make english part of your life

How to Improve your English via the Internet

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:31:07 -0400

Here are some tips to improving English both in how your learn and via the internet.

1. Remember that learning a language is a gradual process - it does not happen overnight.

2. Define your learning objectives early: What do you want to learn and why? - Take this quiz to find out what kind of English learner you are.

3. Make learning a habit. Try to learn something every day. It is much better to study (or read, or listen to English news, etc.) 10 minutes each day than to study for 2 hours once a week. - Take the English tip of the day newlsetter to help you.

4. Choose your materials well. You will need reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening materials - Beginners can use this starting English guide, intermediate to advanced learners can use this continue learning English guide.

5. Vary your learning routine. It is best to do different things each day to help keep the various relationships between each area active. In other words, don’t just study grammar.

6. Find friends to study and speak with. Learning English together can be very encouraging. - Soziety can help you find friends to speak English over the inernet.

7. Choose listening and reading materials that relate to what you are interested in. Being interested in the subject will make learning more enjoyable - thus more effective.

8. Relate grammar to practical usage. Grammar by itself does not help you USE the language. You should practice what you are learning by employing it actively.

9. Move your mouth! Understanding something doesn’t mean the muscles of your mouth can produce the sounds. Practice speaking what you are learning aloud. It may seem strange, but it is very effective.

10. Be patient with yourself. Remember learning is a process - speaking a language well takes time. It is not a computer that is either on or off!
Communicate! There is nothing like communicating in English and being successful. Grammar exercises are good - having your friend on the other side

Practice, practice, practice

source

Ayo belajar bahasa inggris

7 Tips for speaking English Fluently

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:15:44 -0400

RULE 1: Always Study and Review Phrases, Not Individual Words

Never study a single, individual word. Never. When you find a new word, always write down The Phrase it is in. Always.

When you review, always review all of the phrase,.. not the word.

Collect phrases.

Your speaking and grammar will improve 4-5 times faster. Always write the

complete phrase.

Never again study a single word. Never write a single word in your notebook,

Learn Phrases Only.Phrases are GROUPS of words that naturally go together.

**RULE 2: Don’t Study Grammar

Stop studying grammar.

Stop studying grammar.

Right now. Stop. Put away your grammar books and textbooks. Grammar rules

teach you to think about English, you want to speak automatically— without

thinking!

So Rule 2 is: Don’t Study Grammar!

**RULE 3: The Most Important Rule— Listen First

What is the rule that Humberto found? Simple. The rule is listening.

Listening, listening, listening.

You must listen to UNDERSTANDABLE English. You must listen to English EVERYDAY. Don’t read textbooks. Listen to English.

Its simple. That is the key to your English success. Stop reading textbooks.

Start listening everyday.

**Learn With Your Ears, Not Your Eyes

In most schools, you learn English with your eyes. You read textbooks. You

study grammar rules.

Spend most of your study time listening- that is the key to great speaking.

**RULE 4: Slow, Deep Learning Is Best

The secret to speaking easily is to learn every word & phrase DEEPLY. Its not enough to know a definition. Its not enough to remember for a test.

You must put the word deep into your brain.

To speak English easily, you must repeat each lesson many times.

You must learn English deeply.

Learn deeply, speak easily.

Learn deeply, speak easily.

How do you learn deeply? Easy— just repeat all lessons or listening many times. For example, if you have an audio book, listen to the first chapter 30 times before you go to the second chapter. You could listen to the first chapter 3 times each day, for 10 days.

**RULE 5: Use Point Of View Mini-Stories

I call these stories “Point Of View Mini-Stories”. They are the most powerful

way to learn and use English grammar automatically.

Use Point of View Stories for Automatic Grammar

Use Point of View Stories for Automatic Grammar

You must learn grammar by listening to real English. The best way is to listen to the same story… told in different times (points of view): Past, Perfect, Present, Future.

How do you do this? Easy! Find a story or article in the present tense.

Then ask your native speaker tutor to write it again in the Past, with Perfect

tenses, and in the Future. Finally, ask him to read and record these stories

for you.

Then you can listen to stories with many different kinds of grammar. You

don’t need to know the grammar rules. Just listen to the Point of View stories and you will improve grammar automatically!

**RULE 6: Only Use Real English Lessons & Materials

You learn real English if you want to understand native speakers and speak easily. Use real magazines, audio articles, TV shows, movies, radio talk shows, and audio books.

Learn Real English, Not Textbook English

Learn Real English, Not Textbook English

To learn real English, you must listen to English that native speakers listen to. You must watch what they watch. You must read what they read.

Listen only to real English

Listen only to real English

Listen only to real English

How do you learn Real English? It’s easy. Stop using textbooks. Instead, listen only to real English movies, TV shows, audio books, audio articles, stories, and talk radio shows. Use real English materials.

**RULE 7: Listen and Answer, not Listen and Repeat

Use Listen & Answer Mini-Story Lessons

Use Listen & Answer Mini-Story Lessons

In each Mini-Story Lesson, a speaker tells a short simple story. He also asks

a lot of easy questions. Every time you hear a question, you pause and

answer it.

You learn to answer questions quickly— without thinking. Your English

becomes automatic.

How can you use Listen & Answer Stories? Easy! Find a native speaker tutor.

Ask him to use this method: Ask him to tell a story… and to constantly ask

you easy questions about it. This will teach you to think quickly in English!

You can also find Listen & Answer lessons. They will teach you to think quickly in English.

source

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5 Essential Things to Include in your Cover Letter

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:06:56 -0400

1. Specific information

Many people send standard, generic cover letters to their potential employers. However, such a letter does not help you stand out from crowd. There are many applicants so you should be very specific and really show why you are the best candidate for this specific position.

2. Information from the job advert
You should include information from the job advertisement. Indicate how your experience matches that description. You could also add here how you will fit into the company.

3. Highlight your strengths
Always highlight your strong points. State exactly what your strengths are and why and how this will be useful in this position. You don’t want to draw attention to your weakness. However, if there Is something unusual about your experience or career move, you should use this opportunity to succinctly explain these in a positive light.

4. Don’t appear too desperate
You should focus on your suitability for the position and how the company will benefit from employing you. Any information about how badly you need this job is irrelevant and won’t create a good impression.

