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