Bonus - BBC Learning English message boards

I tried to ask a question in BBC learning English message boards,
but I had no inspiration to make a question like phases or sentences to ask.

I decide to ask the question what I have been curious for long time although it's not a high level question.


My Question

Dear teacher,

When I got the letters from foreigners, they wrote "XOXO" in the end of the letters.
I don't know the meaning of "XOXO", could you tell me?

thank you.

Lin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

posted by SCV

It means "hugs and kisses": X is for kisses and O is for hugs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know whether the person is a teacher or not.
But he or she helps me the meaning of X and O.
Just young people use this word?
Maybe it's not a good question to test the board...

When I have an English question in the future, I'll try this board again!

Assignment10 New Year Reflections

In 2009, I learned some English speaking skills. After the class presentation, I'm not afraid of speaking English and talking to lots of people! Thank you all!

I tried to speak Japanese in Japan. I had been to Japan many times, I was afraid of talking to foreign people, but I tried my best to communicate with them and I was happy to do it. (But they still spoke English with me...)

Since I got JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) level 2 this year, I still want to finish the top, level 1 next year. Although I don't want to study in English-speaking country, but I would like try to take the exam of TOEIC, the force to learn English well.

I went to some places in Taiwan, like 宜蘭, 碧潭, 陽明山, 野柳, and 中壢, where I seldom went to. I usually stayed in Taipei in my leisure, after I went to lots of places, I would like to travel around Taiwan in my free time.
Also, I went to Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan. Yokohama is the city I like the most, the building, the harbor, the surrounding, and my favorite - Ferris wheel. The travel is the most significant event of the past year.



I'm a transfer student when I was sophomore. I usually get along with other transfer students and I was too shy to talk to other classmates. This year, I also tried to make the relationship with my classmates and make lots of friends. That's what I'm different than last year and I love what I do.

In the end of 2009, I decide to take the master test next year. In fact, I wanted to get a job in last 11 months but I really like to study and want to study in what I really love. Whatever the result is, I want to try my best to do things I think it's correct and what I pursue.

Finally, thanks to my parents, my teachers, my friends, my classmates, who had helped me in 2009. Hope EVERYONE have a wonderful 2010!!







(Nov. 7,2009 The fireworks in 大稻埕)

Christmas Songs for you

I'll introduce some Christmas songs that I love.

First, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.
In Taiwan, it's only snow in mountain,
so I just imagine how beautiful it is.



White Christmas
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Santa Claus Is Coming To TownIt's a joyful song and it plays everywhere when Christmas is coming.




Santa Claus Is Coming To TownYou better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

Oh! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town


Last, I love this song - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
It's a story talking about a reindeer who has no confidence because its red nose,
other reindeers laugh at it.
But one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus came to invite it to guide his sleigh.
After that, everyone loves Rudolph.



Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
had a very shining nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it grows.

All of the other reindeer,
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer love him
as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!

12/17 test

a. Studio classroom (10/22, 10/23, 10/24, 10/26,10/27, 10/12, 10/13)
b. Randal's Cyber Listening Lab (Medial Advice & Taxi Ride)
c. Steve Job's Talk
d. ESL.Com (Negotiating Salary)
e. Rules of pronounciation

Assignment 8: Listen to ESL Podcast 528

ESL Podcast 528 – Negotiating Salary

In this conversation, a man and a woman are negotiating the woman's salary.
The man wants to hire the woman, but they have different thinking about salary.

"I'm happy to hear that." Formally, we use "I'm delighted to hear that."

Salary: Use it for monthly full-time job for the most case.
ex: a monthly salary, a yearly salary

Wage: Use it for hourly paid job, like part time job pays $10 per hour.
ex: an hourly wage, a daily wage

constraint noun
something which controls what you do by keeping you within particular limits
ex: The constraints of politeness wouldn't allow her to say what she really thought about his cooking.

compensation noun
something that makes you feel better when you have suffered something bad
ex: I have to spend three months of the year away from home - but there are compensations like the chance to meet new people.

"I'm looking for..." Formally, we use "I would be looking for..."


Reflection:
After listening to this conversation, I think it's quite useful for me because I'll going to get a job in these months.
First conversation read with a slower speed ,and then explain phrases and expressions. In explanations, teacher explains expressions mean and how to use them.
After that, the conversation read with normal speed.
I think the sequences help us be more concentrate on the conversation because sometimes we listen to a text with normal speed first, we'll have less interesting in the difficult text. In fact, that's not difficult for you but the speed will make you afraid.

