Website update

I've updated my website with links to australian video and sound clips so you can practice your listening and learn about OZ enjoy.
The website is www.icanwrite.piczo.com
The link you want is the last one at the bottom of the links section "Australian English Listening Resources" enjoy!

Your Photos Wanted!

Do you have any interesting photos?

Funny photos - serious photos?

People or places? Animals or oblects?

We want to see them!

How about rehearsals for the Talent Show?
We want to see what you are doing ...

Bring them to Kevin on a usb disk and he will upload them.

La Trobe University

This picture is from the campus of La Trobe university where you'll be studying in the future. Looks nice!

La Trobe's own website is http://www.latrobe.edu.au/
If you have any questions about La Trobe feel free to post below and I'll try to answer them for you!

The following is a description of La Trobe university from an independent site, you might be interested to read about your future place of study. (This review come from
http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=30833)

The main campus of La Trobe University is situated in Melbourne on a 400-hectare parkland site encompassing a wildlife reserve. The University has an extensive research and development park, a comprehensive library, multi-media facilities, a hospital with student medical services, and many recreational facilities. Its regional campuses are located in Albury-Wodonga, Beechworth, Bendigo, Mildura, Mount Buller and Shepparton.

The University prides itself on the excellence of its teaching; and graduates consistently rate the quality of teaching in the University highly in the annual, independent surveys conducted by Graduate Careers Australia. It has some 24,000 students and more than 2,700 staff across five faculties: Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law and Management, Science, Technology and Engineering, and Education.

The University has a strong research profile, enhanced by the presence of the Institute for Advanced Study, a residential centre for distinguished visiting overseas scholars, and a range of nationally and internationally renowned research centres and institutes, including The Research Centre for Linguistic Typology and the La Trobe University-Peking University-Beijing Foreign Studies Joint Centre for China Studies. Faculty-based research centres include the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society; the Centre for the Study of Mothers’ and Children’s Health; the Thesis Eleven Centre for Social Theory; and the African Studies Centre. Major water research centres are located at the Albury-Wodonga and Mildura campuses, and the Bendigo campus is home to the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities and the Bendigo Business Recovery Centre. Enterprises within the R&D Park include a Technology Enterprise Centre; a Bioinformatics Centre of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research; a research arm of Rio Tinto Technology Development Laboratories; the training hotel of a major Chinese enterprise; the University’s Graduate School of Management; The Victorian Agribusiness Centre; the CAVAL Library facility; the National Centre for Hellenic Studies & Research; the Australian-Italian Institute; and the State Environmental Protection Agency.

The University is committed to internationalisation through exchanges of students and staff and its teaching, training and research programs. It has links with some 230 institutions in more than 40 countries. Teaching, training and research programs are available overseas, notably in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Japan and Bhutan. The University has a special link with China where it offers programs (in both Mandarin and English) in public health, business, languages, linguistics, ICT and archaeology in many cities. The University presides on the International Network of Universities, through which students are able to add an international dimension to their degree programs by undertaking one or two semesters of their studies in a partner institution overseas. A scheme of support scholarships is available.

More photos from the Christmas Performance

What a wonderful performance! Here are some more photos to help refresh your memory of the performance. Thanks to Kobe and Proffessor Fu for providing these photos.

The Talent Show - Assistant Comperes wanted!

A Master of Ceremonies or MC, sometimes called a compère or an MJ for "microphone jockey," is the host of a staged event or performance. The MC presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving. An MC may also tell jokes or anecdotes, and otherwise interact with the performance. (adapted from Wikipedia).

It is an important role which helps the different acts to run smoothly throughout the show. Kobe will act as the main MC and will be assisted by two or three students. Kobe did a great job with the Speaking Competition and he is welcomed back to host The Talent Show.

"Are you ready??" It's time to get organised!!

Assessment details update-FYI (for your information)

Want to know what each assessment task is worth as part of your whole grade for the year? The information is all below for you. You can also see the dates for ECNU assessment tasks and when they will be done, if the exact date hasn't been given it is because we haven't decided yet, but we know during what times the assessment task will probably take place. If you have any questions about the assessment task just come and see Kevin.

Assessment Overview for the year

Semester 1

Mid-term examinations 5%
Writing assessment 10%
Oral presentation 10%
Final examinations 10%

Semester 1- 35% Total Year Score

Semester 2

Mid-term examinations(IELTS) 5% April 13 to 24
Report writing 10% Due April 8
Listening & note-taking task 5% June 8
Class Presentation (pair work) 5% May 18 to May 27
Final examinations 40% June 22 to July 3

Semester 2- 65% Total Year Score

The Australian Flag

You probably recognise the Australian flag, but what does it stand for? Well the top left hand corner is the Union Jack, the British flag, and it is a reminder of our history, and how we started out as being founded by the British, and that we are still a member of the Commonwealth today.

Next you have the large star directly below it, this is the Federation Star and represents the states and territories of Australia, it is also a symbol of unity of these states and territories.

Lastly you have the Southern Cross, a constellation of stars that can only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is a reminder of Australia's geographic location in the world.

So now you know, anyone want to tell us what the Chinese flag stands for?