Week 9, Oral Blog Entry 6 - Picture Comparison 2

In the following two pictures, I shall assume that there are two sharply contrasting pictures of educational practices. Comparing the first one to the second, students are more motivated asking and answering questions, rather than just sitting there and listening to the teacher quietly. From the two, it shows two main priorities of teaching methods nowadays- the reflective paradigm and the standard paradigm. They both have their own characteristic and beneficial contribution to education. However, more and more people choose the reflective model for their education system. It is because they realise that their aim is to teach students to think and solve the questions by themselves, not just acquire the knowledge by absorbing information from the teacher. Teachers are supposed to be a guide, not playing an authoritative role in the class. For this reason, I prefer the new teaching technique to the normal one.

Week 9, Text Based Blog, Entry 7 - Diploma Trip

I really enjoyed my Diploma trip last Tuesday. It was amazing! On that day, we first all met in a nice cafe named La Vinci for morning tea in Titirangi Town. There was a big floor-to-ceiling window, catching the stunning sights. From the window, you could see the beautiful natural landscape. Before heading out to Cornwallis, we arranged and shared the cars. We were very lucky to have beautiful weather, because it was supposed to be showering on that day.

The first sight we approached was the lookout in Cornwallis. What a stunning view it was! I was dying for these stunning views, and I can't help taking photos in this environment.

After arriving at Cornwallis Beach, we settled down under a shelter, spreading all the delicious food and drinks, enjoying the lovely sunshine. Jan told us doing some exercises were very good to us, so we decided to walk along the beach, joining the rest of the students who had reached the wharf. It was such a long walk, but finally we made it. And I found a hidden view that you might have never seen.

Finishing the yummy lunch, I went with our classmates who loved fishing. They taught me some techniques on how to catch fish, but the result was disappointing.

However, one of them caught a big strange fish, and I don't know how to call it. It is the best moment when you focus on doing something that you are keen on and the result you are happy with.

I really had a good time there, and I looked forward to another one. Here are more photos!!

Week 7, Oral Blog Entry 4 - Picture Comparison

Both of these pictures are related to markets. The first one is of a bright, clean super market. The second one is of a local market which is full of people. As you can see from the first one, obviously it has a cleaner and better shopping environment. I think most people would like to spend their time looking around in such a comfortable place. Comparing the two pictures, I can say that the super market has more choices, and you may even find some kinds of goods that are not from local area. However, shopping in the local market also has benefits. Negotiating with the seller may help you to have a cheaper price for the same stock. I would probably choose the super market because of the better services and my poor negotiating skills. I'd rather pay a bit more to enjoy my shopping time. Although I know a lot of older people may prefer the local market that they are familiar with.

Week 8, Text Based Blog Entry 6 - Domestic News Headlines

New drug trial gives hope to couples suffering recurrent miscarriages. Here is the link to the full article. The research is taken in New Zealand, England and Scotland. The studies show using a combination of asprin and heparin can help women to have more succeful prenancies than those who do not receive any. It also shows it would be benifical to combine these two. Isabella, now six-month-old, is a successful example. Mrs Capunitan said the new drug had offered her hope after 3 miscarriages. And she believes the drug combination was the key aspect for her pregnancy. Now, there are five New Zealand women involved in the testing. The results suggest the drug takes positive effects on them. If the testing can be proved successful, it could help up to 300 women in all three countries. The researchers hope to have definitive results in the coming year.

Week 8, Oral Blog Entry 5 - Domestic News Headlines

I heard this story on Morning Report on National Radio on Monday April 30th.
There are 6 stories during the report.

The Herald: 2 stories
Dominion Post: 2 stories
the Press: 1 story
Otago Daily Times: 1 story

Well, let's look at the front page, the transcription is "the new drug trial offering hope to the women with the history of miscarriages."

Here are three pronunciations features which I noticed in colour:

Consonant to vowel link:
the new/∂/
Extra linking sounds:
history of /ri/
Weak forms of prepositions, articles, modal verbs, auxiliary verb:
The new drug trail offering hope to women with the history of miscarriages./∂/

Week 6, Text Based Blog Entry 4 - Article Summary

On 17 April 2007, there was a terrible tragedy that happened to Virginia Tech University in the United States, which has been recorded as the most serious shooting rampage in an American University. The massacre caused 33 dead, including the gunman, and 15 serious injuries.

This is the link to the article. The killings were in two phases. The first took place at 7.15am in a dormitory and the other at 9.15am in a classroom block. People, including the US President, expressed their shock and sadness. A New Zealander who studied in VT has contacted his family and said he had been safe.

Most of the verb forms which explain what happened are in the past simple form. There are four examples of perfect forms. The first one, "have been triggered", is the present perfect passive. The second and third ones, "has spoken", "have emerged ", are used in the present perfect simple. The last one, "had separated", is past perfect simple. One present continuous is used "are feeling". And one present simple, "says", is used in the article.

Week 6, Oral Blog Entry 3-Leturer Summary

The Student Funding Centre mainly helps the students with their money problems. They provide students with funding and services, including awards, scholarships and grants. Focusing on student loans and finance problems, they give professional advice. Annette fully detailed the whole process of the official system, so that students could apply for what they needed in an efficient way. Furthermore, she introduced some useful resources and websites to the students, such as Breakout and Unitec Study Awards, so that they could find the specific information or data by themselves. Finally, some important financial advice was given to students in order to help them to budget their finances, for example, tips to increase their income and decrease their expenses. The Student Funding Centre solves any financial problems for students. Drop in and take a look at it. Use the links to the help centre.