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Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Short but sweet

Hello everyone. This is going to be a quick blog as I haven’t got much to say today. Thanks for your good wishes regarding my test. I’m not sure I’ve done very well. We’ll see. I have a one-to-one tutorial with my teacher on Friday afternoon – that’s when he’ll go over the test and all the homework with me. We have a short test every Monday morning on whatever we should have learnt in the previous week. It’s probably the best way to keep us learning but it’s also the toughest!

Tomorrow we have some government inspectors visiting us to check up on the teaching standards here. It’s nerve-wracking for our teacher, really, but we will try to be especially nice to him so that he looks good in front of the inspector!

Here are a couple of shots of my ‘cell’: the small room I have in the student halls of residence. So far the kitchen has remained clean and tidy, which is a relief. I hate having to clean before I can cook.



This is my cell...





...from where I write to you all!



The view from my room. The people on the other side of the corridor are luckier: they have a view of the sea!

Lukasz, you asked about what you should be doing in order to sound more natural. Apart from what you listed, which is exactly what I’d recommend (especially reading as it really broadens your vocabulary), I’d say getting a penfriend in an English-speaking country would help, e.g the U.S, the U.K, Australia and so on. Especially if s/he were your age, then you would pick up expressions and vocabulary that you could use. I think there are some new penfriend associations that can be joined via the internet - not the slow and old-fashioned pen-to-paper and stamps way! I will look into it for you and let you know towards the end of the month.

As I said, this is a short blog as I need to get some sleep! I will write more in a couple of days. Happy learning!

Vocabulary:
This time, I've shortened the list as last time there were (too) many new words in order to explain the play.

tutorial A tutorial is a class in which a tutor gives intensive instruction in a subject to an individual student or a small group of students.

to check up on To check up on someone means to investigate or inspect someone.

nerve-wracking Extremely irritating or annoying. You can have a nerve-wracking day or there could be some nerve-wracking noise nearby. Also spelt nerve-racking.

cell A cell is usually associated with prison! It's small and hasn't got much furniture in it.


Comments

Hey Sophie! I like your "cell". It looks very private and cozy and you have all that you need. I especially love the well illuminated it is. Besides, your view is fantastic. All that green might make you feel at peace. Have a nice day. Cris

Hi Sophie! How lovely your little cell is :-). it was really nice to know where you write your blogs. Night, night, Ana Paula.

Hello Sophie, I' Jisun from Korea. I have been always one of readers of this blog, but I summon all my bravery to write something down for the first time.:) It is my great pleasure to join here and see how lots of people out there carry their lives.Promise I will be seeing you often here. Take care~

Hi Sophie, Very nice your « cell » here in Belgium we call that a « kot » a university student room (kind of studio). Concerning the “ epal” I use the following site http://www.sharedtalk.com/ there are probably others but this one is free, and it works nicely. As you have recommended I am corresponding by email with people from the USA and UK and even Aussies. It is very interesting. In exchange I assist them with French. I take the opportunity to thank Anita for the stork nest link.

Hi Sophie! You are staying in realy spartan conditions. I can remember of my stay in so little room that you could not take your breath, and the furniture was very very old during my study at Prague. Hm, I still live in a small flat. Hopefuly, you will earn more money than me after all. Will see your husbend soon? Best wishes,

Hi Sophie: I'm here again. Last days I have had lots of work and no time for writing comments. But I have been reading your entries and I have enjoyed it very very much. You seems to have a quiet and grateful life. Your weekends, plenty of activities, let you to rest of week's routine. On the other hand, your "cell" is very confortable with lots of natural light and a fantastic view. How many hours do you study? Do you study during the day or at night? I would like to know more things about you and your future projects. That's all for now. Have a nice day!!!!! Mercè

Hi Sophie! A little brown bear on the window sill reminds me of Mr Beans's little toy which is always with him. Hope to hear more from you. Naheed

Dear Sophie, Your blog can be a glimpse to Nepalese students who want to study abroad and do not know what the actual situation is and what problems they have to face. As I have already mentioned in my previous blog that Nepal is a poor country and young generations are migrating to overseas in the name of study. Certainly, most of people can’t afford living and studying abroad but most of them hope that they can earn enough and can live cosy life there. Even consultancy firms don’t explain properly the actual situations they have to face there. Most of young generation after completing 12th grade, put their all effort to leave country and dream to be a wealthy people all of sudden magically. It will be kind enough if you explained what conditions a student should face there if they aren’t supported by parents and the chances of getting part time job to complete their studies. I think you will not take otherwise if I ask you the reasons behind learning multi-language. Though your room looks sufficient for a student, we don’t know how much you are suffering to live there as you have defined it as a cell. It looks nice and cosy for a student but it is certainly difficult to live in for a married person, isn’t it?

