Watch your arms
Americans may think you look sloppy if you put your elbows on the table while you’re eating. But people from France and Russia consider it rude to place your hands below the table.
How can you make everyone happy?
Rest your wrists on the edge of the table when you’re not using your hands to eat.
Utensils
Even in countries where people use forks and knives as opposed to chopsticks, people use them in different ways. In Thailand, people use forks only to push food onto the spoons they eat with.
Imitate the locals
Europeans hold the knife in their dominant hand and the fork in the other hand throughout the entire meal. But Americans cut off a piece of food, lay down the knife and move the fork to their dominant hand. When they want to cut another piece, they pick the knife up again. Dining etiquette can be confusing, but don’t worry. Next time you travel, do some research beforehand – and imitate the locals. You can make a good impression – and maybe even some new friends.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: When In Rome教學主題: 入境隨俗
Hello, friends! Have you ever been to Rome? If you have, did you do as the Romans do?
Ken, I think we need to explain to our students that what you just said is reference to a common expression.
You’re right, Steve. When in Rome do as the Romans do is a common saying and usually has nothing to do with the Rome or the Romans.
Right, it just means that when you are visiting a new place, could be Rome. You should try to follow with the locals do. I remember when I first visited Beijing and a friend took me a restaurant and ordered some thousands years old eggs. I didn’t quite know what to do, so the friend said to me.
Oh, come on, Steve! Give it a try, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
So I took one up with my chopsticks and put it in my mouth. And it was actually not bad.
So this expression is basically saying, once you tried to fit in, a simulate or conform to what is socially acceptable when they are visiting a new place. But Steve, do you think it’s always a good idea?
Not always. Remember, just because everyone else doing something doesn’t always mean it’s right. Or that you have to do it too.
Language Lab
sloppy adj.
not careful or neat : showing a lack of care, attention, or effort
- Your work has been very sloppy lately.
as opposed to 相對於
— used to refer to something that is different from what has just been mentioned
dominant adj.
more important, powerful, or successful than most or all others
- The company is now dominant in its market.
beforehand adv.
in advance : at an earlier or previous time
- We paid for our tickets beforehand.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150407baae972e33388371565beaf26b3b1a4fcf65597cca816f7d81d14806a1a3ce2a00f.wma
Friday, April 24, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Table Manners (1) 4/6
How to act when invited to dinner in a foreign country
As a child growing up in America, I was instructed to avoid making noise while eating. I learned that burping, slurping and chewing loudly are all rude. But a trip to Mongolia taught me that American customs are far from universal.
There, slurping expresses appreciation. It felt strange to do the opposite of what I’d been taught. But my friends and I reminded each other to follow the custom of slurping to be polite.
Many travelers have problems with local table manners and may violate customs by accident. Here are some areas to be aware of.
Finger food?
People in Chile and Brazil eat everything with utensils; whereas, Mexicans eat certain foods with their hands. In India, the Middle East and parts of Africa, eating with your right hand is acceptable. But the left hand is considered dirty and not used. In other countries, such as the United States, many foods are eaten with utensils while some are designated as “finger food.” These include fried chicken, French fries and sandwiches to name a few.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Are French Fries Really French? 薯條的起源
Despite its name the French fry, is not French. But Belgium, as early as the 17th century, people in Belgium were frying small strips of potatoes.
When American soldiers were stationing in Belgium during the world war I, they were introduced to the delicious fried potatoes. Since the official language of the Belgium army was French, American soldiers nicknamed the tasty food French fries.
And the name stuck to this day, Americans are still giving credit to the wrong country.
Not the British though, in the UK they are called chips and adding to the confusion, chips is used in American English to refer to what the British call crisps, which are thin slices of the salty fried potato eaten cold.
Right, I love bowl of potato chips and French fries. Ok, one last point about the French fry, English learners are often confused when they hear American say a small fries, when making a order at a fast food restaurant.
Right, the word fries is plural, shouldn't one order at least twenty French fries instead of just one?
You would think. Actually this is an abbreviated way of saying a small sized fries, just as one can order a large coke or a medium milk shake. One can also order a small fries.
