Henan Province in China

I come from China. My hometown is in Henan province. The capital of Henan is Zhengzhou city. Henan province has more than 100 million people there, which makes it the biggest population in China.

Henan is in the centre of China. It has a very rich history and its culture is wonderful. 2000 years ago, it was the economic and cultural centre of China. The Yellow River runs through the province from the west to the east. It is China’s biggest river.

Henan has many famous tourist attractions such as Shaolin and Kaifeng. Luoyang and Anyang city are the old capitals of China. Yuntai Mountain looks different depending on the season. It is fantastic.

Henan is where Chinese kongfu, shaolin and chen’s taiji started. Henan is a big agricultural province. It produces a lot of China’s corn and wheat.  But it does not have many factories like other provinces that are close to the sea.

Text by student Jiaxuan Zhang

Shanghai

Shanghai is the biggest city in China. There are 23 million people who live there. It is a very important economical and cultural centre in China. People who live in Shanghai have a local language.

There is a big river that goes through the city. It is a branch of a big river. The streets in Shanghai are clean. The Bund street in Shanghai is a very famous street. The people who live in Shanghai come from different parts in China. They live in Shanghai because they want to make money and get better education for themselves.

There is a very famous university in Shanghai. It is called Futan University. There are other universities there too. The Australian embassy is in Shanghai.

People in Shanghai like to eat local Chinese food. At breakfast, people like to drink soy milk. Soy milk is healthy for people.

Weddings in Shanghai cost a lot of money. House prices in Shanghai are the most expensive in China. If you want to buy an appartment there, you need to pay about three million Yuans. There are good trains and buses in Shanghai. They are very convenient to use.

During public holidays, you can use public transport and travel to any part in China. There is a very fast train service that can take you to other cities. The express train is a very fast train that can take you to Beijing, Nianjing and other cities.

You can lose all your money if you play cards in Shanghai. It is easy to gamble your money there. If you are lucky, you can win a lot of money. If you are smart enough, you don't go to these places. You work hard for your money.

There are many famous buildings in Shanghai. There is a TV tower. It is a very famous building.

There are two very big airports in Shanghai. Both of  them are for international and local flights. One airport is close to the city. It is easy to go there.

Assignment

I would like you to type a text about your hometown. Tell me some interesting information about it. Tell me about the nice places that you liked to visit there. How people spend their time. Any famous people who have come from your hometown. The schools there and the hospitals. How people travel from one place to another. Email me your text as soon as you can. I will make it available online so other students can learn from it. Thank you.

Travelling by Train in Melbourne

The train service in Melbourne is a very good one. There are 15 train lines in Melbourne. There are more than 200 train stations and nearly half a million people use trains to travel. Trains are air conditioned and they are clean. People are not allowed to smoke when they are standing on platforms or when they are on trains. If someone smokes on a train, he or she will be fined. People are not allowed to drink alcohol when they travel by train in Melbourne.

Buying a train ticket in Melbourne is easy. You can buy a ticket from a machine before you get on the train. You need to have some coins or banknotes to buy the ticket you want. These machines do not accept banknotes more than $20. A good way to buy a ticket is to get a Myki ticket. It looks like a credit card and you can keep it in your wallet. You can check how much money you have on your Myki card online. If you don’t have enough money on your card, you can top it up. When you have enough money on your card, you will be able to buy any ticket you want.

There are different tickets you can choose from. If you have a healthcare card, you can buy a concession ticket. Concession tickets are cheap to buy. People who have low incomes can buy concession tickets. Also children under 16 years of age can travel on a train using a concession ticket. They don’t need to show their healthcare cards. If you don’t have a healthcare card and you buy a concession ticket, you can get a fine. Also if you don’t have a ticket and you travel by train, you can get a fine. These fines are very high. You’d better buy the correct ticket when you travel.

You can buy a two-hour, a daily, a monthly or a yearly ticket and use it travel by train, tram or a bus. Make sure you select the right zone. There are two zones in Melbourne – zone one and zone two. You can buy a zone-one ticket but you cannot use it to travel in zone two.

Travelling by train is a good choice if you work in the city because it is not easy to park your car there. Trains are crowded during rush hours. This is the time when the streets, the trains, trams and buses are busy because many people are going to or coming back from work.

When people travel on trains, they sit down or stand up if the train is crowded. Some people like to read newspapers. Others like to listen to music on their MP3 players. Still others use their computers. Late at night, you may see people who are drunk using trains. There is a very small number of those people that you can see.

When you see a train coming, you need to stand behind the yellow line on the platform. This is very important because we need you to be safe at all time. You are not allowed to ride your bike or scooter on the platform. If you do so, you can pay a fine. You can take your bike with you when you travel by train. It will be hard to take your bike with you on a train during rush hours. Also you need to give other people who travel by train a chance to get off before you get on. Do not try to push other people when you take public transport. When you buy a ticket from a bus driver, don’t give him a $20 or a $50 note because most of the time, the driver does not have enough money to give you change.

You can buy a special ticket to travel by public transport on weekends. This ticket is cheap to buy. You can NOT use the weekend ticket to travel by public transport during week days. Remember that you always need to buy the correct ticket before you travel.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

The train service in Melbourne is a …………… good one. There are 15 train lines in Melbourne. There are more than 200 train stations and nearly half a million people use ………………. to travel. Trains are air conditioned and they are clean. People …………….. not allowed to smoke when they are standing on platforms or …………….. they are on trains. If someone smokes on a train, he or she ……………… be fined. People are not allowed to drink ………………….. when they travel by train in Melbourne.

Buying a train …………… in Melbourne is easy. You can buy a ticket from a ………………… before you get on the train. You need to have ………………. coins or banknotes to buy the ticket you want. These machines do not accept banknotes more than $20. A good way to buy a ………………… is to get a Myki ticket. It looks like a credit card and you can ……………….. it in your wallet. You can check how much money you have on your Myki card online. If you don’t have enough money ……………. your card, you can top it up. When you have enough money on your card, you will be ………………… to buy any ticket you want.

