Friday, July 22, 2016

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                                                                                       a. a designer

2…….. listen to                                                                                b. your scooter

3…….. watch                                                                                   c. a business

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

5…….. park                                                                                      e. photos

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

7…….. set up (= start)                                                                    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 tablet

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

3…….. Speaker                   C c. a scooter

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

5…….. Speaker                   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 _____________, 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 _____________, and I play games and listen to _____________ on it as well, of course. I often download _____________ onto it, and watch them in _____________. My mum says I’m _____________, because I’m always on it. I even read things on it at breakfast time. I’m not allowed to at _____________ time, though. I have to be _____________ and talk to people then. “Welcome back to real life,” my mum says.

B. My favourite thing? Does my _____________ count as a thing? She’s not really a thing, but anyway. She’s a really _____________ little cat. I’ve had her since she was _____________ months old. You know how some cats are really _____________ 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 _____________ and comes up to me as soon as I get home, purring away like mad. She makes a lot of _____________ for a tiny thing. She loves being stroked and comes and curls up next to me when I’m on the _____________. She’s great _____________.

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

D. This might sound a bit old-fashioned, but my sewing _____________ is my favourite thing. I’m studying _____________ and love making things, as well as designing them. I also love _____________ myself and often buy second-hand clothes – everyone loves the “vintage” _____________ at the moment – and then I adapt them to my _____________. It’s much easier using a machine to do that than doing it by _____________. I do alterations for my mum and my sister too. If I don’t make it as a _____________, I suppose I can always set up my own alterations and customising _____________. Customising clothes, by taking things off and adding things on, is actually very _____________, 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 _____________ or anything. They’re chef’s knives and the best ones come from _____________. Cooking is my new hobby. I got into it when I started watching Masterchef on TV. Then I went to an evening _____________ for

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

always do new _____________ so they can try them out and give me feedback. It’s quite an_____________ hobby if you use good _____________, but now my friends help towards the_____________. They still get a good _____________ 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.

Wendesday, July 20, 2016

Good morning everyone,

We are still trying to assess our skills and part of that is to identify your soft and hard skills.

Task 1:

Sort the following skills into two categories as soft or hard skills. Write SS for soft skills and HS for hard skills:

1. Patience----ss
2. Proficiency in a foreign language--hs
3. Leadership Skills----hs
4. Persuasion-----ss
5. A degree or certificate----hs
6. Typing speed-----hs
7. Time Management-----ss
8. Machine operation-----hs
9. Teamwork-----ss
10. Computer programming----hs
11. Communication-----ss
12. Flexibility-----ss
13. Motivation----ss

Task 2:

Now click on this link and decide which of these skills are soft and which are hard skills. 

Task 3: 

Think of two or more of your hard skills and soft skills, then write them down, and provide one example for each skill as how you have demonstrated this skill on the job.

I am reliable worker because I go to the workplace half an hour early

Monday, July 18, 2016

Good afternoon everyone,

Our theme for this week is ''Know Yourself.'' Based on that, we need to know our strengths and weaknesses in order to better evaluate ourselves and set our goals.

Task 1:

Essential Skills refer to the nine skills and abilities that are essential to success in Canadian occupations. The Government of Canada has compiled detailed lists, called Essential Skills Profiles (ESPs), of how workers in hundreds of jobs use these nine skills.

Write down next to each skill which one best describes you better:  expert - good - intermediate - beginner -  no knowledge

Nine Essential Skills:

• Reading Text_             beginner

• Document Use_           beginner

• Numeracy_                  intermediate 

• Writing_                      beginner

• Oral Communication_ beginner

• Work with Others_      intermediate 

• Thinking Skills_          intermediate 

• Computer Use_            beginner

• Continuous Learning_  intermediate 

Task 2:

Complete an Essential Skills self-assessment:

Strengths: I am confident that I can continuous

learning, work with others, thinking skills, and

numeracy.

Weaknesses: I feel I struggle with reading text,

document use, writing, oral communication, and

computer use.

