Cambridge in Vancouver

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato

2007-11-21T13:52:00.001-08:00

....guess you have to hear it. Anyway, since we were talking preferences today and computers came up, I thought a South Park clip would be good, unless you think 'Family Guy' is better... probably not. I think this pretty much sums it up.

And just for Yasemin...

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato

2007-11-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

....guess you have to hear it. Anyway, since we were talking preferences today and computers came up, I though a South Park clip would be good, unless you think 'Family Guy' is better... probably not. I think this pretty much sums it up.

Go on, get up and dance!

2007-11-14T13:39:00.000-08:00

No one is looking so if you want to do a little jig to this very cool video, go for it. I love this video as it shows what music is all about: having a good time and enjoying life. Even if it is a sad song you are listening to, no matter how lousy or dispirited you are, music always helps put things in perspective. Check out these kids and then try telling me that life ain't grand. Bet you can't do it.

White Bird Overbite

2007-10-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

Go on, admit it, this wee fella is a better dancer than you (or me for that matter). Disco Inferno!

Mon the Fish

2007-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

After seeing Yasemin's video about the deer, I had to post the following:

2007-10-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well, since I always love a good conspiracy theory, this is a good one. Apart from what the narrator is suggesting, which, who knows, might even be true, it is an interesting look at how language is used to persuade. In particular, it is good to note how the narrator tells you what MUST be true without really explaining much about the process as a whole and its variables.

Maybe it's Xeno all over again. Big thanks to Martin for bringing this to me.

How Does He Do It?

2007-09-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Since we are on the topic of 'Life, The Universe, and Everything" (well, in class at least) here's a video of Mr Illusion himself, Derren Brown doing his seemingly impossible mentalist feats.

Ever wonder about all the other things in the world or just the number 42? Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/.

And The Winner Is...

2007-08-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Who says educational standards are dropping? Clearly, things have never been better. Just witness the fine state of affairs via YouTube.

Are You The Doctor?

2007-03-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm a fan of the doctor and I also think Catherine Tate is pretty darn funny, so why not combine the two? If only Shakespeare could be around. I'm sure he would have a good chuckle.

Is It Time to Review Already?

2007-02-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

Of course, everyone has been reviewing all along, but just in case you need to spend a little more time refining and honing your skills, you might find the following BBC website to be a very good resource.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

The grammar and vocabulary section is quite good as you can also listen to the answers. You might also enjoy the watch and listen section if you want to practice multiple skills at one time.

A Tribute to My Water Cup

2007-02-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Well, this is an inside joke that only my class could get. Suffice it to say that it all arose from a discussion about visual imagery, telling stories and what makes good writing good.

My cup now has a name. You guessed it. Lola.

Lola - The Kinks

So, You Want to Join The Circus

2007-01-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs a party trick, don't you think? Well, maybe it's not critical, but it IS a great way to get some "oooohs" and "aaaaahs" from your friends. Who knows, you might even get a free beer out of it. Be that as it may, the best party trick ever (well, maybe not, but it's amazing how many people have juggling videos) has to be juggling, so if you not sure how it goes, check out this helpful little film.

*I'm not responsible for anything that happens as a result of your newly found talent! ;-)

Excuse Me. Do You Know The Time?

2007-01-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

It's a common enough question, one which is asked millions of times a day, but the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (BAS) has given an answer most of us probably don't want to hear.

Two minutes isn't a long time, but when you're talking about the Doomsday Clock, two minutes can mean an eternity.

The Doomsday Clock is normally associated with the threat of nuclear annihilation, but the BAS has recently updated the clock to reflect the threat that climate change poses to the Earth.

For the full story, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6270871.stm

Before you check the clock again, it might be time to change your schedule. This is one midnight none of us wants to see.

Welcome to The New F.C.E. Class!

2007-01-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

I'd like to welcome my new F.C.E. class to the blog project. I hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share some stories, ideas and maybe a few laughs. Who knows, maybe we'll all get some practice along the way. So, if you're ready, let's get posting.

Just What Are You Saying?

2006-11-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

With so many videos and so little time, it's hard deciding what to post. Nonetheless, here's a classic (well, not really). Who knew that The Kids in The Hall would predate the Lexical Approach. Aren't they clever?

Kids in The Hall: I Speak No English

Unit Five Vocabulary Quiz

2006-11-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know. It is tough keeping up with all the work. Don't despair. I know the perfect little pick-me-up vocabulary quiz. It's a treat and think about how great you will feel after you realize that you really do know this stuff.

