It's bad for the splitting of our old class

The class is kind of boring now.

I hate the splitting.

I miss old classmates. 

I believe the splitting criteria sucks.  

Lots of old classmates who speak far more better than me were put in a lower level.  

I believe I should go there...

I hope this will change.

I think that's more easier for me to use this blog for posting my point of interest of the day throughout.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/arts/international/ai-weiwei-embraces-the-political.html?hpw&rref=arts&_r=0

Paul.

So these are pictures taken on 17 March's evening.
See you around Ken.

Paul VT. 

Good Bye Stuart & Classmate !!

Dear Stuart & Classmate

Hi!
Are you enjoying spring break?

As you know, I completed 400 hours limit to study at ELSA
and passed the text.
Then I had to line up at end of waiting list so that I decided
not to continue.

We shared lots of time with you and I am really sad.
But I may come back from Summer time.
So please keep in touch!

Finally attached pictures are what I took last days.

Enjoy your study and take care!

Ken

I was at St. Patrick jam on Granville Street dancing in the rain yesterday.
Simple but efficient that bassist did funk a lot!!! WHOAH!!!

For St. Patrick the "Greens" beat the "Blues" in Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/user/RBS6Nations

This article is funny too.

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/38-reasons-we-should-hate-the-french-or-at-least-dislike-them-mildly-1.1724156




waf, waf, waf...

Interesting and Funny too.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/12/sign-of-the-times-the-geopolitics-of-name-dropping/?hp

So as we said in France:
"Vérité en deçà des Pyrénées, erreur au delà."
A Yankee may shout:
"A meridian decides the truth."
A Cockney voice:
"One man's meat is another man's poison."
 A Catalan may parles:
"Cada uno es de un padre y de una madre."
Waf, Waf, Waf...

Daylight savings time has started today!

It's the describe about daylight savings time.
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CAwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeanddate.com%2Ftime%2Fchange%2Fcanada%2Fvancouver&ei=EtkcU67LKon7oASrqoHoCA&usg=AFQjCNG3Siydj4lxI55DntLCz1vCGdy7xQ&sig2=Wcu7d18ev9Pbbcqg5iw-GA

Ken asked me to talk about the difference between the use of it's (with an apostrophe) and its (without).

Here is an explanation.

Its vs. It’s

Would you like to know the #1 Grammar Error? 
Hint: The word involved is small and it’s contained in this sentence.

That’s right: its vs. it’s
Yet the two rules are actually quite easy to remember.

Rule 1: When you mean it is or it has, use an apostrophe.

Examples:
It’s a nice day.
It’s your right to refuse the invitation.
It’s been great getting to know you.

Rule 2: When you are using its as a possessive, don’t use the apostrophe.

Examples:
The cat hurt its paw.
The furniture store celebrated its tenth anniversary.

 
Note: From what we understand, the possessive was also written it’s until a couple of hundred years ago. While we don’t know for certain, it is possible that the apostrophe was dropped in order to parallel possessive personal pronouns like hers, theirs, yours, ours, etc.”

The Tell Tale Heart Text with Audio by Edgar Allan Poe.wmv

Hola guys hope you had a nice weekend!. I just wanted to share with you one of my favorites author and one of my favorites short stories. For me, this writing helps me to know a little bit more about my vocabulary. Enjoy and see you at class..


ArmanDo

Kenzo Takada (高田賢三)  Fashion Designer based in Paris

https://www.kenzo.com/en/


http://next.liberation.fr/mode/2014/03/03/en-direct-de-la-fashion-week-le-defile-kenzo_984148?photo_id=624938

"Fashionistas, Fashionistos of the world, UNITE!" Ha Ha Ha...

Paul  VT.

www.ted.com is a very interesting (on everything) website for those who want to learn intensively English by listening like me. This is a video about "Foods".

http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_pollan_gives_a_plant_s_eye_view.html

Enjoy! If I don't bother you.

Paul.

