Wednesday's Assignment

In preparation for our trip to Toronto Public Library next month, we have the following tasks:

1. Identify 5 unique features of the Toronto Reference Library and discuss them with a partner.
2. Make corrections on your blog.
3. Record your blog posting on your field trip on
Vocaroo.com, and embed the recording in the same post.

Listening Comprehension: Taped Library Tour

VAC

1. vaccine (not buck-sin or whack-sin)
2. vaccination (not buck-sination or whack-sination)
3. vacuum (not buck-kyoom or whack-kyoom)
4. evacuation (not e-buck-yoowayshen or e-whack-youwayshen)

Audio recording software >>

Monday's Assignment

Welcome to a week on the Toronto Public Library!

1. Create/Update/Edit your blog, including information from last week’s field trips.
2. Watch this video and take dictation of the first 30 seconds, posting your work on your blog: 
3. Listening and Role Play: A Trip to the Library 

Roaming the ROM

Thanks to MicroSkills' sponsorship, our LINC school was able to take a trip through the Royal Ontario Museum today.

Ably led by Peter Vale, about a hundred of us participants, family members, and staff started off from North York, and we were able to visit the ancient lands of the Aboriginals, the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and even prehistoric creatures.

I look forward to reading your personal account of the trip on your blog!

Who's that silly goose with a rice bag?

Field Trip to the ROM: Friday

We're all going to the ROM on Friday.

Those who are going there directly, on their own, should plan to arrive there by 10:15 a.m.

Those going from Don Mills Station should meet outside the coffee shop near the subway platform at 9:15 a.m. and leave together on the 9:30 train.

Tickets will be distributed at the Museum to those who have registered.

Forewarned and Forearmed for Business

As the old English saying goes, "Forewarned is forearmed."

Stepping into the business battle without a clear idea and a solid plan could could cost you an arm and a leg. So this morning's Enterprise Toronto workshop on creating a business plan that works was timely for particpants who are looking to start a small business in this city. Komi, Katie, Ruohong, Ivy, Jinni, and Yana were there to arm up for the enterprise.

Another Ski Deal: Skyloft $55 Lift + Rentals full day

Those who are skiers but who don't want to travel too far from the big city may in glad for this deal.



Skyloft Resort is located about an hour's drive east of Toronto, right near two other resorts (Dagmar and Lakeridge). Make sure to check out the reviews here.

Here are some of the terms of the deal:

• MAY BUY ONE VOUCHER FOR PERSONAL USE AND UNLIMITED AS GIFTS 
• Voucher entitles holder to a Day & Night Ski lift ticket & Ski/Snowboard rental 
• Voucher can be redeemed until March 10, 2013 
• Valid from 10 a.m to 9 p.m any day of the week 
• Valid for anyone 6 years and older 
• Not valid on February 18, 2013 (Family Day) 
• Subject to weather conditions 
• No cash value/cash back or credit 
• Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions

So go ahead and click here to take a closer look at this deal. It's good for our February break (use the ticket from Feb. 19th onwards), but it expires before the March Break.


As always, here's the disclaimer and full disclosure--Dealticker will give me a nugget of 24K gold towards the building of my palace on Bridle Path for every purchase through this blog.

Field Trip to Business Planning Workshop - Wednesday

This Wednesday, after a week's prep work on the subject, we're going downtown for Enterprise Toronto's Business Planning Workshop. Here are the details:

Description:	Both new and established businesses need help in a tough marketplace. The key is to have a plan that’s clear and actionable. This seminar covers key factors in creating a sound business plan, what banks look for in a business plan, setting benchmarks and tracking progress.
Dates, Time & Schedule:	23 January 2013 From 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Registration Fee:	NO FEE
Event Venue:	Toronto City Hall Committee Room 4
Organised by:	Enterprise Toronto
Address:	100 Queen Street West Toronto, Ont M5H 2N2
Contact:	Enterprise Toronto
Contact Number:	416-395-7416
Contact Email Address:	enterprisetoronto@toronto.com
Event Type(s):	- Seminar
Event Category(s):	- Business Planning

Feel free to meet at Committee Room 4 of City Hall at 10 a.m., or we could leave together at 9:15 a.m. from Sheppard Yonge Station's Southbound Platform.

Bring an open mind! We might even go skating or tuck into some street meat after the event.

Monday's Assignment

Welcome to our week on Canada's Aboriginal peoples!



If you haven't signed up for Wednesday's field trip to the business plan writing workshop in City Hall, be sure to register right away and send me an email to confirm your attendance.

