Good morning, listeners, and welcome to our radio program “Information for Immigrants”. Today we have a guest speaker who will talk about using the iPad tablet. I would like to welcome to our program Mr George Watson. Mr Watson is a computer expert. He graduated from Melbourne University and has taught there for the past 7 years. Mr Watson, welcome to our program.
Thanks very much. It is nice to be here talking about something that I really love.
Mr Watson, why is the iPad so popular nowadays?
Because it is a small computer. You can do a lot of things with it. You can surf the net. You can check your email anywhere and you can take photos and videos with it. You can read books or magazines. You can play games on it and you can also watch movies and TV shows.
Can it be used in the office too and replace our big computers?
This is correct. You can use an iPad to do everything you do with your computer now. It is even better than using a normal computer with a big screen because it takes a lot of space on your desk and does not allow you to talk to the people who work with you in the office because you can’t see them.
What about the price of a new iPad?
Well, there are different prices and they all start at a little more than $500. The most expensive one you can buy is a little less than $1000. They are especially popular with young kids nowadays and parents sometimes have headaches if they don’t buy them for their kids.
And can people listen to their favourite music on the iPad?
The answer is yes. They can also save their music and listen to their favourite songs whenever they like. They can also download music and songs from the internet as MP3. It is very easy to do so nowadays. You don't need to be a computer expert to learn how to download music from the internet.
What is the most popular thing that people do using their iPads?
The most popular thing is surfing the internet. People spend hours and hours visiting their favourite web sites and downloading stuff from there. As you know, some people like reading newspapers. Others like watching video clips on the internet. I can spend hours and hours telling you about the different things that people do using their iPads.
Does it have a battery or do I need to plug it in and use electricity?
You can use electricity if you like but if you are on the go, you can use the battery for up to 10 hours. After that, you will need to charge it again to be able to use it.
Are there any disadvantages of using an iPad?
Well, the price is not cheap and this is not a nice thing, I believe. Also, it is easy for an iPad to get lost. People just use them and leave them on their desks and they get stolen sometimes. If you have an iPad, you’ve got to be careful not to lose it. Also people in poor countries can't afford to buy them. They need to save up for years before are able to buy one.
Can the price come down in the near future?
Well, this is the million dollar question. You see, the iPad is made by a company called Apple. They have very good products and their computers are really good. They control the sales of their computers and all the products they make. Because their products are really good, they charge the prices they want. I don’t think prices will go down a lot in the near future but who knows. I hope they come down so a lot of people will be able to buy them.
Are there other tablets like the iPad?
Yes, there are more than 20 other tablets for people to choose from but prices are similar to the iPad and that is why people prefer to buy iPads. There are some tablets that are made in China and they cost less than $100 but you get what you pay for. The iPad offers a lot of functions you can use.
What other brands are there?
There are tablets made by Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, Dell and other companies. The Amazon tablet is half the price of the iPad, by the way. Apple sells more tablets than any other company. People love the iPad.
Can the iPad be used in classrooms?
Of course students and teachers can use the iPad in classrooms. There are thousands of programs that can be used by students to learn. They don’t need the teacher to explain everything for them inside the class. They can use these programs and start learning. It makes life easier for teachers too.
Can we connect an iPad to a projector and use it in the classroom?
Of course we can do so. You see, the teacher will be able to communicate with the students better because he or she will be able to have better eye contact with them. The teacher can save all the lessons on the iPad and use them over and over again. Teaching keeps changing and the iPad can make teaching and learning easier for everyone.
I would like to know how many iPads do you have?
I have one that I use at home and at work. My wife has one. My daughter is turning 11 and she wants an iPad for her birthday. You see, having children nowadays costs a lot of money.
I see. Can people buy the iPad on the internet for cheaper prices?
No, the price is controlled by Apple. If you buy it online, you buy it from Apple or from people who have had an iPad for some time and would like to sell it. It will not be brand new. It will be a used iPad.
If a person can’t afford to buy an iPad now, what can he or she do?
Well, they can get a laptop computer. Laptop computers are cheaper than they were a few years ago. I believe you can buy a new one nowadays for about $300. Of course there are ones that cost a few thousand dollars.
Mr Watson, we are running out of time and we have to stop here. Thank you very much for the information.
A pleasure to be here.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Studying English
Hello, Mr Zhang. Welcome to AMES.
Thank you very much. I am excited about starting my new course here.
Well, Mr Zhang. I need to give you some information about the course you will do at AMES in Box Hill.
I know some information about studying at AMES already. My wife studies here in certificate III.
This is good. You will be studying here 510 hours. If you do a full time course, you will be here for about 7 months. Each week, you will be in class for 20 hours. This is 5 days a week. Every day you will study 4 hours.
This sounds good. Will I study a certificate III like my wife?
No, you will study a level II course. You still need to do some work before you go to level III. This will be really good for you because if I put you in a level III class now, I am sure it will be difficult for you.
I see. I would like to know when I can start the course.
Mr Zhang, you will have to attend an orientation session this Friday.
What is an orientation session?
A teacher will give you some information about the course you will study here. The teacher will give you a package that has all the information you will need to know about studying in the AMEP program.
What is the AMEP program?
It is an English language for adult learners. It stands for Adult Migrant English Program.
After finishing my 510 hours, will I be allowed to study more?
When you are about to finish your 510 hours, you will have a meeting with the educational counsellor here and she will have a chat with you to find out about your future goals. She can give you advice to enrol in other courses if you would like to.
Can I see the counsellor only before I finish my hours?
No, you can ask to meet with the counsellor any time during the course. It is a counsellor’s job to provide information and advice to you so you can settle better in Australia.
I see. And how many modules do I have to finish to get a certificate II in spoken and written English?
You will need to finish 7 modules. Only module A is compulsory.
What does compulsory mean?
It means you have to do it. Module A is about how you learn in and outside class. It is very easy to achieve. You will also do some reading and writing in the course and your work will be assessed by the teacher.
Will we use computers in class?
Yes, there is a computer room for students to use. I am sure your class will do work on computers during the course.
How long will it take me to finish level II?
Well, this is the million dollar question, Mr Zhang. You see. There are some students who learn English fast and they go to a higher level sooner than others. Also we have some students who don’t study that hard. They don’t do any reading in English at home. Those students don’t progress quickly. So, it is up to you to go to a higher level. I know that Chinese students normally study and work very hard.
Yes, Chinese students always study very hard. School work in China is sometimes too much.
Yes, but we want you to learn and enjoy your life in Australia. We don’t give you a lot of pressure to learn English. We teach differently here in Australia.
Can you give me more information about teaching in Australia?
Teachers here are normally friendly. Students can ask them to repeat anything they don’t understand. Also students and their teachers go on excursions. These excursions are part of the course. Students don’t use titles when they talk to their teachers. They use their first names.
Oh, this is nice to know. Will AMES help me get a job after finishing the course?
We have an employment service at AMES in Box Hill. I am sure when your English is better; you will have no problem getting a job. Just book an appointment with them and they will give you more information.
I can use computers very well. Will this help me learn English faster?
I believe so. There are many web sites that your teachers can show you and you can spend time at home on the internet learning the language. You can also help other students in the computer room and make friends too. You see, it is not only about learning the language.
When can I start learning English?
Your course will start on Monday at 8.45 in the morning. I will give you a timetable. Anything else I can help you with, Mr Zhang?
No, that’s all. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. I am excited about starting my new course here.
Well, Mr Zhang. I need to give you some information about the course you will do at AMES in Box Hill.
I know some information about studying at AMES already. My wife studies here in certificate III.
This is good. You will be studying here 510 hours. If you do a full time course, you will be here for about 7 months. Each week, you will be in class for 20 hours. This is 5 days a week. Every day you will study 4 hours.
This sounds good. Will I study a certificate III like my wife?
No, you will study a level II course. You still need to do some work before you go to level III. This will be really good for you because if I put you in a level III class now, I am sure it will be difficult for you.
I see. I would like to know when I can start the course.
Mr Zhang, you will have to attend an orientation session this Friday.
What is an orientation session?
A teacher will give you some information about the course you will study here. The teacher will give you a package that has all the information you will need to know about studying in the AMEP program.
What is the AMEP program?
It is an English language for adult learners. It stands for Adult Migrant English Program.
After finishing my 510 hours, will I be allowed to study more?
When you are about to finish your 510 hours, you will have a meeting with the educational counsellor here and she will have a chat with you to find out about your future goals. She can give you advice to enrol in other courses if you would like to.
Can I see the counsellor only before I finish my hours?
No, you can ask to meet with the counsellor any time during the course. It is a counsellor’s job to provide information and advice to you so you can settle better in Australia.
I see. And how many modules do I have to finish to get a certificate II in spoken and written English?
You will need to finish 7 modules. Only module A is compulsory.
What does compulsory mean?
It means you have to do it. Module A is about how you learn in and outside class. It is very easy to achieve. You will also do some reading and writing in the course and your work will be assessed by the teacher.
Will we use computers in class?
Yes, there is a computer room for students to use. I am sure your class will do work on computers during the course.
How long will it take me to finish level II?
