BEAUTIFUL MINDS ...The 'beauty' in AUTISM * (click here for definition)

Do you remember the movie in which Russel Crowe characterized the real life story of a brilliant but asocial mathematician and university professor who was diagnosed with skitsofrenia? It is called A Beautiful Mind (Un homme d'exception). Another movie is Rain Man played by Dustin Hoffman about a savant, another word  used for people with autism which expresses their exceptional talents. (savant from the French word, savant).

Well here is a short film or documentary about another exceptional person. It depicts the amazing talents of Stephen Wiltshire. He is British and he is autistic. He possesses an amazing visual memory and a great aptitude for drawing.

TAKE ACTION CHALLENGE:

What I would like you to do as an exercise and as a listening activity is: 

FIRST, NOTE the KEY words or the ones that you recognize while listening

THEN, listen again and add a few more words

THIRD, use these key words to retell the story to someone. 

It could be your partner or daughter or neighbour 

or even your dog or cat if everyone else is too busy to listen.

OUT LOUD resume the story with the essential elements. 

For a movie we call it a SYNOPSIS. 

IF you do this correctly, you will not need to TRANSLATE.

Marie-Denise sent me this video which appears on an internet site called STUMBLE UPON *. Here is the link for the video:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2MBBxU

By the way (BTW) I love this site. 

It is very educational. For all the curious,
 you will learn something eveytime you visit. 
It is also a great source of TOPICS 

which we can choose from to use 

as the basis of a discussion in class. 

TAKE A LOOK!!

SUZANNE

* NOTE: This phrasal verb is: to stumble upon. 

             Enter this expression in Wiktionary  

             (tools on the right column) for a full definition
             OR, Meaning of Prasal Expressions.

TRIVIA or FACT or ....

ORIGIN OF PROVERBS OR

FAMILIAR EXPRESSIONS

I got this information on the Internet, so you have to read it with scepticism, I suppose. I have not researched this info, sometimes they are myths or what we sometimes call ‘urban legends’ today. The following two actually date far back to the beginning of the North American colonies, so they might really have a truth to their origin. They might be factual. Here they are: 

  

No.1 Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of being first and got all the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

*** Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

No.2 Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. 

*** Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

So what do you think?

Does it make sense to you?

Do you question these origins of ...?

It was just for fun and 

an amusing explanation!

Suzanne  

APPROACHING 4000 !!!

NEARLY 4000 …

What do I mean by this title?

Well, if you take a look at the last post on this blog page, just below it, scroll down right to the end, you will see today that the counter that represents the number of visitors to this blog is about to reach the number 4000.

This is so astounding to me! And thank you for beimg there!

I know that the internet will bring some unknowing visitors to this page. The ones that have “Googled” (or other search engines) some of the key words such as: words-fun-esl- or even Suzanne and ESL teacher.

What is even more surprising to me is that I can count on the fingers of my hand the comments that I have received in the past year!? 

QUESTIONS ... 

I have questions. Could you please enlighten me?

Why aren’t people (students, followers or visitors) who are reading these posts or using the tools, why aren't they or you writing or commenting on this blog?

Is it complicated? Is it too difficult to use the comment section? 

Is it because of time restraint?

OR ... Is it a question of personality, such as:

. don’t want to make mistakes

. don’t want people to read my mistakes

  In other words ... vulnerability.

. Is it a judgement call where you think you are not well enough “equipped” to write.

. Or is it, simply, I'm too tired to do so after all this work of reading,

  understanding, looking up words and expressions ...

I would really like to know!

Of course I maintain this blog because I DO LOVE to write, but also as a LEARNING opportunity which involves reading and writing!

My first objective is pedagogical. PLEASE take a few minutes to read the intro, right at the top of the blog. AND, please take the time to respond or answer a few of these questions. Either, here or in person the next time I see you.

I would really like to facilitate this learning experience and I might not be going about it in the best way.
Here is a thought I will leave you with. I find it inspiring!

NOTHING IS MORE POWERFUL

THAN WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE.

Thank you for reading and

thank you for taking the time.

I wouldn’t be there

if it weren’t for you!

Suzanne

NOTE: By the time I had finished writing and posting this blog, the counter had registered 4000 hits! WOW!          Today, February 21st at 11:45 a.m.

