Spending Time with Family

Hi everyone,

At the moment, I'm spending time in warm weather in Arizona with my family, parents, and my brother's family. We did this last year, and we just enjoy relaxing, doing some sightseeing, and catching up on family happenings. We also want our own kids to get to know their grandparents better and develop stronger family ties. By doing so, they can understand my own upbringing and we often laugh about old stories.

So, what do you do with your family to strengthen family relationships?

Best,

Randall

Merry Christmas!

Listen to this recording and write your response about it. Thanks.

Randall

Online Shopping: How much do you do?

Online shopping is becoming more popular in different parts of the world, but how much have your shopping habits changed? Do you find that you spend more money shopping online than you do in traditional stores? What do you spend you money on the most? what are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online? Share your ideas.

Best,

Randall

Travel: A Tough Decision

Listen to the recording and share your ideas on the topic.

Randall

Experiences at School - Listen and Share

Listen to the topic and questions, and write your answer and opinions here.

Randall

Year-end Holidays: What do you celebrate?

For many people around the world, Christmas is a very important year-end holiday. However, there are many other holidays celebrated at this time too. Please share any specific cultural and religious festivities or days that are important to you or others in your area.

Here is a listening Activity on my Website about Christmas:

Christmas is Coming!
- http://www.esl-lab.com/santa/santard1.htm

Holiday Traditions
- http://www.esl-lab.com/tradition/traditionrd1.htm


Best,

Randall

Cell Phones: Should they be allowed at schools?

More and more people are carrying cell phones and considered them as a need, not just a want. (Of course, people my age never had cell phones, and we survived.) However, should schools (let's say elementary, junior high, and high schools) allow students to carry around and use cell phones during school hours? What potential problems are there? And the benefits? Share your ideas.

Randall

Happiness: What does it mean to you?

The word, happiness, often means different things to different people. Therefore, finish this sentence with the first idea that comes to your mind:

• I feel happy when ________________.

Personally, I feel happy when:

1. I return home in the evening and my wife greets me with a smile.
2. my kids don't complain about the vegetables we have for dinner.
3. students do their assignments on time without giving excuses for not doing it.
4. I have the chance to run in the mountains to burn off stress.
5. I can do something for someone else.

Please share your ideas on this topic.

Randall