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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Adjective Clause I

35 fu06g487Adjective Clause:

1. If we use a sentence like:

(The police have found the boy.) It may not be clear which boy.

We can make it clear like this:

->The police have found the boy who disappeared last week.

2. When we talk about people, we use “who” or “that”:

- > He talk to the girl who (or that) won the game.

3. When we talk about things or animals, we use “which” or “that”.

- > I like the car which (or that) won the race.

4. We use “whose in place of his, her, their, etc.

We only use it with people, countries and organizations, not things.

It has a possessive meaning. Here is another example.

(The man didn’t apologize. His dog bit me.)

--> The man whose dog bit me didn’t apologize.

Exercise:

1. (I went to see a doctor. She helped my mother.)

2. A dog bit me. It belonged to Mrs. Jones.)

3. The bus crashed. It was twenty-three years old.)

4. (A woman wrote to me. She wanted my advice.)

5. Ann talked to a man. He just won a lot of money.)

______________________________________________________________________________

6. (Mary was wearing the red dress. She wears it for parties.)

7. He’s an architect. He designed the new city library.)

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The Last Class in K9

Dear all,

Our last class during winter break was at K9. I am really lucky to meet all of you. I remember that I told you the reason why you are in my class is just because I happen to know something you want to learn. In fact, I have been learning a lot from you since the class started.

I enjoyed the time that I have spent with you guys. At the night in the KTV, I had a lot of fun and I was happy that most of you sang the songs that we have learned. So, now, since we have to tell school what we did that day for record, it is so much better if you can tell me how you feel that day and I will just write down what you said.

Please post your comments for that class in K9 here as comments.

Again, we are here to learn English, so, speak up, speak loud, and have fun!!!



Love,
Julie

Sunday, March 04, 2007

The class for March 5, 2007 in Community College

March 5, 2007

I. Self – Introduction
- Where are you from?
- What’s your job?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Why do you want to learn English?
- How long have you been learning English? (I have been learning English for …………years.)
- How long have you been in this class? (I have been in this class for ………. months.)
- What is your weakness in learning English?
- What do you want to learn (get) in this class?
- What do you like about Julie?
- What do you like the most about yourself? Why?

II. Talk about your trip on Chinese New Year vacation

EX:
I went to 飛牛牧場 with my family on the third day of Chinese New Year vacation. We went there by car. It was a very big field with a lot of flowers and funny stuff to see. We saw cows, sheep, horses, and rabbits there. We saw the staff feeding baby calf with a very big milk bottle. That was very interesting.
For the following days, we went to different relatives homes for dinners. That is a traditional routine for my family. Normally, there are about 20 to 30 people in the house at once. This year was the same. Some of my aunts and uncles played MahJong with Chinese chess. Some of them sang. The forth generation of my family ran around the house. It was very crowded and filled the atmosphere of New Year.
I like spending time with my family during Chinese New Year. Even we, the third generation didn’t really do something but only talked and watched TV, but, that is the time for all of the family members gathering together.

Now, try to write your own Chinese New Year by the questions below. You can add more sentences.

Where – Where did you go during Chinese New Year?
How – How did you get there?
Who – Who did you go with?
When – When did you go?
What – What did you see there? What did you do there?
Are there any special things you do on your Chinese New Year? What are they?

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

The Lyrics of Wherever You Will Go - by The Calling

WHEREVER YOU WILL GO      The Calling

So lately, I've been wondering Who will be there to take my place
When I'm gone, you'll need love   To light the shadows on your face
If a great wave shall fall   It would fall upon us all
And between the sand and stone   Could you make it on your own
 
[chorus:]
If I could, then I would   I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low   I'll go wherever you will go
 
And maybe, I'll find out   The way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you   Through the darkest of your days
If a great wave shall fall   It would fall upon us all
Well I hope there's someone out there   Who can bring me back to you
 
[chorus]
If I could, then I would   I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low   I'll go wherever you will go
 
Runaway with my heart   Runaway with my hope  Runaway with my love
 
I know now, just quite how  My life and love might still go on
In your heart and your mind  I'll stay with you for all of time
 
[chorus]
If I could, then I would  I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low  I'll go wherever you will go
 
If I could turn back time   I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine   I'll go wherever you will go

I'll go wherever you will go

My Chinese New Year

This is the third Chinese New Year I've had since divorced. The first Chinese New Year as I remember, my mom asked me to hide in my room in case my grandmother found me alone at home; the second Chinese New Year, I had a big argument with my uncle who thinks he knows everything and always tries to give someone a lesson. (I have learned a lot about humanity from him.) This year, I was alone again on the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Two of my co-workers invited me to have the family dinner with them but it was not a good idea for me to spend time with others on this special holiday. I don't blame my parents for this, but I wonder how long they need to take the truth that they have a daughter who is divorced with her husband because domestic violence. If my own parents cannot admit it, I don't know how to face it myself.

