Sunday, February 28, 2010

On the Job 5


ESL Podcast 560 – Learning Work Rules and Routines

Sometimes our jobs don’t give us much independence, but require following the rules exactly. Learn more in this episode. Download Podcast

ESL Podcast 464 – Talking About Inventory

Every company needs to know what they have available to sell. Learn about discussing inventory in this episode. Download Podcast

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Lesson 12 - Reported Speech (with Conditionals) - Grammar



JenniferESL: Lesson 12 - Reported Speech (with Conditionals) - Grammar

Topic: Reporting conditional statements. This is the sixth video in a series of lessons on reported (indirect) speech. Level: High intermediate to advanced.

Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe.com. The direct link to the follow-up exercise for this lesson is http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/reported-speech-with-conditionals-22698

Thursday, February 25, 2010

On the Job 4

Budget cuts make everyone unhappy.

ESL Podcast 548 – Working for an Impossible Boss

Is your boss impossible to work with? I know mine is. Learn how to fight back in this episode. Download Podcast


ESL Podcast 452 – Dealing with Unhappy Employees

Having problems at work? Learn how to talk about it in English in this episode. Download Podcast

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Lesson 11 - Reported Speech (with Modals) - English Grammar



JenniferESL: Lesson 11 - Reported Speech (with Modals) - English Grammar

Topic: Changing modal verbs and modal-like expressions in reported (indirect) speech. This is the fifth video in a series of lessons on reported speech. Level: High intermediate to advanced.

Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe.com. The direct link to the follow-up exercise for this lesson is http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/reported-speech-changing-modals-21492

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

On the Job 3



Working hard or hardly working? Find out about performance evaluations at work in this episode. Download Podcast

ESL Podcast 528 – Negotiating Salary

How much are you worth? Find out how to talk about getting a higher salary in this episode. Download Podcast

Monday, February 22, 2010

Human Nail in China Stands Up to Government, Developers



VOAVideo: Human Nail in China Stands Up to Government, Developers

Land seizures to make way for new developments are a growing problem in China. But one man is standing up for the ordinary person in a country where that can sometimes be a dangerous thing to do. Lu Daren works as an anti-demolition guard, occupying buildings to prevent developers from tearing them down without offering fair compensation. In this report for Making a Difference, Stephanie Ho in Beijing looks at Lu Daren's efforts as a self-described "human nail."

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Lesson 10- Reported Speech (Changing Verb Tenses) - Grammar



JenniferESL: Lesson 10- Reported Speech (Changing Verb Tenses) - Grammar

Topic: Changing verb tenses in reported (indirect) speech. This is the fourth video in a series of lessons on reported speech. Level: Intermediate to advanced.

Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe.com. The direct link to the follow-up exercise for this lesson is http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/reported-speech-changing-verb-tenses-21009

Friday, February 19, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010

POSTPONED Class Trip

Last week, we talked about going on a class trip on Thursday or Friday during Presidents' Week. However, my mother, who has osteoporosis, fell and hurt herself on Valentine's Day.

This week I will help my father take care of my mother. I hope to organize a class trip in March or April. Please pray for the recovery of my mother's strength. Thank you!

My parents with my SJSU MATESOL diploma.

VOANews: Osteoporosis Increases Danger of Broken Bones

On SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: The disease gives no signs of harm -- at first.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Lesson 9 - Reported Speech (Changing Verbs) -English Grammar



VOAVideo: Lesson 9 - Reported Speech (Changing Verbs) -English Grammar

Topic: Changes to verbs in reported (indirect) speech. This is the third video in a series of lessons on reported speech. Level: Intermediate to advanced.Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe.com. The direct link to the follow-up exercise for this lesson is http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/reported-speech-changes-verbs-20817

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Fat Tuesday @ Yong Li's House



Yong Li hosted a cooking party at her party to celebrate the New Year and the Spring Festival.

Today is also Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday . People eat special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent.