It's not to learn English and furthermore it's for those who don't speak French but like to be "à la mode" like "fashionista" Ha Ha Ha... Just have a look on this article.

http://www.lemonde.fr/style/visuel/2014/02/28/les-createurs-victimes-de-la-mode_4375578_1575563.html

And a "bullied song" Hé Hé Hé...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_hFw_cWg9U

Hi Everyone!

I used the website which is Exercises for the Academic Word List (AWL).

There are many English vocabulary exercises about nouns, verbs and adjectives.

We might use the website for the review after the class because some topic are about food, health, money.

It's not to difficult that is just matching exercises. Match the vocabulary on the right to the sentence on the left and if you don't know the vocabulary there are the meaning before the page in English!

Let's try it!

Mami

"Hola" everyone, I would like to comment  that the website that I visited is very interesting because you can find many ways to practice your vocabulary and the best thing is you never get bored! You can find different levels and topics with funny quizzes and puzzles that helps you to get more skills.    Actually I needed more time to go trough more games but any ways, now that I know the site I will go in another time to continue playing and practicing at the same time.
Have a good evening.
Armando..

Comments about independent websites

Add your comments below about what worked/didn't work/was useful/etc. when you explored the self-study website I gave you.

Newcomer Newsletter Issue 52

Hi everyone.  Here is a copy of the most recent Newcomer Newsletter.  It has articles that are useful for immigrants seeking citizenship.

Feel free to have a look.

Newcomer Newsletter 52 link

Congratulations to Stuart!!!

Valentines and chocolate

Have you enjoyed your chocolate box on Valentine’s day?

Today I want to invite all of you to some awareness (not to spoil your pleasure and I mean it) by taking a look on these articles:

http://www.terry.ubc.ca/2013/11/26/child-slavery-the-bitter-truth-behind-the-chocolate-industry/

http://www.foodispower.org/slavery-chocolate/

http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/19/child-slavery-and-chocolate-all-too-easy-to-find/

And this for Mom & Dad to be Wouf Wouf Wouf, Ha Ha Ha … and have some laughts by watching some videos by there.

http://o.canada.com/life/parenting/dad-in-training-when-the-kids-talk-back/

Perhaps you’ll be richer… for all the lovers…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUVT1NZtZPo

Cheer for Vancouver

1. Chance to see movie stars
    "Night at the Museum 3" will shoot in UBC Chem building
2. Angry Birds movie nests in Vancouver
  Rovio Entertainment has chosen Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver as its primary animation house for the production of the Angry Birds movie. 

Opinions/Comments on blog posts homework

Please try to answer the following questions from the blog by commenting in the correct sections:

     Look for Shu’s post about people stealing other people’s lunches.  Do you think it’s smart for him to try it?  Why or why not?  Post in the comment section under his post.

      What healthy snacking tip do you feel is the most important from the article that I posted?  Explain why in the comment section under the post.

   Which healthy snack that has been posted on our blog sounds the most interesting to you?  Thank the person who posted it under their post, and explain why you want to try it.

Valentine's Day statistics video

Watch the video, and comment about the most surprising statistic that you heard and why.

Valentine's day statistics

Valentine's Day video/listening

Have a listen to this and do the questions.

Valentine's Day

Hello everyone, I just want to thank to Stuart about what he taught us yesterday. It was very useful and helpful. So I can describe the symptoms that Jason had then you'll know why Jason couldn't go to class recently.

    At the begin of last week, Jason started to have a sore throat. Then he had a bad fever for two days. And he felt very sick. Without any energy to get up, so he had to stay in bad all day long. After fever, he started to get a headache, then his noise stuffed, and then started to cough. This week had fever again. He got a very bad sick. I think he has got a terrible flu. Recently, many friends of mine had a cold or flu. I hope everyone could keep health.

Grammar Question

Dear Stuart!

Are you getting better now?


Anyway I sometimes confuse about grammar below.

