"Nightclubs for literature? Why book selling is booming in Taiwan"--from CNN

This news report about the Eslite bookstore in Taipei is beautifully written.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/23/world/asia/taiwan-bookstores/index.html

Nightclubs for literature? Why book selling is booming in Taiwan

By Johan Nylander, for CNN

November 24, 2014 -- Updated 0051 GMT (0851 HKT)

Taipei (CNN) -- It's midnight in the capital of Taiwan.

While some people are slowly walking home through the neon-lit streets, or getting ready to hit the club scene, others are on their way to a more unusual nocturnal hangout -- a bookstore.

"Taiwan premier Jiang Yi-huah quits after poll loss"--from BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30259090

Taiwan premier Jiang Yi-huah quits after poll loss

29 November 2014 Last updated at 13:34

The Prime Minister of Taiwan, Jiang Yi-huah, has resigned after his ruling pro-China party suffered stiff defeats in local elections.

The Kuomintang party (KMT) appears to have lost control of districts across the country, including the mayor's office in the capital, Taipei.

My comments: Whoever is elected, as long as they are responsible, competent, compassionate, and have people on their minds, it's fine with me.

On Cleaning-up--"跟德國人學「無意識清掃法」"--from UDN

I need to post this article here to remind myself to bid adieu to my stuff when I don't need it FOR NOW.

http://udn.com/NEWS/READING/X4/9092864.shtml

跟德國人學「無意識清掃法」

【聯合報╱沖幸子】

2014.11.27 02:53 am

連最愛乾淨的日本人都稱讚：德國人是全世界最會打掃的民族！

好主婦都希望被讚譽為清潔高手。

德國有句古諺：「好主婦是最棒的家產」。

English Listening as Threshold of College Admission?--"大學英聽門檻 維持各校自決"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=547729&kdid=AR10&r=2

大學英聽門檻 維持各校自決

【聯合報╱記者林秀姿／台北報導】2014/11/27

高中英聽測驗成為大學入學採計門檻，家長團體砲轟不顧城鄉差距。但大學招聯會昨天仍決議，104學年大學入學簡章已出爐，採計高中英聽的科系不宜改變；105學年採不採計英聽，則由各大學系組自行決定。

On English Listening as a College Admission Requirement--"教育團體：英聽能力 進大學再要求"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_MAIN_ID=381&f_SUB_ID=2705&f_ART_ID=547730

教育團體：英聽能力 進大學再要求

【聯合報╱記者沈育如／台北報導】2014/11/27

大學招聯會決議大學是否設入學英聽門檻，尊重各校決定。教育團體認為，大學應對在學生的英文能力加強、把關，而不是從開始時就限制學生入學的機會。

My comments: However, learning a language without listening to it is not natural. The validity of the listening test and the reasonable benchmark could be the solutions. 

Learning English on the Net--"網路學英語 偏鄉有競爭力"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/%E7%B6%B2%E8%B7%AF%E5%AD%B8%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%20%E5%81%8F%E9%84%89%E6%9C%89%E7%AB%B6%E7%88%AD%E5%8A%9B-9090472.shtml

網路學英語 偏鄉有競爭力

【聯合報╱李若松／資深媒體工作者（台北市）】

2014.11.26 09:53 am

英語與資訊網路能力是未來公民應具備的基本能力，教育部要透過資訊與科技教育環境改善偏遠地區學校師生的競爭力，遠端學習應該是翻轉教學的契機。

On Recruiting Native Speaker of English--"一校一外師 就是城鄉差距"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/9090470.shtml

一校一外師 就是城鄉差距

【聯合報╱李源甲／國小教師（嘉義市）】

2014.11.26 09:53 am

「英聽是否該做為大學入學門檻」還在爭辯，北市政府已悄悄宣布要加碼試辦「一校一外師」的可行性。

My comments: Just because a school recruits a native speaker of English as an English teacher doesn't mean its students will stand a better chance to learn English well.

