Friday's Assignment

Task 1:

Listen to this link  and then fill in the blanks with the missing words as you listen to the audio.

Lon: What’s this? 

Abigail: It’s a ………… about a ……………….. scheduled for next week. 

Lon: A safety inspection? How are we ever going to pass a safety inspection? 

Abigail: What do you mean? This isn’t an ……………… workplace. We’ve had a good record. None of our employees have had ……………….. injuries this year and we’ve never had a ……………... I don’t understand why you’re so worried. 

Lon: From what I’ve heard, the inspectors don’t just look at injury rates. They look for the smallest ……………… that may be …………………. If we get cited, we may be ……………………... 

Abigail: ………………………., I don’t think that’s how it works. Yes, the inspector will look at our work environment and our …………… and machinery to make sure there are no hazards or ………… substances. 

Lon: That’s what I’m worried about. 

Abigail: But, if they find a ……………., we’ll get a chance to fix the problem. They won’t shut us down without giving us a chance ……………… with their ………………………………... 

Lon: I sure hope you’re right. 

Abigail: Me, too. We’ll know after next week’s inspection. 

Task 2:
Check with your peers for the right answers. 

Wednesday's Assignment

Grammar in Context: Prepositional Collocations

Task 1:

Complete the sentences below with the correct verb or adjective followed by an appropriate preposition (e.g., for, to, with, about).

thank	apply	inform	respond
inquire	upset	interested	complain
invite	sorry	concerned	apologize

1. I would like to ...............................my absence at the meeting.

2. I am ........................the lack of supervision in the playground.

3. I am writing to ................................the poor service I received at your store.

4. I am very ........................... not being able to meet the deadline.

5. We would like to ......................you................. the ABC Company’s open house on Saturday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m.

6. I am writing to ............................you the new budget proposal.

7. I would like to take this opportunity to .....................you .................  being a loyal customer over the years.

8. I am ........................... finding out about the training programs that you offer.

9. I am very ...................................the way I was treated by one of your admin staff.

10. I am writing to ................................ the position you have available.

11. I am .....................................your advertisement in the Globe and Mail on June 3, 2009.

12. I would like to ...........................the position of Sales Manager that was advertised in the Kingston Whig Standard on September 31, 2010.

Task 2:

Write six sentences of your own using prepositional collocations.

Task 3:

Errors in Letter-writing Conventions

This letter has nine errors relating to proper business letter conventions. Underline the mistakes and correct them.

Mrs. Lucinda Minto, Manager

Bright Star Lighting Store

11 Glendale Ave.

Oshawa, ON L1H 8K9

Monday September 12, 2009

Dear Lucinda;

On August 25, 2009, I bought a floor lamp in your store. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use it because it did not work properly. Every time I switched it on, it switched off by itself after about 30 minutes. I took the lamp back to the store but the salesgirl refused to give me my money back. I had a telephone conversation with you about it and you confirmed that your store’s policy is to exchange faulty merchandise rather than refund the money. Unfortunately, the lamp that I want is no longer available at your store. Given these circumstances, I would like to request that you refund my money.

I want to hear from you soon.

Cheers,

Marisa Romer

Task 4:

Answer the questions.

1. What is the purpose of the letter?

2. What is the problem?

3. What is the customer requesting?

4. Is it a reasonable request? Why?

Tuesday's Assignment

Degrees of Formality

Task 1:

Rewrite the sentences below, replacing the words in italics with their formal equivalents from the box. Make sure you use the correct form of the verb.

review	concerned	angry	ensure	receive
purchase	complete	assure	request	would like

1. I can promise you this will never happen again.

2. We will make sure the computer is repaired by one of our technicians.

3. The book I bought online was damaged.

4. I want you to give me my money back.

5. I hope you got the package I sent last week.

6. He’s really mad about the service he received at our store.

7. The work will be finished by the end of the month.

8. The manager is worried that they won’t meet their deadline.

9. Please go over the proposal and make any necessary changes.

10. She asked for the information a long time ago.

Task 2:

Read the sentences below and decide whether or not they use the degree of formality appropriate for the given situation. Revise the sentences if necessary.

