Friday, March 20, 2015

Hello World!

Finally!

I have been reconnected to the wider world!

After a 2-week wait to get the Internet connected, I finally have working broadband... I can honestly say I haven't heard, read, or seen any BBC news since arriving in NZ!!!

Life here is slow...  Where is here?  Lincoln, New Zealand!

It's a very small town and after living in Taichung for 15 years, it feels slow.  However, it does feel quite nice.  When I'm not at work, I've had lots of time to read, walk around farms, and exercise.  I've lost about 5kg!!!  It's green everywhere, with quite a few cows, sheep, and horses around.

That being said, it doesn't feel like an old people place.  My neighbors are 5 young kiwi university students.  They are very noisy, but quite nice.  I go over to their house sometimes.

Work is busy.  Working in a New Zealand university it quite challenging.  Very different from ITI, anyway.  I'm doing a lot of administration work.  The thing I enjoy the most is I have the chance to help design new university-level courses!  Challenging, but interesting.

I've already mentioned to a couple of you (on facebook and Line), but I miss all of you a lot.  You truly are a special group of students and I've told Oliver he MUST be nice to you and give you whatever you want.

I start teaching on Tuesday.  It will be nice to have some students again...  but surely they can't be greater than you guys... Can they?
home

office

reading on the deck

Outside my office!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Being Polite in English

What are the 6 principles of speaking politely in English?

We express politeness in spoken English in a variety of ways. By following the six principles listed below, you should be able to communicate politely in any formal situation.
  1. The Uncertainty Principle – This principle states that you should show some uncertainty when giving your opinion.
  2. The Indirect Question Principle – This principle states that you using indirect questions and question tags will make you sound more polite.
  3. The Respect Intelligence Principle – This principle states that you should credit the other person with intelligence and knowledge.
  4. The Sensitive Correction Principle – This principle states that you should correct errors and mistakes in a sensitive way so that the other person does not lose face.
  5. The Reluctant Disagreement Principle – This principle states that you should show the other person that you are not happy or comfortable when you disagree with them.
  6. The Avoid Direct Commands Principle – This principle states that you should try to avoid direct commands and orders because they make it sound like you are imposing on them.
For more go HERE!


Saturday, January 17, 2015

Monday's 7:30 class

For Monday's class, we will just focus on BBC.  I will make an announcement regarding lateness to class.  Therefore, I am concerned there may be insufficient time to do a video lesson.

Thank you for your understanding.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

ITI Letterhead

Link

Address: 4F, No.2, Lane 60, Wen-Hu Street, Taipei 114, Taiwan | Tel : +886 2 2798-8633 | Fax : +886 2 2659-6371 | E-mail: cpc@pestcontrol.com.tw