There are different tickets you ………………… choose from. If you have a healthcare card, you can buy a concession ticket. Concession tickets are cheap to buy. People ……………….. have low incomes can buy concession tickets. Also children under 16 …………………… of age can travel on a train using a concession ticket. They don’t need to show ……………….. healthcare cards. If you don’t have a healthcare card and you buy a concession ticket, you can get a fine. Also if ………………… don’t have a ticket and you travel by train, you can get a fine. These fines are very high. You’d better buy ……………….. correct ticket when you travel.

You can buy a two-hour, a daily, a monthly or a ……………………… ticket and use it travel by train, tram or a bus. Make sure you select the right zone. There …………………….. two zones in Melbourne – zone one and zone two. You can buy a zone-one ticket but ……………… cannot use it to travel in zone two.

Travelling by train is a good choice if …………………. work in the city because it is not easy to park your car there. Trains …………………. crowded during rush hours. This is the ………………… when the streets, the trains, trams and buses are busy because many people are going to or ………………….. back from work.

When people travel on ………………………., they sit down or stand up if the train is crowded. Some people like to read newspapers. Others like to listen to ………………. on their MP3 players. Still others use their computers. Late at night, you may see people who are drunk ………………. trains. There is a very small number of those people that you …………………. see.

When you see a train coming, you ……………… to stand behind the yellow line on the platform. This is very important because we need you to be safe at all time. You ………………… not allowed to ride your bike or scooter on the platform. If you do so, …………………. can pay a fine. You can take your bike with you when you travel by train. It will be hard to take your bike with you on a ……………….. during rush hours. Also you need to give other people who ………………….. by train a chance to get off before you get on. Do not try to push other people when you take public transport. When ………………. buy a ticket from a bus driver, don’t give him a $20 or a $50 note because ………………….. of the time, the driver does not have enough money to ………………… you change.

You can buy a special ……………. to travel by public transport on weekends. This ……………….. is cheap to buy. You can NOT use the weekend ticket to travel ………………… public transport during week days. Remember ………………….. you always need to buy the correct ticket ……………….. you travel.

Starting School

Tomorrow will be the first day for Tam to attend primary school. She turned five years old a few weeks ago and her mum and dad are very happy she is going to school. Tam went to a childcare centre near her home and she made some friends there. Two of her friends will go to the same primary school she will go to because they live in the same street.

Last week, Tam’s mother took her shopping. She bought a yellow t-shirt and a green skirt for her. She also bought her some pencils to use at school. Tam’s mother spent some time putting her daughter’s name on all the items she is taking to school. She got Tam to help her and Tam thought it was a lot of fun to put the name tags on her school items. Tam now knows how to write her name and she knows some of the letters of the alphabet. Her mum taught her to write the letters at home. At the childcare centre, the teacher gave Tam some paper and helped her learn how to write her name. Tam is very excited about starting school.

On the first day of school, there are many young kids who cry because they don’t want to leave their mums. Sometimes it is very hard for the parents to make their young kids go inside their classrooms. Some primary school teachers work hard to make the first week full of fun activities so young children start to like school and make new friends. They take young kids on excursions to the zoo or to play in nearby parks. They let them watch educational TV programs at schools. They do all they can to help the young kids settle down in their new school.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Tomorrow will be the first ………….. for Tam to attend primary school. She turned five years old a few weeks ago and her mum and dad are very happy she is ……………. to school. Tam went to a childcare centre near her …………….. and she made some friends there. Two of her friends ………………….. go to the same primary school she will go to ………………… they live in the same street.

Last week, Tam’s mother …………….. her shopping. She bought a yellow t-shirt and a green skirt for her. She also ………………. her some pencils to use at school. Tam’s mother ……………. some time putting her daughter’s name on all the …………….. she is taking to school. She got Tam to help her and Tam thought it was a lot of fun to put the name tags on …………. school items. Tam now knows how to write her ……………. and she knows some of the letters of the alphabet. Her mum taught ……….. to write the letters at home. At the childcare centre, the ……………… gave Tam some paper and helped her learn how to write ………………… name. Tam is very excited about ………………… school.

On the first day of school, there are …………….. young kids who cry because they don’t want to leave their mums. Sometimes it is ……………… hard for the parents to make their young kids go inside their classrooms. Some primary school teachers ……………. hard to make the first week full of fun activities so young children ……………. to like school and make new friends. They take young kids on excursions to the zoo or to play in nearby parks. They let ……………… watch educational TV programs at schools. They do all they can to help the ……………. kids settle down in their new school.

Alcohol

Why do people drink alcohol? This is one question but you may get different of answers for it. Here are some of the reasons why people drink alcohol. Young people drink alcohol because they would like to try a new thing. Others drink to socialise with friends when they go out or invite friends to their homes. Still others drink to celebrate different occasions. Some people drink alcohol to try to forget their problems. Still others drink when they are sad like after the death of a family member or losing one’s job. People in Russia drink alcohol because the temperatures there can be very cold. Young people start drinking because they have seen their parents drink for so many years.  

The list can go on and on because people really have their own reasons to drink alcohol. We just need to know about the effects of alcohol. If you drink too much, you will not be able to think clearly. You will not be able to drive your car. If the police stopped you while you are drunk, you can lose your car license. We also need to know that alcohol affects women more than men.

After you drink alcohol, you may have nausea, shakiness. You may also start to vomit or injure yourself. If you drink too much, you may suffer from alcohol poisoning and may need to go to hospital. Drinking alcohol for many years can destroy your kidneys. Some people get depression because of drinking. Depression is a sad feeling that people get for a long time. When they go to see their doctors, they give them medicines to try to cure depression.

