Hello my name is Lex I come from Australia I have been studying Chinese for about 5years and love...

Hello my name is Lex I come from Australia

I have been studying Chinese for about 5years and love listing to Chinese music and singing Chinese song.

Hope I can help you to love English the way I love Chinese.Regards Lex

Sabrina My Life In Australia

A Chinese Girl's Two Year Experience in Australia

• Yesterday was my was the second anniversary of my arrival in Australia. I feel the strong urge to write something about my two years experience because theses two years have been really eventful to me and I’ve seen myself changing everyday and facing new things everyday.


• At this particular moment, thousands of thoughts are fleeting through my mind and I find it hard to catch them all. Different emotions are surging from all over my body and I can feel them very intense!


• First of all, it is easy to tell that my appearance has changed a lot from a young girl to a young woman. This change is not just superficial, it is actually a reflection of the inner change of my mind two years ago I was just a young girl looking for adventures with all the curiosity and imagination about the rest of the world


• ; two years later, I am an experienced young woman still trying to get myself into new horizon each day but with a general self-direction, an assured mission and a better understanding of the world.


• Two years ago when I arrived in Australia by myself with simply luggage and a laptop, I had no idea what I could do and what I was going to do in this totally foreign land. All I knew was this opened a completely new blank page in my life and I could do whatever I felt like to draw on to this fresh page. When I was breathing the fresh winter air in he Sydney airport, I told myself that I am free now.


• The reason I decided to come to Australia has more to do with my adventurous and easy-to-be-bored personality than anything else. Even though I was living in the so-called “Cosmopolitan” city of Shanghai, I still found my life stagnant.


• Since I hate doing repetitive work, I found teaching ( I used to be a college English teacher) boring and I was craving for new challenges so that I could utilize my creativity and develop my potential further.


• I have always been a sort of “wild” person and never fit into the convention. So when my university classmates were busy working hard trying to improve their career or were saving up to purchase an apartment and get married to start a family, I simply packed up and left behind me all the stability, privilege and benefits that thousands of people were fighting for.


• (One of the manifestations of privilege for example is that I have aShanghai “Hukou” which means I’m a Shanghai resident.

• The “ Shanghai Hukou” allows me to enjoy favourable Medicare, favourable property purchase rate and favourable school access for my future children.


• Lots of rich people from other provinces come to buy properties so as to get the “Shanghai Hukou” (it is like immigration by an investment in a sense) so that their children can enjoy the same benefits as the other Shanghai residents.


• “Hukou”is a special thing in China, it acts more like a passport; if you have a different “Hukou” from the place you are staying, then you do not enjoy the benefits provided only to those people who hold the “Hukou”in that place.)


• So with only AU$400 left in the bank after paying the rent and without a single friend in the foreign land, I started the new journey of my life. Firstly, I decided that I didn’t want to become one of those thousands of Chinese students studying in almost every university of Australia.


• Especially those who are of my age have been studying their whole life in China and went back to school again in Australia. I personally always question the Chinese education systems (all they do is to turn smart young kids to bookworms and ruin their creativity and individuality) and would consider it my last choice to go back to school again after 19 years of being a bookworm myself. I’ve had enough of school and textbooks and can't wait to explore a totally new culture.


• Funnily enough, before I came to Australia, all the influence about the western world to me is that the US is the paradise out of the rest of the world. The result is that in China people always choose the US as their No.1 option when they consider to go overseas.


• Since it is getting harder and harder to get the US visa for the Chinese people, lots of people learned to go around by going to other countries such as Australia first and then get a US visa from there..


• I learned this technique as well from those pioneers and had the idea in my mind that Australia is only my stepping stone to America which was my destination! Thinking of that naïve idea now, I can't help laughing.


• After two years of living in Australia and also traveling throughout Europe, I’ve seen a broader world and heard from broader media, so my mind had been broadened. I have possessed a more balanced opinion about the world and I am no more biased due to the single media’s influence


• So I’ve changed my original idea of using Australia as my stepping stone to the US. I realized the US is not a paradise like my previous impression. On the contrary I found it a rather scary place – gunshots, violence etc – it is not my style of living place and I would not want to go there unless I have to. But I was told by people who have been there that physically the US is a very beautiful country. What a pity!


