Greetings,

I know it's been a while since my last update, so here we go! I hope your sitting down, because I have something important to discuss today. Are you sitting down? Comfortable?

Good.

Because here we go. I'm going to show you a few pictures that show you a major problem facing China today. A problem that only you, my loyal English fans can change. I must warn you, the images you are about to see are graphic and might be to much for the young, people with weak heart conditions, and chickens.

Read the sign. Do you see any problems with it? I hope so, because there are two glaring mistakes. Number one, MORDOR is not a real word. In fact, it's a place of great evil from the Lord of the Ring movies. For those who have seen them, it is the place Frodo must venture to destroy the ring of power. Is China in support of the evil lord? Second, there is no period or exclaimation mark at the end of this sentence! Lastly, what exactly are they trying to tell you?

AH! Stop the madness!

Now what excatly does a Car Kiss mean? Does it mean that if you drive in this lane you must kiss before you exit or get in your mode of transportation? Interesting. You know a foreigner sees this sign at an airport/trainstation or some place and they are going to think: "Wow, Chinese are so loving they get their own section for goodbye kisses!"

Now I have no idea what this Chinese sign is trying to say! If you guys can figure it out, that would be really wonderful.

It's up to you guys to stop these bad signs from being placed on display! Today, I went to the supermarket to buy sugar and the company misspelled Hubei! How can a Chinese company misspell a Chinese name? English, I can understand, but Chinese?

Oh well...I will post some more stuff later. In the meantime, take care and stay safe!

Jason

Something to Think About

I have a few questions to ask you:

Have you ever heard someone call your name, but you were alone?

Have you ever felt like someone was watching you when you were alone?

Well I got some news for you…you weren’t alone! Now don’t freak out and start thinking there’s a ghost stalking you, because it’s not. In order to understand this strange phenomenon all you have to do is look at science, Quantum Physics to be more exact.

It is believe that there isn’t one universe, by many. All interconnected, but completely invisible to each other. Right now, for example you’re not reading this message because I never posted it. In another world I never came to China or I’m still single or perhaps I became a famous sports star. The possibility for you and me is limitless.

So going back to the questions above—why is it that sometimes you feel as if someone is watching you. Well, someone is. Perhaps it's you looking in on you from another dimension. Perhaps someone is dreaming or thinking about you. You see, the next time you have this feeling, don’t be nervous or afraid, because you are experiencing something extraordinary.
Same goes if you hear a voice. It’s not some ghost or demonic presence trying to frighten you—it’s just a rift in time and space.

You might think I’m making all this up, but scientist in this field have proven this to be fact. A great way to understand this concept of space time, perception, and the multi-layer of the universe is by watching the Matrix films. Sure, they’re not the best movies and some of the action looks to fake—but the concepts behind the films is quite vast and deep.

These ideas are something I’m greatly interested in and try to study in my spare time. Perhaps in the future I will talk about it again. So the next time your feeling lonely or lost, just remember life is full of beauty, mystery, and endless possibilities! Keep dreaming and reaching for those stars, because someday, you just might reach them!

Jason

Job Hunting: The Search for More Money

Job Interview Success

Part 1: General Tips

Welcome everyone to the first entry on the English Corner in a very long time. Part of the reason, of course, isn't my fault. Not sure what happened in March, but the site was down most of the time and now, in April, the site tends to come and go. I will try to update it as much as I can in the future, so please get ready for that. Tonight, I'm going to share some advice about Job Interviewing. This is the first in a series of articles I plan to write about it this particular subject. I hope it helps you guys!

Tip #1 Ask for directions
On the day of the interview, you arrive 10 minutes early but only to learn that the manager works out of a satellite office located 30 miles away. Always, always, always ask for the location of the interview and then get directions.

Tip #2 Take your resume with you
The employer’s briefcase was left at home, the receptionist is out sick, the personnel department is out to lunch -- all of these reasons and more are why you should always carry your resume with you. Even if the employer doesn’t need an extra copy, it can be helpful for you to have a copy of your resume on hand for reference especially if you’ve created more than one resume when applying for different kinds of jobs.

Tip #3 Bring a portfolio
Having a few reports or copies of project summaries or published articles will help an employer not only to gauge the quality of your work but also shows that you have come to the interview with more than a casual interest in the work to be done.

Tip #4 Greet the receptionist
Your biggest ally is often the person who sits in the front office. The receptionist or administrative assistance is often asked or will volunteer opinions to hiring managers. Follow the advice of Mom and extend simple courtesies to everyone you meet.

Tip #5 Have your reference list handy
Carry a list of your references with you for the interview. Keep this item along with your resume and any other materials in a folder so that all items are clean and unseen.

Tip #6 Dress according to the setting in which you’ll be working
Wild ties with cartoon characters are best left at home. Long sleeve shirts for men with ties and jackets. Dresses or skirts with an accompanying jacket are appropriate for women.

Tip #7 Shut off the cell phone
Take the time to turn your phone off in order to avoid having the best moment of your interview interrupted.

Part 2 will be up soon. Also, if you dear readers have any topic suggestions, please let me know! Until next time, have a great May holiday!

Update

Sorry for the long delay in posting anything, but this site hasn't been very stable recently. I'm not sure why, but some days it works and others it doesn't.

Anyway, I wanted to let you guys now I'm going to write a new article later this week concering everyone's favorite language, English.

I would like to say that my first Dramatic English class is coming to a close. It was a great class and the students had a wonderful time. It's a shame it has to end, but things tend to have a close. I will let the rest of you know when and how you can sign up for future installments of the Dramatic English class.

In the meantime, have a great night and I will post again soon.

