Monday, March 31, 2014

CUTTING-EDGE CLOTHING

3-D printers are opening up new possibilities in the fashion world

Fashion's newest tool, 3-D printing, is expanding options for professionals and amateurs alike. People can design clothing on a computer, input someone's measurements and transmit the pattern to a 3-D printer. The printer lays down layers of material, and new, creative clothing takes shape.

Inspiring the fashion industry 
As early as 2010, designers Iris Van Herpen was displaying 3-D printed dresses and shoes on fashion runways. And recently, Catherine Wales joined her. Her Project DNA collection features masks, accessories and clothing made of white nylon. Their exotic designs, like the technology that produced them, seem to have come out of science fiction.

Design your own
But professionals aren't the only ones designing 3-D printed clothing. The company Continuum allows anyone with an Internet connection to design dresses, shoes and bathing suits. The company then prints out the material according to the design, sews it together and sends the finished product to the customer.

3-D printed clothing is still quite expensive, and the technology to create it is still developing. But soon you might be creating - and wearing - your own fashion masterpieces. You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home. In the words of Continuum founder Mary Huang, "Everyone has access to creativity."


Grammar Gym
- You may even buy a 3-D printer and create clothing in the comfort of your home.
in the comfort of your home
- Would you rather go to a theater and enjoy a movie on a big screen or watch a DVD in the comfort of your home?
- Online shopping has grown popular because many people prefer looking and buying things in the comfort of their homes.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Amateurs and Professionals
Professionals 專業人士 / Amateurs 業餘人士
若要形容amateur,
可用not professional,
不要用unprofessional(有負面涵意)


Language Lab
transmit v.
to send (information, sound, etc.) in the form of electrical signals to a radio, television, computer, etc. [+ obj]
- The game was transmitted live all around the globe.
to give or pass (information, values, etc.) from one person to another
- Insects transmit many kinds of infectious diseases.

exotic adj.
something that is exotic seems unusual and interesting because it is related to a foreign country
- This Asian model's exotic looks made her very popular.
- The exotic cuisine served here is surprisingly tasty.

connection n.
a wire or piece of metal joining two parts of a machine or electrical system:
- The connection here is very weak. I can barely hear you.
when two or more things are joined together or when something is joined to a larger system or network
- Getting a connection to the electricity took longer than we expected.

masterpiece n.
a work of art, a piece of writing or music etc that is of very high quality or that is the best that a particular artist, writer etc has produced
- Many of Van Gogh's masterpieces are displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
- The "Mona Lisa" is Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140331baae2bb0f66e4128937bb5d3cc34e40201ec7f3f2cae5fcea7176501fe0fd7286f0.wma

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

DEPRESSION PART 3: WALKING OUT OF DARKNESS

Daily steps on the road to healing

At one point, the shadow of depression hung over me almost constantly. My moments of happiness became fewer and fewer. Finally, I decided to seek help.

I began meeting with a counselor regularly. She helped me realize that negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression. For example, if someone refused an invitation for me, I wrongly assumed they didn't really like me. Once I recognized these wrong ideas, I could stop them.

Managing depression

  • Physical health affects your mood, so eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Choose an enjoyable exercise that won't increase your stress.
  • Get enough sleep. If you depression interferes with sleep, go to bed and get up at regular times, and limit your caffeine consumption.
  • Participate in activities, even when you don't feel like it. This will take your mind off your depression and give you a sense of accomplishment.
  • Share your feelings with someone you trust.
  • Have realistic expectations for yourself. Focus on your successes, not on mistakes or problems. 


Editor's Summary
Today, our writer gives us some good tips for managing depression.
With the help of her counselor, she realized that she was making some wrong assumptions, and she should look carefully at things.
More tips, she gives, are to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Go on and do things even if you don't feel like it.
Share your feelings with someone you trust and focus on your successes and not your failures.
These are just a few of the tips to offer hope in this kind of situation.


