By Jaisung Yoon
Topic 97: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
February 8, 2011
A teacher plays a very important role in a student’s life. This is because a teacher teaches students not only school subjects but also valuable lessons for their lives. The question is whether or not teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. In my opinion, teachers should not be paid based on how much their students learn because students’ understanding depends on their effort and such a system can possibly inhibit (stand in the way of) teacher development.
To begin with, although a good teacher and a good lecture are essential to improving students’ understanding, how much students learn depends on how hard students study. A competent teacher can help his students understand well and get good grades. However, even though a teacher may teach well, if some students are not interested in his class, they will get low grades. From my personal experience of taking a lot of classes, I can say that my efforts were more important than what teacher said. My high school was famous for mathematics, and there were a number of good math teachers. Although the math teachers gave excellent math classes, the subject was not my liking. As a result, I did not study hard and my math grades were always bad. On the other hand, I liked studying Korean, and was always eager to learn more. Consequently, my understanding of Korean has continued to improve regardless of my teachers.
Next, in order to foster good teachers, all teachers need to help each other and be treated equally. Often, a new teacher learns how to teach from other practiced teachers. However, if teachers get paid by how much their students learn, the teachers will be reluctant to share their teaching skills and some teachers who are not able to teach well will be less likely to get good advice. When my father became math teacher, he was in a lot of troubles because of his poor teaching skills. One day, he talked about his problems with a veteran teacher, and the veteran teacher gave him valuable advice and showed him how to teach better. After that, my father spent some time and money improving his teaching skills and he was able to be well-prepared for his classes. In the end, he became a trustworthy and respected teacher.
In conclusion, paying teachers according to how much students learn is counterproductive. This is because how much students learn is not fully dependent on teachers’ teaching skills, and in order to foster good teachers, all teachers need equal opportunity.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
TOEFL Topic 68: Daily Homework is Necessary
By Jaisung Yoon
Topic 68: Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
February 1, 2011
Homework plays a very important role in a student’s life. This is because homework forces a student to review his schoolwork, and makes him understand them deeply, so he has a lasting impression. The question is whether or not homework needs to be done on a daily basis. In my opinion, doing daily homework is important since it helps students get good grades and build a sense of responsibility.
To begin with, doing homework is a crucial activity to improve students’ understanding. If a student does not do his homework many times, he will not be able to keep up with his classes. By doing daily homework, students are able to go over their school subjects, understand what was covered and master it. From my personal experience of doing homework everyday, I can say that it was a huge help in improving my school grades. Doing daily homework was not easy for me at first because it took away my leisure and social time. However, when I got accustomed to doing homework everyday, I enjoyed my classes more and my grades improved.
Next, doing daily homework provides students an opportunity to become more responsible. In this competitive society, finishing work on time can be essential to holding a job, and doing homework every day can be the first step in terms of learning how to meet deadlines. When my older sister entered high school, she did not like to do her homework because that was a lot and it was too much for her. Consequently, she was not interested in her classes and could not keep up with her classmates. One day, my father found out about it, and told her that if she wanted to enjoy her classes, she should not ever skip her homework. After that, she always turned in her homework on time. Now, she is a trustworthy and successful business person, and credits doing her homework help her become successful.
In conclusion, doing daily homework is really beneficial for students. This is because it helps students get good grades at school, understand the information and ideas, and develop a sense of responsibility.
Topic 68: Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
February 1, 2011
Homework plays a very important role in a student’s life. This is because homework forces a student to review his schoolwork, and makes him understand them deeply, so he has a lasting impression. The question is whether or not homework needs to be done on a daily basis. In my opinion, doing daily homework is important since it helps students get good grades and build a sense of responsibility.
To begin with, doing homework is a crucial activity to improve students’ understanding. If a student does not do his homework many times, he will not be able to keep up with his classes. By doing daily homework, students are able to go over their school subjects, understand what was covered and master it. From my personal experience of doing homework everyday, I can say that it was a huge help in improving my school grades. Doing daily homework was not easy for me at first because it took away my leisure and social time. However, when I got accustomed to doing homework everyday, I enjoyed my classes more and my grades improved.
Next, doing daily homework provides students an opportunity to become more responsible. In this competitive society, finishing work on time can be essential to holding a job, and doing homework every day can be the first step in terms of learning how to meet deadlines. When my older sister entered high school, she did not like to do her homework because that was a lot and it was too much for her. Consequently, she was not interested in her classes and could not keep up with her classmates. One day, my father found out about it, and told her that if she wanted to enjoy her classes, she should not ever skip her homework. After that, she always turned in her homework on time. Now, she is a trustworthy and successful business person, and credits doing her homework help her become successful.
In conclusion, doing daily homework is really beneficial for students. This is because it helps students get good grades at school, understand the information and ideas, and develop a sense of responsibility.
TOEFL Topic 57: The Kind of Movies I Prefer
By Jaisung Yoon
Topic 57: Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people prefer watching movies which are serious and designed to make the audience think; others like watching movies which are designed to amuse and entertain. Both movies designed to make the audience think and movies designed to amuse and entertain can be beneficial; however, I prefer watching amusing and entertaining movies because they provide more chances to help me improve the efficiency of my work and give me thoughts.