Josh called me that day and told me that I need to take care of myself first before they change their mind. I need to show them how much I have changed after divorced. I need to prove that I am so much better than before. I know it and that is what I am working on; however, sometimes, I don't feel that my parents give it a damn about it.

Few years ago, when my dad saw the wound that my ex caused me, he just said, if he were my ex, he would have kicked me out of the family. Then, I ran away and they found that I called the school to talk to Allie. So, they waited there for my call and my mom said something really cruel that I will never forget.

Finally, I got divorced. My parents just don't want to admit it to the other relatives. After divorced, I get a very nice job teaching English in different schools. I've even been a translator. When I showed something I did to them, in a catalog, they didn't seem to be happy or proud of me. When I started my first class in Community College, I didn't feel that either.

I don't know why they could see their daughter being abused but they wouldn't want to see her living a better life. I can't stop wondering if I don't deserve a better life or I haven't worked harder enough to make them proud. Or, just simply because I don't give them enough money.

They don't need money, they even give me some whenever they feel I might need it. It is really hard to please them sometimes. Whenever she is talking to other relatives, all you can hear is my sister, how well she can take care of the family, how much money she has given to my mom, how well she is behaved, every good thing is like my mom, all the good qualities my sisters have are taken from my mom... None of those with my name.

I wonder who I get the bad qualities from...

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Reading & Thinking - Baby, you are......

There is a poem that I read from Chicken Soup for the Soul. I like it because it puts the feeling into words to show how special someone meant to you. No matter it is to your kids or to the one you love.

Baby You Are.....
My sunny sky
My favorite high
My bed so warm
My port in a storm
My sweetest gift
My emotional lift
My best friend
Until the end
My inspiration
My destination
My shining light
My day and night
My heart healer
My anger chiller
My pain reliever
My spring fever
My gem so rare
My answered prayer
My heart and soul
My life made whole
My merry-go-round
My up when I’m down
My best chance
My last dance
My best shot
My sweet kumquat
My energizer
My appetizer
My morning sun
My evening fun
My dancing partner
My heart’s gardener
My source of laughter
My ever after
My heaven sent
For who I’m meant
My burning fire
My greatest desire
My soul mate
My sweet fate
My dream lover
My “before all others”
My confidence
My common sense
My reason why
Until I die

Just in case you didn’t know


It can also sharpen your intonation when speaking it because it rhymes every two lines.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Grammar - GEPT Questions for Writing Practice 2

題目:上個星期,你到高雄(Kaohsiung)的親戚家玩,下面是你每天的活動,請根據這些圖片寫一篇30~50字的簡短遊記。
The pictures are one your paper already.

Write the paragraph according to the questions below.

1. Where did you go last week?
2. Why did you go there?
3. Who did you go with?
4. How did you go there?
5. When did you arrive?
6. Was there anybody waiting for you?
7. What did you do on the first day?
8. What did you do on the second day?
9. What did you do on the third day?
10. Did you have fun there?
11. When did you go back?

Sunday, December 03, 2006

社大星期二 -- GEPT 初級 -- The answer for page 15

Dear All,
Here is the answer for page 15, exercise C.

1. You are not eating very much at the moment. Are you ill?

2. She knows three words in Italian!

3. I am taking the bus to work this week, but usually I walk.

4. I am studying Japanese this year. It's very difficult.

5. Are you watching TV at the moment?

6. I don't remember the name of the hotel.

7. She speaks three languages.

8. The sun is shining. It's a beautiful day.

Grammar - Present Continuous

Present Continous --> 現在進行式

S + V + O + 地點 + (at the moment / now) --可加可不加

v -- > Be + Ving
動詞(v)變成 be + 動作 + ing

EX:
I work everyday. (現在簡單式)<--> I am working now. (現在進行式)