5. Contact details
Although your contact details are on your CV or resume, you should include this information briefly at the end of the letter. You want to make it as easy as possible for the potential employer to find this information and contact you.

source

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Introducing and Greeting People

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:12:41 -0400

Word List

Greeting People

Hello. / Hi.
Good morning. (before 12 o’clock)
Good afternoon.(after 12 o’clock)
Good evening

Introducing People

What’s your name?
Who are you?
My name is …
I am …
My friends call me …
You can call me …
Haven’t we met (before)?
Yes, I think we have.
No, I don’t think we have.
I think we’ve already met.
I don’t think we’ve met (before).
This is …
Meet …
Have you met …?
Yes, I have.
No, I haven’t.
Yes, I think I have.
No, I don’t think I have.
Hello, … (name)
Nice to meet you. (informal)
Pleased to meet you.
How do you do? (formal)
Nice to see you.
Nice to see you again.

Say Goodbye

Good bye.
Bye. / See you.
See you later.
See you soon.
See you tomorrow.
See you next week.
Good night.

Health

How are you?
How are you today?
Fine, thank you/thanks.
Not too bad.
Very well.
I’m okay / all right.
Not too well, actually.
What’s wrong with you?
What’s the matter with you?
Are you all right?
I’m tired
I’ve got a cold.

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General Information on Writing English Texts

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:39:24 -0400

The ideal English text is easy to read and understand. Even scientific texts are usually written in plain English words. So try to keep your sentences plain, clear and well structured.

When writing in English, keep the following rules in mind:

use simple language
keep subordinate clauses short
prefer verbs to nouns (not: The meaning of this is that …, but: This means that …)
avoid slang and techy language

Sentence

Make your texts interesting by using various types of clauses, e.g.:

participle clauses
relative clauses
conditional sentences
infinitive constructions, introductory clauses with infinitive or gerund
prepositional clauses
passive voice

Note, however:

Always use main clauses for important statements – use subordinate clauses only for additional information
Use passive voice sparingly – prefer active voice.
Avoid long introductory clauses – always try to put the subject close to the beginning of a sentence.
Avoid long subordinate clauses – a subordinate clause in the middle of a sentence should have no more than 12 syllables

Paragraph

As to paragraphs, keep the following rules in mind:

Concentrate on one main point per paragraph. Summarize this point in the first sentence.
All sentences that follow support the main point or limit its scope.
The last sentence is used as a transition to the next paragraph. Use a criteria that applies for both paragraphs.

Text

The typical structure of a text is as follows:

(title)
introduction
main part
conclusion

Make your texts interesting. You can achieve this for example by varying the lengths of your sentences. An important statement is best emphasised in a short sentence, especially if that sentence is between two longer sentences. Do also vary the lenghts of your paragraphs and avoid one-sentence paragraphs.

There are various possibilities on how to structure your texts, e.g.:

General to Specific
general statement followed by details and examples
Specific to General
details and examples followed by a generalization
Known to Unknown
provide new information based on what readers already know
Least Important to Most Important
catch and keep readers’ attention
Chronology (ordering by time)
e.g. in biographies

taken from : http://ow.ly/5UPRM

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How To Write a Business Letter in English

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:02:46 -0400

There are many different reasons for writing a business letter. However, most business letters follow some general guidelines as described below

Use block style - do not indent paragraphs.
Include address of the person you are writing to at the top of the letter, below your company address.
After the address, double space and include date
Double space (or as much as you need to put the body of the letter in the center) and include the salutation. Include Mr. for men or Ms for women, unless the recipient has a title such as Dr.
State a reference reason for your letter (i.e. ‘With reference to our telephone conversation…’
Give the reason for writing (i.e. ‘I am writing to you to confirm our order…’)
Make any request you may have (i.e. ‘I would be grateful if you could include a brochure…’
If there is to be further contact, refer to this contact (i.e. ‘I look forward to meeting you at…’)
Close the letter with a thank you (i.e. ‘Thank you for your prompt help…’)
Finish the letter with a salutation (i.e. ‘Yours sincerely,’)
Include 4 spaces and type your full name and title
sign the letter between the salutation and the typed name and title

Tips:

Keep the letter brief and to the point
Do not use shortened verb forms - write them out (i.e. ‘don’t instead of do not’)
Always keep a copy of correspondence for future reference

soure : http://ow.ly/5SNqa

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Some photos from EForever 2011 Universal Studio Singapore trip ,...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:21:21 -0400

Some photos from EForever 2011 Universal Studio Singapore trip , 14 - 16 july

The importance of reading

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:09:12 -0400

The following article is taken from an ESL website. It is to underline the importance of reading for future academic success. Please read it and learn from it.

The importance of reading

On many of the other pages of advice on this site I have emphasized how important reading is as far as learning English is concerned. However, there is a further, very important reason why ESL students should try to develop their reading skills: Educational researchers have found that there is a strong correlation between reading and academic success.* In other words, a student who is a good reader is more likely to do well in school and pass exams than a student who is a weak reader.

Good readers can understand the individual sentences and the organizational structure of a piece of writing. They can comprehend ideas, follow arguments, and detect implications. They know most of the words in the text already, but they can also determine the meaning of many of the unfamiliar words from the context - failing this, they can use their dictionary effectively to do so. In summary, good readers can extract from the writing what is important for the particular task they are employed in. And they can do it quickly!

Educational researchers have also found a strong correlation between reading and vocabulary knowledge. In other words, students who have a large vocabulary are usually good readers. This is not very surprising, since the best way to acquire a large vocabulary is to read extensively, and if you read extensively you are likely to be or become a good reader!

So if you want your child to be successful at school encourage him or her to read. Reading non-fiction in English is probably the most important, but English fiction and any reading in the mother tongue - if done extensively - will help your child develop the reading competence that is essential for academic achievement.