Grammar Gym
[Something 1] and [something 2] added to [something else].
added to = made something better or worse
... negative thoughts and wrong interpretations of people's words and actions added to my depression.
- Sara's boss' criticisms and her coworkers' lack of support added to her dissatisfaction with her work.
- The balloons and lively music added to the party atmosphere.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Diet and Dieting
diet n. 飲食
the food that a person or animal usually eats [count]
- You should watch your diet.
- eat a healthy diet 攝取健康的飲食
go on a diet 節食
the kind and amount of food that a person eats for a certain reason (such as to improve health or to lose weight) [noncount]
- I should probably go on a diet.
diet v.節食
- A lot of people have to diet to stay slim.


Language Lab
hang over someone or something 
hang over  [phrasal verb]
hang over (someone) : to be a threat or danger to (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel worried or guilty
- A sense of hopelessness hung over the town.
- Uncertainty hung over the staff. Many felt that they were going to get fired.

interpretation n.
the act or result of explaining or interpreting something : the way something is explained or understood [count]
- There are many different interpretations of the sudden resignation of the mayor.
[count] : a particular way of performing something
- The actor's unique interpretation of this character won a lot of praise.

interfere v.
[no obj] : to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted
interfere with [phrasal verb]
1 interfere with (something) : to stop or slow (something) : to make (something) slower or more difficult
2 interfere with (someone) Brit : to touch (a child) in a sexual and improper way
- Charles went to the library so that nothing would interfere with studying.
- Linda never interferes in her son't love life.

accomplishment n.
[count] : something done, achieved, or accomplished successfully
- As a director, finishing this documentary is quite an accomplishment.
a sense of accomplishment 
- The project was extremely difficult, but the sense of accomplishment is huge.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140319baa8a5159c87467c0c5da4096288d9eb7d0db91c757402822c14ff1e3ba9ad5b923.wma


Thursday, March 13, 2014

SAVED BY THE QUEEN (1)

The Jewish people celebrate Queen Esther’s bravery every year

What makes a great story? Drama, power, romance and conflict can all be elements. And the story is even better when it's true. The Jewish festival of Purim celebrates just such a story.

Around 470 B.C., King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, Ester, a Jew, was his queen, and Ester's cousin Mordecai served as a government official. A selfish man named Haman was second in command.


Language Lab
empire n.
a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one goverment ; especially : a group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress
- The Roman Empire 羅馬帝國
- The defeat caused the breakup of the empire.
a very large business or group of businesses under the control of one person or company
- The used-to-be media empire is now facing bankruptcy.

serve as
serve as someone
to spend a period of time doing useful work or official duties for an organization, country, important person etc
- For five years, Peterson served as the general manager of the industry.
serve as something
to have a particular effect or result
- Their family room also serves as their office.

FOOD REMEDIES

Find solutions for your problems in certain foods and drinks
We eat to satisfy our hunger and to provide necessary nutrition for our body, but there are other reasons to reach for particular foods. Research shows that there are times when certain foods may provide possible solutions for various problems.

When you can't sleep:
Try a few almonds for a late-night snack. Almonds contain magnesium, an essential nutrient that helps relax the muscles and promote sleep.

When you have bad breath:
Drink a cup of black, green or oolong tea, which contains a compound that stops the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath.

When you feel irritable:
Reach for a chocolate bar! Chocolate makes most people happy, not only because it tastes good, but also because it increases the production of serotonin, which affects peoples moods.

When you have joint pain:
East strawberries, oranges or other foods loaded with Vitamin C. Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.

When you don't have much energy:
Drink ample amounts of water. When you don't drink enough water, oxygen and nutrients can't reach your brain in an efficient manner, leaving you tired and less able to concentrate.

The next time you have a problem remember to check your kitchen first for a solution.


