#3 Big or Large? (revise)

Big		Large
Written (251)	Colloquial (537)	Written (430)	Colloquial (116)
Big adventure	That big ?	Large room	Large amounts of
Big affair	Big baby	Large bank	Large sums of
Big argument	Big drinker	Large scale	Large number of
Big business	Big fright	Large bay	Large factory
Big chance	Big man	Large car	Large family
Big idea	Big money	Large box	Large size

Have you ever find out that there are lots of words in English are translated into the same Chinese meaning?  What's the different for them in English?  And how to use them in the right word order?  Here is a useful tool that called " concordance"; you can use it to figure out those words with same meaning, such as big and large.
As you can see from the table, by the number of using, we can understand that the word "large" is more used in written word, in contrast, the word "big" is more likely to be used in spoken way.  By this system, English as a second language learners can roughly know the different use way of words.  In addition, from the system, users can understand the common collocation of the words.
I think that this system is good, but the problems are two: first, the interface and the words are too small to figure out, second, not like the BBC the corner of asking a question, it doesn't provide detailed information about the words.

(sharing!!) Interesting Powerpoint (PPT) rules

On Monday, Sally has shown us several rules of making a good ppt.  A year ago, I have attended to Oral-aural Drills in English class and the teacher also taught us how to prepare and demonstrate a find and suitable ppt when giving a speech.  Here is what she has shown to us, a very interesting video that the speaker pointed out some common mistake of making a wrong ppt.  By sharing this, I hope everyone can do better on ppt!

#8 Feedback of Using OCW Learning Program

First I would like to give the definition of Open Course Ware.  Open Course Ware, or OCW, defined by Wikipedia, is a term applied to course materials in a virtual learning environment created by universities and shared freely with the world via the internet.  The most well-known OCW websites are MIT open Course Ware, Academic Earth and TED.  Since there are many videos are included in the OCW websites, they are considered as good authentic learning materials.  For most of the English as second language learners, they believe that OCW websites can improve their listening skill and vocabulary extension.

In OCW websites, some of the videos have been translated into Chinese, which help the viewers understand easily.  It really breaks the boundaries allowing more second language learners to access.  For second language learners, they can start from watching the videos that have lines and are translated.  While reading the subtitle, they can figure out what they heard easily.  Because for most of the second language learners (especially for the beginners), it is always too difficult for them to listen to the speech without subtitle. 

        In addition to its function of translation, the best thing is that OCW provides users to learn at their own pace and learn without paying a penny.  Take MIT OpenCoursesWare as an example, it was established by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, putting all of the educational materials from its undergraduate and graduate-level courses online.  In other words, it allows anyone to learn anywhere.  For instance, users can learn Psychology at their own house instead of rush to MIT for the class.  It really helps the oversea learners and the slow-learning students, because they can learn in a unthreatened environment.  

        Although OCW can indeed assist users to improve, the prerequisite is learners know its existence.  Like me, about one year ago, one of my friends introduced me an OCW website, TED, and it was my first time to know this kind of authentic materials.  In other words, if learners don’t know this kind of information, they will never know the benefit of OCW. 

This is a video that I have listened before from TED

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/chi_hant/eve_ensler_embrace_your_inner_girl.html

#7 BBC Learning English- Ask a question system

While using online language learning system to improve self learning, it is better than nothing that you ask questions and then someone will give you answers.  I have learned that BBC Learning Engilsh provides a service that you can raise your question which relates to Engilsh learning problems, and you will receive an answer during couple days.  Therefore, I have a try days ago and I did receive an answer!  Below is my question:

A pit in my stomach?

Messages: 1 - 2 of 2

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Kris (U14861270) on Friday, 6th May 2011
  I like to watch series movies which are called "Supernatural", and I am interesting in learning idioms from them. I have heard an idiom that goes: " a/the pit in my stomach", but I don't know the exactly meaning of it, could any body help me to figure out it? Thanks a lot.
  
  Kris

Then is the answer:

Message 2

, in reply to message 1.

Posted by Robert (U2283314) ** on Friday, 6th May 2011

It's "in the pit OF my stomach". The 'pit' is the lower part or the bottom of your stomach.

This is a fixed phrase. It essentially means that you have a fear or a bad feeling about something. For example:

"Mary is very late and she is always on time. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about this."




As you can see, the answer is quite clear and it even corrects my mistake.  Robert (who gave me the answer) even made a sentence for me to let me understand well.  It is really cool and helpful; I think I will also put this useful tool into my file!

#6 ESL Podcast 644 – Giving a Successful Presentation

I think that this is another useful source for English as second language learners to improve their listening skill and vocabulary learning.

At the first time I heard this online listening program, I was surprised that the speaker's speeding is so slow.  It is a good online source for second language learners to practice their listening skill in a more friendly and less stress environment.  As some methods have mentioned, CALL can not only provied a less stressful environment for learners to learn (because learners are facing to a machine not a person), but also allow learners to practice again and again and will never feel tired or impatient.

In addition, this system provides many podcast in different kinds, and what I choose to listen is "Podcast 644 – Giving a Successful Presentation ".  I have learned lots of interesting idioms from the conversation.  Those idioms make me think of a cartoon I have seen on my oral-drill textbook; a man was knocked down by a piles of various idioms and phrases.  Idioms and phrases can smooth your speech or essay and catch your audience or readers' eyes, so when I was listening, I write down some of the idioms and phrase that I think are useful below:

1. packed house: means having a large of audience, the house doesn't mean a place you live, but a place that an event happens.  A packed house can also refer to a "standing room", which means that every seat in the place are taken, so most of people should stand to listen or watch.

2. clamor for sth: means asking for something more or in a loud way

3. on the edge of the seat: means that sth  is so interesting or someone is so eager to see or hear that it is hard for him/her to sit still.

4. be hooked on: means that someone is attracted by sth, can be refered to drug (be addicted to)

#5 Steven Jobs Standford Commencement Speech 2005

It is one of the impressive speeches that I have ever heard.  Steven Jobs is a living legend who created the well-known computer.  His life is also a venture that he has faced so many difficulties and even deadly disease.  But he conquered them and still do the best. 
His three storys really touch me.  Facing the oncoming graduate, I am so confused and worried.  I don't know what I like, and even what kind of job I can do.  But as Steven Jobs said: "You have to find what you love... If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. " I hope that it won't take me too much time, and I wish that I can one day face and solve the problems without hesitation and fearlessness.

(sharing!!) A clip from Youtube: Where the Wild Things Are (picture book)

It is a fun picture book that I have read many years ago.  The whole story is talking about a naughty boy, Max, who is called "wild thing", sailing to a place where the wild things are.  Surprisingly, he doesn't be eaten up, but becomes the king of the wild things.  He tames them and all the wild things do whatever he told them singing and dancing all the days.  Max really has a good time there, but after all the wild things fall in sleep, he starts feeling lonely.  Therefore, he says goodbye to his kindom and sail back home.  I love the way the author drew in the story, as you are reading, it seems that you can even touch the fir of the wild things.  What most interesting thing that it is adopted into an online picture book.  Now I can not only enjoy the picture but also the sound, just like watching a short movie!