1. a note to a co-worker: The meeting is at 10 sharp. Don’t be late.

2. a letter to a Member of Parliament: Thank you for your help in this matter.

3. an email message to a friend: I am looking forward to seeing you there :)

4. a note to a child’s teacher: I would greatly appreciate it if you could inform me when I could meet with you.

5. an email message to a superior: I’ll let you know about the time of the meeting ASAP.

6. a manager to her subordinates: Thanks for your hard work, guys!

7. a letter accompanying your résumé: Here is my résumé.

8. a note to the office cleaner: I would appreciate it if you could kindly clean under my desk in a timely fashion.

Friday's Assignment

Business Writing Cont.

1.     Write one or two paragraphs about a person who has influenced your life. Use appropriate pronoun references to make the paragraph coherent.

2.     Choose one of the topics below. Write either a descriptive or narrative paragraph. For the narrative paragraph, you can create a timeline and brainstorm events/steps you would like to include.

• Describe your most treasured possession

• Describe your favourite place

• Describe the best job you have ever had

• Narrate the events leading up your coming to Canada

• Describe the best day of your life

Field Trip Thursday Nov 27: Christmas Past at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Next Thursday we are going to Black Creek Pioneer Village on a yellow school bus on the 27th of November, leaving MicroSkills LINC, 200 Consumers Rd, at 9:15 a.m. and returning by 2:30 p.m.

The program is entitled Christmas Past, and it will show what Christmas was like and how it was celebrated 200 years ago. The bus ride is free to us, thanks to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, but make sure to hand over your $11.50 for the program fee to your instructor by Monday. Spaces are limited, and latecomers are welcome to travel by TTC and pay the regular entrance fees.

Please dress appropriately for outdoor and indoor activities, and bring your camera, walking shoes, lunch (or lunch money), and a great attitude to learn and to enjoy!

The program description is as follows:

Christmas Past HAND OUTS: Gingerbread Man Chrismas Tresures Christmas Activity

All grade levels

mid November to December 23 only *Maximum 400 students per half day

Curriculum Links: Language; Environmental Studies; Social Studies: Heritage and Identity-Changing Roles and Responsibilities (grade 1)Changing Family and Community Traditions (grade 2)Communities in Canada,1780-1850 (grade 3)Communities in Canada, Past and Present(grade 6) History: Creating Canada, 1850-1890 (grade 8) Traditions and celebrations of the different cultures that make up the Village provide a very special Christmas visit.  Scottish, Irish, British and Pennsylvania-German influences are seen in a traditional setting of 19th century homes, shops and community meeting places.  Each child makes a traditional Christmas craft.  Groups help to create a pomander, taste period treats, work at a printing press, try on pioneer winter clothes and play with old-style Christmas toys.  Join in the spirit of the season at this fun filled visit to the Village. *Activities depend on buildings visited

$11.50 per student

Info from Black Creek Pioneer  Village ...

Wednesday's Assignment

Business Writing

In North American academic writing, it is important to state the purpose of writing at the beginning of a document. In essay writing, the introductory paragraph should summarize what you plan to talk about in the rest of your essay.

It is important to present the main points clearly and precisely, without putting the onus on the reader to decipher the meaning of the essay.

Task 1:

Write one or two comparison paragraphs on one of the following topics. Use an appropriate topic sentence and relevant supporting details. Include suitable transitions.

•         Your previous country’s geography and Canada’s geography

•         The weather in your previous country and in Canada

•         Your present apartment/house, and your previous apartment/house

•         Learning English in your previous country and learning English in Canada

•         The schools’ system in your country and in Canada

•         Education in your home country and in North America

Task 2:

Ask two of your peers to edit your work, then you are free to publish your masterpieceJ!

Friday's Assignment

Women's Suffrage

Take the opportunity to work on your presentation with your group. Make sure to follow the following steps:

• ·       Narrow the topic
• ·       Discuss all the subtopics
• ·       Assign tasks
• ·       Start your research
• ·       Prepare speakers' notes
• ·       Rehearse, rehearse, and then rehearse
• ·       Present with your group

Task 1:
Watch this video in order to help you understand more about the topic.

