tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16409760375442047482024-03-13T09:15:02.725-06:00Randall's ESL Blog - For ESL/EFL Teachers and StudentsWelcome to the ESL blog by the owner of www.esl-lab.com. Share ideas about learning English as a second or foreign language. Study abroad, ESL programs, accent reduction, ESL study Tips . . . Anything related to learning English and cultural understading!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger677125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-27293973693567714342019-07-10T14:10:00.002-06:002019-07-10T14:10:36.219-06:00Status of Randall's BlogHi everyone,<br />
<br />
I will be opening the redesign of my site soon (esl-lab.com), and while this blog will remain open to read, I will not be posting new messages here . . . at least for now. For the most updated information, I would visit my site and it's new blog at <a href="https://www.esl-lab.com/">https://www.esl-lab.com</a>.<br />
<br />
I have been running this blog for over 10 years, and I will continue to interact with teachers and students at my main site or through Facebook or Instagram.<br />
<br />
Thanks for being a part of my community for so many years, and I look forward to interacting with you online at my site.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<br />
RandallUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-8621792314027765402019-05-10T16:57:00.000-06:002019-05-10T17:46:30.247-06:00What's New - Web Site RedesignHi everyone,<br />
<br />
Since the fall of 2018, I have been busy in redesigning my Web sites including <a href="https://www.dailyesl.com/">dailyesl.com</a> and <a href="https://www.trainyouraccent.com/">trainyouraccent.com</a>. This summer, I will be launching the new design of my main site, <a href="https://www.esl-lab.com/">esl-lab.com</a>. This has been a challenging, but rewarding adventure, and I will keep visitors updated here. Thanks for being a part of this adventure.<br />
<br />
Randall<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEQcbiA-W28/XNXzoluMBUI/AAAAAAAABig/v5LsOEx0Vmk9qP-jzCs9FXtsFhowmV-TgCLcBGAs/s1600/esl-lab1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="550" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEQcbiA-W28/XNXzoluMBUI/AAAAAAAABig/v5LsOEx0Vmk9qP-jzCs9FXtsFhowmV-TgCLcBGAs/s1600/esl-lab1b.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-40996257045751946432019-01-12T16:42:00.001-07:002019-01-12T16:42:36.249-07:00A New Year - 2019Now that we have entered into the new year, I am interested in hearing what plans people have for 2019. For me personally, I hope to find meaning in every small thing I do and seek ways on helping friends, family, colleagues, and students in their challenges and new experiences.<br />
<br />
Enjoy 2019!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIFbeYuRtT4/XDp7VOShyCI/AAAAAAAABhk/PhjCvaMvjPkC6ax7cZ2fbvwRh5QRFeenACLcBGAs/s1600/randall-timp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIFbeYuRtT4/XDp7VOShyCI/AAAAAAAABhk/PhjCvaMvjPkC6ax7cZ2fbvwRh5QRFeenACLcBGAs/s1600/randall-timp2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-36644902254262934232018-12-09T16:05:00.001-07:002018-12-09T16:05:23.674-07:00Sledding in the Mountains<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Winter sledding can really be a wild, exhilarating ride, as seen in this video with my son and his friend.</div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fesl-lab.com%2Fhiking%2Fwinteractivities-video.htm%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0CVqtLa-qCCyAKxsh43Ito4TS4loNxkiIUgGwQswzz-roA3MGgLxPlGDU&h=AT1i2ujORhTuD9hmeHUwC_SA72wyKkGGBynLoG_oOobyX18YK0aHMUZFrdjMRoujKXfTajD2HkuQExpmZgipwSLWdAn3a-pRulf0vgzpW8vXUnSgVX4kFxAf41_pnF_DZfkiGIEni9zNtMuMjDCZ3IFZadh7rgFM6RZJ2BQBcWr1DrW9dZrTO9JxM0NFdBbGnKjvX_2ET37LsI25GCcAfvHa3zGQ40OomZn7NV3bp2pLvUiaZhO5RanZ2Kn9Xypd2qh8tXyXc0ZNCHZBSGN4lTgApMgRDZqAMXwp2ocsYpELc0QZUkXe1VRRNk05pRrlkT8CblIXUZejZZ9sNLtv38st3-9L2ImYEZ88VRwhp3dvof6lqD5QsIMM9Q3acWRUo8YrlOxRAnbRdT5PSgtlUlKLDj2SQFlk5DxxPya3qvAfrboS_eDOFx6-a_U0ISWY9E0k1pmVHAr8kr7VgG4pqkY1s33A67Yy6_vMxhgRIwMQkdPjEjR2aK85v0J8Odx3LMGrxJ6YwFxtSUj7iZvUVPCwZVu8ZkJS_plFIHRhNGTtEOF0G73UWKMI6Coi-7Y4yD9grAxGjrgzqdTWfJacvjEZPF7xXpqOnipd6Lxc3XcMqGDa9iaBYe3wQbY" href="https://esl-lab.com/hiking/winteractivities-video.htm?fbclid=IwAR0CVqtLa-qCCyAKxsh43Ito4TS4loNxkiIUgGwQswzz-roA3MGgLxPlGDU" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://esl-lab.com/hiking/winteractivities-video.htm</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-70369069885928845552018-12-09T16:04:00.000-07:002018-12-09T16:04:00.894-07:00Self-Worth and Finding Courage<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