Editor's Summary
In today's lesson, we see that besides giving us nutrition, certain foods may help with some problems we may be having.
For example, eat some almonds if you can't sleep.
Or, if you're feeling irritable, have chocolate.
And did you know that if you feel like you're running out of energy, maybe a glass of water is just the thing.
There are various kinds of nutrients in foods that help different conditions.
So, check it out.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Distinguishing Between Can and Can’t
其實很多美國人在說can't的時候, 根本沒有把字尾的 t 講出來,
分辨can & can't 的技巧有以下二點:
1. 美國人說can的時候, 其實是讀成 /kən/ 而不是/kæn/
2. 用重音去分別, 如果是說否定時, 重音都會特別加重 can't /ˈkænt/


Grammar Gym
wear and tear 
the kind of damage that happens to a thing when that thing is being used a lot
- Eating two oranges daily gives you 120 milligrams of Vitamin C, which may help slow the wear and tear on your joints.
- After seeing the wear and tear on his shoes, Scott knew he needed higher quality shoes.
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee got some counseling after they realized there was some emotional wear and tear in their relationship.


Language Lab
nutrition n.
[noncount] : the process of eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly and be healthy
- Plants absorb nutrition from the soil.
- Good nutrition is essential for children's growth.
nutrient n. [count]
a substance that plants, animals, and people need to live and grow
- The soil is rich in all kinds of nutrients.

compound n.
something that is formed by combining two or more parts ; especially technical : a substance created when the atoms of two or more chemical elements join together
- Water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
- Nitrogen compounds in the fertilizer help plants grow faster.

irritable adj.
becoming angry or annoyed easily
- Ted gets irritable when he's hungry.
- The passengers became irritable after waiting two hours for the delayed flight.
irritate v.
to make (someone) impatient, angry, or annoyed
- Don't irritate Mandy; she's been really fussy today.

ample adj.
/ˈæmpəl/
having or providing enough or more than enough of what is needed
- There's ample room for another suitcase in the trunk.
- The mall provides ample parking for its customers.
- There's ample time for us to review before the exam.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140313baa76b9392f58022df4ffd486d7882100e44ab18736a90cf87e4d882fefb1775146.wma

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

WHAT A ZOO! (3)

Mr. Fox's office was so small that there was not enough room to swing a cat. Quiet as a mouse, Robin dug through the desk while Jay waited by the door. Finally Robin found the real book of business expenses. Just then Mr. Fox came through the door. The children frozen, "What are you doing?" shouted Mr. Fox. "Give me that." "When pigs fly!" Robin answered.

Mr. Fox moved toward her, and Robin realized she couldn't get past him. She was a sitting duck.

"Catch!" she yelled and threw the book to Jay. He ran toward the front door with Mr. Fox right behind. Just then Jay ran straight into his parents, who had just gotten home. Their parents looked through the book and discovered Mr. Fox's theft. They dismissed him from his position and hired Arthur again. Arthur was a skilled manager who eventually became top dog at the company. The zoo prospered thanks to him, Robin and Jay.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Animal Idioms
1. the bird
- killing two birds with one stone. 一石二鳥
2. chicken
- Don't be a chicken. 別做個膽小的人!
- Don't chicken out! 害怕而臨陣逃跑!
3. cat
- Don't be a copycat. Be original. 做自己不要學別人!
4. crocodile
- shed crocodile tears. 假哭 (類似中文的貓哭耗子假慈悲)


Grammar Gym
Just then Mr. Fox came through the door.
Just then.
at that moment that was mentioned.
- I'm sorry. I didn't pay attention to what you were saying. I was distracted just then.
- It's embarrassing to spill coffee on yourself and having your boss walk into your office just then.