• My two years living in Australia has been making me in love with this country more and more with each passing day. I’m a nature lover and am very sensitive to the weather.

• Australia is the paradise to me in terms of natural environment. I love the crystal clear blue sky, the beautiful clean blue ocean, the long soft beaches, the ubiquitous old green trees and green grass land and the nearly aromatic fresh air!


• Actually when I was traveling in Europe, I got homesick really missing beautiful Australia.

• Apart from the desirable natural environment, I also love the space here – there are no crowds unless in Chinatown. Ha Ha !!


• Before I came here, somehow I got the impression about Australian people of being “simple”. In China, if you describe someone as “simple”, it is actually a derogative word; it is very close to “stupid”.


• To be honest, I was quite concerned about this when I was planning for my immigration. Again it makes me laugh now because I do find Aussies “simple” but in a good way and I love that character of Aussies because I myself share that particular character.


• Compared to most of Chinese people, I am a simple person too, just like the way of Aussies being simple. As a Chinese, I understand why Chinese people had this impression about Australians. Contrary to their counterparts, Chinese people have the reputation of being “subtle” because they never tell you directly what they really want and always tend to beat around the bush but never hit the spot. However Aussies always tell you what they really want and tend to make things as simple as they can especially when it comes to business.


• A good example is in China if you need to apply for a business license, you have to be ready to visit those bureaus and government offices 50 times because they never tell you what they need in one go.


• They always keep you come back by telling you each time something else is missing. While in Australia, when I was about to register my business, I just went to their website where there is a clear information package checklist telling you what you need to bring with. I went to the registration office once and spent half an hour filling in some forms and it was done


• So I love being this “simple” and admire Australian people’s professional manner in business. I can’t rave them more because compared to Chinese people, Australian businesses are so trustworthy. I am very impressed.


• While I did have lots of culture shock and am still experiencing it now and then. I remember in the first months it was very difficult for me to understand Australian English, especially when they used slang words such as “banger” (which means sausages).


• I was so frustrated that I had to buy an Australian slang dictionary and studies the words everyday. Whenever I recognized a word that I just learned such as “stubby holder” (which is a rubber tube holding a beer bottle to protect people’ fingers from getting cold), I would be so excited.


• But language is not a hard part; the hard part is the culture itself. For example, even now I still find it awkward to greet people. It is perfectly fine in business because all you do is to shake hands with them; however when it comes to some acquaintance in everyday life, normally I am not sure if I should shake their hands or give them a kiss and a hug like the other people do.


• I even often practice how to hug and kiss people properly at home with Brad who always laughed at me and teased me by kissing me suddenly on my lips. The thing is in China people don’t touch each other often except that close girlfriends always holding hands when they go shopping which western people find odd (suspect if all the Chinese girls are lesbians or bisexuals).


• When friends meet, they don’t kiss or hug each other; people don’t even hug or kiss their parents whenever they meet unless they haven’t seen each other for a long time. ( I remember when I went back home after each school term finished, my mum always gave me a big hug and a good kiss which made me sometimes embarrassed.


• That was after 5 months departure with my dear mum.) Chinese people are conservative and do not easily express their feelings directly and openly. I remember once I was so shocked to find Brad hugging and kissing one of his female friends when we went to her birthday party. That looked really “intimate” to me! ( Don’t laugh!)


• Now after two years of living in Australia, I am planning to go back to live in Shanghai for a year. Why? This time it is not that I’m bored again; it is for my consulting business. I’m going back to get in touch with more business contacts so that I will be able to better serve my Australian clients who are doing business with Chinese people or expanding into China’s market.


• When I say I’m going back to Shanghai due to my business, it is a major reason but not the complete reason. Another reason is I personally can’t wait to go back to look at China and Shanghai with a new perspective. I’m really curious about what I will see and hear this time. There is a saying “The world is in your mind”, which means the way the world looks is actually how your mind believes how the world looks like. y.


• Since my mind has changed and all the new perceptions have already replaced the old ones, I will definitely see a different China and Shanghai. I’m sure this return to Shanghai will again enrich my personal experiences and offer me a better vision of the world. I wonder what I would write next year for the first anniversary of back to Shanghai. I am intrigued alread

Bondi Beach Sydney

About You

• Are you studding?• Are you a long way from home? • Do you miss you family? • How do you keep in touch with your family?• Is the language a barrier to Learning?• How do overcome the loneliness?• What will you do when you finish studding?