Well, this is the million dollar question, Mr Zhang. You see. There are some students who learn English fast and they go to a higher level sooner than others. Also we have some students who don’t study that hard. They don’t do any reading in English at home. Those students don’t progress quickly. So, it is up to you to go to a higher level. I know that Chinese students normally study and work very hard.
Yes, Chinese students always study very hard. School work in China is sometimes too much.
Yes, but we want you to learn and enjoy your life in Australia. We don’t give you a lot of pressure to learn English. We teach differently here in Australia.
Can you give me more information about teaching in Australia?
Teachers here are normally friendly. Students can ask them to repeat anything they don’t understand. Also students and their teachers go on excursions. These excursions are part of the course. Students don’t use titles when they talk to their teachers. They use their first names.
Oh, this is nice to know. Will AMES help me get a job after finishing the course?
We have an employment service at AMES in Box Hill. I am sure when your English is better; you will have no problem getting a job. Just book an appointment with them and they will give you more information.
I can use computers very well. Will this help me learn English faster?
I believe so. There are many web sites that your teachers can show you and you can spend time at home on the internet learning the language. You can also help other students in the computer room and make friends too. You see, it is not only about learning the language.
When can I start learning English?
Your course will start on Monday at 8.45 in the morning. I will give you a timetable. Anything else I can help you with, Mr Zhang?
No, that’s all. Thank you very much.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Working as a PCA
Good morning listeners and welcome to our program “Information for New Immigrants”. Our guest today is an aged care consultant who will tell us some information about working as a personal carer. I would like to welcome Mrs Judy Lang to our program. Welcome Mrs Lang.
Thank you very much. I am very happy to be here this morning.
Mrs Lang, why is it a good choice for people to work in aged care at the moment?
Well, because there is a lot of work available nowadays. There is a bigger number of people nowadays who are old and their number will increase over the next 20 years. Our population in Australia is getting old.
And why do old people live in aged care facilities and not in their own homes?
There can be more than one answer to this question but the main reason, I think, is that because there is no one who can provide the services those elderly people need at home.
What do you mean? What do their children do?
Well, life gets too busy sometimes busy for everyone and the childred have important commitments like going to work or caring for their own children as well. They also don’t have the training required to provide care for elderly people at home. It is not an easy thing to do. That is why many elderly people move to live in hostels and nursing homes.
Can you tell us about the tasks that personal carers perform to help elderly residents?
They do so many things at work. I can give you some examples. They assist nursing staff to lift and turn residents who can’t move in bed. They give showers and shave residents. They work under supervision from the division one nurse. They help elderly people with dressing and they feed them. They serve meals and make beds. They also help elderly people to move around and communicate.
Is that all or do they do other things?
No, there are so many other things that personal carers do. The most important thing is that they make sure that the elderly person is safe at all time. You know, they can easily have falls or their medical condition can change suddenly.
What can a personal carer do if the condition of an elderly person changes?
The personal carer has to report any change to the nursing staff, especially the nurse in charge.
Can personal carers prescribe medication to elderly people?
No. They can’t. This is a job for a doctor to do. Even division one nurses can’t prescribe medication. Personal carers are often asked to give out medications to residents. They have a medication chart that has all the names of the medicines that an elderly resident needs to have and they sign the chart after giving the medicine.
And how can anyone become a personal carer?
Well, this is a very important question. If anyone is interested in becoming a personal carer, he or she must study a certificate III course in aged care. It takes about 9 months to finish but they can finish it quicker in about 6 months.
And how much do they have to study? I mean is it a hard course to do?
It is not a hard course to do but you need to have good English first. A person needs to study 14 units to get the certificate. It is a nationally accredited certificate. This means that they can get jobs anywhere in Australia.
What about the pay? Do personal carers get good salaries?
I believe it is about 19 dollars per hour. A person can get more if he or she works as casuals or work on the weekend. They get more money, of course.
And after finishing the certificate III course in aged care, what can a person do?
They can go and study a certificate IV in nursing at TAFE. This is a really good course. It takes about one year to finish. They can get more money when they get work. You see, in Australia the more you study, the more money you can get.
Do personal carers work only in hostels and nursing homes?
No, they can find jobs in other places like caring for people in their own homes. They can work in hospitals looking after elderly patients too. The best thing about working as a personal carer is that you can work any time you want, 7 days a week.
And what are some of the skills that a person should have for this kind of work?
Well, a person should be patient. He or she should have good communication skills because they will deal with volunteers, family members, doctors and supervisors too. A person should be physically fit because this is not an office-type job. He or she should be computer literate because all documentation nowadays is done on computers.
Do you think the person should have good teamwork skills too?
Of course. Teamwork skills are very important for this type of work. If you work as a personal carer, you will need to be able to talk nicely with others and work hand in hand with them.
Well, Mrs Lang, this is really good information for our listeners who would like to get jobs in Australia. Unfortunately, we will have to end our program here. Thank you very much for coming today.
Not at all. It’s been a pleasure talking to you today.
Thank you very much. I am very happy to be here this morning.
Mrs Lang, why is it a good choice for people to work in aged care at the moment?
Well, because there is a lot of work available nowadays. There is a bigger number of people nowadays who are old and their number will increase over the next 20 years. Our population in Australia is getting old.
And why do old people live in aged care facilities and not in their own homes?
There can be more than one answer to this question but the main reason, I think, is that because there is no one who can provide the services those elderly people need at home.
What do you mean? What do their children do?
Well, life gets too busy sometimes busy for everyone and the childred have important commitments like going to work or caring for their own children as well. They also don’t have the training required to provide care for elderly people at home. It is not an easy thing to do. That is why many elderly people move to live in hostels and nursing homes.
Can you tell us about the tasks that personal carers perform to help elderly residents?
They do so many things at work. I can give you some examples. They assist nursing staff to lift and turn residents who can’t move in bed. They give showers and shave residents. They work under supervision from the division one nurse. They help elderly people with dressing and they feed them. They serve meals and make beds. They also help elderly people to move around and communicate.
Is that all or do they do other things?
No, there are so many other things that personal carers do. The most important thing is that they make sure that the elderly person is safe at all time. You know, they can easily have falls or their medical condition can change suddenly.
What can a personal carer do if the condition of an elderly person changes?
The personal carer has to report any change to the nursing staff, especially the nurse in charge.
Can personal carers prescribe medication to elderly people?
No. They can’t. This is a job for a doctor to do. Even division one nurses can’t prescribe medication. Personal carers are often asked to give out medications to residents. They have a medication chart that has all the names of the medicines that an elderly resident needs to have and they sign the chart after giving the medicine.
And how can anyone become a personal carer?
Well, this is a very important question. If anyone is interested in becoming a personal carer, he or she must study a certificate III course in aged care. It takes about 9 months to finish but they can finish it quicker in about 6 months.
And how much do they have to study? I mean is it a hard course to do?
It is not a hard course to do but you need to have good English first. A person needs to study 14 units to get the certificate. It is a nationally accredited certificate. This means that they can get jobs anywhere in Australia.
What about the pay? Do personal carers get good salaries?
I believe it is about 19 dollars per hour. A person can get more if he or she works as casuals or work on the weekend. They get more money, of course.
And after finishing the certificate III course in aged care, what can a person do?
They can go and study a certificate IV in nursing at TAFE. This is a really good course. It takes about one year to finish. They can get more money when they get work. You see, in Australia the more you study, the more money you can get.
Do personal carers work only in hostels and nursing homes?
No, they can find jobs in other places like caring for people in their own homes. They can work in hospitals looking after elderly patients too. The best thing about working as a personal carer is that you can work any time you want, 7 days a week.
And what are some of the skills that a person should have for this kind of work?
Well, a person should be patient. He or she should have good communication skills because they will deal with volunteers, family members, doctors and supervisors too. A person should be physically fit because this is not an office-type job. He or she should be computer literate because all documentation nowadays is done on computers.
Do you think the person should have good teamwork skills too?
Of course. Teamwork skills are very important for this type of work. If you work as a personal carer, you will need to be able to talk nicely with others and work hand in hand with them.
Well, Mrs Lang, this is really good information for our listeners who would like to get jobs in Australia. Unfortunately, we will have to end our program here. Thank you very much for coming today.
Not at all. It’s been a pleasure talking to you today.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Getting Your First Job
Good afternoon, listeners and welcome to our program "Information for New Migrants". Today we have Mr John Yamamoto and he will talk to us about how to get a job in Australia. Mr Yamamoto, welcome to our program.
Thank you very much.
Now, how easy or how hard is it to get a job in Australia?
This is a very interesting question. I am sure everyone is asking how do I get a job? First of all, you need to decide what job that you want to do.
And why do you think this is important?
Because there are different types of work a person can do. There are people, for example, who would like to work 9 to 5. Others don’t like to work in an office. They like to use their hands and do things. Still others don’t like to work 5 days a week or maybe they want to work in the evening or at weekends.
So what can a person do after deciding what job he or she wants?
They have to create a resume. Some people like to call it a CV.
What is that? Can you give our listeners some information?