1. We use the Present Continuous to talk about actions and situations in progress now.
我們用現在進行式描述正在發生的事情

Ex:
I am watching TV now. --> 我正在看電視
You are eating breakfast at the moment. -- > 你正在吃早餐
He is listening to the music. --> 他正在聽音樂
Jan and Sam are playing tennis. -->Jan and Sam 正在打網球

2. We use the Present Continuous to talk about actions and situation in progress around now, but not exactly at the moment we speak.
我們用現在進行式描述事情發生在最近的一段時間 但不是在說話時的當下

Ex:
A: What are you doing these days? --> 你最近在做什麼?
B: I am learning Spanish. How about you? --> 我最近在學西班牙文 你呢?
A: My parents are staying with me this month. I am going with them everywhere. --> 我爸媽這個月住我那 我就跟著他們到處跑

Here are the forms fo the Present Continuous:
現在進行式的形式

和現在簡單式一樣 因為主要的動詞是Be動詞 Be動詞可以用在疑問句或否定句 所以直接換位子或直接把not加在be動詞的後面即可


POSITIVE -->肯定句

- Full Form - - Short Form -
I am eating. ----------- I'm eating.
You are eating.--------- You're eating.
He/She/It is eating.---- He's/She's/It's eating.
We are eating.---------- We're eating.
They are eating. ------- They're eating.


NEGATIVE --> 否定句 --> 直接把not加在be動詞的後面即可

- Full Form - - Short Form -
I am not eating. ---------------- I'm not eating.
You are not eating.-------------- You're not eating. / You aren't eating.
He/She/It is not eating.--------- He's/She's/It's not eating./He/She/It isn't eating.
We are not eating.--------------- We're not eating. / We aren't eating.
They are not eating. ------------ They're not eating. / They aren't eating.

Questions --> 疑問句 -->直接把be動詞和主角換位子即可
Am I eating?
Are you eating?
Is he/she/it eating?
Are we eating?
Are they eating?


*請注意*
These are irregular spellings: --> 不規則的拼法
1. 當單音節的動詞或最後的音節字尾是一個子音跟著一個母音時 重複字尾的子音再加上ing
win --> winning
shop --> shopping
swim --> swimming
get --> getting
sit --> sitting
travel --> travelling

2.字尾有e要去掉
dance --> dancing
shine --> shining
write --> writing
come --> coming



Exercise I:

EX:
George/not eat dinner. George/sleep
George is not eating dinner. George is sleeping.


1. They/not work. They/listen to the music.


2. Ann/not play computer games. Ann/read a book.


3. You/not do homework. You/watch TV.


4. My father/not drink coffee. My father/eat a sandwich.


5. Joe and David/not work. Joe and David/ play tennis.


6. My aunt/stay with me this week. So, I/sleep in the living room.



Exercise II:
Make questions by putting the words in correct order.
重組句子造問句 記得該大寫的要大寫喔

Ex:
enjoying - your work - you - are - ?
Are you enjoying your work?


1. she - having lunch - is - ?



2. playing football - are - Jerry and Sam - ?



3. you - listening - are - to the music - ?



4. it - raining hard - is - ?



5. your sister - is - doing her homework - ?

Monday, November 27, 2006

Phonics - 26 letters and the sounds

相信對一些對一些將30歲 (六年級生) 或以上 來說 PHONICS 其實是蠻陌生的 但是我們卻對K.K.音標(K.K. symbols) 很熟悉 (不熟也沒關係) 你在這本書中將會看到PHONICS 和 K.K.音標的整合 PHONICS 是一種直覺發音 26個字母中 每個字母有其自己的基本發音 這就是我們說的自然發音(PHONICS) 而K.K.音標 則是將其變成文字或者也可說是符號 學會自然發音 可以再你看到單字的時後 把它唸出來 (這是有一些規則要記住的) 但是這些規則只適用於百分之70-80的單字 這時 會不會看K.K.音標就很重要了 當我不確定這個字的唸法時 我會馬上查字典 因為我可以找到K.K.音標在上面 所以K.K. 和 PHONICS 相互補其不足的地方 只要不斷的練習 學好發音不會一件困難的事 也不會再有看到單字而不知如何開口說的窘境了

