| English Refresher
Keeping Learning Alive!!! |
Wisdom comes with winters.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) _____________________
Joke
Q: What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month ?
A: The letter "D"!
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First come, first served
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A White Christmas- Having snow on the ground on Christmas day.
"I'm dreaming of a white Chirstmas."
To shop 'till you drop - to shop until you are too tired to go on.
"On Boxing Day many people shop 'till they drop."
A Grinch - a person or thing that spoils or dampens the pleasure of others.
"Paul was a real grinch when he refused to let his roommate have a Christmas party."
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Vocabulary
Secular (adj.) - not connected or related to religion.
"Andrea chose the secular image of a snowman for her Christmas cards."
Beachcombing (noun/gerund) - to scavenge or look along a beach for treasure or items of value or interest.
"Brian likes beachcombing on his holidays."
Sift (verb) - to scatter or sprinkle through.
"Sift your flour into the egg mixture so it doesn't clump together." |
A Message From the College Assistants |
For anyone who has studied at KGIC, the College Assistants (CAs) are the unsung heroes of campus. Students who have studied at KGIC's Vancouver campus fondly remember Brad and Chris. They were both kind enough to write a little message for all of you, our Alumni students, for the holidays.
Chris Cunningham
Since the New Year is upon us, what is your New Year's resolution? Mine is to become a good father. That's right there will be a little Chris entering our world in late January or early February. A little "energetic" Chris running around sounds scary but hopefully he gets my wife's looks. I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hopefully we will see each other in the future.
I wanted to take a moment to say "Dude!" to all of our Alumni. The past year has been life changing for me and my wife. This month is my first (and only) child's first birthday! Little Lia is no longer little. It seems like this year had a little KGIC baby-boom. Something in the water, I bet! ;) Have a fantastic holiday! |
The Spirit of Giving in Victoria |
The Mustard Seed Christmas Hamper program provides food to Victoria residents in need during the holiday season. For the past two years, KGIC and KGIBC - Victoria has been a part of this honorable cause for those less fortunate. This year, the project was organized by Laura and Sheila's Communications 4 classes. The students made a presentation in each class and encouraged their classmates to donate non-perishable food items. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all the students and staff and a special thanks for your donations.
Jorge Del Castillo
Director - Victoria Campus
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A Christmas Cookie Recipe: Grandma's Gingersnaps |
In Canada, there is no better time for baking cookies than at Christmas time.
December is when homes all over the country are filled with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, when the warmth from the oven helps get rid of the cold winter chill and when people eagerly gather in the kitchen to nibble on home-baked goodies.
Many Canadians bake cookies year-round but Christmas is the time to use the best ingredients, such as real butter, top quality chocolate and lots of nuts. Even though these ingredients aren't as expensive as they used to be - which is why they were traditionally saved for the festive season - they still make Christmas cookies a little more special.
This year try something new with Gingersnaps. They are sure to make your house smell delicious!
Grandma's Gingersnaps
Ingredients
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup dark molasses (honey is a good substitute)
- 1/3 cup white sugar (add 1 tsp. cinnamon to make cinnamon sugar for more flavour)
Preheat oven to 175 degrees celsius.
Put the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Stir the mixture to evenly combine everything.
Place the butter in a different bowl and beat until creamy. This can be done by hand or with a mixer.
Gradually beat in the one cup of white sugar (save the remainder of the sugar for later). Beat in the egg, and dark molasses.
Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter mixture and stir to thoroughly blend it.
Sift in the remaining flour mixture, and mix together until a soft dough forms.
Use a teaspoon to take small amounts of dough and roll into 2.5cm diameter balls between your hands.
Roll each ball in sugar, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until the tops are rounded and slightly cracked, about 10 minutes.
Cool cookies on a wire rack and share them with family and friends. | |
| Greetings!
Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year!
As the winter break approaches there is a lot of excitment as teachers, staff and students make their holiday plans. As a special treat for all of our students, alumni and present, we have put together a special video message from all the teachers, staff and students of the KGIC Education Group.
To see this video message and hear some fantastic caroling visit our facebook page or our youtube channel. For a direct link to the video click here. See if you can name all the Christmas carols being sung!
We wish you the very best this holiday season.
As always, we would love to hear holiday stories from our alumni students. Send an e-mail to the Alumni Society any time to alumni@kgic.ca.
Sincerely,
Your KGIC Alumni Society
King George International College
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On the beat in Victoria: An Interview with Teacher Bernie Wilson
by English for Professional Careers (EPC) Students: Mi Hyun Lee, Naoko Togawa, Yuko Kawakami and Jung Ah Kim
Q: What part of teaching do you enjoy most? A: I really enjoy exploring culture with my classes. Q: When did you start teaching English? A: I taught English for the first time in 2001. I spent a year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I actually got engaged to my wife when I was there. In 2002, I returned to Vancouver and started teaching at KGIC.  Q: If you were not a teacher, what would you be? A: I would be an organic vegetable farmer. Seriously.
