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!