Friday's assignment, December 09, 2016

Friday's assignment

Do actions speak louder than words?

We have been talking about that, and now it is your turn to write something about it.Think of a personal in your social network; it can be a family member, friend, colleague, and or someone else, and write a 250-word letter to him/her explaining your understanding of the saying Actions speak louder than words. Give a reason(s) why you chose this person to tell him/her that; remember to add an example to clarify your opinion. 

Hi dong,

Hope everything is going well. My class have been talking about the topic of "Do actions speak louder than words?" I was struck that. I want to share with you because you are my best friend.

I agree with “actions speak louder than words.” whatever, it is in life or in work. Do you remember Tom? He and I quit the labor job at the same time. Now he got a good job in an IT company but I still learnt English in LINC School. We all planed to be a SAS programmer two years ago. We bought books and researched online courses together. He made a schedule and listed every step in process. He took actions seriously. As for myself, I told me I just had a rest for one week. Then I had other stuff to do after one week. Like this, week after week, Tom went on ahead. He was progressing in his plan. I was in a circle. Finally, Tom achieved his goals. I was loser. This story told me I should stop paying lip service, walk the talk. I will take action now!


Best regards,

Cheng

Wednesday's assignment, December 07, 2016

Wednesday's assignment

Projecting a professional image on the job

Task 1:

In order for us to come across as professionals, we need to project this mage. Click on this link for the Dos and the Don’ts. Write one sentence on each Do and Don’t you have read about.

• Do dress to impress - your image matters

We should dress appropriately, don't over accessorize.

• Do sharpen your social skills

Improving your social skills is the key to success in anywhere.

• Do get a mentor or sponsor

You always can learn something from others and improve yourself.

• Do build your personal brand - stand out with distinction

Building your personal brand is a necessary process, and make sure it is in sync with the company brand.

• Do grow and nurture your network

Network is a important part of your professional image. You should frequently update your social media sites and check your friends'.

• Do be likeable - adopt a positive attitude

Keeping a positive attitude is the easier way to increase likeability. 

• Don't overlook the unwritten rules

Knowing the unwritten rules can create a win-win result.

• Don't be inflexible

Being flexible is the good way to help you better adapt to change.

• Don't misrepresent yourself

Trust and integrity should be your guiding principles. they can help you create a strong professional image and personal brand.

• Don't shirk responsibility or point fingers

Taking responsibility for your actions and don't blame others will improve your professional image.

Task 2:

Watch this video and write down the main idea(s), suggestions, and strategies the presenter wanted to offer.

Interpersonal skills is one of the most important aspects to get success in workplace. The presenter list some details how to start conversation when you are interacting in the business world.

Task 3:

Compare the reading and the video together; write down the similarities and the differences between them. Ask two of your peers on their findings and again compare them to yours. 

Tuesday's assignment, November 29, 2016

Tuesday's assignment

                                                          Myth or fact

The idea that cold weather causes a cold or flu is a common myth. Many people believe it, but it is not in fact true. Write a short email to a friend or a family member telling him/her other examples of common beliefs about health that have been proven to be untrue.

Ask one of your peers to check your writing before publishing.

Hi Tom,

I am glad to write email to you. Hope everything is going well. I had a class conversation about myth yesterday. It was very interesting. 

Sometimes, different culture have different myth. Do you remember we have ever talk about the myth of shooting star. In my hometown, the bad thing will happen when you see the shooting star fly over the sky. It is different from some other culture, like west world. People would like make a good wish when they see the shooting star. Ha! what should I do? 

So we should learn the native myth to void misunderstand when you come to another country.  

Best   Rds
Cheng

Second  version

Hi Tom,

I am glad to write this email to you. Hope everything is going well. I had a conversation class about heath myths yesterday. It was very interesting. 

Sometimes, different culture has different myths. Do you remember when we used to talk about the myth of shooting stars. In my hometown, the bad thing will happen when you see the shooting star fly over the sky. It is different from some other culture, like the West. People would like to make a good wish when they see the shooting star. Ha! What should I do? 

So we should learn the cultural myth to void misunderstanding when you move to another country.  

Best regards,
Cheng

Wednesday's assignment, November 23, 2016

Wednesday's assignment

Let's do the follow-up activity. Click on that link and role-play this dialogue with one of your peers.