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10 First People To Join The Facebook

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:17:28 -0400

Facebook The world’s largest social network with over 500 Million users worldwide started in a dorm of Harvard university by a student Mark Zuckerberg who is now a Billionaire, In this article i am not going to tell what Facebook has achieved but i have another very interesting information to share with you guys and i am sure that many of you have no idea about the first 10 people to join the Facebook and their connection with Mark Zuckerberg, it’s pretty obvious that the first person to join Facebook was the Founder of Facebook himself “Mark Zuckerberg”. Couple of years ago when Facebook didn’t have the username facility for the profile links the user profile links have looked like this “http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=7568945” , after the ?id= is a serial number starting from 0. If you guys are familiar with the history of Facebook then you might know that why most of the people to join Facebook in start were from Harvard University, and the most interesting thing is that there was no female user to join Facebook in the first 10, I guess it was the 31st user who was the first female to join the Facebook Social Network, Let’s get to the top 10 countdown of the Top 10 First People To Join The Facebook

10. Mark Kaganovich

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=28

Mark Kaganovich was student at Harvard and friend of Hammer who have friends who have joined Facebook in start and Mark was one of the friends referred by Hammer and the interesting thing is Hammer joined the Facebook later

09. Collin Kelly

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=27

Colly a Harvard student and friend of David Hammer and Collin Jackson and he was referred too

08. Andrew MacCollum

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=26

MacCullum and Mark Zuckerberg were in same class for CS: 161 Subject and that’s how he joined Facebook so early

07. Chris Putnam

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=13

Putnam is the second guy to join the Facebook who was not the Harvard student, He was friend with early facebookers Kang-Xing Jin and Marcel George Laverde and he used to be one of the very first programmers at Facebook

06. Soleio Cuervo

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=11

Cuervo was friends with early Facebook members Kang-Xing Jin and Marcel Laverdet

05. Marcel Laverdet

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=10
Marcel is one of the early IDs at Facebook and he was probably the first non Harvard user to join Facebook Marcel was also friends with early Facebookers Chris Putnam, Soleio Cuervo, Kang-Xing Jin, Chris Hughes, Mark Zuckerberg

04. Arie Hasit

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=7

Arie the first non founder to jojn the Facebook was the friend of David Hammer and Co Founder Chris Hughes

03. Dustin Moskovitz

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=6

Dustin and Mark Zuckerberg were Roommates at Harvard, Dustin is one of the Co Founders of Facebook

02. Chris Hughes

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=5

Chris Hughes was Roommate with Mark Zuckerberg and he co founded the Facebook

01. Mark Zuckerberg

Original Profile ID: http://www.facebook.com /profile.php?id=4

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Who knows where the word “shampoo” originates from? Watch our...

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:48:40 -0400

Who knows where the word “shampoo” originates from? Watch our video and find out

www.englishfirst.co.id

EF Talk about Cycling/Bicycle with @ranggapanji a writer, cyclist and bicycle mechanic

Tue, 31 May 2011 22:53:50 -0400

Rangga Panji is a writer, a cyclist and a bicycle mechanic. His passions are riding bicycles and to tinker with them, while his mission in life is TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!! (just kidding. To be a helpful and useful person for everyone, especially his family and fellow cyclist). In his spare time, he enjoys reading books and riding bicycle with his son.

Hi EFellas! Welcome to #EFTalk. Today we’ll have a fun and interesting discussion about bicycle with @ranggapanji. Let’s get it on! ;)
@EF_EnglishFirst greetings, EFellas. nice to meet you all. :) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1 I build bikes and fix them, so I call myself… a bicycle mechanic. Oh, I fancy myself as a wheelbuilder, too. #EFTalk
That’s a fancy title indeed ;p Q2: As a bicycle mechanic and a wheelbuilder, what exactly do you do, @ranggapanji? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2a I build bikes to consumer’s needs. I also do repairs, or replace parts that need to be replaced or upgraded… #EFTalk
Sounds interesting, @ranggapanji! Q3: Since when did you do this? What was the trigger? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A3 As a profession, around 2 years ago. But as a hobby, it’s been forever… I love to tinker with stuffs. #EFTalk
Wow that’s what we called passion! Now Q4 @ranggapanji: What’s your unforgettable bicycle-related experience? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4 It must be when I bombed down hill at Puncak, passing buses and cars on a bike. My brakes boiled afterwards. #EFTalk
That’s unforgettable indeed, @ranggapanji! Now Q5: How many bicycle clubs are there in Jakarta/Indonesia? What are the differences? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5a Wow. I don’t know, there are so many of them. I’ve lost count… #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5b They tend to group themselves based on what they ride, or where they ride. For example… (contd.) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5c …road bikes club, clubs that mainly rides off-road terrain, commuters or urban cyclist, or else… (contd.) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5d …despite all of that, we’re all the same, we are cyclists. #EFTalk
Move on to Q6: @ranggapanji: What do you do as a member of a bicycle club? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A6 Well, I fix my friend’s bikes when they have trouble, be it on the road or off. Oh, yes, we ride bikes, too. #EFTalk
Hahaha of course :) Q7: If we want to be a member of a bicycle club, what should we do? Where should we go? @ranggapanji #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7a Well, you see, there’s plenty of clubs having fanpages on Facebook and such, but here’s my advice… (contd.) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7b: …get a bicycle, learn how to enjoy your rides, then find a club later… (contd.) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7c …that way, you’ll end up riding your bicycle because you want to, not because you have to. #EFTalk
So true. Q8: Do you think bicycle is a trend (which is temporary) or do you see this as something long lasting? @ranggapanji #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8 I believe cycling is a long lasting way of life, and many will continue cycling even if it’s not a hype anymore. #EFTalk
Now Q9 is from @saepunyaE: What are your ideas in promoting people to use bicycle? @ranggapanji #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst @saepunyaE well, urban cycling is fun, yet a bit dangerous. mitigate the danger then all you have left, is fun. #EFTalk
Last but not least Q10: Please share us tips on how to choose which bicycle is suitable for us. @ranggapanji #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 Pick a bike that’s comfortable and suits your needs, not just by the way it looks. You’ll ride it more often. #EFTalk
And that’s a wrap! Thank you so much for sharing with us @ranggapanji. Very inspiring! Hope to see you in the street of Jakarta ;) #EFTalk

EF Talk with @theonlykika, one of the authors of Cemburu itu Peluru

Thu, 26 May 2011 22:36:54 -0400

Kika Dhersy Putri is a “part-time” writer. Her passion is writing, while her mission in life is spreading the virus of Menulis untuk Indonesia. In her spare time, she enjoys music, film, and salmon sashimi.