The other day, I was visiting with one of my students who feels discouraged because the student's father is disappointed by the perceived lack of progress the student is making. "You're not stupid, right? Get to work. You're just not working hard enough."</div>
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The pain in the student's expression was emotionally raw and distressing. I simply sat and listened, validating the student's discouragement.</div>
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In such situations, I often ask myself how we develop the courage to keep going wh<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">en people seem to be telling us, "YOU'RE NOT ENOUGH!" "YOU'RE BROKEN!"</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 6px;">
One of my favorite writers and researchers on shame, vulnerability, and self-worth is Brené Brown. She said the following:</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">
“Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission. Stop scouring people’s faces for evidence that you’re not enough. You will always find it because you’ve made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.”</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">
– Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness</div>
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When I feel low, I just keep reminding me that myself worth is never determined by the judgement of the people sitting in the stands. I try to help students find the courage to do the same.</div>
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Any thoughts on this topic? How have you be able to press through difficult times?</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-84696284929334836952018-12-09T16:01:00.003-07:002018-12-09T16:01:40.441-07:00Update Site - Dailyesl.com<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdQXaoWZpMk/XA2ebAVI5eI/AAAAAAAABhQ/g7kbr5l-IR0zouzwhnMNF1OYl_khKHXlACLcBGAs/s1600/47579583_10155754763010927_8548017231609462784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="524" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdQXaoWZpMk/XA2ebAVI5eI/AAAAAAAABhQ/g7kbr5l-IR0zouzwhnMNF1OYl_khKHXlACLcBGAs/s320/47579583_10155754763010927_8548017231609462784_n.jpg" width="262" /></a><br />
<br />
I have almost completed the complete update to my site, <a href="https://www.dailyesl.com/">https://www.dailyesl.com</a>. Give it a try. The focus of the site is on everyday language, and each listening activity has questions and discussion tasks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-238817068227287982018-11-23T19:19:00.001-07:002018-11-23T19:19:13.351-07:00Trainyouraccent.com<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Hi everyone. I am always experimenting with increasing engagement and learning on my sites. Here is a possible new quiz format and style for creating questions about the listening activities students here.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
What do you think? Are these questions with immediate feedback helpful? Please let me know.</div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trainyouraccent.com%2Freadings%2Fapartment-rentals%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0ipI1opu2NonyUyBiKOFTWsvsQwlbLB7A90UnmznjzJ7EZbold-M8gngc&h=AT3SJk_du01uT1keS4g4mtNk53fK_6wBk4cpxnb9laGSyl6sE98UlbTgl2smIFDDqSPUsmFL-YS9doj3YIlStoI7gT0vHKA_G-4Wi32vv17ePVaUWAPWZiYaZD_mLaEAEaSXQOhtFro9IvMG1EkPXLAmSMG2Nej0-S1O1MURSOgnnk_PFYOnwsl_2HR1LHeFljZWP1UsRzj3zEAmvPvzLA9Uo11gVSyzDvHl8ruHioy6wO8HpUKerYZUoqfFSRCPKjlI_1DNPb6K4QPcuRCcyUb5ju3MyRmL8n32QXzLwNObgvVrg4Kx4WK9AEjwDwtffRNMLuZS1DXD_mPtWLI2QcRR4B1CH5BvLVFHdZvUe3D67T_lbmGSyPINy9meXD52t65ESlppHh7fdjAHJciQPhUzeowoAzhZ579yS9KJXIWaoZ06tu0kLBrZQOq0FvEczUAfIjlOPz1fQdNzdXJLRuPOVyW_D6o8tQqscW9e5n-Yl3BY35HU31-uoJqoJqvCjmX0C6i9kFxJx7yhzDvBsHYnn4F2eIAMEWnQyo-1NDD_fNK1ErxweuAwGfjFMidLWr4PUNI9E07mw2IF371phdpcCkABhryN3Q-p92vOsX6KyjB6MB83cWSiEV4" href="https://www.trainyouraccent.com/readings/apartment-rentals?fbclid=IwAR0ipI1opu2NonyUyBiKOFTWsvsQwlbLB7A90UnmznjzJ7EZbold-M8gngc" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.trainyouraccent.com/readings/apartment-rentals</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-18380848540002676402018-11-23T19:17:00.000-07:002018-11-23T19:18:20.070-07:00Thanksgiving Day<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Thanksgiving Day is a day is a time of gratitude. I’m thankful for:</div>
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- A good family who cares, listens, and feels;</div>
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- Good friends who remember our family in small acts of kindness;</div>
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- A very rewarding job that provides a deep well of opportunities to learn about the world;</div>