A CV or a resume is a document that has information about you. It has your contact details and some information about your education and work history.
Is that all?
No, you still need to use the names of two or three people who can be your references. You need to ask those people for permission before you put their contact details in your resume.
Can a person use his or her spouse?
No, they can’t. They need to use the names of people who know about their work.
And how do people find jobs?
Well, they have to do a lot of research to find a suitable job. They can go online, for example, and look for work that they really want to do.
If they don’t know how to do that, what can they do?
If they don’t want to go online, they can go to an employment agency to help them get work. AMES has a very good employment agency and they help thousands of people every year to gain employment.
Where else can people get work?
They can buy the Age newspaper on Saturday. It has an employment section and I am sure they can find something that interests them.
What do you think is the biggest problem for anyone who is new to Australia and wants to get a job?
English. English is sometimes the biggest problem for many people. If you don’t speak good English, you may not get the job you want. Speaking good English will open the doors for you to do many things.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Yes, if you have a qualification from your country, sometimes it is not good enough to allow you to work in Australia. Some people say they have been working as doctors or engineers in their own countries for a long time. This cannot guarantee that they will get the same jobs here.
Why is that?
Because our education and training in Australia is different. I know that those people feel upset and sometimes angry but they can go and study to get an Australian qualification.
Is it easy for people to study in Australia?
Oh, yes. If you are a permanent resident, it is easy for you to start studying at a local TAFE for example. It does not cost much but once you have an Australian qualification and speak good English, you will see how easy it is to get a job.
What sort of courses are in high demand nowadays?
Well, there is a web site called Skills Victoria and it has a lot of information about training and education.
Can you give our listeners the web address for Skills Victoria, please?
It is www.skills.vic.gov.au. It can open the doors for the listeners to find out what courses that are there. I know a lot of people who changed their careers completely after starting to live in Australia.
What do people need to do after typing a resume?
They need to send the resume to as many workplaces as possible. I remember I sent my resume to more than 20 different companies before I got my first job in Australia. I want our listeners to remember that they can NOT use the same resume to apply for different jobs. They need to make some changes each time they email or send a resume to an employer.
Why is that? Why can’t I send one resume to all employers?
Because employers want different things from workers. For example, someone may advertise a job because he or she needs someone who can type 70 words per minute to work at their workplace. Another employer may not need someone who types that fast. It differs from one workplace to the other.
What can a person do after sending a resume to an employer?
He or she can telephone the employer to make sure they have received the resume. It is a chance for the person to get a feeling and see if they will get the job or not. May be the person who answers the phone is not friendly and after the phone call you decide that you don’t want to work there.
Is talking to friends and family members important too?
Yes, if you tell your friends and family members that you are looking for work, they may be able to help you. If they see a job ad in a newspaper, they may tell you. Most of the people who get work know how important this can be.
Is there anything else that our new immigrants need to be aware of?
Yes, it is not impossible to get work in Australia. The first job may be difficult to get but they need to put a lot of effort into finding work.
And work is also good for socializing. Do you agree?
Yes, of course. When you go to work, you learn new things and at the same time you make friends. You learn about different cultures that live in Australia. It is really good to go to work every day.
Well, Mr Yamamoto, we have to end our program here. Thanks for coming today and for providing us with this useful information.
Not at all. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Thank you very much.
Now, how easy or how hard is it to get a job in Australia?
This is a very interesting question. I am sure everyone is asking how do I get a job? First of all, you need to decide what job that you want to do.
And why do you think this is important?
Because there are different types of work a person can do. There are people, for example, who would like to work 9 to 5. Others don’t like to work in an office. They like to use their hands and do things. Still others don’t like to work 5 days a week or maybe they want to work in the evening or at weekends.
So what can a person do after deciding what job he or she wants?
They have to create a resume. Some people like to call it a CV.
What is that? Can you give our listeners some information?
A CV or a resume is a document that has information about you. It has your contact details and some information about your education and work history.
Is that all?
No, you still need to use the names of two or three people who can be your references. You need to ask those people for permission before you put their contact details in your resume.
Can a person use his or her spouse?
No, they can’t. They need to use the names of people who know about their work.
And how do people find jobs?
Well, they have to do a lot of research to find a suitable job. They can go online, for example, and look for work that they really want to do.
If they don’t know how to do that, what can they do?
If they don’t want to go online, they can go to an employment agency to help them get work. AMES has a very good employment agency and they help thousands of people every year to gain employment.
Where else can people get work?
They can buy the Age newspaper on Saturday. It has an employment section and I am sure they can find something that interests them.
What do you think is the biggest problem for anyone who is new to Australia and wants to get a job?
English. English is sometimes the biggest problem for many people. If you don’t speak good English, you may not get the job you want. Speaking good English will open the doors for you to do many things.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Yes, if you have a qualification from your country, sometimes it is not good enough to allow you to work in Australia. Some people say they have been working as doctors or engineers in their own countries for a long time. This cannot guarantee that they will get the same jobs here.
Why is that?
Because our education and training in Australia is different. I know that those people feel upset and sometimes angry but they can go and study to get an Australian qualification.
Is it easy for people to study in Australia?
Oh, yes. If you are a permanent resident, it is easy for you to start studying at a local TAFE for example. It does not cost much but once you have an Australian qualification and speak good English, you will see how easy it is to get a job.
What sort of courses are in high demand nowadays?
Well, there is a web site called Skills Victoria and it has a lot of information about training and education.
Can you give our listeners the web address for Skills Victoria, please?
It is www.skills.vic.gov.au. It can open the doors for the listeners to find out what courses that are there. I know a lot of people who changed their careers completely after starting to live in Australia.
What do people need to do after typing a resume?
They need to send the resume to as many workplaces as possible. I remember I sent my resume to more than 20 different companies before I got my first job in Australia. I want our listeners to remember that they can NOT use the same resume to apply for different jobs. They need to make some changes each time they email or send a resume to an employer.
Why is that? Why can’t I send one resume to all employers?
Because employers want different things from workers. For example, someone may advertise a job because he or she needs someone who can type 70 words per minute to work at their workplace. Another employer may not need someone who types that fast. It differs from one workplace to the other.
What can a person do after sending a resume to an employer?
He or she can telephone the employer to make sure they have received the resume. It is a chance for the person to get a feeling and see if they will get the job or not. May be the person who answers the phone is not friendly and after the phone call you decide that you don’t want to work there.
Is talking to friends and family members important too?
Yes, if you tell your friends and family members that you are looking for work, they may be able to help you. If they see a job ad in a newspaper, they may tell you. Most of the people who get work know how important this can be.
Is there anything else that our new immigrants need to be aware of?
Yes, it is not impossible to get work in Australia. The first job may be difficult to get but they need to put a lot of effort into finding work.
And work is also good for socializing. Do you agree?
Yes, of course. When you go to work, you learn new things and at the same time you make friends. You learn about different cultures that live in Australia. It is really good to go to work every day.
Well, Mr Yamamoto, we have to end our program here. Thanks for coming today and for providing us with this useful information.
Not at all. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Mobile Phones
Good morning listeners. There are millions of people who use mobiles phones. Some of us even have more than one mobile phone that we use. They are very important to us nowadays and we can’t imagine life without them. Today we have a guest speaker who will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones. I would like to welcome Mr Alan Smith to our program. Welcome, Mr Smith.
Thank you very much.
Now, mobile phones have not been around for a long time but everyone is using them.
Oh, yes. We even have more mobile phones than people in Australia. They are part and parcel of our modern life. We just can’t live without them. Even very young children use them.
What are the advantages of using a mobile phone?
Well, there are many advantages of using a mobile phone. I can’t tell you all of them but I will mention some. I believe the biggest advantage is that you can carry a mobile phone with you anywhere. That is why we call them “mobile” phones. Also most of them come with cameras and that is what many people like about them.
And what do they do with their mobile cameras?
They take photos but this is not all they can do. They can also take videos and transfer them to their computers or watch them on TV at home.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the advantages of mobile phones?
Oh, yes. People use them now to play music or watch movies. If you travel by train, you will see many people around you listening to their favourit songs, playing games or watching movies. They kill the time until those people get off the train.
Are mobile phones good for doing business?
Of course they are. If you are a manager, you can make sure you don’t miss important phone calls because you are not in the office. You can contact your clients any time you like. In the business world they say that time is money. I believe that mobile phones can help you make more money.
Yes, but they are not cheap.
I agree with you. Some mobile phones are really expensive but if you have a close look around you, everyone is using them. Especially the most expensive ones.
Can people use mobile phones the same way as they use their computers?
Oh, the answer is yes. Some mobile phones are expensive because they have more features than the cheap ones. New mobile phones have large screens that you can touch to go online and check your email or do other things. Some people hardly use their computers anymore because they can do everything on their mobile phones.
When mobile phones first started, they were bulky.
Yes, I remember my first mobile phone. It was very big and I couldn’t carry it in my pocket. It was like a brick. It was only used to make and receive phone calls. I couldn’t do anything else with it. But now technology keeps changing and mobile phones are better and smaller.
Can students use them to learn?
