Happy Canada Day!

July 1st is Canada Day. There will be no classes on Monday July 2nd.


2. Here is a Languages and Nationalities Vocabulary Quiz for your enjoyment.

3. Please remember to write down 5 new words that you have learned this week in your learning journal.

4. Afternoon Class - please listen to and take messages for Messages #7 to 12 on the pink message paper. You may need to wait a few minutes for the messages to load. Be patient.

Have a great Canada Day weekend!

Yulie Volunteers

Yulie, one of our morning students, volunteered at the Scotiabank Half-Marathon on June 24th, providing thirsty runners with water and Gatorade. She wanted to share some of her pictures with you. Way to go, Yulie!

Would you like to volunteer? Special events like this one are a great way to get started.

Check on Go Volunteer for opportunities. Check off "Special Events". Use the Advanced Search feature to look for positions suitable for ESL.

Another good volunteering website is Vancouver Charity Events. Check it out!

Multicultural Fair

The afternoon class is going on a fieldtrip to the multicultural fair at the Vancouver Public Library downtown on Wednesday, June 27.

Meeting place:
Meet at school at 1:00 and we'll take the Skytrain together
OR
meet us at the entrance to the library (inside the atrium) at 1:40.

I encourage the morning students to attend this interesting and free event on their own.

Celebrate Canada's Culture and Diversity on June 27!

Come celebrate Canada's official Multiculturalism Day at Library Square!
One of the Library's most colourful events of the year, enjoy arts, culture and exhibits from around the world in the heart of the City.  In addition to many wonderful displays, performances and demonstrations, the Library is also featuring a special screening of two amazing films:

Russian Ark

Breaking boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov explores the museum and travels through Russian history in this.
Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level
12:15 p.m. (102 minutes)

Gypsy Caravan

Tracing the World Music Institute's Gypsy Caravan six-week concert tour across North America, this beautiful documentary captures the best in Gypsy music from flamenco and Indian folk to Romanian violin, Raga and jazz and highlights the diversity of the Romani people.
Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level
2:05 p.m. (111 minutes)

Community Centre - Field Trip to the Roundhouse

The Roundhouse Community Centre

On Tuesday, June 26th, we're going on a fieldtrip to the Roundhouse Community Centre. You can come to school at the usual time and we'll take the bus there together. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Roundhouse and meet the class there.

Meeting times
Morning class: 9:00 at school   OR   10:15 at the Roundhouse
Afternoon class: 1:00 at school   OR   2:20 at the Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is located in Yaletown, at the corner of Davie and Pacific.

We will be having a tour. I encourage you to ask questions and find out as much as you can about the fabulous facilities at the Roundhouse. Here is some language you can use:

Requesting Information

- Can/Could you tell me...?
- I'd like to find out about...
- Would you mind telling me...?
- I'd like some information about...
- I'd like to know....

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow!

Roundhouse Community Centre Website

Two Messages

Hi Students,

Sorry, I was not able to upload the 12 messages for you to listen to over the weekend. I'll have them on the blog on Monday. Here are two other messages you can listen to.

Instructions

1.   First, click on the link to listen.
2.   Answer the questions.
3.   Listen again, and take some notes this time. (Who, what, where, when, why...)
4.   Decide what the important information is. Don't include non-essential details in your final note.
5.  Finally, write a personal note to the person the message is for.

Listen to Message 1

Notes:




 

MESSAGE 1 __________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Listen to Message 2

Notes:



 

MESSAGE 2 __________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

While You Were Out

Standard pink message form.

Writing a clear and accurate message takes practise.

We listened to and wrote down messages 1 to 6 in class. Listen to those again for extra practise.

Now, if you'd like some extra practise, you can listen to messages 7 to 12.

The first time you listen, decide:
- Is it personal or business?
- Does the caller know the person?
- Is the language formal or casual?

The second time you listen, do the multiple choice questions.

Listen a few more times. Takes notes if necessary. Decide which information is essential. Don't include extra details that are not important. Fill out the pink message form.

