Here we go, my virtual friend, this is my last blog before I'll pass it on another virtual friend.
It's been such a pleasure to write my thoughts and feelings and to get responses from around the world. I'll definitely keep reading other's students blog from time to time. I really enjoyed your comments about your own work environment and specifically the one from Adriana from Brazil. She's a dentist and she described our day to day work with teeth. It was really fascinating. However, I could picture myself on the chair listening to the unpleasant sound of the dentist tolls and didn’t really enjoy it at the end.
Yesterday evening, I had an evening out with my colleagues because one of them is going on maternity leave. The party was held in an Indian restaurant and it was a little bit chaotic as in India I guess. Nevertheless, the food was delicious and the service quick. As we were 12 of us, we were setting in a special room and there was a giant plasma screen on the wall broadcasting India movies. I couldn't help watching it as it was just above our table and these movies are so entertaining, colourful and the actors dance all the time. I've notice that women and men dance together in a very flirty way but they never got to kiss even if the dances are very suggestive. My colleague who is Indian told me that it's part of their culture. How interesting! Another thing I've notice is that they nod their head very often but not as western people do from forward to backward but from right to left and it's apparently to let us know that they don't know the answer or simply don't want to say it. How disconcerting is this when you're not use to this cultural behaviour but apart from that, I had a very nice evening far from London.
Tomorrow, I also have another work party but not for the reason. Someone is leaving the BBC because her contract hasn't been renewed or I should say in order to avoid the metaphor, she's been sacked after 20 years of working for the BBC. How hard is that? The economic world is going through very tough time at the moment for employees. Especially within the BBC were they are "restructuring" it. The leitmotiv is More money for programmes and so, less people are needed apparently. From my point of view, I agree that restructuration is a good thing to stay dynamic and competitive on the global market but however it's also important for companies to bear in mind that human being are invaluable too. I believe Companies have got an universal responsibility towards us and must realise how important is the work labour and human creativity. As far as I'm concerned, countries will run better if the priority was the well-being of all of us, inhabitant of the planet.
Here we go, my virtual friend, that was my last thought shared with you.
It's the start of March and that means the start of a new blog but who will be our blogger? Well, before my usual brief introductions let me first say, wow, what a month. For a short period of time we were reading about Lemlem's experience in Ethiopia and then over the last two weeks we have had the delightful blogs from Juliette. It's been an exciting and interesting time.
Now, of course, it can only get better as we offer a warm welcome to our new blogger, Lidia, from Russia. Lidia will introduce herself later.
I'd also like to say a big thank you to all who entered the competition this month, your entries were all brilliant and it makes my task very difficult but enjoyable. We'll be running the competition for April starting next week, so please feel free to enter again or encourage your friends to enter.
Finally, I was asked how we select our teachers. Well, it's a closely guarded secret because we don't want to give anyone an unfair advantage but I can tell you this - the teachers are given some very difficult tasks to complete and then a team of three of us read everything and then we argue about (or maybe that should be discuss) the entries until we all agree on one person who should be given the password for that month.
It's a difficult process but I am sure you'll agree, from the quality of the contributions from our teacher bloggers, that it's worth every moment of our time.
I hope you all enjoy this month's blogs and I'll be back again in April.
First of all I would like to thank you for this oportunity for me - take part in the blog competition on bbc site. I am happy to have this great week with you!
Let me introduce myself a little. I am from Moscow. Was born here and still living here a whole my life.If you still haven't been to Moscow I can say you - welcome to Moscow please! This is the great city in Russia with a very big variety of historical places. I am working and dealing with a lot of foreignt partners in Europe. I have been learning English seriosely the last 4-5 years and want to get the fantastic result at this language. I like speak & leasten to English. Think it is a wonderful one of the languages. The language of Sheakspear.
I like travelling. And have been to many countries like the UK, Ireland, Greece, Malta, Egypt, Ciprys,UAE, Chech and other. Send me your opinion. How to get the best result in English and improove the language.
I will send you more about my experience in English tomorrow.
I missed my blog's team and with a pleasure opened this site.