Hi sophie!!i love your 'cell' do u like exchange our room (just for kidding) i hope have nice and strong study with your cell!

Hi, Sophie How are you? I have been a loyal reader of both the teach's and student's blogs for a long time,in fact, since last year. But, This is the first time I have found that courage,to leave a comment.I have to say, I really appreciate that way that both you and Lukasz express yourself.Speaking of your test, I am sure that you did a very well job,so there is no need to be afraid. I have to go now, I wish you great Thursday,look forward to next blog .See ya!!!

Hi, Sophie How are you? I have been a loyal reader of both the teacher's and student's blogs for a long time, in fact, since last year, but, This is the first time I have found that courage, to leave a comment. I have to say, I really appreciate that way that you and Lukasz express yourself. Speaking of your test, I am sure that you did a very well job,so there is no need to be afraid. I have to go now, I wish you great Thursday ,look forward to next blog. See ya!!!

Your blog about beer gardens in Buckinghamshire set me thinking about how nice it would be to be in temperate, sunny England right now. Here, the heat is sweltering and the humidity makes it almost airless. I've been reading last month's student blogs, too, from Xuan in Vietnam and I think I might be able to use one or two with my young students here. This, then, is just to remind you (not that you'll need reminding, I'm sure) that there are thousands of teachers all over the world who read and use what you produce, and who look forward to a daily dose of the blog (that doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean) to recommend to our students and colleagues. Many thanks and best wishes with the inspection.

great blog Sophie. Thanks alot for sharing with us.

Dear Sophie, I’m a newcomer in this blog. I live in small town called Burdwan(100km from Calcutta). It’s been raining for three days in Burdwan. And the situation is getting worse day by day. Anyway, I’ve read couple of blogs written by you and they all are very nice. Yes, You’ve got a very nice ‘Cell’. I like you small & cute teddy bear! And they are good ‘mate’ when(in fact always)you’re quite upset. Do you like cooking(and what’s you favourite food)? I wonder that how do you able to manage all these works(studying, house work, cooking and oh….. yes writing blog on a regular basis)with ease. Are they all backbreaking tasks? Could you able to impress the Government inspectors? Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.

Hi Sophie, This is the first time I post a comment onto BBC blog. I'm realy fond of your cell. It just occupies a small space but how comfortable and cozy it is. I must learn something from you how you can keep everything so tidy and clean. I'm living alone in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. I share a house rented with my 3 friends, but I live in a separated room. I sometime tidy up my room and put everything in order. I like the room with flowers in it, I also like decorating my room. However, it's too dificult to keep everything in order. For example, I sometimes get up so late that I don't have enough time to fold blanket... Hanoi is a cramped city and there is much space house to house. My window is face the back of my neighbours' houses... It's too boring and stuffi. However, I also love my room and will try my best to make it cleaner and more interesting. Let me give you the best wishes on your life.

Hi Sophie, glad to meet you, every day I'm discovering more helpful sections in BBC webpage, Usually I was visiting on message board but I believe each section is as better as interesting than others to develop our english skills, thanks a lot for your charming blog. bye

Hello Sophie :) Maybe the people on the other side of the corridor are luckier but the view from your room is really nice, considering. You said that you hate having to clean before you can cook. I must admit that I hate having to clean not only before but also after I can cook; and the worst thing is that I hate having to cook. See you later, teacher-student alligator.

Hi dear Sophie , It 's again weekend and I 'm sure you have a good plan for it so enjoy your free time . And I was really thrilled with seeing a comment from Stephen keeler . So as he said before now he is teaching in Vietnam . I really miss you and please give your news time to time to us . wishes

Dear Sophia, Thanks from your intersting and sweet blog, I like it, I am sure you look good for goverment inspector, good luck Rahyab

Hi Sophie, I miss new posts. I suppose that you are very busy with your studies. Perhaps in the weekend you can send something else or on Monday you will tell us how you spend the weekend. Your room seems nice and I think that it is not a problem the size because you must be few hours a day in it apart from the hours you are sleeping!

hi sophie,how are you ,i hope that you injoy your studeing ,you gets your bright feuture.bauy.

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