Auld Lang Syne

A video shared by my teacher Prof. Chou (周中天教授).


Auld Lang Syne by Sissel (Live) Happy New Year

Questions to Ask for New Year--from CNN

Today is the end of 2013. Time has been flying so fast! I still remember watching on TV the New Year Countdown around the world on the last day of 2012, and now another new year is less than two hours away. While looking for an overall review of what has happened in 2013, I came across the following article:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/27/opinion/liu-new-year/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

Questions to ask for New Year

By Eric Liu

December 27, 2013 -- Updated 2151 GMT (0551 HKT)

The Key to Success? Grit--a TED Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth

This TED was highly recommended by my dear friend Annie. A thought-provoking one. Subtitles in different langauges are available. The following is the English transcript for it.

"NTU's Mars Plan"--「火星計畫」 數理偏才免試進台大

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=492032

「火星計畫」 數理偏才免試進台大

【聯合報╱記者陳智華／台北報導】2013/12/29

Tips for Preparing for English Writing on 2014 SAT--103學測英文考科 英文作文考前準備方向

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=491687

103學測英文考科 英文作文考前準備方向

【聯合線上企劃╱英文 Rays老師／StudyBank 學測研究小組提供】2013/12/26

English Listening Test & SAT--明年二次英聽 和學測併考

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=491689&kdid=AR10&r=4

明年二次英聽 和學測併考

【聯合晚報╱記者嚴文廷╱台北報導】2013/12/26

Chinese and English Writing on College Entrance Exam--106學年學測 國、英文寫作可獨立考試

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=491908

106學年學測 國、英文寫作可獨立考試
【聯合報╱記者陳智華／台北報導】2013/12/28

College Entrance Exam--104學年起 指考入學採計最多5科

One of the purposes I started my blog for was to record the evolution of the education in Taiwan. So today I added a new category to my blog: Educatin Issues, where I will post new education policies, especially for college admission.

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=491910

104學年起 指考入學採計最多5科

【聯合報╱記者陳智華／台北報導】2013/12/28

Where There Is a Dream, There Is a Way--想通了，路就在前方等著你

I really love the heading of this article. And the story is lovely and inspiring. It's about how a man transforms after his military service working in a prison, where he had a rude awakening to how his life is.

http://udn.com/NEWS/LIFE/X1/8388663.shtml

成長的故事／想通了，路就在前方等著你

【聯合報╱茱麗江(新北永和)】

2013.12.28 03:51 am

On the Bilabial Sound /m/

A common mistake Taiwanese students make in English pronunciation is leaving their lips open when pronouncing the bilabial sound /m/. For example, they would say /tɑn/ when they mean Tom /tɑm/, and /sen/ instead of /sem/ (same). Just ask students to say the simple sentence, "What is your name?" and you can find quite a few do not close their lips at the end. This is because in Mandarin there exists no final /m/ sound after a vowel.

I Have a Dream--人生無夢 和鹹魚沒兩樣

http://vision.udn.com/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=1553&pno=0

人生無夢 和鹹魚沒兩樣

記者蔡容喬、徐如宜、王昭月╱高雄報導

"12 of the World's Most Spectacular Christmas Trees"

Here are 12 of the most magnificent Christmas trees around the globe chosen by CNN. You can see one made of Lego blocks, one of macaroons, and one plastic bottles. There is even a floating Christmas tree, perhaps the only one in the world, as suggested.

I LINEd the link to my LINE friends. A student said her favorite was the one made of macaroons and added that she might like to put fruit on the tree too. Asked what I would like to put on my Christmas tree, I answered, "How about the photos of all the students I ever taught?" In response, she commented that it is going to be the best Christmas tree in the world. What do you think? What would you like your Christmas tree to be made of or decorated with?

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/19/travel/christmas-trees/

12 of the world's most spectacular Christmas trees

By Tamara Hinson, for CNN

December 21, 2013 -- Updated 0910 GMT (1710 HKT

30 Christmas Songs in 60 Minutes

How many Christmas carols have you sung so far today? Which is your favorite one? In this CNN 2-minute news clip "Amazing Mashup of Holiday Music," you can hear Chad Neidt sing 30 Christmas songs in less than 60 seconds. Amazing! Click and enjoy it!

http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2013/12/23/hln-intv-neidt-30-holiday-songs-in-60-seconds.hln.html

 

 

Nick Vujicic Enjoying His Life--盛治仁／力克．胡哲 好得不像話的人生

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI4/%E7%9B%9B%E6%B2%BB%E4%BB%81%EF%BC%8F%E5%8A%9B%E5%85%8B%EF%BC%8E%E8%83%A1%E5%93%B2%20%E5%A5%BD%E5%BE%97%E4%B8%8D%E5%83%8F%E8%A9%B1%E7%9A%84%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F-8370246.shtml

盛治仁／力克．胡哲 好得不像話的人生

【聯合報╱盛治仁】

2013.12.19 03:53 am

Telling Right from Wrong--王正方／明辨是非是一切事物的根本

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI4/8367836.shtml

王正方／明辨是非是一切事物的根本

【聯合報╱王正方】

2013.12.18 06:30 pm

Solo and Samuel

Solo, a student I taught around 12 years ago, and Samuel, who I got to know six weeks ago as his substitute teacher, had their first encounter this evening.

Tips for Preparing for IELTS--雅思考試準備方式分享 / 鄭思恆

This evening, I got an email from a former student Henny (an entry about her http://june.ettachou.com/2013/09/07/henny/#more-8826). She would like to share her tips for preparing for IELTS with those who are going to take the test. As usual, she studied on her own, never going to cram school. She spent one and a half months preparing for the test and got a 7.5 out of 9. A good job, indeed! More admirable is her generosity . A woman with not only a mind but also a heart.