And now I am impressed because of your answers! I got the answers from different countries and want to thank you to everyone. I will answer for all your questions about my country, job, my trips and other. I have time for all things!
Think Moscow is a very huge town and I will make a presentation of the most interesting places especially for my bbc friends. And hope to do it next weekend when will have a free time for a project. I will show you the most beautiful places and sure you all coming to Russia after a short while.
I am working at one of the biggest company in Moscow and we send people for education abroad. I love my work, I love my partners and customers (ok, most of our customers:). And I work a lot with Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Italy and the UK.
I had some business trips to those countries. And this is just a top of my work. Actually I am very busy and spend my day at work doing all types of work.Speaking with partners, customers, our colleagues, preparing documents for the visa procedure (unfortunately we should have a visa for almost all countries), making our programs and purposes, taking part at exhibitions, booking air tickets and lot of other things. I love be in the center of activities and
happy with my job. During the next 2 weeks my company taking part at 3-4 international exhibitions which starts in Moscow in March. And it would be a very useful time for getting a new experience and new information and in other hand stressful - speak, speak and speak :).
The question of my teacher was about myself organization. Well, I can say - I am very organized at work and pretty good for my private life :). Unfortunately, can't say I am on time everywhere... but this is a rule of a big city. Traffics and
the life's speed in Moscow are creasy. When we are young we want be on time
everywhere :)
Also I would like to give my best regards to Yemen. I have been lived there for 2 years when I was a child. I was about 6 yo and my father used to work in this nice country. I still remember the Red Sea, friendly people, warm sun and tasty fruits.
Thanks for your attention once again.
I will try to be interesting for you, my friends. And tomorrow will send a new report.
Well, hope you are OK and are ready for my today's report.
I got a lot of questions about the climate in Russia. This is a very popular question of European people. Often when I meet people they ask to me how we "poor" Russian people can survive in cold winter:).
I think European imagination of the Russian climate seems like that because of old movies and classic literature. Most of the Russian writers had been written how people live & feel in winter.The temperature about - 35 degrees, a snow every day, people drinking vodka and sitting at home......
I can answer to you - NO Russia isn't only Siberia. The last autumn and the last winter were very warm for Russia also.I saw the first snow about the New Year celebration in December. The coldest temperature was during the last two weeks. About -15 degrees that is not too cold for us. I know for Ireland and the UK ( for example) the temperature 0 degrees is the situation when people do not go to their work and to schools and the life stop for a while. This is true. I used to live in one nice family in Ireland when was a student and in one family in the UK. I was in Ireland in winter and the temperature was about + 7 degrees BUT inside of Irish houses was cold for me. I couldn't be in home's clothes.The heating into buildings are nothing for me:). All time I was wearing in scarf, 2 pullovers, jeans. In the morning it was......crazy to take a shower in a cold bathroom with an open window..a fridge for me :). (By the way I still love Ireland and the UK:)
In Russia people can't undertsand how it is possible for Europe switch on their heating just for 1-2 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the evening. All Russian students have just two problems in Ireland and the UK - heating and food.:)
We have warm clothes like winter coats, pullovers and winter shoose. The temperature inside of buildings is about 20-22 degrees around the day. So, we just need to spend time in the streets for a way from house to the office and come back. If you have a car this is easy don't pay attention for not warm days:).
Actually the problem for many people is the sun. Because we love sunny days and sunny warm in Russia a lot. But in winter this is not often unfortunately. And we miss our sun and it can influences on people's mood. But now spring is coming and we hope to change our winter clothes on our spring nice coats and enjoy the sun every day!
I wish you the sun every day and will be glad to get your new quesions!
Thanks.
With best wishes.
Lidia
Hello my friends,
Thanks for your comments and new questions!
Today is the 8-th of March. International holiday and a very popular day in Russia - the woman's day. All men prepare flowers and presents for their mums, sisters, wifes, girlfriends, colleagues and other. Women are in a very good mood:) The day is warm and sunny today. That is a real present for me. Thanks God. Actually, I do not like the 8-th of March so much. I like be a woman and feel like a woman every day. But it depends on a men :) Hope my blog's female friends have just intellegent men around :)
Today is the day off because of this celebration and I have some guests at home. Spending time fun. Eat and tell interesting stories to each other.
