Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day is celebrated this Sunday 3rd September. Click on Father's Day Poems to read and listen to some poems for Fathers Day. Hope all the dad's have a great day....

Riverfire Festival

This Saturday 2nd September, we have the Riverfire Festival . In a spectacular display of choreographed colour and music the bridges, rooftops and skies above Brisbane City will light up the river for Brisbane's most popular annual celebration. And for the Riverfire finale, an RAAF F-111 strike jet will sweep low over the city, reaching speeds of up to 800kph before performing the crowd favourite ‘dump and burn’ display. Have FUN!!!

Queensland Parliament House

We had a fantastic time on our excursion to the Queensland Parliament House last Wednesday. Rona our tour guide was excellent - many thanks Rona. Go to 'Our Students' and check out some of the students own blogs - they have been very busy creating their blog, as well as writing and inserting photos. Next week we will create a Photo Story about our excursion to Parliament House or a 'special place'.

Our ESL Students Podcast

Welcome to all students and I hope you'll have a very successful term.

We'll be creating some podcasts this term - what's that you might say???? The web link to 'Our ESL Students Podcast' is just below 'Our Forum', so stay tuned!!

Look for the listening exercises, click on Play and answer the questions - won't be long...

Safehome

On the 9th June we travelled by bus to 'Safehome' at Petrie, a suburb on the northern side of Brisbane. Safehome is a comprehensive fire and safety education centre.

The fully interactive fire and safety demonstration house provided practical ways to learn what happens during a fire, common causes of fire, and what people can do to protect themselves and their homes.

This is a photo of Massah putting out a gas fire with a fire blanket. Read the newspaper article Helping new Australians learn fire safety in the home from the Logan City Council website for more information and photos. Thanks Lamar for a great day.

FIFA World Cup 2006

Check out the recent world cup coverage; FIFA World Cup - Videos, exclusive video highlights after the game, as well as the Socceroos and FIFA World Cup 2006, behind the scenes news and footage from the Socceroo's camp - News, Teams, Schedule and Results

Coach Guus Hiddink has warned Australia's players to be on their best behaviour in their opening FIFA World Cup™ match against Japan, fearing any ill-discipline could derail their campaign

The Socceroo's first match: 12 June at 11:00 PM AEST Australia vs Japan will be played in Kaiserlautern go to websites for updates of the Socceroo's games, gos' and schedule.

Courtesy of flickr and yahoo.com.au

Multicultural Employment Workshop

Working in Queensland

• What employers want: skills, knowledge and attitudes
• Employees rights and responsibilities
• Finding out where suitable work exists

Getting Ready

• Identifying skills and writing a resume, cover letter, selection critera

Marketing Yourself

• Preparing for an interview
• Presenting youself at interview

The Federal Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) has an excellent website Job Guide 2006 and includes information on:

• learning pathways
• building your career
• looking for work
• extensive list of occupations and skills needed

Other great websites are:

• Career One
• Australian Job Search
• My Future Information This site provides information about work and employment, education and training, financial support, awards and scholarships.
• The Source For young Australians covering careers, lifestyle, money, learing, youth services, news, youth rights.

Write five things that you could do to help yourself get work.

What things have you done before?

What things do you think you could do?

• Resume Writing

Write the answers to the following questions in your blog.

1. What is the TFN Number and who is eligible?
2. What bank details will you need to provide to your employer?
3. Name two internet sites for job seekers?
4. What is networking?
5. Name two contacts for networking?
6. What advice would you give for effective networking?
7. Why is volunteering good?
8. What are the important steps to getting a job?
9. What is the employer looking for?
10. Proper preparation prevents poor performance and getting ready for the interview-give examples.

The workshop was excellent, thank you Geraldine.