Yes, students can use mobile phones to learn. As I told you, mobile phones can be used as computers. There are many programs that are good for students to use on their mobile phones. Also some teachers send SMS messages to their students if they miss classes. They can SMS them homework or other teaching materials.
Now let’s talk about the disadvantages of mobile phones. What do you think are some of the disadvantages of using a mobile phone?
Well, there are some disadvantages of using mobile phones. I think the biggest disadvantage of using a mobile phone is the price. Some of them cost a lot of money. You need to sign up a contract, mostly for 24 months, before you get a new mobile phone. If you use your mobile phone too much, you can be asked to pay a lot of money.
Is there anything we can do to pay less money?
Yes, we have to be careful before we sign a mobile phone contract. We need to ask many questions before we sign. We need to make sure the mobile phone plan is suitable for us.
What about internet download?
Yes, if you use your mobile phone to download files from the internet, it can cost you a lot of money. You can use your computer at home to download what you like and then transfer what you have downloaded to your mobile phone. This is what many people do nowadays.
Any other disadvantages of using mobile phones?
Yes, they can damage your ear. If you talk too much on your mobile phone, you can damage your ear after some time. Don’t say it will never happen to me. After some years, you will find that there is something wrong with your hearing.
And what can we do to protect our hearing?
Well, we can use our mobile phones less. Only for a short time every day. There will be no problem with that.
What about radiation?
Oh, yes. There are some people who say that radiation can cause problems to our brains and general health. Others say that using mobile phones is perfectly fine. We just need to be careful when we use them.
Anything else you’d like to tell our listeners?
Oh, yes. Mobile phones are very easy to lose. Ask anyone you know how many mobile phones have you lost and they will tell you they have already lost one or two. Maybe more.
Some of them get stolen too.
Yes. It is easy for mobile phones to get stolen. Thieves steal them because they cost a lot of money. We don’t keep an eye on our mobile phones all the time. We get distracted and forget them. We have to blame ourselves sometimes.
Do mobile phones distract students in class?
I think that only lazy students can get distracted in class. I know that some students can spend time in class playing games on their mobile phones or listening to their favourite music. That is why most schools ban the use of mobile phones during school time. Many students break these rules and keep using mobile phones while the teacher is inside the classroom. I think this is wrong.
Well, Mr Smith. We are running out of time now and have to finish our program. Thank you very much for the information you have provided our listers with and for coming to our studio today.
Not at all. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Thank you very much.
Now, mobile phones have not been around for a long time but everyone is using them.
Oh, yes. We even have more mobile phones than people in Australia. They are part and parcel of our modern life. We just can’t live without them. Even very young children use them.
What are the advantages of using a mobile phone?
Well, there are many advantages of using a mobile phone. I can’t tell you all of them but I will mention some. I believe the biggest advantage is that you can carry a mobile phone with you anywhere. That is why we call them “mobile” phones. Also most of them come with cameras and that is what many people like about them.
And what do they do with their mobile cameras?
They take photos but this is not all they can do. They can also take videos and transfer them to their computers or watch them on TV at home.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the advantages of mobile phones?
Oh, yes. People use them now to play music or watch movies. If you travel by train, you will see many people around you listening to their favourit songs, playing games or watching movies. They kill the time until those people get off the train.
Are mobile phones good for doing business?
Of course they are. If you are a manager, you can make sure you don’t miss important phone calls because you are not in the office. You can contact your clients any time you like. In the business world they say that time is money. I believe that mobile phones can help you make more money.
Yes, but they are not cheap.
I agree with you. Some mobile phones are really expensive but if you have a close look around you, everyone is using them. Especially the most expensive ones.
Can people use mobile phones the same way as they use their computers?
Oh, the answer is yes. Some mobile phones are expensive because they have more features than the cheap ones. New mobile phones have large screens that you can touch to go online and check your email or do other things. Some people hardly use their computers anymore because they can do everything on their mobile phones.
When mobile phones first started, they were bulky.
Yes, I remember my first mobile phone. It was very big and I couldn’t carry it in my pocket. It was like a brick. It was only used to make and receive phone calls. I couldn’t do anything else with it. But now technology keeps changing and mobile phones are better and smaller.
Can students use them to learn?
Yes, students can use mobile phones to learn. As I told you, mobile phones can be used as computers. There are many programs that are good for students to use on their mobile phones. Also some teachers send SMS messages to their students if they miss classes. They can SMS them homework or other teaching materials.
Now let’s talk about the disadvantages of mobile phones. What do you think are some of the disadvantages of using a mobile phone?
Well, there are some disadvantages of using mobile phones. I think the biggest disadvantage of using a mobile phone is the price. Some of them cost a lot of money. You need to sign up a contract, mostly for 24 months, before you get a new mobile phone. If you use your mobile phone too much, you can be asked to pay a lot of money.
Is there anything we can do to pay less money?
Yes, we have to be careful before we sign a mobile phone contract. We need to ask many questions before we sign. We need to make sure the mobile phone plan is suitable for us.
What about internet download?
Yes, if you use your mobile phone to download files from the internet, it can cost you a lot of money. You can use your computer at home to download what you like and then transfer what you have downloaded to your mobile phone. This is what many people do nowadays.
Any other disadvantages of using mobile phones?
Yes, they can damage your ear. If you talk too much on your mobile phone, you can damage your ear after some time. Don’t say it will never happen to me. After some years, you will find that there is something wrong with your hearing.
And what can we do to protect our hearing?
Well, we can use our mobile phones less. Only for a short time every day. There will be no problem with that.
What about radiation?
Oh, yes. There are some people who say that radiation can cause problems to our brains and general health. Others say that using mobile phones is perfectly fine. We just need to be careful when we use them.
Anything else you’d like to tell our listeners?
Oh, yes. Mobile phones are very easy to lose. Ask anyone you know how many mobile phones have you lost and they will tell you they have already lost one or two. Maybe more.
Some of them get stolen too.
Yes. It is easy for mobile phones to get stolen. Thieves steal them because they cost a lot of money. We don’t keep an eye on our mobile phones all the time. We get distracted and forget them. We have to blame ourselves sometimes.
Do mobile phones distract students in class?
I think that only lazy students can get distracted in class. I know that some students can spend time in class playing games on their mobile phones or listening to their favourite music. That is why most schools ban the use of mobile phones during school time. Many students break these rules and keep using mobile phones while the teacher is inside the classroom. I think this is wrong.
Well, Mr Smith. We are running out of time now and have to finish our program. Thank you very much for the information you have provided our listers with and for coming to our studio today.
Not at all. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Interview Mistakes
We all know that a job interview is something that is very important. We also know that there are some mistakes that a person can make when he or she has a job interview. These mistakes can be simple ones but they may cause the person to fail a job interview. Here are some of the common mistakes that people sometimes make in a job interview.
1. Not knowing important information about the company
If you don’t get enough information about the company you’d like to work at, this will make you look bad. People will ask why you came to the job interview in the first place.
2. Arriving late for a job interview
If you have a job interview, make sure you arrive on time. Arriving on time will show the person who interviews you that you are punctual. This will give a good impression and you may end up getting the job you want.
3. Being very nervous
We all feel nervous when we have a job interview but if you show that you are very nervous or are afraid during an interview, the person may think that you will not do a good job if you are hired. Also being too nervous may make it not easy to show that you have the skills that are needed for the job. You may not exchange eye contact with the person who interviews you because you feel very nervous. You may also not answer questions well because you feel nervous.
4. Telling lies about your skills
Some people tell lies about their skills to make sure they get the job they want. They may tell lies about their past work experience or education. Sooner or later, supervisors will find out about their level of skills and they may lose the job after getting it.
5. Talking badly about former bosses or colleagues
If you talk badly about your former boss or colleagues, the person who interviews you can get the feeling that you are a bad or lazy person. He or she will think that you will do the same with your colleagues at the new workplace. The person may think that you are a troublemaker.
6. Not turning your mobile off
If you don’t turn your mobile off before a job interview, this can show the person who interviews you that you are careless. It will be a disaster if you answer a phone call during a job interview. The person who interviews you will surely get angry and you can kiss the job goodbye.
7. Wearing informal clothes
Selecting what to wear for a job interview is really important. If you want to leave a good impression, dress something formal. No jeans or short skirts are to be worn. Also don’t use too much perfume if you are going to a job interview.
8. Using bad language
If you use bad language during a job interview, this can leave a bad impression on the person who asks you questions. They will soon find out that you don’t have any people skills and will cause trouble if you start working. Make sure you think about what you say before you start talking.
9. Not paying attention to the questions asked
You need to listen carefully and give answers related to the questions that you are asked. If you keep talking for a few minutes about something different from the questions asked, this will give a bad impression. They will see that you talk too much but say too little. The person who interviews you will thank that you don’t know the answer and are trying to cover up for your ignorance.
10. Not knowing how to answer tricky questions
In any job interview there are some tricky questions that you can be asked. If you don’t train yourself on how to answer them, you may end up not getting the job you want. In some situations, it is good not to be too honest when you answer some questions like when you talk about your weaknesses.