It was a question about Russian food. Well, the Russian cousine is very tasty. People in Russia do not like microwave food at all. Except maybe pizza. And use microwave just to warm food (not sure it is a correct phrase "warm food").
Most families prefer fresh dishes every day.We like meat, fish, mushrooms, vegetables and love soups. Actually, I have difficulty to explain to you about Russian cousine because sure you should try to eat. It is impossible to write about a taste and a smell of "borsh" - Russian soup of red colour with meat and vegetables or "pelmeni" - a tiny piece of bread with meat inside. We do not have Russian fast food. This type of food came to us from Europe. These days you might watch fast food on the streets in Moscow. But shops offer traditionaly hot dogs or some sandwiches which are not type of Russian cousine.The last 14 years McDonald's is popular for children who like "happy meal" with toys and students who haven't a lot of free time for cooking.
About difference between England and Russian food (I saw a question about difference of our cousines).First of all as I wrote above we do not love microwave food.In the morning people eat bread, ham, cheese, yogurts, boiled or fry eggs. Some people prefer eat food like sausages. For lunch soups and hot dishes with garnish. And for dinner again hot dishes and variety of cold snacks.
People do not prefer all boiled food or only fried. We mix all types. But in Russia people like eat only tasty food. but on the other hand - tasty food is dangerous for women;)
These days many healthy diets are very popular here but this is another story...:) Russian people are friendly and hospitality. Usually people like invite friends home and cook for them home made dishes. It could be about 5-7 cold snacks, 2-3 for main course and 3-4 desserts.
So, we like eat but be in fit!!!:)
Hope you find my report interesting and will write again tomorrow!
Hello my lovely blog's friends,
Hope you are well and glad of coming weekend!
Today I would like to discover you my experience in learning English.
The first knowledge I got at high school when was a child and then continued learning at the University. English course took just 2 years at University and I had to learn English with some private teachers and language schools in Moscow. Here are working a lot of Russian teachers who knows English well and may teach students. They have a special education and have years of practice. But after 1-2 teachers I decided to try an native English speaking teacher. I found schooI in Moscow where taught teachers from the UK, the USA and Canada. I was very happy with my first English speaking teacher. He was from the USA and had a talent to teach language. He made interesting, informative and fun lessons. So, we had a very good group of students there. After a while (about 2-3 months) the teacher was changed on another teacher because a special methodology. Schools does changes of teachers every 8-12 weeks for students practice. It means students should understand not the only one English speaking person. You must to have experience to speak and to understand English language at all. You know that each country and often regions in one country have different language accent and some times people from one region can't understand people from another. By the way both regions speak English. So with the new teacher we lost our interest to learn English because she taught very boring and was pretty strict to adults people as we were. The last 2-3 years my private teacher was a girl who is Russian but used to live in the USA for a long time. So she has a very good level of English and is good in teaching.
The greatest experience I got last year when took English Course in Ireland for 8 weeks. It was fantastic! No one Russian at school. I lived in one nice & friendly family near the city center. International classes. There were students from Italy, Brazil, North Korea, China, Germany, Spain, Israel, France, Chech Republic.I was lucky and met very professional teachers with a good sense of humor. After lessons in the morning we had cultural programme and went to the historical places. It was supported by a woman who is an professional gide and knows Irish history very well. So, I spent a whole time spoke in English.The first two weeks were difficult for me. All tenses and conditions mixed in me heard :) and I feel like a baby. Understood a lot but couldn't speak right...:) I was very tired every day and went to bed at about 9 pm. After 3 weeks I started be more quieted and confident myself. After day's programme we went to the cinema or to the pub or to the disco. And speak, speak, speak. Made mistakes and understood that it was a mistake after a while.That is getting of some new experience! Never forget it!
I love to remember how my Irish adventure was because sure it was a great time in my life!
I improved my English I try do not forget my practice. Speak English at work and send you my reports every day with pleasure!:)
Hope you are well and spending weekend with a good company of friends!
As I promised you last week today is a day of a special report.
