<description>
        Hi everyone,
I've been pretty busy lately. I attended a 'social networking conference' this past week, interviewed a singer songwriter, and was preparing classes for new online students. So, I didn't have any time to get a podcast out.
But, I think I'm back on track. This is a short podcast about some of the tools I use to network with students and teachers, and of course friends.  For those who are new to 'networking tools' it will be of interest. Certainly, if you have any questions about any of these tools let me know. I'd be more than pleased to answer your questions.
At the end of the podcast I mention a 'voicethread' I've started. I'm giving away 10 free online lessons every month for the 'best home made recipes'. As a chef, and English teacher I'd like to write an English course based on student's recipes. I'd include a recipe(or three) from each country, a short history of the recipe, etymology, and of course some English grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing and listening. So, that's the plan and I'd love your support. So, visit my voicethread at: http://voicethread.com/share/726596/ and leave a family recipe please.
One last thing. I forgot to mention another little tool I love called Penzu. It's simply the best writing, journal tool that I've found on the web. Great for students, teachers, writers, everyone and anyone. Why? Well, it's very easy to use,  private (though you can share it with anyone), and it's free. Check it out at https://penzu.com.
All the best.
      </description>

Hi everyone,
I've been pretty busy lately. I attended a 'social networking conference' this past...

Hi everyone,
I've been pretty busy lately. I attended a 'social networking conference' this past week, interviewed a singer songwriter, and was preparing classes for new online students. So, I didn't have any time to get a podcast out.
But, I think I'm back on track. This is a short podcast about some of the tools I use to network with students and teachers, and of course friends.&nbsp; For those who are new to 'networking tools' it will be of interest. Certainly, if you have any questions about any of these tools let me know. I'd be more than pleased to answer your questions.
At the end of the podcast I mention a 'voicethread' I've started. I'm giving away 10 free online lessons every month for the 'best home made recipes'. As a chef, and English teacher I'd like to write an English course based on student's recipes. I'd include a recipe(or three)&nbsp;from each country, a short history of the recipe, etymology, and of course some English grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing and listening. So, that's the plan and I'd love your support. So, visit my voicethread at: http://voicethread.com/share/726596/ and leave a family recipe please.
One last thing. I forgot to mention another&nbsp;little&nbsp;tool I love called Penzu. It's simply the best writing, journal tool that I've found on the web. Great for students, teachers, writers, everyone and anyone.&nbsp;Why? Well, it's&nbsp;very easy to use,&nbsp; private (though you can share it with anyone), and it's free. Check it out at https://penzu.com.
All the best.

Networking Tools

<description>
        I was watching tv the other night, and David Letterman's show came on. He was interviewing the ever provocative Madonna, and started asking her what she liked on her 'pie'. Cheese?...No, it's bad for you...Olives?...No, I don't like them....Salami?.... No, it's full of fat....Anchovies?... No, they're too salty.....(no wonder Guy Ritchie gave up)..anyway,I was thinking 'what's he talking about, it sounds like he's describing a pizza too me'. So it turned out he was describing a pizza which, you guessed it, is also called a 'pie' in American speak.

Well, a pie from New Zealand, Australia, and I think England too (they invented the pork pie) is not a Pizza. It's a hand held morsel, eaten on the run, chomped down in the thousands every single day of the year. Indeed everyone is a pie connoisseur. There are chicken pies, beef pies, seafood pies, venison pies, vegetarian pies...all with different condiments and toppings.I once had a pie for xmas dinner. Yes, I did....not by choice. I was living away from home and forlornly meandered down to the local service station to buy a pie for Xmas lunch. I think I may have bought two.

Probably, the best 'pie cart' I've ever been to is a famous little caravan, parked outside a flash hotel on Sydney's waterfront, where you can have mashed potatoes and beetroot smothered on top. Mmmmmm now ya talkin.

So, this episode is a wee look at the 'pie', including some cultural definitions, a recipe, and 20 or so idioms derived from the humble pie. The idioms by the way are more commonly used in British  rather than American English, although they may be universal, I couldn't be sure.
      </description>

I was watching tv the other night, and David Letterman's show came on. He was interviewing the ev...

I was watching tv the other night, and David Letterman's show came on. He was interviewing the ever provocative Madonna, and started asking her what she liked on her 'pie'. Cheese?...No, it's bad for you...Olives?...No, I don't like them....Salami?.... No, it's full of fat....Anchovies?... No, they're too salty.....(no wonder Guy Ritchie gave up)..anyway,I was thinking 'what's he talking about, it sounds like he's describing a pizza too me'. So it turned out he was describing a pizza which, you guessed it, is also called a 'pie' in American speak.

