2015-09-07 Make the Most of Your Study Time (1)

• Don't memorize too much at one time
• Study in different locations
• Write information down by hand

Try these tips to study smart

Some students can’t wait to hit the books. Others wish they could be doing anything else. For students, studying can’t be avoided. But study time doesn’t have to be a pain. Here are some ways to make it more useful.

• Rather than memorize a lot of information at one time, break it up. If you must learn a long list of words, learn five or six at a time. Then review them before learning the next six.
• Do you always study in the same place? Try a new location. Research shows that studying the same thing in different places helps you remember it better. Each time you change locations, your brain forms new associations with the material.
• You remember information better when you write it by hand. Typing will not profit you in the same way. Write things that you want to remember down on a piece of paper.

Info Cloud
What are the four major language roots that make English what it is today?

Well first and foremost is the GermanicAnglo-Saxon language, the earliest form of English. The other three are French, Latin and Greek. The mixture of these four languages helped to create English’s rich vocabulary, but they create some confusion too.

Yes, like when we encounter an Anglo-Saxon based English word that has lost its Anglo-Saxon adjectival form. For example, the noun finger, what’s its adjectival form? Fingerly, or fingerish? No, it’s the Latin based word digital.

Here are a few word pairs of Anglo-Saxon nouns with their Latin based adjectives, water and aquatic, house and domestic, moon and lunar.

Looking at these two words, moon and lunar you would not think that they’re related but they are. I’m sorry, more headaches for you English learners.

Okay now there are certain Anglo-Saxon adjectives that have survived with these and Latin based adjectives both exist, we have a choice. For instance, with the noun mother, we can choose either the Anglo-Saxon based motherly or the Latin based maternal.

Umm, for the noun book we also have a choice between the adjectives bookish and literary.

Language Lab
hit the books 用功讀書
to study or begin studying very intensely
- The test is tomorrow. I really need to hit the books now.
- Since last week, Josh has been hitting the books for his final.

memorize v.
to learn (something) so well that you are able to remember it perfectly
- Jason memorized all his clients' phone numbers.
- Our teacher asked us to memorize this poem.
memorization n.
- He needs to work on his memorization to be able to act.

association n.
a feeling, memory, or thought that is connected to a person, place, or thing — usually plural
- A common association with the color red is passion and love.
a connection or relationship between things or people
- The association of these two prominent families lasted for over 30 years.

profit v.
to be an advantage to (someone) : to help (someone)
- This contract profits not only our company but also your side.
to get an advantage or benefit from something — often + by or from
- Many people have profited from the low-carb diet.

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2015-09-05 The Birell Prague Grand Prix

• A race for all
• Sights and sounds

A night race on Prague's illuminated streets

At twilight in Prague today, the downtown streets will be busier than usual. Up to 9,000 runners will be participating in one of the international races in the Birell Prague Grand Prix.

A Race for All
Last year, nearly 70,000 participants from over 100 countries ran in RunCzech races, including the Grand Prix. One asset of the race is its appeal to all runners regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Anyone can participate in either the 10-kilometer race or the 3x10-kilometer team race, while 5-kilometer versions of both races are available for women.

Sights and Sounds
Runners and spectators alike get to enjoy the beauty of Prague with all races beginning and ending at Wenceslas Square. The Marathon Music Festival provides a lively soundtrck for the races with international tunes, dancing and other striking acts. Runners have the added benefit of free entry to certain museums and historical sites in Prague. With all that it offers for such a broad range of people, everyone can consider putting on their running shoes for the Birell Prague Grand Prix.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: The Letter X 教學主題: X 的廣泛用途
It’s the third least common letter in the English language and yet, it’s the most versatile letter in the alphabet. Which letter is it?

It’s x. X is versatile in its pronunciation, there are at least seven different ways to pronounce it and that’s not counting pronunciations introduced by loan words from other languages, like in the French word, prix, spelled p, r, i, x.

Besides serving as a letter to build words, x also serves as a versatile symbol representing many different things. For example, in 1765 x was first used in a letter to represent a kiss.

Later in 1827, x was first used to indicate a quality of certain liquors.

Of course, for centuries x has been used to symbolize math’s multiplication function from the mid 1600s, x signified an unknown quantity in algebra.

And I think it’s this usage of x indicating an unknown that word probably most familiar with, take the word, X-ray for example. The German scientist who discovered X-ray's used the letter x in naming them to indicate a new unknown kind of radiation.

So there’s the word X-ray, how many other English words begin with letter x, not many.

Language Lab
illuminate v.
to supply (something) with light : to shine light on (something)
- When the sun began to set, the streets were illuminated with neon lights.
to make (something) clear and easier to understand
- The professor loves to use graphs to illuminate his points.

regardless adv.
in spite of difficulty, trouble, etc. : without being stopped by difficulty, trouble, etc.
- Clark knew it would be hard to start a business, but he did it regardless.
regardless of : without being stopped or affected by (something)
- He runs every day regardless of the weather. [=he runs every day no matter what the weather is like]
- The club welcomes any new members, regardless of their backgrounds.

soundtrack n.
the sounds and especially the music recorded for a movie
- The soundtrack of the movie "My Fair Lady" has always been my favorite.
- The soundtrack of the movie alternates from classical music to folk songs.

entry n.
the act of entering something
- There's a "No Entry" sign on the door.
a person or thing that is entered in a contest
- The country's bid for entry to APEC was refused by the committee.

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2015-09-03 Prague: One of Europe's Great Cities (1)

• Prague Castle
• St. Vitus Cathedral

Explore what some call, "The most beautiful city on earth!" 

Famous Czech writer Franz Kafka once said, "Prague never lets you go..." Nothing could be truer. The Czech Republic's famous capital boasts a majestic castle, stunning bridges, gold-tipped towers and a swan-filled river. Once you visit Prague, the city's beauty will stay with you forever.

Here are some of the wonders that make it so memorable.

Prague Castle 
This remarkable structure dates back to the ninth century and is considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle sits on top of a hill and provides breathtaking views of the city below.

Down through the ages, buildings representing various building styles have been added to the complex. Today a walk through the grounds is like a lesson in the history of architecture.

St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague has been nicknamed "the city of a hundred spires." Yet in reality almost a thousand towers and spires dominate the skyline. Some of the most famous belong to St. Vitus Cathedral, one of Europe's most beautiful churches. Inside you'll find elaborately painted glass windows and valuable religious treasures.

Closer Look
dates back [=goes back]
- The story, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer dates back 140 years ago.
- The game hide and seek dates back to medieval times.

Language Lab
majestic adj.
/məˈʤɛstɪk/
large and impressively beautiful
- We were amazed by the majestic view of the Grand Canyon.
- The majestic Fuji Mountain is a national symbol of Japan.

remarkable adj.
unusual or surprising : likely to be noticed
- The actress' remarkable performance in this movie won her several awards.
- The patient made a remarkable recovery from major surgery.

nothing could be further from the truth

architecture n.
the art or science of designing and creating buildings
- The cathedral is a classic example of Gothic architecture.
- Jason majored in architecture.
architect n.
a person who designs buildings
- Thompson is the architect who designed the bridge.

elaborately adv.
made or done with great care or with much detail : having many parts that are carefully arranged or planned
- The wedding cake was elaborately designed by a famous baker in town.
elaborate adj.
- The movie's elaborate costumes were displayed in the museum.

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