Dear students on my Free Online English Class,
Thanks for your support for my Free Online English Class and donation to charities to help people in need. I'm very happy that some of you are willing to be part of the "small project" and devote yourself to good deeds. I believe all of us can make a difference.
Due to some personal reasons, I have no choice but to CANCEL the class on June 6th and 13th (this coming Sunday). I'd like to apologize to you for any inconvenience that might have caused you. I'd really appreciate it if you could understand this.
I hope I can get back online and continue this project on June 20th. But if I can't, you are always welcome to ask me any questions about English learning. I'll be very happy to answer any questions you might have.
Finally, I'd like to remind all of you how important health is. If you have senior citizens in your family, please pay more attention to his/her health conditions. After all, they are very susceptible to colds and are prone to falling. The two things can take a toll on their health.
Once again, thanks for all your support for the project and hope to talk to you soon in class on Skype.
Best regards,
Gary
5/30 Free Online English Class
Have you ever told a white lie? Is it right to tell a white lie? When we were little, our parents and teachers taught us to always tell the truth and how to tell right from wrong. They always told us we should do the right thing. However after people start working, things don't seem to work that way. Gradually, the line between right and wrong things seems to become a bit ambiguous. So, in this week's class, Let's talk about "do the right thing." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What is "a white lie”? Do you think it is OK to tell a white lie? Why or why not?
Q2: Have you ever told a white lie before? If you have, please describe the story. If you haven’t, please describe under what circumstances people might tell a white lie.
Q3: If you were terminally ill and you only had a few months to live, should your doctor tell you the truth? Why or why not?
Q4: If your loved one has stomach cancer and it is too late to have an operation to save his life, should you tell him the truth? Why or why not?
Q5: If you only had a few months to live, what would you like to do?
Q6: If a person is dying, should his family member inform him or her? Check the ideas you agree on.
(1) No. You can’t tell someone he or she is going to die. He/she would be too shocked. You shouldn’t take away their hope.
(2) It depends. If the patient is mentally strong, he/she should be informed.
(3) Yes. The patient should be able to use whatever time he/she has left.
(4) Yes. The patient has the right to know about his/her disease.
(5) Others.
Q7: What rights do you think patients should have?
(1) to be informed about their disease.
(2) to see all of their medical records
(3) to have an explanation about how the doctor will treat their disease.
(4) to know the doctor’s name and background
(5) to get a second opinion from another doctor
(6) to change doctors or hospitals
(7) to be involved in the decision on how to treat their disease.
(8) not to be informed about their disease.
Q8: Read the following article and make the summary.
Q9: What would you advise Yumi to do if you were Dr. Aoki?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 30.
Q1: What is "a white lie”? Do you think it is OK to tell a white lie? Why or why not?
Q2: Have you ever told a white lie before? If you have, please describe the story. If you haven’t, please describe under what circumstances people might tell a white lie.
Q3: If you were terminally ill and you only had a few months to live, should your doctor tell you the truth? Why or why not?
Q4: If your loved one has stomach cancer and it is too late to have an operation to save his life, should you tell him the truth? Why or why not?
Q5: If you only had a few months to live, what would you like to do?
Q6: If a person is dying, should his family member inform him or her? Check the ideas you agree on.
(1) No. You can’t tell someone he or she is going to die. He/she would be too shocked. You shouldn’t take away their hope.
(2) It depends. If the patient is mentally strong, he/she should be informed.
(3) Yes. The patient should be able to use whatever time he/she has left.
(4) Yes. The patient has the right to know about his/her disease.
(5) Others.
Q7: What rights do you think patients should have?
(1) to be informed about their disease.
(2) to see all of their medical records
(3) to have an explanation about how the doctor will treat their disease.
(4) to know the doctor’s name and background
(5) to get a second opinion from another doctor
(6) to change doctors or hospitals
(7) to be involved in the decision on how to treat their disease.
(8) not to be informed about their disease.
Q8: Read the following article and make the summary.
Q9: What would you advise Yumi to do if you were Dr. Aoki?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 30.
5/23 Free Online English Class
Taiwanese people are very generous and sympathetic because most of us donate money to charities, set aside some time to do volunteer work and try to help people in need whenever natural disasters happen around the world. However, in our daily lives, we see a lot of car accidents on the streets and it seems that not many people are willing to give a helping hand because some con men or real victims take advantage of people's sympathy and accuse them of the source of the car accidnet. Some stories like this really discourage most people from helping strangers in need.
So, in this week's class, Let's talk about "helping others." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: Do you know any courageous or generous people who do good deeds and help people in need?
Q2: Do you think helping strangers is a good idea? Which of the following ideas do you agree on?
(1) I really believe we should help others – friends or strangers. If we don’t, how cold and depressing this world would be!
(2) People should never help strangers for any reason. It’s not a good idea.
(3) We should help others, but there is a limit to how much we should help.
(4) Why help others? We’re all busy and have enough problems ourselves.
Q3: Suppose you were walking down the street. A woman suddenly screams, “Help! A thief! Somebody get him!” and you see a man running away with the woman’s purse. What would you do?
(1) run after the thief and try to catch him
(2) call the police
(3) scream, “Help! A thief!”
(4) ignore the whole thing and keep walking
(5) other
Q4: Assume you were driving your car and see somebody on the roadside with a car problem. What would you do?