I would like to discover the capital of Russia - Moscow. The huuuuuuge city full of energy and high speed of life. In Moscow located a lot of museums, galleries, churches and take place international art and business exhibitions every year. Population of Moscow is about 10 million people. In Moscow region living about 4 million people. Moscow and Moscow region are very close to each other. Every day thousands people from Moscow region going to work in Moscow. Some of them spend from 2 to 3 hours for one way from house to the office. A lot of companies and offices situated in Moscow and people have a good opportunity to find well payable work in Moscow.This is the reason why they go so far from their house.We have all types of transport here. There are: metro, buses, trolleybuses, tramways, trains. In Moscow about 4 international airports - tourists and business people are very welcomed to Russia!
Today I want to show you some majority places in Moscow. We will do it via site. Just open link and try to see what million tourists watch every day in Moscow by themselve.
First of all want to thank our teacher Samantha for informative comments. Hope to use it in my grammatic technics.
Today was very sunny and spring day here. We got fresh air and first warm of the sun. People smile and make joks. Life if beautiful!:) I send warm sun from Moscow to every town in the world where it wasn't sunny today!
We spent a lovely weekend. I wathched DVD with my friends. I liked to watched once again "The illusionist" and easy movie "Firts 50 kisses". Romantica...:)
But why Monday comes every week? :) I remember one well known artist in Russia. He has sung a song about Mondays. Like " people who were born on Monday are unhappy and we need to exlude Mondays". A good thing, I suggest. Wish you spent a good week!
Well, my blog today is a question. I would like to ask our friends about "never mind".
What does it mean for you? Is it a secret word for you? Or is it just a loud phrase but nothing of serious for you?
Send your answers and we will try to understand it together!
Thanks.
Thanks for your opinions! I have read all of them. Shure we could understand each other if say "never mind". I use that phrase if somebody has a difficult and I want to support a person. And when I say "never mind" I mean a situation will change and everything should be OK. So, my dear friends do not worry and be happy!:)
I have got a question about 2 new meanings. There are phrases " what's up" and "What a space cadet". I can answer about "what's up". It means - what has happened? Does somebody know about second phrase? I have never heard about that meaning. Might be interesting to use in practice.
Today I worked at the exhibition "Education and career". Which takes place in Moscow. The majority aim is to make a good advertising for new coming entrants. For young people who has a question "what to do for a living".
A big exhibition's hall is divided in two parts. First with stands of Russian Universities and second with stands of foreign Colleges and language schools from Canada, Germany, the UK, Malta. Moscow University of Design made a fashion show. Girls dressing up in fantastic dresses which they made by themselves at University.It is cool! A good example for new coming entrants. What could they do for pleasure and business. I was pretty surprised saw a couple of men. They are models. Usually girls prefer a job of models. But looks good! University of Art showed pictures of their students on the stand.They could be Picasso or Shishkin in the future. A good start!
If I were an entrant I use a chance to see my future with this job. Some times we do our choice just because of fashion. It works for everything. For the future profession, cars, food, life style and so on. In fact not all trendy things are acceptable for everyone. I remember my mum advice. She wanted I were a bookkeeper. It was a popular profession when I thought about my future. People who are good on this field have a well off life's level. But the job is not for me. Now I glad I am not a bookkeeper :).
So, wish you made a right step and have chosen a specialization of your life!
With best wishes,
Lidia
PS. And do not afraid do mistakes in English!! Do it as often as you can!
It is a good way to YOUR English and because of we met here!
Last week was a pretty warm weather here. Some beautiful days were with sunny and bright blue sky. I have missed on good weather and .. the sea. We have the Black sea in Russia and like to go to the sea. The temperature of water is warm in summer only. So in winter Russian people prefer go to the Red sea. It is a special felling when you coming from the cold country to the hot. You are full of expectations and pleasures to get few sun, blue sky and warm water in the sea. And it is very good present (which we can make for ourselves) spend one or two weeks on a resort.
