Private schools

Private Schools

Advantages

1.      Most of the private schools offer smaller classroom size and so the child can receive more individual attention from teachers

2.      Better academic and extracurricular programs

3.      Lower drop-out rates

4.      Less on-campus violence

Disadvantages

1.      Less diversity in private schools as compared to public (government) schools.

Children will meet fewer peers from diverse backgrounds because of the tuition fee

2.      Private secondary schools don’t conform strictly to educational regulations. So you have to do a lot of effort to select the right school for your child

3.      Very expensive

4.      Increase the gap between the rich and the poor

Globalisation

Globalisation

Definition – Different cultures and different economies of the world are coming closer. This is because of the IT revolution and faster means of travel

Advantages

1.       More jobs because of MNCs

2.       More efficient trade between different countries thereby improving the economies of developing countries

3.       More opportunities to travel

4.       More choices of products

5.       Awareness of other cultures

6.       Shared knowledge in a variety of fields including medicine thereby reducing disease and mortality in developing countries

Disadvantages

1.       Loss of local traditions in the form of

a.       globally uniform clothing

b.      globally similar eating patterns

c.       globally similar music

Individual national identities are being diluted by these factors

2.       Local businesses can’t compete

3.       Big MNCs have a lot of power

4.       They exploit local people by paying much less

5.       Generally speaking, the poor are still poor with little or no access to basics such as

-          electricity

-          clean drinking water

-          essential medical help

And the wealthy countries seem to be maintaining or increasing their wealth quite efficiently

Telecommuting

Telecommuting

Definition: Working from home with the help of telephone lines

Advantages to employees

1.       Save time – no time wasted going to and coming back from office

2.       Save money – no spending on private or public transport

3.       Can look after family commitments like dropping the child to school etc

4.       Flexible working hours

5.       Can do some side business side by side

Advantages to employers

1.       Less office space needed

Land prices are exorbitant

2.       Less sick leave and other leaves by employees

Advantages to environment

1.       Less pollution because lesser vehicles on road

Disadvantages to employees

1.       No motivation – social interaction of an office environment is missing

No teamwork or creative work

2.       The employees don’t feel a sense of loyalty for the company

3.       You have to reserve a corner in your home for office work

Disadvantages to employers

Supervising teleworkers is difficult

Important Cue cards

1. Childhood toy

Describe a toy that was important to you in your childhood.

You should say:

· when you got this toy

· how you got this toy

· how often you played with it

· and explain why it was important to you.

2. Trip that didn’t go as well as planned

Describe a trip that didn't go as well as you had planned.

You should say:

· where you were traveling to

· what didn't happen according to plan

· what you did

· and explain how you felt.

3. A Library

Describe a library (for example, a public library or university library).

You should say:

· what kind of library it is (or, what type of building it is)

· where it is

· what books and facilities this library has

· when you went there (or, when you usually go there)

· and explain what you like or dislike about this library.

4. Someone Good at Cooking

Describe someone you know who is good at cooking.

You should say:

· who this person is

· how you know him or her

· what kinds of food they cook

· and explain why you think this person became so good at cooking.

5. Your Favourite Part of Your Hometown

Describe your favourite part of your hometown.

You should say:

· where it is

· how often you go there

· what you do there

· and explain why that is your favourite part of town.

6. Place with lots of water

Describe a place with lots of water which you have visited.

You should say:

· where this place was

· what you did at this place

· why (& when) you went there

· and explain why you liked this place.

7. A Historic Site

Describe an interesting historical place that you visited.

You should say:

· where it is

· what you saw at this site (or, what it looked like)

· how you first learned about this place

· and explain why this is an interesting place for you.

8. Home

· Describe a house or apartment that you like (Not your own home)

· You should say:

· where it is

· what it looked like

· when you saw this home

· and explain why you like it.

9. Someone Who Helped You

Describe a person who helped you in an important way.

Describe a time when someone gave you important help in a difficult situation.

You should say:

· who the person was

· what the situation was

· how this person helped you

· and explain why this help was important to you.

10. Family Member

Describe the person in your family who you spend most time with.

