We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

~ Winston Churchill ~

Teacher Joe’s blog had this quote recorded. I really like it and want to use it for discussion in my Business English class.

Some topics related to this issue are: What about this genereation of young people. In China, since each family can have only one child, it is said they are growing up spoiled and self-centered. Do you think this generation is selfish?

There was a report on recently about some young people from China who went to the earthquake site to help in whatever way they can. They are helping in the hospital with those who are injured. This has changed the attitude of a lot of the older generation about these young people, that maybe they aren’t all selfish and self-centered.

What do you think?

I have been wathcing the news coverage here in Beijing on CCTV 9. They have been having almost round the clock coveage of the massive earthquake in Szechuan Province. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale! That is absolutely huge. I have been glued to the TV, often moved to tears, as the rescue workers have been pulling survivors out of the rubble.

Of course, my first thought was of all my students who have families in the area. I hope and pray your families are all safe and sound. It must be a worriesome time for those who have family in the area. I have one young friend whose mom and dad live around ChengDu. He said they are both find, but that many people are sleeping outside because they are afraid to go inside. I have never been in an earthquake that big, but I have talked to people who were in the quake in Los Angeles. I was in Reno at the time and a friend moved back to Reno and said she would never live in L.A. again, it was so frightening. I can’t imagine.

I was glad to see that our workplace had a box set up for donations. We were happy to be able to give some cash to help the survivors who will have a long road ahead of them as they try to recover and rebuild their lives.

Well, has anyone ever lived through an earthquake or other natural disastor? We had a terrible flood in Reno. Nevada a few years ago and the mess was substantial. We were glad to be able to help people scoop the black muck out of their houses after the waters receded. We were lucky to be living on high ground. Reno was also very lucky that not many people died. There was mostly water damage.

Let me know what your thoughts are on this terrible disaster.

I enjoyed meeting all of you and having two classes back to back yesterday and today. I enjoyed the discussions we had in class. I believe that is the best way for you to improve your English. In fact, we only have 6 lessons altogether so there is not a lot that can be learned in such a short period, so my philosophy is to let you talk as much as possible. I know that you have studied English quite a bit in school (although that may have been a while ago.) For that reason, I don’t think studying the structure of English will be that helpful. I believe you just need practice speaking out what has been dormant (asleep) for some time. Once you get confidence that you can speak in English, you can begin adding new vocabulary and working on sentence structure on your own. So, if it seems like all we do in class is talk, that’s good! The more you talk, the better you will get at talking! Have you heard the saying, “Use it or lose it!” That is really true in language study, so use every chance that you have to speak out in class and I am sure you will improve. Besides, we’ll have a good time talking and laughing together.

There are some great web sites that will help you with the technical part of English if you want to study further. I have added some of the sites to my weblog over at the right-hand side column. If you have a few minutes a day, or an extra half hour, you can visit some of those sites and practice some of the finer points of grammar.

Good luck studying English. Please feel free to add comments here, or ask questions

Yours,

Maggie

My Business English Students are in a unique situation for learning English. On one hand, you have great opportunity to practice English with your international colleagues and customers. This is great motivation to get you going in practicing the English you already know and learning new vocabulary and phrases. Unlike many other students, you have a place to put the new words into use. That’s the best way to learn new words: using them!

On the other hand, you are all working full time so you probably have little time to study. Who wants to do boring lessons after a long day at work! Even if they aren’t boring, who has time, right? The only way then to improve your English is to find time to fit learning into your busy day. Maybe we have to think back on some of the tactics we used while in school. I know for me, if I write new words or phrases on little slips of paper and stick them on my computer, I am more likely to look at them when I have a few spare minutes, just to refresh my memory or review them. Another way is to make a study list by folding a paper in 3 columns and putting new words down the first column, the definitions in the second column, and a model sentence in the third column. Put it in your desk drawer, or some other handy place and refer to it from time to time, for instance before you go to lunch, or just after you come back before starting to work. It’s the idea of taking small steps instead of thinking you have to take an hour of your time to study English, aargh!

Well, hope this helps you keep the momentum going. I welcome your comments or questions.

I wish you great success in improving your ability to communicate in English!

BTW (by the way), I have added some links to other sites that offer help in Business English in my blog roll. Check them out! (that means, visit them and have a look). Read more »