Henny is willing to help you prepare for IELTS or learn English. The following is her FB URL:

https://www.facebook.com/henny.cheng.5?fref=ts

雅思考試準備方式分享

A Purpose for Learning English

I was touched by what Jay Walker said in his four-and-a-half-minute TED speech "The world's English mania":
"English represents hope for a better future--a future where the world has a common language to solve its common problems."

Home, Sweet Home

Back home from Kaohsiung. However joyful the outside world is, home is always where you really belong.

Relax

This morning, we visited Fo Kuang Shan Buddha Memorial Center. During a 30-minute lecture, the master guided us to do a 5-minute meditation. She instructed us to relax our body part by part, from the  head to the limbs. The repeated words "relax" sounded so relaxing and I felt totally refreshed afterward.

Relax...

Kaohsiung, Here I Am.

I'm in Kaohsiung.

 

"7 tips for taking better selfies"--from CNN

An Interesting article. Read it, and your English will improve!

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/tech/mobile/selfie-photo-tips/index.html

7 tips for taking better selfies

By Heather Kelly, CNN

December 12, 2013 -- Updated 2020 GMT (0420 HKT)

Tips for Learning English from a TOEIC Scholarship Winner--不藏私！多益獎學金得主：學英文靠這10個免費網站

http://www.businessweekly.com.tw/KBlogArticle.aspx?id=5568

不藏私！多益獎學金得主：學英文靠這10個免費網站

撰文者張慶生（2011年多益獎學金得主）2013-12-10

最近聽過我講英文的朋友都太不願意相信：「其實我國小講英文曾經被老師和同學恥笑！」

Don't Forget What You Wanted In the Beginning--洪蘭／不忘初衷

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI4/8359774.shtml

洪蘭／不忘初衷

【聯合報╱洪蘭】

2013.12.14 02:15 am

A Feast for the Ears and Eyes

At Class 219's invitation, I attended their two-hour concert this afternoon.

Keep Them Busy

Having students to talk to the whole class in English is a good chance to make them practice speaking English. When students are giving presentations, a way to make the audience concentrate is to have them take notes; that is, to keep them busy, not only listening but also writing. They can either jot down on a blank piece of paper the key words they hear or fill in a worksheet the teacher has given.

Activity for English Song Learning

Last Friday, at lunch, Regina (鄭卉含), a colleague, shared with me a way to make learning English songs more exciting. She got the idea from a speech she attended weeks ago. Here is how it goes.

What about Three Words a Day?--每天存3單字 「學習存摺」救英文

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=489304

每天存3單字 「學習存摺」救英文

【聯合報╱記者吳淑玲／台南報導】2013/12/10

He Made Time to Learn English--偷時間背英文…托福630分 人稱「英語神廚」

http://udn.com/NEWS/MAINLAND/MAI2/8347712.shtml

偷時間背英文…托福630分 人稱「英語神廚」

【聯合報╱記者賴錦宏／綜合報導】

2013.12.09 05:38 pm

"Creative tributes spring up in memory of Mandela"--from CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/06/world/africa/mandela-creative-tributes/index.html

Creative tributes spring up in memory of Mandela

By Susanna Capelouto

December 7, 2013 -- Updated 0243 GMT (1043 HKT)

(CNN) -- The memorials and tributes to the late Nelson Mandela have grown way past the flags flown at half-staff and the thousands of flowers and candles left at South African embassies throughout the world.

Happy to See You, Kai-ting and Man-jung

Kai-ting and Man-jung are two students from Class 309, who I taught only for around one week in early September last year. Strangely, it seemed that we established a strong bond during our brief time together. This past Wednesday, we were surprised and happy to see each other in my office. After an exchange of words, showing our care for each other, we had this photo taken.

"Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies"--from CNN

At the beginning of today's classes, I shared with students the sad news of Nelson Mandela's passing by presenting to them the first two paragraphs of the CNN news report.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/05/world/africa/nelson-mandela/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies

By Faith Karimi, CNN

December 6, 2013 -- Updated 0440 GMT (1240 HKT)

(CNN) -- Freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.

That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of apartheid.

He died Thursday night at age 95.

My Procedure to Teach Unit 9 "A Memorable Event," an Anecdote of Charlie Chaplin

The following is how I taught Lesson 9 "A Memorable Event" today:

1. Ask students to act out some complaints to the hotel manager and the whole class guesses what the complaints are, for example, "The closet smells bad."

2. Present a 3-minute clip of part of the movie "The Circus," in which Chaplin is trapped in a lion cage.

Solo Wang's Scoring

http://youtu.be/KAVm8D9Y3Lo

Solo Wang, a former student, has recently posted on FB his scoring for part of the cartoon Scooby-Doo. In the video, he is the conductor. I'm really happy to see him moving closer to his dream.  When he was in his junior year in colleage, finding what he really loved, he summoned his courage, said goodbye to what he was studying, and pursued his talent. Bravo!

My New Classes--We Are Meant to Meet Each Other

Class 214, taken today, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013

 



Class 219, taken on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2013

 



Class 221, taken on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013



With Shi-xuan, a student in Class 214, taken today with his smartphone. How I love the sunshine on our faces and shoulders!

 

NHSH 2nd English Listening Mid-term

Yesterday, after transcribing the 2nd English listening mid-term, I tried to upload the recording to my yesterday's blog entry so that students can download and listen to it as many times as they can until they can transcribe it. However, I failed because it exceeded the maximum upload size for WordPress. This morning, my dear colleague Regina (鄭卉含老師), who sits opposite to me, mentioned uploading the recording to Google Drive. Just now, I gave it a try, and it worked! Thanks to technology, what was impossible in the past is now possible.