1. Not knowing important information about the company
If you don’t get enough information about the company you’d like to work at, this will make you look bad. People will ask why you came to the job interview in the first place.
2. Arriving late for a job interview
If you have a job interview, make sure you arrive on time. Arriving on time will show the person who interviews you that you are punctual. This will give a good impression and you may end up getting the job you want.
3. Being very nervous
We all feel nervous when we have a job interview but if you show that you are very nervous or are afraid during an interview, the person may think that you will not do a good job if you are hired. Also being too nervous may make it not easy to show that you have the skills that are needed for the job. You may not exchange eye contact with the person who interviews you because you feel very nervous. You may also not answer questions well because you feel nervous.
4. Telling lies about your skills
Some people tell lies about their skills to make sure they get the job they want. They may tell lies about their past work experience or education. Sooner or later, supervisors will find out about their level of skills and they may lose the job after getting it.
5. Talking badly about former bosses or colleagues
If you talk badly about your former boss or colleagues, the person who interviews you can get the feeling that you are a bad or lazy person. He or she will think that you will do the same with your colleagues at the new workplace. The person may think that you are a troublemaker.
6. Not turning your mobile off
If you don’t turn your mobile off before a job interview, this can show the person who interviews you that you are careless. It will be a disaster if you answer a phone call during a job interview. The person who interviews you will surely get angry and you can kiss the job goodbye.
7. Wearing informal clothes
Selecting what to wear for a job interview is really important. If you want to leave a good impression, dress something formal. No jeans or short skirts are to be worn. Also don’t use too much perfume if you are going to a job interview.
8. Using bad language
If you use bad language during a job interview, this can leave a bad impression on the person who asks you questions. They will soon find out that you don’t have any people skills and will cause trouble if you start working. Make sure you think about what you say before you start talking.
9. Not paying attention to the questions asked
You need to listen carefully and give answers related to the questions that you are asked. If you keep talking for a few minutes about something different from the questions asked, this will give a bad impression. They will see that you talk too much but say too little. The person who interviews you will thank that you don’t know the answer and are trying to cover up for your ignorance.
10. Not knowing how to answer tricky questions
In any job interview there are some tricky questions that you can be asked. If you don’t train yourself on how to answer them, you may end up not getting the job you want. In some situations, it is good not to be too honest when you answer some questions like when you talk about your weaknesses.
House Fires
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today we are very fortunate to have a guest speaker who will talk to us about fire safety at home. I would like to welcome Alan Smith to our program. Welcome, Mr Smith.
Thank you very much.
Now, Mr Smith. Where do most fires start in our houses?
Well, most fires start in the kitchen. In the kitchen we use stoves and ovens and this can be dangerous.
Is that all?
No, that is not all. Faulty electrical wiring can be dangerous and can start fires. Unsupervised children can cause fires when they play around the house especially if they play with matches. People who smoke in beds don't realize how dangerous this can be. People can start a fire when they use candles at home.
And how many people die in house fires in Australia? Do you know?
Oh, yes. There are nearly 70 people who die in house fires every year in Australia. It is also important to know that there are more than 1000 people who suffer from burns in house fires in Australia. Most of them have small burns but I have seen people who have had severe burns too.
And who are most at risk of house fires?
Well, children are at risk in house fires of course because they don't know how dangerous house fires can be. Also very old people are at risk. Some of them can't walk fast enough to escape a house fire.
What can we do to reduce house fires in Australia?
Well, there are many things we can do to reduce the number of house fires.
Can you give us some examples?
Installing a smoke alarm in the house can save lives. It is not a big job to install a smoke alarm. Anyone can do it.
And where do we get fire alarms from? Are they free?
No, they are not free, unfortunately. we need to buy them at the shops. They don't cost a lot of money. $6 or $10 will do. I am sure you can buy more expensive ones at big supermarkets or different shops. It does not matter how much money they cost. The most important thing is that they save lives.
If I can't install them, what can I do?
Well, smoke alarms come with simple instruction sheets. You need to read these sheets and everything should be easy after that. It only takes two or three minutes to install one in your house. You don't need to install them yourself if you can't. Just get a friend to install one for you. My wife installed three smoke alarms in our house.
Three smoke alarms?
Yes, we have three smoke alarms because we know how important it is to have them. They protect our lives and the lives or our children.
Do you need to change the batteries every month?
No, I don't need to change the batteries every month. Actually I change batteries every year. I just make sure they are in good working order from time to time. I test them.
And what can we do to reduce fire risks in our kitchens?
You can use a fire blanket. It looks like a bed sheet but it is especially made to be thrown on fires. It will put the fire out if you have one started in the kitchen.
Does it cost a lot of money to buy a fire blanket?
No, it doesn't cost a lot of money to buy.
What can we do to teach our children about the dangers of fires?
We can sit down and talk to them. It does not matter how old they are. They will understand what we say if we make the information simple. We need to draw a plan and teach them what to do if there is a fire in the house and where to do.
What about calling 000?
Yes, we need to teach them when to call 000 and what to say on the phone. we need them to know the address of the house so they can tell the telephone operator where to send a fire truck or an ambulance to.
Do we need to buy a fire extinguisher and keep it in our house?
No, you don't need to buy a fire extinguisher but if you can afford it, this will be good. You need to know that not all fire extinguishers are used on the same type of fire. One very important thing to know is that if there is an oil fire in the kitchen, you must not use water to try to put it out.
Why? What will happen if I use water?
You will make the fire 10 times bigger if you try to use water.
What do you mean? Can you please explain more?
Well, if you have a house fire that was caused by burning oil, you need a special kind of fire extinguisher to put it out.
What are some of the good things we need to do if there is a fire in the house?
If there is a fire in the house, you need to think quickly. You need to ask yourself "Is it safe for me to put it out?" If the answer is yes, do something at once. Don't put your life in danger. You need to alert other people who are in the house about the fire. Perhaps you will need to crawl to get under the smoke.
Does it take a long time for a fire to spread out of control?
No, it only takes 2 to 3 minutes for a house to be on fire. If you are in a situation like this, just get out of the house at once.
What about the expensive things in the house? Some people try to carry their TVs or computers before they leave the house.
They are crazy. A fire can spread quicker than they may think.
I think there are many things we must be aware of to stay safe at home.
Yes, but it is good to go on the internet and find out more information for yourself. You'll be amazed how serious the problem is and how easy it is to protect ourselves from the dangers of fires.
Thank you very much for you time today.
A pleasure to be here.
Thank you very much.
Now, Mr Smith. Where do most fires start in our houses?
Well, most fires start in the kitchen. In the kitchen we use stoves and ovens and this can be dangerous.
Is that all?
No, that is not all. Faulty electrical wiring can be dangerous and can start fires. Unsupervised children can cause fires when they play around the house especially if they play with matches. People who smoke in beds don't realize how dangerous this can be. People can start a fire when they use candles at home.
And how many people die in house fires in Australia? Do you know?
Oh, yes. There are nearly 70 people who die in house fires every year in Australia. It is also important to know that there are more than 1000 people who suffer from burns in house fires in Australia. Most of them have small burns but I have seen people who have had severe burns too.
And who are most at risk of house fires?
Well, children are at risk in house fires of course because they don't know how dangerous house fires can be. Also very old people are at risk. Some of them can't walk fast enough to escape a house fire.
What can we do to reduce house fires in Australia?
Well, there are many things we can do to reduce the number of house fires.
Can you give us some examples?
Installing a smoke alarm in the house can save lives. It is not a big job to install a smoke alarm. Anyone can do it.
And where do we get fire alarms from? Are they free?
No, they are not free, unfortunately. we need to buy them at the shops. They don't cost a lot of money. $6 or $10 will do. I am sure you can buy more expensive ones at big supermarkets or different shops. It does not matter how much money they cost. The most important thing is that they save lives.
If I can't install them, what can I do?
Well, smoke alarms come with simple instruction sheets. You need to read these sheets and everything should be easy after that. It only takes two or three minutes to install one in your house. You don't need to install them yourself if you can't. Just get a friend to install one for you. My wife installed three smoke alarms in our house.
Three smoke alarms?
Yes, we have three smoke alarms because we know how important it is to have them. They protect our lives and the lives or our children.
Do you need to change the batteries every month?
No, I don't need to change the batteries every month. Actually I change batteries every year. I just make sure they are in good working order from time to time. I test them.
And what can we do to reduce fire risks in our kitchens?
You can use a fire blanket. It looks like a bed sheet but it is especially made to be thrown on fires. It will put the fire out if you have one started in the kitchen.
Does it cost a lot of money to buy a fire blanket?
No, it doesn't cost a lot of money to buy.
What can we do to teach our children about the dangers of fires?
We can sit down and talk to them. It does not matter how old they are. They will understand what we say if we make the information simple. We need to draw a plan and teach them what to do if there is a fire in the house and where to do.
What about calling 000?
Yes, we need to teach them when to call 000 and what to say on the phone. we need them to know the address of the house so they can tell the telephone operator where to send a fire truck or an ambulance to.
Do we need to buy a fire extinguisher and keep it in our house?