每個字母都有其基本的發音 如何將這些聲音拼起來唸的方法 就是PHONICS 相信對於五六年級的我們來說 大都不知PHONICS 為何 但是我們都學過 K K 音標 PHONICS 就是將KK音標這個符號給于聲音 例如我們都知道小狗的聲音是”汪” 而KK音標和PHONICS 也是一樣的道理

26 letters and the sounds:
a〔æ〕apple 蘋果
b〔b〕ball 球
c〔k〕cat 貓
d〔d〕dog 狗
e〔ɛ〕egg 雞蛋
f〔f〕fish 魚
g〔g〕good 好的
h〔h〕hat 帽子
i〔ɪ〕ink 墨汁
j〔ʤ〕jacket 夾克
k〔k〕key 鑰匙
l〔l〕lemon; bell 檸檬,鈴
m〔m〕money; home 錢,家
n〔n〕nose, wine 鼻子,酒
o〔ɑ〕oxford, dog 牛津,狗
p〔p〕peek 偷看
qu〔kw〕question 問題
r〔r〕rat 老鼠
s〔s〕sun 太陽
t〔t〕tiger 老虎
u〔ʌ〕ugly 醜陋
v〔v〕vase 花瓶
w〔w〕window 窗戶
x〔ks〕box 盒子
y〔j〕yo-yo 溜溜球
z〔z〕zebra 斑馬

Grammar - Frequency Adverbs

頻率副詞 - 頻率副詞用來表示事情發生的經常性或做某件事的頻率
頻率副詞 放在Be動詞的後面 一般動詞的前面
We use frequency adverbs to talk about how often you do something.

Frequency Adverbs:
100% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------0 %
always usually often sometimes seldom rarely never

EX: go shopping
Q: How often do you go shopping?
A: I usually go shopping once a month.
EX: be late
Q: Are you often late for work?
A: I am never late for work.

Oral Practice:
How often do you.......

wear jeans
drink coffee
drink pearl milk tea
see a movie
take a taxi
listen to classical music
wear hats
watch TV
study English
read a newspaper
read a book

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Something about "Attitude" - 3

Thanks for one of my students in that company. I understand he is trying to make me feel better and no need to care about what other people do and say. I am trying now. I know it is hard for you to learn English now and it's not an easy job to do. But if you don't do it, how do u know you can't make it. The oldest student I've had is 77 years old. He is willing to come and learn, and paid the tuition by himself. Now, your company paid the tuition and provided the environment for you to learn, even you are forced to come, why don't you just take it as another chance to learn? Think about it, people paid the tuition for you. That kind of thing doesn't happen everyday, does it?!

Even I feel bad about some of the students' attitude and the words they say, but I don't care now. There are a lot of beautiful things out there. Think and act everything in a big context, think what you will be doing after 10 years, 20 years or even longer. You will have different thoughts about it.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Something about "Attitude" - 2

Last Wednesday, I had the class in that company again. When I got into the classroom, there was no one there. Then, one of the bad attitude student came in and said, "Sigh, it is really fast for us to have English class again." He said it like he had no other choice. The other one who came after him replied, "Don't say it here in front of the teacher, you can talk about it outside." Then, they just looked at me. I just simply replied, "I have the same feeling." "I don't care what you said." Then, I started doing my job for getting the class started.

All in the sudden, I could feel that they knew they did the wrong thing and they left the classroom without a word. After the class started, I treated them some chocolates which I like a lot because that Monday was my birthday. I just couldn't believe how people can be so mean when they said "You should bring different kind of snack each class." I pretended I didn't hear that but wondered if they really knew what they made me think.

According to what they said last class, we should check the answer of the first pre-test for GEPT in the first hour, I gave them the paper already. They were supposed to finish it and we could have it discussed in the class. Guess what, some of them didn't do it, and the class leader didn't even bring the paper. While I was explaining what "clauses" are, I saw the class leader writing some words on a piece of paper and the one sitting next to him was replying. During the break time, I looked what they wrote. There were 4 sentences, "A: Why don't you look high? B: I don't like it. A: She is talking about grammar all the time. B: I am very boring." --> (I am bored, not boring. I told them in the previous class.)

I felt really bad because they didn't even do the practice when I was doing the activity in conversation. I can still remember what one of the students asked me in the second class. He said, "Just tell us, can you assure that we can all pass GEPT test after we finished this class?" "I can't promise you anything because it depends on how you want to do to make it." I said. I told them that I spent at least 3 hours to study grammar after class everyday when I was in college. If you don't review and study, how can you pass?

