Heading in to the New Year, 2011, and wishing everyone a very integrated year!
English-Ease! applications are now available to those who would like to support further integration with understandable English pronunciation, enunciation, and diction. ACCENT REDUCTION SESSIONS.
Intermediate students may also be interested in INTRODUCTION TO NORTH AMERICAN LITERATURE.
Rates in accordance with results of Welcome & Assess connection.
To register for the free Welcome & Assess, give a confidential call to 604.263-1164.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
North/South Viewpoints: 3 Little Questions - Alternative Priorities!
A family friend who is an experienced ESL Teacher has recently returned from Taiwan.
We met for tea today, at my office, and the wide-ranging conversation turned to the topic of Graft in construction permits, worldwide, vis-a-vis Safety Concerns, which to me, are paramount.
"I wonder", I mused, "Why it is that it appears as thought graft in inspections of building sites is rampant in the southern hemisphere?"
"Friendship!" my friend replied right away! "Pure and simple! Friendship comes first."
He went on to say there are 3 questions that are asked in such places. The first is:
But then, in the northern hemisphere, the 3 questions are reversed in order of concern:
Meanwhile, Have a Happy & Safe Hallowe'en! S.B.
We met for tea today, at my office, and the wide-ranging conversation turned to the topic of Graft in construction permits, worldwide, vis-a-vis Safety Concerns, which to me, are paramount.
"I wonder", I mused, "Why it is that it appears as thought graft in inspections of building sites is rampant in the southern hemisphere?"
"Friendship!" my friend replied right away! "Pure and simple! Friendship comes first."
He went on to say there are 3 questions that are asked in such places. The first is:
- How do people feel about this (meaning whatever the topic/situation may be)?
- Is it a reasonable plan?
- Is it legal?
But then, in the northern hemisphere, the 3 questions are reversed in order of concern:
- Is it legal?
- Is it a reasonable plan?
- How do people feel about this issue?
Meanwhile, Have a Happy & Safe Hallowe'en! S.B.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
October's Occasional Outbursts! (From The Skies)
Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again, Another Day!
Or, "How Green Was My Valley"
The choice is yours. Well, of course, not your choice as to weather it rains, or not, (unless you are truly spiritually evolved!) but, definitely your choice as to how your attitude towards the rain is!
Do you love lush, green lawns and parks? Gardens with variety of not just colour, but also fragrance? Then, be thankful for this rain of the day.
If you prefer desert climes, then see your travel agent. (I know, I know, ...online bookings can be best - but beware the here-now-gone-in-3-more-clicks enticements!) Try getting to know the difference between Price & Value. Book your trip to a dry destination with a voice and, even better, a qualified person with whom you are having eye contact!
Happy Vacation!
Or, "How Green Was My Valley"
The choice is yours. Well, of course, not your choice as to weather it rains, or not, (unless you are truly spiritually evolved!) but, definitely your choice as to how your attitude towards the rain is!
Do you love lush, green lawns and parks? Gardens with variety of not just colour, but also fragrance? Then, be thankful for this rain of the day.
If you prefer desert climes, then see your travel agent. (I know, I know, ...online bookings can be best - but beware the here-now-gone-in-3-more-clicks enticements!) Try getting to know the difference between Price & Value. Book your trip to a dry destination with a voice and, even better, a qualified person with whom you are having eye contact!
Happy Vacation!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
September Song
The Word On The Street is done for another Season, another Year.
Well Done, organizers, and, the Weatherman! ( Or shouldn't that be
"Weatherperson"?!) The rain held off, the auditory barriers were barely
successful, and readers of all persuasions were present on the promenade.
Now...., time to prepare for the upcoming Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival
( http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/) Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
" A World of Words".
The 23rd annual festival runs, primarily at Granville Island (Thank you, Ron Basford), from October 19th through to the 24th, 2010.
Sing in the sunshine, splash through poetic puddles, dress in layers, and
prepare for a rich feast of Literary Learning.
Listen up, and bring a notebook, or better yet, your Merriam-Webster app.
If this is your first festival, get to what calls to you and don't try to see everything all at once. Go lightly, and Listen, listen, listen.
You and your notebook can carry the new words home with you to explore at your leisure,
and to welcome them into their new home; your vocabulary!
Well Done, organizers, and, the Weatherman! ( Or shouldn't that be
"Weatherperson"?!) The rain held off, the auditory barriers were barely
successful, and readers of all persuasions were present on the promenade.
Now...., time to prepare for the upcoming Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival
( http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/) Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
" A World of Words".
The 23rd annual festival runs, primarily at Granville Island (Thank you, Ron Basford), from October 19th through to the 24th, 2010.
Sing in the sunshine, splash through poetic puddles, dress in layers, and
prepare for a rich feast of Literary Learning.
Listen up, and bring a notebook, or better yet, your Merriam-Webster app.
If this is your first festival, get to what calls to you and don't try to see everything all at once. Go lightly, and Listen, listen, listen.
You and your notebook can carry the new words home with you to explore at your leisure,
and to welcome them into their new home; your vocabulary!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Is Everyone Speaking Too Quickly For You?
Slow Cooking.
Slow Food.
What about Slow Speech?
When you are learning English as a second language ( ESL ), it can be really frustrating to have to hear English speakers who omit consonants, never take a breath between words or phrases, and who just simply speak too quickly!
Here is a useful link for an affordable way to hear English spoken on a variety of interesting topics:
The Vancouver Institute
The Vancouver Institute provides Fall and Spring Saturday Lectures for the Public. Check out the topics planned for this season!
And, a word to the wise......bring a book to read while you are waiting. Leave home early and get to the lecture theatre well in advance of the starting time. Relax with your book, and when the room fills up around you, don't gloat! Just enjoy the Featured Speaker, and learn new vocabulary and phrases from an excellent source.
Slow Food.
What about Slow Speech?
When you are learning English as a second language ( ESL ), it can be really frustrating to have to hear English speakers who omit consonants, never take a breath between words or phrases, and who just simply speak too quickly!
Here is a useful link for an affordable way to hear English spoken on a variety of interesting topics:
The Vancouver Institute
The Vancouver Institute provides Fall and Spring Saturday Lectures for the Public. Check out the topics planned for this season!
And, a word to the wise......bring a book to read while you are waiting. Leave home early and get to the lecture theatre well in advance of the starting time. Relax with your book, and when the room fills up around you, don't gloat! Just enjoy the Featured Speaker, and learn new vocabulary and phrases from an excellent source.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
A Word To The Wise on Word On The Street.
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The folks at WOTS have alot to say when you ask "WOTS Up?!" If you've not been to a Word On The Street Festival in previous years, get yourself out to this one! Try it! You'll Like It! See you there, God, and the Weather willing. (Just Kidding, as there are plenty of tented and undercover (literally) events to liven up your literary juices. S.B.
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