(1) stop and help, but only if it’s a woman
(2) stop and help, but only if it’s a woman or an old man
(3) stop and help, no matter who it is
(4) drive by without helping
(5) phone the police
(6) other
Q5: Assume you were driving your car and see a car accident in the suburbs. What would you do?
(1) stop and check if there is anything you can do
(2) stop only when someone is injured and then drive him/her to the hospital for medical treatment.
(2) phone 119 and drive by
(3) drive by without helping
(4) other
Q6: If you were in the shoes of the three people in questions 3-5 and you needed others to give you a helping hand, how would you like them to help you?
Q7: Do you have any similar experience of helping strangers? If you do, please try to tell the story.
Q8: Read the following article and make a summary.
So, in this week's class, Let's talk about "helping others." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: Do you know any courageous or generous people who do good deeds and help people in need?
Q2: Do you think helping strangers is a good idea? Which of the following ideas do you agree on?
(1) I really believe we should help others – friends or strangers. If we don’t, how cold and depressing this world would be!
(2) People should never help strangers for any reason. It’s not a good idea.
(3) We should help others, but there is a limit to how much we should help.
(4) Why help others? We’re all busy and have enough problems ourselves.
Q3: Suppose you were walking down the street. A woman suddenly screams, “Help! A thief! Somebody get him!” and you see a man running away with the woman’s purse. What would you do?
(1) run after the thief and try to catch him
(2) call the police
(3) scream, “Help! A thief!”
(4) ignore the whole thing and keep walking
(5) other
Q4: Assume you were driving your car and see somebody on the roadside with a car problem. What would you do?
(1) stop and help, but only if it’s a woman
(2) stop and help, but only if it’s a woman or an old man
(3) stop and help, no matter who it is
(4) drive by without helping
(5) phone the police
(6) other
Q5: Assume you were driving your car and see a car accident in the suburbs. What would you do?
(1) stop and check if there is anything you can do
(2) stop only when someone is injured and then drive him/her to the hospital for medical treatment.
(2) phone 119 and drive by
(3) drive by without helping
(4) other
Q6: If you were in the shoes of the three people in questions 3-5 and you needed others to give you a helping hand, how would you like them to help you?
Q7: Do you have any similar experience of helping strangers? If you do, please try to tell the story.
Q8: Read the following article and make a summary.
Q9: If you were Mr. Yang, would you do the same thing? Why or why not?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 23.
5/16 Free Online English Class
Do you believe in a true friendship existing between a man and a woman without any physical relationship involved? Can a man and a woman be close friends without being lovers? This can be an interesting topic to talk about in class. So, in this week's class, let me pick your brain on this. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What does your best friend look like? What is your best friend like?
Q2: Why is that person your best friend? List at least three reasons or examples.
Q3: Is your best friend a man or a woman?
Q4: What is “a Platonic relationship”?
Q5: Can a man and a woman be close friends without being lovers? Which of the following opinions you agree on?
(1) Sometimes they can be friends, but usually friendship between a man and a woman is difficult.
(2) Maybe not. If a man and a woman are close friends, they will naturally become lovers.
(3) Yes, they can. I know a lot of cases like that among my friends.
(4) It’s impossible, because men always want to have sex with women they like.
(5) Of course they can. I have some good men friends and we’re just friends.
Q6: How do you make sure it’s a good timing to confess to a person that you like him/her?
Q7: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q8: What would you do if you were Kioko after Akira confessed to you?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 16.
Q1: What does your best friend look like? What is your best friend like?
Q2: Why is that person your best friend? List at least three reasons or examples.
Q3: Is your best friend a man or a woman?
Q4: What is “a Platonic relationship”?
Q5: Can a man and a woman be close friends without being lovers? Which of the following opinions you agree on?
(1) Sometimes they can be friends, but usually friendship between a man and a woman is difficult.
(2) Maybe not. If a man and a woman are close friends, they will naturally become lovers.
(3) Yes, they can. I know a lot of cases like that among my friends.
(4) It’s impossible, because men always want to have sex with women they like.
(5) Of course they can. I have some good men friends and we’re just friends.
Q6: How do you make sure it’s a good timing to confess to a person that you like him/her?
Q7: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q8: What would you do if you were Kioko after Akira confessed to you?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 16.
5/2 Free Online English Class
Parents don't usually agree with each other on how to educate their children. Some think "corporal punishment" can be pretty effective whereas others claim only love is the cure-all. When it comes to how to get children to do some household chores, money can be considered to be a reward or a bribe. So, let's talk about "a reward or a bribe" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What motivates you to work hard?
-achievement
-recognition
-responsibility
-advancement or promotion
-the work itself
-potential for personal growth
-corporate culture
-pay
-job security
-working conditions
-organizational policies
-interpersonal relationship with peers, superiors, and subordinates
-company future
Q2: Why do some people work hard whereas others do as little as possible?
Q3: In your house, who does the following tasks?
-cleaning the house
-cleaning the rooms
-do the laundry
-do the dishes
-set the table
-make the bed
-do grocery shopping
-take out the trash
-mop the floor
-sweep the floor
-vacuum the floor
-water flowers
-mow the lawn
Q4: Do you think children should do some of the tasks above? Why or why not?
Q5: When you were a child, did you do any of the tasks? How did your parents motivate you to do them?
Q6: Do you think corporal punishment can be an effective way to educate children?
Q7: Which of the following opinions do you agree on?
-Children should do some things for free, like cleaning their own room. But they should be paid to do their tasks like washing dishes.