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- Daily moments of wonder and mystery that allow me to reflect on how limited my understanding is of our existence;</div>
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- Constant reminders on how I need to be more compassionate for those who struggle beyond my awareness;</div>
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- Uncertainty, which keeps me searching for new knowledge instead of just holding on to what is finite and comfortable;</div>
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- Animal companions at home who don’t hold grudges and love you no matter how hard your day has been;</div>
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- Nature and the mountains where we live, a place where I can hike, run, and soak in solitude and wonder;</div>
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- A warm home, something so many people live without in despair;</div>
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- The lessons of struggle to humble me;</div>
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- Strength to rise each morning;</div>
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- Food and clothing;</div>
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- Contentment;</div>
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- Inner peace;</div>
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- Me.</div>
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What are you thankful for?</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-81114281667633983872018-11-16T19:17:00.000-07:002018-11-23T19:17:20.432-07:00Kindness Needed More Today<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Having worked with students for over thirty years, I’ve slowly discovered the importance of the simple things that connect us all and our humanity. Perhaps the greatest thing we can do is to make a difference in someone else’s life.</div>
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I wish I could say that I learned that in the first few moments of my career, but it has been a process that has helped me view people more expensively beyond my own ethnocentric worldview.</div>
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I’m deeply grateful for the thousands of students and <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">teachers with whom I have worked the years who have shown me kindness as well. Enjoy the video. Feel free to share your opinions on the topic.</span></div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FZ-aVMdJ3Aok%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1e_2nkLxFDqHutbUqSmZePnFYGr1AwjKqLc0jlUi4KTMXsuyEToRvgtdY&h=AT1nUiPi2uFc2dQjrEOAXndmdCkOAus8E-oR-SUBwUVVFBbBqQqtYREF5dQu9Jgcbd1vjfjx4hOBlMIQ_pi4N5MRybLu-qrkIbNuZVfSDQgvYgTruK7dbpFbpqj3XVW-4Vgj8ySeWHIYPfVqNsO5gNxomAd_jXEuQzT5gf5qgGBuXauuKAHXl84O0HRKKRRG9Hwd-kWzFcg8aTOksm2PruZGn2CTb8ekcnRFp5CBaFEd-kUUMlGqDF2-SKJA9lztWWKcfVpVGFK4wh8QcpDJrMWpO-rb1642-PMCtniXR3fFS2f0OqdEZjtzt2-SbgmiL9SqgXqrGHSZNbp2jpDPgGeBRBc5sN9f9FlpYznkO6DPAUWRjmqADwPpA4OBvu1nWCm2ioFd9YIP_gbRwTUstzHbPg-TYXCvsdQ3E2gDsTtjKiNjUC3hVrbTkCTwgpE_VJ4gx5lMC6tAJoQdGOVSTWeYwYS-SXWL7tVhDbPLKoPJJLUuo3aob9pDvh-Mq95BtZwB9LzMU7BMYuFvrkd4GP0w7gDzQnvwHYzduBV0Y1T8_gpFmJA4_-0DYTQV4HYB5Ec-VVUNLQs90Z7EuCxm3qcaV81w9OJF9veWNnG1I9KQySxsMw_hy30qADA" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Z-aVMdJ3Aok</a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-12782481570028988302018-10-12T12:55:00.000-06:002018-10-14T12:55:25.332-06:00Trainyouraccent.com<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Hi everyone. Here's an update on one of the projects I am working on right now.</div>
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To make my sites more responsive to all devices, including mobile phones, I am slowly updating my sites, and I invite you to visit the new version of my site, <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trainyouraccent.com%2F&h=AT2nwoGtJR5s8XCZKkAAFhvELvaMLyQzxGFTQm0bosKcPmCuFYHFLqDANgGKZk2qXOgjEppxmgi9Bp-9V81yCh0clZ6HlCls6KxMmXr48u14IkNqwD1mltKrOsex3UTK66LZKt_lH0Xt6yRP07ZG2MiXAqqqt2gW_PuvHspezPVqWxRRaESHSMZfj7Bflw8NO3dPcPNLpbn1S8O5YapbXrFdtvVjiPeJWbB9aR5FcjnLqjKdZpUXqir6fhZVfv1ZcCDJ_aT8Ll7-CtrCWInDtVKQWhuVseNNq5a0km7hbRCQF98ByBFvL0j5wo8EYxhebTVOo4pYh9lhf7l4xFhiCvHoHftvIOqq9FuFSYnOa9gI4ythRmtVVpp8ulrJK15DL7-WaD-LD7kY2PQNOivoHqV6Xqvd1TlI" href="http://www.trainyouraccent.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.trainyouraccent.com.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">
