Thanks, Hala

This week, we will be talking about the writing mechanics. Let’s start by a short writing assignment to reflect your learning experience in this classroom.

Write one to two paragraphs on your experience in Workplace English class. Use the following questions as guidance to narrow down your scope in your writing.

• Why did I join this classroom?
• What is/are the skills/knowledge I wanted to improve?
• How much improvement have I accomplished? How long did it take me to improve them?
• What special segments/parts/activities/assignments in the classroom that have helped me to develop my language?
• What are the things that you still want to work on? 
• Add any ideas or suggestion that you have to  improve your learning experience.

I've come to Canada more than 4 years. I have went to 3 Linc schools to learn English.  I was just a level 2 student at the first one. At that time , I felt a lot of worries for my new life in Canada. I felt the learning schedule and progress were so slowly , it had been insufficient to satisfy my desire on English learning. so I was seeking somewhere could help me to improve quickly.  During that period, I changed to another school. I couldn't believe that a teacher who didn't put her mind  into the teaching, she always liked loosing her temper and picking on the students, I felt she waste a lot our learning time. So, I left after the students complaint investigation. I inquired that there is a workplace English class in Microskills. I was very excited and came to here. I joined this classroom with happy.

I have learned a lot of systematic knowledge about workplace culture from Hala who is very professional and dedicated teacher. I have known some writing skills about different kinds of patterns, such as resume and cover letter; and I have learned about workplace proper etiquette, for instance, appropriate interview. I think I just spent short time almost 8 months to approach it from level 3 to level 6.

I like all teaching process and plans which my lovely teacher Hala has beening devoting. They are all my needs. I really like to participate Conversation program that our school offered . It helped me to practice my speaking. let me overcome the shy to speak out with somebody bravely.

I think I still need more chances and time to learn how to improve my listening and further progress on writing with more and more vocabularies.

I hope Hala may provide more and more attractive teaching methods in the future. We are enjoying our lovely class. Thanks, Hala.

 

Match the words with their definitions.

1.	legislative  E	A.	distribute
2.	bill  D	B.	present
3.	circulate  A	C.	official consent or approval
4.	policy  G	D.	a draft of a proposed law
5.	put forward B	E.	of legislation (the process of making laws) or legislature
6.	debate  H	F.	a revision or improvement in a legal document
7.	amendment  F	G.	a course of action adopted by a government or party
8.	assent  C	H.	discuss formally in a legislative assembly

Task 2:

For each verb, write the corresponding noun. Use a dictionary to check your answers. Then, complete the sentences using the correct forms of words from the list.

VERB		NOUN	VERB	NOUN
legislate		legislation /legislature	approve	approval
circulate		circulation	draft	draft
amend		amendment	recommend	recommendation
debate		debate	proclaimproclamation
1.	A local government has the power to legislate matters related to public spaces and parking in a town or city.
2.	The Canadian Constitution has many constitutional acts and amendment.
3.	The first draft of a bill is prepared by the appropriate cabinet committee.
4.	A bill needs the approval of the House of Commons to be sent to the Senate.
5.	Parliamentary debate is an important part of the legislative process.
6.	Sometimes, a new law comes into force when it is proclaimed by the governor general.

This week’s theme is about the Canadian history.
The first link is an introduction to Canada. Play this link, and then answer the following questions:

1. How many provinces are there in Canada?

10 provinces and 3 terriroies

1. Which cities are the capitals of China, United States, and Canada?

Beijing;Ottawa;Washington

1. Which is the largest city in Canada?

Toronto

1. What does "CN" in CN Tower stand for?

CN was stand for Canadian National

CN Tower is landmark of Canada.

1. Write the meaning of the following words and then place each one in a sentence of your own:

• Landmark:a building or featurre

• adjoins
• coastal
• peninsula

You will hear the words below in a talk here about financing post-secondary education. Match the words with their meanings; write down the letter next to the word.

1. _d__ rely on                                                    a. given

2. __e_ eligible                                                    b. not enough

3. _a_ granted                                                  c. accumulated

4. __b_ insufficient                                            d. depend on

5. __f_ contribution                                         e. qualifying

6. _c__ accrued                                                  f. gift

Task 2:

Listen to the talk and answer the questions below.

1. What expenses can the cost of post-secondary education in Canada include?

tuition ; accommodation,such as residence fee

books and materials; transportation; food; and various necessities.

2. How are government loans administered?

 Funds are paid out through a combination of the CSL (Canada Student Loan) program and the provincial student loan program (e.g., OSAP—Ontario Student Assistance Program). Students supply in their province of residence.

3. Who can receive government student loans?

the eligible students based on demonstrated financial need.

4. Why are government student loans better than personal bank loans?
Government student loans offer a great advantage over personal bank loans as full-time students can qualify to have their accrued interest paid for by the federal and/or provincial government while they are still studying.

5. What other forms of financial assistance are available to students?

CSL (Canada Student Loan) program and the provincial student loan program (e.g., OSAP—Ontario Student Assistance Program)

Private student loans or lines of credit are offered by many banks and credit unions.In addition, many medium to large corporations and private organizations also offer scholarships, bursaries and awards for students.

