Please click on the video below to see an ESL video using Michael Jordan's philosophy.
Michael Jordan: That is Why I Succeed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sidewalk Etiquette: Consideration or Custom?
Please don't be a sidewalk sucker when visiting the U.S. Since I arrived in Chile it's been fun to notice the little things that Americans do differently. When walking on the sidewalk or in public places Americans tend to try to be the first to get out of your way. We say excuse me all the time and step aside for you. Not so in many other countries, from my experience Italy and Chile are two of those. I'm not sure how they manage it but nobody seems to dodge and yet they don't collide. Americans may have the impression that others are "rude" but really we're the ones who stand out in a crowd. "Permisso" is over-rated. I think walking is a style similar to driving, effortless maneuvering that looks like a crash waiting to happen.
♫♫ city sidewalks, busy sidewalks ♫♫
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling like Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city ♫♫
On the other hand anyone remember this Christmas song?
♫♫ city sidewalks, busy sidewalks ♫♫
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling like Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
And on every street corner you hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city ♫♫
Sunday, September 26, 2010
It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Click on the link below to see a cute cartoon book about American sayings. If you like the site, you can create your own cartoons and comic books for free. It's really fun and easy. FYI (for your information) it does not have to be in English.
http://www.toondoo.com/ViewBook.toon?bookid=203629
http://www.toondoo.com/ViewBook.toon?bookid=203629
Monday, September 20, 2010
Americans and Eating Healthy
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans..
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans..
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dating Asking Someone Out in English
I like this video for three reasons; you can practice speaking and hear your voice, you can read the sentences and you have pictures for visual help.
http://www.englishcentral.com/en/player/10362/dating-asking-someone-out
http://www.englishcentral.com/en/player/10362/dating-asking-someone-out
New Way to Practice English with Videos
http://class.englishcentral.com/kim
Hi,
As you may know, we will be using www.englishcentral.com in our class to help you improve your English speaking and listening skills. I have set up a special account just for our class, and I need you to sign up by clicking on this link:
http://class.englishcentral.com/kim
Registration for group: ''kimberly cavender (Kaplan)''
Once you have done that you can log in to EnglishCentral using the email address and password you provided at sign-up and you can start browsing the videos and practicing your English right away.
If there is any request for money on this site do not submit it. The site promises to be free to my students.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Your teacher,
Kimberly Cavender
http://class.englishcentral.com/kim
Saturday, April 17, 2010
American Cultural Tips
Culture Tips- Courtesy of Berlitz.com
Americans typically greet each other with a brief, firm handshake. In a social setting, women may greet other women, or close male friends, with a hug, but men do not hug one another. When taking your leave from a group of people, it is not always necessary to say goodbye or shake hands with each person individually.
Americans generally stand about an arm's length from each other. If you are more comfortable standing closer, don't advance; they will back away and you will be considered rude and/or pushy. If you are more comfortable standing farther away, don't back off; you will be considered standoffish or unresponsive.
You will hear "How are you?" or "How's it going?" as a common greeting. This is generally not an invitation to explain that you've been having back pains or marital problems. A simple "Fine, and you?" is an appropriate response.
Business is a common topic of conversation, even on social occasions. Expect to be asked, "What do you do?" Other topics of conversation are families (children, school, spouse's career, etc.), and sport. Topics such as politics and international issues are not taboo, but they are not often discussed, unless they have a direct impact on the individual.
Compliments are frequently given; learn how to give and receive compliments gracefully.
Americans want to be friends: expect to be invited to peoples' homes. Bring a gift (flowers, wine, etc., nothing too ostentatious), if you're invited for dinner, but a thank you note afterward is not necessary, particularly if there were many others for dinner.
Americans are fond of barbecues, potluck dinners and cocktail parties. At a barbecue, friends and family are invited over and hamburgers, steaks or chicken are grilled. A potluck dinner is where each person attending brings one dish to be shared. Both of these events are informal and generally served buffet-style. A cocktail party is a get-together with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. People are expected to mingle and meet new people.
