The KGIC Alumni Society Newsletter

Your Success is KGIC's Success!!! backtotopMarch/2010
In This Issue
English Refresher
Remembering Good Times: An Alumni Student Message
KGIC Hosts Canadian Colleges
Capture The Olympic Spirit
Warm Weather Activities in Victoria
New Course Update: Powerspeaking
St. Patrick's Day Quiz
Quick Links
 
Keeping Learning Alive!
English Refresher
 
 
__________________
Proverbs
 
 
Better an ounce of luck than a pound of gold.
-Yiddish Proverb
 
 
Luck never gives, it only lends.
-Anonymous Proverb
 
__________________
Joke 
 
A: Knock Knock.
B: Who's there?
A: Irish.
B: Irish Who?
A: Irish you a happy
St. Patrick's Day!
 
Q: Why do frogs like St. Patrick's Day?
A: Because they always wear green!
 __________________
 Vocabulary 

To stow (transitive verb) -
To put away for future use.
 
"In spring many Canadians stow their winter clothes until the next winter."

Pageantry (noun)- Colourful, rich, splendid display.
 
"The Vancouver Olympics were  full of tradition and pageantry."
  
To portray (transitive verb) -
  To describe in words.
 
"The Powerspeaking student  portrayed his thoughts and feelings clearly."
 
Enthusiastic (adj.) -
Feeling strong excitement.
 
"The students were enthusiastic about practicing their pronunciation in Communication class."
 
Alumni Student Message

 Remembering Good Times at KGIC

Nayle Nascimento
Nayle Nascimento
I'm Nayle Nascimento, a Brazilian girl that was in Vancouver studying at KGIC last January! I'm from Bahia, and it is really strange to read all these stories about students that are in KGIC right now, because I can't be there too!
 
I miss all my days in KGIC! It was pretty great to be there for eleven weeks with all the teachers, students of different nationalities and counsellors!
I can't forget all of my days there with my friends and the unforgettable things that we did together! For example I can't forget the first time that I went to KGIC in the morning and suddenly it began to snow! It was so good!!!
 
Wow! If you guys who are going to KGIC in Vancouver, could imagine that this 'Vancouver Time' will be the greatest time in your lives, for sure you will enjoy it even more!
For sure, the time that I was in Vancouver, studying at KGIC, was the greatest time of my life!
 
I miss all of you guys!
See you soon (I hope)!!!
Xoxo,
Nayle Nascimento. 
 
Thank you for your message Nayle.  If you have a message for your former classmates and other Alumni memebers please send an e-mail to alumni@kgic.ca. We love hearing from our Alumni!!
KGIC Hosts Canadian Colleges
KGIC Toronto International Student College Fair a Huge Success

Students learn about Seneca College
Students visit a booth at the KGIC Toronto University Fair

On February 19th KGIC Toronto hosted an International Student College Information Fair. The 130 students in attendance were able to meet and receive counselling from college representatives from such highly regarded schools as Seneca College, Georgian College, Centennial College and more! In addition to receiving advice on how to further their education at a post secondary level, all students received KGIC tote bags, snacks, drinks and other free prizes. All in all students had a great time mingling and learning about options for attaining a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Canada.
 
Capture The Olympic Spirit Contest
Vote for your favourite photo and video now!

Capture the Olympic Spirit Contest

 
The Oympics have now passed, and as we celebrate the Paralympics,  life in Vancouver returns to normal.  The feeling and spirit of the Olympics was incredible.  KGIC, Canada TESOL Centre and KGIBC students had a great time cheering for their countries and joining Canadians in cheering as well.
 
Check out some of the pictures and videos  that students have posted on our Facebook page.  Click "like" on your favourite pictures and videos and help them win!
Greetings!

March has many of us dreaming of leaving our winter-wear behind and stowing our boots and umbrellas until next winter. As we look forward to all the joys of springtime let's not forget all the gifts the winter season has brought us.
 
While our west coast students are winding down from all of the pageantry and excitement of a successful Winter Olympics, Toronto is celebrating new partnerships made with local colleges and universities which will bring great opportunities for students looking to earn degrees in Canada.
 
From coast to coast and continent to continent KGIC students past and present are learning, building relationships, and putting their new-found skills to the test. And today, many of them are celebrating St. Patrick's Day with their fellow students, home-stay families and friends!
 
To learn more about the latest news, find out about exciting new courses,  test your St. Patrick's Day IQ and get some tips on how to enjoy St. Patrick's Day like a local Read on!
 
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
 

If you would like to contribute to your Alumni newsletter or just say "Hello" send an e-mail to the Alumni Society any time to alumni@kgic.ca.  
 
