Refine your communication skills and express yourself more clearly in an English-speaking environment.
(416) 535-VtoW (8869)Courage: written & performed by Toronto’s Abdominal & his mother
Courage - A Wonderful Tribute Between Mother and Son I absolutely love this song about courage by Toronto musician, Andy Bernstein - who calls himself Abdominal - and his mother. It's a must hear. Very inspiring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXSW16rqDFw
Changing Corporate Culture Is Hard. Here’s How Lenovo Did It.
The following article talks about how difficult it can be to change corporate culture when it contrasts significantly with the local culture. For example, I know from my teaching, how difficult it can be for people who have been brought up to treat people in authority...
TED Talk – The world’s mania to learn English
In this TED Talk video entitled The World’s English Mania, Jay Walker explains why two billion people around the world are trying to learn English. He shares photos and spine-tingling audio of Chinese students rehearsing English — "the world's second language" — by...
Adapt to a New Culture – but what happens when you aren’t sure?
This article from the Harvard Business Review discusses the difficulties faced by many immigrants when adapting to a new culture. He introduces the concept of "over-switching" - going to far from your normal behaviour when attempting to behave in a...
How facial features drive our first impressions
First impressions are largely influenced by our faces By Jonathan Webb, Science reporter, BBC News Approachable? Intelligent? People's responses to 1,000 photographs were used to build the model. Whether it's a curled lip or a keen cheekbone, we all make quick...
What Name do you Use for your New Colleague? What is Culturally Appropriate?
What name do you use when addressing people at work? If you come from a culture that highly values status, it may feel rude to use first names with someone who holds a higher position than you. Even as a teacher, I find many students have difficulty calling me...
Great Canadian Song by Stan Rogers – Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage refers to a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America. This route travels through the waterways of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago which connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Northwest Passage is one of Stan...
Your language could affect your finances and your health! How language affects your behaviour.
Your language could be influencing your financial health. In this video, Keith Chen gives a very interesting Ted Talk on how language affects how you view the relationship between the past, present and future. For many English speakers, as well as those from many...
On-Line Radio Interview with Heather Chetwynd
We often misunderstand others who have been raised in the same country, often even from within the same family. So when we have been raised speaking different languages and holding different beliefs and values, misinterpretation can run rampant. In this interview,...
Jokes – Phrasing is Important
In writing, we often mark phrasing with punctuation. In speech, we mark phrasing with intonation and pausing. If it is not done correctly, you might be misunderstood! Take a look at the following examples: WHAT IS IT? Let’s eat Grandma... OR… Let’s eat, Grandma. LOVE...
