互動英語教室 - New Hairstyle (2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UL&feature=mfu_in_order&v=nyuGJEz4gLM&gl=HK

Matthew had the same haircut for the past three years and wanted to have a change. He liked the haircut of his colleague and asked Nelson to give him the same hairstyle. Nelson explained to him that everyone had his or her own hair texture (質地). Thus, he considered each client as an individual with his or her own needs and desires. For example, the looser (鬆散的) texture of Louise’s curls (捲曲) looked nice on her but might look horrible on Lily. Nelson found a straight (直)haircut being the most suitable for Matthew.

Louise had a party to go in the evening and asked Nelson for advice.

Louise: Hello! I am going to a party tonight. I want to perm my hair (電髮).

Nelson: You don’t have to perm your hair at this moment. But you need a hair treatment (頭髮護理).

Lily helped Nelson get all the equipment (儀器).

Nelson: It takes around 20 minutes for the hair treatment.

Nelson advised Louise to do proper conditioning at home and hot oil treatments at hair salons. She should not put tension (拉緊) on her hair daily with pony tails (馬尾).

Lily always finds that curly hairstyle (曲髮) being one of the most interesting hairstyles as it prefers certain cuts and facial shapes (面形). Curly hair is also very diverse (不同) as compared to straight hair because the hair can appear in so many different ways. However, Lily likes swimming. She personally prefers shoulder length (及肩) hair styles as it can be dried in a short period of time. Lily’s straight hair is very shiny (有光澤). Nelson has told Lily that hairs can be classified (分類) according to their texture. There are three basic types: fine (幼細), medium (中等) and coarse(粗糙). Fine hair is generally weightless (輕飄飄的) and flyaway, just like Matthew’s hair. Louise’s hair is of medium texture and is generally the most manageable. The thicker and stronger hair is classified as coarse. It can be extremely difficult to color, perm or straighten.

Matthew and Louise were very happy about their new hairstyle and they learned how to keep hair in a good condition.

Questions:
1) What hairstyle do you like the most? Why?
2) How are different kinds of hair classified?
3) Which type of hair do you have?

Script by Lily
Video by CP and crew
Actress: Louise
Actor: Matthew
Special thanks to Nelson

互動英語教室 - New Hairstyle (1)

My new hairstyle (1)

Do you know how important hair is? The main function (作用) of hair is to protect the head against the radiation (輻射) of the sun. It also prevents germs (病菌) and insects (昆蟲) from directly invading the scalp (頭皮). You should try to pick a hairstyle that makes you feel good about yourself. A good hair stylist can help you choose the best hairstyle for your face shape.

Matthew and Louise both believe that a new hairstyle can make them look different. They decided to go to a hair salon (髮型屋) together to get their hair cut and styled. However, they didn’t make an appointment.

Lily: Assistant to hair stylist (髮型師)
Nelson: hair stylist

Lily: Welcome. Do you have an appointment?

Matthew: No.

Lily : How can I help you?

Louise: I want to perm my hair and my friend wants to have a haircut.

Lily: No problem. This way please.

Lily has been working in this salon for one year. She wants to pursue her dream as a hair stylist. Being a hair stylist is not an easy job. It’s not just about cutting people’s hair but making your customers feel good. She also has to keep the working place clean and tidy so as to give a good impression to the customers. Lily introduced Nelson, the hair stylist, to Matthew and Louise.

Nelson: Do you have a style you like?

Matthew: I want the ends trimmed (修剪).

Nelson: Would you like to colour your hair?

Nelson showed Matthew the colour chart (顏色板) and explained to him which colours suit him. However, Matthew was not interested at all. Although he knew that changing his hair color could be a dramatic change to his appearance, he didn’t want to spend too much money on his hair.

Nelson: OK. Lily will wash your hair first.

Lily: What kind of shampoo (洗髮水) do you use?

Matthew: Just a very cheap one.

Lily: Oh! You need high quality (高品質) shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair healthy and in good condition.

Lily washed Matthew’s hair with expensive shampoo and massaged onto the scalp area of his head. Same as many other men, Matthew is scared to become bald (禿髮). Hair loss is a major problem for both women and men nowadays. Lily told him not to believe that combing his hair many times could stimulate (刺激) hair growth or to use unnecessary products which calmed that they could solve the problem. Nelson chose a new hair style for Matthew and he was very happy about it.

Questions:
1) What are the functions of hair?
2) Why Matthew doesn’t want to colour his hair?
3) What advice did Lily give Matthew about hair loss problem?

