User Comments - alwingate

Posted on: The Pen and Paper Mystery

xiaophil may be referring to something else.

However, in Engish a period is followed traditionally by two spaces AFTER the period.  Of course, after the period is redundant on my part.

Commas receive one space after being used.

Posted on: I didn’t bring my umbrella

Must be getting forgetful in my old age.

Posted on: Your turn to pay!

Posted on: I didn’t bring my umbrella

I am looking at this construction and do not have any idea exactly what it is about; grammar, syntax etc.

Maybe someone can help explain:

zhe3 ge nu hai2 zi de dan4 gao1 b3i ta1 fu4 qin1 de duo1.

I think it means something like :"This girl has a larger slice of cake than her father."

or 

This cake girl compares with her father all.

Hello?  I don't get it.  Anyone can explain this construction?  Is it a grammar point?  I am drifting with this one.

Posted on: Grammar Lesson

Of course, I would love to see a monthly grammar lesson.  I have been looking for a way to hang some of these words onto a structure.  

Don't know if it is a good idea or not.  But, I am sure a creative approach with dialogue could incorporate some grammar instruction.  I don't hate grammar.  Maybe after studying it for a while I would.  :)

Posted on: Are You Busy?

Thank you guys for being sensitive to the Elementary learners.  I for one have no idea what you are saying.

I am one of these and I must say thanks again.  Pinyin would be great.  No problema.  hehe

Posted on: Are You Busy?

blubberingfool 

Just a gentle reminder.  Many of the students here are just beginning this level of difficulty.  As one astute professor once wrote: "Repetition is the mother of learning."  

You sound more advanced and so this repetition may be boring to you.

I am currently using Rosetta Stone and let me tell you there is tons of repetition in that program.  So, there is a place for repetition.  

On the other hand it can be over done.  But, saying the meaning of a sentence twice often teachers the youngsters about the nature of the Chinese language.  Often the translations can be very varied yet accurate.  In this way, repetition teaches the youngsters in the language that Chinese has this nature.

Just a few thoughts.  Getting less rather than more leaves out this element in the Chinese language.

I am happy you asked the question.  In the Intermediate, if memory serves, there is only one translation.  However, these are often longer than Newbie or Elie.  So, best wishes to you and have a nice day.

Oh, yes, repetition can be over done for sure and for the quick learners, like yourself may be frustrating.  I often must remind myself not to be too repetitive.  Perhaps I am doing so just now.  Hehe

Good day.

Posted on: Are You Busy?

Couple of positive comments:

Ken and Jenny love your chemistry.

Also, like the literal translations.  They are helpful to me.

Like hangers, they give me a place to put words.

Also too, just learning the phrase as a unit, almost a contradictory thing, but is also very useful.  

I find both ideas and techniques to be very useful to me as a learner.

Like patterns very much.

I see this more in the Intermediate.

Question: The expansion section in the Premium Section is mostly application of the same "words" to different and varied contexts?  

Oh, nice to see pattern section.  I think that would be useful as well as helpful.  Especially to newbies and Elies.  

Thanks for the great lessons.

Posted on: Are You Busy?

Must say the teaching of small children is indeed very enjoyable.

Especially, the little girls are so inquisitive and open.

The boys are more quiet, hard workers but less reluctant to speak English.

This is anecdotal of course.  After two years teaching in Taiwan, Taoyuan to be specific, I found this an amazingly delightful experience.

Almost all the children worked very hard to grasp the meaning of the English language.

Wow.  And also maybe this is cultural:

But, teachers had OFFICES.  In the states, good luck.  Not many teachers have offices.

Also, experience: All officials except for the Principal taught classes.  The director of counseling et al.  I loved that.  The powers that be made them keep their feet wet in the classroom.  Even if they were doing other things which in the U.S. would be at the supervisor level.  

Also, money spent on the school plant was in evidence.  Unlike the U.S. where most of the money goes for teachers and FAT.  The plants in Taiwan are quite impressive.  

Another note: Students were working in the classroom by themselves; teacher had not arrived quite yet.  So, there was the initiative to learn.  You won't find much of this in the U.S.  Too worried about law suits.

Also: no custodian really.  The students took care of all the cleaning of the rooms, bathrooms, offices etc. often, by themselves.  Amazing.  Hehe

The U.S. has much to learn in its decline.  Well, students in the U.S. (some) throw things down on the ground.  You ask why?  They say, "It is Mr. Jones' job to clean things up; not mine."  Can you imagine such attitudes?

Oh, this is a rant.  Sorry.

Posted on: Son or Daughter?

BY THE WAY: JOHN, THE NEW IPHONE APP WORKED GREAT ON THE IPOD TOUCH.  COOOOOOOL!