Friends: Cocktail, Gala, Potluck - cheatsheet!

CLB 6 L: Listen and respond to a friend’s reason for cancelling a dinner date.

A: So, we’ll be seeing you at this Friday’s cocktail party? B: Oh, I didn’t tell you. We cancelled. A: That’s a surprise. How come? B: We didn’t know earlier, but the Jameses are going. A: And how’s that a problem? B: They just seem so snobbish, always trying to keep up appearances. A: Maybe they’re just nouveau riche and trying to adjust. B: I don’t know. They’re too much like FOBs, and they talk funny. A: Look who’s snobbish here. B: Hey, whose side are you on? A: Maybe we could reach out to them and see if we could help them become more socially integrated. B: Whatever! We just can’t stand elitists and hypocrites!

A: Let’s wrap up the conversation at the Strachans’ annual white-tie gala ok? B: Sorry, but we’ve decided to decline the invite. A: You didn’t! Really? B: We just didn’t want to have to talk to the Buchanans. A: Seriously? What seems to be the problem? B: They’re kind of standoffish in my book. A: I wouldn’t be so quick to judge. It is not hard to commit a faux pas of formal etiquette in a new country. B: I’d say so, in their case! A: Ooh, look who’s all about high culture now? B: Are you mocking me now? A: Why don’t you be nice for a change? B: Look who’s trying to be a saint!

A: You’ll be at the charity potluck this evening, won’t you? B: I don’t think so. We turned down the invitation. A: What? You didn’t. B: We had no choice once we found out that the Mendezes would be there. A: What’s your beef with them? B: They’re all about keeping up with the Joneses. A: Maybe they’re just trying to fit in. B: It’s obvious they’re splurging bigtime on bling in order to impress others. A: When did you become so cultured all of a sudden? B: Hey, I resent that! I was just being honest. A: People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. B: Nice of you. A friend in need is a friend, indeed!

Suki and Cheng

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1pglcxGA8Rd

Thursday'a assignment, November 17, 2016

Thursday'a assignment

Good morning everyone,

We have been attending JSW for two days so far. Now, you need to use the SAR strategy to apologize to a co-worker for a mistake made. Click on this link to record your answer. 

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1KI6C8sEn0o

Wednesday's assignment, November 16, 2016

Wednesday's assignment

Good morning everyone,

Today we will start with a different speaking task. Read the following dialogue once and then click on this link and follow the following steps: 

First, record yourself reading the following dialogue without looking up any words.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0HoqqTTJ6Si

Second, find out the meaning of the underlined words and use each one in a sentence.

snobbish, having the character of a snob
I don't like snobbish people. I used to stay away them.

keep up appearances
Many nouveau riches like to spend money to keep up appearances.
nouveau riche, a person who is newly rich

FOBs, a recent immigrant
Many FOBs like landing on Toronto when they immigrant to Canada.


integrated
These applications should be combined for a integrated software.

elitists
he is a elitist in computer fields.

hypocrites
Somebody considered that the new president was a dangerous hypocrite.

Third, record a second time reading the same dialogue.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0dWHG8WW3f4

Fourth, copy both links to your blog for your teacher’s feedback.

A: So, we’ll be seeing you at this Friday’s cocktail party?

B: Oh, I didn’t tell you.We cancelled.

A: That’s a surprise. How come?

B: We didn’t know earlier, but the Jameses are going.

A: And how’s that a problem?

B: They just seem so snobbish, always trying to keep up appearances.

A: Maybe they’re just nouveau riche and trying to adjust.

B: I don’t know. They’re too much like FOBs, and they talk funny.

A: Look who’s snobbish here.

B: Hey, whose side are you on?

A: Maybe we could reach out to them and see if we could help them become more 

socially integrated.

B: Whatever! We just can’t stand elitists and hypocrites!

Suki

http://vocaroo.com/i/s06ZSQlkdl7z

rosie

http://vocaroo.com/i/s18kcnLe8Xyh

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1u4jl1m26gK

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1quEzgTGMd2

Wednesday's assignment, November 9, 2016

Wednesday's assignment

Task 1:

The following words/phrases come from the radio show you will listen to. Write down what you think the phrases mean. Then listen for the phrases in the recording and revise your definitions based on what you hear.