THE LINGUISTIC GENIUS OF BABIES

TODAY a fascinating video on HOW WE LEARN LANGUAGE

at the beginning of our lives, as babies.

CLICK on title :

The Linguistic Genius of Babies 

for the link, It is embedded > (hidden there)

At the beginning, the speaker, Patricia Kuhl,

uses the expression : ROCKET SCIENCE.

It is a term used for something that is 

very complicated to learn 

and implies a very HIGH level of studies

often associated with GENIUS + es 

(students in the field of science).

We often use this term in the negative form:

It's not rocket science!

It's not that complicated to understand!

If I could talk to you I would say ...

SEND ME A COMMENT !

Suzanne

JOKE of the WEEK

    
 A family of mice, the Mice family, was happily taking a walk one day in the neighbourhood park. When, all of a sudden, they were surprised by a cat. A huge cat!!

Father mouse, Jerry, jumped right in front of the cat and said very menacingly,

  “ Bow-Wow! Grrr … ! Bow-Wow!!”

Tom, the cat ran away.

  "What was that, Father?" asked Junior.

  "Well, son, that's why I always say that it's
   important to learn a second language!"

 J I guess you know why 

I chose this particular one.

    “Woof! Woof!!”  
from your ESL teacher!

Have a laugh today

Suzanne

NOTE: Send me a comment and tell me how you would translate "Woof! Woof!" into English?? 

LOVE quotes and more quotations

A QUOTE

a form of expression 
that is often 'adopted' by people 
who find them inspirational.

Here is A FAMOUS QUOTE on LOVE

from Judy Garland

« For it was not into my ears

that you whispered your love,

but into my heart.

It was not my lips that you kissed,

but my soul.»

For more quotes on love, here is a link:

http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/941710/Judy+Garland/for-it-was-not-into-my-ear-you-whispered-but-into

and for the quote site address on other themes just click on title of this post.

ENJOY reading them.

Maybe you will find your FIRST inspirational one!!


Suzanne

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all my students

LOVE and be LOVED! 

Click on the word LOVE, above

LOVE .... The best feeling ever or is it? Click on me NOW

       THE  NOUN        

1. A strong romantic feeling for someone.

+for: their love for each other.

To be /fall in love with somebody. He fell madly in love with her.| 

Do you believe in love at first sight? (coll.) | A love song ! My grandmother kept all her love letters.

2. When you care very much about someone, especially a member of your family or a close friend.

+for: a mother’s love for her children.

3. Someone who you love: You were my first love

4. A strong feeling of liking or enjoying some-thing very much or something that gives you that feeling: +of his love of the countryside |

She has a great love of music.| His greatest love of football.

5. To make love (to/with somebody) coll. To have sex with someone.

6. (with) love (from) somebody, used at the end of a friendly letter: Hope to see you soon. Lots of love, Suzanne.

7. To send/give your love to someone, to ask someone to give your friendly greetings to someone else: Your father sends his love.

8. British, spoken and informal: a) when you are speaking to someone you love: Are you alright, Love? b) used when talking in a friendly way to someone you don’t know, especially a woman: What did you just say, Love? 

To add a few expressions, collocations & idioms:

A love affair, love at first sight, 

                 to fall in love,             

Love for ever & ever.

And other words that represent parts of speech: 

lovable, lovely, lover, loving.

LOVE 

has been the inspiration for anyone that writes,

whether it be the most sophisticated form 

sush as the LOVE SONNETS from Shakespeare

to a simple love letter written from the 
♥

What is your favourite love song, 

love quote or poem?

SUZANNE

Maxine's Valentine

Here's a song and a sing-along from my favourite "lady", Maxine.

This is her take on Valentines' songs and with it comes her own brand of humour.

I just LOOOVE Maxine! She says what we are all really thinking ... 
sometimes!

LOVE .... LOVE ... LOVE ... Has everything been said?

What has there not been said and written about love!

Romance novels, romantic movies, love poems,

Valentine's Day cards and wishes, 

love quotes, song lyrics, and more.

I have been thinking how to approach the subject

 in a different way and, as a teacher, 

I have what I think, is a great idea. 

Why not be practical instead of romantic!

 Let's use your extraordinary and very useful dictionary, 

TO LOVE (verb) and LOVE (noun)

page 441    Let's go!!