I want to go to Hawaii. (I am hoping that I go to Hawaii)

I want you to go to Hawaii. (I am hoping that you go to Hawaii)
                                      Subject are different

Other case
I asked him to wait untill I came back. (No preposition + Infinitive)

It is difficult for me to learn French. (for + Inifinitive)

It is kind of you to help me. (of + Inifinitive)

I make you go shopping to super market. (No preposition + No Infinitive)


If you have a time, please teach me some rules individually or in our class.

Ken

Hello everyone:
    I would like to introduce you my favorite snack: Crepes au sucre. First you can make a dough with milk,eggs,butter,and sugar. Stir it well in a bowl then leave it for 20 minutes. Second, heat up a pan with a thin layer of butter in middle wave. Pour some dough in the pan and turn the pan quickly to make the dough spread out smoothly.Now grill the crust till we can see some small bubbles formation and the edge become gold. Then flip it over with a flipper to grill another side.
    If you want to eat crepes in healthy way,you can top it with sliced banana,strawberry or any fruits you like. However, I prefer to enjoy the guilty pleasure with chocolate cream, ice cream and ground peanut.

                                                                                                                                                   Jason

Vegetables article

What is 200 Calories Video

Check it out.  Very interesting.

Healthy snacking tips

Hi everyone.

Thanks to the students who are adding to our blog.  Here is an article about healthy snacking.

Question: What is a healthy snack that you like that uses at least two of the four food groups?  Let's share!
Post your answer in the comment section below.


Healthy snacking article

Have a healthy family day long weekend!
Stuart

Hi Stuart,Thanks for creating the blog and also Thanks for all what you doing for as;) you are great.. I hoop that the network may help as to have progress in English ! ;))

Is stealing co-worker's lunch is a culture thing?

I was shocked yesterday when I saw there was a paper in office kitchen asking people stopping stealing others' lunch !

And today we got such email,

Then I searched in google, I found lots of posts was talking about that.  It's funny.

Just give two links.

http://izismile.com/2011/03/26/dont_steal_my_lunch_hilarious_fridge_notes_25_pics.html

http://www.askamanager.org/2011/10/my-boss-keeps-stealing-my-food-after-ive-asked-him-to-stop.html 


If this is Canada culture,  I am going to try this once.......

Debt listening questions

Here are the three questions from tonight's listening on debt:

1) What was most surprising about what Canadians said about debt?

2) Why are people getting so deeply in debt?

3) What does ‘financing consumption’ mean?

Listen to the newscast again, and try to think about answers to the questions for tomorrow.

Debt listening

Click onto the part that says 'listen to the story'.

CBC Radio Online

Check out this link to CBC's Radio online.  It's a great way to listen to Canadian topics, and to work on your listening skills.

CBC Radio Online

Theme song of The Fosters

Here are two awesome songs.

Kari Kimmel - Where You Belong.mp3

Same Love(Feat Mary Lambert).mp3

CNN recommended:  45 Taiwanese foods we can't live without

I really like to share the fun with The Boss.
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/bruce-springsteen-and-jimmy-fallon-gov-christie-traffic-jam-born-to-run-parody/n45079/
How do you think? Ha Ha Ha...

Paul VT, Lai.

Tonight’s ‘micro-moon’ will be the smallest full moon of 2014


Share to everybody!!

Usage of 'Get' in spoken English

Get is one of the most confusing word in English,  I collected some explanations for it.  

• Two common meanings for get are "receive" and "become." A third meaning (an informal, idiomatic one used mostly in casual conversation) is understand.

Examples:

1. I got a present yesterday.
2. I get tired after 10 km walks.
3. Question #36 is confusing. Do you get it?
4. Thanks for explaining question #36. I get it now.
5. I don't get it. Why do we have to be there  45 minutes early? 
6. I know you thought Bob's joke was funny, but I didn't get it.

• get can also mean answer or respond to a ringing phone or someone who's at the door. 

Examples:

1. The phone's ringing, but I can't get it just now. Can you?
2. I hear the doorbell. Can you get it?   

•  means to buy.

