| English Refresher
Keeping Learning Alive!!! |
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Quote
Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language.
- Henry James -
British (US -born) author (1843 - 1916)
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Joke
Question: Why can't a bike stand on its own?
Answer: Because it's two tired.
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Proverb
It is better to give than to receive.
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Gung ho - zealous and eager.
"Stuents are all gung ho to try some of the great KGIC activities".
Read between the lines - Understand a meaning that isn't made obvious or explicit.
"Bill's wife said she wasn't angry that he forgot her birthday, but he could read between the lines and tell that she really was".
Walk the walk - Back up one's words with action.
"Jane says she can prepare the Power Point presentation herself. Let's hope she can walk the walk and get it done in time".
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Vocabulary
Jersey (noun) - a close-fitting knitted sweater or shirt.
"I really want a Vancouver Canucks hockey jersey".
Modern (adjective) -relating to the present or recent times.
"KGIBC is proud to have such modern facilities available for students".
Humble (adjective) - not proud or arrogant; modest.
"Even after winning the Speech contest, Francisco was very humble". |
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I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all our KGIC alumni. My name is Danny Beatty and I'm the new director of Surrey Campus. I have been with KGIC for over two years. I began as a teacher for KGIC's junior program before moving to the adult ESL program. I was the head teacher for adult ESL for about a year before taking over as director in June 2009. Although I miss being in the classroom, I'm enjoying the challenges that come with being the director.
Before coming to KGIC I worked as an ESL teacher in Tunisia, North Africa for 6 years, where I worked at a national university as well as a private ESL school. I had the opportunity to learn Arabic during my time in North Africa, and also learned to love spicy food!
As director I would love to see our campus grow but still keep the family atmosphere that our students love. We would also like to expand the selection of classes that we can offer to our students. Wherever you may be, I hope the time you spent learning English at KGIC has opened up opportunities for you in work, further education, or travel.
Danny Beatty
Surrey Campus Director
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Campfire Goodies:
Some More S'mores! |
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Do you want some s'mores? Some more what? Some more s'mores?
S'mores are a sweet snack that Canadians eat when they go camping. They are kind of like a dessert sandwich. If the idea of eating a sandwich made of marshmallows and chocolate sounds delicious, you'll definitely want to try this classic campfire treat. In fact it is called a s'more because once you have one, you will want some more.
When Canadians go camping, we love to eat food that's been cooked over a fire. And what's even more fun is cooking your own food - such as putting food on a long stick and roasting it until cooked to perfection! This is how you roast a marshmallow, the first step in making smores.
Traditionally, a large marshmallow is slowly cooked over a fire until golden brown. Be careful because if you leave it too long, you'll end up with a marshmallow on fire!
Next take a graham cracker and put a piece of chocolate on it. Once the hot marshmallow is placed on the graham cracker, the heat will start to melt the chocolate.
Put another graham cracker on top, squeeze it all together, and mmm mmmmm, you've made a s'more! Just shove it in your month and you'll want some more! Some more s'mores!
Ingredients:
1 Large marshmallow
1 Graham cracker
(Graham crackers aren't actually crackers, but more like a cookie. If you can't find them, you can use digestive biscuits or another plain cookie that isn't too sweet.)
Chocolate - as much and any kind that you like.
If you can't roast your marshmallow over the fire, you can broil it in the oven and turn it over so it toasts evenly. Or, if you have a gas stove you can put the marshmallow on a skewer and hold it over the flame until it browns.
We hope you enjoy making some s'mores! | |
| Greetings!
We'd love to hear your KGIC summer stories. E-mail the alumni society, alumni@kgic.ca, with your KGIC summer story and we may even print it here in next month's issue of the Mosaic Newsletter.
As always, we look forward to hearing from you and we hope you are having a great summer. 
Sincerely,
Your KGIC Alumni Society
King George International College
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| Surrey Student Success Story:
A Recipient of Blessings
Hello, my name is Alejandra Diaz Vidal. I had the privilege of being a student in KGIC Surrey from July to December 2006. My experience in KGIC Surrey has changed my life forever, and this is not just a phrase to make my story sound better.
 I catalog this season in my life as definitely being a gift from God. I did not deserve all the greetings, teachings, love, kindness and respect that I received at KGIC. As I am writing this paragraph many great memories come to my mind. I did not only learn English, but I learned to love a culture full of colors and different tastes. I met people that will be in my life forever.
When I came back to Mexico I applied to a University in Texas and not only was I accepted, but I also have had good grades throughout my entire academic career. Next year I will be starting my Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology. I am currently working at a Speech Therapy Clinic.