Eventually, I will do all of them, but I am starting on one of the smaller sites first. Please let me know how the site works for you.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-41623915385411107332018-10-04T12:54:00.000-06:002018-10-14T12:55:50.180-06:00Sushi Night<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTychDJEZJc/W8OQzy6x2dI/AAAAAAAABg8/SBDnsE1ziBUUDxFnmQghWR_nr0fO_2DcACLcBGAs/s1600/43133254_10155623169075927_5126760723019464704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTychDJEZJc/W8OQzy6x2dI/AAAAAAAABg8/SBDnsE1ziBUUDxFnmQghWR_nr0fO_2DcACLcBGAs/s320/43133254_10155623169075927_5126760723019464704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>My wife, Shirley, has a real gift in the kitchen (and beyond), and she enjoys sharing her talent.</div>
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Last night, we had some family over for a “sushi night,” where people learn to prepare and put together their own rolls. Tuna, salmon, eel, and other delights. (We now hope to have other family over for Mexican night or other. Who knows.)</div>
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I think everyone left stuffed, and the good company made it even better. When I was growing up, there would have been no way I would have trie<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">d to eat a slimy piece of raw fish; I would have gagged mightily, and would have had terrible nightmares thinking about it. I would have probably preferred to eat rocks, liver, and the like before raw, uncooked, unseasoned, unprocessed, and un-you-know-sea-creatures.</span></div>
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If I had been on a deserted island, I would have probably starved to death while fish swam freely along the beaches. (You can only live on coconuts for so long.) That was the level of my thoughts regarding sushi years ago.</div>
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But now, you just can’t beat the taste.</div>
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What kinds of foods do you enjoy?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-16577812466251093172018-09-28T12:52:00.000-06:002018-10-14T12:53:22.971-06:00Presentation on Death and Grief<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Su3kthWwEoo/W8OQe9LdDRI/AAAAAAAABg0/q1mCApuw7EosIFp88YaKuJMqT74z3Lv3QCLcBGAs/s1600/42734824_10155608147420927_6577046818100609024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Su3kthWwEoo/W8OQe9LdDRI/AAAAAAAABg0/q1mCApuw7EosIFp88YaKuJMqT74z3Lv3QCLcBGAs/s320/42734824_10155608147420927_6577046818100609024_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I’m on the train right now heading to a conference, and in about two hours, I will be speaking about how death, loss, and grief touch so many lives, including my students who live so far away from their families.</div>
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It can be a difficult topic to address, but so many people struggle and want to be understood. Our own son, Josh, died by suicide.</div>
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Being ready to sit with someone in their pain and discomfort is the mark of a true friend. I encourage all to be that friend.</div>
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Heartache is certainly not limited to death. Illness, abuse, divorce, loss of employment...the list goes on...are all traumatic events.</div>
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I will share post a copy of the presentation later this morning.</div>
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Here is a listening activity on my site that models possible conversation when someone loses a family member or friend close to them:</div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esl-lab.com%2Finsurance%2Finsurancerd1.htm&h=AT1l9eymHQzku3tLJz2sncPRyYOYsCR_7gzxjDJ9-5eMomQ5MHDd8DSywPI_9dkmw9k6ynVdqLObRsu5COGAdcGjwPWoNS4QELEKnpr9XZGcoAeHWa6WYAV2mVRQAkES1m-DLCNGkRBol3l7jxBYLDD5u1c8YT6sBALQYI8fr4yR4o4MjB1xCjuBh2HXsf1IYrD9cmpi5_9GR3VbhHyF5osN9iDncErPXiw6XjezM_JhRs1_Qt7pAvcVeUDmNvfUNjAlBaRou44tnLKevZ3XbfBBBlZZRbUDfFvfW576NGw2cN58A5mEldsSq1aGfqkDOQfKmupwO27vuqETFC_epPsp-s5834LK-ojNYpG_m3zIIuaogx_jhxXXZ_lBBtGjg_40UuNslGYyRysLBcXRoig3NyQqx0qT" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.esl-lab.com/insurance/insurancerd1.htm</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-80212197636666750792018-09-27T16:20:00.000-06:002018-09-30T16:21:04.153-06:00End of the Harvest<div class="e_8kbc_65va p_8kbc_2inv clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: -1px; zoom: 1;">
