Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Ten-Year Decision (text below, MP3 at www.teacherbill.com)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

My dear Bill:
It seems that you cannot pronounce between "sh" and "x" in Chinese.
making a joke--"kai wan xiao" is not "kai wan shao", hehe.

Melissa

Teacher Bill said...

Melissa,
My Chinese is sooooooooo bad! Thanks for pointing the pronounciation mistake--really. I need to practice more. Take care,
Bill

Anonymous said...

Your Chinese is ok--just think that even native Chinese, outside Beijing, can not pronounce eveything correctly. They have strong accent also. It is not a big deal, I suppose. And I must tell you how bad my English spelling is. Melissa

P.S.
Others also think that Tommy is like a doll. Yes, maybe I should keep him, even it has nothing in commo with God's economy.

Anonymous said...

HI, there. I love your idea of "bilingual dogs" in your Feb 12 program (Birds singing with regional accents). When I do a lot of listening excersice as a professional interpreter, Tommy, my dog, listens quietly all the time. And now I can find that he is making humanlike voice. Is that interesting?
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Dear Teacher Bill,

I've been following Studio Classroon program for over 5 years, from LT through SC, now I'm trying my best to keep up with Advanced.

I love your teaching style--humorous and positive. I've learned a lot, not only English, but some great ideas as well.

To practice my listening ability, I usually choose a part of the program and write down what I've heard. I enjoy AD's feature the best,it helps me memorize all the new vocabulary in a fun way.

This is today's feature of an amusing conversation between Mr Schmidtely and Johnson.

Mr. Schmidtely: Johnson! Johnson! Come in here! I want to touch base with you.
Johnson: Yes, Sir, Mr. Schmidtely. How can I help you?
Mr. Schmidtely: Johnson, Mega Computers is growing so fast, we can’t hire enough good people like you.
Johnson: Why don’t we just put an ad in a newspaper, Sir? That will generate some applicants.
Mr. Schmidtely: No, no, Johnson, that’s the old-fashioned way. Networking is the way to find good people today. That’s why you’re coming with me tonight to the computer association meeting.
Johnson: Me, Sir? You want me to go and mingle with all these important people?
Mr. Schmidtely: Absolutely, Johnson. You’re important, too. With your charm and intelligence, you’ll be an expert at schmoozing. I want you to cultivate some relationships with these people, maybe get some referrals.
Johnson: But, Sir, I haven’t been out of the office in three years. I don’t know how to initiate contact with these professionals. All I do is write computer programs, buy doughnuts, get coffee.
Mr. Schmidtely: No, don’t you worry, Johnson, you’ll wrap up your people skills in no time. I have an idea that will help you build some camaraderie with the folks there tonight.
Johnson: An idea?
Mr. Schmidtely: Johnson, I want you to go buy 10 boxes of doughnuts and then we’ll take them to the meeting tonight. People love doughnuts, so they’re apt to grab a couple of as you walk around.
Johnson: And that will culminate in them having exciting conversations with me. You’re a genius, Mr. Schmidtely.
Mr. Schmidtely: I know, Johnson. I know. That’s why I’m the boss around here. Now, make sure you wear your best suit tonight. I want you looking sharp, Johnson. You’re a professional. Remember that, the future of Mega Computers is on your shoulders.
Johnson: Yes, Sir, Mr. Schmidtely! I’ll do my best. You can count on me.
Mr. Schmidtely: That’s why I pay you the big money, Johnson.

Have a great day!
Sophie

Unknown said...

I also love the "Boss and Johnson" story. It's funny. Bill, I really need to count on my blessings and try to survive even I am surrounded with problems. My step father, the kind of guy merely having his heart in the right place, is really a great affliction of mine.

Teacher Bill said...

Wow! Thank you Melissa and Sophie for your comments.
Sophie, you did a great job with the conversation between Mr. Schmedley and Johnson. I have a lot of fun with that character--and I write those features too. He reminds me of some previous bosses I had. Keep up the good work on your English, and I'm happy that you enjoy the program.
And thank you Melissa for your input. Sometimes the dogs around here don't understand me when I speak English--kind of funny. Sorry that your stepdad is an affliction. Oh well, enjoy Tommy.
Take care, both of you!
Bill

Unknown said...

Hi, Tommy, my recently adopted dog is really sneaky. He collects and hides bones and other favorite foods under the earth in our garden. He is smart but always makes my angry.

Hope that he can behave better in future.

Melissa

Teacher Bill said...

That's funny about Tommy! Dogs are tricky like that--but always lovable!
Bill