Language Lab
instruct v. [in-字首:進入; struct-字根:建造]
to teach (someone) a subject, skill, etc. — usually + in or on
- His friend instructed him in English.
to give (someone) an order or command
- She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats.
slurp v.
to eat or drink (something) noisily or with a sucking sound
- He always slurps his soup/tea.
utensil n.
a simple and useful device that is used for doing tasks in a person's home and especially in the kitchen
- cooking/kitchen utensils
whereas conjunction
used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different
- Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.
- He has brown eyes whereas his children have green eyes.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150406baa8e3a50922e5e3efb35ee8470342c8a0b8c9e085262871fecd271bf1040371c93.wma
As a child growing up in America, I was instructed to avoid making noise while eating. I learned that burping, slurping and chewing loudly are all rude. But a trip to Mongolia taught me that American customs are far from universal.
There, slurping expresses appreciation. It felt strange to do the opposite of what I’d been taught. But my friends and I reminded each other to follow the custom of slurping to be polite.
Many travelers have problems with local table manners and may violate customs by accident. Here are some areas to be aware of.
Finger food?
People in Chile and Brazil eat everything with utensils; whereas, Mexicans eat certain foods with their hands. In India, the Middle East and parts of Africa, eating with your right hand is acceptable. But the left hand is considered dirty and not used. In other countries, such as the United States, many foods are eaten with utensils while some are designated as “finger food.” These include fried chicken, French fries and sandwiches to name a few.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Are French Fries Really French? 薯條的起源
Despite its name the French fry, is not French. But Belgium, as early as the 17th century, people in Belgium were frying small strips of potatoes.
When American soldiers were stationing in Belgium during the world war I, they were introduced to the delicious fried potatoes. Since the official language of the Belgium army was French, American soldiers nicknamed the tasty food French fries.
And the name stuck to this day, Americans are still giving credit to the wrong country.
Not the British though, in the UK they are called chips and adding to the confusion, chips is used in American English to refer to what the British call crisps, which are thin slices of the salty fried potato eaten cold.
Right, I love bowl of potato chips and French fries. Ok, one last point about the French fry, English learners are often confused when they hear American say a small fries, when making a order at a fast food restaurant.
Right, the word fries is plural, shouldn't one order at least twenty French fries instead of just one?
You would think. Actually this is an abbreviated way of saying a small sized fries, just as one can order a large coke or a medium milk shake. One can also order a small fries.
Language Lab
instruct v. [in-字首:進入; struct-字根:建造]
to teach (someone) a subject, skill, etc. — usually + in or on
- His friend instructed him in English.
to give (someone) an order or command
- She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats.
slurp v.
to eat or drink (something) noisily or with a sucking sound
- He always slurps his soup/tea.
utensil n.
a simple and useful device that is used for doing tasks in a person's home and especially in the kitchen
- cooking/kitchen utensils
whereas conjunction
used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different
- Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.
- He has brown eyes whereas his children have green eyes.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150406baa8e3a50922e5e3efb35ee8470342c8a0b8c9e085262871fecd271bf1040371c93.wma
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Unsolved Mysteries of the World (3)
Amelia Earhart
Certain names have become synonymous with mystery,and Amelia Earhart is a prime example. Her goal of flying around the globe at the equator held the world’s attention, but her disappearance intrigued it even more. The year was 1937, and Earhart’s mission was nearing completion, about 22,000 miles flown and 7,000 ahead. Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan took off from New Guinea, heading for tiny Howland Island where an American ship awaited them. Earhart lost communication with the ship during the flight and never arrived.
Searches for Earhart and Noonan were conducted, but neither they nor their plane was ever found. The wildest theories have Earhart landing elsewhere and assuming a new identity or being captured by the Japanese as a secret American spy. Many believe the plane ran out offuel, resulting in Earhart and Noonan’s death at sea, but recent findings support a different possibility. A piece of metal found in 1991 on an island in Kirbati was confirmed as part of her plane just last year. The search for more evidence there continues, giving hope that this decades-old mystery may yet be solved.
Language Lab
synonymous adj.
/səˈnɑːnəməs/
— often + with
having the same meaning
- Wealth and fame are not necessarily synonymous with happiness.
synonym n.