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Pacific Northwest Art and the M.O.A.

2006-11-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

It's not possible to really appreciate Vancouver and its history without spending time exploring First Nation's art of the Pacific Northwest. The best place in Vancouver to do that is UBC's Museum of Anthropology. The M.O.A. is a phenomenal resource and is one of my all time favourite museums. So here are some links to explore.

For more information about the M.O.A., go to: http://www.moa.ubc.ca/

If you are interested in First Nation's art and Bill Reid in particular, go to: www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Billreidpole/
www.civilization.ca/aborig/reid/reid02e.html
www.civilization.ca/aborig/haida/haindexe.html

For more information about the Potlatch ceremony, go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch
When it is finally time to go home, you'll come across another of Bill Reid's master works, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, at the Vancouver airport. For some background info, go to geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/washington/services/haida-en.asp

It is notoriously difficult to give an accurate interpretation of a totem pole, but the following link may help. http://www.geocities.com/denali_higdon/totemart.html

No I Don't

2006-10-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit it. I'm also a closet YouTube junky and maybe I spend a little more time on the site than I should looking at North Korean propaganda videos. Hopefully, Google's purchase of YouTube won't impede my perusal of such inanities. The best part of the recent sale though is that when YouTube was sold to Google, none of the money went to those you actually MADE or UPLOADED the videos. Now that's business for you. Get everyone else to do the work and collect the rewards! Maybe Kim Jong-il has a point.

And so, in the best spirit of denial, here's an oldie but a goodie.

Monty Python: The Argument Clinic

Unit Four Vocabulary

2006-10-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Now that you've all had a good laugh from the previous video post, how about some more vocabulary review? Not your idea of a good chuckle? Not a laugh a minute? Oh well, guess it's not all fun and games. On the bright side, this week's vocabulary quiz will give you something to do on those upcoming rainy days, and rainy days you will have for the next few weeks. No joke! :-)

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

What Are YOU Thinking About?

2006-10-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

For some inexplicable reason, I seem to find this very funny. It reminds me of the following joke.

Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations:10/10/98

IRISH: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

BRITISH: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

IRISH: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

BRITISH: This is the Captain of a British Navy Ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

IRISH: Negative. I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course.

BRITISH: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMS ILLUSTRIOUS! THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE BRITISH ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, A CRUISER AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. DEMAND YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. I SAY AGAIN, THAT IS 15 DEGREES NORTH OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

IRISH: We are a lighthouse.....................Your Call.

Unit Three Vocabulary Review

2006-10-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Should you not have had enough of debris, detritus and disaster, here's your chance to divert your attention by to paying attention to detail. Should you do it? Don't try to deflect the question as it will only detract from your duties.

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

You Say Tomato I Say Tomato

2006-10-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

So who's right anyway? What's with all the regional variations of English? Well if the 'right answer' continues to elude you, or if you are interested in literature, linguistics and the evolution of language in general, you might find the site Bibliomania interesting. It won't give you the answers, but it will give you lots to read and plenty to think about.

Go to bibliomania. You have to register for this site, but it is free.

Hints of Exam Blues

2006-10-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Just in case you are beginning to get a little overwhelmed with the amount of work that is required to pass the CPE, I thought now might be a good time to do a little reflection on the process of learning. Half the battle of passing an exam like CPE is knowing that you are capable of doing it, which can be hard sometimes when the answers to the questions just don't seem to be there. Well, never fear, we all have our ups and downs, and with a little help, all of us can do better than we think. Don't forget, motivation is a key determinant of success but your motivation may depend on your confidence level.

If you are interested in psychology or just want some extra listening and reading practice, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/confidence/learn/

And while you're at it, why not reevaluate your learning style to see if you can find a better way to prepare?

http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

Gov't of Canada Training

http://www.educationplanner.com

Time For Some Review

2006-09-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

How time flies.......especially when you are having fun. I know it is hard to believe but it is already time to do some review. Yes, I know, the sun is shining, the weather is great, but I'm sure you'll find a bit of time to do some vocabulary review. I hope you enjoy it.

Just a little warning: The matching exercise can be a little frustrating if you have a small screen because you have to drag the answers to match the questions. I suggest working from the bottom of the questions. If you get too annoyed by it, download the printable version and do it on paper.