6. What is an appropriate title for this talk?

Canada  loans for post-secondary students

Task 3:

Listen again and complete the text with the missing words.

Par. 1 Studying at a university or college can 1._involve______________ various costs. Depending on the program or school, 2. __Tuition_____________ can vary from $2,500 to $8,000 or more per year. !a cost of post-secondary education can also include the cost of 3. ___accommodation____________, such as residence fees, as well as the cost of books and other materials, transportation, food and various necessities. Many students in Canada rely on help from the government and financial institutions to finance their education.

Par. 2 Government programs are the form of financial assistance most often 4. __utilized____to pay for_____(to finance) university education. Government student loans provide money to 5.___eligible__________ students based on demonstrated financial need. Funds are paid out through a combination of the CSL (Canada Student Loan) program and the provincial student loan program (e.g., OSAP—Ontario Student Assistance Program). Students  6.___apply____________ in their province of residence.

Par. 3 Government student loans and other funds are granted only when other financial 7. ___resource_____________ available to students are deemed insufficient to meet a student’s education expenses. These resources include family contributions, part-time work, 8. ________scholarships________, bursaries, etc. If a student is under 19, a parent or a legal guardian or sponsor needs to 9. _____co-sign__________ the loan document.

Par. 4 Government student loans offer a great advantage over personal bank loans as full-time students can qualify to have their 10. ___accrued____________ interest paid for by the federal and/or provincial government while they are still studying.

Par.5 Private student loans or lines of credit are offered by many banks and credit unions. The main difference between them and the government programs lies in how the interest 11. _is_repaid_____________. In private loans or lines of credit, the student is responsible for all the accrued interest as soon as the loan has been 12. ___signed____________. In addition, many medium to large corporations and private organizations also offer scholarships, bursaries and awards for students.

Apply for Canada Student Loans - Eligibility

• 1. Overview
• 2. Eligibility
• 3. Apply
• 4. After you've applied

2. Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or designated as a protected person;
• be a permanent resident of a province or territory that issues Canada Student Loans (Note: The Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec operate their own student loan programs. Contact your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office for more information);
• demonstrate financial need;
• be enrolled in at least 60 percent of a full course load (40 percent for students with permanent disabilities) if you are a full-time student;
• be enrolled in 20-59 percent of a full course load if you are a part-time student (if you are a student with permanent disabilities and you are studying between 40-59 percent of a full course load, you can choose to be considered a student in full or part-time studies);
• be enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program offered by a designated post-secondary school that runs for at least 12 weeks within a 15-week period;
• pass a credit check if you are 22 or older and are applying for your first Canada Student Loan; and
• not have exhausted your maximum lifetime limit for financial assistance (including interest-free status).

Need assessment tables can help you figure out whether or not you might be eligible for financial assistance.

Note: To continue receiving student loans and grants each year you are in school, you must maintain satisfactory grades.

Maximum lifetime limit for student financial assistance

There are lifetime limits on the amount of student financial assistance you can receive. This includes both loans and interest-free periods for each loan. Once a lifetime limit has been reached, interest starts to accumulate. You will also have to start paying back the loan six months after you graduate or leave your studies.

Lifetime limits for Canada Student Loans vary:

• Full-time students who received loans on or after August 1, 1995, are eligible to receive student financial assistance for no more than 340 weeks.
• Full-time students enrolled in doctoral studies are eligible to receive student financial assistance for no more than 400 weeks.
• Students with either a permanent disability or who received Canada Student Loans before August 1, 1995, are eligible to receive student financial assistance for no more than 520 weeks.

3. Apply

Once you have verified you are eligible for a Canada Student Loan and that you have not exceeded your lifetime limit for student financial assistance, you are ready to apply for your student loan.

Step 1: Get a Canada Student Loan and Grant application form

Only one form is needed to be assessed for loans and grants.

Application forms are available:

• online through the student financial assistance Web site of your province or territory; and
• by contacting your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office.

Step 2: Complete the application form

Complete and send your application form for federal and provincial student assistance to your province or territory of permanent residence. You can speed up the process by submitting it online.

Application procedures by province/territory

Application procedures are based on your province of residence, not the province or territory where you plan to go to school.

Step 3: Check your mail or email for your Notice of Assessment

Your Notice of Assessment will tell you if you qualified for a loan and grant. You may receive it through the mail, online or by email.

If you qualified:

• You may receive a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) if you have not previously completed one. You must read, sign and return it to the NSLSC along with your banking information.
• Part-time students will receive 2 separate documents:
  • Certificate of Eligibility Part-Time Student Loans and Grants; and
  • Canada Student Financial Assistance Agreement for Part-Time Students.

If you are not approved for funding or you are not satisfied with the approved amount:

• Contact the student financial assistance office in your province or territory. There is a formal reassessment process for students who disagree with the financial assistance they have been awarded. Amounts can be reassessed according to your province or territory's own criteria, and those of the federal government.

