Getting an Online Degree

What do you think are the advantages of getting a college degree online? Listen to this conversations and pick out the reasons why the speaker is getting all stressed out.

• DailyESL: Getting an Online University Degree


• EZSlang: Distance Education / Online Degrees I


• EZSlang: Distance Education / Online Degrees II

Our 14th Chat

Todays topic: Conversation!
Questions are taken from ESLDiscussions: Conversation

1) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘conversation’?
2) People say conversation is an art. Do you think so?
3) What topics of conversation do you enjoy most?

4) Do you like listening to other people’s conversations?
5) Have you ever overheard a conversation you wish you hadn’t?
6) Who in life do you find it difficult to strike up a conversation with?

7) What common conversation starters do you use?
8) Will you ever run out of dreams?
9) Oscar Wilde said: "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative." What does this mean? Do you agree with him?

1) Are you good at small talk and making conversation?
2) When was the last time you had a really, really interesting
conversation?
3) Do you like intelligent conversation?

4) What do you think of your English conversation classes and study
books?
5) How do you feel when people interrupt you in the middle of an
important conversation?
6) If you were a fly on the wall, which conversation in history would you
like to listen to?

7) What do you do when you hear your name pop up in other people’s conversations?
8) Are you OK at everyday conversation in English?
9) Someone once said: "Conversation is an exercise of the mind; gossip is merely an exercise of the tongue." What does this mean? Do you agree?

Temp Work

ESL Podcast 380 – Hiring Temp Workers
Many people work for a company for only a short time, but they can still be good workers. Learn how to talk about temporary work in this episode. Download Podcast

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 7: Diploma Mills

Foreign Student Series: Diploma Mills
On EDUCATION REPORT: In part seven, we look at the business of selling unearned degrees.
MP3 - Download (MP3)
MP3 - Listen to (MP3)

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 6: Accreditation Explained

Foreign Student Series: Accreditation Explained
In part six, we discuss the quality control process used in U.S. higher education. Transcript of radio broadcast: 15 October 2008
MP3 - Download (MP3)
MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
RealAudio - Download

Our Lucky 13th Chat

Discussion Questions about Jobs

1. What kind of jobs have you had (part-time and full-time)?


2. What is your dream job?


3. Are there jobs that are only for women or only for men?


4. Does everyone have equal job opportunities in your country?


5. What’s the best way to pass job interviews?


6. What is the best way to quit a job?


7. What’s the best way to make friends at work?


8. Do you think it is ok for co-workers to date?


9. Talk about your first job.

Bonus Question: Are there any jobs you would refuse to do, regardless of the pay?

We listened to ESLPodcast 92 - Types of Work
She works part-time in retail and moonlights as a tour guide on the weekends. She's been wanting to get into the hospitality industry for a long time.

We also talked about three schools:

MetroEd Adult Education Credential

UC Santa Cruz Extension: English for Non-Native Professionals

Academy of Art University: Interior Design Degree

Job Interview Follow-up

ESL Podcast 408 – Calling Someone You Haven’t Met About a Job Learn how to make a business call in English to someone you don’t know in this episode. Download Podcast

Milpitas Adult Ed Job Interview Video

Also check out Milpitas Adult Ed Wikispaces: EL Civics: Jobs

ESLPodcasts for Job Interviews

ESLPodcast 43 - Getting an Interview
I've finally landed my first interview. Well, actually, that's not really true. I have been on many interviews for part-time jobs. ...

ESLPodcast 44 - Making a Good Impression
My interview is today. It is with a marketing company. ... I have my resume, my transcript, and the address of the office where I'm going for the interview. ...

ESLPodcast 94 - Nervous at an Interview I
I was on my way to an interview and there was a lot of traffic on the road. I got to the office in the nick of time for my appointment. ...

ESLPodcast 95 - Nervous at an Interview II
I was just in time for my interview and I was very nervous. I walked up to the receptionist. She was talking into a headset and typing on her keyboard. ...