Sharpening Listening Skills

This evening I transcribed the 2nd English listening midterm for tomorrow's discussion. While doing so, I recalled an approach to improving listening skills in the book Not Study, But Learn (千萬別學英語). The author suggested that learners buy and listen to only one tape of English until they can transcribe what they hear.

My Animal Friends, Do You Enjoy Your Life?

(The koala looks like a philosopher, pondering the meaning of life...)

Reading At Least One Page a Day--李昌鈺：再忙，每天至少讀1頁書

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=487518

李昌鈺：再忙，每天至少讀1頁書

【聯合報╱記者張錦弘／台北報導】2013/11/28

Are You Qualified To Be a Teacher?--適不適合當老師 先做「情境測驗」

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=487516

適不適合當老師 先做「情境測驗」

【聯合報╱記者陳智華／嘉義報導】2013/11/28

A Memory We Share

A Happy Gathering

Grammar Teaching/Learning

I always tell students the best way to learn a grammar point is by memorizing an example sentence and then making sentences with the new pattern. Usually, before they are invited to make sentences, I ask them questions using the pattern. This way, they know they're learning something they can use to talk about their life.

"Xinyi Line set to open today, offers free EasyCard rides"--from The Taipei Times

One way to improve our reading ability is by reading what we have been familiar with. With background knowledge, we'll find our reading going more smoothly and thus faster because it is easier to guess the meanings of the new words. This is the reason why I posted the following news story in today's entry. It's about the MRT system in Taipei.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/11/24/2003577578

Xinyi Line set to open today, offers free EasyCard rides

By Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporter

Sun, Nov 24, 2013

Study Tips--劉世明／假裝是老師 「講」順代表懂

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=486198

劉世明／假裝是老師 「講」順代表懂
【聯合報╱記者蘇郁涵／高雄報導】2013/11/18

Grammar Activity

Today, when teaching the grammar point: S + order/command/suggest/require/ask + that + S (should) + V, I had the students work in pair and each ask their partner to do something. Then they had to tell everyone what their partner asked them to do using this new pattern. The following is an example:

"We Are the Champions"

Today I taught the song "We Are the Champions" to Class 221, a special class for gifted athletes. A beautiful and powerful song. Since the topic of Unit 5 in their textbook is the Boston Red Sox winning the championship in 2004 after an 86-year wait, this song fits perfectly. After singing the song, I wrote on the blackboard a sentence I read in the newspaper the day before yesterday:

"What would you sacrifice for what you believe?"

Then we had a brief discussion about this topic.

 

"Selfie named word of the year for 2013"--from CNN

In my yesterday's blog entry, you read a BBC news story on selfie being named word of the year for 2013. Later last night, I found a CNN article on the same topic. Interestingly, visiting the CNN webpage, you'll find photos of celebs taking selfies.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/19/living/selfie-word-of-the-year/index.html

Selfie named word of the year for 2013

By Ben Brumfield, CNN

November 20, 2013 -- Updated 0529 GMT (1329 HKT)

"'Selfie' named by Oxford Dictionaries as word of 2013"--from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24992393

'Selfie' named by Oxford Dictionaries as word of 2013

19 November 2013 Last updated at 03:31 GMT

"Selfie" has been named as word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.

BBC Interview with Mayday

My friend Candice (李淑慧老師) posted on FB this BBC interview on November 4 with Mayday, a Taiwanese rock band.

The Importance of Character Education--食品連環詐 品德教育出問題

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8299297.shtml

食品連環詐 品德教育出問題

【聯合報╱李同龢／東華大學經濟系助理教授】

2013.11.16 01:49 am

"Mom, I Love You"

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8300910.shtml

母親我愛你… 這句話，你說了嗎？

【聯合報╱李枝桃／國中校長（南投市）】

2013.11.17 02:13 am

lyricstraining--A Good Website for Learning English Songs

My friend Sarah (殷彩鳳老師) introduced to me an amazing website yesterday where English learners can go through the challenge of filling words in while listening to a song. To check it out, please follow the steps:

1. Click the link down below. 

Grammar Learning

One way to make learning grammar fun and effective is by using sentence patterns to talk about real life. In this way, not only do learners find it easier to get familiar with the form of a new patttern but they also know its function. For example, yesterday and today in Class 219 and Class 214 when we came to the pattern "needn't + V," I had students tell their partner what they don't think their ideal mate need to be or do. Then I asked them to tell me what they found about their partner. The following are some sentences they made:

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

This late afternoon I took my mom to the hospital.  We stayed there for about 4 hours. On our way out, I saw Albert Einstein's words on the wall near the exit:

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

Human Flesh Search Engines (HFSE)

Lesson 7 "No Escape from the Web" is about human flesh search engines (HFSE). It raises an interesting issue: Is it proper to hunt down via the Internet those who do not violate the law but social norms? The following YouTube video presents two examples of how the HFSE works. If you are interested in this topic, you might like to go on to read a NYT article about this phenomenon.

The First Class

Today I met two of the classes for the first time. As usual, I didn't just get directly to the textbook and teach. First, I broke the ice by introducing myself and then having them write some information about themselves on the back of a small card, including their name, mobile phone number, how long they'd been learning English, how they liked English, and what they loved doing. On the front of the card is their number. I told them if no one volunteers to answer questions in class, I'll draw a number for the mission.

Why Google Glass?--a TED Talk

I'm going to teach as a substitute teacher for three weeks starting tomorrow. The three classes are all juniors.  As usual, Studio Classroom is included as a learning material for two of the classes. To get familiar with what the students have learned from the magazine recently, I went through the November issue until Nov. 11. There is an article about Google Glass, which is quite new to me. Though I've heard of it, I know little about it. Out of curiosity, after listening to the two-day program of the article, I searched TED and found this 7-minute talk by Sergey Brin on Glass. Will show the students the video in class tomorrow or ask them to watch it at home, depending on whether we'll have time for it. Thanks to technology, Sergey Brin talks about this innovation right before our eyes.