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As we come to the end of the harvest season in our garden, I wake up each morning with a thankful heart that we have a home where my dad can live with us, great family and friends, and food that we can enjoy and share. So, if you live in the area and could use some vegetables, you’re welcome to visit our place. Life is filled with unexpected twists, hills, and valleys, but I relish in the exhilarating adventure, feeling fortunate for what I have.</h5>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-82500907385696046222018-09-25T16:23:00.000-06:002018-09-30T16:23:17.705-06:00Finding Good Answers<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IW5nLnrDfkw/W7FMstT443I/AAAAAAAABgM/mLO2sR8UmdMFmKC_1DlyJtVNYExkPHKmQCLcBGAs/s1600/42314303_10155594577835927_4421284620637569024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="956" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IW5nLnrDfkw/W7FMstT443I/AAAAAAAABgM/mLO2sR8UmdMFmKC_1DlyJtVNYExkPHKmQCLcBGAs/s320/42314303_10155594577835927_4421284620637569024_n.jpg" width="318" /></a>In my work with international students, I have been asked many questions over the years, and one of my roles as a teacher is to help them learn how to find answers to their questions, particularly when it comes to understanding people from</div>
so many different cultures.<br />
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First of all, I try to emphasis that people who teach them HOW to think are people worth listening to because they don’t view themselves as the source of knowledge. However, people who tell or teach my students <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">WHAT to think are probably caught up in their own wisdom and intellectual hubris, and they can’t seek the flaws in their own reasoning.</span></div>
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The second point is learning to ask the right questions to get the right answers. Simply asking, “So, what do American families like to do at Christmas?” is the wrong question because it first starts out with an unclear definition of who Americans are.</div>
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Brazilians are Americans; Hondurans are Americans; Mexicans are Americans. (I am also concerned when people stereotype the cultures of my own students which can lead to unfortunate and harmful labeling.)</div>
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This question about “Americans” that comes from a very ethnocentric worldview makes it impossible to answer because it isn’t based on a clear definition of what an American is.</div>
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So, on whatever topic or field of study you are in, learning how to think logically and rationally is one of the keys to a deeper understanding of the world around you.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-80011366548290320382018-09-15T16:26:00.000-06:002018-09-30T16:26:14.429-06:00Finding Hope<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3K00Ljkj_w0/W7FNakDeFSI/AAAAAAAABgY/GFAWD6-WJh02Bxnjt4q_V6DkLyOS80bwACLcBGAs/s1600/41811637_10155582528600927_7383940417034649600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3K00Ljkj_w0/W7FNakDeFSI/AAAAAAAABgY/GFAWD6-WJh02Bxnjt4q_V6DkLyOS80bwACLcBGAs/s320/41811637_10155582528600927_7383940417034649600_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>As I mentioned in earlier post, our family participated in a suicide awareness walk, to honor those who have lost loved ones and to support those who are struggling.</div>
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We had a large group of family join together to celebrate the life of our son, and also express hope to others who are struggling as well.</div>
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All too often, people feel I needed shame and the burden of the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness is something that as a society and as a world we need to wor<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">k past in order to have compassion for others. If you are struggling personally, or have someone else in your life who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, I encourage you to seek out help and resources that might be available, hopefully, in your area.</span></div>
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That said, if you’d like to contact me directly and share your own story, I’m happy to listen.</div>