To download quiz one (matching), click here
To download quiz two (cloze), click here
To download a printable version, click here

Thinking of a Career Move?

2006-09-25T20:05:00.001-07:00

Plastinates is not a word you normally come across in everyday conversation. That is, unless you are in Vancouver these days and go to the third installment of Body Worlds, the traveling exhibition of preserved human bodies and body parts.

Body Worlds, first shown in Tokyo in 1995, is sure to raise thorny issues for some and stir some controversy for others. Either way, it gives you the chance to see yourself in ways that a mirror just cannot, and that is probably worth the price of admission itself.

If you are interested, check out http://www.bodyworlds.com/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Worlds or go to Science World before January 14th 2007.

Or, why not have a look for yourself here.

A New Session and a New Medium

2006-09-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Since a new CPE class started on Monday, I thought it was time to begin posting again and what better way than to have a video about spelling.

So, here's a vid for u! lol. 2G2BT. tsia. cu.

404? , check out netlingo.com ADBB

Scotland vs. Brazil

2006-06-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

It is just before Scotland v Brazil at the next World Cup Group game.
Ronaldo goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his team-mates
looking a bit glum.
"What's up?" he asks.
"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game.
We know it's important but it's only Scotland. They're rubbish and we can't
be bothered".

Ronaldo looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat these by myself,
you lads go down the pub."
So Ronaldo goes out to play Scotland by himself and the rest of the
Brazilian team go off for a few jars.
After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the
landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads
"Brazil 1 - Scotland 0 (Ronaldo 10minutes)". He is beating Scotland all
by himself!

Anyway, a few more pints later and the game is forgotten until someone
remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put
the teletext on.

"Result from the Stadium "Brazil 1 (Ronaldo 10 minutes) - Scotland 1 (Angus
89 minutes)".
They can't believe it, he has single handily got a draw against Scotland!!

They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate him. They find him in the
dressing room, still in his gear, sat with his head in his hands. He refuses
to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down."

"Don't be daft, you got a draw against Scotland, all by yourself. And they
only scored at the very, very end!"
"No, No, I have, I've let you down... I got sent off after 12 minutes!!

2 for 1 Vocabulary Sale

2006-05-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

You know what they say. "Things are better in 2s." Well, actually, I don't know if THEY say it or not, but when it comes to vocabulary, why not do a couple of quizzes before dinner. It will help with your digestion and improve your memory. Oh that's it. Now I remember what they say- it's "kill two birds with one stone."

To download the unit seven quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

To download the unit eight quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

The Golden Age of Wireless

2006-05-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ever find yourself wondering what the sound of tumbleweed was really like? Well, you are in luck. All you have to do is go back in time, many, many years, before even.....gasp....colour tv.

http://www.radiolovers.com/

Unit Six Vocabulary Review

2006-05-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

How's this for a great idea for a Thursday night? How about another vocabulary quiz? What a marvellous opportunity to give your extensive lexical resources a workout! Satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded.

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Unit Five Vocabulary Review

2006-05-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. It is tough keeping up with all the work. Don't despair. This beautiful little vocabulary quiz will help you keep you on track. Go on. Do it now. Don't put it off. It is calling your name......

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

What's That You Say?

2006-05-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for some listening practice with some regional variations of U.K. English, go the the Voices site on the BBC. This is a rich little site, full of examples of how the language continues to grow and evolve. To listen to a variety of people, go to the Voice Recordings section. Have fun!

For a bit of background on how the language has changed, check out this feature on the BBC website. It offers some fantastic perspectives on what constitutes so-called standard English. Why not offer your point of view?

Variations in English

2006-04-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone makes a big deal about the differences between the various forms of English. It's true there are some important differences. While they are not as daunting as some might think, it is important to know some of the basics.

For some basic grammatical differences between U.K. and U.S. English verbs, click here. If, on the other hand, you really want to take some notes, click here. See you in a couple of weeks.

Celebrity Gossip

2006-04-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

Well, since celebrity news is all the rage, I thought I would give my 2 cents worth and post a link with all the top movers and shakers. I have to admit that Jennifer and Paris didn't make this list, but I hope you find these people equally fascinating. By the way, this list might give you some ideas for a compostition on celebrity culture. Go on, you might like doing it!

To see the list, go to http://www2.sjsu.edu/depts/it/itcdpdf/famousit.pdf

Birds of A Feather Spell Together

2006-04-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised, but apparently, birds have a knack for pronouns. According to Tim Gentner in Thursday's journal Nature, "Starlings learned to differentiate between a regular birdsong 'sentence' and one containing a clause or another sentence of warbling."