Australian Citizenship

What are Australian values? 1. Democracy 2. Freedom 3. Equality of Opportunity

As new Australian Citizens you will have responsibilities. What are they? 1. to obey laws 2. to enroll on the Electoral Roll and vote at Federal and State/territory elections and referenda 3. to serve on a jury if called on 4. to defend Australia, if the need arises (subject to the same rights and exemptions as Australian born Citizens

State additional privileges 5. to vote to help elect Australia’s governments 6. to apply for appointment to public office, or nominate for election to Parliament 7. to apply for an Australian passport and to leave and re-enter Australia without a resident return visa 8. to claim protection from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas 9. to apply to enlist in the defence forces and for government jobs requiring Australian Citizenship 10.to register a child (under 18 years of age if born overseas) as an Australian citizen by descent

You can become an Australian citizen if you: 1. are a permanent resident 2. have lived here for at least two years in the previous five years, including at least 12 months in the last two years 3. intend to reside here or maintain a close association with Australia 4. are over the age of 18 5. are of good character 6. are able to speak and understand basic English, and 7. understand the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship

Look up this website http://www.citizenship.gov.au/ the steps in the application process are. Step 1: Confirm that you are eligible Step 2: Get an application kit Step 3: Fill in and lodge the form and pay the fee Step 4: Attend a short interview Step 5: Find out when your citizenship ceremony will be and invite family and friends Step 6: Go to the ceremony, make the pledge and receive your citizenship certificate

• What do you think it means to be Australian? Write an informal letter to your friend stating why Australian Citizenship is important to you, give reasons.

Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/index.htm

The Courts—In close up

As a citizen, you will have formed a general idea about the part that law courts play in our society. You may be familiar with certain courtroom procedures, and to some extent the principles that lie behind them. The courts are there to settle disputes and deal with people who break the law of the land.

Courts use the ‘adversarial’ system. It means that the two sides (‘adversaries’) present opposing arguments, doing their best to convince the court of their version of the events that led to the trial. This process is usually conducted by lawyers representing the parties. Each side calls witnesses, who give their evidence as answers to questions that are put to them.

In criminal trials, the person accused of the offence is ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and that, in serious cases, whether they are guilty or not is decided by a jury.

Go to the following websites for further information

Court Room Scene: District Court or Supreme Court Court Room Scene: Magistrate Court The Map of Courts in Brisbane City

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the special Mum's in the world!!!

M - O - T - H - E - R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,

"O" means only that she's growing old,

"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,

"H" is for her heart of purest gold;

"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

"R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell

"MOTHER,"

A word that means the world to me.

Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

Photo courtesy of flickr

Building a Healthy, Active Australia

The 'Building a Healthy, Active Australia' initiative recognises that we need a balanced approach towards nutrition and physical activity to promote healthy habits for life. Importantly, the initiative is focussed on children, because healthy and active children live better and learn better, and grow up to be more healthy and active adults.

A healthy diet should include a good variety of nutritious foods. In general, we should all eat: A wide variety of nutritious foods, plenty of breads and cereals (particularly wholegrain), vegetables, legumes (such as chickpeas) and fruit, low salt foods, use salt sparingly, and small amounts of foods which contain added sugars.

A good balance between exercise and food intake is important, as this helps to maintain a healthy body weight A healthy diet can include a moderate amount of alcohol (men should drink less than two standard drinks per day and women less than one standard drink per day). Alcohol should not be given to children.

Test yourself: Healthy Body Quiz Food Quiz Water Quiz Calculate how many kilojoules you need each day Use the Kilojoule Counter to calculate how many kilojoules are in the food you eat… Calculate the calories you burn when exercising in different ways…

Photo courtesy of flickr

Easter

There are many symbols associated with the Easter season. Lambs, chicks, bunnies and other baby animals symbolize the birth of new life. One of the best known symbols of Easter and spring time is the egg, which also represents new life. In modern times, chocolate Easter eggs, painted (see photo 'Kiss Easter eggs') and decorated Easter eggs, and bunnies have become very popular. Another common symbol has been the Easter bonnet, which is a kind of hat. The white lily, also a symbol of rebirth, is the traditional Easter Flower.

In many cultures, sweet breads such as hot cross buns are also an important part of Easter. In many countries, Easter parades are common. Some parades are religious with people carrying heavy crosses long distances. Other Easter parades are just for fun. They celebrate with colorful floats, costumes, Easter bonnets, and of course, the Easter bunny.