Language Lab
expenses n.
[count] : an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something
- The speaker's fare and hotel expenses were paid by the conference.
[noncount] : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
- The computer system was renewed at great expense.

freeze v. froze frozen
to stop moving : to become completely still
- The thief froze when he was caught by the police.
- Franks's smile suddenly froze when he saw his rival.

dismiss v.
to decide not to think about or consider (something or someone)
- Ellen was dismissed from her position for a series of huge mistakes.
- Josie claims that she was unfairly dismissed because of her age.
to send (someone) away : to cause or allow (someone) to leave
- Class was dismissed at 4 p.m.

prosper v.
to become very successful usually by making a lot of money
- Online shopping companies continue to prosper even in times of recession.
prosperity n.
the state of being successful usually by making a lot of money
- I wish you longevity and prosperity.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

WHAT A ZOO! (2)

Robin and Jay ran into the park. They soon found Gwen sitting on the arm of their cousin Arthur. He'd attached a leash to her leg, so she wouldn't fly away. Arthur was the family's black sheep. He used to work at the zoo, but the manager, Mr. Fox, had complained about him. Mr. Fox had accused Arthur of stealing money. The was the straw that broke the camel's back. Arthur was fired.

Arthur greeted the children happily and agreed to return the bird to them - on one condition. He claimed that Mr. Fox was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mr. Fox was keeping the lion's share of the zoo's profits for himself. When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired. He had shown Robin's parents a fake account book. Arthur wanted them to find the real one and show it to their parents.

The children agreed, went home and put Gwen back in her cage.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Is an Animal a He or a She?
動物要用it 還是he/she,
是要看是野生動物還是人所飼養的寵物,
1. 野生動物用it,
- Look at that squirrel. It's so cute.
2. 人所飼養的動物用 he/she
在公園看到別人的寵物, 要用:
- What a cute dog! How old is he?
若用it 形容別的寵物, 是不禮貌的


Grammar Gym
When Arthur discovered this, Mr. Fox got him fired.
to get [someone] [verb]
- Mr. Walters got his car washed at the gas station.
- Wanda got her nails painted at the salon.


Language Lab
leash n.
a long, thin piece of rope, chain, etc., that is used for holding a dog or other animal
- Annie always puts her dog on a leash when she walks it.
- The dog strained at the leash trying to chase after a cat.
leash v.
to put (a dog or other animal) on a leash
- Patrick leashed his dog to a pole.

accuse v.
to blame (someone) for something wrong or illegal : to say that someone is guilty of a fault or crime
— often + of
- Eric was accused of cheating by his classmates.
accusation n.
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal : a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime [count]
- The governor denied the accusation that he had received bribes.

condition n.
the situation in which people live or work, especially the physical things that affect the quality of their lives
- The company agreed to refund our purchase under the condition that we pay for the shipment.
on one condition
something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen
- I can lend you my car on one condition - that you return it by tomorrow noon.

profit n.
money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs and expenses are paid : a financial gain [count]
- The company's net profits rose 20 percent last year.
- Grace sold her house at a huge profit.

Monday, March 10, 2014

WHAT A ZOO! (1)

When you live at a zoo, life can get a bit wild

Robin thought her parents had the best job in the world. They ran a zoo. Robin and her little brother, Jay, loved the animals - especially Gwen the parrot. Sometimes the zoo staff let them play with Gwen, but only when an adult was around. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

One day the zoo was closed, and the entire staff was gone including their parents. Jay wanted to take Gwen out to play.

Robin hesitated but eventually agreed. When the cat's away, the mice will play! The children took the key from the office and opened Gwen's cage. The parrot took off and flew out the zoo! The kids ran after her.

"Don't worry. She has to stop sometime," Jay said hopefully. But Robin thought they were on a wild goose chase. Compared to Gwen, the kids were moving at snail's pace. But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Sometime vs. Sometimes
sometimes 偶爾
sometime 未來或過去的某個時刻
some time 好一段時間了

Grammar Gym
But they kept her in sight until she flew into a park.
[subject]... keep(s) [something]... in sight until... [a situation happens].
To keep something in sight
to keep one's eyes on something
to continue watching something so one doesn't lose it.
- Donald kept his cellphone in sight until he went to bed.
- After calling 911, Mrs. Lawson kept the man in sight until the police showed up.


