グロリア先生がカナダからの便りで現地のいろいろな情報を提供してくれることになりました。まずはグロリア先生を紹介します。
Greetings from the frozen north! Please let me introduce myself. My name is Gloria: I’m a Canadian living in the Toronto area. I have many years of teaching experience, both in the classroom and online. I have taught children and adults in Canada and Europe. For me, the convenience of online teaching is fabulous. It offers an accessible way for student and tutor to work together, regardless of location. Think back ten years… who would ever have imagined the way the internet would change how we look at the world!
Land of the Silver Birch
As most of Canada is still in the icy grips of winter and buried under mounds of snow, I dream of summer, of the land of the silver birch, of blue lakes and rocky shores. Hmmm… I think there’s a song in that. You may know, or recognize, our national anthem, “Oh Canada!” But do you know that we also have an unofficial national anthem? It’s called “Land of the Silver Birch”.
オー・カナダがカナダの国歌ならランド・オブ・シルバー・バーチはもうひとつの国歌です。
I know you don’t need three versions but each is unique! The first provides the music and lyrics. I was going to leave it at that but then I remembered YOUTUBE! You’ve just got to (read “gotta”) love YOUTUBE. The second is a serious rendition of the song. As for the third, you can judge for yourself!
1. http://members.shaw.ca/tunebook/birch.htm
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BndBEfRAKdo
and, on the lighter side
3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHMxabQW4lg&feature=related
A Canadian perspective but not a terribly serious one
Students in warmer countries sometimes ask how we survive the winters. Well, nowadays YOUTUBE helps. Seriously, deep down inside, we LOVE extreme weather conditions. In a country where hard news is often lacking (that’s a good thing), severe weather provides unending conversation topics. Those of us who endured the ice storm of 1998 still talk about our experiences during the 30-day blackout. I fear our claims to having the worst ice-storm in North America have been overthrown by the recent devastation in the States. But we’re bound to come up with something worse soon. When it comes to weather stories, we’re not to be outdone.
We also take great pride in our ability to survive the harsh winter conditions. The only thing we complain about more than the severe cold is the extreme heat in the summer! Talking about the weather is a cultural thing for Canadians.
天気のことで面白い情報は是非教えてください。待っています。
Welcome to Mississauga
Once, and not very long ago, Mississauga was a small suburb of Toronto. It is now ranked as Canada's sixth largest city with a population of nearly 670,000. Oh, I know that's not large by world standards, but for us it is!
Mississauga has amalgamated many small villages that have been here since the early settlers started arriving about 200 years ago. So, it's possible to see small towns throughout the big city.
Mississauga also has an incredible Mayor, Hazel McCallion.
Canada has an incredible entertainer, Rick Mercer. His show, Rick Mercer's Report, is his take on the news of the week. He's well-loved in Canada for his humor and satire. His reports are often parodies of the news events and the politicians who make the news.
This video shows what happens when two contemporary Canadians meet!
The link will take you to RMR. From here you need to go to the videos on the right. The one I am inviting you to watch is "Welcome to Mississauga". So, sit back and enjoy!
最新のNOTES FROM CANADA
NOTES FROM CANADA
I must admit that I’m not really a sports fan. However, I know that many of you are. I was very surprised recently to discover that one of my students from Japan is a huge fan of Canadian hockey, and that her favorite team is the Vancouver Canucks! They are doing great right now, as they lead in their quarter-final series.
“Canuck” ? Now there’s an interesting word, and an example of how the English language changes over time. Historically this word has several meanings, but most notably it has been, until quite recently, a derogatory term for French Canadians. Now it is a term that is becoming recognized world-wide to refer to all Canadians. Perhaps we can contribute this positive shift to the Canadian hockey team!
Spring is slow coming to Toronto, and I listen enviously as my students talk about cherry blossom time in Japan.
Take care! Gloria
グロリア先生の受講生の声
グロリア先生は受講生からの評価がずば抜けています。いろいろなコメントをいただいています。
1. I enjoy working with this teacher, editing my research papers. She is very patient and helpful." Carlo, Student at HARVARD, BOSTON
グロリア先生から学べるのが楽しいです。私のレポートも直してくれます。とても我慢強く 教えてくれます。 カルロ
2. My children have been studying English with Gloria for two years. They are at the top of their class in English. We are very pleased with these lessons. T.L., Taiwan
私の子供たちはグロリア先生から英語を教わって成績はクラスでトップです。 本当によかった。T.L.
3. I have worked with this teacher for nearly three years. I am now focusing on accent reduction and conversation. A.O., Tokyo, Japan
グロリア先生について三年。いまはアクセントと会話力に力を入れています。A.O
4. It is amazing that I can sit in my room having an English lesson with Gloria who lives on the other side of the earth. Thanks to the internet, I get a chance to practice my English with a knowledgeable, humorous, and enthusiastic tutor. Having these lessons helps me to communicate with English users more confidently than before. I'm so lucky to live in this internet era and to be one of Gloria's students. LEO, Sales Executive, TAIWAN
グロリア先生が地球の反対側にいて授業をしてくださることは信じられないことです。インターネットの普及には感謝するばかりです。そのお陰でこんな素晴らしい先生に巡り合えたのですから！自分の英語に自信が持てるようになりました。LEO
5. Hi Gloria,
I am so happy and excited that I finally passed.
I am thankful very much for your incredible lessons, help and support.
Take care, Anna.
グロリア先生、canTESTに受かりました。素晴らしい授業そしてサポートに感謝して います。ありがとう。アンナ。