Well, a pie from New Zealand, Australia, and I think England too (they invented the pork pie) is not a Pizza. It's a hand held morsel, eaten on the run, chomped down in the thousands every single day of the year. Indeed everyone is a pie connoisseur. There are chicken pies, beef pies, seafood pies, venison pies, vegetarian pies...all with different condiments and toppings.I once had a pie for xmas dinner. Yes, I did....not by choice. I was living away from home and forlornly meandered down to the local service station to buy a pie for Xmas lunch. I think I may have bought two.

Probably, the best 'pie cart' I've ever been to is a famous little caravan, parked outside a flash hotel on Sydney's waterfront, where you can have mashed potatoes and beetroot smothered on top. Mmmmmm now ya talkin.

So, this episode is a wee look at the 'pie', including some cultural definitions, a recipe, and 20 or so idioms derived from the humble pie. The idioms by the way are more commonly used in British  rather than American English, although they may be universal, I couldn't be sure.

Eating Humble Pie

<description>
        I like it when people respond to my emails.

If I sent an email specifically addressed to you, would you respond? Or would it depend on who I was, and what I did? When would you respond? Immediately, within a week, or never?

Well, you might get away with it some of the time, but not all of the time. In other words you might be running the gauntlet.

If you think your 'email culture' is similar to the English speaking email culture then I can tell you you're mistaken. It isn't. 

The culture of writing emails differs from country to country, and certainly where I live the email etiquette is completely different to my own. Well, it worries me. I'm concerned that ESL students are damaging their reputations.

So, I've written some quick tips for ESL students who deal with English speaking countries. Be assured that email writing is a very important form of communication and it's equally important students are aware of what kind of message they're sending to the recipient. Is it polite? Is it professional? Is it courteous?

Pretty important questions, don't you agree?
      </description>

I like it when people respond to my emails.

If I sent an email specifically addressed to you, ...

I like it when people respond to my emails.

If I sent an email specifically addressed to you, would you respond? Or would it depend on who I was, and what I did? When would you respond? Immediately, within a week, or never?

Well, you might get away with it some of the time, but not all of the time. In other words you might be running the gauntlet.

If you think your 'email culture' is similar to the English speaking email culture then I can tell you you're mistaken. It isn't. 

The culture of writing emails differs from country to country, and certainly where I live the email etiquette is completely different to my own. Well, it worries me. I'm concerned that ESL students are damaging their reputations.

So, I've written some quick tips for ESL students who deal with English speaking countries. Be assured that email writing is a very important form of communication and it's equally important students are aware of what kind of message they're sending to the recipient. Is it polite? Is it professional? Is it courteous?

Pretty important questions, don't you agree?

Email Etiquette for ESL Students

<description>
        This struck me as pertinent to the current economic, and global climate, and so I was moved to make a video about the subject.

The story of The Blind Men and the Elephant is also strongly related to my views on education and Personalized Online Learning and Teaching. Certainly the movement towards online learning is gaining momentum. In my opinion we will see big shifts in learning and teaching in the coming years as online learning, mobile learning and web 2.0 technologies gain popularity. Let's face it teenagers today twitter daily, sms by the second, and are in constant contact with friends and family through mobile telephony devices. It appears inevitable then that web 2.0 learning will eventually be the learning method of choice.  

Online learning is 'green' and eco-friendly and that's what the new generation understand. At least I hope they do.  Travelling to and from a learning establishment costs money and burns energy, doesn't it? Am I wrong? So, why then jump in the car and go to university, or your local language school? Learn online and save the planet, right? Sure, you need face to face contact, but that can be with peers, colleagues,and online teachers, can't it?

I'm not suggesting I have all the answers, but as far as Personalized Online Learning is concerned I believe its a valid alternative. Certainly for informal learning, such as learning to speak English. Perhaps, ESL teacher's can take the lead then and inspire other institutions to follow? What do you think?

Part of the goal of online learning should be peer collaboration and involvement. Why? Well, in the spirit of The Blind Men and the Elephant it provides the opportunity for students around the globe to get together and have a chat. Share stories, and gain a better understanding of each other. In my opinion that's the big advantage of online learning. Certainly I've noticed people from Iran, Tunisia, Croatia, Spain, Germany, The United States, Uzbekistan, Russia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Slovakia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela....and many more countries visiting my posts. So, it's my dream to have these students learning together from each other, with the support of qualified online instructors.

In a world of global conflict and constant misunderstanding, I think online learning provides the platform to breach the divide, and provide a better world for future generations. So, as teachers don't we have a responsibilty to each other and future generations to instigate the change. 

Unfortunately the older generation make the decisions that bind us. Am I right? But the older generation were educated 30 years ago, so really they're not 'with it' are they? That's why the students need to start designing the curriculums. If we involve students in the decision making process won't they be more motivated to learn? By creating environments that applaud creativity aren't we change leaders rather than change procrastinators?

Imagine students from Iran, Russia, USA, and China conversing on a daily basis, sharing ideas and opinions? How would they shape the future? It would be looking pretty good, wouldn't it?