Childhood music lessons 'leave lasting brain boost'

As the following news story shows, learning music in childhood may have a great impact on language learning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24802433

Childhood music lessons 'leave lasting brain boost'

6 November 2013 Last updated at 01:59 GMT

CET 20th Anniversary Celebration

Today is CET's 20th anniversary. At this afternoon's celebration tea party, seeing Mr. Chou, a mentor of mine, and those old friends who once worked together to breeze some new and good ideas into Taiwan's English education via the CET magazine, I felt on the top of the world.  Oh, I still feel our shared fire of passion for education. 

"Dance with My Father"--a Song about Family, Love, and Loss

This afternoon on my drive home, I heard this song on the radio and was really touched by it. It brought tears to my eyes.
Dear friends, please cherish your parents.

Sung by Luther Vandross:

"Be Joyful in All Encounters"

Empathy

This is what I posted on my FB page today, and I think it is very important.

"In my opinion, one of the most important things to teach kids/students is "empathy (同理心)." With it, you respect, love, are filial to your parents, help, work hard, do not cheat, etc., because you feel as the recipient of your act. With empathy, businessmen would not sell fake products because they could know how it feels to be hurt by those who they trust."

A Piece of Art I Made

A Joyous Gathering with Friends

I enjoyed a happy gathering with my former NHSH colleagues and also friends this afternon at TiMAMA. We got together because Shu (劉書真老師) are back from the States for a visit.

Things Are Not As You Think--國小考題爭議／白切雞何辜？ 老師何辜？

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8270040.shtml

國小考題爭議／白切雞何辜？ 老師何辜？

【聯合報╱李枝桃／國中校長】

2013.11.03 01:48 am

TFG Class Reunion

Time: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013

Place: City Star 24Hr HK Style Restaurant, Taipei

Attendees: 林琍珊老師   侯明德    高富月   陳秋惠  陳美珠    陳慧嬋  黃曼芬   裴秀玲   潘淑英  and me

The Sea

Please click the photo to enlarge it for a better view.

This is Cool!--Virgin America's Unusual Safety Video

The video takes five minutes 7 seconds to watch.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/30/travel/virgin-america-safety-video/index.html

'Step Up' meets robot dancers in Virgin America's new over-the-top safety video

By Frances Cha, CNN

October 30, 2013 -- Updated 1000 GMT (1800 HKT)

Fruits that fight the flu

What fruits fight the flu? The following website lists five. Guess which five before clicking the link. Well, apples might immediately flashed into your mind because of the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Bingo! What about the other four?

http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/cold-and-flu/fruits-that-fight-the-flu#1

Fruits that fight the flu

 

"Meet the Australian children fluent in Mandarin"--from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24672295

Meet the Australian children fluent in Mandarin

By Jon Donnison

BBC News, Melbourne

29 October 2013 Last updated at 01:05 GMT

Staying Close to Nature

Guess where I was yesterday afternoon?

An Inspirational Quote

An inspirational life quote found online:

One of the most important keys to success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you don't feel like doing it.--Unknown

A Happy Gathering

Time: Monday, Oct. 28.

Place: Moon River, in Neihu

Attendees: Shu-jen Yang (楊淑貞老師), Li-chu Chen (陳麗珠老師), Mei-jen Chu (朱美珍老師), and me.

"Travel Photo of the Day"--from CNN

Hallstatt, Austria

(Source: CNN)

"The joy of slang"--from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24669828

The joy of slang

26 October 2013 Last updated at 00:19 GMT

Slang such as ain't, innit and coz has been banned from a school in south London. Author Charles Nevin celebrates modern slang and revisits phrases that have fallen out of fashion. Cor lummy!

E.B. White on the Future of Reading

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/10/24/e-b-white-on-the-future-of-reading-1951/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

E. B. White on the Future of Reading: Timeless Wisdom from 1951

by Maria Popova

Food scares ‘heart-wrenching’: premier--from The Taipei Times

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/10/25/2003575337

Food scares ‘heart-wrenching’: premier

NEW ROLE: Minister Without Portfolio Simon Chang will lead a task force to reinforce the inspection of food products to determine whether they contain illegal ingredients

By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporters

Fri, Oct 25, 201

Dream Big--青年論壇／跳出舒適圈 青年請勇敢做大夢

http://vision.udn.com/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=1384&pno=0

青年論壇／跳出舒適圈 青年請勇敢做大夢

記者喻文玟、莊亞築╱台中報導   【2013/10/24 聯合報】

To FB or Not to FB, That Is the Question--臉書世界的魅力

After remaining dormant for more than one year on FB since my father passed away, today I finally put up an FB post, greeting and getting reconnected with my friends. My post looks like this:

"Dear FB friends,

How are you?  It's been a year since I last actively and publicly posted a message on FB. To me, the year 2012 was a year of saying goodbye. In February, a good colleague and friend passed away; in August, I retired from my teaching job, which I loved so; and in October, I lost my beloved father. In mourning for my father, I have remained dormant on FB for the past year. Loss is unavoidable in life, but it's not easy to be able to grab at the moment to say goodbye. I love a sentence told by the protagonist Pi at the end of the movie Life of Pi, "I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye." Since we cannot predict when the last moment will come, we may as well cherish the RIGHT NOW.  May you all live happily in the present."

A Way to Tell Natural Fermented Soy Sauce from Chemical Soy Sauce--彰縣衛生局：市售醬油 九成五化學醬油

http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NATS3/8249191.shtml

彰縣衛生局：市售醬油 九成五化學醬油


【聯合報╱記者郭宣彣、簡慧珍／彰化縣報導】

2013.10.24 03:18 am

"Education minister condemns shoe-throwing activism"--from The Taipei Times

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/10/23/2003575187

Education minister condemns shoe-throwing activism

Staff writer, with CNA

Wed, Oct 23, 2013 - Page 3　

The Child Is Father of the Man

The sight of the caterpillars this morning on my balcony reminded me of William Wordsworth's sentence "The Child is father of the Man" from the poem "My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold."  