I tell all of my students in the first class that learning is a 50-50 situation. I will show you everything you need and put my best effort on my job, and I hope you do the same. If you want to make it 100, you need to take it seriously. There is nothing you can't achieve only if you don't want to do it.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Something about "Attitude"

I have had other experience about “attitude” lately. I took a job offer few weeks ago. It’s a company class in Taipei city. The boss there provides the environment and the tuition for the employees to learn English, but they need to pass the GEPT test and can’t be absent from the class. Basically, they are forced to be there. They don’t really want to take the class. The resentful feeling to the company is transferred on me.

I didn’t know that in the first class but just felt the atmosphere was a bit weird because the class leader wanted to quit his job after I introduced myself. It made me feel there must be something wrong. During the break time, the “ex” class leader told me that he quit because he didn’t want to communicate with the supervisors there. I thought that was okay for me but not really.

The second class, there were two new students who were absent in the first one came. They started asking me where I graduated, how long I have been teaching English and if I have taught this kind of class before. When they realized that I just graduated from a Christian college and have never studied overseas, they started to give me the kind of face which tells you they don’t want to give a shit of you. The reason why they are here is because they have to, not because they want to. I tried to ignore that but during the class, I told them if they want to make their English ability better and pass the test, they need to practice it all the time. They didn’t really give me any reaction, so, I tried to let them focus on what I wanted to say. I then said, “You really need to practice using English every “f..king” day, talk to yourself… “ Before I finished my speaking, one of them started laughing and said, “You’ve really never been to the states.” The other one of them replied right away, “She just sees too many movies.” The following week was even worse. I gave them some practice about GEPT and had them discuss the answer and then talked about the grammar structure. After that, I gave them some handout for practicing speaking because their speaking ability is not really good. They have no problem on communicating with others but they can’t say it in proper English, they are using “Chinglish”. When they got the worksheet, the same guy just laughed and said “Oh, I know what it is. It’s just asking questions about the topic. .. bla.. bla.. bla..” Then, he started doing the activity with his partner.

I looked at him and I was thinking you guys are sitting here with that kind of attitude and listening to my lecture in “English”. One third of you are about 10 years older than I am. I am not saying my English is very good, but I believe I am still able to let you learn something you need to, like how to pass GEPT and how to sharpen your English speaking ability. Of course I didn’t say anything about this but just pretended I didn’t hear and see what they were saying and doing. =>(Thanks to my parents for teaching me good manner.) But, do you guys really think I can stand in front 15 of you and teach you just because I’ve seen too many movies???

Well, I think that’s the reason why they are NOW sitting down there wondering how they can do to pass the test.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Grammar - Frequency Adverbs

Frequency Adverbs - To talk about how often you do something.
頻率副詞 - 表示事情發生的次數 用在一般動詞的前面,Be動詞的後面
They are used before the “regular verb” and after the “be verb”

always usually often sometimes seldom rarely never
100% -----------------------------------------------------------------0%
Ex: Sam usually does his homework after dinner. Jan is never late for school.


Exercise:
Answer the questions by using “frequency adverbs” above.

1. How often do you sleep past noon? (never)


2. How often do you wear a hat to school? (seldom)


3. How often do you wash dishes after dinner? (never)


4. How often do you eat fish for dinner? (usually)


5. Are you always late for school? (never)

No,_____________________________________________________________________

6. How often do you watch TV before you come to school in the morning?(sometimes)


7. Do you always finish your homework before you go to sleep? (never)

No,_____________________________________________________________________

8. How often do you study English at night? (always)


9. How often do you play computer games? (seldom)


10. How often do you go to school by yourself? (usually)

Monday, October 16, 2006

Grammar - 3rd Person Singular 第三人稱單數現在式

在現在式中 有一個特別的地方要注意 就是第三人稱單數
當主詞是第三人稱單數時 一般動詞的後面要加 "s"或 "es"

For example:

I work everyday.
You work everyday.

He works everyday.
She workds everyday.
It works everyday.

I go shopping every Sunday.
They go shopping every Sunday.

He goes shopping every Sunday.
Sammy goes shopping every Sunday.
Debby goes shopping every Sunday.