Step 4: Review your loan documents and confirm enrolment with your school

If you are approved for full-time funding, you must review your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA):

• Your MSFAA is a legally binding contract, it is important that you review it carefully and read the terms and conditions.
• Check your personal information to make sure it is correct. If not, contact your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office.
• Include your banking information and a void cheque if you want your money to be deposited directly into your bank account.
• The MSFAA is a multi-year agreement. This means the next time you apply for student financial assistance, you won't have to sign and submit a new MSFAA. Just complete and submit an application through your province of residence and wait for your Notice of Assessment to come in the mail or online.

Step 5: Sign your student loan documents

Make sure you fully understand your responsibilities and commitments before signing. Your loan agreement is a legal document and your signature means you agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.

Once you are sure that all the information is correct and you have read and accepted the terms and conditions, sign your agreement.

Step 6: Submit your loan documents

Submit your completed and signed MSFAA.

Bring the following identification to a Canada Post outlet:

1. A valid photo identification issued in Canada by the federal, or a provincial or territorial government, such as:
   • a valid driver's license;
   • a passport;
   • a provincial health card with a photo;
   • a permanent residency or citizenship card;
   • a certificate of Indian status;
   • a federal or provincial employee identification card; or
   • a Record of Landing accompanied by an expired Permanent Residence Card.
2. A document proving that the Social Insurance Number (SIN) on your loan or grant documents is yours. For example, you can show your SIN card or present an official Government of Canada document that has your SIN on it, such as:
   • a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment;
   • a Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions;
   • a Confirmation of Social Insurance Number from Service Canada; or
   • a temporary SIN card.
3. Your signed MSFAA. Do not forget to attach a void cheque or fill out your banking information.

Step 7: Confirm your enrolment

Before you can receive your student loan and/or grant money, your school must confirm you are enrolled at a designated post-secondary institution. Upon receipt of your signed MSFAA, a Confirmation of Enrolment should then be completed electronically on your behalf, otherwise you will be contacted to have one completed.

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HOCKEY’S $124 MILLION MAN

 When Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin became the National Hockey League’s first $100-million man early in 2008, it was hard to find anyone in the hockey world who didn’t believe he was worth every penny. But how can this be possible? Is any hockey player truly worth that much money? It doesn’t take a Wall Street accountant to figure out what was in it for the player known as ‘Alexander the Great.’ Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124-million contract averages out to just over $9.5 million a season, giving him financial security for life. Even so, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis believes the deal is also good for his hockey team. At the time, Leonsis admitted that making a decade-long commitment to a 22-year-old in just his third NHL season wasn’t an ordinary thing. But if Ovechkin has proven anything by his goal-scoring rampage since his rookie season in 2005–06, it’s that he’s no ordinary player. All the awards and accolades – Calder Trophy as top rookie in 2006, Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal-scorer and Hart Trophy as NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and 2009, plus four straight first-team all-star selections – only begin to tell the story. It’s Ovechkin’s once-in-a-generation combination of skill, size, brute physical strength and relentless passion that sets him apart and draws fans to the arena. That’s the package that Leonsis is paying for. “I’m a risk-taker,” Leonsis said at the time. “And if you’re going to make a long-term investment, who else would you do it with?” Ovechkin said the contract wouldn’t change the way he approaches the game. “I know it’s extra pressure, but I have to play the same,” he said. “If you think of the pressure, it’s hard for you. I have to play the same way – play more, play better.”

Questions:

A- For each of the following underlined words from the article, choose the right meaning. Try to guess the meaning of the words without using a dictionary.

1. A rookie is someone who

a. is just starting his career

b. is controversial

c. generates a lot of profit for a company or organization

2. When someone receives accolades, they get

a. bad reviews in the press

b. praise and recognition

c. big sums of money

3. “Goal-scoring rampage” refers to

a. going after other players to try to score goals

b. scoring goals from a ramp

c. scoring lots of goals

4. When we say Ovechkin’s passion is relentless, we mean that

a. it pays off

b. it never stops

c. it can hurt others

5. A long-term investment is

a. something you will be paying for in the next few years

b. something you will pay for a long time

c. something that will pay off (or bring you profit) after many years of investment

6. Ovechkin’s combination of skill and passion sets him apart means

a. it distinguishes him from others

b. it makes him feel distant

c. it makes him independent

B- Read the article and choose true or false. Find the fragments of the text that confirm your answer.

1. Most people associated with hockey agree that Ovechkin is worth such a large amount of money. T 

F

It was hard to find anyone in the hockey world who didn’t believe he was worth every penny.

2. Ovechkin is famous for his fair play. That’s why he attracts so many fans. T

F

He has proven anything by his goal-scoring rampage since his rookie season in 2005–06, it’s that he’s no ordinary player.

3. Leonsis feels paying Ovechkin so much money is a risk he is willing to take. 

T 

4. Ovechkin started his career in NHL hockey in 2008. T

F

his rookie season in 2005–06

5. Signing the biggest contract in NHL history will make Ovechkin change his style of playing hockey. T

F

He said,"I have to play the same,” he said. “If you think of the pressure, it’s hard for you. I have to play the same way – play more, play better.”

6. It was obvious only to Wall Street accountants how much financial security Ovechkin has with this contract. T 

F