• create rapport
to make relationship, to know each other.
I am brand new. I wanna create rapport with my colleagues.

• interaction
to effect each other
The friendly relationship used to be a kind of interaction.

• no-no’s
It is impossible. something you can't talk about.
Tom said, "No-no's. I can't talk about it."

• casual friends
general friends
Tom and me are casual friends.

• break the ice
break the silence. the condition is better than before.
After cold war in two days, they break the ice.

• robotic
bored, not flexible.
Tom is robotic. he don't have much more friends.

• engage in (a conversation)
join
He engaged in a Halloween party even though he did't like it.

• colleagues
people who work with you.
My colleagues organized a basketball team. I considered to join them.

Task 2:

Listen to a radio show guest talk about small talk. Underline true or false below.

1. Small talk is mainly used to get things done and to provide information. T F

2. When someone asks, How are you? they are asking for information about your health. T F

3. In Canada, people always expect you to ask about their family. T F

4. People use small talk in the workplace to keep their work relationships friendly. T F

5. An example of small talk is giving a compliment to someone. T F

6. Couples who have been together for a long time often engage in small talk. T F

7. People in Canada talk about the weather all the time because they love it so much. T F

Monday's assignment, November 7, 2016

Monday's assignment

Good morning everybody,

This week, we will try to know ourselves better to be able to decide our career goals and our next steps in Canada.

Task 1:

About me: Write a short autobiography about yourself.

Express what your first language is, you former country, professional background, things that you like or dislike to do, your hobbies, and why you need to learn English.

I'm Cheng. I came from China Beijing. I have been in Canada for ten years. My first language is Chinese. I graduated from Beijing Normal University. My profession is fundamental mathematics. I have been a teacher, a multimedia designer, and a system administrator in China. I did some labor job after I came to Canada. I like sport and video game. I am interested in computer fields. Nowadays, I want to improve my English skills in order to find a good job or go to a trade school.

Task 2:

Read this short inspiration story about goals and prepare a short example of a time you have used the strategy mentioned in the story to share it with your peers. Click here for the full story.

I have been a project manager. If my team should finish the whole project in a limited time. We used to set up many timelines. Every timeline is a short term goal. The advantage is that you can easy to control your project, avoid unexpected risk, and adjust undeserved plan. We always gets the benefits by this way.

Thursday's assignment, October 27, 2016

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Thursday's assignment

Who are You Going to Pick?

Listen up to that video. A presenter talks about job hiring process, now you job is to write down a quick summary email to a friend of that video. 

• What is the main idea the presenter is talking about?

• Name the two groups of people that she had mentioned.

• What are the differences between the two groups of people that the presenter referred to?  

• Which type are you? Give examples.

• List at least two examples from the talk, and finally write one valuable insight to your friend that you took away from the talk.  

Hi Dong,

I really hope you everything is fine. I heard about you wanted to change job. I would like recommend a wonderful video that I watched today. The video's link is Regina Hartley: Why the best hire might not have the perfect resume.

The presenter talked about that the company should pick up what kinds of person. She described two kinds of candidates. one is the Silver Spoons, "the one who clearly had advantages and was destined for success. They had good resumes." The other one is the Scrappers, "the one who had to fight against all sorts difficulties to get to the same point. Their resume might look like no well." According to the statistics, companies that are committed to diversity and inclusive practices would like choose Scrappers. Those companies got more benefits from this policy. The presenter listed Steve Jobs for example. He grew up in hardships. He never finished college. He did many kinds jobs and quit. He got to the top now." I agreed with the presenter's idea. Trauma and hardships are key elements of success. I thought you and me were Scrappers. We enjoyed doing different things. I did many jobs, like teacher, worker, repairman, project manager, etc. you did many jobs too. We always put passion in every job. I liked the feeling that I finally achieved the goal. I thought you liked it too.  All of these experiences made us stronger. Do you agree with me?

Best regards,

Cheng

Monday's assignment, October 24 2016

Monday's assignment

Good morning everyone,

Hope that you have enjoyed your weekend. Now, we have a quick writing task to kick off our week.