ESLPodcast 56 - Hiring for a Job
I called in four of them for interviews and I had narrowed it down to two candidates. ... She looked promising and when she arrived for the interview, ...

Our Twelfth Discussion

Today we talked about alternatives to community colleges and universities.

UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley offers courses in over 40 disciplines are taught by leading expert practitioners. You get real-world insight while acquiring tools and techniques you can use immediately on the job. We offer state-of-the-art instruction in high-demand areas such as Project Management, Financial Planning, Clinical Trials, Biotechnology, Software Engineering and Quality and Web Design and Development.

Boston Reed College provides educational opportunity to busy adults seeking stable and growing careers in the healthcare industry.

• Programs


• Student Resources


• Math Assessment Sample


• Reading Assessment Sample


• The Career Key, A free public service to help people make sound career decisions

Inspired by VOANews Foreign Student Series: First Steps report about educational fairs, we talked about job fairs. Several job fairs are scheduled at One Stop (which has several locations).

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 5

Foreign Student Series: Colleges and Degrees
In part five, we discuss how students can save money by attending a community college for their first two years of study. Transcript of radio broadcast: 08 October 2008
MP3 - Download (MP3)
MP3 - Listen to (MP3)

Birthday Party!

TOEFL Essay Topics

72. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends?

107. You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose.

144. Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with?

175. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

154. In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule?

**What is your horoscope sign? Do you read your horoscope? Do you believe in astrology? Do you think that people born under the same astrological sign have similar personalities?

Foreign Student Series: An Introduction Introduction to VOANews updated series of programs for anyone interested in higher education in the U.S.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)
• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
• RealAudio - Download

Foreign Student Series: First Steps In part two of the VOANews series on American higher education, advice about where to get information on colleges and universities.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)
• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
• RealAudio - Download

EDucationCenterUSA.gov

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 4

Foreign Student Series: Public or Private?
In part four, we look at an example from Oregon of price differences between a state university and a private college. Transcript of radio broadcast: 01 October 2008

• MP3 - Download (MP3)


• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)


• RealAudio - Download

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 3

Foreign Student Series: College, University or Institute?
Part three of the VOANews Foreign Student Series explains the different kinds of higher learning institutions in the U.S.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)


• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)


• RealAudio - Download

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 2

Tran Vu Thuy's luscious Mango Custard Birthday Cake!

Foreign Student Series: First Steps
In part two of the VOANews series on American higher education, advice about where to get information on colleges and universities.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)
• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
• RealAudio - Download

VOANews: Foreign Student Series Part 1

Foreign Student Series: An Introduction
Introduction to VOANews updated series of programs for anyone interested in higher education in the U.S.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)
• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
• RealAudio - Download

Our Tenth Meeting

Happy Birthday Tran Vu Thuy!

Discussion Questions from TOEFL Writing Topics

10."When people succeed in life, it is because of hard work. Being lucky has nothing to do with success in life." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above?

146.Does advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need?

147. Do you prefer to spend your free time outdoors or indoors?

152. What is the most important animal in your country?

179. People treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good?

182. Which would you choose to buy: a house or a business?

TOEFL® Podcast #2: Questions About Formatting
LISTEN
Student: Excuse me, professor. Do you have a minute?
Professor: Sure, I can spare a little time right now. What can I do for you?

Homework 100908

Tea, Peace, and Friendship!

TOEFL® Podcast #2: Questions About Formatting
LISTEN

Student: Excuse me, professor. Do you have a minute?

Professor: Sure, I can spare a little time right now. What can I do for you?

Our Ninth Discussion

Where there's a will, there's a way!

Discussion Questions from TOEFL Writing Topics

17. Do you prefer studying by your self or studying with a teacher?

161. Talk about a special gift you have given or received.

163. What do you do for good health?

173. How is your generation different from your parents' generation?

176. A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either
• to go on vacation
• to buy a car
What advice would you give to your friend?