In my opinion, ESL's themes are more practical than some materials like Studio Classroom. I think Studio Classroom is helpful to everyone even junior high school students but for university students or members of society, the topic are not helpful enough. I would like to listen to ESL to improve my English.

Assignment 7: Steve Jobs' talk

Expressions：

1. commencement - a ceremony at which students formally receive their degrees

2. deposit - a payment, especially into a bank account
ex: To open an account, you need to make a minimum deposit of $500.

3. entrepreneur- someone who starts their own business, especially when this involves seeing a new opportunity
ex: He was one of the entrepreneurs of the eighties who made their money in property.

4. sedate adjective - avoiding excitement or great activity and usually calm and relaxed
ex: The fight against a chemical storage site has transformed a normally sedate village into a battleground.

5. dogma - a fixed, especially religious, belief or set of beliefs that people are expected to accept without any doubts

6. Polaroid - a camera that takes a picture and prints it after a few seconds, or a photograph taken with this type of camera
ex: Did you take these with a Polaroid?

7. falling - an argument
ex: Rachel and Bill have had a falling-out and they're not speaking to each other.

8. hitchhike - to travel by getting free rides in someone else's vehicle
ex: Women should never hitchhike on their own.



Reflection:

After listening to this speech, I think it's an attractive speech and helpful to every graduate. He provided his three stories in his life and gave graduates some inspirations that most people won't tell them.

I agree with Steve that you should never stop looking for what you love to do, you're going to do it for the rest of your life so you might as well like it at least.

"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." is a great motto for everyone.
Sometimes we think we're smart enough to do everything, but in fact, we still have lots of things have to learn and we should be more open-minded, even we'are old men.

Assignments 6: Randall's Cyber Listening Lab

Title: Japanese Public Bath
Level: medium
Topic: bathrooms
Type: conversation
Speakers: man - man
Length: 01:38

Expressions:
1. patron (noun): customer or visitor
Ex: Patrons are asked not to eat or drink in the art gallery.
2. rinse (phrasal verb): remove soap or dirt from something using water
Ex: Please rinse off before you get in the swimming pool.
3. belongings (noun): possessions
Ex: Please do not leave your belongings unattended while in the amusement park.
4. the idiom "take a bath" means "lose money."
5. platform (noun): a raised area where you can sit
Ex: The members of the local government were sitting on a platform overlooking the audience.



Title: Thanksgiving and Christmas: Holiday Traditions
Level: medium
Topic: holidays
Type: interview
Speakers: man and interviewees
Length: 01:32

1. sneak (verb): to advance or approach without being seen
Ex: My son often tries to sneak into the kitchen and take a cookie when no one is watching.
2. proch (noun): a part of a house covering the entrance
3. generous (adjective): willing to give or share freely
Ex: People are often very generous around the holiday season and donate.
4. "see eye to eye" means "agree on this, have the same opinion."
5. sledding (noun): the activity of ridding on a sled, usually in snow
Ex: I took the kids sledding yesterday down a real fun hill.

Assignment 5: Listening Diary on Studio Classroom(10/22, 10/23)

Day/Date Nov. 8
Time Begin 16:15
Time ended 16:45
Method Listen to MP3
Program/Station/Title Oct 22 Decorating for the Holidays


Your Notes:

※ Lawn displays Christmas tree or Santa Claus.
※ Colored eggs: Something represents new life.
※ People decorate simple decorations by themselves.
※ Posters: Large pictures can place on the wall or anywhere.
Postures announce the coming events or tell something will happen in
the future.
※ Knickknacks: Small decorations. Ex: something decorates on Christmas tree.
※ In summer people may take a trip to the mountain or beach.
※ On Jul 4, people celebrate independents day by playing games,
watching fireworks and eating food.
※ Holiday seasons start with Halloween, end with New Year or Valentine’s Day.
※ A neighborhood effect: What neighborhood wants to look like by their
decorations.




Day/Date Nov. 10
Time Begin 21:29
Time ended 21:55
Method Listen to MP3
Program/Station/Title Oct 23 Decorating for the Holidays


Your Notes:
※ Halloween: trick or treat. Scary holiday. Decorate some scary decorations
※ “We have way too many boxes of different decorations if you ask me”, in this
case, “if you ask me” means “in my opinion.”
※ In winter, people will sled, have snow ball fight, and bill snow man.
※ Thanksgiving, Eat turkey, watch football games on TV.
※ Christmas, families get together; celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
※ String: Something is long and thin. Ex: pearl.

