Do people become friends because they have a similar personality?
While this can be true, I donāt believe this is always the case. I think there need to be some similarities like common interests or a similar sense of humour, but looking at my friends I would say that our personalities are actually quite different. There are other things that bond us: mutual understanding, shared experiences and the things I previously mentioned. However, on the whole I would not say our personalities are the same.
How do people in your country behave to a new person when they meet for the first time?
Well, in my country, we generally try to make the new person feel at ease. We definitely try to make them feel welcomed and so we show an interest in him or her. If the meeting is at our home, then we go to great lengths to make the newcomer feel honoured. So, we repeatedly offer food and drinks and make sure the guest knows that we value their presence.
How can we make people feel comfortable the first time we meet them?
In my experience, humour is the best way. People who use self-deprecating humour always seem to make others around them feel comfortable because it shows the other person they can relax and are free to be casual. When you show you can laugh at yourself you exhibit self-confidence while also breaking the ice with the people around you.
How do people maintain social contact with coworkers or colleagues?
I think social media goes a long way toward fostering personal relationships. Many of us donāt know our colleaguesā birthdays but apps like Facebook offer reminders so you can send someone wishes or even plan a mini celebration at work. Social media also lets you see who your co-workers are outside of work so you can see if you have similar interests or hobbies. This can be a starting point for a friendly relationship that extends beyond a simple acquaintance.
Do you think it is a good idea for companies to give breaks to their employees?
I think that even if companies donāt give them employees will find a way to take them! Few people can work without interruption or break for eight hours or more. The mind needs to unwind, the body needs to move ā or not move ā but no work activity can or should be sustained for many hours without a short break. This leads to burnout and exhaustion, which leads to lowered productivityā¦so short-sighted thinking can potentially have long-lasting results. That is why I think it is a tragic mistake to not allow employee breaks.
This week, you will train to speak about a new place you visited.
Note: Some of you were asking for synonyms for ‘very’ last week. At one point in today’s model, the speaker uses ‘rather’ as a synonym for ‘very’. Listen closely to the sample to pinpoint where this is!
Step 1: Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 2 Cue Card
Talk about a time when you visited a new place. Please say -where you were -why you went there -what you did -and explain how you felt in that place
š§āšTarget language:
busker -a person who performs in the street for monetary donations
āThere were a few buskers performing funny skits.ā
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4: Below is Mondayās speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“About a year ago, my friend and I took a train across our city to visit a public park we had never been to before. We were a bit on the fence about going because the weather forecast called for rain, but the park was hosting a āfood festivalā on that day only so we decided to chance it.”
Step 5: Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Talk about a time when you visited a new place. Please say -where you were -why you went there -what you did -and explain how you felt in that place
About a year ago, my friend and I took a train across our city to visit a public park we had never been to before. We were a bit on the fence about going because the weather forecast called for rain, but the park was hosting a āfood festivalā on that day only so we decided to chance it. Luckily, not only did the rain stay away but it actually turned out to be a rather pleasant afternoon and we even got some sunshine!
The festival featured numerous stalls where people from across the country cooked traditional foods from their region. My friend and I are both from Hanoi, so we were already familiar with most dishes, but it was nevertheless enjoyable to find grilled items and sauces that we hadnāt eaten in a long time. I remember having some traditional pastries with spicy dipping sauce and a little later in the day we both enjoyed a selection of barbecued seafood and meats. Some of the flavours brought me right back to my childhood. I think we both found it hard not to feel a little nostalgic!
The park is really beautiful and has many scenic walkways, and this gave us the opportunity to stroll around leisurely and stop at times to admire the pond or just watch what other people were doing. We didnāt really do much aside from this, but I found the whole experience calming and refreshing. There were a few buskers performing funny skits and I recall some people practising softly on musical instruments, which gave the afternoon an even more relaxing aura.
This week’s lesson examines a real Part 2 candidate task card on the topic of ‘a walk you enjoyed.’ This cue card was seen on an exam in 2022.
Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Describe a long walk you enjoyed. Please say ā where you walked ā who you walked with ā when you walked ā and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
š§āšTarget language:
aroma (adjective) -a pleasing smell
āThe day was fragrant with the aroma of spring flowers and it felt like the earth was renewed after such a dismal winter in lockdown.ā
Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayās speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“Last year when our country was in lockdown, my best friend and I made a wonderful habit of walking on the weekends. We would set out from our homes and typically walk along the waterfront, which is lovely. However, there were several occasions when we decided to venture even further and it was worth the effort.”
Step 5:Ā Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Describe a long walk you enjoyed. Please say ā where you walked ā who you walked with ā when you walked ā and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
Last year when our country was in lockdown, my best friend and I made a wonderful habit of walking on the weekends. We would set out from our homes and typically walk along the waterfront, which is lovely. However, there were several occasions when we decided to venture even further and it was worth the effort.
On one particular day last March, we walked all the way to the marina of the nearby suburb. This is about one hour from our homes. My friend, Lina, and I set a good pace from the beginning and admired the beautiful weather, the sea and the onset of spring. All the while, we were talking about our studies, families and our personal lives. We began our walk around 10:00 in the morning, so by the time we reached the marina the sun was fully up and the day was warm.
When we got to the marina, we admired the various boats, and the warm sea air hinted at summer. The day was fragrant with the aroma of spring flowers and it felt like the earth was renewed after such a dismal winter in lockdown.
I guess you could say that after a depressing winter this walk filled us with a sense of hope and renewal, like a promise that better days were just on the horizon.
Thank you. Now, in this first part, Iād like to ask you some questions about yourself. Do you come from a large or small family?
My family is relatively large. There are five of us: my parents, brother, sister and me.
OK. And do the members of your family live together?
No. My parents live in the same house I grew up in. This house is in a town called Pembroke. At the moment, my sister is living there, too. But she is only there because she is on break from her studies at university. My brother lives and works in Toronto, and I am living in Toronto, too.
Do you have a lot in common with the other members of your family?
Umm, not really, but we are nevertheless very close. We always love getting together and catching up on each otherās news. My parents have a quiet, country lifestyle. Itās very different from the busy city lifestyle of Toronto. My brother enjoys watching sports and camping and hiking in the mountains; heās very outdoorsy. My sister is a bit of a socialite, so she likes going out with friends and arranging little get-togethers. Iām a bit on the quiet side. At the moment, I mostly just focus on my studies.
Are you currently working?
I am, but only part time. I am a part time university student.
Can you tell me about your studies?
Well, Iām completing an undergraduate Arts degree with a major of criminology. Because I am a part time student, I only have nine hours of class a week. I have three-hour lectures every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and I am really enjoying the courses. The professors are interesting.
Thatās wonderful. And what sort of part time work do you do?
I am waiter in a restaurant on the campus of my university.
I see. Do you enjoy that kind of work?
Honestly, not really. Iām not naturally a very social person, and waiting tables tends to demand this sort of personality. Also, university students do not tend to leave handsome tips. But, I shouldnāt complain. Itās a job and it does help fund my studies.
Letās talk about friends. Do you have many friends at your university?
Yes, I have a small handful of friends. But I suppose I would describe our relationship as more study partners than friends. We donāt really socialize outside of course-related topics.
Do you think friendships change as people get older?
Yes, definitely. I think life often makes demands of people and this can pull friends closer or push them away. A good friend of mine recently had a baby. I am very happy for him, but I know that this new development in his life will mean he and I will spend less time together. This is fine, I mean, of course he needs to spend time with his baby, but I think these sorts of life developments can change the dynamics of a friendship.
What sort of person do you easily make friends with?
I like people that have opinions. I enjoy talking with people about different subjects and hearing what they have to say about those subjects. I think I easily make friends with people that are good communicators. I donāt think we need to like all of the same things, but if we do share a few interests, that is obviously a plus. Character wise, I prefer quiet people to loud people.
Thank you. OK, letās change topics. What do you do in your free time?
I have several hobbies. I enjoy jogging. I try to get a jog in every day. I also have a dog, so I spend quite a bit of time at the park. Um, I enjoy reading and surfing the net. I keep an online blog. It is a diary of my day-to-day life. I enjoy watching movies. I guess those are the main things I do in my free time.