Here's the link: Taking Messages

Hint: It's easier to hear the messages if you wear headphones.

Summer Solstice

June 20th was officially the first day of summer, the Summer Solstice. It was also the longest day of the year with over 16 hours of daylight. 

 

Summer Solstice - Reading

How to Celebrate the Summer Solstice - Listening Quiz (difficult) Do this one if you have a lot of time on your hands...

What are you doing to celebrate the start of summer? Leave a comment below.

Listening to Phone Messages

1. Can I take a message? (easy) Practice Exercise

2. Answering Machine (easy)

Make sure you do the Listening Exercise

and the Vocabulary Exercises:

- Mixed-Up Sentence

- Multiple Choice and Short-Answer Questions

- Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

- Text Completion Quiz

3. What's the Message? Practice Exercises 1-4

Inspiring!

"The impossible is not so impossible if you set your mind to it," Wallenda said. "Reach for the skies and never give up."

Nik Wallenda walked over the Niagara Falls on Friday, June 15, 2012 on a tightrope.


Can you guess the meaning of these words and expressions?

1. to set your mind to something

2. a tightrope

3. to make history

Watch the Yahoo! news video by clicking this link: Tightrope Walker Makes History

 

Answer these questions:

1. What did Nik Wallenda do to make history?

 ______________________________________________________________

2. How old is he?

a) 30     b) 33     c) 43

3.  He walked a distance of _________ feet.

4. The wire was _________ high.

5. Nik Wallenda walked from

a) Canada to the United States

b) The United States to Canada

6. Why was it so challenging?

a) it was cold, dark and windy

b) it was late at night and he was tired

c)  it was hard to focus

7. How do you think Nik felt while he was crossing?
a) apprehensive     b) determined    c) regretful

8. Nik Wallenda comes from a family of high-wire performers. How long have The Flying Wallendas been doing high wire acts?
a) years     b) decades    c)  a long time

9. What does Nik plan to do in the future?

a) take a long vacation

b) spend time with his family

c) cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope

10. What is the purpose of this video?

a) advertising

b) information

c)  warning

What do you think about Nik Wallenda's accomplishment? Please leave a comment.

Vocabulary Homework

In your new learning journal, write down 5 new vocabulary words that you learned this week and their definitions. Note whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb etc. Underline the stressed syllable. Copy an example sentence from the dictionary. Finally, write your own sentence using the new word.

Writing down and using new vocabulary words will help you retain them.

Please hand in your journals to me on Monday.

Look up definitions in this wonderful online learner's dictionary. Just type your word into this box:

Example:

to deserve

(verb) used to say that someone or something should or should not have or be given something

She deserves another chance.

I didn't deserve to fall off my bicycle.

ELSA Summer Newsletter

The summer edition of the ELSA Newsletter has just been published! You can read it here. 

Telephone Phrasal Verbs

More phrasal verb and listening practise -

Phrasal Verbs for Telephone Conversations

Here's the worksheet we're working on in class - You can print it out if you were absent. You can't do this one directly on the computer.

Grammar in Context: Telephone Phrasal Verbs

Gimme a Ring

Here's the listening activity we're working on in class this week, with lots of useful vocabulary for talking on the phone.

Gimme a Ring

Which expressions do you often use on the phone?

Cell Phone Etiquette

Have you ever been forced to listen to someone yakking on their cell phone about the intimate details of their personal life? 

Listen to this podcast about An Annoying Cell Phone User.

Life in the City

  

1. City vs. Country - Listening Practise
Michelle is from a small town. She talks about adjusting to life in a big city.

- Try to listen without the script. 

- Do the Vocabulary Focus and Comprehension Q's on the right side of the page.

- Only read the script once you've done the quizzes.

2.There Goes the Neighbourhood - Reading Practise
Vocabulary, Cloze, Crossword, Yes/No Questions, Wh-Questions, Ask Questions and Dictation at the bottom of the page.

Giving and Receiving Compliments

Have you given someone a compliment today?

Here's the listening activity we did in class this morning:Giving and Receiving Compliments