Vancouver...a city you must see...

Links:

Wikitravel

Lonely Planet

Consulate-general of Japan

The Vancouver Canucks Hockey Team

Interesting places:

Wreck Beach: Canada's first and largest clothing-optional beach.


Needs list:

1) Hotel

2)Breakfast:

Enjoy delicious breads, sweets and coffee on Granville Island.

3) Downtown a.m.
4) Lunch
5) Afternoon activity
6) Dinner
7) Evening entertainment

My big event

Has your life ever changed completely in one day? One summer day ten years ago, mine did. I was finishing university and wanted an adventure. I was thinking about moving to another country. There was an opportunity for me in China, but then a friend of mine who had been living in Osaka came back to Vancouver for summer holiday. We had a conversation that changed my life.

Many of my friends had moved to other countries to live and work. For some reason, I was envious of them. I wanted to go too! I was born in Vancouver, a city that many people say is the best in the world. But I was bored there. Living and working in another country sounded so exciting, so different from my boring day to day life. I knew that I had to try it. But how? How could I do it? Eventually, I found a job teaching at a university in China.

That August, my friend Chris came back to Vancouver to visit. He had been working in Japan since the spring. He said, “Why don’t you come to Osaka instead of going to China?” To be honest, I was a little afraid to go to China by myself. Staying with him would be easier so I got my visa and changed my ticket. I was going to go to Osaka.

Moving to Japan has changed me forever. There is always something going on in Osaka; it is full of action. Now I am married with two children. In some ways my life is more predictable than before. Although not as beautiful as Vancouver, to me Osaka is more exciting, more vibrant. I have learned that you can be bored anywhere, even in the most beautiful city in the world. Boredom or contentment is largely up to the individual.

Sensei, I forgot my book...

I often hear this from my students. Sometimes accidents happen, but usually this says that this person is disorganized, disinterested in the class, or both. Books can be a help in learning, but for some people they may be another excuse to avoid learning. I think using mobile phones as readers can help increase opportunities for learning.

Students by and large NEVER forget their mobile phones. For most of them, his or her mobile phone is a like another appendage. It would be easier to forget an arm or a leg.

Teachers should try to exploit this. Why not email lessons or readings to students directly on their phones? This would be one way to make sure - or at least dramatically increase the chances - that no one 'forgets' to bring reading materials to class.

E-reading

One of my interests, both personally and professionally, is electronic reading. By electronic reading, I mean reading texts on a computer, mobile phone, iPod or some other device, rather than on paper. There are several advantages of e-reading over traditional media.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of e-books available on the Web - for free! Paper books can be expensive. One place to get legal, free e-books is Gutenberg.

In future posts, I'll share some more reasons why I think e-reading is the future in education and advice on how to get e-books into your reading life.

Assignment #2 - The next great chef

James is a very creative guy. Creative people can do a lot of different things, but I think he would make a great chef.

First of all, James loves food. He is always talking about food, and a lot about knows about food from different countries - even less well-known places like Mongolia. To be a great chef you have to love food.

Secondly, James likes working with his hands. Cooking involves working with your hands all the time. Cutting, slicing, and cooking take a lot of coordination. Cooking is like making other kinds of handicrafts. It is an art.

Finally, James is a very social person. Chefs must be able to meet with people and explain their creations to them. James is very good at that, so I think he will become the world's next great chef.

12 May 2008

Today we're taking a look at each other's work and writing feedback. It is good to read about the lives and interests of different people. I've learned a lot about the class. A lot of students enjoy music but there are F1 race fans and motorcycle fanatics too! What a great experience.

Assignment #1: Your Paragraph

1) Choose one topic from page 9.
2) Write a topic sentence for it.
3) Write three supporting sentences for it.
4) Write a full paragraph of at least 10 sentences. Use the paragraph on page 10 as a model.
5) Put it on your blog by May 5th, 2008.