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You can find out more information on our son at this website:</div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FJoshuascottdavis.org%2F&h=AT1SeIdTeBjHKcqZSrPsgeiaYZCHRFThIeHZAeeu87zwns-5Oc6yLMscb-c5NvF0zFViZ8JvC-27rlywYvWYWmsJOpbytl2VicGBA-IMm4fSGLgqa5lhSpQy2Y_rJ51yNwAu59RkkiqMAM-ZJMg544rLXgjrOb0Gd1eAm_3U_9sMbSyeEDxTPC2whiPgO3I00L92izKoh4i-oV8Sri1ARK8wzZmNvFtvgue9HtYnoajVO2wI6ZJ2CsoUFb0DTvEJ4d45Xq7zy7k78a2lqYT0chB4cahDGH1426Yg0UyrsN0tJXpr9Nt_e1nIa8HRyTqoKlmTaiS-OfIM5VkveUGT0i-K0BRg-VcpdrRJd7bO5S-OlyaqG4RdfFai00uYrETlr5xHIO1yeSzaJXW1_0txn5y3u9k_YLM_" href="http://joshuascottdavis.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Joshuascottdavis.org</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-62097814099014900862018-09-06T17:45:00.000-06:002018-09-06T17:45:13.949-06:00Homestay Experiences<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDRV01G4FE/W5G7NcMnTuI/AAAAAAAABfw/goRehyTOnMoPumxy0QtskF92f2pKYKzTQCLcBGAs/s1600/randall-homestay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="483" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDRV01G4FE/W5G7NcMnTuI/AAAAAAAABfw/goRehyTOnMoPumxy0QtskF92f2pKYKzTQCLcBGAs/s320/randall-homestay.jpg" width="320" /></a>Homestay can be a rewarding experience for international visitors and students going overseas, BUT you have to find the right place with the right people. In this listening activtity, ask yourself if this is a place you would like to stay. Enjoy a few laughs:</div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fesl-lab.com%2Fhomestay%2Fhomestayrd1.htm&h=AT1t3sTKnd4qo_JKx97mOMQlJcz3Y_JjeDcJpM4LCeUCgdZOqeARO58McFFii8oz8nnV-jMbrurR5BmCB5AIzpk7lN_64xocA9rthN4ynQPiat5bD8yHkKZcUDLLpAsetQTtUzyfYlyZfUoau0J96NGiVmzWJRw_2RXwbo4GkOiIh4TIJ4_ac1K0xcbOYXzE1aXZTc6FfqDjcoDEWkchz5DIN_2g_Rit7lcTTaN_abfdukLHCZc-EfFHo5gWaDPCegTKU7T7qk5qMj6OR7VsdDMaQNLO-KQKxgxcdzwGUBfv_KhT7ITlR8IqzjPNMS7WOIwdbi1MNyvayAWM5mItKz0UwvC4WEJA4eATD3LuOnIB8nrBZFowJNo3RWnLY595jDaC6owjDPaknTaVYmhOlGg6BLRSSBw" href="https://esl-lab.com/homestay/homestayrd1.htm" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://esl-lab.com/homestay/homestayrd1.htm</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-22438890760651738082018-08-30T07:08:00.001-06:002018-08-30T07:08:42.832-06:00Living Up to Expectations<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
As I have worked with many students and people around the world, one common emotion I often see is the desperate desire to be valued and seen for whom they really are.</div>
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At times, students comment that they are trying to live up to the expectations of family and friends who live so far away, yet these people seem so unaware of the personal struggles these students face: homesickness, the challenge of learning a language at the pace their family might expect, cultural isolation<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">, the overwhelming fear if they aren't able to progress fast enough to get into a university program.</span></div>
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As a result, these students may question their self-worth, as if that depended upon someone else to give that to them. (Seeking external approval and validation is a common response when you feel your self-worth hinges on the judgements of others.)</div>
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Some students deeply struggle in learning a language despite the fact that they spend countless hours studying, while others seem naturally wired to learn without effort. The fear that their parents will erroneously assume that they are lazy or not being serious can consume their thoughts and add to the unneeded burden of feeling that they aren’t enough.</div>
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My hope is that as teachers, friends, fellow students, and neighbors, we learn to understand these fears. Never dismiss them. A true friend is one that sits with you in your discomfort and listens, without the need or inclination to give you advice. People just want to be heard, and from that small act of listening, greater courage and self-compassion and self-worth can blossom, grow, and thrive.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-18617901425105314932018-08-28T06:44:00.000-06:002018-08-30T07:04:49.037-06:00Being Real<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YASPohQSp9E/W4frSJ09v5I/AAAAAAAABfo/4HRUEZAw4YY-QOh8aA3GP02mCN_NG64XwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/womanweights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YASPohQSp9E/W4frSJ09v5I/AAAAAAAABfo/4HRUEZAw4YY-QOh8aA3GP02mCN_NG64XwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/womanweights.jpg" /></a>All too often, and because of the fear of appearing inadequate, we run around pretending to be someone we were never meant to be. Embracing our true selves can be the key to greater inner peace.</div>
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In this conversation on my site, we see a classic example of this in which I play the role of a guy who is afraid to be authentic and hides behind an image of what he wants to be.</div>
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Enjoy. I think the guy eventually figures this out:</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-47661035223955385602018-08-20T07:12:00.000-06:002018-08-30T07:12:46.968-06:00Personal Growth<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” - Oliver Wendell Homes</div>