Language Lab
staff n.
a group of people who work for an organization or business [count]
- The accounting department has a staff of five people.
- The ground staff of the airline is friendly and helpful.
- Nathan joined our marketing staff just last month.

more fun than a barrel of moneys
- We went on many rides at Disneyland. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

take off [phrasal verb]
to begin to fly; to suddenly go somewhere
- The helicopter is ready to take off.
- We finally took off at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Hong Kong at 12:30.
- Vince isn't in the office; he just took off for a meeting.

hopefully adv.
in a hopeful manner
- The little boy stood hopefully beside the Christmas tree waiting to open his present.
it is hoped : I hope : we hope
- Hopefully, we can reach our monthly quota next week.


Sunday, March 9, 2014

THE 2014 WINTER PARALYMPICS

The Olympics may be over, but don’t put your flags down yet
The International Paralympic Committee welcomes you to Sochi, Russia, for the Paralympic Games. I'm sure there are questions, so let's get started with this informative meeting.

What does Paralympic mean?
Think of the word parallel mixed with the word Olympic - next to or with the Olympics. The Paralympics are competitions that take place after the Olympics but in the same location for athletes with disabilities.

What kind of disabilities do the athletes have?
Some athletes have lost limbs due to illness or injury, and others have poor vision.

Paralympic athletes may also be affected by several other disabilities, such as muscle or mental issues. That's why three of our five sports are divided into standing, sitting, and vision-challenged categories. I recommend that you try to watch a little of each category.

How do these categories affect the events?
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event. For the other two categories, special sit skis are used for sitting events, and guides lead vision-challenged athletes. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling are only open to athletes with lower-body disabilities.


Editor's Summary
Today, we have been talking about the Paralympics in Sochi Russia, the same location as the Olympics last month.
What does Paralympics really mean?
Well, parallel, to be along side of, the Olympics.
This is the Olympics for disabled people.
And the disabilities are varied.
Some people have lost limbs while others may not see very well or have mental or muscle problems.
There are three categories for the five sports in the Paralympics.
Those categories include standing, sitting, and vision-challenged.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Politically Correct
p. c. 政治正確
vision-challenged = blind
[too far] vertically challenged = short


Grammar Gym
Standing events can look so much like their Olympic versions that you won't know you're watching a Paralympic event.
... look(s) like ... that you won't know...
- This restaurant's soy cheese burgers look so much like regular cheese burgers that you won't know you're eating a vegetarian dish.
- These hidden cameras look so much like stones in a garden that you won't know you're being watched as you walk around them.


Language Lab
parallel adj.
/ˈperəˌlɛl/
very similar and often happening at the same time
- Parallel statements were announced by both companies.
— used to describe lines, paths, etc., that are the same distance apart along their whole length and do not touch at any point
- The canal runs parallel to Main Street.

disability n.
a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities
- The program is aimed to help people with serious physical disabilities.
disabled adj.
having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc
- The girl was born physically disabled.

issue n.
problems or concerns
- The main issue in this school is the curriculum.
- Money is not the issue, the right people is.
something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
- The mayor expressed his personal view on the controversial issue.

category n.
a group of people or things that are similar in some way
- The files were sorted into five categories.
- Teen fashion is a separate category in the designer's collection.



mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20140307baad62c321ed10ed78d86c13d43a26993a6bdfe83b451e315fd8bd51f3e245fbf41.wma

Thursday, March 6, 2014

ARIANA GRANDE (2)

Making time for others
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others. When she was 10, she helped start a youth singing group called Kids Who Care. The group raises funds for charities, and in 2007, they raised over US$500,000. In 2009, Ariana traveled to South Africa, where she performed and taught music to sick children.

Ariana's fans love her kind and friendly manner, and she appreciates them. She stays in regular contact with more than 10 million Twitter followers and over 7.5 million Instagram followers. Ariana also has millions of Facebook likes.

Staying sweet
Many young artists allow fame to change them in a negative way. But not Ariana. She recently told Rolling Stone magazine, "I don't feel much pressure to fit in. I have really good friends and good family. And if I don't fit in somewhere else, I fit in at home."