Learning to Reading

Please join the cue read with a partner take it in turns http://www.eslfast.com/easydialogs/

To make a polite request:

• Could I go now please?Could you lend me a dictionary please?

• To make a polite offer:• Could I give you a lift?

I could carry that for you.• We use could have:• to show that something is possible now or was possible at

some time in the past:• It’s ten o’clock. They could have arrived now.

They could have arrived hours ago.•

I need a job

• A: I need a job.B: I thought you had a job.A: I did.B: What happened?A: I got laid off.B: That’s terrible! When did it happen?A: I got laid off last week.B: Just you?A: No, ten of my co workers got laid off, too.B: What are you going to do?A: I’m looking in the newspaper for a job.B: Good luck!

Bad Service

• A: Have you seen our waiter?B: Here he comes now.A: We’ve been sitting here for almost 10 minutes.B: Oops, I guess I was wrong. That isn’t our waiter.A: We can give him five more minutes, and then leave.B: I’ll go up front and talk to the manager.A: That’s a good idea.B: Maybe they’ll give us free drinks for waiting so long.A: Maybe he’ll send us our waiter immediately.B: Every time we eat out, it’s an adventure.A: Last time, we got seats next to the kitchen.B: We’ll never go there again.

A Good Table

• A: Is this table okay?B: No, it’s too close to the kitchen door.A: How about this table?B: No, it’s too close to the front door.A: This looks like a nice table.B: No, it’s too close to the salad bar.A: Okay, I give up.B: Well, there is one good table.A: Great. Which one?B: That one. A group of eight just sat down at it.

Before you go to that interview

• A: Before you go to that interview, check yourself.B: What’s to check?A: Are your nails clean?B: Yes, they are.A: Did you double-check your nose and teeth?B: They are clean, too.A: Did you shine your shoes?B: My shoes are shined.A: Do your socks match?B: Of course they match.A: No, they don’t. One is black and one is dark blue.B: Yikes! Thank you.

Life is hard

• A: Life is hard.B: It sure is.A: I thought school was hard.B: Me, too. I couldn’t wait to graduate.A: But now work is hard, too.B: I agree. Work is just as hard as school.A: Sometimes I wish I was back in school.B: Me, too. School was fun.A: And it was only 12 years.B: It went by pretty fast.A: But work goes on forever!B: We have to work for 30 years!

I don’t like my job

• A: I don’t like my job.B: What do you do?A: I’m a babysitter.B: Is that a lot of work?A: Babies cry all the time.B: You have to change their diapers.A: I have to feed them.B: Are you looking for another job?A: No, I’m looking for another family.B: Another family?A: A family with only one baby.B: That’s a good idea.

Talk about their jobs?

• A: Do your students ever talk about their jobs?B: Yes, and they ask me what jobs are the best.A: I tell my students to become a teacher.B: Teaching is a great job.A: It’s the best job I’ve ever had.B: What makes it so good?A: For me, it’s the students.B: What do you mean?A: I mean I have wonderful students.B: That must be nice.A: Teaching is the best part of my whole day.B: You’re a lucky man to have a job you love

Something real stupid• A: I think I did something real stupid.

B: What did you do?A: I bought some stock.B: Everybody buys stock.A: I bought it on a hunch.B: You didn't read about the company first?A: I didn't have to. It's been in business for 60 years.B: So what's the problem?A: I used all my savings on this one company.B: You put all your eggs into one basket.A: If the company goes out of business, I'll have nothing.B: Oh, you'll have something—you'll have a lesson you'll never forget!

I was going to be a doctor• A: I was going to be a doctor.

B: What happened to your plans?A: I got a D in college chemistry.B: Well, a D is better than an F.A: A tutor helped me get the D!B: So, you didn't become a doctor.A: And now I'm glad that I didn't.B: Why's that?A: A hospital is the most dangerous place in the world.B: Oh, yes, because of all the killer germs.A: If you're a smart doctor, you stay away from hospitals.B: Yes, the smart doctors are those TV news doctors—no hospitals, no patients.

