My wife loves my chicken soup, and other people have asked me for the recipe, so here it is.
Ingredients:
4 boxes (about 4 liters) chicken stock 3 large potatoes 2 medium yams 5 medium carrots 2 medium white onions 3 big stalks of celery 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) sweet basil 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) thyme 2 tsp. (10 ml.) cumin 2 tsp. (10 ml.) ground pepper 1 roasted chicken 1/2 cup (125 ml.) rice
Directions:
In a large pot pour the chicken stock. Peel the skin off the potatoes, yams, and carrots and cut into small pieces about the same size. Cut the onion and celery into small pieces the same size. Add all the chopped vegetables to the chicken stock. Add the spices – basil, thyme, and cumin. De-bone and de-skin a roasted chicken, and cut the meat into small pieces the same size as the vegetables. Add the rice and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the recipe.
Vocabulary:
stock: water that tastes like chicken tbsp.: tablespoon (about 15 millilitres) tsp.: teaspoon (about 5 millilitres) ground: very tiny pieces roasted: cooked in an oven peel: take off, strip chopped: cut into small pieces spices: plants that add flavor to food de-bone: remove all bones de-skin: remove all skin boil: heat the water until there are bubbles simmer: cook at a very low temperature
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Things may be hard in a new city, especially if you don’t know the language very well. You may experience loneliness and feel homesick a lot of the time. Don’t worry too much. These feelings lessen as time goes on, and you get used to living in a different city. The key to feeling good in a new city is to get out and meet people. One of the places you can go to is your local community center. You can go there and sign up for exercise classes, tennis lessons, arts and crafts workshops, and lots more. Coffee shops are also a good place to go to meet people. Students like to hang out there and sometimes do their homework, and in the mornings and at lunchtime, you can meet a lot of professional people there. You can even meet people outside. You’d be surprised how easy it is to meet people in walking neighborhoods. Vancouver has four really good neighborhoods where there are lots of people outside walking up and down the street. They are Granville Street, Robson Street, Commercial Drive, and West 4th Avenue. Just sit at an inside or outside table at a coffee shop or a restaurant in one of these areas and wait to see who comes to sit at the table next to you. Don’t forget nightclubs. Vancouver is a city with a lot of fun nightclubs. Most of them are located in three areas of the city: Granville Street, Yaletown, and Gastown. These three areas also have many bars, so if you can’t get into a nightclub because of a long line, then you can go hang out in one of them. If you don’t like nightclubs or bars, you can meet people at a number of other places, such as a bookstore, a grocery store, or a mall. Starting a conversation with someone you meet is a skill you can develop. If you just be yourself and talk to the person like he/she is already a friend, you should do well. Good luck.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
loneliness – a feeling of being alone lessen – decrease, become less get used to – become comfortable key – most important thing get out – go out of your home local – in your neighborhood, near your home sign up – register arts and crafts – pretty things you make with your hands hang out – stay at a place for a while neighborhood – area of the city where people live nightclub – a place where you dance and have alcoholic drinks bar – a place where you go to drink alcohol and maybe have something to eat. a number of – many skill – something you’re good at doing develop – make better be yourself – be like you really are
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Conversation: [in a coffee shop]
Ricardo: Isn’t the coffee here good? Anne: Yea, that’s why I come here. Ricardo: Do you come here often? Anne: Almost every day. I live in the neighborhood. Ricardo: Me too. I just moved here. Anne: From where? Ricardo: Colombia. Do you know where that is? Anne: Yea, it’s in Central America, isn’t it? Ricardo: Actually, it’s at the top of South America, but you were close. Anne: I don’t travel that much, but I’d like to start. Ricardo: Well, Colombia is a beautiful country. You should go sometime.