這消息看在北市以外的教師眼裡，相信內心都是五味雜陳的！

Nine Tips to Success from Dr. Ho--"何大一 開了9帖成功的處方"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/HEALTH/HEA14/9087881.shtml

何大一 開了9帖成功的處方

【聯合報╱記者周小仙／台北報導】

2014.11.25 03:33 am

愛滋病雞尾酒療法發明人何大一昨天在「2014NU SKIN大師趨勢論壇」演講，以「信念，決定未來」為題，提出了九項成功人士具備的特質，成功之道有九個要點，包括：擁有熱情、保持好奇、敢作敢為、做好準備、獨立思辨、謀定而動、勤奮不懈、追求卓越和堅持信念。

Teaching/Learning vs. Testing--"印象雖加深，但… 看到考卷臉綠了"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=547014

印象雖加深，但… 看到考卷臉綠了

【聯合報╱記者陳雨鑫／板橋報導】2014/11/23

12年國教今年上路，新北市教育局因應新型態考試，3年前推行學習共同體，以分組討論方式引導學生訓練思考力，學習變快樂了，但部分學生面對試卷，卻連一題都不會寫。

My comments: Were they given valid tests?

Can I Have My Dream--"孩子立下志願，大人能許他未來嗎？"--UDN Editorial

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/OPI1/9084142.shtml

孩子立下志願，大人能許他未來嗎？

【聯合報╱社論】

2014.11.23 03:17 am

選戰進入最後的肉搏階段，大街小巷穿梭的宣傳車聲調越來越高亢。與此同時，十二年國教宣導說明會連日來正在各縣市進行，與會家長不受選戰喧囂干擾，關心孩子的未來更勝於關切百里侯誰屬。

English at the Airport--"旅行英文大彙整：從出境到入境不再霧煞煞！"

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=543931

旅行英文大彙整：從出境到入境不再霧煞煞！

【文、圖／VoiceTube 看影片學英語 提供】2014/11/06

國旅遊時，最麻煩又需要最謹慎的莫過於從出境到入境了！小編幫大家彙整了從預訂機票到抵達目的地之間，常常出現的旅行單字與會話，下次不用再對服務員面露尷尬微笑或比手畫腳！

The Five Habits of Creative Teachers--"新鮮事/創意教師的5個好習慣"

http://m.parenting.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5062355

新鮮事/創意教師的5個好習慣

2014-11-07    親子天下雜誌        62期       文/李岳霞

 根據美國《Education Week》的報導，提供開放課程的網路平台 Canvas Platform 設有「創意教師的5個習慣」課程，歸結出創意教師具備的5個好習慣分別為：1.像練肌肉一樣，每天鍛鍊自己的好奇心。覺察自己對什麼好奇，如何延長、深入自己的好奇？什麼事會阻擋自己的好奇心？2.培養深厚的「重組」功力，懂得轉換、統整與剽竊的區別。3.主動找尋志同道合的夥伴、社群。4.懂得如何從失敗中找到前進的密碼。偶爾勇於挑戰成功機率小於5％的活動，調整跨出舒適圈與重整自我的彈性。5.時時進行個人反思，並協力創造能讓團隊安心、集體反思的環境。

The original source:

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/08/19/ctq_nardi_creative.html

 

 

Online Learning Resources--"MOOCs磨課師熱潮，改變教育，讓你隨時隨地學習！"--from Voice Tube

This is a good sharing from an FB group, "I Simply Love to Share." It recommends several online learning resources, including Coursera, edX, Udacity, Khan Academy, Udemy, and Grockit. Through them, users can not only acquire new knowledge but also improve their English.

"Helping ELs to Learn to Ask Questions During Reading"--from TESOL Blog

http://blog.tesol.org/helping-els-to-learn-to-ask-questions-during-reading/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Helping ELs to Learn to Ask Questions During Reading

Posted on 6 November 2014 by Judie Haynes

This blog is Part 3 in my series about teaching English learners reading comprehension strategies. Because good readers ask questions throughout the reading process, I will discuss how to help ELs acquire the skill of asking questions before, during, and after reading a text. This strategy helps ELs to become actively engaged in the lesson, to  develop a purpose for reading, and  to monitor their reading or check to see whether they are comprehending what they’re reading.

Telling Jokes in Class, plus a Joke

To start a class with a joke can liven up the atmosphere. I used to tell my students, "A joke a day keeps the doctor away." Although I didn't tell them a joke every day, I did it once in a while. And they loved it!

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

The first sight of the picture may ring a warning: Beware of what you eat outside your home. However, this is not my main point in this entry.

The Role English Could Play in Life--"陳超明：小確幸人生 英文不能缺席"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=545846

陳超明：小確幸人生 英文不能缺席

【聯合報╱記者沈育如／台北報導】2014/11/16

台灣全球化教育推廣協會理事長、實踐大學講座教授陳超明表示，全球化的第一個衝擊就是語言管理能力，未來如果沒有具備語言能力，不能成為移動性的國際性人才，想加薪、升遷當然很難。

My comments: Surely, for one to enjoy a successful career, language ability is not the only requirement. However, more often than not, it plays a crucial role.

