FRESHMAN ENGLISH(I)

WEEK 7-8 (OCT 24-31 2018) WED 10:10-13:00 (HSS C522)

授課教師：陳宗穎

1
LIFE LESSONS

 What experience has changed your life significantly?

 How is your life different after becoming an NTHU student?

Or is there any difference at all?

 What is your life philosophy at this point (for example,You

Only Live Once = YOLO)?
2
LIFE LESSONS

 Winning a lottery is a life-changing moment.

3
LIFE LESSONS

£1.8 Million Lottery Win

"Wrecked" My Life
£1.8 Million ≈ 73 Millon NTD
(1 British Pound ≈ 40 NTD)
4
LIFE LESSONS

 Life should be perfect after winning a huge money – What

could possibly go wrong?

Write down the reason on your notebook.

 Let's take a look at a few examples…

5
 6
Lara and Roger Griffiths

MISERABLE
LOTTERY
WINNERS
LARA AND ROGER GRIFFITHS
 They were the winner of the £1.83 million lottery in England
in 2005.
 The couple quitted their job immediately – Roger used
to work as an IT manager and Lara a performing arts
teacher.
 The both earned about £38,000 a year (approximately 1.55
million NTD) with their job (the average household income
in 2013 is £23,556).
 Eight years later in 2013, Roger claimed to have only £7 in
7
the bank.
LARA AND ROGER GRIFFITHS

 Lara accused Roger for making disastrous decisions.

 £25,000 for making a record for his band.
 £18,000 for a soft-top (foldable roof) Audi, £28,000 for a
Porsche, and £24,700 for a Lexus.
 £800,000 for a new home converted from a barn.
 £20,000 A year for their two daughters' tuition fee in a
private school.
 Anyway, just an overly luxurious life. 8
 9

MISERABLE
LOTTERY
WINNERS

William Post
WILLIAM POST

 The winner of a $16.2 million lottery from Pennsylvania,

US in 1988.
 On the day of winning this lottery, Mr. Post was 48 years old,
disabled, with his bank account totaled just $2.46.
 He pawned his ring for $40, and bought 40 lottery tickets,
including the winning one.
 The prize was split into 26 annual payments of
$497,953 a year.
10
WILLIAM POST

 After collecting the first annual payment, he spent $300,000

in two weeks – a liquor license, a lease on a restaurant for
his brother and sister, etc.
 He was $500,000 in debt after three months.
 $380,000 for a mansion a year later.
 Lawsuit issues with his landlady, who helped buy the
lottery tickets, which froze the annual payments.
 A brother tried to hire a contracted murder to kill him.
 Mr. Post died in January, 2006. 11
 Sharon Tirabassi
12

MISERABLE
LOTTERY
WINNERS
SHARON TIRABASSI (P.128)

 Won a lottery of 10.5 million Canadian dollars in

Hamilton, Ontario in 2004.
 Took friends on wild shopping trips and gave loans to
friends.
 Bought a house in the wealthiest part of town and
owned four cars.
 Bought several houses and rented them to families at
affordable rates.
 As of 2013, Ms. Tirabassi, at the age of 35, found her saving
to be only three-quarters of a million. 13
SHARON TIRABASSI (P.128)
 Ms. Tirabassi went back to work as a part-time personal
support worker.

 Lived in a rented house in downtown Hamilton, and raised

six kids with her husband.

 Ms. Tirabassi was actually happier after getting back to work.

 Things other than money became more important to her,

14
and she hoped to raise her kids with good family values.
BUT MONEY REALLY MEANS A
MISERABLE LIFE?

 Can these miserable lottery winners represent all the cases?

Let's listen to the audio 2.5 (p.45) and find out.
 Most people who get a lot of money spend it all quickly?
 We enjoy hearing stories about people who won the lottery
and then lost all their money?
 In the long term, being rich doesn't always make you
happier?
 It's better to spend money on things you can own, like
houses and cars? 15
USEFUL LANGUAGE
 end up v-ing = come away v-ing
They ended up/came away losing all their money.
 isolated cases = exceptions
They're just isolated cases; in fact winning doesn't usually have a
negative influence.
 adjust to the idea of = get used to
They adjust to the idea of being rich and go back to normal.
 for long = in the long-run
Being rich doesn't make you happy for long.
 there you have it = there you go
 Open p.167 and listen again. 16
BUT MONEY REALLY MEANS A
MISERABLE LIFE?