I have just come back after shopping. A lot of summer things have arrived to Moscow. New collections of clothes, footwear, hand bags and things for a beach. I would like to go to the sea right now!:) Wish I were on Santorini or on Rhodos islands where I was twice. These are the most terrific places in Greece. I love Greece. Love a soft climate, beautiful beaches for vacation and a lot of historical places for visits. National Greek dishes have fantastic taste. My favorite dishes are: seafood prepared on a grill, or special cheese, vegetables, oil and bread. Absolutely healthy and not fat meal. I do Greek salad (cold snack) at home. Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, Greek cheese, Greek oil and some special spices. During a day people are swimming and in the evening go to the "taverna" (restaurant). After a long time there J and nice food people go to enjoy a night life. Greek people are cheerful and like a night life. Good dances in a disco or in national "buzuki" are popular. People go to “buzuki” with family or with friends and buy flowers inside of “buzuki”. This is tradition to show respect for the talented singer. People dance on the floor or on the table (sometimes) and throw flowers from their places on a floor around of a singer. Modern Greek music is really good one. I have bought CD and listen to this music from time to time...
Yeah, it is the best time in the life when people are dreaming :) What about your plans for summer? Have you already planned to go to the sea?
PS. I just want to note some thing to the Russian teacher of English with name Elena. Thank you for your comment. It seems you are interested in people who are learning a foreign language and use the opportunity to get a new experience via bbc web site. I think it is not a very professional advice of a teacher just say "you do mistakes" and don't give an example of a mistake. And I sure teachers should be more tolerant if they open STUDENTS blog
Especially my thanks for the comments of Samantha. I hope do my entries and use some new worlds.
This week is very busy for me. Some exhibitions take place in Moscow.
This is the reason why I can’t write often. Today I have been working since 8 am. Because we have reached to the building where the exhibition takes place for 2 hours earlier. Moscow traffics! :) We were afraid to waste time in traffics. So, have made a decision to arrive at 8 in the morning to the building and to wait for the beginning of the exhibition inside of the building with a cup of coffee. We did it and were waiting when the exhibition opens about 2 hours :). By the way the name of the exhibition is “INTOURMARKET”. Many tourist agents from the whole country came to Moscow with the purpose of visiting. And tomorrow in the afternoon another one international exhibition will start. It has name “Moscow International Travel & Tourism”..…
So, we should be everywhere :). This is the period when we come across our partners and agents. This event is important for all. And we always are full of hopes to meet our friends or make some new friends and partners. ….
Samantha, I was surprised to get your news that it was snowing in the UK. For your country this type of weather is unusual. However in Moscow today it was about +13 degrees. Sunny and warm! Wish you all were here!! :)
How it’s nice to take part in the greatest opportunity for improving language skills! BBC forever!
Well, a weekend is coming and I try to imagine my days off. What would I like to do? Actually sleeping, meeting friends, watching DVD, eating tasty food and chatting are my favorite. And I would like to do all these things but I will be working a whole weekend :)
Spring is here (except Spain, France and Czech Republic where is snowing). When we say “spring” we mean love also. Usually spring and love come together. What about love in your life? Do you believe in truthfully love? Do you like when your boyfriend/girlfriend has some female/male friends?
I trust in truthfully love. Still believe in the theory about an apple. Half of one apple is you and second half is he/she. I know people meet each other to get experience in their life. And a lot of people have a big luggage of experience but still be lonely. I think people get their “half an apple” when they are ready. This is fantastic feeling when people are in love with somebody. It means "spring" all day and night. It can be only flirting or something serious but I wish you all were in love! "Spring" is around you!
Weekend is coming! My congratulations! :)
A great feeling of Friday!
Well, thanks for your answers for such important question as LOVE. I agree with Patricia from Poland who had written “But be careful! Love is not just spring! You must to be able to survive the most hard and cold winter if you want an ever lasting love”. Absolutely truth. But who knows about how does it work. How people can survive in the world of LOVE. You know, we have grown in different cultures and dreamed about men & women goals. Job and career are the most important places for men. Family and children - that is the main goal for women. Today we know examples when for men more important their family and women are very good at business….Different people have different lifes.