Q: Which country do you like best? A: I really like Ghana. I spent half a year there in 2000. I went there on a student exchange, and it was quite an eye opening experience. It is a beautiful country with amazing people. On the other hand, I witnessed some things that are not easy to see. There is a lot of poverty. You should go. It will change your life. Q: Why did you choose to teach at KGIC? A: When I returned from Taiwan, I met a friend who was working at Vancouver campus. She recommended KGIC. Q: What do you do on holiday? A: Beachcombing, hiking, and kayaking Q: Is there a good way to study English? A: Immersion Immersion! Step 1. Have discussions with your homestay families. The conversations will be natural. Step 2. You should throw away your electronic dictionary and buy a paper dictionary. Q: What is your favourite book? A: Walden by Henry David ThoreauQ: Why?
A: It makes me think about my relationship to nature. It is a cool old book.
Q: What is your motto?
A: Today is better than two tomorrows.
Q: What does that mean?
A: Embrace the moment. Someone found it written on a sign nailed to a tree in Bangkok, Thailand.
Q: Why do you like card magic?
A: It's an awesome icebreaker for the classroom. Everyone gets into it.
Q: Who taught you?
A: An old man who lives on a houseboat.
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The Art of Writing a Christmas Card
The upcoming holiday season is just around the corner. A well-recognized worldwide tradition this time of year is the sending of "Christmas Cards." As you may know, Christmas technically is a Christian tradition, but for those who aren't religious it is still a time of celebration with family and friends.
Here are some tips to send some warm, friendly Christmas wishes to anyone in your address book or email list.
1. Cards and Images
What kind of card should you send? Not everyone will send cards (email greetings are common nowadays), but if you do, here are some Dos and Don'ts:
Do! Choose common, pleasant secular images: Santa Claus, country winter scenes, snow "people" (a snowman), family eating a traditional meal with Christmas decorations, reindeer, Christmas tree, fireplace and stockings. (These images are non-specific and inoffensive to non-Christians.)
Don't! Choose obviously religious images or symbols: a star (the star of Bethelehem), the Nativity Scene (where Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and animals are gathered around the manger), a church, prayer, the Wise Men or choirs unless you are sure about the religious beliefs of the recipient.
2. Openings and messages
Whether you send an email around the office or a card to family and friends, you can open your message with a simple address:
Formal (email):
To: Friends, Colleagues and Management,
Informal (card):
Dear Mom,
To the Best Brother Ever,
To My Bestest Friend,
There are two types of cards. One with a pre-written message, the other type is blank. The safest choice is blank, so you can write whatever you want: something warm and personal to a friend or something courteous and formal to co-workers or a boss. Note: some of these use the present continuous but omit the subject "I" and the "be" verb - this is common.
Suggestions for Close Friends and Family:
o Wishing you a Prosperous New Year filled with happy surprises.
o I hope everyone is staying warm and safe with joy and happiness.
o Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and peaceful New Year.
Suggestions for Co-workers and Acquaintances:
o Wishing you and yours a Joyous Holiday Season and a New Year filled with Peace and Happiness
o Best Wishes for Peace and Joy this Holiday Season and a New Year of Health, Happiness and Prosperity
o Peace On Earth and best wishes throughout the New Year.
3. Closing
You've finished your card! Except, how will they know who it's from? Your thumbprint? No, it should be a little more personal. Close a Christmas Card with this selection of formal and friendly closing statements:
Formal:
o Sincerely,
o From:
o With warmest regards,
o Seasons Greetings,
o Happy Holidays,
Informal:
o Love,
o With all my heart,
o Hugs and Kisses,
o Miss you,
Have fun, and... "wishing you the best for a happy holiday and fantastic New Year!"
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Holiday Happenings
What are you doing for the winter break?
Standing atop Whistler mountain about to make fresh tracks in powder snow, taking a horse drawn carriage ride through old Montreal, enjoying a Christmas dinner with a homestay family, standing outside a store in the early morning of December 26th for Boxing Day specials - theses are just a few of the things that KGIC students have planned over the Christmas break. Every year KGIC has its winter break at the end of December. These two weeks are a time for teachers and staff to travel and celebrate the holidays with family, friends and loved ones. There is no end to the choices open to students for this two week vacation, but what does the typical KGIC Vancouver student do with their holiday?  Recently, the students of KGIC Vancouver's Elite 5 Communication class surveyed students on campus asking that very question. They were curious to find out what others had planned for the holidays. The students went around campus interviewing others about their holiday plans and compiled the data for us. "I am going back home to be with my family," said Belgium student Mathieu. Surprisingly however, only 10% of students surveyed replied that they would return to their country. A few said they were looking forward to partying for two weeks, but just as many said they were looking forward to resting and simply taking it easy over the holidays. "I'm really looking forward to experiencing a Canadian  Christmas celebration with a Canadian family and Boxing Day shopping, I've heard so much about it!" Korean student Byoung Su told us excitedly. For many students the madness of Boxing Day crowds and the great sale prices are something that they look forward to eagerly. It is a special sight to see Canadians lined up on a cold winter morning waiting to get into a store for a shopping spree. The Elite 5 class found this to be the second most common response from KGIC Robson students. Without a doubt, the most common plan amongst students for the winter break is to travel. 40% of those surveyed said they plan to travel somewhere over the two week break. According to the KGIC Elite student of the month, Maria Jose, "the winter break is the best time to travel around Canada because there is a lot of snow and that is an attraction for me. I've never seen snow before and I'm so excited!" Back to top |
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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