Be careful what you wish for!

17
LIFE LESSONS

 Of course, life lessons are everywhere, and here's one from

a firefighter:
https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bezos_a_life_lesson_from
_a_volunteer_firefighter#t-228581

 Use less than 10 words for the life lesson given in the
firefighter's speech.

 The consequence doesn't matter, but the action does.

18
USEFUL LANGUAGES
 get in on an action = take part in a thing that is
happening
The game is on and you need to get in on an action!
 engaging conversation = speak in a pleasant way
He's having an engaging conversation with his student.
 stunned / shocked with jealousy
Jim told me that he bought a new car, and I was stunned with
jealousy.
 beat me by five seconds / inches
 wave me over 19
LIFE LESSONS

 Will you need a college degree for a job? See p. 47.

 Pilot – Until you've done the actual job, you don't know
what it really involves.
 Forest Ranger – All you require is common sense and
practical skills.
 Model Developer – I found a job building models and got
really good on-the-job training. It was far more practical.
 Stuntman – It's as much about training and practice.
20
DEBATE CLUB
 The entire class is divided into two groups.
 One group is the affirmative, the other is the negative.
 Each student from each group needs to come up with one
argument.
 Two students from each group will be presenting their ideas.
 We will vote for each side at the end of presentations.
 If the affirmative side wins, the presenters get 0.5 point
bonus.
 If the negative side wins, the presenters get 1.5 point bonus.21
LIFE LESSONS

 The classic arguments against / used to discredit

college education:

1. Those who don't go to university have a successful life, too.

2. University don't teach practical skills.

3. Therefore, don't go to university.

22
LIFE LESSONS
 Here are my counterarguments:

1. More people who don't go to university live a tough life.

2. Knowledge provided in a university is the foundation of

practical skills.

3. If a professor fails, it doesn't mean that the system fails, too.

 But regardless, no one would deny the importance of

23
training when it comes to do a job right.
COCA CHALLENGE

Adjective + Training

24
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
 Isn't the title familiar to you?

 We learned from a psychologist that it might take 10,000

hours of practice to get you the success you need.

 That means a tough, arduous, grueling, rigorous, and

probably punishing training.

 Perhaps just like in the case of a Vatican City guard?

(p.48) 25
VATICAN
CITY
GUARD

26
VATICAN CITY GUARD
 Formally known as Pontifical Swiss Guard.
 Their origin dates back to the 16th century.
 Pontifical = Relating to the Pope (pontiff)
 As the name suggests, it has something to do with the
Swiss people…
 All guards must be Catholic and single males with Swiss
citizenship.
 The age must be between 19 and 30 years old, at least as tall
as 5"8 (174 cm), and should have a professional degree or a
27
high school diploma.
  Basic military training with the Swiss
Army.
 The history of the Swiss Guards.
VATICAN CITY  Recognize key people around the
Vatican.
GUARD
 Learn to use weapons, like swords!
 Defend yourself with karate and judo!
 Learn English and Spanish.
28
VATICAN CITY GUARD
 Formally known as Pontifical Swiss Guard.
 Their origin dates back to the 16th century.
 Pontifical = Relating to the Pope (pontiff)
 As the name suggests, it has something to do with the
Swiss people…
 All guards must be Catholic and single males with Swiss
citizenship.
 The age must be between 19 and 30 years old, at least as tall
as 5"8 (174 cm), and should have a professional degree or a
29
high school diploma.
VATICAN CITY GUARD

30
MORE ON LIFE LESSONS:
TOUGH TRAININGS

 Listen to Audio 2.10 for Miranda's experience in a drama

school and Fred in a football academy.