Today I would like to speak about job in your life. What do you do for your career? Is it an aim for you and would you like to improve yourself? Or do you work to get money and to feel freely? These are good questions. For me all things are important. First of all I want to make myself and to achieve career. I do a step by step and feel how it’s great to grow up. And it is a great feeling of freedom of course. When you aren’t dependent on your parents. I started my first job when was 17 y.o. Got a small salary but it was enough for me. I felt free! Now I make much more many and it isn’t enough for young pretty woman :) I couldn’t work if a job is not interesting for me. So, now I am lucky because have a job which I like and still be independent. It is not easy to spend a big part of your life at work. My job not just pleasure, new interesting people and smiles. I get my experience through mistakes. Still learn life’s lessons. And often watch my job in awfully night dreams;). Think I will change my opinion and want to get children but after a while. Want to do something more at my specialization…..
Definitely the last weekend was unhappy for me. I was working! :)
Be honestly, the exhibition was successful. I have met my well-known partners and we have had a good time all together.
I had read answers about career in our life. I understood that it is an important theme. Fortunately people do know how they would like to get career and have their private opinion. That’s good! It is a long way to get success.
Today I am a little bit tired after 9 working days :) I am dreaming to get the day off tomorrow. I want to spend some time with my family. They haven’t been seen me since last Friday. I got home too late for questions the whole weekend. When I came back home they were sleeping. So, we have some news to talk to each other. I love my parents. They gave me all availability chances to approve my knowledge and a position in the life. I feel these people are the most important people in my life. I wish they were a whole my life with me. I dream to build a big house for my parents and future children. I like when big families take dinner together at a big table or celebrate holidays at one place. I like when children play games and make fun.
Well, well, well about my day off. I’ll eat late breakfast and after come back to bed. Then I will read my English chick lit book. A story when a young woman has lost her husband. But he had known about his serious disease. He prepared 12 letters for her. He has written a letter for each month with PS I love you… Certainly, it is not very miserable story. The girl has been approving herself at list. After I have planned to visit my nice who takes holiday this week. And we are going with her to the cinema. In the evening I am meeting my friends at café. So, life is very good when you do what you want to do! :)
Thanks for your best wishes! I really enjoyed the day off! As I promised, I woke up at noon, had my late breakfast and read my English book (the name of the book is “PS I love you” by Cecelia Ahern). Then with my mum we went to a nice cafe for lunch. We spent about 2 hours chatting and eating. In the evening I had met my friends and we watched DVD. It was movie with name “A carrier-2”. Not a new one but not bad before you are going to sleep..:) The atmosphere of the day was free and happily. The other people around me were working! :) How it is please to feel a day off when all people busy! :) Today I feel myself more better and is waiting for the great Friday evening! I want to visit my cousin. He has rent a new apartment and wants to show me how sngl man lives :)
The weather in Moscow is lovely these days! Warm and sunny days with a blue sky! Every morning I want to change my way and go the park instead of office. Really love in air is here :)
I have just reached home and want to go to sleep. I am tired.
Tomorrow will be a difficult day for me. I should pay attention to some businesses at work.
Time to say GOOD BAY! I want to thanks all members of BBC for their professional job. In my opinion this project is VERY successful. I got the answers from the different people. Learners from many counties are interested in chatting. It’s cool! I am grateful to all of them. Your answers are important for me.
Especially FOR SAMANTHA I wish to say million thanks! I would be a lucky one if I had a chance to be your student. Please show my message to your students:). I am sure they are happy with you. Students know how it is important to meet a professional teacher. Samantha knows how nonprofessional teachers can destroy your desire to study. Definitely, can make your way to knowledge difficult. Samantha is a talented one. If you have your own school of English please send me a contact :)
Certainly, it was a great time for me! I use to be a writer on bbc website. I have got a fantaaaaaaaaastic experience. I feel my English became better. I will continue to spend my time with the student blog on bbc. Be honest, last month has been the greatest experience since I came back from Ireland. I enjoyed my time here! Unfortunately, without practice we lost our knowledge. It is much easier to lost then to get a good practice. And it could be a great new project if bbc students meet each other for 2-3 days. A festival of bbc students. Why not? :)
I wish all the best in your way as learners of English!