-Parents should pay their children to do housework. And that should be the only money they get. That way, they learn to be responsible.
-Helping around the house is something children have to do. They shouldn’t get paid for it.
-Paying the children to do housework is a bribe. Don’t do it. They’ll start asking for money for everything.
-Giving money for doing housework is a reward. Children need rewards for doing things.
-Others
Q8: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q9: What is your suggestion for Kimo and Makana?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 2.
Q1: What motivates you to work hard?
-achievement
-recognition
-responsibility
-advancement or promotion
-the work itself
-potential for personal growth
-corporate culture
-pay
-job security
-working conditions
-organizational policies
-interpersonal relationship with peers, superiors, and subordinates
-company future
Q2: Why do some people work hard whereas others do as little as possible?
Q3: In your house, who does the following tasks?
-cleaning the house
-cleaning the rooms
-do the laundry
-do the dishes
-set the table
-make the bed
-do grocery shopping
-take out the trash
-mop the floor
-sweep the floor
-vacuum the floor
-water flowers
-mow the lawn
Q4: Do you think children should do some of the tasks above? Why or why not?
Q5: When you were a child, did you do any of the tasks? How did your parents motivate you to do them?
Q6: Do you think corporal punishment can be an effective way to educate children?
Q7: Which of the following opinions do you agree on?
-Children should do some things for free, like cleaning their own room. But they should be paid to do their tasks like washing dishes.
-Parents should pay their children to do housework. And that should be the only money they get. That way, they learn to be responsible.
-Helping around the house is something children have to do. They shouldn’t get paid for it.
-Paying the children to do housework is a bribe. Don’t do it. They’ll start asking for money for everything.
-Giving money for doing housework is a reward. Children need rewards for doing things.
-Others
Q8: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q9: What is your suggestion for Kimo and Makana?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on May 2.
4/25 Free Online English Class
As people have longer life expectancy nowadays and more people tend not to have more children in Taiwan, we all have to face an important problem in the aging society. That's to take care of senior citizens and offer them a better and safe life. The concept of "filial piety" has been deeply rooted in our culture and education. On one hand, some believe it's the child's duty to take care of his/her parents. On the other hand, others are not willing to live with his/her parents when they get old because that might cause a lot of problems in the family.
So, let's talk about "taking care of old parents" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: How many people are there in your family? Is it a nuclear family, stem family or an extended family?
Q2: What is “senile dementia”? What is “Alzheimer’s disease”? What are the symptoms?
Q3: Do you have any plans after you retire? Are you going to live alone, at a nursing home, or with your children?
Q4: When your parents are old, do you think it’s your responsibility to take care of them? Why or why not?
Q5: What are the pros and cons for elderly parents to live with their children? What are the pros and cons for elderly parents to live alone?
Q6: As there are more and more senior citizens nowadays and we live in an aging society, it’s important to offer them a better and safe life. Which of the following opinions do you agree with?
- It’s too expensive to take care of old people, I think the government should be responsible for taking
care of them.
- Taking care of elderly parents is the child’s duty. So the child should not depend on other people or on the government for help.
- Your parents should live with you when they are old, even if your house is small, but the government
can offer some subsidies for you to hire a caretaker to take care of your parents.
- If your mother or father suddenly comes to your house to live, it will cause a lot of problems. So, it’s
not a good idea to live with parents even when they are old.
- Elderly people should live in special homes, such as nursing homes. They should bother their
children. And they can make friends at their age.
- Others
Q7: Read the following article and make a summary.
Q8: What is your suggestion for Toshi?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 25.
So, let's talk about "taking care of old parents" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: How many people are there in your family? Is it a nuclear family, stem family or an extended family?
Q2: What is “senile dementia”? What is “Alzheimer’s disease”? What are the symptoms?
Q3: Do you have any plans after you retire? Are you going to live alone, at a nursing home, or with your children?
Q4: When your parents are old, do you think it’s your responsibility to take care of them? Why or why not?
Q5: What are the pros and cons for elderly parents to live with their children? What are the pros and cons for elderly parents to live alone?
Q6: As there are more and more senior citizens nowadays and we live in an aging society, it’s important to offer them a better and safe life. Which of the following opinions do you agree with?
- It’s too expensive to take care of old people, I think the government should be responsible for taking
care of them.
- Taking care of elderly parents is the child’s duty. So the child should not depend on other people or on the government for help.
- Your parents should live with you when they are old, even if your house is small, but the government
can offer some subsidies for you to hire a caretaker to take care of your parents.
- If your mother or father suddenly comes to your house to live, it will cause a lot of problems. So, it’s
not a good idea to live with parents even when they are old.
- Elderly people should live in special homes, such as nursing homes. They should bother their
children. And they can make friends at their age.
- Others
Q7: Read the following article and make a summary.
Q8: What is your suggestion for Toshi?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 25.
4/18 Free Online English Class
Not each couple lives happily ever after after they get married. Some couples choose to get divorced and others choose to stay together even when they have some problems they can't work out. When the "children" factor kicks in, it can compound the problem even more.
So, let's talk about "for the sake of the children" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1:What is a prenuptial agreement (a prenup)?
Q2:Do you think a couple should sign a prenup before they get married? Why or why not?
Q3:The divorce rate seems to be high nowadays. As far as you know, what are the most common factors behind a divorce?
Q4:What do you think about divorce? Are you for it or against it?
(1)Children don’t want to see their parents unhappy or fighting all the time. So divorce may help the children, not hurt them.