TOEFL® Podcast #6: Asking for an Extension for an Assignment
LISTEN
Student: Well, it’s about the paper that’s due on Thursday. I was wondering if I could get an extension?

VOANews: Capturing the Immigrant Experience on Stage

HOMEWORK 10/07/08

TOEFL® Podcast #6: Asking for an Extension for an Assignment

LISTEN

Student: Well, it’s about the paper that’s due on Thursday. I was wondering if I could get an extension?

Review:
ESLPodcast 54 - Talking to the Professor
Find out in this podcast how to talk to your college professor or teacher. Download Podcast

Good Story #3: Andrew's Journey to a New Life in America

In Andrew's Journey to a New Life in America, Andrew is a Chinese man living in the United States, working hard, and trying to make a better life for himself and his fiancée, YaoLin. While adapting to a new language and customs, Andrew faces an even bigger challenge when his credit card is charged with purchases that aren't his. Andrew learns that his identity has been stolen, but with the help of his friends, he sets things right and begins a new life for himself in America.

Students love to read and discuss these stories! The students are very concerned about identity theft and were surprised by the story's ending.

Read the modified Chapter 1 pdf and the other chapters, order the book from Amazon.com, or borrow it from your local library.

Good Story #2: Senem's Journey to a New Beginning

In Senem's Journey to a New Beginning, Senem is a Turkish woman living in the United States and taking care of her family—her husband, Tarkan, and their son, Hasan—while adapting to a new language and new customs. Her task becomes even more challenging when Hasan is kidnapped and when she gets word of a natural disaster back home. With the help of her family and her new friends, however, Senem manages to find the strength to thrive in her unfamiliar setting and make new beginnings in her life.

Students love to read and discuss these stories! The Chinese students identified with Senem waiting for news about her family after there was an earthquake in her home country.

Read the modified Chapter 1 pdf and the other chapters, order the book from Amazon.com , or borrow it from your local library.

Good Story #1: Flor's Journey to Independence

Flor's Journey to Independence begins as Flor and her four-year-old daughter, Betina, are unexpectedly abandoned by Flor's husband, Ricardo. Flor is suddenly faced with paying the bills and caring for Betina on her own, as she struggles without speaking much English. Still, Flor's determination gets her through the hard times, and once she enrolls in an English class for adults and begins working, she finds that her new life brings her new friends and opportunities.

Students love to read and discuss these stories! The students were especially sympathetic to Flor's problems finding good childcare.

Read the modified Chapter 1 pdf and the other chapters, order the book from Amazon.com, or borrow it from your local library.

Homework 1006008

TOEFL® Podcast #6: Asking for an Extension for an Assignment

LISTEN

Student: Well, it’s about the paper that’s due on Thursday. I was wondering if I could get an extension?

Review:
ESLPodcast 54 - Talking to the Professor
Find out in this podcast how to talk to your college professor or teacher. Download Podcast

Our Eighth Discussion

Warm-up: Use a Venn Diagram to Compare/Constrast two VOANews Videos:
Chinese Food Safety Chief Steps Down In Milk Scandal
More Countries Banning Chinese Milk
(See 10/01/08 blogpost)

Today's discssion questions are take from TOEFL Writing Topics

14. Should students be required to attend classes or should classes be optional for students?

33. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future?

50. Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls.

79. Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently?

118. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you.

120. Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave?

ESLPodcast 54 - Talking to the Professor
Find out in this podcast how to talk to your college professor or teacher. Download Podcast

Homework 100208

ESLPodcast 54 - Talking to the Professor
Find out in this podcast how to talk to your college professor or teacher. Download Podcast

Check out the new Healthcare Career links on the sidebar.

EXTRA: Compare/Constrast two VOANews Videos:

Chinese Food Safety Chief Steps Down In Milk Scandal


More Countries Banning Chinese Milk