No, you don't need to buy a fire extinguisher but if you can afford it, this will be good. You need to know that not all fire extinguishers are used on the same type of fire. One very important thing to know is that if there is an oil fire in the kitchen, you must not use water to try to put it out.
Why? What will happen if I use water?
You will make the fire 10 times bigger if you try to use water.
What do you mean? Can you please explain more?
Well, if you have a house fire that was caused by burning oil, you need a special kind of fire extinguisher to put it out.
What are some of the good things we need to do if there is a fire in the house?
If there is a fire in the house, you need to think quickly. You need to ask yourself "Is it safe for me to put it out?" If the answer is yes, do something at once. Don't put your life in danger. You need to alert other people who are in the house about the fire. Perhaps you will need to crawl to get under the smoke.
Does it take a long time for a fire to spread out of control?
No, it only takes 2 to 3 minutes for a house to be on fire. If you are in a situation like this, just get out of the house at once.
What about the expensive things in the house? Some people try to carry their TVs or computers before they leave the house.
They are crazy. A fire can spread quicker than they may think.
I think there are many things we must be aware of to stay safe at home.
Yes, but it is good to go on the internet and find out more information for yourself. You'll be amazed how serious the problem is and how easy it is to protect ourselves from the dangers of fires.
Thank you very much for you time today.
A pleasure to be here.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Certificate IV in Nursing Information
Good morning. XYZ institute. Maria speaking. How can I help you?
Good morning. My name is William Zhang. I come from China. I would like to get some information on certificate IV in nursing.
Yes. Certificate IV in nursing is a very popular course. It will give you the skills and knowledge to work as division 2 nurse in Australia.
Where can I get work after finishing the course?
You can work in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health or community health centres. It really depends where you’d like to work.
I see. Is the diploma accredited in Victoria only?
No, Mr Zhang. It is nationally accredited. This means that you can get a job anywhere in Australia. You can work anywhere in Australia. That is why this course is in high demand by students.
Oh, that looks great. Are there any conditions for the course?
Well, there are some conditions that you need to know before you apply. You need to have finished year 12. You need to have a working with children police check. You need a current police check. You need to have basic computer skills. You need to have good English literacy and numeracy skills.
How can I apply?
You can apply directly. You can come to our institute and fill in a form. You’d better do so quickly because the course is in high demand.
What does this mean?
It means if you are late, perhaps you will not be able to get in this intake and you will have to wait until next February.
Oh, I see. Can you tell me what I have to do after I fill in the form?
You will have to wait for your application to be assessed.
What does this mean?
This means that we will have a close look at your application form to see if you are suitable for the course. We can’t accept everyone who is interested in doing the course, of course. We will ask you to attend an information session.
Can you give me some information about the information session, please?
Yes, we normally have an information session for new people interested in doing the course. We will give you some information about the course and how the students can pass the tests.
What will happen after that?
If you are successful, we will send you a letter of acceptance to tell you the good news that you have been selected to study here.
How long does the course go for?
The course goes for 18 months if you choose to do it full time.
Can I do it part time?
Yes, you can but it will take longer.
How long will the course take if I want to do it part time?
If you want to do the course part time, it will take you two years. You will have to come to school two days a week including weekends.
What about the money? How much do I have to pay to do the course?
We normally charge $#.79 per hour. The maximum amount of money that you need to pay is $2000.
Is that all?
No, you will also need to pay a service fee and buy your own books.
How much is the service fee?
It is $60 only.
Can you give me some information about the tests that I have to do in this course?
Yes, you will need to do some written assessment tasks and give oral presentations in class. You will do some practical placement work while you study.
What do you mean?
Well, you will need to do some work in a hospital or an aged care facility as part of your course. You will do some hands-on work and this will help you learn.
Will there be any online tests?
Yes, your teacher may choose to give you some online assessment tasks if he or she likes. Also if you have studied any of the units in the course before, maybe you will not need to study them again here. This will make life easier for you.
Thank you for the information you’ve given me.
Not a problem. Is there anything else I can help you with?
No, that’s all. Thanks very much.
Not at all. Bye.
Good morning. My name is William Zhang. I come from China. I would like to get some information on certificate IV in nursing.
Yes. Certificate IV in nursing is a very popular course. It will give you the skills and knowledge to work as division 2 nurse in Australia.
Where can I get work after finishing the course?
You can work in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health or community health centres. It really depends where you’d like to work.
I see. Is the diploma accredited in Victoria only?
No, Mr Zhang. It is nationally accredited. This means that you can get a job anywhere in Australia. You can work anywhere in Australia. That is why this course is in high demand by students.
Oh, that looks great. Are there any conditions for the course?
Well, there are some conditions that you need to know before you apply. You need to have finished year 12. You need to have a working with children police check. You need a current police check. You need to have basic computer skills. You need to have good English literacy and numeracy skills.
How can I apply?
You can apply directly. You can come to our institute and fill in a form. You’d better do so quickly because the course is in high demand.
What does this mean?
It means if you are late, perhaps you will not be able to get in this intake and you will have to wait until next February.
Oh, I see. Can you tell me what I have to do after I fill in the form?
You will have to wait for your application to be assessed.
What does this mean?
This means that we will have a close look at your application form to see if you are suitable for the course. We can’t accept everyone who is interested in doing the course, of course. We will ask you to attend an information session.
Can you give me some information about the information session, please?
Yes, we normally have an information session for new people interested in doing the course. We will give you some information about the course and how the students can pass the tests.
What will happen after that?
If you are successful, we will send you a letter of acceptance to tell you the good news that you have been selected to study here.
How long does the course go for?
The course goes for 18 months if you choose to do it full time.
Can I do it part time?
Yes, you can but it will take longer.
How long will the course take if I want to do it part time?
If you want to do the course part time, it will take you two years. You will have to come to school two days a week including weekends.
What about the money? How much do I have to pay to do the course?
We normally charge $#.79 per hour. The maximum amount of money that you need to pay is $2000.
Is that all?
No, you will also need to pay a service fee and buy your own books.
How much is the service fee?
It is $60 only.
Can you give me some information about the tests that I have to do in this course?
Yes, you will need to do some written assessment tasks and give oral presentations in class. You will do some practical placement work while you study.
What do you mean?
Well, you will need to do some work in a hospital or an aged care facility as part of your course. You will do some hands-on work and this will help you learn.
Will there be any online tests?
Yes, your teacher may choose to give you some online assessment tasks if he or she likes. Also if you have studied any of the units in the course before, maybe you will not need to study them again here. This will make life easier for you.
Thank you for the information you’ve given me.
Not a problem. Is there anything else I can help you with?
No, that’s all. Thanks very much.
Not at all. Bye.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Incident Report
I was walking near room 9 on the ground floor at 4:30 pm. I saw worker James Bond. He fell down on the floor because the floor was wet. There was oil on the floor. He slipped and landed on his right arm. He screemed. He was in pain. Three people ran to help him. After that, I called for an ambulance and paramedics arrived after 5 minutes. They examined James Bond and decided to take him to hospital to receive medical care. James will stay in the hospital for one week.
Reading and Listening
Have a look at this web site. I am sure you will like it.
http://childtopia.com/index.php?module=home&func=coce
http://childtopia.com/index.php?module=home&func=coce
Protecting the Environment
Because there are many factories and cars on the roads nowadays, we damage the environment. We make the air bad and we make the soil dirty. We make our beaches ugly because we throw a lot of rubbish in the sea. We breathe bad air and this causes many people to have health problems. It is time to look after the environment.
We can do many things to show that we care about our environment. We can drive less or use public transport to go places. We can also use bikes to travel short distances. For example, if we want to go to the local shopping centre, we can go there by bike. This will make us healthier and it will be a chance for us to do some exercise. We will feel good about ourselves.
We can also walk our kids to school. It will be a chance for us to meet other parents and our kids can make friends too. We can use less electricity at home. This will save us a lot of money because electricity prices are going up year after year.
We can plant trees in our backyards. Trees filter the air and are good for the environment. If you plant a lemon tree in your backyard, you will not need to buy any lemons at the supermarket. You can also give some to your friends.
Use a shopping bag when you go to do your shopping. Plastic bags are bad for the environment. Some of them end up in the sea and they kill many fishe including whales and dolphins. Fishes think that plastic bags are food and try to eat them.
We can take short showers to save water. Australia is a dry country. This means that we don’t have a lot of rainfall. Water prices are going up as well. When we take long showers, we use a lot of water. If we take hot showers, we use more gas or electricity. It is a good idea to use front-loading washing machines and not the top-loading ones. Front-loading washing machines use less water and they do a good job.
Put your empty plastic and glass bottles in the recycling bin. If we do so, we help the environment a lot. These bottles get recycled and we will not need to make new ones. We can also go to bed early. If we go to bed early, we won’t need to use a lot of energy. We won’t need to turn on the light in our rooms. We won’t need to use our heaters for long hours. It is a good idea to use energy-saving globes. Energy-saving globes use less electricity than the normal ones.
When we serve food, we can use normal cups, plates and dishes and not the disposable ones. We use them normally when we have a party or when we go to the beach. Disposable plates and cups are normally used once and then we put them in the rubbish bin. This can cost money and it is not a good thing to do.