(2)When parents get divorced, they should explain to their children that the divorce is the parents’ problem and that the children are not to blame.
(3)Divorce is wrong. Husbands and wives should try hard to stay together and work out their problems.
(4)With or without children, it doesn’t matter. When love ends, the marriage is over.
(5)It’s OK to get divorced if you don’t have children. But if you do have kids, you should never get divorced.
Q5:In many countries, the divorce rate is getting higher and higher. Is there a way to lower it?
(1)The government gives money as a reward to couples who have been married for a long time.
(2)Divorce is not allowed, except in certain situations, such as terrible mental illness.
(3)The government charges a high tax on divorces.
(4)The government hires marriage counselors to give advice to people.
(5)Couples live together for a few years before they decide to get married.
(6)Couples live together but don’t get married.
(7)Others
Q6: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q7: What is your suggestion for Wali?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 18.
So, let's talk about "for the sake of the children" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1:What is a prenuptial agreement (a prenup)?
Q2:Do you think a couple should sign a prenup before they get married? Why or why not?
Q3:The divorce rate seems to be high nowadays. As far as you know, what are the most common factors behind a divorce?
Q4:What do you think about divorce? Are you for it or against it?
(1)Children don’t want to see their parents unhappy or fighting all the time. So divorce may help the children, not hurt them.
(2)When parents get divorced, they should explain to their children that the divorce is the parents’ problem and that the children are not to blame.
(3)Divorce is wrong. Husbands and wives should try hard to stay together and work out their problems.
(4)With or without children, it doesn’t matter. When love ends, the marriage is over.
(5)It’s OK to get divorced if you don’t have children. But if you do have kids, you should never get divorced.
Q5:In many countries, the divorce rate is getting higher and higher. Is there a way to lower it?
(1)The government gives money as a reward to couples who have been married for a long time.
(2)Divorce is not allowed, except in certain situations, such as terrible mental illness.
(3)The government charges a high tax on divorces.
(4)The government hires marriage counselors to give advice to people.
(5)Couples live together for a few years before they decide to get married.
(6)Couples live together but don’t get married.
(7)Others
Q6: Read the following article and summarize it.
Q7: What is your suggestion for Wali?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 18.
4/11 Free Online English Class
"He's just not that into you" was a blockbuster several years ago and I saw this adapted movie after I read the original book. In this book, the author looks at "relationship" from some interesting perspectives and gives "brutally honest" advice to his readers who has "relationship problems".
Recently, I picked up the book again and read one of the articles. I found it still interesting and it might be a good topic for us to talk about. So, let's talk about "relationship" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What does “marriage” mean to you? Does that mean “happy ever after?”
Q2: If you are married, what drove you to tie the knot? If you are still single, do you want to get hitched in the future? Why or why not?
Q3: How do you know if he/she is your Mr./Miss Right (the one), to marry and spend the rest of your life with him/her??
Q4: Do you think “marriage” will change your life? (Do you think “marriage” has changed your life?) If you do, in what ways? If you don’t, why not?
Q5: What do you think of the difference between “being live-in” and “getting married” for a couple? (It doesn’t make any difference.) (It makes no difference.) (It makes a lot of difference.) (It only makes a little difference.)
Q6: If your best friend comes across a problem like Barbara’s, what advice will you give her?
==================Letter from Barbara================
Dear Greg,
I have a boyfriend who I’ve been living with for three years. I’m about to turn thirty-nine, and I have started bringing up the idea of long-term plans, like, say, marriage. He always seems open to it, but then talks about how bad his finances are. He’s an investment banker who works for himself, and he lost a lot of money in the past two years, a lot of clients, as well, and his business really has gone down the tubes. He says he’s under a lot of pressure. Am I being unreasonable to want to know where this is all going? Please let me know.
BarBara
===================End of The Letter=================
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 11.
If you can't attend our class and you want to participate in our discussion, you are always welcome to post your comments on the forum.
Remark: The letter from Barbara to Greg above is taken from the book "He's just not that into you" by Greg Behrendt
Recently, I picked up the book again and read one of the articles. I found it still interesting and it might be a good topic for us to talk about. So, let's talk about "relationship" today. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What does “marriage” mean to you? Does that mean “happy ever after?”
Q2: If you are married, what drove you to tie the knot? If you are still single, do you want to get hitched in the future? Why or why not?
Q3: How do you know if he/she is your Mr./Miss Right (the one), to marry and spend the rest of your life with him/her??
Q4: Do you think “marriage” will change your life? (Do you think “marriage” has changed your life?) If you do, in what ways? If you don’t, why not?
Q5: What do you think of the difference between “being live-in” and “getting married” for a couple? (It doesn’t make any difference.) (It makes no difference.) (It makes a lot of difference.) (It only makes a little difference.)
Q6: If your best friend comes across a problem like Barbara’s, what advice will you give her?
==================Letter from Barbara================
Dear Greg,
I have a boyfriend who I’ve been living with for three years. I’m about to turn thirty-nine, and I have started bringing up the idea of long-term plans, like, say, marriage. He always seems open to it, but then talks about how bad his finances are. He’s an investment banker who works for himself, and he lost a lot of money in the past two years, a lot of clients, as well, and his business really has gone down the tubes. He says he’s under a lot of pressure. Am I being unreasonable to want to know where this is all going? Please let me know.
BarBara
===================End of The Letter=================
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on April 11.