/ˈsɪnəˌnɪm/
a word that has the same meaning as another word in the same language
- "Shy" and "timid" are synonyms.
navigator n.
a person who finds out how to get to a place : a person who navigates a ship, an airplane, etc.
- Jacob is a skillful navigator who has an excellent sense of direction.
navigate v.
to find the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc.
- Our captain safely navigated the ship out of this icy area.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150411baa8fd3137c993a9bc4ca0584702da5134b57d75d04fc6a3709050db1982f4bba79.wma
Certain names have become synonymous with mystery,and Amelia Earhart is a prime example. Her goal of flying around the globe at the equator held the world’s attention, but her disappearance intrigued it even more. The year was 1937, and Earhart’s mission was nearing completion, about 22,000 miles flown and 7,000 ahead. Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan took off from New Guinea, heading for tiny Howland Island where an American ship awaited them. Earhart lost communication with the ship during the flight and never arrived.
Searches for Earhart and Noonan were conducted, but neither they nor their plane was ever found. The wildest theories have Earhart landing elsewhere and assuming a new identity or being captured by the Japanese as a secret American spy. Many believe the plane ran out offuel, resulting in Earhart and Noonan’s death at sea, but recent findings support a different possibility. A piece of metal found in 1991 on an island in Kirbati was confirmed as part of her plane just last year. The search for more evidence there continues, giving hope that this decades-old mystery may yet be solved.
Language Lab
synonymous adj.
/səˈnɑːnəməs/
— often + with
having the same meaning
- Wealth and fame are not necessarily synonymous with happiness.
synonym n.
/ˈsɪnəˌnɪm/
a word that has the same meaning as another word in the same language
- "Shy" and "timid" are synonyms.
navigator n.
a person who finds out how to get to a place : a person who navigates a ship, an airplane, etc.
- Jacob is a skillful navigator who has an excellent sense of direction.
navigate v.
to find the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc.
- Our captain safely navigated the ship out of this icy area.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150411baa8fd3137c993a9bc4ca0584702da5134b57d75d04fc6a3709050db1982f4bba79.wma
Friday, April 10, 2015
Unsolved Mysteries of the World (2)
The Bronze Age Collapse
History contains many odd footnote, but it also contains whole chapters that demand an explanation when none can be found. The unexpected end of the Bronze Age is such a chapter, seeing the sudden end of several strong civilizations. What could bring powers such as the Assyrians, Canaanites and Egyptians to their knees? The answer may be on a column in the great Egyptian city of Tanis: “They came from the sea in their warships and none could stand against them.”
The Sea Peoples, still unidentified today, are often blamed for the end of this period. They attacked coastal cities repeatedly and often won battles even though their weapons were inferior. After about 100 years of conflict, the Sea Peoples vanished when Egypt finally defeated them in 1178 B.C.
The Sea Peoples seem to have been made up of peoples from different groups, but all evidence is unclear. How did such a force gather and where did they go? Recent studies show that the Bronze Age may have ended due to droughts rather than these ancient warriors, but the mystery endures.
Language Lab
bronze n.
a hard metal that is a mixture of copper and tin:
- The statue was made of bronze and created by a famous artist.
- This young athlete won bronze for his country in his first Olympics.
bronze adj. 古銅色
having the dark reddish brown colour of bronze
- bronze hair/ bronze skin
footnote n.
a note at the bottom of the page in a book, which gives more information about something
- He put a footnote at the bottom of the page to remind himself to find more references.
a piece of additional information that is not very important but is interesting or helps you understand something
- The battle became just a footnote in history.
History contains many odd footnote, but it also contains whole chapters that demand an explanation when none can be found. The unexpected end of the Bronze Age is such a chapter, seeing the sudden end of several strong civilizations. What could bring powers such as the Assyrians, Canaanites and Egyptians to their knees? The answer may be on a column in the great Egyptian city of Tanis: “They came from the sea in their warships and none could stand against them.”
The Sea Peoples, still unidentified today, are often blamed for the end of this period. They attacked coastal cities repeatedly and often won battles even though their weapons were inferior. After about 100 years of conflict, the Sea Peoples vanished when Egypt finally defeated them in 1178 B.C.