Let Every Student Have Access to Englislh Learning Resources--"英聽落差：沒錢沒資"--UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/9068947.shtml

英聽落差：沒錢沒資源

【聯合報╱陳碧華／兒童英語節目製作人（台中市）】

2014.11.16 01:43 am

高中英聽測試成績揭曉，同樣是台灣之子，為何城鄉間會有如此大的差異？媒體說是資源不足，但實際上資源俯拾皆是，只是有無經濟能力去取得。

On Teaching English Listening--"教育資源差很大 怎救英聽"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/9067414.shtml

教育資源差很大 怎救英聽

【聯合報╱朱立安／大學教師（嘉義市）】

2014.11.15 02:23 am

高中英語聽力測驗第一次考試公布成績，不出所料，明星學校如台中女中Ａ級超過五成，但偏鄉高中成績則輸一大截；有學者把此城鄉差距歸因於「都市學生課餘補習，成績自然比偏鄉孩子好」，換言之，很多台灣的教育成效，乃來自學生課餘補習，筆者不懂為何教育專家與教育部一再否認這事實！

On Test of English Listening Comprehension--"高中考英聽 會考噩夢重演？"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/9067341.shtml

高中考英聽 會考噩夢重演？

【聯合報╱李允中／中國醫藥大學專案助理教授（台中市）】

2014.11.15 02:23 am

高中英語聽力測驗於成績於昨日公布，結果顯示高中英語學習亦存在「城鄉差距」。

My comments: Please read http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=545523&kdid=AR10&r=6.

This is the report of the results from CEEC: 104學年度高中英語聽力測驗第一次考試成績統計報告[1]

 

英聽成績表現的城鄉差距，反映了各高中職英聽的訓練配套，不如教育部估計的平均與完備充足；而英語聽力測驗更有可能與「會考作文」一樣扮演「攪局」的角色，使其他科目平均高分的同學，無法念到理想的學校。所幸目前僅有一百四十左右的系組採計英聽，台大與交大都不採計。

Helping Students Learn English Happily--"翻轉教室 他讓偏鄉生快樂學英文"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=545315

翻轉教室 他讓偏鄉生快樂學英文

【聯合報╱記者張錦弘／台北報導】2014/11/13

高中職免試入學明年採計英聽測驗成績，恐不利偏鄉弱勢生，但若老師活化教學，仍可扭轉劣勢。南投縣國姓國中老師李沛鴻，透過學英語歌、及用英文寫春聯等活動，讓學生快樂學英文，全班學生參加全民英檢初級初試，近7成通過，贏過很多都會國中，再也不怕考英聽。

My comments: This is true. Teachers could make a big difference.

Working Together with Oxford University Press--提升英語學習 興國和牛津出版社簽備忘錄"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=540979&kdid=AR10&r=5

提升英語學習 興國和牛津出版社簽備忘錄

【聯合報╱記者邵心杰／新營報導】2014/10/17
牛津大學出版社是世界規模最大的大學出版社，也被視為英語教育的先驅，興國高中昨與社方簽署「牛津優質英語學習服務」合作備忘錄，校長趙效賢說，希望提升學生英語學習品質，不會因南部資源不足，失去競爭力。

Heroic Deed by a Young Boy in Syria

A TV news report I watched on TV really made me sad. A boy pretended to be dead in order to save a little girl. My question then was, if the snipers had found the boy didn't die, would they still have shot him more? He is only a kid! The answer to my question is "Yes." War, get lost. You should not exist in the world.

The following is the news reported online, where you can watch the one-minute video clip.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2829895/Heroic-young-boy-runs-sniper-fire-Syria-pretends-shot-rescuing-terrified-girl-bullets-hit-floor-them.html

Only Time

Me, in 9th grade, the graduation photo from our year book. Ms. Tang brought her copy for Mark to take a look at. At that time, there was a ban on junior and senior high students' hair. Everyone looked almost the same. Well, I cannot imagine all my students with such short hair.

Happy Gathering with Junior High Schoolmates

Mark, a junior high schoolmate I never met before, is going back to the States tomorrow, so Ms. Tang (唐銑) threw a gathering for those who didn't attend a get-together held for him around two weeks ago when he just came back. Though we have seen each other's LINE message, this was the first time several of us met him in person.