Sammy = she
Debby = she


加 "s", 或 "es" 的規則

1. 一般來說 都是加"s" -- work / works; type / types; love / loves;
2. 當字尾是 s, x, sh, ch, o 時 請加 "es" -- kiss / kisses; fix / fixes;
wash / washes; watch / watches; go / goes
3. 字尾是母音加 "y" 直接加 "s" -- play / plays
4. 字尾是子音加 "y", 則去"y"加 "ies" -- study / studies; carry / carries

Exercise:

1) I __________ (watch) TV everyday.

2) Jim ____________ (watch) TV everyday.

3) Jan and Sam ___________ (walk) to school every morning.

4) He ________ (do) his homework everyday.

5) I ________ (get) up at 7 every morning.

6) Jim and I _________ (get) up at 7 every morning.

7) Ms. Lee _________ (teach) English at school. She _______ (be) an English teacher.

8) I __________ (want) to drink some water.

9) Sam and Tina _______ (go) to school everyday.

10) My mother _________ (cook) dinner at 6 every evening.

Monday, October 09, 2006

After reading "The Pragmatic Programmer" - 1

Few weeks ago, my friend showed me a book that he is reading, "The pragmatic programmar". I thought it was a book about what he is doing now. He is a software engineer. However, he told me I can read the first chapter because he thinks it can be a big help to me.

After reading it, I found that I really like it a lot. I have read it for 4 times and have had different thinking every time. I put the strategies into my life and my work. They really do work. I also find some people don't really have the same attitude and it makes me different from other people who are doing the same job like I am.

I want to share some of my thinking and how I make the philosophy in my life here.


The Cat Ate My Source Code

One of the cornerstones of the pragmatic philosophy is the idea of taking responsibility for yourself and your actions in terms of your career advancement, your project, and your day-to-day work. A Pragmatic Programmer takes charge of his or her own career, and isn't afraid to admit ignorance or error. It's not the most pleasant aspect of programming, to be sure, but it will happen—even on the best of projects. Despite thorough testing, good documentation, and solid automation, things go wrong. Deliveries are late. Unforeseen technical problems come up.

These things happen, and we try to deal with them as professionally as we can. This means being honest and direct. We can be proud of our abilities, but we must be honest about our shortcomings—our ignorance as well as our mistakes.


-- In my job, I can see different kind of studnets who are from different fmailies. The parents educate their kids in different ways. And it makes all the differences on their kids.

Students are lazy doing homework, and they forget things easily. I think one of the reason is that their parents do too much for them. When they forget what I asked them to do, they would said "My mom forgot to put it in my school bag, or My mom didn't remind me that." One of my student doesn't even know where his books are because his mom packs up his school bag "everyday". When I want them to hand in their homework, I see different reactions. When the kids are asked for homework, and they didn't do it. I can hear a lot of lame excuses like "We went out last night and got home too late to do homework." That really frustrates me.

So, the next paragraph is what I tell my students in the class. I talk about it with my adult students, too.

"Take Responsibility"

Responsibility is something you actively agree to. You make a commitment to ensure that something is done right, but you don't necessarily have direct control over every aspect of it. In addition to doing your own personal best, you must analyze the situation for risks that are beyond your control. You have the right not to take on a responsibility for an impossible situation, or one in which the risks are too great. You'll have to make the call based on your own ethics and judgment.

When you do accept the responsibility for an outcome, you should expect to be held accountable for it. When you make a mistake (as we all do) or an error in judgment, admit it honestly and try to offer options.

Don't blame someone or something else, or make up an excuse. Don't blame all the problems on a vendor, a programming language, management, or your coworkers. Any and all of these may play a role, but it is up to you to provide solutions, not excuses."

-- I think that is the most important attitude for people. You are the one who makes the decision for what you want to do. Once if you promise someone to do something, do it. You have the right not to take the job, but when you say yes, you need to put your best efforts on it.

When I first got divorced, I didn't know what I should do. I just simply want to leave the hell. I did blame my parents for not helping me with my life, even now. I did a lot of work to get a divorced. I know it won't be a easy life for me since people in Taiwan still can't accept women who are divorced. I know there is still a lot of things I have to do. Now, I am trying really hard to live my own life since I have just started it for about two years.

I don't make decisions for doing things easily, don't promise my daughter for the things I can't do, but when I say yes to her, I will make it. I want to educate my kids to have the same attitude. I ask them two or three times when I ask them to do things, and when they promise me for doing them, I ask 2 more times and have them repeat my requests. It means they really understand what I want them to do.