We can report smoking cars that we see. Smoking cars do a lot of damage to the environment. We can write down the registration number for a smoking car and phone 9695 2755 to report it.
We can also use paper on both sides. If we do so, we will use less paper and not need to cut down trees. If we cut down trees, we will cause damage to the environment. Birds and animals will lose their habitats if we cut down trees.
We can try to use lemon and vinegar when we clean the house and not use chemicals. If we use chemicals, we will make the water of the seas dirty and this can kill a lot of fish and sea animals.
We can do many things to show that we care about our environment. We can drive less or use public transport to go places. We can also use bikes to travel short distances. For example, if we want to go to the local shopping centre, we can go there by bike. This will make us healthier and it will be a chance for us to do some exercise. We will feel good about ourselves.
We can also walk our kids to school. It will be a chance for us to meet other parents and our kids can make friends too. We can use less electricity at home. This will save us a lot of money because electricity prices are going up year after year.
We can plant trees in our backyards. Trees filter the air and are good for the environment. If you plant a lemon tree in your backyard, you will not need to buy any lemons at the supermarket. You can also give some to your friends.
Use a shopping bag when you go to do your shopping. Plastic bags are bad for the environment. Some of them end up in the sea and they kill many fishe including whales and dolphins. Fishes think that plastic bags are food and try to eat them.
We can take short showers to save water. Australia is a dry country. This means that we don’t have a lot of rainfall. Water prices are going up as well. When we take long showers, we use a lot of water. If we take hot showers, we use more gas or electricity. It is a good idea to use front-loading washing machines and not the top-loading ones. Front-loading washing machines use less water and they do a good job.
Put your empty plastic and glass bottles in the recycling bin. If we do so, we help the environment a lot. These bottles get recycled and we will not need to make new ones. We can also go to bed early. If we go to bed early, we won’t need to use a lot of energy. We won’t need to turn on the light in our rooms. We won’t need to use our heaters for long hours. It is a good idea to use energy-saving globes. Energy-saving globes use less electricity than the normal ones.
When we serve food, we can use normal cups, plates and dishes and not the disposable ones. We use them normally when we have a party or when we go to the beach. Disposable plates and cups are normally used once and then we put them in the rubbish bin. This can cost money and it is not a good thing to do.
We can report smoking cars that we see. Smoking cars do a lot of damage to the environment. We can write down the registration number for a smoking car and phone 9695 2755 to report it.
We can also use paper on both sides. If we do so, we will use less paper and not need to cut down trees. If we cut down trees, we will cause damage to the environment. Birds and animals will lose their habitats if we cut down trees.
We can try to use lemon and vinegar when we clean the house and not use chemicals. If we use chemicals, we will make the water of the seas dirty and this can kill a lot of fish and sea animals.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Fire Safety
Here is a link to some reading you can do to learn about fire safety at home.
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/documents/housefires.pdf
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/documents/housefires.pdf
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Course Information
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Alex Carter and I would like to welcome you to our certificate II in IT information session. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me any time you like. Now, let’s get started.
First of all, I will tell you how you can apply to do the course at our institute. You can apply online by visiting our web site. You will need to type your details and click on “Apply Now”. You can also apply by phone. You can call one of our busy office admins Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Our office telephone number is 9854 6756You can also fax us to apply to do the course. Our fax number is 9898 7654. If you like, you can apply by mail. All you have to do is send us a letter and we will send you a form to fill in and post it back to us. If you have the time, you can come in person and fill in an application form. On your application form, you need to write you surname, your first name, your address, the date of birth and tick a box to tell us if you are a male or a female.
When you write your address, please don’t forget to tell us your post code. You will also write your phone number at home and also your mobile number. I don’t know if any of you has got a fax at home but you can also write the number if you have one. The easiest way to contact you will be using your email address. On the form, please don’t forget to give us your email address. We promise we will use it to contact you only. We will not send you any spam email messages.
On the form, you will need to fill in a lot of details. Your payment details are important. You will need to pay $1.58 an hour if you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident. If you have a healthcare card, you will pay less money. International students will have to pay a lot more than that. You can ask our one of our office admins for more details.
I would like know to give you some information about our institute. We are one of Australia’s biggest institutes providing IT courses. We have a big number of international students because the quality of education here is very high. We have some of Australia’s best teachers. We have online courses and some students choose to do their courses online instead of coming here.
When our students finish their diploma courses here, they can go to university and study to get degrees. We have educational counsellors who can help you and provide information any time you need help. We also have bridging courses to help people who have difficulty with maths or English.
We are also located near public transport. If you come from the city, you can use public transport. We are near the train station. There are also three busses that stop just outside the main entrance. Parking is not easy because we have a big number of students and limited spaces for parking. You can park in the car park at the shopping centre. I think it will cost you about ten dollars if you would like to park all day there. If you live nearby, you can come on foot or by bike. You can leave your bike near the main entrance but make sure you lock it. I personally use public transport because it is convenient.
I hope this information will help you decide what you would like to do for your future. Now, if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.
First of all, I will tell you how you can apply to do the course at our institute. You can apply online by visiting our web site. You will need to type your details and click on “Apply Now”. You can also apply by phone. You can call one of our busy office admins Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Our office telephone number is 9854 6756You can also fax us to apply to do the course. Our fax number is 9898 7654. If you like, you can apply by mail. All you have to do is send us a letter and we will send you a form to fill in and post it back to us. If you have the time, you can come in person and fill in an application form. On your application form, you need to write you surname, your first name, your address, the date of birth and tick a box to tell us if you are a male or a female.
When you write your address, please don’t forget to tell us your post code. You will also write your phone number at home and also your mobile number. I don’t know if any of you has got a fax at home but you can also write the number if you have one. The easiest way to contact you will be using your email address. On the form, please don’t forget to give us your email address. We promise we will use it to contact you only. We will not send you any spam email messages.
On the form, you will need to fill in a lot of details. Your payment details are important. You will need to pay $1.58 an hour if you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident. If you have a healthcare card, you will pay less money. International students will have to pay a lot more than that. You can ask our one of our office admins for more details.
I would like know to give you some information about our institute. We are one of Australia’s biggest institutes providing IT courses. We have a big number of international students because the quality of education here is very high. We have some of Australia’s best teachers. We have online courses and some students choose to do their courses online instead of coming here.
When our students finish their diploma courses here, they can go to university and study to get degrees. We have educational counsellors who can help you and provide information any time you need help. We also have bridging courses to help people who have difficulty with maths or English.
We are also located near public transport. If you come from the city, you can use public transport. We are near the train station. There are also three busses that stop just outside the main entrance. Parking is not easy because we have a big number of students and limited spaces for parking. You can park in the car park at the shopping centre. I think it will cost you about ten dollars if you would like to park all day there. If you live nearby, you can come on foot or by bike. You can leave your bike near the main entrance but make sure you lock it. I personally use public transport because it is convenient.
I hope this information will help you decide what you would like to do for your future. Now, if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.
Mubarak Scam
Hosny Mubarak ran a police state. He put thousands of people in prisons because they did not agree with him. Some people died at the hands of the Egyptian police while in prison.
Early this year, there were big demonstrations in many cities in Egypt because people did not want Mubarak to stay as president. They were not happy with the way Mubarak ruled the country. Millions of people in Egypt now live on under a dollar a day while there are others who are super rich. Millions of people in Egypt find it very hard to get jobs. Mubarak did not care about his people.
Many Egyptians believe Mubarak was America’s man. Mubarak and his family had 70 billion dollars. Mubarak had hundreds of millions of dollars in banks in Switzerland. The government of Switzerland does not want to send the money back to Egypt.
After Mubarak was forced to step down as president, he didn’t go to prison. He went to a 5-star sea resort on the Red Sea and stayed there. He has thousands of policemen protecting him. People in Egypt are angry because Mubarak’s men – the army - now rule the country.
Not long after Mubarak lost power in Egypt, I got an email from someone I didn’t know. I would like to share the email with you so you be careful. In the email, the woman said she was Hosny Mubarak’s wife. She said her husband was president of Egypt. The family had a lot of money outside Egypt and they wanted my help to invest some of that money.
The woman said in her email that she would transfer 10 million dollars of that money to my bank account if I agreed to help her. After some time, her son will come to me and we can work together. The woman said that nobody knew about that money. She wanted me to email her back to say if I was interested in doing business with her or not.
Now what do you think about that email? Shall I send her an email saying that I am happy to accept her money? Shall I say that I will help her transfer the money to my bank account? If I do so, I will be a fool. The email from that woman is a scam. She is trying to get money from me and not give me money. If I send her my bank account number, she will send me an email asking me to send her a few thousand dollars to help her transfer the money to my bank account. After some time, she will send me another email saying that she needs more money. After that I will get no emails from her and find out that I have been scammed.
I am sure that email was sent to tens of thousands of people in different parts of the world. Maybe someone will reply and say that he or she wants to get the 10 million dollars. Not long after that, he or she will find out that they have been scammed.