EF_EnglishFirst
Hi @theonlykika! Hope you are great Q1: How many books have you published so far? #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A1 2books, #ber317an , a self-published book, and #CemburuItuPeluru #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
A talented new writer! @theonlykika Q2: Who are the writers of #CemburuItuPeluru? #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A2 It’s a collaboration of 5 writers from @fiksimini community: @LVCBV @Oddie__ @erdiANaJI @AndyTantono and me #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
5 writers? Wow interesting! @theonlykika Q3: How did you come up with the idea of such a nice collaboration? #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A3a @fiksimini is a twitter-based writing community, but in we do connected in real-life too #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A3b The idea was coming from @erdiANaJI from a supernite talk after a gathering in Jakarta #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A3c Its a collaboration of @fiksimini -ers from Jkt, Sby, and Bdg. We want to share the passion of writing #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A3d We want to show that writing is fun, everyone can write, and literature is a part of modern lifestyle #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
Now let’s move to Q4: What’s the idea behind the book, @theonlykika? #CemburuItuPeluru #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A4a We want to share that idea is everywhere, and even from the smallest simplest thing #CemburuItuPeluru #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A4b we also want to show that mini can be maxi too! Short but punching, both heart and mind #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
A combination of mini and maxi is just cute Move on to Q5: What are the main topics of the book? Love story? @theonlykika #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A5a Love? Haha! Not just about that. Also about God, social problems,emotional twist, and others #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A5b some satirical, comedy, also thriller. We want to capture life, the color and the taste. Twisting mind! #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
Colorful stories indeed! Now Q6 is from @ruthsinta: What’s your favorite story in the book? @theonlykika #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A6a ah! I love all! My favorite is Lelaki di Atap Malam by @Oddie__ also “unique” writing of @erdiANaJI #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A6b from my own writing I like Baby Blues, Dispenser Rasa, and the fiksimini of Senyummu di Pigora @ruthsinta #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
Q7 is from @EttyMenjes: Where did you find inspirations to write your stories, @theonlykika? #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A7a every simple thing, from criminal news, film, friend stories, songs, to my personal experience @EttyMenjes #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A7b But my main interest is human pschycology, human twisted mind, and I tend to exagerate things! @EttyMenjes #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
Haha don’t we all? Lastly Q8 from @signorinaKaRa How do you overcome difficulties in writing? I often got stuck! @theonlykika #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A8a Writer’s block? Take a break,a deep breath. Do things that you like, shopping or hangout with friends will do #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A8b ideas are there. Around you. They’re dying to be picked! Open your eyes, and heart too @signorinaKaRa #EFTalk

theonlykika
@EF_EnglishFirst A8c Reading books help, but in a process of writing fiction, I avoid reading other writer, to keep my originality #EFTalk

EF_EnglishFirst
And that was an interesting #EFTalk with @theonlykika, one of the authors of #CemburuItuPeluru. Thank you so much for your time, Kika!

EF TALK ABOUT @JktBerkebun AND HOW WE CAN MAKE JAKARTA A GREENER PLACE WITH MILLY RATUDIAN

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:22:00 -0400

Welcome to #EFTalk, EFellas! Hi, @millyshafiq! Hope you’re great :) Q1: What is @JktBerkebun and @IDBerkebun?
@EF_EnglishFirst A1 as part of @IDberkebun ,@jktberkebun try to spread the spirit of gardening on unused land especially in the City #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1 Usually unused space in the city generates negative space. Negative space generates urban stress #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1 We hope, @Idberkebun will help reduce negative space and also reduce urban stress #EFTalk END
A very noble mission, @millyshafiq. Q2: What’s the idea behind @JktBerkebun? When did you start it? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2 idea comes from @ridwankamil who invites anyone who want try to do one positive movement with urban farming #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2 initial meeting started in the end of october 2010 and everyone who interested come and discussed about the plan #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2 After we get our first land, We start planting on Jan 2011 and ready to launched to public on Feb 2011. END #EFTalk
@IDBerkebun and @JktBerkebun are interesting indeed! What do you plant, @millyshafiq? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A3 We’re planting productive plant that can be harvest in the short period of time and generate value for the neighborhood.
@EF_EnglishFirst A3 like tomatoes, spinach and any others easy to plant vegetable as a starting :) , we’re still excercising #EFTalk . END
Sounds fun! Q4: How is it different from other similar ‘let’s plant a tree’ movement? What’s its uniqueness, @millyshafiq? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4 we take our movement name “berkebun” which means Gardening. So It’s more to be a hobby and have fun feeling #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4 So what we plant should be possible to harvest and give tangible value for the surrounding neighborhood. #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4 Therefore it is different than plant a tree. Because we cannot harvest in a short period of time #EFTalk END
Now move on to Q5 @millyshafiq: If you plant seeds of fruits and vegetables, once they grow, who will benefit from them? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5 the one who plant them, the nearby neighbor and the one that taking care of it everyday can get the benefits #EFTalk End
Now Q6 is from @nellamns: how did u promote @JktBerkebun to everyone, @millyshafiq? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst @nellamns A6 at our first launching we get 150 persons come to the event by twitter, and over 6000 who hit our blog .END
An interesting Q6 from @saepunyaE: what are the common problems in (urban) gardening and how to deal with them? #EFTalk @millyshafiq
@EF_EnglishFirst @nellamns A6 this movement is starting from Twitter, so we use it to spread our spirit, also Facebook and Blog #EFTalk
Sorry this was suppose to be Q7 :what are the common problems in (urban) gardening and how to deal with them? #EFTalk @millyshafiq
@EF_EnglishFirst @saepunyaE A7 this far our common problems is time and for now is the location but don’t worry we’re spreading fast #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst @saepunyaE A7 as citizens with lot of activities, times is so tight but we always spare at least 1 hour to do gardening
@EF_EnglishFirst @saepunyaE A7 only 1 hour every weeks, and it’s enough to release urbanstress, when you meet those plants :D #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7 and for Location at first we only have 1 site, but now @JktBerkebun it self gonna have the second land soon :) .END
Q8: Which areas has @JktBerkebun covered so far, @millyshafiq? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8 for @JktBerkebun we already have site at springhills, and in a few weeks we’re going to launch at pesanggrahan #EFTalks
@EF_EnglishFirst A8 and for @IDberkebun now there are 11 cities are joining our movement @JktBerkebun @BdgBerkebun @bgrberkebun #EFTalks
@EF_EnglishFirst A8 @smgberkebun @BntBerkebun @PtkBerkebun @soloberkebun @srbyberkebun @mdnberkebun @TasikBerkebun #EFTalk End.
Wow you guys are fast which is good, @millyshafiq! Now Q9: Do @JktBerkebun and @IDBerkebun have regular events? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A9 of course we do gardening once a week due to our activity, for Jakarta itself usually on sunday afternoon :) #EFtalk End
Last but not least, Q10 is from @citrarhiztie: How to join @JktBerkebun? Should we have the ability of gardening? @millyshafiq #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 just come and have fun with us and if you are located in another city you can make your own @[city]berkebun #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 indonesiaberkebun.org is for everyone who live in Indonesia. All you need to do are three steps: #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 STEP1. identify someone who wants to lend unused spaces. #EFTalks
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 STEP2. Identify someone who live on the surrounding neighborhood who need land #EFTalks
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 STEP3. Identify someone who live in the city and wants to have fun and enjoy garden activity #EFTalks
@EF_EnglishFirst A10 don’t worry about skill, neither we have a gardening background, and we will help to find the expert in to guide. END
Alright that’s a wrap! Thank you so much @millyshafiq for sharing with us and for having the time to do the #EFTalk. Hope you had fun! :)