互動英語教室 - I want to be an English teacher (2)

Lily, graduated from the University of Hong Kong majoring in English literature (英國文學), wants to become an English teacher. She found a job in an English learning centre for children last month. She believes that creativity (創意) can be developed at an early age. Creativity helps one solve problems in real life. Her friend Louise was wondering how playgroups can benefit children.

Louise: I heard that playgroups can benefit children on different aspects (方面) like cognitive (認知), language, social skills (社交技巧) and self-help, is it true?

Lily: You are right! The process of learning for the children is basically by learning through trial (試驗) and error (錯誤). A good playgroup programme offers a balanced (平衡) variety (種類)of learning engagements that facilitates curiosity (好奇心), problem solving and creativity.

Louise: I read that children at 12 months begin to speak by imitating (模仿) their parents.

Lily: Yes. They will be exposed to a wider range of vocabulary (詞彙) by repeating rhymes (押韻) , sing songs and stories. Since they interact (互相交流) with peers (同輩) in the playgroup, they can improve their communication skills.

Louise: By attending play groups, children can interact with other children and parents. The longer they follow the daily schedule, play and interact in a group situation, they would become more aware of self-regulation and sharing.

Lily: oh! You know a lot!

Louise: Haha! Just because I’ve read books about education!

Lily showed Louise around the centre. Children can learn how to help themselves in their classes. The classrooms are built to accommodate young children with low table, chairs and shelves.

Louise: Like the ones we are sitting on right now?

Louise found it fun to sit on a small stool (凳子) and was impressed by the colourful furniture.

Lily: Yes! They are specifically designed to give easy access to toys and materials and to encourage active exploration (勘探). Children are trained to be independent and can complete tasks by themselves.

Louise: Lily, thank you for giving me so much information today!

Lily: It’s my pleasure!

Louise: Thank you! Have a great day!

By Lily Poon

Questions:

1) Do you think playgroups can benefit children? Why? Or Why not?
2) If you were a teacher, how would you encourage children to think creatively?

They are open ended questions. No answers will be provided.

Special thanks to Tadpoles Early Learning
Article by Lily POON
Script by Louise Chow
Video by CP Chan

互動英語教室 - I want to be an English teacher! (1)

Hong Kong has one of the lowest birth rates (出生率) in the world. On average (平均) Hong Kong parents spend a large amount of money on tutors (補習老師) and extracurricular activities (課外活動) although primary education is basically free. There are many English learning centres in Hong Kong offering courses that develop children's critical thinking (批判思想) and language skills through different topics. Lily, graduated from the University of Hong Kong majoring in English literature (英國文學), wants to become an English teacher. She found a job in an English learning centre for children last month. She observes (觀察) how the native English speakers teach local kids English and is taking a certificate course on education after work.

One day, a lady walked into the learning centre and made some requests.

Lily: Hello Madam. My name is Lily. How can I help you?

Louise: Hello. May I know what kind of courses do you offer?

Lily: sure. Here is the leaflet (傳單) introducing our courses.

Louise: Oh! Lily! It sounds familiar. You must be the girl in the next class in secondary school!

Lily: oh! You must be Louise! Let me show you around.

Lily didn’t expect to see her secondary school friend again at work. This learning centre is conveniently (方便) located in a popular shopping mall. She immediately showed Louise around.

Lily: Here is the classroom.

Louise: It’s nice and colourful.

Lily: We put a lot of thought into the colour of the centre. We believe positive visual (視覺) stimulation (刺激) and a tidy (整潔) room can keep us focused on learning. Images of nature make us feel so peaceful.

Louise: That’s very thoughtful of you. How about the teaching tool (教學用具)?

Lily: There are a lot of different tools.

Louise was very impressed by their colourful toys, games and books more for kids. Quality teaching resources can definitely help teachers in class.

Louise: I like the pattern of the mat!

Lily: We sterilise (消毒) all the tools and the mat before and after class, It’s a safe and hygienic (衛生) environment for children.

Louise: That sounds great!

Lily explained to Louise that the youngest student here was two years old. They offer a large variety of English courses tailor-made (度身訂造) for children. Lily believes that punishment (懲罰) is not effect to encourage (鼓勵) learning while a good reward system will help children learn what is expected of them. For instance, rewarding (獎勵) kids for good behavior and appropriate (適當) for the situation is an important motivation (動機). However, material (物質) and monetary (金錢) rewards are not at all appropriate. Going to the park or playground, allowing them to play with friends are examples of appropriate rewards. One has to learn being a good parent too!