Sincerely,
 
Your KGIC Alumni Society
KGIC Education Group
 
Victoria Students Enjoy Unseasonably Warm Winter Weather
By Matthew Kallechy-Activity Coordinator, KGIC Victoria
 
 
 If you were asked to describe a typical winter in Victoria, you would probably talk about rain, wind, grey skies and maybe a bit of snow. This winter, however, has been unusually warm and sunny! We have even had an early showing of Victoria's beautiful spring flowers. In order to take advantage of the west coast's strange winter weather, we have had lots of outdoor activities.
 
The large body of Ecuadorian students we have been hosting are enthralled with weekly football matches at the local soccer pitch - a short bus ride away from the campus. Students have jumped at the opportunity for outdoor Ultimate Frisbee at Beacon Hill Park, and have been able to capture a clear view of the city with a hike up Mount Tolmie.
 
On the offset days when the weather wasn't as cooperative, students have been keen to join in on a favourite Canadian pastime - ice skating!  Games at the local billiard hall have also been a highlight for many students who want to perfect their hand-eye coordination as well as their table banter. Visits to some of the popular local breweries in Victoria for samples and good company have also marked great memories shared for those who participated in February's activities.   
 

Ecuadorian students in Victoria pose in front of the Canada Flag

 
 
New Course Update: Powerspeaking Prep Elective
By Jami Derejko-Head Teacher, KGIC Vancouver
KGIC Vancouver teacher Arif Khanis
 
Powerspeaking Prep Elective (PSPE) is a new elective that is offered at KGIC. PSPE offers students the chance to improve their speaking skills and help them build confidence. Arif Khan is a teacher at the Robson Campus who has been teaching the course since January. He shares with us why the class is important and how students can benefit from it.
 
 
Q: What is Powerspeaking?
A: Powerspeaking is the ability to increase your fluency of speaking and portray confidence. This is done through teaching the students about tools such as proper eye contact, vocal delivery, visual aids, persuasive speaking and so forth.
 
Q: What kind of people would this class be good for?
A: This class is great because it can help all levels. The material is designed for students looking to improve their English skills and their confidence.
 
Q: What are some things you do to keep the class interesting?
A: I try to bring in topics that are interesting to the students; topics that are current in our society.
 
Q: What is your favourite part of the class?
A: That would have to be seeing a student succeed. It's very exciting when they move from unorganized talking to having structure in their speaking!
 
Q: How do you motivate your students?
A: I try to be energetic and positive in the classroom. Also, I try to give lots of examples so that they can see first hand how things are done.
 
Q: How do the students benefit from this class?
A:  Being a better speaker means being a better student overall. It will only help students to become more successful in all of their classes.
 
Q: Is this a popular elective?
 
A: Of course!
 
If you are interested in taking this course, check the KGIC website
 
Back to Top
St. Patrick's Day Quiz
What's Your St. Patrick's IQ?

Many Canadians and Americans look forward to celebrating on March 17th.  Today you might see them dressed in green, sporting strange little top hats and drinking a lot of green beer. But why? Because it's St. Patrick's day of course; one of our favourite non-holidays!!
 
Take this quiz to find out your St. Patrick's IQ and learn about some of our traditions. Next, go out and enjoy the festivities with your classmates and the rest of the country! Enjoy!
 
1) St. Patrick's Day is celebrated the most enthusiastically in
a)      Ireland
b)      Canada and the United States
c)      Korea
 
2) On St. Patrick's Day Many people wear
a)      Blue and green
b)      Orange and white
c)      Green
 
 
3) If one is caught not wearing the appropriate colour on St. Patrick's  Day they may be affectionately
a)      Tickled
b)      Pinched
c)      Kissed
d)      Both b and c
 
 
4) A traditional St. Patrick's Day meal consists of
a)      Green eggs and ham
b)      Corned beef and cabbage
c)      Green beer
 
5) St. Patrick is
a)      More famous than Brad Pitt
b)      The patron saint of Ireland
c)      The mayor of Patrick's Island (off the coast of Ireland)
 
6) A symbol of St Patrick's Day is
a)      A Shamrock (clover)
b)      Chrysanthemum
c)      Green beer
 
7) St. Patrick's Day traditions include
a)      Drinking green beer
b)      Wearing green clothing
c)      Attending parades and dancing
d)      All of the above
 
8) On St. Patrick's Day you may hear of something called a blarney stone.
 This is
a)      A popular pub in Vancouver
b)      A stone in a castle in Ireland that when kissed gives one *the "gift of gab"
c)      An object used in the Olympic sport called curling
d)      Both a and b
 
*The gift of gab means the ability to speak fluently and convincingly
 
Now check your score. If you've scored more than fifty percent, what are you waiting for? Go out and enjoy the festivities! If you've scored less than fifty percent... you'd better go out and enjoy the festivities too!

 
Answer Key
1)b,2)c,3)b,4)b,5)b,6)a,7)d,8)d

 
 
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 "Join our Mailing List" 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