When you come to Canada to study English, you’ll find five major banks; they are: the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), the Toronto Dominion/Canada Trust (TD Bank), Bank of Montreal (BMO), the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). The reason I mention these five is that you will want to choose one when you come here. It’s a good idea to open a bank account to keep your money safe. You should open a bank account with either cash or traveler’s cheques. If you open it with a cheque or a bank draft, you may not be able to get your money for several weeks until the cheque or draft clears. You should research the different banks to find out their fees for their services, and then choose the one that’s best for you. There are different kinds of accounts you can open, for example, a savings account, a chequing account, and a chequing-savings account. In my opinion, all you need is a chequing account, which lets you take cash out of bank machines all over the city. Be sure to ask for a debit card to use in these machines. You just insert the card, type your personal identification number (PIN), and then follow the prompts to do what you need to do. The debit card can also be used in stores to pay for things. When you open a chequing account, you need to have two pieces of identification. One of these has to have your picture on it, like your passport. The bank will ask you for your date of birth, your address in Canada (including postal code), your phone number in Canada, and your address in your home country. There are other things you can do at the bank, too. For example, you can also exchange money from your home country to get Canadian dollars. You can buy auto insurance if you lease or buy a car here in Canada. Every renter, home owner, and homestay student needs home insurance to protect their valuables, and a bank can help you do this. The bank also offers travel insurance for those times you may want to go south to the US.So as you can see, there are many things you need a bank for.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
bank draft – a type of cheque where the first bank guarantees to pay the money to the second bank. clears – the first bank has paid the money to the second bank wondering – wanting to know in my opinion – I believe debit – money coming directly from your bank account. insert – put into personal identification number – a secret number that only you know prompts – instructions postal code – a series of numbers and letters that identify a part of the country exchange – trade insurance – protection against losing something lease – rent for a long period of time homestay – staying with a Canadian family valuables – things you have that you love or that are expensive
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Conversation:
Teller: Next. Can I help you? Student:Yes. I would like to open an account, please. Teller:Okay. Do you have identification? Student:Yes. Here’s my driver’s license and my passport. . Teller:Thank you. What kind of account do you want? Student: I think a chequing account is all I need. Can I also get a debit card? Teller:Absolutely. Start by filling out this form. When you’re finished, bring it back to me. Student:All right. [Later] I think I’m finished. Teller:You forgot to put your occupation. What is it? Student:Right now I’m a student. Teller:Okay. I’ll write that in. How much are you depositing today? Student:$350 cash and $2800 in traveler’s cheques. Teller:Okay. Here’s your receipt, and here’s your debit card. Student:Thank you. Teller: Nowinsert your card in this terminal and choose a four-digit PIN number. It will ask you to do it twice. Student: That’s easy. Is that it? Are we done? Teller:Yes. Have a nice day. Student: You too.
If you’re coming to Canada to improve your English, consider living in a homestay with a Canadian family. There are several advantages to this. First of all, you will learn about real Canadian culture. These are people who have jobs and friends and who like to do activities for entertainment. You will be immersed in Canadian culture. Even the food you eat will be cultural. Your meals are usually included in the price you pay for a homestay. Laundry service is also usually provided. Although you don’t have to, you can help clean up around the house, and it will be greatly appreciated by your homestay family. They may thank you by including you in their activities where you will meet other Canadians and maybe make friends. Lastly, your English will improve much faster at a homestay because everyone will be speaking English all the time. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to a homestay. First, you have less freedom than if you lived alone or with a roommate. You can’t make too much noise, be messy, or come home too late. If you want to stay out late, be sure to tell them ahead of time. You need to follow the house rules, such as meal times and quiet times. Most homestay families will get to know your likes and needs and help you enjoy your stay in Canada. To get the best from this experience, choose a host family that lives close enough to the school you’re going to. Be friendly with the family by talking to them and getting to know them. Your homestay time can be a wonderful experience and one that you will never forget. To find a good homestay in Vancouver, visit http://www.vancouverhomestayagency.com/
Click on the audio recording below to hear the lesson.
