NARRABEEN

Last month, we went to Narrabeen beach.My husband had gone there when he was a student. He told us several times that it is a very beautiful and quiet place. So, we invited our friends to go there and have a BBQ party together. We woke up quite early, especially our two beautiful daughters. When they were told we would go to a place a little bit far away and would play with other kids, both of them were pretty excited. Our four whole families drove to Narrabeen together on that day and each family has at least one lovely kid.

Our first stop was Dee Why shopping centre. One of our friends would like to go fishing and so he wanted to buy some bait. Meanwhile, others bought some food and drink for ourselves. After arriving at Narrabeen, we saw the lake first. The lake gave us a big surprise definitely. It looks so nice and very peaceful. Many kinds of birds were walking around freely. We settled down beside the lake. After that, our children played together, and we chatted with each other and prepared food for lunch. On the other side of the lake, there are several beautiful houses, so all of us dreamed to buy that kind of house in future.

After lunch, we walked to the beach. It looked so long that we couldn’t find the end. Beside the beach, a huge golf field is there and many rich men played golf. Many people swam in the ocean, and children played games in the water. We walked along the beach and picked up shells. My husband took my old daughter into the sea, but she looked very scared and screamed loudly. We laid down and play sands. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the sunshine and the happy family day together. Because it is located so far away from our home, at around three o’clock, we drove back home and every kid fell into sweet sleep on the way.

We loved the place very much and one day was not enough for us. Every one wanted to play together more often. So, we made an appointment that we would go there during Christmas.

Technology and ESL

Using new technologies (such as computers, internet, smartboard, palm and notebook etc.) is beneficial for learning English. Although it can’t replace traditional education methods, using new technologies brings us much more improvement in using English.

First of all, learners can communicate with others by using new technologies. They can exchange ideas in a discussion room or a forum. Learners can find lots of English articles through the internet and learners can express their own feeling freely in a discussion room or a forum. Learners can record spoken messages, for example, using voiceboard. It is very useful for learners to practice their pronunciation and check the recording. Even they can learn how to use words speaking like local people. Moreover, learners can listen to other peoples’ messages. By using mobile, learners can leave voice messages to some others or receive messages from their friends.

Secondly, learner can study online. Learners can find many online activities and exercise. For instance, ourclass09.blogspot.com, is one of the websites with this kind of function. Teachers usually put assignments in the website, and all learners can log in and download the assessments directly from the website. Sometimes, learners also upload some interesting pictures on it. Learner can read articles. There is a great amount of e-books listed on websites. Learners can find any articles they are interest in on GOOGLE. Learners can listen to pronunciation websites, podcasts, radio news and many lectures. ABC and channel 7 always put news on their website meanwhile the news is broadcasting through TV.

Thirdly, learning with technology is more fun. Learners can use online educational games. Playing word games can build up vocabulary. ESL learners can listen to songs and get the lyrics, for example, yappr, has videos with lyrics. Learning is interesting, which makes more fun. Seeing films attract learners who are going to learn English. Online, learners can find many original English films or videos.

All in all, using new technologies is beneficial for learning English. Either learners or teachers can use new technologies for English learning or teaching.

DUST STORM

Yesterday Sydney had a dust storm that covered the city in red. It hadn't happened in more than 70 years.

When I got up and entered the kitchen,I found our cookware was covered with dust .Because I hadn't closed the windows,the balcony,washroom and living room were covered with dust too.I orignally planned to pick up my two daughters to join the Joy Tale which was held in Hurstville library,but because of the DUST STORM we had to stay at home.
After lunch,the sky became blue,but it was still very windy.At 3:00 oclock,my older daughter didn't want to stay at home and begged me to take her out.when we opened the door of the building,we found everything outside was covered in dust,including cars,leaves,rabish bins etc.The air was full of dust,and I heard dust was harmful to children,so we returned home as soon as possible.
Although the weather in Beijing was bad,I never met this kind of DUST STORM.I hope the weather in Sydey becomes better and better!

Ultimo TAFE Heritage Office

The building is an outstanding example of Federation Romaneque educational building. The designer of the building is W. E. Kemp and it was constructed in 1891. The Building is a large three storey brick building with a slate hipped and gabled roof. It is double semicircular arched recessed panels between expressed pilasters and has carved sandstone and terracotta tile decorative panels to the window spandrels. The college building illustrates this earlier phase of Sydney's growth, when the industrial heart of the city was located on the south side of the central business district. The original purpose is attracted more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney.

What an interesting weekend!

Yesterday Lugarno Lions Spring Festival was held at Gannons Park, Peakhurst. Many items were included: Donnie Sutherland's Sound of Jukebox live, the Lugarno Lions Showjumping Spectacular, 350+ Classic Cars and Bikes were on display. There were over 150 stalls, adult's and children's rides, pony rides and clowns and so on.

My husband drove our whole family to Gannons Park quite early in the morning. But, what I couldn’t believe was a lot of people were up there already. We could only park our car pretty far away from the park. After gathering with our friends, we took our children to kids'paradise (the rides).
Both of our two kids were very excited after arriving. Sunny, my older daughter wanted to go horse riding. She always wants to ride a horse like a character from a Chinese traditional story, Western Journey. So, she did ride a pony three times and was extremely happy with that. The younger kid, Cindy, gave us an absolute big surprise . She went on the Small Merry Go Round by herself and felt quite happy and without any fear. My husband also went on the slide with Sunny and Victor who is a son of one of our friends. They went on the bumper cars as well.

We visited the old style auto show and found that some of the cars were nearly a hundred years old. Oh, time goes so quick. We saw the technical development in the whole century and felt the big changes in time.
After a yummy lunch, we went back home. And our daughters fell into a deep sleep just as we left the park. My husband and I felt a little tired, but we thought it was worthwhile. Our kids learnt a lot of things from this event. They enjoyed the whole day themselves. We would like to attend this kind of events much more often if it is possible.

Hi everybody!

Original image: 'Opera House' by: Joseph Younis

My name is MAY. My family immigrated from China three years ago. I love to live in Sydney. In the last three years, I got two lovely daughters. The older one is two and half years old, she is a very clever girl. She can read nearly 200 Chinese words, she can tell short stories, she can sing many English and Chinese songs, she can do so many things although she is so young. I am proud of her. My younger daughter is only one year old. She can't talk, can't walk, but she has excellent understanding. She knows when I am happy or angry, I can communicate with her freely. I think I am a lucky and happy mother because of my two daughters.

Now, I've returned to TAFE to study English again. I think it is a very good opportunity to improve myself, so I'm really focused and want to do my best.