You can download the pictures from Flickr.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Let’s Serve This Dish on This Dish


ESLPod Blog: Let’s Serve This Dish on This Dish

QUESTION:
Nice from China wants to know when and how to use the word “dish” when referring to meals and eating.

ANSWER:
The word dish is confusing because it has two different meanings and both are very commonly used. (Read more..)

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy New Year! Happy Valentine's Day!

A tiger couple celebrating their special year.

VOAVideo: President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year

The President wishes peace, prosperity and good health to Americans and people across the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Chinese Year of the Tiger. February 12, 2010.


VOANews: All You Need is Love

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day Full story » Listen

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Lesson 8-Reported Speech (Reference Words)--English Grammar



JenniferESL: Lesson 8-Reported Speech (Reference Words)-English Grammar

Topic: Changing reference words (pronouns, possessive adjectives, etc.) in reported speech (indirect speech). This is the second video in a series of lessons on reported speech. Level: Intermediate.

Friday, February 12, 2010

President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year



VOAVideo: President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year

The President wishes peace, prosperity and good health to Americans and people across the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Chinese Year of the Tiger. February 12, 2010.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Lesson 7 - Reported Speech (Intro) - English Grammar

JenniferESL: Lesson 7 - Reported Speech (Intro) - English Grammar

Topic: Reported speech. (Also called indirect speech.) This is the first video in a series of lessons on reported speech. Level: Intermediate.Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe.com. The direct link to the follow-up exercise for this lesson is href="http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/reported-speech-introduction-19272

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

On the Job 2

Chau is going to Florida for six weeks
for advanced Beauty Salon training.

Kazuko: I really appreciate you helping with the training of the newbies. I couldn't have done it without you. Martin: Don't mention it. Download Podcast

ESL Podcast 162 - Training a New Employee

Even though I’ve only been on the job for six months, my manager asked me to train the new hire. She was starting today and when she arrived, we got down to business. Download Podcast

Monday, February 8, 2010

On the Job I

Thanks to Mai Trang & Kim for decorating the Hall Display Case.
Also thanks to Julie for the calendar & Celine for the Tigers!

ESL Podcast 312 – Different Work Styles

What kind of employee are you at your job? Find out how to describe different work styles in this episode. Download Podcast

ESLPodcast 59 - Teamwork

At school and at work, you have to be able to work with others. Find out how to talk about it in this podcast. Download Podcast

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Lesson 6e - PRESENT PERFECT - English Grammar



JenniferESL: Lesson 6e - PRESENT PERFECT - English Grammar

BONUS FEATURE of Grammar Lesson 6. This additional material compares and contrast several verb tenses including the present perfect and the present perfect progressive. Level: high intermediate to advanced.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Milpitas Library Job and Career Help Center

03/11/10 The Resume & Interview Workshop at Milpitas Library

On the way home from her job,
Liu Lan Qiao stops by the Milpitas Library to pick-up DVDs.

The Milpitas Library has online Job and Career Help Center.

For more help, attend
3/11/2010 5:30-8:30

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Lesson 6d - PRESENT PERFECT - English Grammar

JenniferESL: Lesson 6d - PRESENT PERFECT - English Grammar

Topic: the present perfect and the present perfect progressive tenses. This is PART FOUR of a lesson in four parts. In PART FOUR we practice using time expressions and finally begin our study of the present perfect progressive. Level: high intermediate to advanced. ATTENTION: A bonus feature follows Part Four. This additional material will compare and contrast several verb tenses including the present perfect and the present perfect progressive. Be sure to look for it!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Interview Skills 5

Minire has hired and trained many salespeople.

ListenAMinute: Job Interviews: Job interviews are always hit and miss for me.
Get off your couch and get a job! Learn about how employers review job applications in this episode. Download Podcast

Monday, February 1, 2010

US Economy Growing Faster Than Expected



VOAVideo: US Economy Growing Faster Than Expected

The U.S. economy is growing faster than expected, further evidence that the worst recession since the 1930s may be over. Yet financial analysts warn the nation still faces economic problems. VOA's Mil Arcega has more. (Read more)