Lightened Beauty

On English Listening--英聽拖累 托福 我落後南韓十名

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_MAIN_ID=381&f_SUB_ID=2705&f_ART_ID=481961

英聽拖累 托福 我落後南韓十名

【聯合報╱記者張錦弘／台北報導】2013/10/20

How I Miss You, Daddy!

It's been a year since you left us. How I miss you, Daddy! Are you listening to a concert or playing the piano in another world?

Read What You're Familiar with

A student I taught this summer invited me to watch the movie Training Day. He wanted to know how I felt about it. I don't watch movies often, but since I had promised that I would, I then borrowed the VCDs from the library and finally found time to watch the movie a few days ago.

Ten Commandments for College Students--周偉航：10種大學生通病 「空白人」居首

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=481164

周偉航：10種大學生通病 「空白人」居首

【聯合報╱記者王涵秋／台北報導】2013/10/15

Words in Art

My dear friend Annie (詹麗馨老師) made my words about the goal of education into a piece of art. I don't even remember in which blog entry the words appear.

One-day Trip with NHSH Retired Teachers

From morning...

Looking for a Sentence Pattern in a Passage

When it comes to learning grammar, it is necessary to know the form of a sentence pattern. I used to ask students to locate the new pattern in a passage and tell me how many of such pattern they could find, for example, relative clauses or passive voice, especially when I taught in junior high school, when students learn most of the English sentence structures. This is a fun activity and students enjoyed it.

International Day of the Girl--October 11

http://mentalfloss.com/article/53110/6-reasons-today-international-day-girl?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

6 Reasons Today is International Day of the Girl

Chris Higgins  Oct. 11, 2013

"Learning English With Steve Jobs"--by Alexandra Lowe

What a coincidence! When checking TESOL blog yesterday, I found the title very appealing. Then I found out it was written by Alexandra Lowe. This is my third time to post her blog article here.

Judging from the title, I guessed she must have used Steve Jobs' Stanford commencement speech as the teaching material. I used to give this speech to my senior students at NHSH. What did I do with it in class? Well, I asked questions to check students' comprehension and if they had read it. Besides, I invited students to watch the video and had them jot down three to five sentences from the speech that touched them. Two years ago, I even asked students to write a letter to Steve Jobs. I went over all the letters and corrected some mistakes in them; regrettably, we didn't send the letters to him.

Now let's see how Ms. Lowe used Jobs' landmark speech in class.

http://blog.tesol.org/learning-english-with-steve-jobs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learning-english-with-steve-jobs&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Learning English With Steve Jobs

Posted on 11 October 2013 by Alexandra Lowe

The Beauty of Variety

Taken this afternoon at Chien-kuo Holiday Flower Market. They're all paper flowers!

"2013 Nobel Prize in Literature Laureate Alice Munro on the Secret of a Great Story"--from Brainpickings

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/10/11/alice-munro-on-stories/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

2013 Nobel Prize in Literature Laureate Alice Munro on the Secret of a Great Story

by Maria Popova

“A story … has a sturdy sense of itself of being built out of its own necessity, not just to shelter or beguile you.”

"Writers on Munro"--from The New Yorker

This post is quite special. It's "Writers on Munro" from The New Yorker. We learned not only comments on the new Nobel laureate from these some writers but how these writers made comments on such a distinguished figure. Those who are interested in writing could get some inspiration.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/10/writers-on-alice-munro.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

October 10, 2013

Writers on Munro

Posted by The New Yorker

"Nobel highlights Syria with Peace Prize to chemical weapons watchdog"--from CNN

So here goes the Nobel Peace Prize.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/11/world/europe/norway-nobel-peace-prize-opcw-syria/index.html

Nobel highlights Syria with Peace Prize to chemical weapons watchdog

By Ben Brumfield and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

October 11, 2013 -- Updated 1300 GMT (2100 HKT)

"Alice Munro wins Nobel Prize for Literature"--from BBC; "Canada's Alice Munro, 'master' of short stories, wins Nobel Prize in literature"--from CNN

Reading the same event reported by different news agencies gives us the chance not only to review vocabulary but to appreciate the different ways it was told.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24477246

Alice Munro wins Nobel Prize for Literature

10 October 2013 Last updated at 12:51 GMT

An Example of Filial Piety--孝子套招 失智母樂「都免費」; plus Ways to Prevent Dementia

As a teacher, I liked to remind my students of the concept of filial piety. I told my students that even if their parents always nagged them, couldn't afford everything they needed, or had some unbearable quirks, at least they brought them up, feeding and washing them, getting through sleepless nights taking care of them, etc. "So please be nice to your parents," I would add.

Here is a piece of news I read in the Apple Daily yesterday. A true story between a son and his mother who suffers from dementia. Touching! Following the story is an online article on how to prevent dementia.

http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20131009/35350590/

"Toddler brain scan gives language insight"--from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24446292

Toddler brain scan gives language insight

By Helen Briggs

BBC News

9 October 2013 Last updated at 00:58 GMT

Getting a Global View--全英語授課≠國際競爭力

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=479886

全英語授課≠國際競爭力

【聯合報╱記者沈育如、陳智華、 張錦弘／專題報導】2013/10/06

Gathering of Chiehshow's Retired Teachers

 



 

YOU Are a Brand Name--讓自己發光 你就是名牌！

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8207055.shtml

讓自己發光 你就是名牌！

【聯合報╱李枝桃／國中校長（南投市）】

2013.10.06 03:37 am

"China's first tourism law comes into effect, tourists issued manners guides"--from CNN

Some students are interested in news. They always want to go beyond the textbooks. That's really nice. Here is a piece of news about the new tourism law issued by China recently. The 836-word news story will take you only about 3-5 minutes to read.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/03/travel/new-china-tourism-law/index.html

China's first tourism law comes into effect, tourists issued manners guides

By Karla Cripps, CNN

October 4, 2013 -- Updated 0024 GMT (0824 HKT)

"Doh! 20 biggest travel mistakes"--from CNN

The following article is a little bit scarily long but worth reading. If your reading speed is 300wpm; that is, 5 words per second, you can finish it in less than 7 minutes. Dig in!