To love: verb [T]

1. To like someone in a romantic or sexual way: I love you.| The first boy I ever really   loved.

THESAURUS:

If you are infatuated with someone, you have unreasonably strong feelings of love for them.

If you have a crush on someone, you have a strong feeling for them, but it usually only lasts for a short period of time. Carrie has a crush on her next door neighbour.

If you are crazy about someone, you love them very much, especially in a way that you cannot really control.

If you are devoted to someone, you love them and are loyal to them. He has always been devoted to his wife.

* OPPOSITE: to hate

2. to care about someone a lot, especially a member of your family,or a close friend. I love my Mom!| It can be hard to cope with the loss (or death) of a loved one > someone you care about.

3. to like something very much, or enjoy doing something a lot: I love chocolate! 

    love doing something: Pete loves to go to the cinema.

    love to do something: When he was young, he loved to spend time reading.

4. spoken: to express or say something that you want to do very much: I'd love to (do something): I'd love to go to Bali one day! | Do you want to come? I'd love to.

:OOO ... OK!

I would love to keep on writing right now, 

but I would like to take a break.

I will address LOVE as a noun tomorrow!

P.S. Have you planned your Valentine's Day celebrations yet? 

       I have a feeling that this weekend will be a LOVEFEST!!!

   

SMALL TALK ... Starting a conversation

How you do'in?

(This is a common greeting)

« Isn't it a nice day!

Look at the sky.

That blue is so intense.

I love winter, especially

when the sun is out! ... »

SMALL TALK!

Have you ever noticed how much we talk about the weather here in Québec, especially when we meet someone ... Yes! It's called 'small talk' and, surprisingly, it's done all over the world. It is the # 1 TOPIC of conversation, not only here, but whenever we meet someONE. It's called 'small talk', and it is often used 'to break the ice'. It is an 'icebreaker'.

Coincidently, it is the same word as the specialized boat that is used to break the 'real' ice when it FREEZES OVER in the winter time or up North in the Artic circle, and on our Saint-Lawrence River, but ... I DIGRESS !!! 

On that note, some of you do FREEZE UP (word play/verbe à particule) when someone spontaneously speaks to you in English, right? PANIC!!!

The other topics used as ICEBREAKERS are often:

* COMPLIMENTS (always positive & sincere)

  « Hi! How are you? Loooove your shirt! 

    It suits you! What a great choice! »

* the NEWS (but be careful, we don't want an argument!)

* COMMON INTERESTS like skiing or being a grandparent

  « Show me the pictures! » 

THE LESSON TODAY IS:

* BE PRO-ACTIVE

Whenever you have the opportunity, take it!

Don't freeze ;)

* BE ENTHOUSIASTIC about having 

this chance come your way!

* BE POSITIVE

(it's not how much English you know, 
but how and when you use it!)

HAVE FUN!

Suzanne 

*** NOTE;

If you CLICK on title, SMALL TALK,  there is a Youtube video that is really, really funny! WARNING: For some of you, it might be offensive. I'm sorry! So please keep an open mind and see the humour behind!

The SOUNDS of SNOW

#317 When you can hear it snowing

 

 Just listen ...

When the white sky splits and the big flakes fall there’s a certain peaceful calm that covers everything like a blanket. Floating flurries flutter and fly past dull yellow streetlamps before covering coats and cars in a thin layer of icing. Whistling winds fade to whispers and street beeps get muffled into the slowed-down scene in front of you.

Yes, when snowflakes blow those brake lights glow and everything slows into ... AWESOME!

Positive words when considering the foul weather that is beating down on the USA. But very poetic indeed. There is an expresion in English that you can look up: POETIC JUSTICE. Sounds like an OXYMORON or is it? Or is it irony?

Suzanne

*** Source : 1000 Awesome Things, February 2, 2011. 

English language facts ... just for fun!

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

A FEW FACTS ABOUT … 

The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious."

There are only four words in the English language which end in "-dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

The words 'race car,' 'kayak' and 'level' are palindromes.  They read the same whether you read them left to right or right to left.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. 

"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right.

Now … you know everything !!! ;)

But DO YOU NEED to learn all these words/vocabulary. 

At this point DO YOU REALLY need to use them??

This question will help you to decide 

what is worth keeping and assimilating.

We will talk about it in class

Suzanne

NOTE: To all you new students
You can use the 'tools' in the right column to practice pronunciation, just click on the PARROT/bird.