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Amazing Murals by Street Artist BLU

Thu, 19 May 2011 02:24:00 -0400

Blu is the pseudonym of an Italian artist who has deliberately decided to conceal his real identity. What little is known about him is that he lives in Bologna and has been active in the street art scene since 1999.

Here are some of his recent works.

You can read Blu’s biography here and see his webpage here

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Top 15 Iconic Teen Movies

Tue, 17 May 2011 23:20:00 -0400

15. Fast Times at Ridgemont High

1982, Amy HeckerlingTrailer | Amazon

This film follows a group of high school students growing up in southern California, based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. The center of the film is held by Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer dude who faces off with the resolute Mr. Hand, who is convinced that everyone is on dope.

14. Elephant

2003, Gus Van Sant

This controversial film deals with the issues of guns at school, following shortly on from the Columbine killings. It is probably the only film from the 21st century that depicts the issues that teens face in the here and now. Despite using virtually unknown actors, this film won awards and is perhaps one of the best from Van Sant. Beautiful cinematography makes this a film that will be remembered for a long time.

13. Dazed and Confused

1993, Richard Linklater

In a small Texas enclave, highlights the rites of passage on the last day of school in 1976 for the new, incoming freshmen at the hands of the class of ’77 at Robert E. Lee High School. Freshman boys are physically punished, while the girls largely face the brunt of verbal abuse and humiliation. Two main figures emerge. Incoming freshman Mitch Kramer comes to a new realization in his role as a major target of senior hazing. And, among the seniors is Randall “Pink” Floyd, the school’s star quarterback, who moves with facile grace among groups of greasers, nerds, stoners, and athletes alike.

12. Boyz N The Hood

1991, John Singleton

John Singleton’s portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles takes the form of a tale of three friends growing up together ‘in the ‘hood.’ Half-brothers Doughboy and Ricky Baker are foils for each other’s personality, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Ricky is the ‘All-American’ athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC and seeks salvation through sports, while ‘Dough’ succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor.

11. To Sir with Love

1967, James Clavell

To sir with love is a film that deals with the issues of racism and poverty in inner London during the 1960s. Sydney Poitier stars as the teacher, an interesting reversal of his role as a troubled teen in a similar film in 1955, Blackboard Jungle. The film’s title song “To Sir, with Love”, sung by Lulu, reached number one in the U.S. pop charts.

10. Y Tu Mamá También

2001, Alfonso Cuarón

This film chronicles the coming of age of two teenage boys who take a road trip across mexico with a woman in her late twenties. The film is set against the backdrop of the political and economic realities of present-day Mexico. The film also touches upon issues of homosexuality in its investigation of the relationship between the two main characters.

9. American Graffiti

1973, George Lucas

Features the coming of age of four teenagers on their last summer night before college. Rediscover drag racing, Insipiration Point and drive-ins all over again in this nostalgic looks at the 60′s. The incredible soundtrack brings you the most memorable rock ‘n’ roll hits of the era.

8. The Dead Poets Society

1989, Peter Weir

The Dead Poets Society is set in a boys school in the late 1950s in which we see the transition from the strongly conservative views of the 50s morph into the “liberated” views of the 1960s through the influence of an English teacher played by Robin Williams. Williams comes up against difficulties from the established school system and the parents as he tries to open the minds of his pupils. This fictional movie contains many poignant moments and has become something of a classic. My favorite quote from the film: “Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ Don’t be resigned to that. Break out!”

7. The Breakfast Club

1985, John Hughes

It’s the weekend, and five students have weekend detention. There’s a jock, a princess, a misfit, a nerd, and a lout. Not much in common, except for having to give up their day, sit in the school library, and write an essay for the principal. Being from such widely different backgrounds and having such completely different personalities, it’s inevitable that some frictions and shenanigans develop. Especially when the principal leaves the room…

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

1986, John Hughes

Ferris is a street-wise kid who knows all the tricks. Today he decides to take the day off school. When Ferris takes the day off, so must his best friends, Cameron and Sloane. Cameron is reluctantly persuaded to borrow his father’s Ferrari, and together they hatch a plan to get Sloane out of class. Suspicious dean of students Ed Rooney knows all about Ferris, but can never catch him. Ferris’ sister Jeanie is also frustrated that Ferris always gets away with his tricks and she doesn’t. Furthermore, Ferris is an ‘angel’ in his parents eyes. It’s Ferris’ day off, he’s out to enjoy himself, and he does!

5. Back to the Future

1985, Robert Zemeckis

The year is 1985 and Marty McFly (Fox) is your everyday teenager, except for one problem. He is stuck in 1955. After his good friend Doc Emmett Brown (Lloyd) is gunned down, Marty ends up sending the DeLorean back twenty years into the past. Now, he must find the Doc and convince him that he is from the future, in order for the Doc to send him back to the future, but this is the least of Marty’s problem. After accidentally getting in the way of the important meeting between his future mother (Thompson) and father (Glover), Marty must get them back together before he changes time forever, and destroys his own existence.