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/02/travel/20-travel-mistakes/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

Doh! 20 biggest travel mistakes

By Chuck Thompson, CNN

August 3, 2013 -- Updated 0016 GMT (0816 HKT)

A Very Good Phonics Song

While browsing the Net for some ideas for my "project," I came across this phonics song. It's easy but brilliant, and will definitely help students who have problems with spelling, be they children or adults. Once one is familiar with the letter-sound correspondence in English, spelling is not a headache anymore. Words like "antidisestablishmentarianism" are not hard to spell, as long as you can say them.

At the webpage, after you listen to the song and sing along, why not read on? You can read some comments, which make authentic reading materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELlZKpi1Zs&list=PLC8F3FA98A289F638

Giant duck conquers Taiwan--from CNN

Recently, crowds of people have flocked to Kaohsiung mainly to take a look at the giant yellow duck. The following CNN webpage displays 8 photos along with the article. Click the link, and enjoy the rubber duck!

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/24/travel/rubber-duck-taiwan/index.html?iref=allsearch

Giant duck conquers Taiwan

By Hiufu Wong, CNN

September 25, 2013 -- Updated 0500 GMT (1300 HKT)

Apple passes Coke as world's 'top brand'--from CNN

Surely, students learn a lot from their textbooks. However, they can learn even more if they read extensively, and one of the best reading materials is news stories, which are authentic and closely related to life. In the following news, the idea of "outdoing" is expressed in different ways.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/tech/innovation/apple-coke-top-brands/index.html

Apple passes Coke as world's 'top brand'

By Doug Gross, CNN

updated 4:56 PM EDT, Mon September 30, 2013

Running Dictations: A Runaway Success

This activity could not only help students learn English but relieve their boredom of sitting all day in the classroom.

http://blog.tesol.org/running-dictations-a-runaway-success/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=running-dictations-a-runaway-success&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Running Dictations: A Runaway Success

Posted on 27 September 2013 by Alexandra Lowe

Touch...

This is a photo I took today on the trip to Yangmingshan with my mom and sister. I was wondering how the bud and the trunk felt each other.

An Interesting Project for Mark Zuckerberg in 2013

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-year-mark-zuckerberg-is-meeting-a-new-person-every-day-2013-4

This Year, Mark Zuckerberg Is Meeting A New Person Every Day

By Nicholas Carlson, April 4, 2013

Happy Teacher's Day!

To my senior high school teacher, Ms. Li-shan Lin

 



To my NTNU professor, Ms. Pi-chun Liu

 

Find Your Element--成人抓周：找出天賦興趣與社會現實的第三條路

http://udn.com/NEWS/READING/X4/8180744.shtml

青春名人堂／成人抓周

【聯合報╱李欣頻】

2013.09.24 03:31 am

成人抓周：找出天賦興趣與社會現實的第三條路

"After 30 years, lost 'Steve Jobs Time Capsule' finally recovered"--from CNET

Please sit back and enjoy this news story.

A few years ago, the writing task on a college entrance exam asked the examinees to write about three things they would put in their time capsule and why so that people in the future, when digging the capsule up, can have a glimpse of what life nowadays is like. It's an interesting task and the following is a recent relatd news story. Click the link, and you'll see a few photos of the capsule. Before going on to read the story, think about three items  you would put in your time capsule.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57603802-37/after-30-years-lost-steve-jobs-time-capsule-finally-recovered/

After 30 years, lost 'Steve Jobs Time Capsule' finally recovered

Buried, and lost, in an Aspen field in 1983, the 13-foot-long tube contained, among other things, the mouse from Jobs' Lisa computer. Now, thanks to the TV show "Diggers," it's been found.

by Daniel Terdiman

  September 20, 2013 5:00 AM PDT

'Afternoon naps' aid children's learning--a CNN Article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24202591

'Afternoon naps' aid children's learning

24 September 2013 Last updated at 00:59 GMT

How Much Passion Does It Take?--吳曜宇：沒進音樂班 讓我更熱中音樂

http://udn.com/NEWS/NATIONAL/NATS2/8178952.shtml

吳曜宇：沒進音樂班 讓我更熱中音樂

【聯合報╱記者何定照／台北—巴黎專訪】

2013.09.23 03:55 pm

Homemade Teacher Day Card from Annie

Yesterday Annie (詹麗馨老師) sent me a homemade Teacher Day card via FB.

"English in a Minute"--VOA Learning English

What do "my two cents" and "a dime a dozen" mean? Each episode of "English in a Minute," a program produced by VOA, introduces in a minute an American English idiom, sometimes with the origin of the idiom.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/media/video/1665309.html?z=3619&zp=1

Get Rid of Clutter--斷捨離

This is a book I bought months ago. It offers tips for de-cluttering our home. The basic principle is: Remove things that WE don't need NOW.

BBC and CNN News about Typhoon Usagi

Two pieces of news about Typhoon Usagi from BBC and CNN respectively. You might like to compare their ways of reporting the news.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24170721

Typhoon Usagi moves towards Philippines, Taiwan

20 September 2013 Last updated at 04:37 GMT

The Philippines and Taiwan are braced for Typhoon Usagi, which meteorologists say could become the most powerful typhoon of 2013.