Assignment 4: "big" and "large"

Use TOTALrecall,I found "large" usually translate to "大量","大型",such as
"large volume" 大量進口
"large amount of material" 大量資料
"large crowds" 大批人潮
"large wild animals" 大型野生動物


"big" translates to "大", the example are
"big problem" 大問題
"big news" 大事
"big winners" 大贏家
"big family" 大家庭

The translation to Chinese is a little different from "big" and "large",
we could see "large" means an entity which we saw.
But "big" sometimes means something invisible,like problem and news.

The evidences aren't clear enough, let us see the collocation:

Use WebCOLL- Wikipedia Edition to find the collocation of "big" and "large", the result are following:

Big-


LARGE-


"Big" doesn't represent invisible things, it could be "hit","brother" and "fan",
the result isn't what I expect.

After search for the collocation and concordances,
I still feel confuse of these two words.
I think the collocation American use in intuition,
they use it without any mistake cause of their environment.
We learn English as a foreign language, when we don't know how to write the word,
we just use the bilingual dictionary, but dictionary won't give us the example collocation as much as the Collocation retrieval systems provide.
The best way to use the right one out of mistake is search the collocation, and memorize it.

Assignment 3: 10/16 Studio Classroom

avatar
noun. 虛擬化身
English definition:
in computing, an image which represents you in online games,
chat rooms, etc. and which you can move around the screen using the mouse or keys

In this article, it said avatar is simply an online representation of a person.



thought possible
The complete sentence is "Today, thousands of people can do things they never thought possible."

"Thought possible" is a abbreviation of "thought that's possible".
It means that think the things can't be able to be done or achieved, or be able to exist.

For example, People can now live in space longer than anyone ever thought possible thirty years ago.



representation of
representation means the way that someone or something is shown or described
when you want to describe something/someone as something/someone,
then you could use the phrase "representation of."

For example, He gave a talk on the representation of women in 19th-century art.


In this part of assignment, I use the online dictionaries
to advance my vocabulary which I never used before.
With English definitions, even it might spend more time to realize,
I could get more impressions to memorize it easily.

Assignment 2: Olympic Sport

Hurdles
noun. 跨欄
definition:
1.a frame or fence for jumping over in a race
2.a race in which people or horses jump over hurdles
the 400-metres hurdles
EXAMPLE:
1.He fell at the last hurdle.
2.She cleared all the hurdles easily and raced to the finishing line.


Shot‐put
noun. 鉛球
definition:
a sports competition in which a heavy metal ball is
thrown from the shoulder as far as possible
EXAMPLE:
He's practising for the shot put.


Gymnastics
noun. 體操
definition:
physical exercises and activities performed inside,
often using equipment such as bars and ropes
which are intended to increase the body's strength and
the ability to move and bend easily


Archery
noun. 射箭運動
definition:
the art or sport of shooting arrows


Fencing
noun. 擊劍
definition:
the sport of fighting with long thin swords
EXAMPLE:
I did a bit of fencing while I was at college.


Martial arts
noun. 武術
definition:
a sport that is a traditional Japanese or Chinese
form of fighting or defending yourself
EXAMPLE:
Kung fu and karate are martial arts.


Wrestling
noun. 摔角
definition:
a sport where two people fight and try to throw each other to the ground


Javelin
noun. 標槍
definition:
a long stick with a pointed end which is thrown in sports competitions
EXAMPLE:
She was first in the javelin.


Equestrian
noun. 馬術
definition:
a person who rides horses, especially as a job or very skilfully

Field hockey
noun. 曲棍球
definition:
a game played on a sports field between two teams of eleven players
who each have a curved stick with which they try to put a small hard ball
into the other team's goal


After using many dictionary from the list, I think Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary is better than others.
In Bilingual Dictionaries, YahooKimo Online Dictionary can't find some of the words,
so I used GOOGLE translate to find the Chinese translation.

My Introduction

Hello! My English name is Lin(or Lynn).

In fact, I don't like to use my English name

because I'm use to introduce myself with my Japanese name - Ayu.

I major in Computer Science and Information Engineering .

My birthday is on January 9, and the star sign is Capricomus.

In my leisure time, I usually listen to music and surf on net.

I love music very much and I learned playing the guitar and bass before.

I have a band now,it calls AttilA.

In our band, I play the bass which is my favorite instrument.



Although the music type of our band are Rock or Grunge,

my favorite music is SOUL which is like R&B but a little different.

Learning language is one of my hobbies, and I learn Japanese several years.

I really love Japan and I went to Japan many times.

My Japanese is much better than English, but I think they're both important.

I want to improve my English well in Speaking and Writing, that's why I attend this class.