Comments on High School English Speech Contest--"台灣省北區高中生英語演講決賽後記"--from Far East Senior/Vocational High School English Website

Another "gift" I bumped into while doing the cleaning. An excellent sharing for those who want to speak English well and those who are interested in entering an English speech contest.

http://www.hsenglish.com.tw/2009/teach/share/experience.asp?type=C&serial=7

台灣省北區高中生英語演講決賽後記

－台北縣板橋高中　呂紹暉老師    January, 2002

本學年度台灣省北區高中生英語演講決賽，於十一月十五日在板橋高中舉行。本人有幸參與司儀的工作，賽程中觀察並記錄了各校參賽學生不同的語言表現。本次參賽的學生共計九十六位，賽程分為早上至下午的指定題演講，與下午至傍晚的即席演講。本次即席演講所使用的媒介，只有一張圖片，上面可以看到一個人站立在迷宮前面。學生有五分鐘時間觀察圖片，之後，根據看圖心得，徒手上台即席演講。本人現在就英語即席演講部分，發表個人觀察的所得與評論，並針對未來學生演講訓練，提出建議與展望。 

Have a Good Sleep--"優質睡眠》用力K三小時…晚上十點睡"--from UDN

This article is on the same page as the one I posted in the previous entry.

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=85617

優質睡眠》用力K三小時…晚上十點睡

【聯合報╱記者詹建富／台北報導】2007/10/03

國內升學壓力大，國、高中生為應付課業及考試，常被迫犧牲睡眠、熬夜苦讀；不過，台大電機研究所碩士班學生周執中，從小學至今都不是個夜貓子，晚間九點、十點已就寢，是「早睡早起功課好」的最佳例證。

My comments: According to many Chinese doctors, for health sake, the best time to go to bed is 10pm. 

Enough Sleep Helps Learning--"洪蘭提倡》做夢也複習…何不晚點上學"--from UDN

I came across this UDN news story when doing the cleaning. An interesting topic! I'm glad I kept this clip of the newspaper, which reminding me of the book "A Perfect Mess."

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=85616

洪蘭提倡》做夢也複習…何不晚點上學

【聯合報╱記者張錦弘／台北報導】 2007/10/03

愈來愈多腦科學研究證實，長期睡眠不足，學習效果差，美國很多學校已延後一小時上學，洪蘭等學者認為台灣也可研究試辦，配合孩子生理時鐘晚點上學，家長尤其不要放任孩子熬夜。

Reading Marathon

I just finished a phone conversation with Chen Pin-xuan (陳品璇), a student who graduated from NHSH and now is teaching at Taipei Municipal Tatong High School. Although I never taught her class, via some activities in school, we got to know each other.

Principle of English Writing--"用英文思考 翻轉英文寫作困境"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_MAIN_ID=381&f_SUB_ID=2705&f_ART_ID=544348

用英文思考 翻轉英文寫作困境

【聯合報╱記者沈育如／台北報導】2014/11/07

「學英文就是『背多分』，管他什麼道理，背下來就對了。」台灣學生拚命背單字、死記文法，一旦畢業不考試，英文也全還給老師。聯經出版社繼兩年前出版交通大學外文系教授劉美君撰寫的「英文文法有道理！重新認識英文文法觀念」後，近日再推出她的「英文寫作有訣竅！三句話翻轉英文寫作困境」一書（見圖，聯經提供）。她說，學好英文要習慣用英文邏輯思考，寫好英文文章則要了解「G—S—G三進式原則」。

Listening As a College Admission Requirement?--"台、交大不看英聽 他校後悔採計"--from UDN

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=544347

台、交大不看英聽 他校後悔採計

【聯合報╱記者林秀姿／台北報導】2014/11/07

104學年度大考簡章今起發售，共66校、1802個系組參與招生，較去年增加39個系組。首度有152個系組將英聽成績列為門檻，只占8.4%。台大、交大都沒採計。部分採計英聽的頂大理工科系看到台大未採計，「深感後悔」，擔心招生因此受影響。

An TOEFL Sample Essay: "Is studying science more important than studying literature?"

For those who are going to take TOEFL, the following link is worth visiting.

http://www.testmagic.com/Knowledge_Base/TOEFL/Writing/samples/lit_vs_science/6.0_best_one.htm

Is studying science more important than studying literature?

Note: This is the best essay on this topic so far.

 Remember: All essays are reproduced  here as they were submitted.