4. Stand by Me

1986, Rob Reiner

Stand by Me is based upon a book by Stephen King. It tells the tale of four boys who are about to embark on different paths as they head to high school. In order to see the dead body of a boy near their age, the boys go for their last summer journey together. During this time they discover things about themselves and each other that change their views on the world. This is a hauntingly beautiful film which stars River Phoenix.

3. La Haine

1995, Mathieu Kassovitz

Set in the slums of Paris, this film explores the lives of three friends (a black, a Jew, and an Arab) amidst racial tensions in France in the early 1990s. The title of the film means “hate” and each of the characters expresses hatred of the system in which they live. As the film progresses the characters learn from each other that life is what they make it. The film has a tragic end but, in typically French style, is full of wonderful philosophical gems.

2. Cidade de Deus

2002, Fernando Meirelles

Brazil, 1960′s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well…too well. 1970′s: Li’l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980′s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs…will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.

1. Rebel Without a Cause

1955, Nicholas Ray

It would be safe to say that this film was the first great iconic film of the teen genre. It was one of only three performances of James Dean and caused great scandal at the time because of the homosexual undertone that permeates the film between the characters played by Dean and Sal Mineo. I would be remiss if I were to not include this as the number one film. Dean has moved to a new town with his parents and is about to start at a new school. He befriends the unpopular Sal Mineo who idolizes him. This is a film that all film buffs must see.

source: http://listverse.com/

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Chocolate to Sweeten Your Day!

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Funny lines and quotes on chocolate!

A new British survey has revealed that 9 out of 10 people like Chocolate. The tenth lies. - John Q. Tullius.

Yes, life is like a box of chocolates - full of nuts!

I’m not overweight, just chocolate enriched.

A chocolate in the mouth is worth two on the plate.

The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE! - Terry Moore

Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.

I’d give up chocolate, but I’m no quitter.

A little too much chocolate is just about right.

Seven days without chocolate makes one weak.

Nuts just take up space where chocolate ought to be.

Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed, but chocolate makes it worthwhile.

Chocolate is not just for breakfast.

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces. - Judith Viorst.

Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment. - Catherine Aitken.

Nobody knows the truffles I’ve seen.

If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet?

I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process…. It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already. - Dave Barry.

source: funfacts.com.au

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EF Talk about Writing and Books with Sitta Karina, Teenlit & Chicklit author

Thu, 12 May 2011 23:07:12 -0400

Hi, @sittakarina! Hope you are well :) Let’s start with: Q1. Since when did you decide to become a writer and how did you start it? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1a Hi guys! I decided to become a writer in 2004, during my final project completion in the university. #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1b That time I felt quite courageous to send my first draft to publisher. I wrote my first short-story on 8 y.o. #EFTalk Reply Retweet Favorite sittakarina 13 hours ago
@EF_EnglishFirst A1c I was accustomed to my late grandpa writing columns, essays, and other editorials in his spare time. End. #EFTalk
Wow very interesting. Q2: What was your first book? What was it about? @sittakarina #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2a It was ‘Lukisan Hujan’. The story was about love between an ordinary, naive girl & a bitter, half-Mexican boy #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2b who came from famous clan but felt terribly burdened by his family name.It was like your sweet first crush.End. #EFTalk
Very creative, @sittakarina! Now Q3: How did it feel when you launch your first book? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A3 It felt amazing. Almost unreal! I think it was the major milestone in my life; to follow my passion. #EFTalk
Move on to Q4: As a writer, you create characters in your book. Who’s your favorite, @sittakarina? ;) #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4 All of them are special! But I think I (and also readers) love the Hanafiah clan better. #EFTalk
Q5 is from @githaz, @syifarana, @nabilafirdausi and @M3d14na: where did you get your inspirations from? @sittakarina #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5 Mostly they came from my teen life experience, happenings in daily life and also my fondness of Greek mythology. #EFTalk
Greek mythology sounds interesting! Q6 is from @ririeke: who’s your fav indonesian writer? And what’s your fav book? @sittakarina #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A6 They are @deelestari @novariyanti & @PrimaRus. My all-time fave book is ‘Saving Francesca’ by Melina Marchetta. #EFTalk
Q7 is from @addzs: How do you manage writer’s block? @sittakarina #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7a I stop writing every time writer’s block hits me. Usually I go running or simply doing things I like. #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A7b Don’t push yourself. The ideas will eventually come & you’ll get inspired once you feel lighthearted. End. #EFTalk
Okay, lastly Q8, again from @githaz: What’s your tips in writing a good fiction book? What are the dos and the don’ts @sittakarina? #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8a DOS: Keep writing. Don’t be afraid of criticism and rejection. Always learn new things to sharpen your skill. #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8b Use all of your senses to describe things (how does it LOOK, FEEL, SMELL, SOUND, and TASTE like?). #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8c Read lots of fiction books with various genres for your reference. State your story premise before writing. #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8d DONTS: Too many slangs. Create insensible plot in order to appear creative. End. #EFtalk
Alright, that’s a wrap! Thank you so much @sittakarina for the time. Thank your for sharing with us. #EFTalk
Also thanks to everyone who have sent their questions. There were many good questions but very sorry, we had to choose only a few. #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Nice! Thanks for having me on #EFTalk session :)

If Money Doesn't Make You Happy, Consider Time

Wed, 11 May 2011 05:10:37 -0400

STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS — Our search to understand what makes humans happy (or happier) goes back centuries. As does our enduring belief that if we just do the right thing, happiness will follow — that additional happiness will be doled out to us because we earned it, not due to the largess of a benevolent being. “Happiness is not a reward — it is a consequence,” instructs Robert Green Ingersoll, a Civil War-era orator. Many notable others, from Aristotle to the Buddha to Ursula K. LeGuin, agree with this sentiment.

New research takes a fresh look at this topic. Jennifer Aaker and Melanie Rudd at Stanford University, and Cassie Mogilner at the University of Pennsylvania, published “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy, Consider Time,”in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2011. They discuss how happiness is indeed a consequence of the choices people make. So what can people do to increase their happiness? Their answer is surprisingly simple: spend your time wisely. Careful though. Some of the ways people should spend their time are, in fact, surprising.