The Sea Peoples seem to have been made up of peoples from different groups, but all evidence is unclear. How did such a force gather and where did they go? Recent studies show that the Bronze Age may have ended due to droughts rather than these ancient warriors, but the mystery endures.
Language Lab
bronze n.
a hard metal that is a mixture of copper and tin:
- The statue was made of bronze and created by a famous artist.
- This young athlete won bronze for his country in his first Olympics.
bronze adj. 古銅色
having the dark reddish brown colour of bronze
- bronze hair/ bronze skin
footnote n.
a note at the bottom of the page in a book, which gives more information about something
- He put a footnote at the bottom of the page to remind himself to find more references.
a piece of additional information that is not very important but is interesting or helps you understand something
- The battle became just a footnote in history.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Unsolved Mysteries of the World (1)
Some stories still have no resolution
Today, we often pride ourselves in the advanced medicine,technology and scientific proficiency of our world. And yet history is hull of stories proving that the world is still mysterious and that all our advancements can’t satisfy us with answers.
The Green Children of Woolpit
In 12th century England, harvesters working outside the village of Woolpit caught sight of a young girl and boy.They wore clothes of unknown material and spoke an unknown language, but these details were not as strange as the green color of their skin. The boy grew sick and died, but the girl survived, eventually losing her green tint,learning English and marring an Englishman.
One theory states that they were Belgian immigrants separated from their parents during a nearby battle. Living in a dark forest with little food is said to account for their green skin color. Others claim them to be aliens from another planet or dimension. While the story may be easily dismissed as fictional, some doubt is cast by accounts from both a historian and an abbot.
Language Lab
proficiency n.
a good standard of ability and skill
- Irene's proficiency as an interpreter is unquestionable.
proficiency in/with/at
- Basic proficiency in computer software is a prerequisite for this position.
proficient
- Chelsea is proficient in five languages.
tint n.
a small amount of a particular color
- The paint we're using on our exterior wall is grey with a blue tint.
an artificial color that is used to slightly change the color of your hair:
- Sherry had a brunette tint put in her hair.
tint v.
to slightly change the color of something, especially hair
- Her eyebrows were tinted blonde.
dimension n.
/dəˈmɛnʃən/
a part of a situation or a quality involved in it
- The story is about a guy who accidentally entered the fourth dimension.
how great or serious a problem is:
- The dimension of the reform's impact is greater than we expected.
fiction n.
books and stories about imaginary people and events [≠ non-fiction]:
fictional adj.
fictional people, events etc are imaginary and from a book or story:
- Sherlock Holmes is a renowned fictional detective.
- The movie is based on a true story instead of a fictional one.
Today, we often pride ourselves in the advanced medicine,technology and scientific proficiency of our world. And yet history is hull of stories proving that the world is still mysterious and that all our advancements can’t satisfy us with answers.
The Green Children of Woolpit
In 12th century England, harvesters working outside the village of Woolpit caught sight of a young girl and boy.They wore clothes of unknown material and spoke an unknown language, but these details were not as strange as the green color of their skin. The boy grew sick and died, but the girl survived, eventually losing her green tint,learning English and marring an Englishman.
One theory states that they were Belgian immigrants separated from their parents during a nearby battle. Living in a dark forest with little food is said to account for their green skin color. Others claim them to be aliens from another planet or dimension. While the story may be easily dismissed as fictional, some doubt is cast by accounts from both a historian and an abbot.
Language Lab
proficiency n.
a good standard of ability and skill
- Irene's proficiency as an interpreter is unquestionable.
proficiency in/with/at
- Basic proficiency in computer software is a prerequisite for this position.
proficient
- Chelsea is proficient in five languages.
tint n.
a small amount of a particular color
- The paint we're using on our exterior wall is grey with a blue tint.
an artificial color that is used to slightly change the color of your hair:
- Sherry had a brunette tint put in her hair.
tint v.
to slightly change the color of something, especially hair
- Her eyebrows were tinted blonde.
dimension n.
/dəˈmɛnʃən/
a part of a situation or a quality involved in it
- The story is about a guy who accidentally entered the fourth dimension.
how great or serious a problem is:
- The dimension of the reform's impact is greater than we expected.
fiction n.
books and stories about imaginary people and events [≠ non-fiction]:
fictional adj.
fictional people, events etc are imaginary and from a book or story:
- Sherlock Holmes is a renowned fictional detective.