If you can't attend our class and you want to participate in our discussion, you are always welcome to post your comments on the forum.
Remark: The letter from Barbara to Greg above is taken from the book "He's just not that into you" by Greg Behrendt
3/28 Free Online English Class
Volunteering work has been popular in Taiwan these years. Some people do it because they believe they can contribute their time to help people in need and make a better world. Others do it because they follow suit or jump on the wagon after their friends do it. Some people do community service because they did something wrong, and it's court-ordered. So, this week we are going to talk about "any volunteers" Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1.What is an NPO? Do you know any famous NPOs in Taiwan?
Q2.Why do people volunteer? (What causes do people work for?)
- for fun
- for a sense of fulfillment
- for making a better world
- out of the goodness of their hearts
- others
Q3.Do you volunteer? What causes do you work for?
Q4.Which of the following volunteer opportunities would you choose? Why?
- reading to a blind person
- cooking for a sick person
- helping someone learn to read
- cleaning a house for an older person
- providing meals for elderly individuals
- helping people build houses in a poor country
- cleaning up a beach or cleaning up a street near you
- helping patients and their families in a hospital
Q5.Tell us about your volunteering experience. Remember to include “who”, “when”, “where”, “what did you do”.
Q6.If you had volunteering experience before, what did you learn?
- I should spend more time with my family, friends and neighbors.
- We all can make a difference in the world
- It helps me see something valuable in my life and appreciate what I do have
- I have more courage and determination to live my life and pursuit my dreams
- I understand how a healthy lifestyle is and change my lifestyle
- others
Q7.If you want to donate money to an NPO, which do you prefer, a large NPO or a small NPO? Why?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 28
Q1.What is an NPO? Do you know any famous NPOs in Taiwan?
Q2.Why do people volunteer? (What causes do people work for?)
- for fun
- for a sense of fulfillment
- for making a better world
- out of the goodness of their hearts
- others
Q3.Do you volunteer? What causes do you work for?
Q4.Which of the following volunteer opportunities would you choose? Why?
- reading to a blind person
- cooking for a sick person
- helping someone learn to read
- cleaning a house for an older person
- providing meals for elderly individuals
- helping people build houses in a poor country
- cleaning up a beach or cleaning up a street near you
- helping patients and their families in a hospital
Q5.Tell us about your volunteering experience. Remember to include “who”, “when”, “where”, “what did you do”.
Q6.If you had volunteering experience before, what did you learn?
- I should spend more time with my family, friends and neighbors.
- We all can make a difference in the world
- It helps me see something valuable in my life and appreciate what I do have
- I have more courage and determination to live my life and pursuit my dreams
- I understand how a healthy lifestyle is and change my lifestyle
- others
Q7.If you want to donate money to an NPO, which do you prefer, a large NPO or a small NPO? Why?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 28
3/21 Free Online English Class
"Avatar" has been the talk of the town for a few weeks. Almost every friend of mine has watched this film in the theater either in 3D or 2D. After the 82th Academy Awards, some people started wondering why "Avatar" didn't win the award for "Best Picture". So, this week we are going to talk about "Avatar." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.Q1: Do you like movies? How often do you watch a movie? What kind of movies do you like to watch?
(thrillers, comedies, romances, romantic comedies, documentaries, sci-fi movies, horror movies, dramas, action movies, animated films, adventure movies, etc.)
Q2: Have you ever watched “Avatar”? Which version did you watch? (3D version or 2D version) What drove you to watch “Avatar”?
Q3: If you have watched “Avatar”, please try to describe the storyline (plot) of “Avatar”?
Q4: How do you like “Avatar”? Do you think “Avatar” lives up to the hype? Or do you think it is just a hype movie?
Q5: Did you get sucked into this movie when you watched it? Do you think this movie is worth sitting through at the theater or people should wait until it’s out on DVD? Would you recommend the movie to your friends who haven’t seen it yet?
Q6: Do you know how many nominations “Avatar” received in the 2010 Academy Awards? How many Oscars did it win? And what are they?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 21.
3/14 Free Online English Class
With the advent of e-books and the popularity of the Internet, people seem to spend less time on reading real books than surfing the Internet these days. Some people think reading might become a lost art or be considered an old-fashioned pastime. So, this week we are going to talk about "reading books." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Q2: Do you like to read? How many hours do you spend on reading every day? What do you usually read? (e.g. books, magazines, newspapers, online articles)
Q3: What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? What was it all about?
Q4: A lot of novels and non-fiction books have been adapted into movies or documentaries, such as “the Da Vinci Code”, “Harry Potter”, “the Twilight” and “the Freedom Writers’ Diary”. In your opinion, do you prefer a book or an adapted movie? Why?
Q5: Do you think people should spend more time on reading books instead of surfing the Internet? Why or why not?
Q6: Do you think reading will become an old-fashioned pastime and a lost art in the future?
Q7: Do you have any novels or non-fiction books to recommend to your fellow classmates? What’s so special about it?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 14.
Q1: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Q2: Do you like to read? How many hours do you spend on reading every day? What do you usually read? (e.g. books, magazines, newspapers, online articles)
Q3: What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? What was it all about?
Q4: A lot of novels and non-fiction books have been adapted into movies or documentaries, such as “the Da Vinci Code”, “Harry Potter”, “the Twilight” and “the Freedom Writers’ Diary”. In your opinion, do you prefer a book or an adapted movie? Why?