Areas for Improvement: I would like to

improve my ability on reading text, document

use, writing, oral communication, and computer

use.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Hi Anna,
Long time no see. I just received your email and known that you would come here next month. What a wonderful news it is!
As you said, Canada is good place to live and the people here are very nice. In my opinion, if you learn more about Canadian culture before you depart, you could adapt here faster and easier. There are some unwritten rules you should remember:

• Be punctual if you have an appointment.
• Keep the eyes contact when you talk with somebody.
• Never address people with the title.
• Don't interrupt the other's speech.
• Don't touch the other's body arbitrary.  

 Yours,
 Yucho

Good afternoon everyone,

Today, we have talked about the “Unwritten rules of Canadian manners.” Now, you are required to write a letter to a friend back home, who he/she is planning to move to Canada soon, and give him/her some advice on how to adapt to the Canadian culture, also tell your friend some tips on the most important Canadian unwritten rules, from your perspective, to avoid embarrassment.

Ask one or two of your peers to edit for you. 

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Hi Anna,
Long time no see. I just received your email and known that you would come here next month. What a wonderful news it is!
As you said, Canada is good place to live and the people here are very nice. In my opinion, if you learn more about Canadian culture before you depart, you could adapt here faster and easier. There are some unwritten rules you should remember:

• Be punctual if you have an appointment.
• Keep the eyes contact when you talk with somebody.
• Never address people with the title.
• Don't interrupt the other's speech.
• Don't touch the other's body arbitrary.  

 Yours,
 Yucho

Good afternoon everyone,

Today, we have talked about the “Unwritten rules of Canadian manners.” Now, you are required to write a letter to a friend back home, who he/she is planning to move to Canada soon, and give him/her some advice on how to adapt to the Canadian culture, also tell your friend some tips on the most important Canadian unwritten rules, from your perspective, to avoid embarrassment.

Ask one or two of your peers to edit for you. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Our first trip in July is on Thursday July 14 to City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square for a Toronto Board of Health budget meeting and the annual Tasty Thursday series of events.

The budget meeting starts at 8 a.m., but we'll try to join them in Room 3 around 10 a.m.

Here is the map for the people who wants to meet at Don Mills station. Meet there by 9.00 am to be able to catch the train.

No less exciting is the international food event that starts at 11 a.m. Bring some money for that if you'd like to purchase some interesting eats. The music is free to enjoy.

You might like to dress appropriately and bring an umbrella if it rains. Make sure to be present at the group photo at 11 a.m. at the Nail Wall.

On Friday July 29, we have a field trip to the Scarborough Rotary Ribfest. Besides ribs, you're free to enjoy the beer garden, hot dogs, french fries, corn on the cob, and plenty more. Bring some money with you if you'd like these or other entertainment. Parking is free, and some of us could car pool from Don Mills Station at 10:25 a.m., but let's meet for a group photo at the entrance at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Trying to observe and understand culture is like trying to observe and understand an iceberg. Anyone who is either looking for a job or starting out a new job will require some time to figure out the expectations, culture, and customs of any or prospective workplace.

Task 1:

Look up the meanings of the vocabulary words below.

Aggressive                                     equality                                       rituals  

Annoyed                                       minimize                                       task

Collaborative                                 oblivious                                     valuable

Customs                                         promptness                                  values

Embarrassment

Task 2:

Use at least five of these vocabulary words to write an email to a friend describing to him/her the Canadian culture.

Hi Anna,

I've received your email yesterday. I am so happy about that you graduated from the university and already found the job. You asked me some questions about the workplace of Canada. Talking about the workplace here, I should say it is barely similarity as domestic. Firstly, there is fractal hierarchy in spite of nominal equality in the workplace. You should very be careful to learn about the rituals and customs here. Secondly, you should avoid to be annoyed by interrupting others. It is the worst embarrassment in the office. Thirdly, we focus on collaborative and original spirit. The most impotent thing is never be oblivious of the deadline of your task. 