What sort of pastimes are popular among Canadians?
Most Canadians like to play and watch hockey. I would say this is a very popular pastime. Canadians also like the outdoors, so hiking in the mountains, camping and canoeing are all popular hobbies. Um, Canada is a multicultural place, so I feel there are a lot of cross-cultural hobbies. Many Canadians like learning how to cook foods from other countries, for example. These are probably the most popular Canadian hobbies.
Thank you. Now Iād like to ask you to speak one to two minutes on a topic.
Normally, you would have one minute to plan your answer, but for the sake of this recording we are going to skip this step.
Your cue card reads:
Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life. You should say: -Who the person is -How long you have known him/her -What qualities this person has -and explain why they have had such an influence on you.
Remember you have one to two minutes to deliver this monologue. Iāll tell you when the time is up. Start speaking now, please.
I am going to talk about my high school music teacher, Mr. McGrady, and how he has influenced my life. I have known Mr. McGrady for about five years. He is a very patient man and an excellent teacher, and I feel he instills music appreciation and understanding in all of the students he teaches. He is also a very dedicated teacher. I remember he would come to school early four days a week to conduct our high school band. In doing this, I think he demonstrated a lot of commitment and leadership, and I believe these qualities rubbed off on the students he taught. I havenāt seen him in a few years, but I do not doubt he is just as much the positive image today as he was when I was his student.
For me personally, Mr. McGrady has influenced the way I see the subject of music. I played saxophone in the high school band, and by watching Mr. McGrady interact with the different instrument groups, I saw first hand how these orchestral sections operate and come together to create music.
Mr. McGrady was also always trying to push students outside of their comfort zones, and this greatly influenced me. For example, he encouraged me to join a singing group that he had organized. I couldnāt sing then and I canāt sing now, but it was encouraging to feel that he believed enough in me to ask me to join.
So, overall, I feel Mr. McGrady, firstly, acted as a wonderful role model. Secondly, he taught me how to look at music differently. And thirdly he pushed me to try new things. These are the three main ways he influenced me, and Iām very thankful I had a teacher like him.
Thank you. You mentioned you hadnāt see Mr. McGrady in a few years. Do you think you will see him again?
I hope so. I know heās busy teaching his classes these days. I should drop by my old high school and see him and thank him again for the things he has done for me.
How important is it for people to have positive role models during their formative years?
I think it is quite key. Young people are very impressionistic, in my opinion. They are willing to mimic the actions of those around them. Surrounding a young person with positive role models gives these young people something healthy to aspire to be.
Do you think the role models young people look up to today are similar to the role models young people looked up to 25 years ago?
Hmm, thatās an interesting question. I would say that the core values of todayās role models are the same as 25 years ago. I think qualities like integrity, diligence, benevolence and reliability will always be considered positive. I suppose a difference today is that young people are exposed to more people through different media channels, so the pool of potential role models increases. I would say this is a positive thing, so long as parents ensure the role models young people look up to are healthy ones. But to answer your question, yes, I would say the majority of todayās role models are more or less the same as 25 years ago.
What sorts of people make poor role models in your opinion?
People with serious personal problems, I think. Anger problems or people that have become generally disappointed with life. I donāt think they inspire hard work or ambition. Of course, people with substance abuse problems. Role models should be individuals that you can aspire to be. If that person has serious problems, then aspiring to be like them may not be healthy.
Do you think pop icons make good role models?
By pop icons you meanā¦
ā¦singers, actorsā¦
Well, I think they can be role models. But the fact that they arenāt completely accessible to young people makes them significantly different. Young people canāt call up a pop icon and ask them for advice, for example. But, so long as the star is a good person, I donāt think they are a negative influence on a young person. So, yes, pop icons can make good role models, but young people also need role models they can talk to and learn directly from.
Are you anyoneās role model?
Am I anyoneās role modelā¦ Yes. My cousin has a son, named Ethan. Heās 5, and I see him every other week because they live here in Toronto. I think Ethan looks up to me. I guess thatās partly because I am a man in his life that is a little younger than his father. I try my best to be a positive person so that he will aspire to be one, too.