Q5: Do you think people should spend more time on reading books instead of surfing the Internet? Why or why not?
Q6: Do you think reading will become an old-fashioned pastime and a lost art in the future?
Q7: Do you have any novels or non-fiction books to recommend to your fellow classmates? What’s so special about it?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 14.
3/7 Free Online English Class
People in different parts of the world have different standards for "beauty", such as body shape, skin color and hair style. In some cultures, tanned skin is considered "sexy, healthy and rich". Conversely, white skin means "young and beatiful" in other cultures. So, this week we are going to talk about "tanning." Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class.
Q1: In your opinion, who is the sexist man or woman alive in the world?
Q2: Which one is considered beautiful in your country, white skin or tanned skin? What about your own opinion?
Q3: Do people in your country use any “whitening products” or “tanning products”?
Q4: What do people in your country think of “sunbathing” or “catching some rays”?
Q5: Do people in your country like to use a “tanning bed”?
Q6: What do you think of “plastic surgery”? Is it all the rage in your country? Would you like to give it a shot? Why or why not?
Q7: Do you use any skin products? If you do, please name some of them and tell us how often you use them?
Q8: Do you have any secrets for staying young and slowing aging?
Q9: Have you ever tried anything strange or dangerous to change your appearance? Or have you ever heard any similar stories?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 7.
Q1: In your opinion, who is the sexist man or woman alive in the world?
Q2: Which one is considered beautiful in your country, white skin or tanned skin? What about your own opinion?
Q3: Do people in your country use any “whitening products” or “tanning products”?
Q4: What do people in your country think of “sunbathing” or “catching some rays”?
Q5: Do people in your country like to use a “tanning bed”?
Q6: What do you think of “plastic surgery”? Is it all the rage in your country? Would you like to give it a shot? Why or why not?
Q7: Do you use any skin products? If you do, please name some of them and tell us how often you use them?
Q8: Do you have any secrets for staying young and slowing aging?
Q9: Have you ever tried anything strange or dangerous to change your appearance? Or have you ever heard any similar stories?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on March 7.
2/28 Free Online English Class Cancelled
As no one signs up for the free online English class on February 28, the class is CANCELLED.
For those of you who are interested in attending this class in March, just feel free to check out the calendar (http://pub5.bravenet.com/calendar/show.php?usernum=428917191&y=2010&m=03&d=07) and make an appointment now.
Happy Lantern Festival to all of you !
Gary
For those of you who are interested in attending this class in March, just feel free to check out the calendar (http://pub5.bravenet.com/calendar/show.php?usernum=428917191&y=2010&m=03&d=07) and make an appointment now.
Happy Lantern Festival to all of you !
Gary
2/28 Free Online English Class
For people influenced by Chinese culture, the Lantern Festival can be an important traditional festival because it is the climax and symbolizes the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. It is also known as "second New Year" or "little New Year".As this is a very important holiday in Taiwan and a lot of festivities are held all over the island, let's talk about "the Lantern Festival" this week and see how much you know about this traditional festival. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class today.
Q1: When is the Lantern Festival? What does it mean to people here in Taiwan?
Q2: What do people do to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taiwan? Any famous activities or events? Have you ever been to any one of them?
Q3: Are there any traditional foods for this festival?
Q4: Do you know the answers to the following "lantern riddles"?
(1) What is full of holes, but still holds water?
(2) Tear my skin and I will not cry, but you will. What am I?
(3) What flies without wings?
(4) We two brothers are frim and thin. We love to eat, but cannot drink. Who are we?
(5) I go out fat and come back thin. I'm always up when the rain comes down.
Q5: Try to introduce the "Lantern Festival" to your foreign friends in your own words.
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m. Happy Lantern Festival to all of you.
Remarks:
Those "lantern riddles" are taken from the February edition of "Biz Interactive English Magazine".
2/21 Free Online English Class
The Chinese New Year holidays will come to an end on February 21 and our life will go back on track although we all celebrate Chinese New Year until the Lantern Festival. So, let's make "Chinese New Year" the theme of this week. Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your opinions with us in class today.Q1: How did you spend your Chinese New Year holidays? What did you do? Did you feel any holiday spirit this year?
Q2: What's your most memorable Chinese New Year?
Q3: What do people usually do on Chinese New Year's Eve and on Chinese New Year's Day?
Q4: Do you know any taboos or superstitions of Chinese New Year?
Q5: What is a "red envelope"? Who can get a red envelope during Chinese New Year holidays? What's inside a red envelope?
Q6: What are traditional Chinese New Year foods? Do you know how to introduce those foods to a foreign friend?
Q7: What else do you know about Chinese New Year?
Finally, I'd like to share a video clip by U.S. President Barack Obama. In this video, he extends wishes peace, prosperity and good health to Americans and people across the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Chinese Year of the Tiger.
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class at 9:00 p.m. on February 21.