Although happiness is clearly relevant for individuals, businesses should also pay attention. Building a workforce of highly qualified, hard-working, and loyal employees is an essential aspect of staying competitive in today’s global markets. Therefore, being concerned about employee happiness is not just a moral thing to do, but it makes smart business sense as well.

“People often make career choices based on how much money they envision they can make now or in the future. Surprisingly little thought goes into how they will be using their time — whether they can control their time, who they will spend their time with, and what activities they will spend their time on,” said Aaker, General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

“We spend most of our time at work. So understanding how we should be spending our time at work is much more important than people think. It has been interesting to observe which companies are doing a good job of creating opportunities for employees to manage their own time. This goes beyond providing opportunities for flexible hours, telecommuting, and independent contractor relationships. Which companies are allowing opportunities for employees to fundamentally design how they spend their time both at work and outside of work — in ways that are creative and innovative? As Millennials enter the workforce, these types of demands will become even more common.”

Over the years, there has been relatively little research on the relationship between the resource of time and happiness. Perhaps not surprisingly, it is another resource — money — that has been investigated much more thoroughly as a potential key to happiness. Yet, very little research corroborates the idea that more money leads to more happiness. Some research suggests that perhaps people just aren’t spending it right. In fact, even the mere mention of money can result in individuals being less likely to engage in behaviors linked to personal happiness, such as helping others, donating to charity, or socializing with friends and family. After being prompted to think about wealth, individuals work more, and their ability to enjoy small moments becomes significantly compromised.

“We know that people with meaningful social connections are happier than those without them,” said Mogilner. “The more time that individuals spend with their partners, best friends, and close friends, the happier they are. When they spend time with people who they dislike or when they spend time alone, their happiness levels drop. Loneliness is a relatively good predictor of unhappiness.” Further, Mogilner has found that encouraging people to think about time (vs. money, for example) tends to foster those social connections. So thinking about time has a fundamental impact on how people behave.

Why might concentrating on time get us closer to our centuries-long search for happiness? One reason is because time spent doing something, especially when compared to owning something or spending money, is associated with personal meaning and evokes emotionally laden memories.

You might not recall how much money you had in your bank account when you were 20 years old, but most people remember their first kiss. Time also fosters interpersonal connections: the camaraderie that people get from attending a baseball game with friends, for example, would be more conducive to happiness than watching it alone in front of the television.

Drawing from their research and that of others, Aaker, Rudd, and Mogilner extracted five time-spending happiness principles:

Spend time with the right people. The greatest happiness levels are associated with spending time with people we like. Socially connecting activities — such as hanging out with friends and family — are responsible for the happiest parts of the day. However, work is also an essential element in the time-happiness relationship. Although spending time with bosses and coworkers tends to be associated with some of the lowest degrees of happiness, two of the biggest predictors of people’s general happiness are whether they have a ‘best friend’ at work and whether they like their boss. Therefore, people should try to reframe relationships and workplace goals such that colleagues become friends so that time spent at work becomes happier.

Spend time on the right activities. Certain activities are energizing, and others make us feel drained and defeated. To increase happiness, people should avoid spending time on the latter activities in favor of the former whenever possible. Of course, the bills have to be paid, the bathroom cleaned, and it’s sometimes a challenge to get through the day. But people need to reflect on how they are spending their time — the extent to which they mindlessly move from activity to activity without considering what they would really prefer to be doing. For instance, when deciding how to spend the next hour, simply asking yourself the question, ‘Will what I do right now become more valuable over time?’ could increase the likelihood that you behave in ways that are more in line with what will really make you happy.

Enjoy experiences without spending time actually doing them. Research in the field of neuroscience has shown that the part of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure — the mesolimbic dopamine system — can be activated when merely thinking about something pleasurable, such as drinking a favorite brand of beer or driving a favorite type of sports car. In fact, this research shows that people sometimes enjoys anticipating an activity more than actually doing it.

For example, reading guidebooks in advance of a big vacation and anticipating the food you’ll eat and the activities you’ll do while there could actually give you more pleasure than the vacation itself. In short, research suggests that we can be just as well — if not sometimes better — off if we imagine experiences without having them. So to increase happiness, spend plenty of time happily daydreaming.

Expand your time. Unlike money, time is inherently scarce. No one gets more than 24 hours per day. In fact, there is a bidirectional relationship between time’s scarcity and its value: not only does having little time make it feel more valuable, but when time is more valuable, it is perceived as more scarce. To increase happiness, it can make sense to focus on the here and now —because thinking about the present moment (vs. the future) has been found to slow down the perceived passage of time. Simply breathing more deeply can have similar effects.

In one study, subjects who were instructed to take long and slow breaths (vs. short and quick ones) for five minutes not only felt there was more time available to get things done, but also perceived their day as longer. And even though feeling time-constrained makes people less likely to take the time to help someone else, doing so actually makes people feel as though they have more spare time and gives them a sense of a more expansive future. Therefore, if you can’t afford to “buy” more discretionary time (e.g., by hiring a maid), focus on the present moment, breathe more slowly, and spend the little time that you have in helpful and meaningful ways.

Be aware that happiness changes over time. As we age, we experience different levels of happiness and how we experience happiness changes. Recent research found that younger people are more likely to experience happiness as excitement, whereas older individuals are more likely to experience happiness as feeling peaceful. Therefore, you should be aware that basing future decisions on your current perceptions of happiness may not lead to the maximum levels of happiness in the long run.

Finally, although the meaning of happiness may change, it does so in predictable patterns. Therefore, it is possible to anticipate such changes, and you should allow yourself to shift how you spend your time over the course of your life — as the meaning of happiness shifts.

Aaker points out that “the experiences people accumulate over the course of spending their limited time, quite literally makes up each person’s life. So, if you take away anything from this research, it should be that spending time with the people you love doing the things you love is the best road to happiness.”