Easter is the greatest festival of the Christian church. This religious holiday commemorates the rebirth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. It is celebrated on the first weekend after the first full moon that follows March 21. It can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. Although Easter Sunday is the most important celebration of the Christian church, Good Friday is also a very important day in the holy week of Easter. Good Friday marks the day that Christ was crucified or nailed on a cross until he died. Because Christ was killed on the cross, the cross has become the symbol of Christianity. Easter Sunday commemorates the miracle of Christ’s rebirth or resurrection, three days after his death. Christians all over the world celebrate Easter by attending church services, praying, and spending time with family and close friends. This year, Good Friday falls on April 14th and Easter Sunday on April 16th.

Our Forum

To ‘Post a new message’ on ‘Our Forum’

• Click on the link ‘Our Forum’
• Enter details: Your name *********** Password ***** (ask me for these details)
• Click on ‘Sign in to Quick Topic’
• This will take you to ‘karensforum topics’
• Click on a topic, read the comment/s
• Click on ‘Post a new message’
• What’s your opinion? Use your new 'discussion strategies'
• Type your comments and ‘Submit message’
• Add a comment to another topic
• Click on ‘Sign Out’

Have fun....

Edit Post

To Create and/or Edit a Post

• Go to www.blogger.com
• Enter your username and password
• Click on your blog's name
• Click on Posting and then Create or Edit Post
• Click on the post eg, 'Welcome' and enter information
• You can insert photo's and pictures from your computer or Flickr, or upload video's to Dropshots
• Click on Preview - make changes if necessary
• Click on Publish Post
• View blog in a new window or Refresh blog to see changes.

St Patrick's Day

March 17th is St Patrick’s Day. This is Ireland’s most important national holiday, but it is also a special day for Irish people living throughout the world. On St Patrick’s Day, people of Irish descent wear the color green. This is the national color of Ireland. It is the color of the shamrock, a plant with three leaves on a single stem. The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and St Patrick’s Day. In many cities, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with parades, dances, and festive dinners. People greet each other with good wishes and often send cards to each other. Many stores are filled with green decorations and cakes and candies are often decorated with the color green. Some restaurants and pubs even sell green beer! Visit Dooley's Hotel in Brisbane - Fortitude Valley and Meadowbrook, also read the media release Saint Patrick's Parade Big Hit in Brisbane. Photo courtesy of flickr

Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006

The XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held in Melbourne from 15 to 26 March 2006. The Games will run for 12 days, with 72 countries and 4,500 athletes taking part in 16 sports. Click on the following website Starting Blocks and you'll find information with many graphics, photographs and audio files, also Schedule and Results -great stuff. They say the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne were 'Simply the Best' take a look at the video.

Video Hosting - Photo's courtesy of flickr

Music by Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Scherzo)

The Education System in Australia

The Department of Immigration website has general information about : Education in Australia . It also has links to each : State and Territory's Education Department. The Federal Government also has a comprehensive website: Education Network Australia Online. This has information on all levels of education including Adult & Community Education, Higher and International Education and Vocational Education & Training. Discuss the following topics:

• advantages of private schools
• advantages of public schools

Welcome

Welcome to our 2006 ESL classes and I hope you enjoy learning English while making new friends. There are many events happening this term, Valentines Day, the Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006, St Patrick's Day and Easter....so how do Australians celebrate these worldly events?

Classes for 2006

Classes for 2006 will start 30th January at Logan and 31st January at Browns Plains. I look forward to seeing you again as this year is going to be very exciting with the introduction of blogging and podcasting, see you soon.

Holiday Classes

Welcome to our holiday classes and I'm looking forward to creating this blog with our students. We will be looking at different websites, while learning about What's on in and around Brisbane over the next month. 2006 is the year of the Dog - welcome in the Chinese New Year with lion dances, entertainment and more in Chinatown. Australia Day is your chance to celebrate what’s great about our country and our people - plan your day now!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year hoping you find success and happiness for 2006 and we look forward to lots of blogging with our students here in Australia and around the world.