Task 2:
List all the new things you have learnt from watching the video on your blogs by 2.30 pm today.

Tuesday's Field Trip photos

Yesterday we had great time at Toronto Centre for the Arts. Here are the photos we had together; please share your photos on your blogs together with your experience as well.

Wednesday's Assignment

The War of 1812 was a significant war in Canadian history.
Click on this link, read the article, listen to the related video, and then finish these tasks.

Task 1:
Write a quick summary of the article. (don't exceed 50 words)

Task 2:
Have two of your peers edit your work, and then publish on your blogs.

Monday's Assignment

Our theme for this week is Canadian History, so the first step we need to do is to learn the National Anthem. Here is a short summary of the National Anthem, followed by its lyrics.

The History of the National Anthem

Summary
"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.

Official Lyrics of O Canada!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Task 1:

Click on this link to listen to the music and practice saying the lyrics together with the music. 

Task 2:

With a partner and with a youtube.com version of it playing, sing the national anthem together and record it on vocaroo.com. Post the link on your blogs.

Tuesday's Field Trip

 

November 11 is a time for all Toronto residents to honour, celebrate and remember those who fought for Canada. Ceremonies happen at civic centres across Toronto. All our LINC school's classes are going to the Toronto Centre for the Arts to attend this celebration. 

Click on this link to learn more. Everyone should be present before 10:00 AM; service begins at 10:45 AM. Arrive early to ensure you have a seat.

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY 

Friday's Assignment

Good morning everyone,

Today's assignment is to create a better social network for ourselves. Please click on this link to start your professional networking on LinkedIn.

Follow the instructions on the site. Before publishing your profile summary, make sure to have two or three of your peers edit your work first. Always another pair of eyes to check the work won't harm us :)
Then, link with at least five of your peers to your account.

Thursday's Assignment

This is today's assignment for attendance. Please complete before 2.30 pm.

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for Workplace English program is to have a ready-made resume and cover letter for each one in our class. Click on this link; I have added a resume checklist for you in order to edit your resume. Use this checklist to revise and review your resume. Once you are done, please publish it on your blogs or send it to me as an attachment on my email.

Wednesday's Assignment

Taking Messages: Abbreviations

When we take notes on information we hear over the phone, we often need to write down the information quickly. The use of abbreviations is a helpful strategy while taking messages.

Task 1:

Write the full word or expression (or meaning) beside each abbreviation below. Add other abbreviations (and their meanings) you commonly use or would like to know the meaning of. Share them with the class.

1. AGM                                                                              13. RSVP

2. apt.                                                                                 14. ste.

3. asap                                                                                15. urg.

4. co.                                                                                   16. w/

5. ext.                                                                                  17. w/o

6. FYI                                                                                 18. cc.

7. inv.                                                                                  19. e.g.

8. mo.                                                                                  21. etc.

9. no. or #                                                                            22. i.e.

10. mt.                                                                                 23. vs.

11. N/A                                                                                24. p.s.

12. impt.                                                                              25. n.b.

 Telephone Phrasal Verbs

Task 2:

The following are common phrasal verbs we often use while on the telephone. Match the correct meaning with each phrasal verb.

1. hold on	a. put the receiver down
2. put (a call) through	b. return someone’s call
3. get through	c. answer a call, lift the receiver to take a call
4. hang up	d. stop talking on the phone
5. call up	e. connect one caller to another
6. hang on	f. deactivate (a cell phone)
7. call back	g. wait
8. pick up	h. talk louder
9. get off (the phone)	i. to be disconnected abruptly during a telephone conversation
10. get back to (someone)	j. to be connected to someone on the phone
11. cut off	k. return someone’s call
12. switch off/turn off	l. make a telephone call
13. speak up	m. Wait

Task 3:

Some phrasal verbs are separable (e.g., call someone back); others are not. Complete the chart below by putting the phrasal verbs above in the correct column.

Separable	Not separable