Because of alcohol problems, people sometimes lose friends or have divorce. Alcohol can make people lose their money or go into debt or become violent. A husband, for example, can hit his wife and children because he drinks alcohol.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant is wrong. It is not safe for the baby. Women who are pregnant should seek medical help or talk to their doctors if they drink alcohol. In some countries it is not allowed for anyone to drink alcohol because of the problems it can cause.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:
Why do people drink alcohol? This is ……………… question but you may get different of answers for it. Here are some of the reasons why people drink alcohol. Young people ………………. alcohol because they would like to try a new thing. Others drink to socialise ………………… friends when they go out or invite friends to their homes. Still others drink to celebrate different occasions. Some people ……………….. alcohol to try to forget their problems. Still others drink ………………… they are sad like after the death of a family member or losing one’s job. People in Russia drink alcohol because the temperatures ……………………. can be very cold. Young people start drinking because they have ……………………. their parents drink for so many years.  

The list can go on and on ……………….. people really have their own reasons to drink alcohol. We just ……………. to know about the effects of alcohol. If you ……………… too much, you will not be able to think clearly. You will not be able to drive your car. If the police stopped you ……………….. you are drunk, you can lose your car license. We ……………………… need to know that alcohol affects women …………………….. than men.

After you drink …………………., you may have nausea, shakiness. You may also ……………………. to vomit or injure yourself. If you drink too much, you …………………… suffer from alcohol poisoning and may need ………… go to hospital. Drinking alcohol ………………….. many years can destroy your kidneys. Some people get depression because of drinking. Depression is a sad ……………………… that people get for a long time. When they go to see their …………………………., they give them medicines to try ………………. cure depression.

Because of alcohol problems, people sometimes lose ……………………. or have divorce. Alcohol can make people lose their money or ……………….. into debt or become violent. A husband, for example, can hit …………… wife and children because he drinks alcohol.  

Drinking alcohol …………………… pregnant is wrong. It is not safe for the baby. Women ……………….. are pregnant should seek medical help or talk to their doctors if they drink alcohol. In ……………………… countries it is not allowed for anyone to drink alcohol ………………………….. of the problems it can cause. 

Businesswoman

Hong is a businesswoman who comes from China. In China, Hong studied accounting and worked in a big bank in Shanghai. Shanghai is a very big city in China with 22 million people living there. Hong had a chance to meet many of the customers who did business at her bank. One day she met an Australian tourist who wanted to exchange some American dollars. They went out for dinner and in a few weeks’ time, they got married.

When Hong came to Australia, her English made her feel frustrated. She could not speak English very well and she wanted to improve her speaking and listening skills. She started an English class at AMES in Box Hill. Most of the students in her class were from China. They spoke to her in Chinese. Hong didn’t like her class that much until one day a new student came from Japan. The Japanese student could not speak Chinese. Hong and the new students soon became friends. They spoke English all the time.

The teacher gave the students worksheets each day. Most of the students did not bother having a look at these worksheets at home after class. Hong studied the worksheets again at home and she went on the internet. She used visited the web sites that the teacher showed her in class. In a short time, Hong was able to read the newspaper in English and enjoyed watching TV in Australia.

After improving her English, Hong started her own business from home. She sold goods on the internet. She bought the goods from China. She started to have a few customers a week. Not long after that, many customers knew about her goods and bought them because she sold them for really good prices. After a few months, Hong could afford to buy a house in Box Hill using the money she earned from her online business. Now Hong employs five people who work in her business. She travels to China once a month to look for goods to sell in Australia. She is a really clever businesswoman.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Hong is a businesswoman who …………….. from China. In China, Hong studied accounting and worked in a big bank in Shanghai. Shanghai is a very big city in China with 22 million …………… living there. Hong had a chance to meet many of the customers who did ……………. at her bank. One day she met an Australian tourist who wanted to exchange some American dollars. They went …………….. for dinner and in a few weeks’ time, they got ………………...

When Hong came to ……………….., her English made her feel frustrated. She could ……………… speak English very well and she wanted to ……………………. her speaking and listening skills. She started an English ………………. at AMES in Box Hill. Most of the students in her class were ………………… China. They spoke to her in Chinese. Hong didn’t like her class that much until one day a new student came from Japan. The Japanese ……………………. could not speak Chinese. Hong and the new students soon ………………………….. friends. They spoke English all the time.

The teacher gave the ……………….. worksheets each day. Most of the students did not bother having a ……………. at these worksheets at home after class. Hong ……………………… the worksheets again at home and she went on the internet. She ………………….. visited the web sites that the teacher showed her in ……………………….. In a short time, Hong was able to read the newspaper in ……………………………. and enjoyed watching TV in Australia.

After improving her English, Hong started her ………………….. business from home. She sold goods on the internet. She bought the goods from China. She …………………….. to have a few customers a week. Not long after that, many customers knew about her goods and bought ………………….. because she sold them for really good prices. After a few months, Hong ………………….. afford to buy a house in Box Hill using the money she ………………… from her online business. Now Hong employs five people who …………………… in her business. She travels to China once a month to look for goods to …………………….. in Australia. She is a really clever businesswoman.

Answer these questions: 
Where did Hong work when she was in China?
How did Hong meet her husband?
What did she study when she was in China?
Why was Hong not happy when she first came to live in Australia?
What did Hong do to improve her English language?
Why didn't Hong like about the students in her English class?
Why did Hong choose to make friends with the Japanese student?
What happened to Hong's English after a short time?
What sort of business did Hong start?
Why does Hong travel to China every month? 

Parents help Children Learn

All parents want their children to do well in school and get high marks. Parents sometimes do two or more jobs to be able to afford to send their children to private schools. They sometimes spend a lot of money for the children to have private lessons with teachers. Those teachers come to the student’s home and in this way the student gets special attention. Those parents do so because they want their children to get the best education. They think that getting good education will help children get good jobs in the future.


When students do well in school, they enjoy learning. They get high marks in their tests. They also feel that they are smart. They enjoy learning different subjects such as English, science, maths, history and geography.