Meals are often served "family-style" (platters of food are handed around the table), "buffet style" (you serve yourself from a sideboard of dishes and take your plate back to the table), or "cocktail-style" (you serve yourself from dishes set about the room, and eat with your plate on your lap or standing).
Many foods are eaten with the hands (sandwiches and hamburgers, fried/barbecued chicken, French fries, etc.)
When you visit an American's home, you will usually be treated as one of the family. You might be told to "help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator" and your offers of help with washing up, etc. will be accepted.
Americans love sports; while many are content to be spectators, many participate in sports after work and on weekends. Baseball is the national sport; however, basketball, football, and ice hockey are also popular.
Traditional courtesies accorded to women have faded in recent years, largely as a result of the women's movement to attain equality with men on all levels. Women do not necessarily expect men to open doors for them or give up their seats for them. Do not be offended if a man precedes you through a door; conversely, do not be surprised if a woman opens the door for you!
It is not necessary to dress up to go out in public for everyday purposes. You will see people in everything from sweat suits to business suits in the grocery store. Get-togethers are generally quite casual and shorts or jeans are often acceptable. If you are unsure what is appropriate to wear, ask someone.
Americans typically greet each other with a brief, firm handshake. In a social setting, women may greet other women, or close male friends, with a hug, but men do not hug one another. When taking your leave from a group of people, it is not always necessary to say goodbye or shake hands with each person individually.
Americans generally stand about an arm's length from each other. If you are more comfortable standing closer, don't advance; they will back away and you will be considered rude and/or pushy. If you are more comfortable standing farther away, don't back off; you will be considered standoffish or unresponsive.
You will hear "How are you?" or "How's it going?" as a common greeting. This is generally not an invitation to explain that you've been having back pains or marital problems. A simple "Fine, and you?" is an appropriate response.
Business is a common topic of conversation, even on social occasions. Expect to be asked, "What do you do?" Other topics of conversation are families (children, school, spouse's career, etc.), and sport. Topics such as politics and international issues are not taboo, but they are not often discussed, unless they have a direct impact on the individual.
Compliments are frequently given; learn how to give and receive compliments gracefully.
Americans want to be friends: expect to be invited to peoples' homes. Bring a gift (flowers, wine, etc., nothing too ostentatious), if you're invited for dinner, but a thank you note afterward is not necessary, particularly if there were many others for dinner.
Americans are fond of barbecues, potluck dinners and cocktail parties. At a barbecue, friends and family are invited over and hamburgers, steaks or chicken are grilled. A potluck dinner is where each person attending brings one dish to be shared. Both of these events are informal and generally served buffet-style. A cocktail party is a get-together with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. People are expected to mingle and meet new people.
Meals are often served "family-style" (platters of food are handed around the table), "buffet style" (you serve yourself from a sideboard of dishes and take your plate back to the table), or "cocktail-style" (you serve yourself from dishes set about the room, and eat with your plate on your lap or standing).
Many foods are eaten with the hands (sandwiches and hamburgers, fried/barbecued chicken, French fries, etc.)
When you visit an American's home, you will usually be treated as one of the family. You might be told to "help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator" and your offers of help with washing up, etc. will be accepted.
Americans love sports; while many are content to be spectators, many participate in sports after work and on weekends. Baseball is the national sport; however, basketball, football, and ice hockey are also popular.
Traditional courtesies accorded to women have faded in recent years, largely as a result of the women's movement to attain equality with men on all levels. Women do not necessarily expect men to open doors for them or give up their seats for them. Do not be offended if a man precedes you through a door; conversely, do not be surprised if a woman opens the door for you!
It is not necessary to dress up to go out in public for everyday purposes. You will see people in everything from sweat suits to business suits in the grocery store. Get-togethers are generally quite casual and shorts or jeans are often acceptable. If you are unsure what is appropriate to wear, ask someone.
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