2/6 Free Online English Course 雲林一日遊
在本網站進行「免費線上英語課程」至今也一年多了，一直很開心能在每個禮拜日晚上9:00-10:00與這群愛好學習英文的學員們一起接觸英文、學習英文、分享生活上的點點滴滴。雖然人數不多，但反而讓大家更加珍惜相處的緣份，也因此促成了2/6 大家來雲林一日遊，聯繫感情。此次唯一的可惜之處，是 Jewel 及 Catherine 不克參加，希望下次大家可以一起去彰化同遊，在 Candy 去紐西蘭打工度假前，來個全英語聚會好了。雲林一日遊行程:
1. 10:00斗南交流道集合=>北港朝天宮=>朝天宮拜拜及逛逛廟前老街 (北港觀光大橋、吃大排長龍的鴨肉飯、逛振興戲院、小時候的玩藝兒店、神明公仔店等)
2. 下午參觀虎尾的「雲林布袋戲館」及「雲林故事館」=> 古坑的「蜜蜂故事館」(吃好吃的蜂蜜冰淇淋)=> 逛綠色隧道=> 劍湖=> 慈光寺 (了解劍湖、劍湖山、慈光寺的由來)
3. 華山逛「雲林文學步道」(看咖啡樹、嚐熟的咖啡豆)=> 品嚐道地的台灣咖啡
4. 於庭園式餐廳「雨村」享用晚餐=>賦歸
此次出遊，大家都很開心，Sherry 更帶來了 Candy 及 Alice 一直稱讚的體貼好丈夫及美麗可愛女兒 Andrea 共襄盛舉，讓此次的聚會添加了不少樂趣及笑聲。除了在朝天宮拜拜，祈求來年闔家平安外，大家在朝天宮前的大街逗留了好一陣子，一攤一攤地逛，慢慢地試吃那有名的大餅、多種口味的花生及蠶豆，更帶他們嚐試了當地最有名的鴨肉飯，讓他們見識到也體會到「用餐時有人在桌子前排隊，巴不得我們快起身結帳」的壓力。
吃飽喝足了，大家最感興趣的莫過於北港保存最完整的戲院「振興戲院」，當天北港社區大學也在那兒辦理書法成果展，更替戲院增添了不少文藝氣息。不但可以欣賞精湛的書法作品，也可以觀看當初留下來播放電影的器具及布袋戲佈景，緬懷之前戲院風光的歲月。
來到北港大街，另一個不能錯過的莫過於是那家販賣兒時回憶的小玩具及零食專賣店了，一進了該店的大門，大家似乎穿梭了時光隧道，回到小時候那個玩著「尫仔標」、吃「檳榔」、「足球巧克力」的歲月。此外，我們也去「好神公仔」店逗留了好久，因為裡面的Q版神明真的是可愛極了。當然大家也不忘採購一些這兒的名產要帶回去給家人吃(黑金剛花生等等)，早上的行程大家就為雲林觀光產業貢獻了不少。
告別北港，大家來到了雲林縣的中心鄉鎮-虎尾，參觀這兒極有特色的雲林布袋戲館(原本的虎尾警察分局)及雲林故事館(原本的日本郡守宿舍)。這兒延襲原本的日式建築，布袋戲的故鄉(虎尾)使得布袋館更有說服力，而雲林故事館也轉身一變成為小朋友聽故事的地方，讓當地人及遠道而來的遊客對雲林有更進一步的認識。看 Candy及 Alice 參觀得津津有味，讓身為東道主的 Sherry 及我，也很開心。(更多有關於雲林故事館及雲林布袋戲館的資訊及照片，請參見之前的文章)
告別北港，大家來到了雲林縣的中心鄉鎮-虎尾，參觀這兒極有特色的雲林布袋戲館(原本的虎尾警察分局)及雲林故事館(原本的日本郡守宿舍)。這兒延襲原本的日式建築，布袋戲的故鄉(虎尾)使得布袋館更有說服力，而雲林故事館也轉身一變成為小朋友聽故事的地方，讓當地人及遠道而來的遊客對雲林有更進一步的認識。看 Candy及 Alice 參觀得津津有味，讓身為東道主的 Sherry 及我，也很開心。(更多有關於雲林故事館及雲林布袋戲館的資訊及照片，請參見之前的文章)
古坑的「蜜峰故事館」是行程的下一站，在這兒大家不但了解了蜜峰的種類、成長交配過程，也了解到虎頭峰的危險性、蜜蜂消失對生態及人類生活的影響，更品嚐了這兒的各種蜂蜜及極具特的蜂蜜冰淇淋，天氣雖然有點陰涼，但大家還是對這濃郁的蜂蜜味冰淇淋讚不絕口。而在試喝各種蜂蜜時， Sherry 因為常騎腳踏車到這兒來，還被服務人員開玩笑說「你看起來很面熟哦」，真是有趣！
雖然目前一週大家只在線上用 Skype 上課一次，但人與人之間的緣份是很奇妙的，上此課程的學員大多很開朗、隨和，好相處，不知不覺大家也都變成了好朋友，此次的雲林之旅也不時充滿笑聲。在此希望這個課程能長長久久，大家一起來學英文、作公益，幫助需要幫助的人。在此也誠心地祝福學員們身體健康，在虎年學英文能不「虎頭蛇尾」，講英文時能「虎虎生風」，英文能力大躍進，而遠在澳洲打工度假的 Emily 事事順心！
相關文章或相簿: 彰化英語班雲林一日遊相簿
2/7 Free Online English Class
While most people in Taiwan tend to move out of their parents' houses after they get married, some still choose to live at home and take care of their parents. But is it the same case in most parts of the world? Besides that, it seems that there are more young people in Taiwan who choose to live at home for some reasons and they become part of the NEET generation. What do you think of them? So, today we are going to talk about "living at home". Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your views with us in class today.
Q1: Do you still live with your parents? If you don’t, when did you move out?
Q2: In Taiwan, is it a stigma to live with your parents once you are a legal adult? Why or why not?