 Try to find the answers to the following question:

1. What were the classes Miranda took in the drama school?
2. What did make Fred more outstanding than his competitors
in the football academy?
3. What was the sacrifice made by both Miranda and Fred for
their training?
31
USEFUL LANGUAGES
 be supposed to
I was supposed to prepare a song, but they forgot to let me know.
 no / little doubt
There was no / little doubt (that) the training was very tough.
 thorough training / discussion
There was a thorough training / discussion in today's class.
 huge sacrifice
Drama school is a huge sacrifice since it takes your free time away.
 swallowed my life
The training / debt / job / family issues sort of swallowed my life. 32
USEFUL LANGUAGES
 make up one's mind = make one's decision
It took me a couple of weeks to really make up my mind to go to a drama
school.
 a trial match
I was invited to play in a trial match to show what I could do.
 chauffeurs = the driver for a rich family
My dad was forced to act as my chauffeurs and drove me to the school.
 stand out from
My easy-going personality made me stand out from my colleagues.
 have it both ways
It's unlikely that you can recruit talented people and save money for your
33
company at the same time.You just can't have it both ways.
MORE ON LIFE LESSONS:
TOUGH TRAININGS

 Now let's listen to the audio again with the full script on
p.168.

34
ANOTHER IMPORTANT LIFE LESSON:
JOB APPLICATION

 Before you apply for a job, you should do the following

things:
1. Read the job description carefully! (p.53)
2. Ask yourself whether you have the required skills and
personalities.
3. List other advantages that make you stand out from your
competitors.
4. Organize your thoughts into a job application letter.
35
JOB APPLICATION LETTER

 How to write a job application e-mail (in English), then?

 Let's read the example provided in the textbook on p.53.

 What is the purpose of each paragraph?

36
JOB APPLICATION LETTER
 Start with why you're writing this email, not a self-
introduction.
 Then introduce your background, starting with what you're
doing now.
 Summarize your skills and experiences that match the
qualifications.
 Add additional advantages you have, and explain why this is
an advantage.
 Conclude with a polite and thankful message.
37
 Try to come up with a straightforward title for this e-mail.
JOB APPLICATION LETTER
 Greeting
 If you don't know who you're talking to, "Dear Sir/Ma'am".

 If you can't tell whether the contact person is a male or a

female, "Dear Sir/Ma'am", otherwise "Dear Mr./Ms. XXXX".

 If the contact person has a professional title, use that title

"Dear Dr./Prof. XXXX".

 If you're letter is going to a group of people, such as a

committee, then go with "Dear conference
organizers/committee members". 38
JOB APPLICATION LETTER
 Body
 Describe your experience: "I have been working as…", "I used
to work as…", "Meanwhile…", "In addition"…

 Show a positive and enthusiastic attitude, but not "certainty":

"I'm confident that…", "It is to my belief that…", "I expect
myself to…", "I'm more than willing to…"

 DO NOT exaggerate: "I will devote / dedicate my life to this

job", "my skills fit your requirements / qualifications in every
aspect" 39
JOB APPLICATION LETTER

 Conclusion
 Emphasize your enthusiasm once again: "I'm eager to join your
team and make significant contributions"

 Be polite and thankful: "…and I'm grateful to your careful

consideration of my application"

 Show your expectation on their message: "I look forward to

hearing from you", "I look forward to your decision."
40
JOB APPLICATION LETTER
 E-mail Title
 Concise and Informative

"Job application" (X)

"Applying for a job" (X)

"Job Application for International Student Buddy" (O)

"Job Application for International Student Buddy at the

Student's Club" (?) 41
BECKY AND HER FRIENDS
 Two weeks ago, Becky and Tessa went out to get their
photography assignments done, and let's take a look at what they
get this week.

 Video Part 1 and Part II on p.51-52.

 How did Tessa describe the tree picture?

 How does Tessa and Becky feel about their "bridge"

assignment?
42
USEFUL LANGUAGES

 a close-up, a distant shot, out of focus

 from further away, in the background / foreground

 loads of = lots of
I took loads of notes but none of them matters in the midterm exam!

43
ASSIGNMENT V
 Due 23:59, Nov 17, 2018
 Writing Practice
 Write a 300-word job application e-mail.
 Apply for one of the four jobs available at Walter Disney, Apple,
American Airlines, and UPS (job ads will be posted on the
course website).
 You can make up your background to fit the requirements, but
don't be too ridiculous.
 Peer review – each of you will receive one job application,
and you need to carefully review the job application and give a
44
short comments by 23:59 Nov 19, 2018.