Examples:

1. I got my new shoes at Charlie's Custom Footwear.
2. Where did you get that dress?
3. Will you stop at the store and get some milk?
4. I'll get lunch this time. You can pay the next time.
5. I'm almost out of gas, but I can get some on my way home.
6. If I give you the money, can you get a box of computer disks for me?

•  To retrieve something (and, often, to bring or take it or them to another place or person): 

Examples:

1. The letter carrier just delivered the mail, Can you get it?
2. I think I left my keys in the car.
3. I'd better get them. 
4. Get your coat. We're ready to leave.
5. I think I left my glasses on the kitchen table. Would you please get them for me?

•  Another use for get is in the idiom has / have got.

In American English, the preferred past participle (third form) for get is gotten when get is used in the present or past perfect tenses. It's important to know this because has got and have got look like present perfect tense, but these two forms are actually used like the simple present tense. Also, they use got, not gotten, and they mean has or have. 

Examples:

1. I've gotten several letters this week. ( = I've received = present perfect )
2. I've got several letters. ( = I have = simple present )
3. She's gotten high marks ever since she started school. ( = She's received = present perfect )
4. She's got high marks. ( = She has = simple present )
5. I haven't gotten your report yet. When are you going to turn it in? ( = I haven't received = present perfect )
6. I haven't got your report. You didn't turn it in. ( = I don't have = simple present )  

Special Note:

Many people think that gotten has an "ugly" sound
and don't use it in present perfect tense. Instead, they
replace it with other words that have the same meaning
(for example, received).

• The combinations has got and have got are idioms that mean has or have. They can also be used with to. When they're used in this way, they mean the same as has to and have to ( = "must" or "be required to"): 

Examples:  

1. It's late! I've got to leave!
2. Mehmet can't come to the party. He's got to work. 
3. Your grades aren't very good. You've got to work harder. 
4. Tell Angela she's got to be ready in 10 minutes.  
5. Don't forget that we've got to meet Mr. Brown at 5:00 PM.  

Special Note: Has got to and have got to are almost always contracted to 's got to and 've got to. The "got to" part of each combination is pronounced something like "godda" in everyday speech. Also, the 've is often not pronounced or pronounced very weakly, so you might hear something that sounds like "I gotta go" or "You gotta help me" or "We gotta hurry."   Important: "Gotta" is for speaking, not for writing!

Hello guys!

I am so happy we have a place to communicate with each other, to share information, resource here.

I am so excited about it, and I am also very worry about what I should write here. I have lots of questions.

What font size should I use? normal or big ?  Do I need a title?  Should I use italic in the whole text of just part of it?  Should I use different colors for difference paragraphs?  How many words should I write?  What if I write something too simple, too straightforward so that you guys say Shu is a idiot?  Or if I write something too abstract, too complex,or something you guys might feel be dwarfed by my flawless sentences? Would you guys laugh at me if you find out I actually never written any thing in the Internet?  How should I do to pretend I have lots of experiences to write a post?

Oh, my gosh! I am so nervous~~

Hey guys.... Feel free, now that I've invited everyone to add to the blog, to post interesting videos, news, or other information on the blog.  Please KEEP IT CLEAN though!   Be aware that some articles may make some students feel uncomfortable, so think about what you're posting before you do. 

This is to help us practice our English remember!

This is an article about the No Pants Day on Sunday. Note they call 'pants' 'trousers' in England.

No Pants Day London and around the world article

Phoebe, can you post something about the Vancouver one?

Here's a link to ISS of BC's ESL Online Links, which are used to practice English skills.  There are lots of activities on here that you can do at home as well.

http://www2.issbc.org/janis-esl/links.html

Welcome to Stuart's Level 4/5 Evening class blog!

Hi everyone.  Happy New Year!
I've created this blog so I can share useful links with you all, as well as giving you a chance to suggest ideas on effective ways you practice your English.  It will also give you all a chance to network with each other!  Stuart