Dramatic English Update

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that spots are still avaliable for my upcoming class, Dramatic English. There have been a few changes, so those of you who inquired before may want to check back with me for furthur information concerning days and such.

In the meanwhile, the weekend is coming soon and I for one can't wait. I have no classes, so I'm going to relax at home and do a little writing and a whole lot of sleeping! What about you guys?

I suppose before I go here, I'll leave you guys a bit of advice concerning foreigners currently living in China. Do not, let me repeat that so you can see it more clearly, do not worship the ground they walk on. Some Chinese students think Americans, Canadians, and Englishmen are fantastic, like God's amongst his flock, but let's be honest, a lot of these people are just not worth the praise.

Only respect those who respect you.

Keep in mind, more than anything else, that they are just like you. Treat those who deserve it with respect and admiration, not the whole entire flock. Because let's be honest, some of them are simply not worth it.

And also remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably it is.

Now I'll be posting some more articles soon, so please bare with me as I get the next batch ready. I will also post a few more books in the future so keep an eye out for those. Until next time, take care and I'll be in touch.

PS: For Dramatic English information send an email to: jthmaniac789@hotmail.com

Classes Starting!

DRAMATIC ENGLISH

A new opportunity is being opened exclusively through this website; a new class offered by yours truly called Dramatic English. This is a class I have designed to help students break bad English habits and improve their confidence in a friendly small environment. I’ll explain the details below and if you are interested, please send me an email for additional information at jthmaniac789@hotmail.com.

WHAT IS DRAMATIC ENGLISH?

Dramatic English is designed to break old habits of speaking English by using elements of drama. The class teaches you how to use body language, tone, and your English in a lively and more naturalistic way. It can also help improve intonation, rhythm, fluency, confidence, pronunciation, and accent.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Most English classes you take are often lecture based, which means you just sit there and listen to a teacher give advice about how to improve your English. You probably take notes and if you’re lucky are given a little bit of time to speak yourself.

Dramatic English is all about you. I don’t teach you on how to sound more authentic, I coach you. Using the skills by famous actors, you actually get to use your English and your time improving with me by giving you suggestions, advice, and tips to improve.

Now this class is not designed to make you an actor, but to sound more natural. More importantly, it will give you the confidence and abilities required to be a more outgoing English speaker.

Unlike a lot of English classes, Dramatic English courses will be small, enabling everyone involved to become friends. Each class is limited to only 10 students, so make sure you sign up quick because spots will soon be filled.

*NOTE: Classes will not be starting on March 10th as originally planned. Instead, once students have signed up, we will work together to find days we can all meet based on your and my schedule, since a lot of you guys have classes on Saturday and Sunday. For more details, email me!

ADDITIONAL OPTION:

I am also willing to give one-on-one IELTS Oral English Test Preparation. I have been a mock IELTS tester for nearly 2 years and have achieved some training. If you are interested in this please send me an email so we can arrange time.

IELTS Part 3

IELTS Part 3: (Individual Long Turn Section)

Now this is one of the more difficult sections of the test, where most students tend to crash and burn. Here the tester will ask you to speak for 1-2 minutes on a given topic outlined on a card. You will be given only 1 minute to prepare and make notes (don’t worry, tester will give you a pen and paper so don’t need to bring anything). Once your time is your time is up you must now discuss, in detail, the topic given no more than two minutes. Afterwards he will ask you a series of follow-up questions pertaining to the topic and how that topic is linked to you.

For example: Describe a restaurant you enjoy eating in.
You answer:

--Where it is
--What kind of menu it has
--What other features it offers, and then explains why you like eating there.

This portion of the test is designed to give you the opportunity to show that you can speak at length without hesitation and show if you can organize your ideas coherently. Notice the word, without hesitation! Now let’s look at some ways you can prepare and pass:

How to pass Part 2:

• Read the topic card carefully.

• Use the preparation time wisely. Make sure you have understood what you need to talk about. Jot down a few points to answer the prompts on the topic card. Don’t waste time writing sentences.

• Don’t write on the topic card.

• Make sure you answer both parts of the topic card – description and explanation.

• Organize your talk by following the order on the card.

• Make your talk as interesting and as lively as possible.

• Refer to your notes as you talk, expanding each point you have.

• Make sure you use examples from your own life. It’s much easier to talk more fluently about your own experiences.

• Try to expand your sentences using linking words like ‘however’ and ‘although’. Don’t use words like ‘moreover’ and ‘thus’ which are normally used for writing.

• Don’t hesitate for too long. Talk about anything related to the question rather than nothing at all.

• Try to relax and enjoy talking about yourself!

• Don’t worry about the time. The examiner will stop you when your time is up.

• Also, don’t worry if the examiner stops you before you have finished. You will not be penalized for not concluding your talk.

Next time I will give you some pointers about to prepare for Part 2 of the IELTS exam, seeing as I don’t want this update to get too long!

On a side note there were a few things I wanted to say not about IELTS. I wish all of the readers of the site had a Happy Spring Festival and to my none Chinese readers, I wish you all had a very special…uh…Chinese New Year!!!

I have posted some new books recently and I will explain, in brief, who they are and why you should read them.

Stephen King: American author and probably one of the biggest names in modern fiction writing. He has been writing a long time and has sold more books than J. K. Rowling, famous for the Harry Potter books. King often writes about horror and suspense stories and they are easy to read. Hope you will check him out.

Kurt Vonnegut: He’s from my hometown and is famous for writing Sci-fi! He’s a great read as he mixes strange things with humor, which results in his books being a lot of fun.

I will post some other great novelist in the future!

Until next time, take care and good luck!
Jason