Vocabulary:
immersed in – surrounded by provided – given to you appreciated – thanked disadvantages – things that are wrong or bad messy – leaving clothes, dishes and belongings everywhere. ahead of time – before it happens expecting – waiting for rules – a list of things you can and cannot do plenty – a lot I can handle it – I can do it
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above and below on the audio file below.
Conversation:
Wendy: Hello. My name is Wendy. I called you earlier from the homestay office.
Rachel: Yes, of course. I’ve been expecting you. Welcome to our home. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it here.
Wendy:I’m sure I will. Is there anything you would like to know about me?
Rachel: Well you can start with your age and where you’re from, and I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. I’m sure we’ll learn a lot about each other over the next months.
Wendy: When can I meet the rest of the family?
Rachel: Not till dinnertime, at 6:00. We always have dinner together at six. It’s one of our family rules.
Wendy: I understand. I will always be here at 6:00 for dinner. Could I give you any help preparing dinner? My ESL class ends at 2:00, so I’ll have plenty of time to help.
Rachel:Sure you can help me set the table. Let me show you to your room. It’s upstairs. Do you need help with your bags?
Wendy:Thanks, but I only brought one suitcase. I can handle it.
The International Student Identity card (ISIC) is the only official proof that you are a full-time student studying in a high school, college or university. It is accepted in 120 countries in the world, including Canada. The International Student Identity card can give you big savings on things like travel rates, shopping, accommodations, and even entertainment. It’s easy to get one. First, you need to have a photocopy of your current school ID or a photocopy of your transcript or report card for this academic year. You also need a driver’s license or a passport, which shows a current picture of you and states your age. A birth certificate won’t work because there’s no picture of you. Lastly, you’ll need one passport-sized photo (2×2 inches) with your name printed in ink on the back. You can go to an ISIC office in person or apply online. If you apply online, you have to email your documents to them, and it will take 3 to 4 weeks to get your card. If you’re in Canada, go online to: http://www.isic.org, and click on “Get ISIC card.” If you apply in person, you can get your card while you wait. You can find the nearest office on the website. The price of the ISIC is around $20.00 and is good for one year. After a year, you can renew it. In most places you can pay with cash, Visa or Mastercard. Members of the Canadian Federation of Students can get an International Student Identity card for free through the federation.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
rates: costs accommodations: rented rooms to live in current: present, now transcript: a record of the courses you’ve taken and the marks you’ve gotten academic: school in person: face to face at the office documents: official papers, such as a driver’s license. renew: make it good again
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Conversation:
Student: Hello. I’d like to apply for an International Student Identity card. Clerk: Okay. Did you bring the required documents? Student: Yes. I have photocopies of my passport and college transcript. Clerk: Good. Did you bring a photo? Student: Yes I did. Here’s everything. Clerk: Okay. The cost is $20.00. How are you paying? Student: I’ll put it on my Mastercard. Here. Clerk: Thank you. I’ll be right back. Okay. Here’s your card back. Please sign. Student: How long will it take to get the card? Clerk: Not long. Have a seat in the waiting room, and I’ll bring it to you when it’s ready.
The cell phone you used in your country may not work in Canada. Even if it does, it will be more expensive to make local calls. Therefore, it’s a good idea to buy a cell phone in Canada and sign up for service, especially if you plan to make a lot of local calls. Go on-line to: http://cell-phone-providers-review.toptenreviews.com/ to see a comparison of the top 10 carriers. Of course, you can always use a landline phone, which won’t cost you very much. If you live in a homestay, you have to share the phone, so you need to be considerate. Don’t make too many calls, and don’t stay on the phone for a long time. Someone else may need to use the phone, or someone may be trying to call your homestay family. Because you probably have an accent, when you speak English on the phone, try to pronounce your words very clearly. Also, speak more slowly, and be really careful with those problem areas, such as /r/ and /l/, /b/ and /v/, and /s/ at the end of words. Ask the caller to slow down if they’re talking too fast. Also, repeat important information you heard to make sure it’s correct. Following are some words and expressions you need to understand when you use the phone.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
landline: connected through wires considerate: nice to other people
Vocabulary of phone calls:
dial a number: push the number buttons to connect with someone pick up: answer the phone hang up: end the phone call look up a number: get someone’s number from the phone book or the Internet area code: the first 3 digits of the phone number make a long-distance call: a call to someone out of your area code make an international call: a call to someone out of the country make a local call: a call in your area take a message: write down a message from someone leave a message: give someone a message to write down leave a voice mail: leave a recorded message hold the line: wait for a moment put (someone) through: connect (someone) the line is busy: the person is talking with someone else texting: sending someone a written message using your smart phone
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Expressions:
Asking to speak to someone
Extension 123, please. (someone’s personal number at a business)
Could I speak to Jason Mathews, please?