Many parents also spend a lot of time helping their children learn at home. They sometimes spend hours reading books with them. When their children do well in exams, parents sometimes buy them presents or send them to watch a movie with friends or other family members.

Some parents get themselves involved in school activities. They go on excursions with their children’s classes. They go and help the teacher inside the classroom. They go on certain days to work in the yard at school or fix broken chairs.

One mother says that the best thing to do is to provide a quiet place for her children to study at home. She makes sure the students don’t watch too much TV at home or go on the internet for a long time. This mother thinks that spending too much time on the internet can make her children neglect their studies. She doesn’t want them to do so. She wants them to focus on their homework after they finish their school day.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

All parents want their children to ………….. well in school and get high marks. Parents ………………. do two or more jobs to be able to afford to send their children to private schools. They sometimes ……………… a lot of money for the children to have private lessons with teachers. Those teachers ……………. to the student’s home and in this way the student gets special attention. Those parents do so because …………….. want their children to get the best education. They think that getting good education ………….. help children get good jobs in ………………….. future.

When students do well in school, …………….. enjoy learning. They get high marks in their tests. They ……………….. feel that they are smart. They enjoy learning …………………. subjects such as English, science, maths, history and geography.

Many parents also spend a lot of time helping their ………………. learn at home. They sometimes spend hours reading books with them. When their children do well in …………….., parents sometimes buy them presents or send them to ……………. a movie with friends or other …………………… members.

Some parents …………….. themselves involved in school activities. They …………….. on excursions with their children’s classes. They go and help the teacher inside the classroom. They …….. on certain days to work in the yard at school or fix broken chairs.

One mother says that the best thing to do is to ………………. a quiet place for her children to study at home. She makes sure the students don’t watch too much TV at …………….. or go on the internet for a long time. This mother thinks that spending ………….. much time on the internet can …………….. her children neglect their studies. She doesn’t want them to do so. She wants ……….. to focus on their homework after they finish their school ………...

Kitchen Hand

Nancy is new to Australia. She has been living in Melbourne for the past three weeks. Nancy is not happy because she doesn’t have a job. She wants to get work as soon as possible. Nancy decided to get a job in a restaurant. She chose to do so because there are thousands of restaurants in Melbourne and she thinks it is easy to get work in one of them.

Nancy went on the internet and found some information that will help her in her job hunting. She read on the net that a kitchen hand is a person who works in the kitchen under supervision from a chef. A kitchen hand washes, cleans dishes and makes sure they are stored in the right places. He or she handles and stores food. A kitchen hand cuts food and prepares salads and desserts. He or she uses kitchen equipment and keeps the floor dry and clean. He or she must help make the work place safe for everyone who works there.

Nancy will need to do a short course that will take one day to learn how to keep food safe. After she finishes her course, she will be able to get a full-time or a part-time job. She may need to do shift work. This means that she may need to work in the morning, the afternoon or the evening. She may be asked to work on weekends too.

People who work as kitchen hands usually enjoy practical work. They are able to work quickly and safely. They have good personal hygiene. They need to work as part of a team. They also need to have good communication skills.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Nancy is new to Australia. She has ……………. living in Melbourne for the past three weeks. Nancy is not happy because she doesn’t have a job. She wants to get work as ………………. as possible. Nancy decided to get a job in a restaurant. She chose to do so ………………….. there are thousands of restaurants in Melbourne and she thinks it is easy to get work in one of them.

Nancy went on the internet and …………….. some information that will help her in her job hunting. She read on the net that a kitchen hand is a person who works in the kitchen ……………… supervision from a chef. A kitchen hand washes, cleans dishes and makes ……………….. they are stored in the right places. He or she handles and stores food. A kitchen hand cuts food and prepares salads and desserts. He or ……………… uses kitchen equipment and keeps the floor ………………….. and clean. He or she must help make the work place safe for everyone who works there.

Nancy will need to do a short course that ……………….. take one day to learn how to keep food safe. After she finishes her course, she will be ………………. to get a full-time or a part-time job. She may need to do shift work. This means that she may need to work in the morning, the ………………………… or the evening. She may be asked to work ………………… weekends too.

People who work as ………………….. hands usually enjoy practical work. They are able to work quickly and safely. They have good personal hygiene. They need to …………………. as part of a team. They also ………………… to have good communication ……………………….

A Builder's License

Tom is a new immigrant in Australia. He originally comes from China. He worked as a civil engineer in China and he speaks English well. Tom came to AMES to improve his English because he wants to get a license to work as a builder in Australia.
A counsellor gave Tom some information about the career he wants to have in the future. The counsellor searched the internet to get this information. She told Tom the following:

To work as a builder in Australia a person must have good communication skills, management and leadership skills and also good organisational skills.

A builder needs to look after many things in his work. He will deal with customers and find out their needs. He will arrange delivery times of materials and keep in touch with the workers at the building site. He must be good at maths because he will need to do a lot of calculations at work. He must learn about the law and prepare payments.

Tom will work hard on improving his English. After that, he will go to TAFE and study there for one year to help him get a license to become a builder. Tom will need money to spend during his study at AMES and at the TAFE. This should not be a problem for Tom as he saved a lot of money while he was working in China.
Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Tom is a ……………….. immigrant in Australia. He originally comes from China. He ………………… as a civil engineer in China and he speaks English well. Tom ………………….. to AMES to improve his English because he wants to get a license to work as a …………………… in Australia.

A counsellor gave Tom some ………………………………. about the career he wants to have in the future. The counsellor searched ……………….. internet to get this information. She told Tom ………………. following:

To work as a ………………………. in Australia a person must have ……………………. communication skills, management and leadership skills and ………………………. good organisational skills.

A builder needs to look after many ……………….. in his work. He will deal with customers and find out their needs. He will ……………………….. delivery times of materials and keep in touch with the …………………. at the building site. He must be good at …………………………… because he will need to do a lot of calculations at work. He must learn about the law and ………………………………… payments.