You will have to choose between two options as follows:

Option A: For the ones who joined us on Friday’s field trip, you need to write a quick trip report elaborating on these questions:

Give a quick description on the location of the field trip;

What were the reasons that you wanted to join this trip?

What impressed you the most?

What did not impress you?

Would you go to that place again? Why?

Share at least one thing that you have learned new from that experience.

Option B: For the ones who could not make it to the field trip, write a quick apologetic email for your teacher telling her why you could not join the class; what you have done on that day; and a quick “promise” to make yourself available for the rest of the class activities.

Hi Hala,
I really hope you enjoying the field trip. I apologized to absent from field trip on last Friday. My wife's ophthalmologist found a little hole on her retina two months ago. The ophthalmologist made an appointment for some special examination on last Friday. The examination needed my wife to do pupil dilation. So she couldn't drive after the examination. I had to come with her.
The good news was the specialist told us the little hole doesn't matter now. The specialist suggested rechecking eyes every year. Maybe need laser treatment if the hole get worth. 

Best regards,
Cheng

Second edition
I really hope that you have enjoyed the field trip. I apologized for being absent from field trip on last Friday. My wife's ophthalmologist found a little hole on her retina two months ago. The ophthalmologist made an appointment for some special examination on last Friday. The examination needed my wife to do pupil dilation. So she couldn't drive after the examination. I had to go with her.
The good news was that the specialist told us the little hole doesn't matter now. The specialist suggested rechecking her eyes every year. Maybe she will need laser treatment if the hole gets worse. 

Tuesday's assignment, October 18, 2016

Tuesday's assignment

“I know that is what I said, but it is not what I meant . . . "

Have you ever said that to anyone? Or anyone said this statement to you?

Can you think of reasons why this misunderstanding happens in general?

Briefly share your story and reflect on the reason why this has happened to you or with

you. Then, add a headline to your story.

I have a weakness for English

I am going to tell you a story about language misunderstanding. I don’t remember exactly who told to me.
A Chinese and an American met at a party. The Chinese asked to the American, "Would you like some chocolate?" The American said, "Oh, I have a weakness for chocolate." So the Chinese people made an apology and left. The American was very embarrassing. In fact, have a weakness for someone or something means unable to resist someone or something. Misunderstanding such as upon always happens. The beginners understand literal meaning, but don't know meaning of idioms. I think American learn Chinese will have the same situation. I don't know how to solve this problem. Maybe need more time?


Needs Assessment

How long have you been attending LINC 5/6?
Almost two months

What was your biggest concern(s) before joining the class?
I worried about I can't follow this class before joining this class.

Was/were this/these concern(s) resolved? Why or why not?
No yet. I think my English level is not enough to join this class. I will do my best.

How do you feel after attending this class for x amount to time? What has changed in you? What do you feel more comfortable with?
I like this class. It's good for me. I have more chance to do practice in speaking English. Teacher and classmates are kind and accommodating.

Is there any concern(s) that you still want to work on? What is/are it/they?
For me，every aspect should be improved.

List 10 topics that you would like to learn about in order of their importance from the most to least important.
I'm interested in any topics except political and religious.
1. How to improve speaking skill.
2. How to improve listening skill.
3. Talking at the workplace.
4. Talking with customer service or insurance company.
5. Describe symptoms to a pharmacist or family doctor.
6. Grammar.
7. Writing workplace email.
8. Public welfare in Canada.
9. Geography of Canada.
10. History of Canada.

Monday's Assignment, October 3, 2016

Monday's assignment

Good afternoon everyone,

Based on the story that was shared with you earlier regarding my experience with the restaurant manager’s rude remarks, write an email to the headquarters to complain about the manager’s attitude.

Make sure to include the following information:

Brief background on the scenario;

What your reaction was;

What the manager’s reaction was;

What you request for a disciplinary action or a fair way to solve that problem.

Hi, Happy restaurant headquarters,

I was unhappy today. I'd like to make a complaint about your service. I ordered a portion of  lobster at your restaurant today. I received the shell but the meal was not included.  I tried to tell the truth to the branch manager ABC. His attitude was not very good, and the real mistake was not corrected. Although I paid the bill for my honor.  I really hope I can get an apology from him.  

Have a good day.

A costumer