If we delay the move to online learning we are only delaying the inevitable. I think educators should take it upon themselves to move students online now. 

I'm trying to do my part. It's difficult, but I think it's the right way forward. What about you, what do you think?

Who are The Blind Men?

I invite your opinions. Thanks for listening, I hope your enjoy the video.

Oh, by the way...this video is available to student subscribers at www.kiwicarioca-esl.com in mp3 format, with study notes.

Best,
Robert
      </description>

This struck me as pertinent to the current economic, and global climate, and so I was moved to ma...

This struck me as pertinent to the current economic, and global climate, and so I was moved to make a video about the subject.

The story of The Blind Men and the Elephant is also strongly related to my views on education and Personalized Online Learning and Teaching. Certainly the movement towards online learning is gaining momentum. In my opinion we will see big shifts in learning and teaching in the coming years as online learning, mobile learning and web 2.0 technologies gain popularity. Let's face it teenagers today twitter daily, sms by the second, and are in constant contact with friends and family through mobile telephony devices. It appears inevitable then that web 2.0 learning will eventually be the learning method of choice.  

Online learning is 'green' and eco-friendly and that's what the new generation understand. At least I hope they do.  Travelling to and from a learning establishment costs money and burns energy, doesn't it? Am I wrong? So, why then jump in the car and go to university, or your local language school? Learn online and save the planet, right? Sure, you need face to face contact, but that can be with peers, colleagues,and online teachers, can't it?

I'm not suggesting I have all the answers, but as far as Personalized Online Learning is concerned I believe its a valid alternative. Certainly for informal learning, such as learning to speak English. Perhaps, ESL teacher's can take the lead then and inspire other institutions to follow? What do you think?

Part of the goal of online learning should be peer collaboration and involvement. Why? Well, in the spirit of The Blind Men and the Elephant it provides the opportunity for students around the globe to get together and have a chat. Share stories, and gain a better understanding of each other. In my opinion that's the big advantage of online learning. Certainly I've noticed people from Iran, Tunisia, Croatia, Spain, Germany, The United States, Uzbekistan, Russia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Slovakia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela....and many more countries visiting my posts. So, it's my dream to have these students learning together from each other, with the support of qualified online instructors.

In a world of global conflict and constant misunderstanding, I think online learning provides the platform to breach the divide, and provide a better world for future generations. So, as teachers don't we have a responsibilty to each other and future generations to instigate the change. 

Unfortunately the older generation make the decisions that bind us. Am I right? But the older generation were educated 30 years ago, so really they're not 'with it' are they? That's why the students need to start designing the curriculums. If we involve students in the decision making process won't they be more motivated to learn? By creating environments that applaud creativity aren't we change leaders rather than change procrastinators?

Imagine students from Iran, Russia, USA, and China conversing on a daily basis, sharing ideas and opinions? How would they shape the future? It would be looking pretty good, wouldn't it?

If we delay the move to online learning we are only delaying the inevitable. I think educators should take it upon themselves to move students online now. 

I'm trying to do my part. It's difficult, but I think it's the right way forward. What about you, what do you think?

Who are The Blind Men?

I invite your opinions. Thanks for listening, I hope your enjoy the video.

Oh, by the way...this video is available to student subscribers at www.kiwicarioca-esl.com in mp3 format, with study notes.

Best,
Robert

The Blind Men and the Elephant

<description>
        Hi there,

Well, my Brazilian students will be happy with me....because at long last I've produced a recording of some soccer vocabulary. 

If you are going to make 'small talk' why not make 'soccer talk' right? Small talk is the art of conversation about nothing, so I think 'soccer talk' might be better. Do you agree? Why? Well everyone loves soccer and has a favourite team so it's a brilliant way to start a conversation. Now, if you can carry that conversation forward with some knowledgeable vocabulary it's also a great way to form relationships.

So, my advice is to listen to this recording a number of times, and really try and add some useful 'soccer talk' to your conversation skills. 

Enjoy, all the best.
      </description>

Hi there,

Well, my Brazilian students will be happy with me....because at long last I've produ...

Hi there,

Well, my Brazilian students will be happy with me....because at long last I've produced a recording of some soccer vocabulary. 

If you are going to make 'small talk' why not make 'soccer talk' right? Small talk is the art of conversation about nothing, so I think 'soccer talk' might be better. Do you agree? Why? Well everyone loves soccer and has a favourite team so it's a brilliant way to start a conversation. Now, if you can carry that conversation forward with some knowledgeable vocabulary it's also a great way to form relationships.

So, my advice is to listen to this recording a number of times, and really try and add some useful 'soccer talk' to your conversation skills. 

Enjoy, all the best.

Soccer Talk


      Hi, I'm Robert McCall; a New Zealand born English as a Second Language teacher living in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil and this is my podcast.

Suggestions or feedback is always welcome.
    

kiwicarioca

Details

Recent Episodes