Tom will work hard on improving his …………………….. After that, he will go to TAFE and …………………….. there for one year to help him get a license to ……………………….. a builder. Tom will need money to spend during his study at AMES …………………… at the TAFE. This should not be a problem for Tom as he ……………. a lot of money while he was ………………………… in China.

One Dirction Concerts

On Friday, many school girls went to school late with tears in their eyes. The girls like a music band called One Direction. The girls went to school late because they were on their computers at home trying to buy tickets to attend concerts given by One Direction. Whole classes were cancelled in some schools because the girls were crying. Teachers tried to counsel the students and comfort them.

One Direction is a band that consists of five young men. They became very famous after appearing on a TV contest show in England. They also sang songs that became very popular with young girls all over the world. In less than one year, One Direction appeared on many TV programs and gave thousands of interviews to newspapers and TV shows. They also travelled to many countries to perform in big concerts there.

The sale price for tickets is only $73 but the tickets were sold out in less than three minutes. Some of these tickets are being offered on the internet for sale for up to five thousand dollars a ticket. One Direction are supposed to give nine concerts in Australia this year. There are some free tickets given by radio stations for people who can call them but it is really hard to get through because all the phone lines for these radio stations are busy. The fans are angry because they could not buy tickets.

One Direction are growing in popularity. This means that they have more and more fans every day and more and more people like to listen to their songs, especially young girls. The songs are about falling in love and about feeling the pains of breaking up.

On the internet, they post short video clips. The One Direction fans watch these videos. They watch them millions of times all over the world. The five members of the band have become very famous because their fans like their songs and their video clips.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:
On Friday, many school girls went to …………… late with tears in their eyes. The girls like a music band called One Direction. The girls went to school late because ………….. were on their computers at home trying to buy tickets to attend concerts given by One Direction. Whole …………….. were cancelled in some schools because the girls were crying. Teachers ……………. to counsel the students and comfort them.

One Direction is a ………… that consists of five young men. They became very ……………. after appearing on a TV contest show in England. They also sang …………. that became very popular with young girls all over the world. In less than ………….. year, One Direction appeared on many TV programs and gave ………………… of interviews to newspapers and TV shows. They also ………………. to many countries to perform in big concerts there.

The sale price for tickets is …………… $73 but the ticket were sold out in less than three minutes. Some of these tickets are being offered on the internet for sale for up to five ………………. dollars a ticket. One Direction are supposed to give nine concerts in Australia this year. There ……………… some free tickets given by radio stations for people who can call them but it is really hard to get ……………. because all the phone lines for these radio stations are busy. The fans are angry …………….. they could not buy tickets.

One Direction …………….. growing in popularity. This means that they have more and more fans every day and more and more people like to listen to their ………………, especially young girls. The songs are about falling in love and about feeling the …………………. of breaking up.

On the internet, they post short …………….. clips. The One Direction fans watch these videos. They watch them millions ……………. times all over the world. The five members of the ……………….. have become very famous because their fans like their songs …………………….. their video clips.

Answer these questions: 
Who are One Direction?
Why were many girls crying on Friday?
Why couldn't the girls buy tickets to attend the concerts?
How did One Direction become famous?
How many concerts will they give in Australia?
How many One Direction songs do you like?
What is the most famous band in your country?
Who is your favourite singer?
What are the One Direction songs mostly about?
How much are tickets offered for on the internet?
Will you let your daughter buy a $5000 ticket to go to a concert? Why/not?

Tips for Buying a Car

Today I will give you some tips about buying a car in Australia. Before you buy a car, you need to know how much money you can afford to pay. If you have a low income, buying a brand new car may not be a good thing to do. If you are rich and have a lot of money, you can buy any car you want. If you are a middle-income person you may have to go to the bank to borrow money before you go to the car dealer or you may think about buying a second-hand car. Just remember that when you borrow money from the bank, you will have to pay interest.


If you want to buy a second-hand car, you need to ask some questions. You need to know if the car has been involved in an accident. You need to know if the car is in good condition. You need to look at the tyres and see if they are in good condition or you will have to replace them with new ones. You need to see if the car gives out too much smoke. If a car gives out too much smoke, this means that there is a problem with the motor. You need to find out if it will cost you a lot of money to have it serviced.

Mostly, expensive cars cost a lot to service. You need to find a good mechanic to service your car. You also need to know that it costs a lot of money in Australia to have a car. Each year, you need to pay a registration fee. You also need to pay for your car insurance. If your car is expensive, you need to pay a lot of money for insurance. If your car is not expensive, you will need to pay less money.

You also need to change the tyres every few months or years. It is not safe to drive a car that has very old tyres. These old tyres can make it not safe for you to drive that car. You also need to buy petrol. Petrol prices are high. Your car needs petrol to run. If you don’t buy petrol, you will not be able to drive your car. Your car will stop. You also need to wash your car and clean it from the inside. Your children can make your car dirty if they eat inside the car.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Today I will give you some tips ………………….. buying a car in Australia. Before you buy a car, you need to know how much money you can afford to pay. If you have a ………………….. income, buying a brand new car may not be a good thing to do. If you are rich and have a lot of money, …………………….. can buy any car you want. If you are a middle-income person you may ……………….. to go to the bank to borrow money before you go to the car dealer or you may think ……………… buying a second-hand car. Just remember that when you ………………….. money from the bank, you will have ……………………….. pay interest.

If you want to buy a second-hand ………………….., you need to ask some questions. You need to know if the car has been involved in an accident. You need to know if the car is in …………………….. condition. You need to look at the tyres and see if …………………….. are in good condition or you will have to replace them with new ones. You need to see if the …………………….. gives out too much smoke. If a car gives out too much smoke, this means ……………….. there is a problem with the motor. You need to find out …………………. it will cost you a lot of money to have it serviced.
Mostly, expensive …………………… cost a lot to service. You need to find a good mechanic to service your car. You also need to know that it costs a lot of money in Australia to ………………. a car. Each year, you need to pay a registration fee. You also ………………… to pay for your car insurance. If your car is expensive, you need to pay a lot of money for insurance. If your car is ………………… expensive, you will need to pay less money.