Make the promises serious, and make them know they need to take the responsibilities for what they say.

For my adults students, they always say that they don't have enough time to practice English or do the review. I just tell them, you are the one who pays the tuition. Since you pay for it, it means you want to come and learn English with us. You need to do your best to make your money and time worthy. So, I ask them not to skip classes easily, if they really have to be absent for class, they need to call me first. Otherwise, I won't tell them what I do for the class they don't come.

I know it makes me a serious person, but I believe it only does me good for doing things this way.

Grammar - 問句的種類

There are two different kinds of questions.
1. yes/no questions
2. information questions

問句有兩種 第一種叫yes/no questions
就是要你回答yes 或 no 的
這種問句都是以動詞或助動詞開頭
ex:
1. Are you a teacher?
Yes, I am a teacher. / No, I am not a teacher.

2. Do you like English?
Yes, I do. I like English. / No, I don't. I don't like English.


第二種問句叫做訊息問句 是為了求得更多的訊息
所以會用7個不同的"w"來問

1. who - 問人
ex: Who is she? / She is my sister.

2. what - 問事或物
ex: What are you doing? / I am reading a book.
What do you like to eat for lunch? / I want to eat noodles.

3. where - 問地方
ex: Where do you live? / I live in Taipei.

4. when - 問時間
ex: When do you get off from work? / I get off from work at about 7.

5. which - 問哪一個
ex: Which dress do you like, blue or red? / I like the blue dress.

6. why - 問理由
ex: Why are you crying? / I am crying because I didn't pass the exam.

7. how - 問方法及如何(怎麼樣)
ex: 方法 - How do I get to the train station? / Just go straight, and you will see it.
如何 - How do I look in this dress? / You look great.

其中"what"和"how"有更多不同的用法
在"what"後面放上不同的名詞 就有不同的用法
ex:
1. What color do you like? / I like blue.

2. What kind of music do you like? / I like rock n' roll.


在"how"的後面放不同的形容詞 也有不同的問句
ex:
1. How often do you go shopping? / I go shopping once a week.

2. How many people are there in your family? / There are 5 people in my family.


Exercise:

Answer the questions -

1. Who is your favorite singer? (favorite - 最喜歡的 / singer - 歌手)
記的用"favorite singer" 開始你的問句 因為那是這個句子的主角

2. What kind of movie do you like?
I like _______________________.

3. What time do you wake up?

4. Where do you work?

5. What do you like to do in your free time?

6. When do you start working?

7. Which do you like to drink after meal, coffee or tea?

8. Why do you like (or dislike) English?

9. How many books do you read a month?

10. How often do you drink coffee?

11. How do you look like?

12. What do you usually eat for breakfast/lunch/dinner?

13. How do you learn English?

記的句子的結構

主詞 + 動詞 + 受詞 + 地點 + 時間

Grammar - More Oral Practice in Simple Present Tense

Always ask and answer in completed sentences.
記得一定要用完整的句子問問題與回答問題
不一定要有對象才能練習 你可以自問自答
如果有任何的問題 可以留下你的問題喔

ex: drink coffee in the morning
Q: Do you drink coffee in the morning?
A: yes, I do. I drink coffee in the morning. /
No, I don't. I don't drink coffee in the morning.

1. watch TV everyday

2. go to work on time

3. eat breakfast

4. do exercise

5. drink 5 glasses of water everyday

6. take a bus to work

7. surf the Internet everyday

8. eat dinner with your family

9. like English

10. speak English in your daily life

Monday, October 02, 2006

Grammar - Present Simple - Writing your daily life

接下來 把這一個段落換成你自己的生活作息 然後把它唸出來 記得要把地點和時間放到句子的後面喔

I usually get up at 7-30 every morning.

After I get up, I brush my teeth and get dressed.

Then, I leave home for work.

I usually buy something for breakfast on my way to the office.

I usually eat bread and milk for breakfast.

When I arrive the office, I usually turn on my pc and check my mail.

Then I start doing my job. I like to eat beef noodles for lunch.

After lunch, I like to take a walk and a nap.

Then, I get back to work again.

I get off from my work around 6 – 30 everyday.

After that, I go to my English class. I like English very much.

After English class, I go home and take my shower and eat my dinner.

Then, I like to watch TV before I go to sleep.


Now, it’s your turn.