With that kind of attitude, Ariana's star will shine brightly for years to come.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What Is Charity?
charitable organization 慈善機構
charity 慈善行為
faith, hope and charity 信望愛
charity begins at home 先愛家人才能幫助他人

Grammar Gym
Even with Ariana's busy schedule, she finds time to care for others.
Even with..., [subject] finds time to...
- Even with three part-time jobs, Joseph finds time to do his homework.
- Even with her three little children to look after, Melody finds time to bake a cake every day.


Language Lab
fund n.
- The program was terminated because of insufficient funds.
raise fund
- These high school kids are holding a car wash to raise funds for charity.

appreciate v.
to be grateful for (something)
- I really appreciate your hospitality.
- Your support is much appreciated.
to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone)
- Not many people appreciate this kind of music.

fame n.
[noncount] : the condition of being known or recognized by many people
- Tom's singing career brought him frame and riches.
- Sherry moved to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune.
famous adj.
known or recognized by very many people : having fame
- Fans gathered around the famous actor asking for his autograph.

pressure n.
the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else [noncount]
- Athletes are under a great deal of pressure during the competitions.
- Add pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

[draft] ARIANA GRANDE (1)

This sweet young star greets challenges with a smile on her face
Some compare Ariana Grande to Whitney Houston, while others call her the new Mariah Carey. But the talented young artist is not letting all of the praise go to her head. This happy 20-year-old is too busy singing, acting, writing songs and producing music.

Music plays a major role
That's a long list of activities for someone so young. But Ariana has been performing as long as she can remember. She grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and started singing and acting in local community theaters.

"I was 8 years old when I started," says Ariana, " and then I just never stopped,... I've always loved music,... It's my passion." It wasn't too long before Ariana's passion turned into a career opportunity. At age 14,


Grammar Gym
someone so young = someone who is so young
- That's a long list of activities for someone so young.
- We were surprised to hear about the new secretary's huge workload. That's just too much wrok for someone so new.
- You seem strangely relaxed for someone so busy with deadlines.

Language Lab
talented adj.
having a special ability to do something well : having talent
- This talented pianist won many international awards before she was 18.
talent n.
a special ability that allows someone to do something well [noncount]
- Both of Chelsea's sons have a talent for art.

go to one's head
to make you believe that you are better than other people
- Mark's sudden fame didn't go to his head because he's got great parents.
- Henry didn't let his success and wealth go to his head. He's still very down to earth.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A NEW VIEW OF LEADERS (2)

Leaders deserve the credit for their team's success.
When a company achieves great success, its CEO is usually the person who receives media attention. But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened. The best leaders recognize people that deserve praise and share the spotlight with them.

Leaders should maintain a flawless public image. 
Leaders can be good at giving the impression that they're perfect. In today's business environment, however, there's pressure for authenticity among leaders. They need to be genuine and admit their mistakes. This allows them to build trust more easily with staff members. While leaders should avoid disclosing overly personal details, they should also set an example in terms of being real.

Leaders should be confident and never express doubt.
Ask any leader who's been in the trenches, and he or shoe will tell you about missed deadlines, failed products and customer complaints. So when a plan gets made, it's better to ask, "Can we do this?" before boldly promising, "We can do it!" Leaders who raise questions may be more helpful than those who insist on acting confident.

Anyone who wants to be a leader should consider seeing the role in a new light!


Grammar Gym
But without [something]..., ... [a situation] wouldn't have happened.
- But without the hard work of teammates behind the scenes, that success wouldn't have happened.
- But without the watchful care of the hospital staff, Sara's recovery wouldn't have happened so quickly.
- But without the diligence and dedication of everyone on our team, winning first place wouldn't have happened.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: DE-creasing Your Vocabulary?
有些口頭禪會損壞我們的形象,
例如:
um... 這個語助詞會讓人覺得你無法準確的用字;
另外, 少講 I can't. 聽起來是像在拒絕= I won't.
還有不要說buzzwords,
像innovative 創新, 其實一點也不創新