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Coming home on the train after a good day with new students from across the globe. They are eager to learn and expand their understanding of the world as they learn English. They come from so many interesting places: Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, the Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, Chad, and the list goes on.</div>
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Once they begin to discover so much more about the cultures <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">around them, they see this new knowledge as the gateway to a more expansive worldview and deeper human connections.</span></div>
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At the moment when we assume that we have the world figured out, the potential for growth wanes and fossilizes. Elasticity of thought dissipates.</div>
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However, every time I walk into the classroom, I try to be humble enough to see that I could on the verge of new discoveries.</div>
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I relish in that feeling.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-71829074442245838872018-08-11T21:17:00.001-06:002018-08-11T21:17:52.288-06:00The Danger of Stereotyping<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”</div>
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- Robertson Davies, author</div>
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As human beings, we tend to think that we are rational creatures who see the world the way it really is, but what we don’t realize is that we often unconsciously seek out information that tends to confirm our current views, and we often dismiss information that disconfirms our long-held perspectives.</div>
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This is true of so many facets of our lives, and we often are unaware of the fact that we do this. We convince ourselves that we give all information a fair and equal treatment, but we generally don’t because analyzing information takes more cognitive work, and the fear of being wrong and of having to set aside past views can at times be paralyzing. You would think it would be liberating to learn more, but our current perspectives may have been so much a part of our identify that letting go can be deeply uncomfortable.</div>
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As a result, we tend to see only what our mind is prepared to see.</div>
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Where I see this play out in my work is the fact that students often hold certain stereotypes about people from other cultures, and unfortunately at times, don’t seek out new information to debunk views that aren’t accurate.</div>
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As a result, students sometimes feel uncomfortable, disappointed, or hurt when other people claim this or that about their country that only misrepresents its people. Broad sweeping statements like, “Yeah, I know that people in your country ________.” You can fill in the blank. I’ve even seen students deeply hurt over characterizations that aren’t true.</div>
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And rather than limiting my comment to just international students, this thinking error plagues all of us—-teachers, organizations—-and people like Randall.</div>
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All this said, I have also seen relationships built when people come together because they were ready to listen and learn with open minds and hearts.</div>
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So the next time you are absolutely, 249% sure that your view represents reality, stop and ask yourself if you have analyzed all relevant information before arriving at your ironclad conclusion. Chances are you haven’t.</div>
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Have you ever seen such examples in your own life? Feel free to share.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-66232941164502150932018-08-11T21:16:00.003-06:002018-08-11T21:16:30.673-06:00Understanding Others<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
If you want to hear a powerful message about broadening your understanding of other people and cultures, you may very well find this lecture very thought-provoking and life changing:</div>
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“The danger of a single story. Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.”</div>