I guess this adds a whole new dimension to the idiom "bird brain".

To read the full article, go to The Globe and Mail and do a search for Tim Gentner in Science.

Unit Four Vocabulary Quiz

2006-04-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Time flies, no? Imagine that. Week four is already done and there is more vocabulary to review. Just in case you don't have enough to do, this week might be a good time to go back and review the vocabulary from previous weeks. Think you can get 100% on the first try? Excellent!

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Unit Three Vocabulary Quiz

2006-04-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Well, since it is never too early to review, how about another vocabulary quiz? You can't wait? I thought so.

This week, I've only uploaded the cloze version of the quiz, but, to make it just a little easier, I've inlcuded a word list for you to reference. As you do this quiz, think of as many other forms for each word as you can.

To download the quiz, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Unit Two Vocabulary Quizzes

2006-04-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

So, are you ready to do some vocabulary review for Unit Two? Yes, I thought so. If you are feeling confident, try doing quiz two first. If not, do quiz one first, then do quiz two a day later. Good luck. There are some great words here!

To download quiz one, click here
To download quiz two, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Is This The Way It Is All Going To End?

2006-04-01T11:21:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are interested in all things media, and, in particular, all things online, you might find the following link thought provoking and worth discussing. It presents a possible scenario of how the convergence of online search technologies such as Google (the owner of this blogging system) and other systems such as Amazon.com's customer recommendation software might converge.

To view the clip go to http://www.lightover.com/epic/ols-master.html This would make a good topic to write about. As a person with a blog, do you think that the rise of the self-publishing industry is beneficial or detrimental to the advancement of knowledge? Of course, your thoughts should be published in your blog!

Compound Words

2006-03-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

So, is it blackboard or black board? Why is classroom spelled as one word but living room is spelled as two? It's enough to drive anyone to drink! Now would you like some gingerale or ginger ale? I say Guinness.

So, when exactly do you need to combine two words to create a compound word? To find out, listen to this BBC podcast. To see the original post, go here.

Looking for Some Answers?

2006-03-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick alternative to a search engine for simple facts and figures. It is M.I.T.'s project called START -- Natural Language Question Answering System. This is a great little tool if you want some reading practice for more technical subjects. For example, enter "Why is the sky blue?"

Verb Tense Review

2006-03-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves verb tenses, but if you are still having trouble with some of the tenses, use this little quiz to get some review. The questions aren't too challenging, so use them to reinforce your overall understanding. When choosing an answer, make sure you know why you can eliminate the incorrect answers as well as knowing why your choice is the best answer.

To access the quiz, click here

Spring Break

2006-03-19T22:32:00.000-08:00

Whorls
Originally uploaded by CPE Vancouver.

I had a little extra time this weekend, so I decided to go for a walk and clear my head. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for a stroll on the beach.

If you are looking for a little extra writing practice, why not choose a photo you have taken recently and write an Article about what makes that place special (or not!) (see unit 4 for some ideas).

This beach is one of my favourite places, especially in early spring when it is deserted. It reminds me of all the reasons I love living in Vancouver.

Week One Vocabulary Review

2006-03-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Time for a quick review! When you have finished Unit One of the Masterclass text, do these vocab quizzes for some extra practice. There are two quizzes to do but they contain the same vocabulary. All vocabulary is from Unit One, but some of the word forms have been changed.

The first is a matching exercise and will help to reinforce word recognition and it is somewhat easier than the second. The second is a cloze exercise, which is smilar to Part One of Paper 3 (English in Use). It is probably best if you do them on different days.

When you load the exercises, you will be prompted for your name. This is so I can keep track of who is doing what and offer suggestions accordingly.

To download quiz one, click here
To download quiz two, click here
To download a printable version, click here

Welcome to CPE Vancouver

2006-03-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Summer session of Cambridge Proficiency in English. As part of this course, we will be creating and publishing our own blogs. When the 12 weeks are over, we will have an extensive set of notes, examples and opinions about Vancouver, CPE, and many other things.

In addition to using the blogs to work with your classmates, you will come to this blog for readings, quizzes and perhaps some listenings. This is where you will get assignments, do quizzes and connect to others in the group. If you wish to see the aggregate of all the blogs, go to http://www.bloglines.com/blog/cpevancouver