Keeping Learning Alive!
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Proverbs
It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain
I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout
In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.
~Mark Twain
O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? ~Percy Bysshe Shelley
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Joke
Employee A: "How long have you been working here?"
Employee B: "Ever since the boss threatened to fire me."
A businessman tells his friend that his company is looking for a new accountant.
His friend asks, "Didn't your company hire a new accountant a few weeks ago?"
The businessman replies, "That's the accountant we're looking for."
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Vocabulary
Charisma (noun) - A personal quality that gives an individual power/influence over others
"All of the students loved their new teacher because she had so much charisma."
Hone (verb)- To sharpen/improve/perfect "While some students come to KGIC to learn English, others simply come to honetheir English skills."
To Laze (verb) - To idle or lounge lazily
"In summer, Sarah loves to lazearound with a cold drink and a good book."
Tongue-Tied (adj.)- Unable to speak from shyness, embarrassment or surprise
"When Angela stood up to present in front of her Communication class she was tongue-tied."
Unfurl (verb)- To unfold
"In spring all of the leaves begin to unfurl." |
| Fun With KGIC | |
KGIC Boston Activity Report
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Since KGIC Boston has opened its doors, students have had the opportunity to enjoy many new and exciting activities. Recently they watched a Play Called "How I learned to Drive." They had a great time while honing their listening skills and learning about American culture and lifestyle.
The students met their chaperone outside of the "Symphony" T stop on the E Green Line. Because everyone was Spanish-speaking, the conversation quickly turned to Spanish, but once students were reminded to use only English, they complied and had fun practicing their English together. As the students don't normally have the chance to attend plays, they considered it to be a new and exciting experience.
The play was held in a black box theater with about 75 people in attendance. The play's story surrounded the life of a young girl growing up in Midwest America. It focused specifically on her relationship with her various family members, particularly her uncle in law. Pronunciation was slow and clear, and vocabulary was never too complicated, so all of the students were able to understand most of the play without much difficulty.
Following the play everyone discussed their likes and dislikes. All thought the play was good but a little serious. They described the acting of the main girl and uncle as "fantastic."
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| KGIC Boston Students Enjoy Day Out |  | |
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Greetings!
Spring has sprung, flowers are blooming and trees are unfurling their leaves! Students far and wide are breathing a sigh of relief that the long Canadian winter has finally passed. Spring is a busy and exciting time for KGIC. Students flock to our campuses to take advantage of our innovative programs, enjoy the warm summer weather, and experience all that our beautiful locations have to offer! This Earth Day, April 22nd, KGIC students will partake in several activites to celebrate. While many students are looking forward to participating in exciting summer time activities, spending time at the beach, in the park, and camping, others are preparing to apply for summer jobs and practice their English while gaining valuable work experience. Whether your plans include lazing at the beach or entering the workforce there's something in the April newsletter for you! Read on to find out about what's going on at your campus, discover some fun new activities and learn how to write the perfect cover letter to get you that dream job! 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 |
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KGIC Teacher Focus: Upkar Khera
By Darryl Busink- Head Teacher, KGIC Surrey
This month I had the pleasure of doing an interview with one of Surrey campus's most experienced ESL teachers, Upkar. Having immigrated to Canada in 1999, and obtaining her citizenship in the middle of 2005, Upkar joined the KGIC group shortly after becoming an official Canadian. In fact, by this summer, Upkar will have been with us four years already. Occasionally taking time off to visit her country of birth, India, she now calls Canada her home, and says that she can't imagine living in any other country.
 I asked Upkar what some of the biggest changes were for her when she arrived in Canada, and she said that she was so impressed with the lack of discrimination against women here. When she was in India, there was a wide variety of jobs that women could not be expected to perform, and would be mocked if they actually carried them out. As a result, she feels honoured to be in a teaching position in Canada.
In her time at Robson, Upkar enjoyed teaching primarily higher level classes, but now that she is in Surrey, she has been teaching a full slate of lower level classes. While teaching a whole new level of curriculum is not always appealing for many teachers, Upkar has now completed a full three month cycle, and has found ways to suit her style and have fun with her students.
She remembers learning English as a student in India, and says that the teaching style there is similar to the way in which many of her Asian students were introduced to English in their countries: theoretical and teacher-based. Consequently, she is appreciative of the communicative and student-based method used here at KGIC.
When asked if there were many differences between the two campuses she has worked at, she stated that while both schools have friendly staff, consistent education, quality administration, and efficient teachers, she still holds a dearness to the Robson campus, as she spent so many years there. However, she is confident that Surrey will feel like "home" soon enough.
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What's New with PMM?
Dynamic Lunchtime Presentations!
Are you nervous whenever you have to speak  in front of your class or in a public setting? Are you looking for a cure to shyness and being tongue-tied? Perhaps you are tired of doing the same thing at lunch every day and looking for something to entertain you while you eat. Either way, the Powerspeaking & Modern Media Program (PMM) has the answer you've been looking for! Come watch exciting, entertaining and confident speakers who are in their 7th week of PMM, who will be presenting speeches from 12:40-1pm at KGIBC in the student lounge!
These speakers will demonstrate some of the skills they have learned, including eye contact, gestures, posture, tone/ intonation, pronunciation, charisma, and much more! Bring your lunch, bring a friend and come watch as students overcome their fear of public speaking and entertain an audience with their appealing charm! For those of you not in Vancouver keep an eye on our KGIC Ffacebook page for videos of these fantastic presentations in the months to come.
The next presentation will be April 27th at 12:40pm in at the KGIBC student lounge. We hope to see you there!!
If you are interested in taking this course, check the KGIC website.
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How to Write a Cover Letter
Spring has sprung and many students, local and international alike are beginning a spring ritual: looking for a summer job! While looking for a job can be a daunting task, especially outside of one's own country, knowing the rules can certainly help. Before you can demonstrate your firm handshake and direct eye contact, you've got to get yourself an interview. A well written cover letter can help. In our January and November Newsletters of 2009 we gave you tips on how to write the perfect resume (see the Alumni Society Archives for those articles), now we'll help you write the perfect cover letter to accompany it!
Before you write:
1) Make sure to do some research on the company you intend to work for. This will help you market yourself directly to the company and make your letter more relevant. You should consider the types of customers with which the company deals and the values it upholds.
2) Read the job description carefully so you know exactly what the employer is looking for and what the position entails. You should consider the required qualifications and past work experience.
3) Find out the name of the manager in charge of hiring. If you do not have this information but have a contact in the company, have them forward your resume to the hiring manager.
While you write: Format/Tone
Remember the tone of your cover letter should be up-beat and formal. Don't use contractions or colloquial (informal) language.
The Greeting
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact)
Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.
First Paragraph
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.
Final Paragraph
Conclude your cover letter by directing the employer to your resume and thanking the him/her for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.
Complimentary Close
Respectfully yours,
Your name
Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)
After you write:
The final step is proofreading. At this stage you should carefully check to ensure that spelling and punctuation are correct and contractions and colloquial (informal) language are not being used.
Tip: Many students find it useful to print off a copy of their cover letter before proof reading. It is easier to spot errors this way.
Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression! Good luck!!
KGIBC offers workshops on how to write cover letters and resumes and many other topics for working in Canada. Check out the schedule of workshops open to all KGIC, KGIBC and CTC students here!
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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 "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 |
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