Fill in the gaps:
Have you ever heard of Hosny Mubarak? Hosny Mubarak ................president of Egypt for more than 30 years. He was a pilot ..................then became president in 1981 after the ................Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was killed.
Hosny Mubarak ran a police state. He ...................thousands of people in prisons because they did not agree with ................... Some people died at the hands of the Egyptian police .................... in prison.
Early this year, there were big demonstrations in many .................in Egypt because people did not want Mubarak to stay as president. They were not happy with the way Mubarak ................the country. Millions of people in Egypt now live on under a dollar a ..............while there are others who are super rich. Millions of people in Egypt find it very hard to get jobs. Mubarak did not care ..................his people.
Many Egyptians believe Mubarak was America’s ............... Mubarak and his family had 70 billion dollars. Mubarak had hundreds of millions of dollars in banks ..................Switzerland. The government of Switzerland does not want to send the ...................back to Egypt.
After Mubarak was forced to step down as president, he .................go to prison. He went to a 5-star sea resort on the Red Sea and stayed there. He has thousands .................policemen protecting him. People in Egypt are angry because Mubarak’s men – the army - now .................. the country.
Not long after Mubarak lost power in Egypt, I got an email from someone I ..................know. I would like to share the email with you so you be careful. In the email, the woman said she was Hosny Mubarak’s wife. She said her husband was president of Egypt. The family had a ...................of money outside Egypt and they wanted my help to invest .....................of that money.
The woman said in her email that she would transfer 10 million dollars of .................money to my bank account if I agreed to help her. After some time, her son will come to me ................we can work together. The woman said that nobody knew about that money. She wanted .................. to email her back to say if I was interested in doing business with her or not.
Now what ..................you think about that email? Shall I send her an ..................saying that I am happy to accept her money? Shall I say that I will help .................transfer the money to my bank account? If I do so, I will be a fool. The email from that woman is a scam. She is trying to .................money from me and not give me money. If I send her my bank account number, she will send me an email asking me to send ..............a few thousand dollars to help her transfer the money to ...................bank account. After some time, she will send me another email saying that she needs more money. After that I will get no emails ................her and find out that I have been scammed.
I am sure that ..................was sent to tens of thousands of people in different parts of the world. Maybe someone will reply and say that he or she wants to get the 10 million dollars. Not ..............after that, he or she will find out that they have ...................scammed.
To read more about this story, please click here.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Internet Usage in Australia
Australians love the internet. They use it every day in schools, at work and at home. Some people even say they can’t live without a computer connected to the internet. In 2007, the number of internet users was nearly 15 millions. In 2010, more than nine and a half million Australians had accounts on Facebook. The total number of users was just over 17 million.
Computers that are connected to the internet make life easier for people. They help them keep in touch with family members and friends 24 hours a day. A few years ago, people complained because the download speeds were really slow. Internet companies also used to charge a lot of money and offered download plans that were quite pricy. People used dial-up modems to connect their computers to the internet. Quite often, they got disconnected and had to re-dial again. Each time they did so, they were charged for making a local call.
A few years ago, people started to get rid of their dial-up modems and use something called DSL. DSL worked differently from the old dial-up modems. DSL connections are fast and people didn’t have to pay to connect to the internet every time they wanted to surf the net.
Teachers post their lessons on the internet using blogs and school web sites. Students visit these web sites and download homework sheets, answer questions and email their work back to their teachers. It is easier to communicate with teachers than ever because of the internet.
Now it is getting even better. Computers are faster and cheaper. Internet service providers like Telstra and Optus offer customers big internet plans for cheaper prices. Internet users can surf the net without worrying about using too much download. They can watch TV programs and movies on the internet. They can even use mobile internet outside their homes but it is still expensive.
Many people have stopped going to bookshops because they can read their favourite books on the internet. Many bookshops had to close down. Now that we have a very fast internet connection called ADSL 2+, users chat with friends online and save money by not making long distance phone calls. They also do so many other things. They buy and sell things online. They read newspapers and magazines. They download their favourite songs. They watch and post videos on YouTube. The internet has changed our lives.
Fill in the gaps:
Australians love the internet. They use it .............day in schools, at work and at home. Some people even say they can’t live without a computer connected to the internet. In 2007, the ...............of internet users was nearly 15 millions. In 2010, more than nine ...............a half million Australians had accounts on Facebook. The total number of users was just ....................17 million.
Computers that are connected to ...............internet make life easier for people. They help them keep in touch with family members and friends 24 hours a day. A few ..................ago, people complained because the download speeds were really slow. Internet companies also ...................to charge a lot of money and offered download plans that were quite pricy. People .................dial-up modems to connect their computers to the internet. Quite often, they got disconnected and had to re-dial .................... Each time they did so, they were charged for making a local call.
A few years ago, people started to get rid of .................dial-up modems and use something called DSL. DSL worked differently from the old dial-up modems. DSL connections are fast and people didn’t have to pay to connect to the internet every time they wanted to surf the net.
Teachers post their lessons on the internet using blogs and school web sites. Students visit these web sites and download homework sheets, answer questions and .....................their work back to their teachers. It is easier to communicate .....................teachers than ever because of the internet.
Now it is getting even ................. Computers are faster and cheaper. Internet service providers like Telstra and Optus offer customers big internet plans for cheaper prices. Internet users ....................surf the net without worrying about using too ..................download. They can watch TV programs and movies on the internet. They can even use mobile internet outside their homes but it is ..................... expensive.
Many people have stopped going to bookshops because they can read their favourite books on the internet. Many bookshops had to close down. Now that we ..................... a very fast internet connection called ADSL 2+, users chat with friends online and save money by not making long distance ......................... calls. They also do so many other things. They buy and sell things online. They .................... newspapers and magazines. They download their favourite songs. They watch and ...................... videos on YouTube. The internet has changed our lives.
Computers that are connected to the internet make life easier for people. They help them keep in touch with family members and friends 24 hours a day. A few years ago, people complained because the download speeds were really slow. Internet companies also used to charge a lot of money and offered download plans that were quite pricy. People used dial-up modems to connect their computers to the internet. Quite often, they got disconnected and had to re-dial again. Each time they did so, they were charged for making a local call.
A few years ago, people started to get rid of their dial-up modems and use something called DSL. DSL worked differently from the old dial-up modems. DSL connections are fast and people didn’t have to pay to connect to the internet every time they wanted to surf the net.
Teachers post their lessons on the internet using blogs and school web sites. Students visit these web sites and download homework sheets, answer questions and email their work back to their teachers. It is easier to communicate with teachers than ever because of the internet.
Now it is getting even better. Computers are faster and cheaper. Internet service providers like Telstra and Optus offer customers big internet plans for cheaper prices. Internet users can surf the net without worrying about using too much download. They can watch TV programs and movies on the internet. They can even use mobile internet outside their homes but it is still expensive.
Many people have stopped going to bookshops because they can read their favourite books on the internet. Many bookshops had to close down. Now that we have a very fast internet connection called ADSL 2+, users chat with friends online and save money by not making long distance phone calls. They also do so many other things. They buy and sell things online. They read newspapers and magazines. They download their favourite songs. They watch and post videos on YouTube. The internet has changed our lives.
Fill in the gaps:
Australians love the internet. They use it .............day in schools, at work and at home. Some people even say they can’t live without a computer connected to the internet. In 2007, the ...............of internet users was nearly 15 millions. In 2010, more than nine ...............a half million Australians had accounts on Facebook. The total number of users was just ....................17 million.
Computers that are connected to ...............internet make life easier for people. They help them keep in touch with family members and friends 24 hours a day. A few ..................ago, people complained because the download speeds were really slow. Internet companies also ...................to charge a lot of money and offered download plans that were quite pricy. People .................dial-up modems to connect their computers to the internet. Quite often, they got disconnected and had to re-dial .................... Each time they did so, they were charged for making a local call.
A few years ago, people started to get rid of .................dial-up modems and use something called DSL. DSL worked differently from the old dial-up modems. DSL connections are fast and people didn’t have to pay to connect to the internet every time they wanted to surf the net.
Teachers post their lessons on the internet using blogs and school web sites. Students visit these web sites and download homework sheets, answer questions and .....................their work back to their teachers. It is easier to communicate .....................teachers than ever because of the internet.
Now it is getting even ................. Computers are faster and cheaper. Internet service providers like Telstra and Optus offer customers big internet plans for cheaper prices. Internet users ....................surf the net without worrying about using too ..................download. They can watch TV programs and movies on the internet. They can even use mobile internet outside their homes but it is ..................... expensive.
Many people have stopped going to bookshops because they can read their favourite books on the internet. Many bookshops had to close down. Now that we ..................... a very fast internet connection called ADSL 2+, users chat with friends online and save money by not making long distance ......................... calls. They also do so many other things. They buy and sell things online. They .................... newspapers and magazines. They download their favourite songs. They watch and ...................... videos on YouTube. The internet has changed our lives.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Two Good Websites
Here is a link to the first good website that I have started to use.
http://www.5minuteenglish.com/
Here is a link to the second one from the British Council.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
http://www.5minuteenglish.com/
Here is a link to the second one from the British Council.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)