— Alice LaPlante

source http://ow.ly/4RTAX

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Full EF Talk interview about Career and Passion with @reneCC

Mon, 09 May 2011 05:53:38 -0400

Q1 Hi @ReneCC, We find the title Career Coach a bit new. What is it? How is it different from Career Consultant? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1a Career Coaches have been around for quite some time in the western countries. The demand goes up by the years #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1b Coaching focuses on the future performance by exploring possibilities. Coach’s main job in 1 word: enablement #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A1c On the other hand, consulting focuses on present problem solving through analysis #EFTalk
Q2 @ReneCC What’s the idea behind the book Your Job Is Not Your Career? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2a #CCBook is a reflection of what matters most in my life: people, enablement of Indonesians & Indonesia #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A2b I am hopeful #CCBook will be the rallying point for those who care about their job, career & life END #EFTalk
Q3 @ReneCC How long was the process of making the book? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A3 Too long. It wld hv been longer to complete without the supports of great minds: @andiraa @citatahir ++ END #EFTalk
Q4 @ReneCC Passion is the first step of the Ultimate-U. What is passion? Why is it so important? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4a Passion is one of the main pillars of career & life – it’s God’s greatest gift to all of us #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4b Rumi said the desire of certain work has been put in every heart by God – your passion is already within you #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A4c Passion is your state of being, NOT an act of becoming – it’s what you enjoy the most END #EFTalk
Q5 @ReneCC What’s the different between passion and hobby? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5a hobby is a strong indicator of passion. No one has ever been forced to do their hobbies, right? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A5b Enjoy your hobbies while growing your passion ;) END #EFTalk
Q6 is from @JeSaSayangCimut @ReneCC u said that between Career n Job is different, how can I make my job like good career in future? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q6a A job shall never be a career. Yr job is a tool. Yr career is the totality of yr professional life #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q6b Do your job to the best of your ability and live your career according to passion, purpose & values END #EFTalk
Q7 is from @NaMargie @ReneCC what is the first step to do? To find our real passion? #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q7a Finding passion require 3 things: honesty, courage & care #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q7b Passion is the product of our subconscious. Think less – feel more #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q7c Finding passion - How to start? Simply follow @Misi21 ;) END #EFTalk
Q8 is from @Dian1608 @ReneCC which is more important, passion or certainty of our future to apply the job? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8a There is no such thing as certainty in job, career & life - There is only the PERCEPTION of certainty #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A8b Passion already lies within your heart. You start with what you have, NOT with what you think you want END #EFTalk
Q9 is from @2ndOutlet @ReneCC what should we do if our passion doesnt support us to get the job that offers good salary? #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q9a passion gives you the energy & curiosity to overcome obstacles including not having enough $$ #EFTalk Reply Retweet Favorite ReneCC 3 days ago
@EF_EnglishFirst Q9b And before deciding your passion does not generate $$, be sure you spend 10,000 hours doing it #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q9c After all, great $$$ always follows great work. And great work = great contribution to others END #EFTalk
Q10 @ReneCC what is your biggest dream in life, and how will you reach it ?and how do you see challenges in your life? #EFtalk
@EF_EnglishFirst Q10a My biggest dream is to provide as many tools for Indonesians to reach their #Ultimate-self #EFTalk
@EF_EnglishFirst A10b As for the challenges - I just face it when I stumble upon them. Simple plan works END #EFTalk
Thank you so much @ReneCC for answering all the questions and sharing with us. And of course for having the time to do the #EFTalk.
@EF_EnglishFirst Thank you for the opportunity. I had a great time. Aspera ad astra to EFellas! #EFTalk

Top 10 Tips for Better Written and Oral English Work

Thu, 05 May 2011 04:19:00 -0400

Top 10 Tips for Better Written and Oral English Work
by Matt Purland

1. Always check your work. When you think you’ve finished, check it again. Use a dictionary to help you find spellings that you are not sure of.

2. Go to class regularly. Do your homework and hand it in on time. If your teacher doesn’t give you any homework, ask for some. Ask for extra work to do at the weekend. If your teacher doesn’t mark it, ask them to give you feedback. If you don’t understand something in class, ask your teacher. Discuss English work with your friends at break-time and after class. Practise talking in English. Talk about it with your family. See if you can help your family to improve their English. Encourage them to go to a class.

3. In written work – answer the question! To answer the question you must read the question! What does the question ask you to do? Make sure you do what it asks. If it says ‘use a key’ then use a key! If it says ‘circle the correct letter – a, b, c or d’ then circle the correct letter. If it says, ‘write about your family’, write about your family.

4. Spend time deliberately learning vocabulary sets. You are always going to need to know the meanings and correct spellings of days, months, numbers, clothes, food, family members, your name and address, and so on. Practise at home. Make things much easier for yourself in class by learning these words in your free time.

5. Plan written compositions before you start. Use a flow chart to help you think of about four or five ideas to write about or sketch out your ideas by writing notes on a rough piece of paper. Think: what do you want to say in this piece of writing? Start with a short introduction, then write a paragraph for each idea. Your final paragraph should draw the ideas together into a conclusion. Each paragraph should contain about four or five short sentences.

6. Spend time deliberately learning basic verb tables – both regular and irregular – especially the four key irregular verbs: ‘to be’, ‘to go’, ‘to have’ and ‘to do’. Learn different tenses: present/past simple, present/past continuous and present/past perfect. Learn the past participles of key irregular verbs, for example have/had, do/done. Make sure you can use many common verbs like ‘eat’, ‘read’, ‘sleep’ and ‘go’ to talk about your daily activities in both the present and past tenses.

7. Read English language books and magazines. Read signs and notices. Write down any words or phrases that you don’t understand and look them up. Keep a vocabulary notebook where you write down new words and phrases. Check it regularly.

8. Watch English-language TV. Use subtitles so that you can match the words to the voices. Record programmes and play them back, pausing the action if it’s going too quickly for you. Use the internet to find information in English. Use free online translation services to translate text into your language. Visit websites that have games and resources for learning English. Print out materials and test yourself at home. Recommend good websites that you find to your teachers and classmates.

9. Use it or lose it! If you want to remember what you have learnt, make sure you use it every day. Practise speaking and listening, reading and writing every day. If possible, join a club or society or do a sporting or voluntary activity where you will meet native English speakers. Use your initiative!

10. Don’t give up! If it feels like you’re not learning anything, persevere. You are doing fine.

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