You also need to ………………. the tyres every few months or years. It is not …………………… to drive a car that has very old tyres. These old tyres ……………….. make it not safe for you to drive that car. You also need to buy petrol. Petrol prices ………………. high. Your car needs petrol to run. If you don’t buy …………………., you will not be able to drive your car. Your car will stop. You ……………………… need to wash your car and clean it from the inside. Your children can make ………………….. car dirty if they eat inside the car.

Save Energy - Save Money

Winter is coming soon and it will be cold. When it is cold, people turn on their heaters. Some people like to use electric heaters. Others like the gas ones. If you use an electric or a gas heater, it will cost you money. It can cost you a lot of money to heat your house during winter. Gas and electricity prices in Australia are very high. Also when it is hot in summer, people use their air conditioners more. Air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Using a lot of electricity means you will have to pay a lot of money. There are some things that you can do to pay less money and keep yourself and your family members warm.
Some energy companies offer you a discount if you pay your bill before the due date. One energy company in Melbourne says that you can get up to 5% off the amount of money you are asked to pay if you pay your bill before the due date.

You need to choose one company to provide your house with gas and electricity. This company can offer you a discount. It is also a good idea to go online or ask your friends if they are happy with the companies they deal with. Your friends can tell you if the services they get from the companies they deal with are good or bad. Do not use an energy company that provides poor service or charges too much money.

Some people install solar panels to get electricity or to heat water. You can see solar panels on the roofs of houses when you drive your car or walk on foot. This can really save you a lot of money but you will need to pay a lot of money to buy these solar panels.

There are different things you can do to save money and keep yourself warm during winter time.

• Put on warm clothes when you are at home. If you do so, you will not feel cold.

• Draw the curtains and use your air conditioner less in summer.

• Use door snakes to keep the heat out.

• If you have an old air conditioner, it will use a lot of electricity. Replace your old air conditioner with a new one. New air conditioners don’t use a lot of electricity.

• Take short showers and use less water. Take a shower in four minutes to save water. If you use a lot of hot water when you have a shower, you will use a lot of gas or electricity. If you or your family members take long showers, this can make you pay a lot of money to your energy company.

• Turn off the light when you leave a room at home. If you leave the light on while there is no one in the room, this can cost you a lot of money. Teach your children to turn off the light when they leave their room.

If you follow these tips, it can help you save thousands of dollars each year. With the money you save, you can go on holiday or travel overseas with your family. Remember that energy prices will go higher in the future because the Australian government will ask us to pay a carbon tax soon.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

Winter is coming soon and it will ……………. cold. When it is cold, people turn on their heaters. Some people like to ………………… electric heaters. Others like the gas ones. If you use an electric or a …………….. heater, it will cost you money. It can cost you a lot of money to heat ………………… house during winter. Gas and electricity prices in Australia are very high. Also when it is hot in summer, ………………. use their air conditioners more. Air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Using a ……………… of electricity means you will have to pay a lot of money. There ………… some things that you can do to pay less money and keep yourself and your ………………. members warm.

Some energy companies offer you a discount if you pay ……………… bill before the due date. One energy company in Melbourne says that you ……………. get up to 5% off the amount of money you are asked to pay if you ………….. your bill before the due date.

You need to choose one company …………… provide your house with gas and electricity. This company can offer you a discount. It is also a good idea to go online or ask your ……………….. if they are happy with the companies they deal with. Your friends can tell you if the ……………………. they get from the companies they deal with are good or bad. Do not use an energy company that provides …………………… service or charges too much money.

Some people install solar panels to ………………… electricity or to heat water. You can see solar panels on the roofs of houses when …………………. drive your car or walk on foot. This can really save you a lot of money ……. you will need to pay a lot of money to ………………….. these solar panels.

There are different things you can do to ……………………… money and keep yourself warm during winter time.

• Put on warm clothes when you …………………. at home. If you do so, you will not feel cold.

• Draw the curtains and ………………….. your air conditioner less in summer.

• Use door snakes to keep ………………….. heat out.

• If you have an old air conditioner, it ……………….. use a lot of electricity. Replace your old air conditioner with a new one. New air conditioners ………………………. use a lot of electricity.

• Take short showers and use …………………. water. Take a shower in four minutes to save water. If you use a lot of hot water when you have a shower, you will use a lot of ……………….. or electricity. If you or your family members take …………………… showers, this can make you pay a lot of money to your energy company.

• Turn off the light when you leave a room at …………………... If you leave the light on while there is no one in the room, this can cost you a lot of ……………………….. Teach your children to turn off the light when they leave their room.

If you follow these tips, it can help you …………………. thousands of dollars each year. With the money you save, you can go ………………….. holiday or travel overseas with your family. Remember that energy prices ………………… go higher in the future because the Australian government will ask us to …………………… a carbon tax soon.

Good Things to Do to Help the Environment

We use a lot of petrol to drive our cars and light our houses but petrol is not good for the environment. It fills the air with smoke and makes it dirty. We also cut a lot of trees to make paper and furniture. Trees help us breathe fresh air. We need to do something to protect the environment. Here are some of the things you and I can do to help the environment.

Reduce energy use. Do not use a lot of electricity at night. If you leave a room, remember to turn the light off.

Buy appliances that do not use a lot of electricity. If you buy a fridge or a washing machine, make sure they do not use a lot of electricity.

Take a short shower. If you take a short shower, you will save a lot of water. Remember that millions of people around the world don’t have access to clean drinking water. Think about others.

Do not use chemicals to kill flies or cockroaches. Chemicals can be harmful to your health and the health of your family members at home. If you don’t leave food outside the fridge, you will not have cockroaches at home.