1. Watch this video, read the comments, and copy out the 5 placarded slogans onto your blog.
2. LinkedIn.com signup and connect! 
3. Read and study this article, and record your reading of its first three paragraphs on Vocaroo.com. Then embed the Vocaroo recording on your blog.

BONUS: When you have finished the above, enjoy watching this CBC series on the aboriginal peoples. Be sure to click on the CC button for closed captioning.
PRONUNCIATION TIP: How do you say the term "Métis"?

Example of Vocaroo recording

Friday's Assignment

T.G.I.F.!

Here's what we're doing today:

1. Edit your blog using the editing checklist and incorporating my feedback. If you need me to link your blog to mine, email me with your blog's URL.
2. Listening and role play with a partner: Corporate Image. 
3. Watch this video and write a Business Plan on your blog (leaving out any trade secrets).
4. Read about and discuss with two partners the TiEQuest winners of 2010 – 2012.
5. BONUS: When you have finished the above, watch a couple of random episodes from Shark Tank.

How About This Application Letter, Eh?

Here's an honest cover letter that has gone viral:



Using your Editing Checklist, scrutinize this letter carefully for preposition, sentence, punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors. How many misspelled words, fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, double spaces, or missing prepositions are there? Compare your findings with a partner.

Then read the whole article and responses to the cover letter. Take notes. You may like to write your own cover letter based on what you have learned.

Wednesday's Assignment

Let's keep thinking about Starting a New Business:

1. Edit your blog using the Editing Checklist.
2. Listening and Role Play: Disagreeing Politely in a Business Setting
3. Watch and Discuss the Top 5 Pitches on Dragons’ Den. Then read and discuss the upcoming auditions with two partners.

BONUS: For a chance to win a $50 Chapters/Indigo or Apple Store prize, take this CIVIX survey before February 1, 2013. They holding a draw to give away 10 prizes to students of either a $50 gift card to Indigo/Chapters OR the Apple Store. The draw will take place on February 14 and the names of winners will be posted on the CONSULT page of the Student Budget Consultation web site.

Monday's Assignment

Welcome to our week on Starting a New Business. For starters, and in preparation for next Wednesday's field trip to a business plan workshop, here are our tasks:

1. Register for the "Planning for Success" Business Plan Workshop 
2. Listening and vocabulary: A Business Plan 
3. Role Play: Negotiating a Business Deal
   
   

Friday's Assignment

For those of you in class and those faked out by the anticipated-but-aborted teachers' strike plan, here's today's work:

1. Role Play: Shopping for a Used Car 
2. Watch the video, write down 5 tips for winter driving, and post them on your blog. 
3. Record your post on winter driving tips on Vocaroo.com and include the audio link in your post.
4. Google for driving directions from our LINC school to Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre; then embed the map in your blog.
5. Enjoy reading this post from a friend:

Toronto Schools Are Open Today: No Teachers' Strike

As the planned strike was ruled illegal this morning, teachers will be in school, and schools are open today.



According to TDSB, schoolbuses will not be running.

So, if you're a parent of elementary children, you may have to take your kids to school before coming for class today.

Wednesday's Assignment

This afternoon, we continue on the theme of driving in Ontario, especially in winter.

 

 

 

 

1. On your blog, write an email to a friend who will be visiting you in February with advice on winter driving in Ontario. Use "because," "because of," and "due to."
2. Listen and Role Play: A Drive-through Restaurant 
3. Listening: Watch and Click on CC on G and G2 Road Tests. Take dictation on the last 30 seconds of the video, and post it on your blog.
4. Listening Comprehension: Road Test 

Click below to check your work against the Dictation Script.

Enjoy Snow Valley During the March Break

Those of you who are looking for a nice place to ski nearby can try Snow Valley in Barrie.



There's this deal for $29 where you get both lift tickets and rentals.

Maybe we'll see you there at March Break or something!

Full Disclosure: I get a few bucks of Wagjag credit for every purchase through this link. So feel free to help build my new marble palace on Bridle Path, or become a Wagjag partner yourself.

Welcome Back, and First Assignment Online

Vroom, vroom!

This week and this year, we rev up on the theme of Driving in Ontario.

1. Blog setup and Vacation Reports
2. Read and post 5 things learnt through this forum.
3. Listen and Role Play: Taking a Driving Test

School Reopens on Monday!

See you bright and early Monday morning, ready to learn English, ready to become Canadian!

And don't forget to tell us all about your two-week vacation!