Language Lab
spotlight n.
public attention or notice
- Tina loves to be in the spotlight. She craves attention.
- The governor is in the spotlight because of the scandal.

authenticity n.[noncount]
/ˌɑ:ˌθɛnˈtɪsəti/
true and accurate
- The authenticity of the painting is questionable.
authentic adj.
/əˈθɛntɪk/
real or genuine
- The manuscripts are authentic.

confident adj.
having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something : having confidence
- The model is confident and radiant on stage.
- We are confident in your ability to solve this problem.
- Alex feels quite confident about sharing his feeling with his wife.

trench n.
a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground
- The sides of the trench suddenly collapsed, and many workers were injured.
- The soldiers hid in the trench to avoid the gunfire.
- The trench warfare lasted for hours.
the trenches : a place or situation in which people do very difficult work




Monday, March 3, 2014

A NEW VIEW OF LEADERS (1)

Becoming a better leader in business and in life

Many people have assumptions of what business leaders should be like. They might picture good leaders as being tough and confident people who can make quick decisions. While it may be true that leadership requires taking charge, other important leadership qualities aren't so obvious. The following are some assumptions about leaders and their behavior that could use some adjustment.

What leaders have to say is important
Well, yes, that is clearly true. However, if leaders dominate every discussion and never listen to their teammates, they shouldn't expect their colleagues to say motivated for long.

Good leaders have the ability to listen closely, regardless of teammates' positions in the company.

Leaders' goals should come first.
Without a doubt, leaders have personal goals such as building a professional identity or gaining status within an industry. But when leaders narrow-mindedly pursue such goals, they fail to encourage the success of their teammates. If real leadership is about making other people better, then leaders should spend as much energy supporting teammates as much energy supporting teammates as they do pursuing their own personal goals.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Do We Need More Letters in the Alphabet?
古時候的英文, 根本就沒有 Q & U
quick 早期在英格蘭是拼 cwic, 後來在西元1066年, 才將法國的qu引進英格蘭,
qu組合取代了原本的cw

其實英文有許多不規則的發音, 但是沒有字母可以面確表達,
像手錶watch 字尾的ch就是一個例子


Language Lab
assumption n.
something that is believed to be true or probably true but that is not known to be true : something that is assumed
- The prediction is based on the assumption that oil prices will continue to rise.
- People's assumptions are that movie stars are always glamorous and wealthy.

take charge 
- Greg was assigned to take charge of the marketing department.
be verb + in charge of something
- Sandra is in charge of this case.

regardless adv.
in spite of difficulty, trouble, etc. : without being stopped by difficulty, trouble, etc.
regard n.
care or concern for someone or something — often + for or to
regardless of : without being stopped or affected by (something)
- The rule applies to everyone regardless of their age, race or gender.
- Regardless of the community's opposition, the expressway was built.

narrow-mindedly adv.
- The company narrow-mindedly closed their Asian branch.
narrow-minded adj.
not willing to accept opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that are unusual or different from your own
- This narrow-minded manager is not open to other people's opinions.





Sunday, March 2, 2014

Super Junior’s Kyuhyun (1)

The miracle of a second life

Standing on his tiptoes, little Kyu lifted the Christmas stocking that his daddy had bought him to hang on the bedpost. The little boy then went to sleep with a lingering smile. He knew that it would be stuffed with his favorite goodies the next morning.

He continued the same ritual on Christmas Eve into his late childhood. But a pair of pants had replaced the stocking as a resourceful way to get more gifts.


tiptoe n.
if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly
- Little Olivia stood on her tiptoes trying to see through the peephole.
tiptoe v.
to walk quietly and carefully on your toes, so that nobody hears you
- Linda sneaked out of bed and tiptoed to the door.

linger v.
to continue to exist, be noticeable etc for longer than is usual or desirable
- The scent of the lady's perfume lingered in the room even after she left.
to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do not want to leave
- Patrick loves to linger in this cafe till ate at night.
lingering adj.
continuing to exist for longer than usual or desirable