourse of the late 1960s and considers the concepts of democracy represented in this discourse. The critical theory of the Frankfurt School serves as the point of reference in which these concepts are based. The book is aimed not only at linguists but also at historians and sociologists.

"A well-organized book with a wealth of good practice material. Drawings are excellent. I have worn out a copy, and am glad it is still in print for my course."--John A. Applegate, Northeast Missouri State University

Quintilian, born in Spain about 35 CE, became a widely known and highly successful teacher of rhetoric in Rome. "The Orator's Education" ("Institutio Oratoria"), a comprehensive training program in twelve books, draws on his own rich experience. It is a work of enduring importance, not only for its insights on oratory, but for the picture it paints of education and social attitudes in the Roman world.

Quintilian offers both general and specific advice. He gives guidelines for proper schooling (beginning with the young boy); analyzes the structure of speeches; recommends devices that will engage listeners and appeal to their emotions; reviews a wide range of Greek and Latin authors of use to the orator; and counsels on memory, delivery, and gestures.

Donald Russell's new five-volume Loeb Classical Library edition of "The Orator's Education," which replaces an eighty-year-old translation by H. E. Butler, provides a text and facing translation fully up to date in light of current scholarship and well tuned to today's taste. Russell also provides unusually rich explanatory notes, which enable full appreciation of this central work in the history of rhetoric.

Portable phones are now miniature multi-media centers that can fit neatly in one's pocket, and media industries of all types are adapting content for these new platforms, or innovating entirely new forms. In the light of this explosive growth, this diverse collection of essays establishes conceptual, critical frameworks for evaluating the latest transformations of the media landscape. Some essays provide historical context, exploring older phenomena such as the CB radio, automobile radio, and hand-held video games, while others unpack the behind-the-scenes negotiations that determine what kinds of services are available to consumers of the latest technology. The Mobile Media Reader is a comprehensive road map, enabling both scholars and students to examine the social, cultural, and commercial implications of media that are available anywhere at any time.