Languages and Life, plus How to Learn a New Language--"褚士瑩：一個人會多少種語言，就有多少種生活"--from Business Weekly

Mr. Chu knows around ten languages. In the last half of this article, he suggested very useful tips on learning new languages.

http://www.businessweekly.com.tw/KBlogArticle.aspx?id=3939

褚士瑩：一個人會多少種語言，就有多少種生活

撰文者  褚士瑩   2013-06-24

首先我要聲明的是，我並不是語言天才。

實際上，我不知道什麼人是語言天才。很多人或許會以為學習外語是一份額外的負擔，但歌德有句名言：「Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.」（那些不懂得外語的人，等於對自己[的語言]一無所知）也就是說，一個人會多少種語言，就有多少種生活。至於只能活在一種語言裡的人，生活就像明明有超高速的無線寬頻網路，可是只能用來上一個網站，任誰都會覺得很可惜吧？

My comments: However, here "their own" should refer to "their own language."

"From a Rwandan Dump to the Halls of Harvard"--New York Times

This is a touching and inspiring story, which makes us believe that education lifts one up and that kindness makes a difference.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/us/from-a-rwandan-dump-to-the-halls-of-harvard.html?_r=0

From a Rwandan Dump to the Halls of Harvard

By MICHAEL WINESOCT. 22, 2014

BOSTON —  Nine years old and orphaned by ethnic genocide, he was living in a burned-out car in a Rwandan garbage dump where he scavenged for food and clothes. Daytimes, he was a street beggar. He had not bathed in more than a year.

My comments: Not bathed in more than a year! Poor kid! I cannot even bear not bathing for two days.

Learnign English Through Making Movies and Creating Picture Books--"拍電影、製繪本 英文好好玩"--from UDN

Learning English can be fun!

http://mag.udn.com/mag/edu/storypage.jsp?f_ART_ID=543584

拍電影、製繪本 英文好好玩

【聯合報╱記者郭政芬／新竹市報導】2014/11/03

新竹市磐石高中老師戴逸群翻轉英文課堂，帶學生拍電影、創作繪本，啟發學生對英文的興趣，激勵學生「敢講就不難」，日前選出兩組優秀英文繪本，將到小學發表。

Helping Students Improve English Listening Skills--"克服英聽障礙 升級英語"--from UDN

http://udn.com/NEWS/OPINION/X1/%E5%85%8B%E6%9C%8D%E8%8B%B1%E8%81%BD%E9%9A%9C%E7%A4%99%20%E5%8D%87%E7%B4%9A%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E5%8A%9B-9040265.shtml

克服英聽障礙 升級英語力

【聯合報╱李振清／大學退休教授（台北市）】

2014.11.03 02:09 am

根據昨日聯合報有關一○四學年度第一次高中英聽測驗的報導，報考人數多達十二萬八千多人，比去年增加一萬七千多人。這一項與大學入學甄選相關的高中英語聽力檢測，跟進入大學以後的高等教育，以及國際化趨勢中的中、長程人才培育，關係密切；其重要性不言可喻。

My comments: Knowing the importance of English, a former student, after taking TOEFL, asked me to tell my students that they should study English like crazy after getting into college.

A German's View on Taiwan--"放棄德國好工作 只為宮保雞丁"--UDN Article

While cleaning out old newspapers this evening, I found this article, which was written by John Geiger in 2011, a German who was then a chairperson at Dayeh University. However, I couldn't find the article on the UDN website. Luckily, Dayeh University posted it on its site so that I can share it here. Mr. Geiger not only talked about his opinions of people in Taiwan but gave some suggestions about parenting and education.

http://bulletin.dyu.edu.tw/index.php?msg_ID=9367&pool_ID=19

放棄德國好工作 只為宮保雞丁

聯合報 報導  2011/11/28

【聯合報 / 記者何烱榮 / 彰化報導】

不曾到過台灣的外國人，與生活在台灣的外國人，對台灣的看法完全不同。到台灣後，我愛上了台灣。

"Let Me Read, Teacher"--"青春名人堂╱老師 放手讓我讀吧！"--from UDN

How I loved to see my students read beyond their textbooks!

http://udn.com/NEWS/READING/X4/9036689.shtml

青春名人堂╱老師 放手讓我讀吧！

【聯合報╱蔡淇華】

2014.11.01 03:34 am

國二那年，寄宿國文老師家，晚上當我沉浸在《聊齋誌異》時，老師搶過書，一個巴掌過來：「不看課內書，看什麼課外書？」

My comments: I would have paid him compliments.