Special thanks to Tadpoles Early Learning
Article by Lily POON
Script by Louise Chow
Video by CP Chan

互動英語教室 - We love music (2)

After reaching home from work, Lily relaxes herself by playing some light music (輕音樂). Her friends cannot understand why she spends so much time and energy in pursuing (追求) music. She believes that hobbies (興趣) help the person to develop self-esteem (自信心). Before learning the piano, she never had the courage (信心) to perform (表演) or speak in front of the others. Now, she feels comfortable in playing music with a group of amateur (業餘) musicians. She thinks that keeping some time aside for leisure activities can help her to curb (制止) stress (壓力) after a bad day at work and keep a fresh mind. .

Lily’s cousin Thomas is also a music lover. He is learning to be a good rapper. However, Lily prefers classical music. Geoff, who works for the music centre where Lily takes her piano class, can play a few musical instruments (樂器), such as the violin (小提琴), drum (鼓) and guitar. Lily suggests that three of them can play some chamber music (室樂) together.

Geoff: I play guitar and violin. The instrument families are made up of four main families: woodwinds (木管樂器), brass (銅管樂器), strings (弦樂器), and percussion (敲擊樂器).

Thomas: They are classified (分類) by the way they make sounds. Guitar and violin belong to the string family.

Geoff: You are a smart boy!

Lily: Let’s play some music now.

Geoff: Sure! Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments.

Lily and Geoff play a Bach’s minuet (小步舞曲). This kind of light music can lead us to a relaxed state of mind.

Geoff: Same as drums, the piano is a percussion instrument.

Thomas: Oh! It’s fun! Lily, do you know human beatbox (表演口技)?

Lily: No. What is it?

Thomas: Let me show you.

Thomas: Music is all about sharing and creativity!

If you feel completely drained out after school or work, it’s time to do things you love!

Families of musical instruments
In the video, Geoff and Thomas mentioned that musical instruments are grouped into families based on how they make sounds.

Percussion
Percussion instruments make sounds when they are hit, such as drums. Anthropologists often think that percussion instruments were the first musical devices ever created by mankind.

Strings
Sounds of string instruments come from their strings, such as violin, cello, harp and guitar.

Brass
Brass instruments are made of brass or other metal and make sound when air is blown inside. Tuba, French horn and trombone are brass instruments.

Woodwinds
Woodwind instruments produce sound when air (wind) is blown inside. Flute (長笛), piccolo(短笛), clarinet (單簧管) and oboe (雙簧管) are woodwind instruments.

Questions:
1) Which are the four families of musical instruments?
2) How are instruments being classified?
3) Can you name some woodwind instruments?
4) What are the benefits of having a hobby?

Answers:
1) Woodwinds, percussions, brass and strings.
2) They are classified by the way they make sounds.
3) Flute, piccolo, clarinet and oboe are woodwind instruments.
4) Leisure activities can help her to curb stress after a bad day at work and keep a fresh mind.

Article: Lily Poon
Director: C.P Chan
Actor: Thomas Alan Ng, Geoff Lam
Special thanks to Great Music Centre and Chrissy Gordon

互動英語教室 - We love music (1)

Lily works in a bank and has to answer to complaints (投訴) everyday. She cannot get ample (足夠) sleep because of hectic (忙亂) work schedules and feels very tired all the time. She realized that stress (壓力) symptoms (症狀) can affect her health. A friend advised her to learn a musical instrument (樂器) as a method to relax after a hard day and soothe (緩和) her mind. After learning how to play the piano for two year’s time, she can play some simple pop and classical pieces (樂曲). She also likes to put on some quiet music and lean (傾斜) back or lie down (躺) at home to relax.

Lily’s cousin (表弟) Thomas, who lives in the U.K., has come back to Hong Kong for holidays. He was astounded (驚奇) when she told him that she can play the piano. Today, they are going to play some music together in a music centre where Lily takes her piano lessons.

Thomas: Hey Lily! How are you?

Lily: Hey Thomas! Are you ready for some music?

Thomas: Yes!

Thomas asks Lily why they can’t practise (練習) at home. Lily explains to him that since her apartment (公寓) is very small, she will be disliked by her neighbour if they play loud music. They asked Geoff, a staff of the music centre about their booking.

Geoff: Welcome. I am Geoff. How can I help you?

Lily: I’ve booked a room from 2 to 4 today.

Geoff: You must be Lily. This way please.

Geoff walks Lily and Thomas to the basement (地下室). There is a room with a drum set (鼓). The room is soundproofed (隔音) which means it can insulate (絕緣) against noise.

Lily: Oh! It such a spacious (寬敞) room! Thomas, let’s play some music together.

Thomas: Lily. I’ve learned something new.

Lily: What’s that?

Thomas: I can rap (說唱) !

Geoff: Cool! I am from North America (北美洲) . Rap is so popular there.