Buy a small car. Small cars use less petrol. If you buy a big car, you will use a lot of petrol and you will pay more money. Small cars are also easy to park.

Grow your own food. If you have a garden in your house, you can plant some vegetables or fruits. Growing your food can be a good hobby. You will enjoy the time you spend working in your garden. This will also save you a lot of money.

Walk or take public transport when you go out. Walking is a good sport. It will make you healthy. If you go to a local shop, it is a good idea to walk there and not use your car.

Use energy-saving globs at home. If you use them, you will save a lot of money each year. This will also help the environment.

Do not use plastic bags when you do your shopping. Plastic bags cause a lot of harm to the environment. They kill fish in the ocean and stay there for tens of years.

Do not throw your old clothes away. You can give them to someone poor that you know or donate them to a charity. The charity will give them to poor people.

Put your empty glasses and bottles in the recycling bin. Do not put these things in the rubbish. When these glasses and bottles are recycled, other people will be able to use them.

Buy an eBook reader. An eBook reader helps you read the books you want. These books are not printed on paper. This will save a very big number of trees. eBook readers do not cost a lot of money nowadays. You don’t need to use a lot of electricity to charge them.

China

In my English class, I have many students who come from different parts of the world. I have many friends who are from China. China is a very big country in Asia. It has a population of more than 1.3 billion. People who come from China speak different languages but most of them speak Mandarin or Cantonese. There are many people in China who speak both languages. My Chinese friends always tell me how China is a beautiful country. I wish I can go and visit it one day after I get a job and can afford to buy an airline ticket. I went on the internet at home and looked up information about China.

There are good schools everywhere. Parents push their children to study hard and get good job when they finish their education. China also has a rich history. Many people go there to see the Great Wall of China. People who come from China love their country a lot. They love playing different kinds of sports. They also study and work very hard. Each married couple in China is allowed to have one child only because the number of people who live there is very big.

There are many big cities in China like Shanghai and Beijing, the capital city. Shanghai is a very big city and it has a lot of very high buildings. People travel to Shanghai from all parts of the world to do business. It is a good chance for them to taste Chinese food. There are many factories everywhere in China. China produces more than two thirds of the world’s TVs. Many of the appliances that I have in my house are made in China. Even my computer, my car, my MP3 player and my furniture are made in China. Most workers go to work using public transport. Some workers like to ride their bikes to go to work early in the morning. They work very hard. You can see products that are made in China everywhere in the world.

There are very fast trains to link big cities in China. These trains are air conditioned and very clean. The most important celebration in China is called Chinese New Year. It is like Christmas in Australia. On Chinese New Year, families get together and enjoy eating Chinese food. If you live in the north of China, the temperature there can be very low and it can snow.

There is a big number of people who use the interent in China. They use it at home, work or school. When Chinese students travel to study overseas, their teachers become amazed by their skills and knowledge.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps: 

In my English class, I ........... many students who come from different ............ of the world. I have many friends who are from China. China is a ............. big country in Asia. It has a population of more ............. 1.3 billion. People who come from China ................ different languages but most of ............. speak Mandarin or Cantonese. There are many people in China who speak both languages. My Chinese friends always tell me .............. China is a beautiful country. I wish I ........... go and visit it one day after I get a job and can .............. to buy an airline ticket. I went on the internet at home and ................. up information about China.

There are good schools everywhere. Parents push their ............... to study hard and get good job when they finish their education. China .............. has a rich history. Many people go there to see ........... Great Wall of China. People who come ................. China love their country a lot. They love playing different ................ of sports. They also study and work very hard. Each married couple in China is allowed to ............... one child only because the number of people who live there is ................ big.

There are many ............ cities in China like Shanghai and Beijing, the capital city. Shanghai is a very big city and it has a lot of very high buildings. People ............... to Shanghai from all parts of the world to do business. It is a ................... chance for them to taste Chinese food. There are many factories everywhere in China. China produces ................ than two thirds of the world’s TVs. Many of .................... appliances that I have in my house are made in China. Even my computer, my car, my MP3 player and my furniture are made in China. Most workers go to work using public transport. Some workers ................. to ride their bikes to go to work early in the morning. They .................. very hard. You can see products that are made in ....................... everywhere in the world.

There are very fast trains to link big ................. in China. These trains are air conditioned and very clean. The most important celebration in China is ................... Chinese New Year. It is like Christmas in Australia. On Chinese New Year, families get together and enjoy eating Chinese food. If you live in the ................ of China, the temperature there can be ................. low and it can snow.

There is a ............... number of people who use the interent in China. They .................. it at home, work or school. When Chinese students .................. to study overseas, their teachers become amazed by their skills ................... knowledge. 

Food Poisoning

Tom is a 15-year-old boy. He goes to high school in Box Hill. Yesterday, Tom went home after school and he was really hungry. He found some food that was on a table in the kitchen. The food did not smell right but Tom ate it. After some time, Tom felt pain in his stomache. He also started to vomit. He started to have a fever. He was worried. His mother came home and she took him to the doctor. The doctor examined Tom for a few minutes. The doctor asked the mother to take Tom to hospital. The doctor told her that Tom suffered from food poisoning.


At hospital a doctor explained to Tom that the food he had eaten was bad. It had bacteria in it. These bacteria were very bad and some people die each year from food poisoning. The doctor told Tom not to eat any food that was kept outside the fridge for more than two hours. The doctor also gave Tom an injection and some medicine.

After three days, Tom got better. He started to read about food poisoning and told his friends at school about what had happened to him. Tom only eats fresh foods or foods that have been kept in the fridge. He makes sure to wash his hands before eating or touching food. His mother is also very careful now when she cooks food at home. She never leaves food outside the fridge, especially on hot days. She makes sure her kitchen is clean at all time. She does not want any of her children to suffer from food poisoning.

Shopping Questions

How often do you go shopping?