You should say:

· who this person is

· when you usually are together

· what kind of person he or she is (= what his or personality is like)

· what you usually do (when you are) together

· and explain why you spend more time with this person than with other members of your family.

11. Famous Person

Describe a famous person you would like to meet.

You should say:

· who this person is (or, was)

· how you first learned about him or her (or, where you first saw him or her)

· how/why this person is famous

· and explain why you would like to meet this person

12. Best Friend

Describe your best friend.

You should say:

· when you first met this person

· how he looks like

· what you usually do together

· and explain why he/she is your best friend

13. Happy Childhood Event

Describe a happy event in your childhood.

Describe a happy event from your childhood that you remember well.

You should say:

· what the event was

· when and where it happened

· what you did

· and explain why it made you feel happy.

14. Leisure Activity

Describe a leisure activity you would like to start doing.

You should say:

· what activity it is

· where you would do it

· what equipment you would need to use

· who you would do it with

· and explain why you would like to do this activity.

15. Recent Happy Event

Describe a recent happy event in your life.

You should say:

· what the event was

· when and where it happened

· what you did

· and explain why this event was so enjoyable

16. A Success

Describe a success you had in your life

You should say:

· what it was

· when it happened

· why you chose this area of activity

· how easy or difficult it was to achieve

· and explain how important this success was (to you).

17. Traffic Jam

Describe a time when you had to wait in a traffic jam.

You should say:

· when and where it happened

· where you were going at that time

· what you did while waiting

· and explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam.

18. Important Stage of Your Life

Describe an important stage of your life.

You should say:

· how old you were

· how long it lasted

· where you were living at the time

· what you were doing during this stage

· and explain why you think this was an important stage of your life

19. Something You Would Like to Learn

Describe something that you don't know (how to do) but would like to learn.

You should say

· what you would like to learn

· why you would like to learn this

· how you would learn it (if you decided to learn this)

· who you would ask to help you learn this (if you decided to learn this)

· and explain what benefits you would get (if you learned this).

20. Course You Would Like to Take

Describe a course you would like to take, if you have time.

You should say:

· what (kind of) course it is

· where you would do this course

· how you would take this course

· how easy or difficult you think it would be

· and explain how you would benefit from taking this course.

21. A Change in the Future

Describe a change you would like to make to your life in the future.

You should say:

· what change you would like to make

· when you would like to make this change

· how easy or difficult you think this change might be

· (or, how you would make this change happen)

· and explain why you would like to make this change.

22. A Sports Event

Describe a sports event that you watched or took part in.

You should say:

· when this event was held

· where it was held

· who participated in the event

· and explain why you remember this event so well.

23. An Educational Visit

Describe an educational trip that you went on when you were in school.

You should say:

· who went with you

· where you went

· what you did there

· and explain what you learned on this trip.

24. Childhood Game

Describe a game you enjoyed when you were a child. (Not a sport.)

You should say:

· what the game was

· when, where and with whom you usually played it

· how you played it

· and explain why you enjoyed this game.

25. Childhood Activity

Describe an interesting activity that you did with your friends in your childhood.

You should say:

· how old you were when you did this activity

· how and where you did this activity

· who you did it with

· and explain why you enjoyed that activity.

26. Work of Art

Describe a sculpture or other work of art that you have seen.

You should say:

· when you first saw this work of art

· where you saw it

· what it looked like

· and explain your feelings about this work or art when you saw it

27. Newspaper or Magazine

Describe an article you recently read in a newspaper or magazine.

You should say:

· what newspaper or magazine it was in

· what the article was about

· why you remember this article

· and explain what you thought of this article.

28. Electronic Product

Describe an electrical (or electronic) machine or device you would like to buy.

You should say:

· what it is

· where (or how) you got to know about it

· how you would use this product

· and explain why you would like to buy it.

29. Clothing for Special Occasions

Describe an item of clothing that you wear on special occasions.

You should say:

· what this clothing looks like

· where you bought it

· on what special occasions you wear it

· and explain why you wear it on special occasions.

30. Letter You Received

Describe an important letter you received.