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story">http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-3794851052708353572018-08-11T21:14:00.001-06:002018-08-11T21:14:15.440-06:00Self-Study Guide - esl-lab.com<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
For many teachers and students, school is just around the corner. If you are looking for specific listening activities to plan your teaching/learning, take a look at my self-study guide which organizes my listening activities by topic:</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-5741060072927565292018-07-07T10:46:00.001-06:002018-07-07T10:46:31.603-06:00Being Wrong and Learning From It<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I think it can be useful to remember that we may spend our whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find in the end that our ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. And no one wants to be wrong.</div>
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However, being open to examining our own life's map sometimes takes courage, especially when our former conclusions don't hold up against new information.</div>
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For example, I often see my own students struggle to recast new images of other cultural groups from a distance, but w<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">hen students from different countries begin to interact together on a closer level, they begin to deeply examine their former beliefs about one another. Apprehension and fear are replaced by kindness and understanding, and a deeper gratitude for others flourishes.</span></div>
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There can be concern for those who close their eyes and still cling to the top of the wrong ladder, so secure in absolutes. However, the richest relationships that I cherish have had been with those who are doing the best they can, and when I have found myself climbing up the wrong ladder, they are patient enough to redirect me. Sometimes, we need to shed intellectual hubris and certainly to find our way.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-63766211959842360042018-06-22T07:42:00.002-06:002018-06-22T07:42:47.517-06:00Improving Your Listening Skills<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
"When you really listen to another person from their point of view, and reflect back to them that understanding, it's like giving them emotional oxygen." -- Stephen Covey</div>
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At times as human beings, we are unfortunately more involved in business of correcting others than we are in deeply peering into their world of struggle and discomfort, seeing their perspectives, and validating their experiences. I think we tend to do this because we are often so sure that our worldview mirr<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">ors reality, and the worldview of others is somehow lacking.</span></div>
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One of my favorite books in called the Invisible Gorrilla by Simons and Chabris, two distinguished research and cognitive psychologists who explored who whole field of inattentional blindness and how we often don't see the world the way it really is.</div>
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So how does this related to my own field of language learning and intercultural studies?</div>
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The more my students explore, and at times, embrace new perspectives about fellow students from different countries, the more they can see that there is not just one "correct" way of doing things. They then demonstrate a greater capacity to shower generosity, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness in so many new ways. Simply said, this new understanding expands their vision of others and has a rippling effect across cultural boundaries.</div>
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In the end, everyone is enriched because of this new learning.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640976037544204748.post-31394083753547624152018-06-22T07:41:00.000-06:002018-06-22T07:41:11.291-06:00Security Systems<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXrhZxE-xj0/Wyz8bvK8TVI/AAAAAAAABfM/F8-v2WPyfcUlyETEm1M1161HG2oW-Q6VwCLcBGAs/s1600/lockers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="229" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXrhZxE-xj0/Wyz8bvK8TVI/AAAAAAAABfM/F8-v2WPyfcUlyETEm1M1161HG2oW-Q6VwCLcBGAs/s1600/lockers.jpg" /></a>Sometimes, you hear stories in the news about totally laughable bank robberies where things don't go as planned. This conversation just might be one of them. I had a great time planning and recording this conversation for my site: Enjoy:</div>
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