Hello. Is Jason Mathews available?
Asking who the caller is
Excuse me, who am I speaking to?
Can I ask who’s calling?
Could (Can, May) I tell him who’s calling?
If someone is not available
I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment.
Mr. Mathews isn’t in right now.
Mr. Mathews is out at the moment.
Taking a Message
Could (Can, May) I take a message?
Would you like to leave a message?
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the expressions above on the audio file below.
Conversation 1 – personal:
Jason: Hello. Is Lisa there? Julie: Yes. I’ll get her. Can I tell her who’s calling? Jason:Yes. It’s Jason Lisa: Hi, Jason. What’s up? Jason: Hi, Lisa. I was just calling to find out if you’re busy on Sunday. I’m having some friends over for a barbecue, and I’d like you to come. Lisa: Thanks for the invitation, but I promised Julie that I would go shopping with her. Jason:I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you both come. There is plenty of food for everyone. Lisa: Okay. I’ll ask her and call you back. Jason: Wonderful. Talk to you later. Bye. Lisa: Bye.
Conversation 2 – business:
Receptionist:Hello, Mobile Phone Company. How can I help you? Jason:This is Jason Mathews. I’d like to speak to someone about cell phone service. Receptionist: Certainly. I’ll put you through to our sales department. Jason:Thank you. Sales person: This is Paul Stewart. How can I help you? Jason: I’d like cell phone service for a year. Can you tell me about your different plans? Sales person: Yes, our basic plan is $30 a month for 200 hours of local calling. Jason:That sounds good. How do I sign up? Sales person: You should come in to the store first and pick out a phone, and we can go from there. Jason: Thank you Paul. I’ll be in this afternoon. Sales person: Okay, I’ll see you then. Jason:Bye.
Before you go to any country to study English, you need to get a Visa. There are different kinds of Visas. For example, if you plan to study for more than 6 months, you need a Study Permit, also known as a Student Visa. You must apply for this permit in your own country or at least outside the country where you want to study. For example, if you are already in Canada, you can cross the border and apply in the United States. A Visitor’s Visa will allow you to study for only 6 months. If you want to study and work at the same time, you need a Working Holiday Visa. Again, you can apply for one in your home country or outside the country where you want to work and study. A Working Holiday Visa also allows you to study English but only for 6 months. To study longer than that, you can fill out a form at the nearest Immigration Office and pay about $125. So if you’re planning to come to a city like Vancouver and seriously study and learn the language well, you need to be here for at least a whole year and probably more. Therefore, you really need a Student Visa. To get one, take your passport and a letter of acceptance from the ESL school you are going to attend to a Canadian Visa Office outside of Canada. You also have to show that you’re taking enough money to live in Canada for the time you are studying and have enough to buy a ticket back home. Apply for the permit a few months before you plan to go so you have it before you leave.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
permit: a government paper that gives you permission to do something apply: fill out an application form at least: not less than border: the line between two countries fill out: write information on a form
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Tips:
Always be polite to people that you need help from. Ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Conversation:
Student: I’d like to apply for a Student Visa, please. Clerk: Sure. Would you please take a seat in the waiting room and someone will be with you shortly. Student: Thanks.