Lily: What is rap?

Geoff: Rap music or hip-hop (嘻哈) is a genre (類型) of African – American (在美國的非洲人) music of the 80s and 90s. The rappers have to talk rapidly (快速), rhythmically (有節奏地) and vividly (生動地).

Rapping began as a variation in reggae (西印度群島居民的民族的一種音樂) and dub (鼓聲)music, mixed with influences from radio DJs. Rappers can improvise rhymes (音韻) over the beats (拍子) created by the DJs. Thomas starts off trying to rap as fast as possible with a constant (不變) beat. Lily and Geoff are very excited.

Lily: Thomas! You are great! I am more into classical music (古典音樂).

Thomas: Really?

Lily: Don’t you remember that I can play the piano?

Thomas: Oh! Yes! Please play some music now!

Questions:

1)     How does Lily relax at home?

2)     What kind of musical instrument Lily has been learning?

3)     What is rap?

Answers:

1)     She also likes to put on some quiet music and lean back or lie down  at home to relax.

2)     Lily has been learning the piano.

3)     Rapping began as a variation in reggae and dub music, mixed with influences from radio DJs. Rappers can improvise rhymes over the beats created by the DJs.

Article by Lily Poon

Script by Louise Chow

Directed by CP Chan

Actors: Geoffrey Lam, Thomas Alan Ng

互動英語教室 - My cup of tea (2)

Lily visited a tea shop in Japan a few years ago and was very impressed by their tea culture. She found a job in a tea shop in Hong Kong and read a lot of books to acquire professional (專業) knowledge (知識) of the tea market. One day, a Japanese lady walked into the shop and gave Lily a big surprise. She was Miho, the owner of the tea shop in Japan that Lily visited. She didn't expect to see her face-to-face (面對面) again. It’s always nice to meet an old friend after several years of no communication (沒聯絡). Lily was very eager (熱切的) to tell her what kind of tea the shop was selling and show how to make a cup of good tea.

Miho: Before making a cup of tea, can you show me your utensils (用具)?

Lily: Sure. I know that utensils vary by culture. The basic ones include:

Teapot (茶壺), sieve (過濾器), cup, glass jar for dividing tea into different cups and measuring spoon.

Lily found it a good opportunity (機會) for new staff to demonstrate (示範) tea making in front of Miho. She then asked her new colleague (同事) to make a cup of tea for her. The training that Lily offered to her staff was very professional. She told this new staff how important it could be to brew (泡) different tea types using different water. Today, she reminded her this point once more.

Lily: The water temperatures (溫度) for brewing white tea, green tea and Oolong is 100-degree Celsius and 80-degree celsius for green tea.

Below are the steps of brewing tea:

(1) The first step is to warm teapot with hot water.

(2) Then, put the tea leaves into the pot

(3) Next, rinse (沖洗)the leaves with the hot water and discard (丟棄) the water immediately.

(4) Add fresh boiling water. Steep it for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

(5) Finally, you can strain (過濾) and serve the tea.

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage (飲料) in the world. Hong Kong's inhabitants (居民) love to drink tea because of the Chinese and British influence. The tea shop that Lily works for is located in the central business area and that’s why it has always been a popular place for people who work nearby to go during lunch break.

Lily spent a holiday in Sri Lanka (斯里蘭卡), one of the world’s major tea producing (出產) countries. She and her friends joined a local tour to pick tea leaves at a plantation (茶葉場). In the industrialised (工業國) countries like Japan, this activity is performed by machinery (機械). However, in countries like India and Sri Lanka, this is mostly done by hand. Neither Lily nor her friends could pick a full basket of tea leaves within a designated (指定) time. Though this involved a lot of hard work, they all found it fun. Lily told Miho her idea of organising a photo exhibition (展覽會) in the basement of the tea shop so that people could know more about the tea industry in Sri Lanka. Miho found this idea sound (很好) and could possibly attract more clients.

Questions:

(1)   What are the tea brewing steps?

(2)   Should we brew all kinds tea with water of the same temperature?

(3)   Can you name some major tea producing countries in the world?

Answers:

(1)   The first step is to warm teapot with hot water. Then, put the tea leaves into the pot. Next, rinse the leaves with the hot water and discard the water immediately. Add fresh boiling water. Steep it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Finally, strain and serve the tea.

(2)   No. he water Temperatures for brewing white tea, green tea and Oolong is  100-degree Celsius and 80-degree celsius for green tea.

(3)   India and Sri Lanka.

Article: Lily Poon

Script: Louise Chow

 Director: CP. Chan

Actress: Miho

Special thanks to Leaf Tea Boutique - SOHO, Central