To Be Superior to Your Previous Self--放狗出來，台灣年輕人也會跳牆

This is an article a good friend emailed to me. Then I found the source online: http://www.businesstoday.com.tw/article-content-80396-102058

放狗出來，台灣年輕人也會跳牆

兩岸最高學府名師陳嫦芬

撰文/施禔盈       出處/今周刊872期

Oprah Winfrey's 2013 Harvard Commencement Speech

The following is the commencement address Oprah Winfrey delivered to Harvard gradutes on May 29, 2013. The speech lasts about 29 minutes.  Listen and see how many life lessons you can get from her speech.  Following the speech is an article I came across online on five lessons from Oprah's talk.

Oprah Winfrey Harvard Commencement Speech

May 29, 2013

 

Happy Moon Festival! & A Video "The Legend of the Mooncake Festival: The Story of Chang-E"

Happy Moon Festival!

The following is a YouTube video of a story related to this festival. Enjoy it!

The Legend of the Mooncake Festival: The Story of Chang-E

Are We Losing Our Competitiveness?--上午八時的校園競爭力

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI1/8170568.shtml

上午八時的校園競爭力

【聯合報╱黑白集】

2013.09.18 02:08 am

清晨八點的大學校園，在對岸，是學生爭相進教室準備的奮發景象；在台灣，則是空蕩蕩的校園，許多學生懶得起床，學校則多把課排在九點以後。這是台大教授薛承泰觀察到的兩岸校園對比景象，他說，由此看兩岸校園競爭力的落差，驚悚程度猶甚於一千顆飛彈對準台灣。

"Fall Foward"--2011 Penn Commencement Address by Denzel Washington

This is a 22-minute commencement address given by Denzel Washington, a renowned American actor and film director, at University of Pennsylvania in 2011. The title is "Fall Foward." It was recommended to me by a student, Yen-yu Chen.

In the speech, Denzel Washington talked about some failures in his life. What made what he is now? He didn't quit.  The speech is full of gems of wisdom. For example, a question in his speech is quite thought provoking: "What are you going to do with what you have?" Yes, even if you are not as smart as Bill Gates, you must have something to give. And I love the sentences near the end of the speech: "Never be discouraged. Never hold back. Give everything you've got."

Welcome Party & Chien-yu's Presentation on Differentiated Instruction

This afternoon, I was invited to the NHSH welcome party held for the 5 new English teachers and 2 substitute teachers. Besides me, two other retired teachers, Yi-li and Da-chong, were also there. We had lunch together at TiMAMA Bakery & Cafe. After lunch, Chien-yu (葉倩羽老師) gave a presentation on "Differentiated Instruction from Reading to Writing."

"Lack of Sleep Linked to Medical Risks"--from the New York Times

A retired professor from the English Department of NTNU once told me that our first language, if used properly, can enhance English learning. When her son got frustrated by English in elementary school, she helped him out by recording her own reading of the English text in the textbook followed by Chinese translation for him.

Read the following New York Times article. With each paragraph followed by its Chinese translation, does a complete grasp of the meaning help you learn the English?

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=466620

睡眠不足 戕害你的健康

Lack of Sleep Linked to Medical Risks

【By JANE E. BRODY／田思怡譯】2013/07/18

The Best Advice a Friend Ever Gave Me...--from Reader's Digest Contest

http://www.rdasia.com/best-advice-friend-gave-me

The best advice a friend ever gave me...

We asked our readers to share the best piece of advice they've received from a friend. Here are some of their helpful and humorous words of wisdom. - See more at: http://www.rdasia.com/best-advice-friend-gave-me#sthash.QQQZrLxI.dpuf

With great power comes great electricity bill.

Ms J Cochrane

Christmas Trees Give off No Phytoncide--王文華／聖誕樹沒有芬多精

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI4/8151115.shtml

王文華／聖誕樹沒有芬多精

芬多精: phytoncide  ['faɪtənsaɪd]

【聯合報╱王文華】

2013.09.09 01:56 am

One more 314 Reunion

Time: 6:00pm, Friday, Sep. 13, 2013

Place: Pin Tian Restaurant

Attendees: Chia-jung Lee, Yi-fen Hsieh, Yu-ting Hung, Pi-han Wu, Yi-ling Chen, and me.

These girls didn't attend the class reunion last Friday. Some of them had to work. So before school starts next week, they decided to get together, and I was invited. The small gathering was organized by Chia-jung Lee.

Taiwan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng expelled by governing party--News from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24050840

Taiwan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng expelled by governing party

11 September 2013 Last up

314 Reunion

Time: 12:30pm, Sep. 6, 2013

Place: A Thai restaurant

Organizer: Hung-yu Kao

Attendees: Hung-yu Kao, Hsin-yu Chang, Li-yu Wang, Chun Lin, Dao-ching Lin, Yi-hung Kao, Wei-hsiang Huang, Tze-hao Ma, and me

Warm-up for 314 Class Gathering

Last Thursday, Sep. 5, when working on my listening book around 1:30pm, I got a phone call. It was Wei-hsiang, a student from my former homeroom Class 314. He said he was in Neihu with Li-yu and Li-xuan and asked if they could pay me a visit. Busy as I was and although we were having a class gathering the next day, I said yes. When students have something to tell me, I always have my ears ready.

Follow the Instructions

Yesterday evening before starting  to write the last unit of the listening exercise book, a mock test for GEPT Elementary Level, I decided to expand the basic 1200 words list by adding to it the words provided by ITTC so that I will know what words I can use and what I can't.