Q3: As far as you know, do most Americans still live with their parents after they reach 18 years old? Why or why not?
Q4: What does “NEET” mean? Do more and more young people become part of the NEET generation in Taiwan? What do you think of them?
Q5: Do you think it is a good idea to live with your parents-in-law after you get married? Why or why not?
Q6: When you are elderly, do you want to live with your children or you want to live on your own? (at your own home or at a nursing home.)
Q7: What are the pros and cons of living with your parents?
Here is this week's assignment. Please post your answer to the question below on the forum by February 20.
Q: What are the pros and cons of living with your parents?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
Q1: Do you still live with your parents? If you don’t, when did you move out?
Q2: In Taiwan, is it a stigma to live with your parents once you are a legal adult? Why or why not?
Q3: As far as you know, do most Americans still live with their parents after they reach 18 years old? Why or why not?
Q4: What does “NEET” mean? Do more and more young people become part of the NEET generation in Taiwan? What do you think of them?
Q5: Do you think it is a good idea to live with your parents-in-law after you get married? Why or why not?
Q6: When you are elderly, do you want to live with your children or you want to live on your own? (at your own home or at a nursing home.)
Q7: What are the pros and cons of living with your parents?
Here is this week's assignment. Please post your answer to the question below on the forum by February 20.
Q: What are the pros and cons of living with your parents?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
1/24 Free Online English Class
People dream while they are sleeping. Some of the dreams are sweet, and others are nightmares. People also daydream when they are awake. Dreams are part of our lives. Some people even believe in "dream interpretation". So, today we are going to talk about "in your dreams". Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your views with us in class today.
Q1.Do you dream a lot at night? When do you usually dream?
Q2.Do you like to talk about dreams with people?
Q3.Do you believe in “dream interpretation” or “dream analysis”? Why or why not?
Q4.What is your latest dream? Is it a nightmare?
Q5.Do you have any recurring dreams?
Q6.What’s the scariest nightmare you’ve ever had?
Q7.What is a wet dream?
Q8.What is a daydream? Do you daydream often?
Q9.What does “in your dreams” or “dream on” mean? Can you make a sentence?
10. What is a “dreamboat”, “dream girl” or “dream job”?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
Q1.Do you dream a lot at night? When do you usually dream?
Q2.Do you like to talk about dreams with people?
Q3.Do you believe in “dream interpretation” or “dream analysis”? Why or why not?
Q4.What is your latest dream? Is it a nightmare?
Q5.Do you have any recurring dreams?
Q6.What’s the scariest nightmare you’ve ever had?
Q7.What is a wet dream?
Q8.What is a daydream? Do you daydream often?
Q9.What does “in your dreams” or “dream on” mean? Can you make a sentence?
10. What is a “dreamboat”, “dream girl” or “dream job”?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
1/17 Free Online English Class
People use credit cards to pay almost everything nowadays, raning from utility bills to cards. However, a lot of people seem to abuse credit cards, can't pay off their debts, and enter a vicious cycle. So, today we are going to talk about "cash or card". Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your views with us in class today.Q1. What is plastic money? Do you have it?
Q2. When you apply for a credit card, how do you decide which bank you would like to apply to?
- gifts (freebies)
- benefits & services (airport pick-up service, free parking, shopping discounts, cash back program,shopping rewards, free roadside rescue service, air flight upgrade, free annual fees, convenient cash advance procedures, etc)
- the appearance of the card
- cooperation with charitable organizations
- others
Q3. When you pay for things, how do you usually pay? Cash or charge?
Q4. Do you usually pay off your credit card debts every month? Or you just pay the minimum payment each month? Why?
Q5. What are the pros and cons of using a credit card?
Here is this week's assignment. Just feel free to post your answer to the question below on the forum by January 22.
Q: What are the pros and cons of using a credit card?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
1/10 Free Online English Class
People around me often talk about "fortune tellings" or "psychic readings". It seems that a lot of people believe in that. So today we are going to talk about "Psychic Reading". Think about the following questions beforehand and feel free to share your views with us in class today.
1.What is psychic reading or fortune telling?
2.Do you believe in fortune-telling? Why or why not?
3.When do people usually go to a fortune teller? Have you ever had a psychic reading?
4.Have you ever met any mediums (or media), psychics, or fortune tellers?
5.Have you ever had one of the following psychic readings?
- palm reading
- leaf reading
- tarot reading
- others
6.If a psychic told you that you would stay single forever, what would you do?
7.If a fortune-teller told you that you would make a lot of money from stocks this year, what would you do?
Here is this week's assignment. Please post your answer to the question below on the forum by January 15.
Q: What is psychic reading or fortune telling? Do you believe in it? Why or why not?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
1.What is psychic reading or fortune telling?
2.Do you believe in fortune-telling? Why or why not?
3.When do people usually go to a fortune teller? Have you ever had a psychic reading?
4.Have you ever met any mediums (or media), psychics, or fortune tellers?
5.Have you ever had one of the following psychic readings?
- palm reading
- leaf reading
- tarot reading
- others
6.If a psychic told you that you would stay single forever, what would you do?
7.If a fortune-teller told you that you would make a lot of money from stocks this year, what would you do?
Here is this week's assignment. Please post your answer to the question below on the forum by January 15.
Q: What is psychic reading or fortune telling? Do you believe in it? Why or why not?
If you have any questions, let me know. See you in class today at 9:00 p.m.
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