Where do you do your shopping?

Where can you drink the best coffee in Melbourne?

Is doing the shopping in Australia more expensive than in your country?

What is the best restaurant that people can go to?

What are some of the items that you buy every week at the supermarket?

Do you buy your food from Chinese shops only?

What do your children like to eat?

What are some of the healthy foods that you have at home?

How much money do you spend on food every week?

What are some of the foods that cost a lot of money?

Where can you buy cheap bread?

What is one shop that you always like to visit?

Does your spouse help you with housework?

Do your children cause a lot of mess in the house?

What was the most expensive thing that you have bought?

Do you bargain when you go shopping?

Do people bargain in your country?

What is one thing you would like to buy?

Tips for Learning English

Welcome to AMES. We are happy to have you as a student here and we hope you improve your English in a short time. There are some tips that we would like you to know in order to improve your learning.

In Australia, students learn in groups. Teachers don’t keep talking all the time. They allow students time to answer questions on their own and talk to other students in English.

Coming to school every time you have a class is a good thing to do. If you have an important appointment with your doctor or anybody else, you can ask that person to have the appointment outside class time.

Respect other students who come to class and respect your teacher. Use polite language in class. This will make everyone happy about coming to class.

Practise your English at home. You can study English at home on a computer or you can borrow one or two resources from the ILC at AMES. Remember that you are allowed to borrow two items for two weeks only. You can not borrow three items at any given time.

Watch TV in English. This will help you learn about Australia as well. If you don’t understand everything that is said on TV, don’t be afraid. After a few weeks, you will see that your English has improved a lot.

Make use of your class time. If your class runs for four hours, it is not a good idea to go home after the break. You will spend about six months at AMES. Six months is not a long period and it can be hard to learn the language in a short time. Your teacher will need many years to learn your language.

Come to class on time. If you come late, your teacher will not be able to explain what you have missed in great detail. You may find it difficult to understand what the teacher has already covered. When you come on time, you show your teacher and others that you are a good learner.

Have a meal before you come to class. If you feel hungry in class, you will not be able to concentrate. You will always have a break and you can have something to eat quickly during that time. Don’t bring food that has a very strong smell.

Use a dictionary to look up new words. Most students now have smart phones. There are dictionaries on these phones that students can use to look up new words. You don’t need to buy a digital dictionary because it will cost you a lot of money. If you are very rich, go ahead and buy one for yourself.

Talk to your friends in class in English only. If there are some students who come from your country, it is a good idea to talk to them in English and not in your own language. If you use your own language, it will be hard for you to learn English. You will need a lot of practice to learn English. You need to practise English with your teacher and with other students in class too.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. When your teacher points out these mistakes, you will not make them again in the future. Making mistakes is part of the learning.

Have a student card. You will need to pay one dollar and have your picture taken at the ILC before you have your card. When you have a library card, you will be able to borrow items from the library. We may have some books in English and in your language that will make it easy for you to learn the language.

Talk to your teacher if you have a problem. Don’t go to the manager directly. You need to talk to the teacher first and he or she will do their best to help you solve the problem. If they can’t help you, they may find someone else who can help. They can direct you in the right way.

Get telephone numbers and email addresses of your friends in class. Coming to class is not all about learning. It is about making friends and enjoying your time at AMES.

Parent-teacher Interviews

Tom is a new immigrant who comes from China. He has a young daughter who goes to a local primary school in Box Hill. Tom got a notice from the school about a parent-teacher interview. Tom has never been to a parent-teacher interview before. He asked his friend Mary for help. Mary is an Australian lady who lives next door to Tom. She is very kind and helpful. Mary said to Tom that most parents feel nervous about going to parent-teacher interviews. Here are some of the things that Mary told Tom about.


Book an appointment early

Teachers are not free for a long time. They do a lot of work in and outside class. Teachers expect all parents to attend the parent-teacher interviews. If you don't attend the interview, this may show that you don't care about your child's education.

Be polite

Remember to say hello and introduce yourself to the teacher. At the end of the interview, remember to say thank you to the teacher for her work with your daughter.


Don’t be shy

If you don’t speak good English, the teacher will pay more attention and try to understand what you say. You can take a friend who speaks good English to the parent-teacher interview if this makes you less nervous.


Ask the teacher all the questions you want

Ask the teacher how your daughter is doing in class and if she needs more help at home. The teacher can make a plan to help your child more if you work together. The teacher can write notes and send them with the student so the parents know what is happening in class. The parent usually signs these notes and returns them to the teacher.


Don’t complain about the teacher’s work

If your child does not perform well in class, this may not be a mistake by the teacher. Do not complain about her work and say she does not know how to teach or that in your country education is much better. This can be a rude thing to say.


If you are busy, you can talk to the teacher on the phone

Most parents go to the parent-teacher interviews on time. Some of the parents can be too busy to come to these interviews. They can ring the school and talk to the teacher on the phone. The teacher can tell the parent about the progress of the student. She can ask the parent some questions to find out how the student learns at home. The parent can also ask the teacher any question he or she likes about the child’s education.

Accidnet

An old man went to a cafe to have a coffee with a couple of friends he always meets every week. The three friends went to a local restaurant in Box Hill. They ordered coffee with no sugar. The waiter went inside and someone in the kitchen started making the coffee. The friends were chatting when he came back. The waiter came after a short time with three cups of coffee. He was in a hurry to go back to the kitchen because there were a lot of customers at the cafe. He accidently spilt a hot cup of coffee on the old man’s lap. The old man screamed. The two friends tried to help the old man. One of them brought some cold water. The young waiter didn’t know what to do. A woman at the café used her mobile phone and called 000. She asked for an ambulance to be sent to the café because she saw the old man was in a lot of pain. The ambulance arrived shortly and two paramedics helped the old man. The owner of the café said he was sorry about what happened. The waiter also apologized to the old man for spilling the hot coffee on his lap. The old man accepted the waiters apology.