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

Wednesday's Assignment, September 28, 2016

Wednesday's assignment

Making Arrangements on the Phone

Can you say GRRRRR?

2

      A-  Listen to a dialogue between a travel agent and a caller. Underline True or False.

1.The caller didn’t want to book the flight online because the flights were quoted in American dollars. 
                                                                   T F

2.The caller says he wouldn’t mind a stopover in New York. 
                   T F

3.The flight is returning on October 7.        
                                           T F

4.The flight from New York leaves from JFK airport. 
                             T F

5.The cheaper flight has two stopovers. 
                                                  T F

6.The caller has a seating preference. 
                                                     T F

7.The travel agent will send José an email outlining all the travel

arrangements. 
                                                                                      T F

8.The travel agent will send the tickets by email. 
                                             T F

     B-  Complete the sentences below with words or phrases used in the dialogue.

1.To arrange a flight is to make a plan for a flight.
                                                           

2.Another term for a non-stop flight is direct flight.
                                                  

3.To have a seating preference means special requirements for seat.
                                                    

4.If a flight goes directly to its destination, it means there are no stopovers.
             

5.To send something electronically means to send it by 
email or fax.

      C-  Imagine that you are José. Listen to the dialogue again and take notes about the two travel options. Send an email message to your friend at work to tell her about the two options and ask her which one she would prefer.

Hi, Tina
I am arranging our flight. I called up the travel agent. She gave me two choices. The more expensive flight is direct flight. Departs at 10:30am, arrives at 8:00pm. It's $1249.73 . We just need 7 hours. The cheaper flight has two stopovers, New York and Mexico. Departs at 6:30am, arrives at next day 1:00am. We totally need 18 hours. It's $843.60. I can't decide it by myself. Which flight do you prefer? Please reply me soon.

Best rgds,

José

tuesday's Assignment, September 27, 2016

Tuesday's assignment

Automated Voice Menus

A telephone voice menu is a set of options a caller can choose from, usually by pressing a number on the telephone. Voice menus are commonly used by large organizations to help their clients access the information they need easily. Listening to automated telephone voice menus can be difficult when several options are presented. If you have trouble understanding the options, try pressing “0.” Sometimes, this will connect you to a person who can help you. If you don’t reach a live person, try replaying the menu options a few times to become familiar with them.

Task 1:

Listen to a recorded voice menu system for a library. Write down the number you need to press to accomplish the following.

	Press #
1. You would like to find out if a book is available at the library.	3
2. You would like to ask the librarian if you could book a room for a workshop.	0
3. You would like to put a book on hold.	2
4. You would like information about the location of the library and its hours.	1
5. You would like to renew a book.	2
6. You left your gloves in the library and want to find out if someone turned them in.	0
7. You want to know the library’s website address.	1

Task 2:

Listen to the recordi ng again. You would like information about special services at the library. Write the sub-menu option number you need to press to accomplish the following.

	Press #
1. You would like information about the language learning center.	4-3
2. You would like to sign up for an Internet training course.	4-1
3. You need information about the picture and video collection at the library.	4-4

1.What is the library’s address? 

234 First street.

2.What are the hours of operation on weekdays? 


Mon - Thu: 9am - 8pm

Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 5pm
Sun: 1:30pm - 5pm

3.What is the library’s Internet address? 

WWW.cityreferencelibrary.ca

 Task 3:

Click on this link and record a voice message to a friend to invite him/her for lunch over at your house or at a restaurant that you would recommend.  

Make sure to provide clear information on the reason of the invite and also the date, time, location, and detailed directions how to reach the place you have proposed.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1a3YZq3PAEB

i got it

Monday's Assignment, September 26, 2016

Monday's assignment

Listening Practice

Listen to that video and then answer the following activities:

Listen to the speakers describing their favourite things and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

1. Preparation: matching

Do this exercise before you listen. Match the verb with the correct noun and write a – g next to the numbers 1 – 7.

1…….. take                       E                                                             a. a designer

2…….. listen to                G                                                             b. your scooter

3…….. watch                    D                                                             c. a business

4…….. stroke (= move your hand gently over something)    F   d. films

5…….. park                      B                                                              e. photos

6…….. make it as (= be successful as)            A                           f. the cat

7…….. set up (= start)                                        C                          g. music

2. Check your understanding: matching

Match the speakers with their favourite things. Write a – e next to the numbers 1 – 5.

1…….. Speaker         A          A a. a tablet

2…….. Speaker         E          B b. a sewing machine

3…….. Speaker         C          C c. a scooter

4…….. Speaker         B          D d. a set of knives

5…….. Speaker         D          E e. a cat

3. Check your understanding: gap fill

Do this exercise while you listen. Write the word to fill the gaps.

A. My favourite thing has to be my new tablet. It’s really light and quite small, so I take it with me everywhere. I’m always writing to friends and it’s big enough to do college work on it too. It takes really good photos, and I play games and listen to Musics on it as well, of course. I often download films onto it, and watch them in bed. My mum says I’m addicted, because I’m always on it. I even read things on it at breakfast time. I’m not allowed to at dinner time, though. I have to be polite and talk to people then. “Welcome back to real life,” my mum says.

B. My favourite thing? Does my cat count as a thing? She’s not really a thing, but anyway. She’s a really beautiful little cat. I’ve had her since she was full months old. You know how some cats are really independent and hardly talk to you? I know cats don’t really talk, but you know what I mean. Well, she’s not like that at all. She’s really affectionate and comes up to me as soon as I get home, purring away like mad. She makes a lot of noise for a tiny thing. She loves being stroked and comes and curls up next to me when I’m on the sofa. She’s great companion.

C. My new scooter! It’s quite small, but fine, and just what I needed for getting around the city. I used to have quite a long walk to the metro, then a longish walk at the other end to get to college. But now I can just whiz there on my scooter. And there’s no problem parking, there’s always space for it. You have to be careful with the cars and lorries – they don’t always see you – and when it rains the surface of the road is terrible, it gets really slippery. But in general it’s perfect for me, and I can fit a friend on the back too – I’ve got an extra helmet for a friend. It’s great. Riding along makes me feel so free.

D. This might sound a bit old-fashioned, but my sewing machine is my favourite thing. I’m studying fashion and love making things, as well as designing them. I also love cloth myself and often buy second-hand clothes – everyone loves the “vintage” look at the moment – and then I adapt them to my size. It’s much easier using a machine to do that than doing it by hand. I do alterations for my mum and my sister too. If I don’t make it as a designer, I suppose I can always set up my own alterations and customising business. Customising clothes, by taking things off and adding things on, is actually very creative, so I wouldn’t mind that.

E. My set of Japanese knives. That sounds a bit sinister, doesn’t it, but I’m not a murder or anything. They’re chef’s knives and the best ones come from Japan. Cooking is my new hobby. I got into it when I started watching Master chef on TV. Then I went to an evening class for

beginners, and I haven’t looked back since. I try and have a dinner for between four and eight friends every two or three weeks. That gives me something to work towards and I

always do new dishes so they can try them out and give me feedback. It’s quite an expensive hobby if you use good ingredients, but now my friends help towards the cost. They still get a good meal for a very low price.

4- What’s your favourite thing?

5- Why is it important to you?

6- Vocabulary Box: Write any new words you have learnt in this lesson and use it in a sentence of your own.