Just do your best. I believe that person likes you will be popular in your office. 

 Best regards,
Yucho  

    

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Trying to observe and understand culture is like trying to observe and understand an iceberg. Anyone who is either looking for a job or starting out a new job will require some time to figure out the expectations, culture, and customs of any or prospective workplace.

Task 1:

Look up the meanings of the vocabulary words below.

Aggressive                                     equality                                       rituals  

Annoyed                                       minimize                                       task

Collaborative                                 oblivious                                     valuable

Customs                                         promptness                                  values

Embarrassment

Task 2:

Use at least five of these vocabulary words to write an email to a friend describing to him/her the Canadian culture.

Hi Anna,

I've received your email yesterday. I am so happy about that you graduated from the university and already found the job. You asked me some questions about the workplace of Canada. Talking about the workplace here, I should say it is barely similarity as domestic. Firstly, there is fractal hierarchy in spite of nominal equality in the workplace. You should very be careful to learn about the rituals and customs here. Secondly, you should avoid to be annoyed by interrupting others. It is the worst embarrassment in the office. Thirdly, we focus on collaborative and original spirit. The most impotent thing is never be oblivious of the deadline of your task. 

Just do your best. I believe that person likes you will be popular in your office. 

 Best regards,
Yucho  

    

Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Canada Day to everyone,

 Let’s start our class today by listening to this video.

Task one:

Try to list down at least three misconceptions about Canadians that were mentioned in the video and write them down.

Task two:

Check with your partner what he/she has come up with, and come up with the common ones to be shared with the rest of the class.

Task three:

Classroom Needs Assessment

Personal Information

1.      Email address   :  __________________________________________

2.     What country are you from?  __________________________________

3.     What is your first language?  __________________________________

4.     What other languages do you speak?  _________________________________________

5.     How long have you been in Canada?  _____________________________________

6.     Are you working right now? 1Yes  1 No         If yes, what is your job? ________________

7.     What is your profession?  _______________________________________

8.     What was your job before you came to Canada?  ________________________________

9.     What is your highest level of education? 

1 university  1 technical college  1 secondary school   Degree? ________________

10.  Did you study English before you came to Canada? 1 Yes  1 No. If yes, so for how     long? ________________

11.  Have you studied in ESL classes before in Canada?  1 Yes  1 No

12.  What are your 4 CLBs?        L                        S               R               W 

13.  What language skill is the easiest for you? Please order from 1 (easy) to 4 (difficult).

1 reading         1  writing              1 listening           1 speaking

14.  List three goals or/and reasons for you taking this program.

……………………………………………….

………………………………………………..

………………………………………………..

15.   Which skill(s) do you want to work on in this class: speaking, listening, reading, or writing?

…………………………………………………………………………………………

16.  What do you need to learn in this class? Choose the most important 5 things and write them in order in the opposite column.

Skills/Topics
ü  Assessing your long and short term goals ü  Assessing your skills ü  Understanding the workplace culture ü  Resume and cover letter writing ü  Obtain a LinkedIn account ü  Pronouncing English clearly
ü  How Canadian society works
ü  How to understand speakers
ü  Starting small talks in English
ü  Improve writing skills
ü  Talking on the telephone
ü  Improve listening skills
ü  Practise job interviews
ü  Practise presentations
ü  Learn how to speak at work
ü  Learn idioms
ü  Learn grammar
ü  Canadian culture
ü  other (specify)

This week, we will be talking about the writing mechanics. Let’s start by a short writing assignment to reflect your learning experience in this classroom.

Write one to two paragraphs on your experience in Workplace English class. Use the following questions as guidance to narrow down your scope in your writing.

• Why did I join this classroom?
• What is/are the skills/knowledge I wanted to improve?
• How much improvement have I accomplished? How long did it take me to improve them?
• What special segments/parts/activities/assignments in the classroom that have helped me to develop my language?
• What are the things that you still want to work on? 
• Add any ideas or suggestion that you have to  improve your learning experience.