January 03

Lesson on 13/1/03 Topic(s): Trip to Japan (talking about the past), Japanese culture, work habits and productivity, new gadgets
New Vocabulary	Notes	Mistakes	Notes	Problems/Issues	Notes
spoof		when I check in		even though the Japanese conquered our country before	Correct structure but only if used about something that is before something else. If just a statement about the past
slob around	Quite informal, probably speech	as a management staff		people of all ranks	Possibly correct but sounds old fashioned, not very PC, probably
Muesli	Click here to see picture on web and here for definition	they like the Burberry		Can I take the knitting needles?	Possibly correct but only if the listener knows which knitting needles you mean (e.g. if you are holding them) probably
La rose noir	Pronunciation			she had her secondary school training in Toronto	Possibly correct but sounds very formal and would probably apply to a teacher, probably

Lesson on 20/1/03 Topic(s): Our weekends (talking about the past), work, Sunday leisure habits, friends, pros and cons of cars in HK and matrimonial law
New Vocabulary	Notes	Mistakes	Notes	Problems/Issues	Notes
fire up	Quite informal, probably speech	she work with another...		I will come now [when informing a caller that you will to come to the door]	Correct structure (and much better than using the present tense), but could be made more "native speaker like" by
get / keep your foot in the door	Quite informal, probably speech	have a feel on [the type of business]		I do not have a chance to practice	Correct structure, but could be made more "native speaker like" by
the nub of it	Quite informal, probably speech	you know where is Smithfield Rd.	This is a common problem if you speak Cantonese, an easy mistake to make. Watch out for this one!
tempers will have cooled	Quite informal, probably speech	in the Kennedy Town
tart it up	Quite informal, probably speech	near the Bagio villa
		include in the rent
		it need $500 something
		apart from pound

Lesson on 27/1/03 Topic(s): Language of formal letters, work protocol, Chines New Year, food (bread & breakfast), mild illnesses
New Vocabulary	Notes	Mistakes	Notes	Problems/Issues	Notes
the flu	Irregular and confusing use of article, I can't think of another illness that uses "the" like this (although some are uncountable e.g. "Chicken pox")	I learn to [do something routine]		I always hear this expression	Possibly correct but usually "always" is used for habits/routines/states or for bad habits (e.g. "He's always smoking in the stair well."). Really
not a level playing field	Quite idiomatic, often used about international trade	because she already know		my husband also got a cold	Not a big problem but if you want to be more "native speaker like"
abalone	Pronunciation	the Chinese year	Most festivals don't usually have articles
mushrooms	Pronunciation	all kind of new clothing
		appropriate stuffs	I don't think "stuff" ever has an "s"

Lesson on 6/1/03 Topic(s): Christmas holidays, talking about the past
New Vocabulary	Notes	Mistakes	Notes	Problems/Issues	Notes
it all adds up	Quite informal, probably speech	I just go to the kitchen		before he rented a barbecue shop	Correct structure but only if used about something that is before something else. If just a statement about the past
file sharing		Sometime I don't know how to how to name it
		from Swiss
		before the Christmas I order a turkey
		I was finding the Brie
		He brought them to the park