- The movie is based on a true story instead of a fictional one.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
“Sitting Is the New Smoking!”
- Is your sofa a health risk?
- What is the fourth biggest risk factor?
Is your sofa a health risk?
Many of us spend a large portion of our day sitting at our desks. Then after work or school, we go home and sit on our sofas. The fact is we move 90 percent less than our ancestors did a hundred years ago. All that sitting isn't good.
Muscles need regular movement to stay healthy. When we spend too much time sitting, our muscles lock into one position. Then we feel stiff when we stand up.
Studies done in Britain, Canada and the U.S. have similar findings. One finding shows that sitting too long increases our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
It also increases our risk of heart disease, obesity and cancer. The World Health Organization names the lack of activity as the fourth biggest risk factor for death. Growing evidence shows that exercising won’t protect us if we sit too much. The solution is less sitting and moreactivity throughout the day. Use a standing desk. Take frequent breaks, stretch or walk around every 90 minutes. Get moving for a longer, healthier life.
Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: What is Britain?
I know there’s much confusion over what exactly Britain is. So let’s settle this right here, right now, starting with England.
Okay, yes. England is its own country. Add to it Wales and Scotland and we get Great Britain.
Add to Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and we get yet another designation , the United Kingdom. In this context,Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are considered countries within a country.
Right, okay, next label is more geographical than political,the British Isles. They include all of Great Britain, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and Ireland the island.
Now, before we go any further, let’s offer some friendly advice. First, don’t call somebody from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, English.
Right, although these people are part of the UK politically, they’re still very interested in maintaining their distinctive cultural identities.
Second saying Ireland is a British Isle can be very controversial especially in Ireland. So avoid saying that too.
Okay, finally there’s the British Commonwealth. Simply put, the Commonwealth includes the United Kingdom plus former British Colonies that are now sovereign nations, like Canada, India, and Australia, to name just a few.
Language Lab
portion n.
a part of something larger, especially a part that is different from the other parts
- Ellen used a small portion of her salary to buy new clothes.
- Wesley spends a considerable portion of his leisure time on cars.
an amount of food for one person, especially when served in a restaurant [= serving, helping]:
- This restaurant serves smaller portions than other restaurants.
muscle n.
one of the pieces of flesh inside your body that you use in order to move, and that connect your bones together
- This aerobic series is aimed at strengthening abdominal muscles.
- Edward pulled a muscle in his back and couldn't go to work.
power or influence
- The company demonstrated their financial muscle when bidding for the project.
obesity n.
when someone is very fat in a way that is unhealthy
- People who suffer from obesity tend to have a lower self-esteem.
obese adj.
- That old lady is obese and suffers from various diseases.
evidence n.
[uncountable] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true
- There's a lot of evidence that proves the connection between stress and depression.
information that is given in a court of law in order to prove that someone is guilty or not guilty:
- The new evidence was the key to the conviction of the defendant.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150408baa4f5cf349c75b601b221ef4f701faa3e6249d3fa40b6c480f3c7eabdaa2afae08.wma
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Symbols of Easter
- Easter Eggs
- Easter Bunny
- Lambs and butterflies
Happy Easter! This spring holiday Jesus, God’s son,rose from the dead, and Christians around the worldcelebrate this new life. Let’s look at a few symbols thatare associated with the holiday.
Easter Eggs
The egg is an ancient symbol of new life. For Christians,the egg represents Jesus coming out from the grave and his resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter dates back to the 13th century.
Easter Rabbit
Christians adopted and adapted the rabbit as an Easter symbol after seeing the animal come out of its hole in the ground. To them, this was a symbol of Jesus coming out of the tomb and new life.
Lamb
At Easter, little lambs are symbols of new life in spring, and of Jesus.
Butterfly
The life of a butterfly is a symbol of eternal life. The butterfly spends part of its life in a chrysalis. While confined, it changes and then emerges in a new and beautiful form.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20150404baa15c5dce400c0cdde1e9d5e455f74e73bca720be6cb50510941b5eadbb583c5e3.wma
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