What did the doctor say

• A: What did the doctor say?B: He thinks I have too much stress.A: Stress causes your stomachaches?B: Stress causes different problems with different people.A: So what did he tell you to do?B: He said I need to think positive.A: He didn’t give you any medication?B: I hate medication. It makes me feel different.A: So how do you think positive?B: I think about nice things.A: Like what?B: Like a day at the beach, with my toes in the sand.

Do you smell that?

• A: Do you smell that?B: Oh, yes.A: I can’t stand cigarette smoke.B: It smells so bad.A: One cigarette stinks up the whole sidewalk.B: Smokers think they are so cool.A: They are so weak.B: A little cigarette controls them.A: They look so stupid taking a puff.B: And then they blow smoke out of their mouth.A: They think it’s cool.B: Cigarettes stink.

My back is killing me

• A: My back is killing me.B: What did you do?A: I got out of my car.B: That’s it?A: I injured my back one time just by sneezing.B: You should see a doctor.A: My doctor said I need surgery.B: So?A: So, forget it.B: You don’t have the money?A: I have no insurance.B: Maybe a back rub would help.

Dirty Nails

• A: Let’s leave.B: But we just got here.A: Did you see the waiter’s hands?B: No.A: He had dirty fingernails.B: Really?A: His nails were black!B: That’s disgusting.A: And he poured water into our glasses.B: Yuck! No water for me.A: I wonder if the cooks?nails are dirty, too.B: Who cares? Let’s get out of here.

Remote is filthy• A: Our TV remote is filthy.

B: Yes, it’s covered with crud.A: I’m going to clean it.B: Don’t use water on it!A: I’ll use a damp cloth.B: Don’t let water get into any of the cracks.A: I’ll squeeze the cloth so it’s almost dry.B: Don’t rub the numbers off the remote.A: I will rub gently but firmly.B: Do it quickly, please, so I can change channels during commercials.A: I’ll give it back to you in a couple of minutes.B: Maybe we should put it in a plastic bag to keep it clean.

The new face

• A: Did you see the woman with the new face?B: Did she get a nice job?A: She got a job with “everything? B: What do you mean?A: A team of doctors gave her a whole new face.B: Why did they do that?A: A mad dog bit most of her face off.B: Oh, that’s terrible. What does she look like now?A: Her face is really fat, but they say the swelling will go down.B: And then will she look normal again?A: I guess so.B: God bless modern medicine.

A Good Lunch

• A: Lunch was delicious.B: Thank you.A: What kind of soup was that?B: It was tomato soup.A: That tasted so good.B: I put lemon and butter in it.A: The sandwich was good, too.B: Everyone likes bacon and tomato sandwiches.A: Especially on toast.B: And the pickles were great, too.A: Tomorrow we’ll have rice and fish for lunch.B: I can’t wait.

A Slow Burger

• A: I can’t believe how long this line is.B: This is a popular restaurant, isn’t it?A: Yes, but it isn’t a fast-food restaurant, is it?B: It’s the slowest hamburger in town.A: That’s because they cook it while you wait.B: Yes. That’s why it’s also the best hamburger in town.A: A great burger and great service.B: Yes, the workers are very polite.A: And they’re clean.B: I’ve been coming here for years.A: Me too.B: Excuse me. They just called my number.

Do I Hear $60,000?

A: I don't believe the art world.B: What is it this time?A: An Andy Warhol drawing.B: He's a famous artist.A: He drew two butterflies and a flower on a napkin in a restaurant.B: Did he sign it?A: Yes.B: Is it beautiful?A: It's just black ink on a white napkin. And the napkin has food stains!B: So it's not worth much?A: Only about $30,000.B: Without the food stains, it would probably be worth more.

Thanks for coming to my class

• English web link have a look • http://cdict.net/?q=+curator• http://www.lyricstraining.com/index.php• http://www.eslfast.com/easydialogs/• http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningen

glish/• http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/chinese/learn

-english/features• http://www.talkenglish.com/

http://cdict.net/?q=+curator

http://cdict.net/?q=+curator

http://www.lyricstraining.com/index.php

http://www.eslfast.com/easydialogs/

http://www.eslfast.com/easydialogs/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/chinese/learn-english/features

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/chinese/learn-english/features

http://www.talkenglish.com/

Hello my name is Lex I come from Australia I have been studying Chinese for about 5years and love...

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