You should say

· who wrote to you

· when he/she wrote it

· what he/she wrote

· and explain why he/she wrote that letter.

31. Something You Want to Buy

Describe something special you want to buy in the future.

You should say:

· what it is

· what it looks like

· how long you have wanted to buy it

· when you intend to buy it

· who you want to buy it for *

· and explain why this thing is important to you.

32. Photo

Describe a photograph that is important to you.

You should say:

· where (and when) you saw this photograph

· what (or who) is in the photograph

· why this photograph was taken

· and explain why this photograph is important to you.

33. Book

Describe a book you recently read.

You should say

what book it was (or, what it was about)

when you read it

why you read it

and explain what you thought about this book

34. Conversation

Describe an important conversation you had in the past.

You should say:

· where you had the conversation

· who you talked with

· what you talked about

· and explain why this was an important conversation to you.

35. Party

Describe a party you would like to arrange for your friends or family.

You should say:

· who you would invite to the party

· when and where you would hold the party

· what you (or, your guests) would do at the party

· and explain how you would organize this party.

36. Film

Describe a film you enjoyed watching at home or in the cinema.

You should say:

· what type of film it was

· why you chose to watch this film

· what the film was about

· and explain why you enjoyed this film.

37. Good News

Describe a piece of good news that you received by phone.

You should say:

· what the news was

· where you were when you received this news

· who gave you this news

· and explain what you did after you received this good news.

38. Picnic / Outdoor Meal

Describe a picnic or meal that you ate outdoors.

You should say:

· where you had this meal

· who was with you

· what you ate and drank

· and explain why you enjoyed this picnic or outdoor meal.

39. Exciting Sport

Describe an exciting sport you have seen or taken part in.

You should say:

· what the sport was

· how popular this sport is in your country

· where you saw (or took part in) this activity

· and explain why this sport was exciting for you.

40. Science Lesson

Describe a science lesson that you had in school or university (such as biology, chemistry or physics).

You should say:

· when you attended this lesson

· where you attended this lesson

· what you learned

· and explain how the lesson was taught.

41. Job

Describe a job you think you would be good at.

Describe a job you would be happy doing.

You should say:

· what job it is

· why you want to do it

· what you would do in this job

· and explain why you think you would be able to do this job well.

42. Good Advice

Describe some good advice you received.

You should say:

· What the advice was

· Who gave you the advice

· What resulted from this advice

· And explain how you felt when you received this advice

43. Childhood Song

Describe a song or piece of music that you remember from your childhood.

You should say:

· where you first heard this song

· how old you were when you first heard it

· what the song was about

· and explain why / how you remember this song.

44. Advertisement

Describe an advertisement that made you buy something.

You should say:

· what kind of advertisement it was

· when and where you saw (or heard) this advertisement

· what product (or service) it advertised

· and explain you decided to buy that product.

45. Interesting Story on TV

Describe an interesting story you watched on TV.

You should say:

· when you watched it

· who was in the story

· what the story was about

· and explain why this story was interesting to you.

46. TV / Radio Program

Describe a TV or radio program that you like to talk about with your family or friends.

You should say:

· what type of program it is

· how often you watch or listen to this program

· what type of people enjoy this program

· and explain what you like (or dislike) about this program.

47. Health

Describe something you do that is good for your health.

You should say:

· what you do

· when you began to do it

· how often you do it

· whether you enjoy doing this (or, how much you enjoy doing it)

· and explain why you think this is important for your health.

48. Learning a Foreign Language

Describe something you did that helped you learn another language (besides your own language).

You should say:

· what it was you did

· where you did it

· who you did it with

· and explain how this activity helped you.

49. Favorite Season

Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

You should say:

· what season it is

· what the weather is like at this time

· what you usually do at this time

· and explain why you enjoy that season.

50. Good Law

Describe a good law in your country.

You should say

· what the law is

· how you first learned about this law

· who benefits from this law (or, who is affected by this law)

· and explain why you think this is a good law.

51. Speech

Describe an interesting speech or talk that you heard.

You should say:

· who gave the talk

· what the talk was about

· where you heard it (or, where this talk was given)

· and explain why the talk was interesting.