Can you believe that a Mexican girl who did not speak a word in English is going to be a Therapist for people who speak English? I can believe it, because I know that for God everything is possible. He made my dream of being in Canada a reality. He gave my parents the money and the support to send me to a foreign Country. He let me meet all my dear professors who not only taught me English, but also showed me the true Canada.
I would like to say thank you to Leanna, Angela and Michael for being the most incredible teachers that I have ever had. You are always in my prayers. I would also like to thank Jason and Carrie, the family I lived with in Canada. Their faith and strength has been an example I would like to imitate.
My family played a great roll in this experience. My brother has always been my best friend. Jose Luis, thank you for your kindness and patience. Our memories together are treasured in my heart. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sharing your vision and faith with me. I love and admire you and look forward to having your humble hearts.
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How to Fake Being a Canadian
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"
How do you fake being a Canadian? Just do as they do. Copy not only their appearance and language, but also their customs, habits, and lifestyles.
 First of all, do not carry an umbrella even if it is raining hard. Wear a raincoat. Some Canadians carry an umbrella but most Canadians do not. Moreover, they ride a bicycle in the rain! Awesome!
Have a big dog. I see many people walking their big dogs. Some dogs are as big as bears. I heard Canadians dream of owning a big dog. Something else they aspire to have is a big house with a big garden.
Be crazy for hockey! It is the most important thing to being a Canadian. Forget about your country's national sport and watch hockey instead. In Canada, you might not be able to find a soccer game but you can find hockey anywhere. You can find a store that sells hockey stuff very easily and you can see a hockey game on TV or in a pub. Some people collect hockey stuff and guys, and even some girls, like to wear hockey jerseys and caps with the logo of their favorite team on them. Canadians really love hockey!
Change your appearance. Canadians don't prefer famous brand names when it comes to fashion. They wear very comfortable and casual clothes even when they're working. They have special Fridays, not the TGIF (Thank Goodness it's Friday) that you might know, but casual Fridays. On casual Fridays you should wear casual clothes like jeans and a t-shirt. Casual Fridays are for people not only working in private businesses but for government employees as well.
Be a friend to nature! Canada has remarkable nature. How can we not enjoy this piece of God! Canadians enjoy doing anything in nature. For example, jogging, hiking, cycling, and surfing. They are friends of nature and they know how to enjoy and protect it. If you don't enjoy nature, you cannot be a fake Canadian.
By:
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KGIBC Update:
Keeping the "Modern" in PMM
Power speaking and Modern Media (PMM) has long been a popular course for students. Many of you, our alumni students, may have even taken the course yourself. For those who haven't, PMM is a speaking-centered course offered at KGIBC that is designed to improve students' confidence, pronunciation/intonation and public speaking skills. It also uses the modern media to generate current discussion topics and to promote media literacy.
 In an effort to keep the "Modern" in PMM, the KGIC Education Group has been hard at work updating the program, including intensified speaking components and a deeper focus on fluency. These changes will meet the needs and expectations of students enrolled in the course and will ensure that PMM is as popular and "Modern" going into the future as it has been in the past.
Some of the highlights and changes being implemented are:
- A daily block of pronunciation and intonation exercises
- Bi-weekly fluency/accuracy testing allows students to see their progress
- Grammar trouble spots are frequently reviewed
- Individual and/or group presentations are done every week
- Periodic Professional Development seminars
- Increased One-on-One time with the teacher for specialized feedback
- Debating skills are regularly practiced to enhance both planned an unplanned speaking
- Challenging exams to maintain academic standards
- Each student faces a panel of 3 native speakers in an intense interview situation as part of their final evaluation
- Presentations are videotaped, and students review them afterwards, keeping a journal to record their observations
- A weekly certificate given to the strongest or most improved student
- The top student receives a free OPIc test upon graduating
Vancouver is currently leading the phasing in of the changes, with Toronto, Victoria and Surrey introducing them over the course of the summer. We expect to have all campuses participating by September. So, if someone asks you about PMM at KGIBC don't hesitate to tell them about these exciting changes.
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Here at KGIC we appreciate all our Alumni Society members and hope that you enjoy the information and updates offered in our newsletter. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to a friend and invite them to sign up for future updates. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive our monthly newsletter click on the link at the bottom left of this page or visit www.kgic.ca and click on the "Sign Up For the Alumni Society Newsletter" button.
If you missed a past issue of the KGIC Mosaic visit the KGIC Newsletter Archives. Here you can read past issues of our Alumni Society Newsletter.
Sincerely,
Your Alumni Society King George International College King George International College
201-1400 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V5K6H6
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All of us here at the KGIC Alumni Society hope you are having a great summer. This year's 