The Power of Positive Thinking

This noon when I had to park my car a little far from the restaurant, where I was going to take my mom  for lunch, I felt a little sorry. However, positive thinking came into play and I told her that it was a good chance for us to exercise and soak up the sun, which is good for our health, especially the bones. The walk soon turned into a valuable experience.

Be Careful with the Thought "Just This Once"

These words from the book How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen can save people from going to jail:

"Many of us have convinced ourselves that we are able to break our own personal rules "just this once." In our minds, we can justify these small choices. None of those things, when they first happen, feels like a life-changing decision....But each of those decisions can roll up into a much bigger picture, turning you inot the kind of person you never wanted to be."

To Boost Your Brainpower--大笑、多與人互動 頭腦更靈光

http://mag.udn.com/mag/life/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=471341

大笑、多與人互動 頭腦更靈光

【台灣新生報／記者萬博超 ／台北報導】 2013/08/13

Henny

On the evening of Sep. 4, the day I got together with 301 at noon, I had a good four-hour chat with Henny, a former student who graduated from NHSH in 2008 and went on to study at NTU majoring in anthropolgy. She just came back days ago from Turkey, where she studied as an exchange student for a year.

Liberal Education in Taiwan--「博雅」實踐者 腳踏文理多條船

http://vision.udn.com/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=1086&pno=0

「博雅」實踐者 腳踏文理多條船

聯合報記者李昭安／台北報導

「姑蘇城外寒山寺，夜半鐘聲到客船。同學不僅要了解這兩句詩的文學意義，更要搞懂背後的物理意涵。」政大講座教授錢致榕舉唐朝詩人張繼的「楓橋夜泊」為例，告訴台下六十多名學生，學習不是死讀書，要會反思，「因為我們教的不是知識本身，而是求學問的態度和方法」。

A Gathering with 301

The day before yesterday, Sep. 4, I had a gathering with some students from 301 who graduated last year. The reunion was organized by Sung-ju Lin, who I haven't seen for a year. In our time machine, we went back and forth between memories and dreams while having lunch at the Chips in Neihu.

"Stranger pays for 'special' family's dinner, leaves touching note"--A Touching Story from CNN

This is touching! When I came to the middle part, tears welled up my eyes.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/03/us/north-carolina-act-of-kindness/index.html

Stranger pays for 'special' family's dinner, leaves touching note

By Justin Lear, CNN

September 4, 2013 -- Updated 1741 GMT (0141 HKT)

Another Great Day with Carla and Students

The day before yesterday, I took Carla to the National Palace Museum. To help expand her circle of friends in Taiwan, I invited three former students, Chi-peng (王繼蓬), Chun-da (林君達), and Yi-wen (陳儀汶), who in fall are going on to their sophomore year at NCCU to join us. And thankfully, they accepted my invitation even though it's on short notice. We had a great time at the museum. Carla seemed most interested in the bronze vessels, paintings, and calligraphy. Of course, the jade cabbage and the meat-shaped stone appealed to her. Here I'd like to thank Chi-peng, Chun-da, and Yi-wen for their generosity with their time.

Our Time Machines

Just now, when go over a lesson in a junior high school textbook for writing an listening exercise unit, I came across the following sentence. Love it.

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams."  ~ Jeremy Irons

Double Majors--雙專長合體 大學走出死胡同

http://vision.udn.com/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=1059

雙專長合體 大學走出死胡同

聯合報／記者張錦弘／台北報導

Take Good Care of Yourself--三明治世代 好好保存自己

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8120368.shtml

三明治世代 好好保存自己

【聯合報╱彭懷真、洪金鳳】

2013.08.26 02:53 am

Tips for Picture Telling

The following is part of a composition handout I used in the last few years teaching at NHSH.

Picture telling

Gina, Thank You. You're an Angel.

This evening I got an email from Carla, the girl from Switzerland.  In the mail she told me that Gina (胡靜), the girl who joined our night market tour on Aug. 27, invited her to her grandmother's home tomorrow to have lunch with her family. I was really touched by Gina's kindness and hospitality.

A Wonderful Day with Carla, Her Third Day in Taipei

On August 27 (Tuesday), I served as a tour guide for my newly-acquainted friend Carla, who just arrived from Switzerland on August 24. We got to know each other through our mutual friend Shu. The following photos showed how we spent the day.

Walk for Your Health--「健人就是腳勤」 走出健康自信

http://udn.com/NEWS/HEALTH/HEA2/8122162.shtml

「健人就是腳勤」 走出健康自信

【聯合報╱柯俊銘／公職臨床心理師】

2013.08.27 03:49 am

Happy birthday, Sarah!

Today is an old friend Sarah's birthday (殷彩鳳老師). Dominic (彭道明老師), Annie (詹麗馨老師), and I celebrated it for her at Merlot at noon.

Starting At 14 to Think About Their Future--未來的路 瑞士學子14歲就開始找

http://vision.udn.com/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=1067&pno=0

未來的路 瑞士學子14歲就開始找

聯合報／特派記者蕭白雪、曾學仁／瑞士報導、攝影

Glad to See You, Lanya

This afternoon, I had a gathering with Lanya, who graduated from NHSH two years ago. We had a lot to catch up on.

From 6 Points in English on the JCEE to a Good Command of English--英文奇蹟

http://udn.com/NEWS/LIFE/X1/8119938.shtml

女生成長／英文奇蹟

【聯合報╱李子（台中市)】

2013.08.26 03:07 am

Gem of Wisdom

A sentence I read in the newspaper:

"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness."

from Frank Tyger

Give a Little Blessing--"六百元善款的小確幸"

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/8117211.shtml

六百元善款的小確幸

【聯合報╱莊聰吉／醫師（屏縣潮州）】

2013.08.24 02:57 am

Three Interesting Students

   

Today's gathering with Spencer is the only one without his two good friends, Wei-chen and Wei-yi, the former having to work and the latter in the army.