To begin with, watching movies that are designed to amuse is beneficial because it improves my efficiency. Often, when I watch the movies designed to encourage me think about a serious topic, such as a family trouble or a social issue, it will make me consider the topics of the movies as if they were my problems. As a result, I will be under stress. On the contrary, by watching the movies that are made to amuse me, I can have fun and laugh a lot. Consequently, I am able to get rid of stress and work more efficiently. From my personal experience of watching a comedy movie, The Simpsons, I can say that the film helped me relieve my stress and focus more on my work. Last summer, I was under a lot of burden from school work so I decided to watch The Simpsons to relieve the stress. While watching, I laughed a lot, and I got rid of my stress so I felt refreshed. This enabled me to get through with everything I had to do and get good grades.
Next, there is no doubt that serious movies give me a lot of things to think about; however the movies which are designed to amuse and entertain also provide me with many valuable ideas to mull over. Although comedy movies are primarily produced to entertain and to be enjoyed, they have their own messages and important lessons. I cannot remember the title of the movie; however the story was about a woman who wanted to get a job in South Korea. Even though mood of the film was very light and made me laugh a lot, in the end of the movie, I was able to get a valuable lesson: there is no gain without pain. Actually, I was also worried about my future job at that time. After watching the movie, I decided to study harder than before, and eventually, I was able to get good grades at university and get a good job.
In conclusion, I do not argue that a serious movie which is designed to make the audience think has some advantages; however, in my opinion, movies which make me smile and entertain me are much more beneficial. This is because they provide more opportunities to improve the efficiency of my work and get valuable life lessons.
Topic 57: Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people prefer watching movies which are serious and designed to make the audience think; others like watching movies which are designed to amuse and entertain. Both movies designed to make the audience think and movies designed to amuse and entertain can be beneficial; however, I prefer watching amusing and entertaining movies because they provide more chances to help me improve the efficiency of my work and give me thoughts.
To begin with, watching movies that are designed to amuse is beneficial because it improves my efficiency. Often, when I watch the movies designed to encourage me think about a serious topic, such as a family trouble or a social issue, it will make me consider the topics of the movies as if they were my problems. As a result, I will be under stress. On the contrary, by watching the movies that are made to amuse me, I can have fun and laugh a lot. Consequently, I am able to get rid of stress and work more efficiently. From my personal experience of watching a comedy movie, The Simpsons, I can say that the film helped me relieve my stress and focus more on my work. Last summer, I was under a lot of burden from school work so I decided to watch The Simpsons to relieve the stress. While watching, I laughed a lot, and I got rid of my stress so I felt refreshed. This enabled me to get through with everything I had to do and get good grades.
Next, there is no doubt that serious movies give me a lot of things to think about; however the movies which are designed to amuse and entertain also provide me with many valuable ideas to mull over. Although comedy movies are primarily produced to entertain and to be enjoyed, they have their own messages and important lessons. I cannot remember the title of the movie; however the story was about a woman who wanted to get a job in South Korea. Even though mood of the film was very light and made me laugh a lot, in the end of the movie, I was able to get a valuable lesson: there is no gain without pain. Actually, I was also worried about my future job at that time. After watching the movie, I decided to study harder than before, and eventually, I was able to get good grades at university and get a good job.
In conclusion, I do not argue that a serious movie which is designed to make the audience think has some advantages; however, in my opinion, movies which make me smile and entertain me are much more beneficial. This is because they provide more opportunities to improve the efficiency of my work and get valuable life lessons.
The Important Things in my Life
By Irasema Tirado
Since I was a little girl, my parents taught me how important my life has to be. They told me that I should do what I like to do because the most important thing in life is happiness. Being around people that you love and that love you is a big reason for what you are going to become in your future. That’s why family is one of the important things in my life in addition, doing things that make me happy and equally important my future.
My family is the most important thing in life, because if good or bad things happened to me they are always going to be there. I like to be in touch with them, even when I’m so far from them. I like to phone them at least four times a week. Every time I’m with them I am the happiest person on earth. My husband is also my family. I love to be with him because he makes me feel secure and happy. I will love to have children with him some time.
Since I was little I have been able to do all activities I wanted. Doing things that make me really excited and happy are: school because I can be really good at it, by being responsible and dedicated. I always got the highest marks. I also love to look good which makes me a fan of makeup, clothes and beauty stuff. I like to do styles on my friends; I help my friends because I want them to look good always. They know that they can ask me for anything mostly when it’s about style. Being with my friends make me really happy. Sports are another thing that I enjoy, so I try to do them with my family and friends as often as I can.
Thinking about your future could be stressful mostly when you don’t know what you want for it, but when it is decided, you will always want to think about it, and just by thinking of it, your life will have sense and you will become really excited about it; then when you are not expecting it, you are already in it doing your goals that you thought in the past.
I can say that these are the most important things in my whole life. I am sure that for other people there are other important things. Every person is different but I think that you should always think about your future. I mean what would your life be without thinking about your future? Do you know how your future is going to be? Are you planning your future? Are you happy right now? I don’t know, but I think you should.
Since I was a little girl, my parents taught me how important my life has to be. They told me that I should do what I like to do because the most important thing in life is happiness. Being around people that you love and that love you is a big reason for what you are going to become in your future. That’s why family is one of the important things in my life in addition, doing things that make me happy and equally important my future.
My family is the most important thing in life, because if good or bad things happened to me they are always going to be there. I like to be in touch with them, even when I’m so far from them. I like to phone them at least four times a week. Every time I’m with them I am the happiest person on earth. My husband is also my family. I love to be with him because he makes me feel secure and happy. I will love to have children with him some time.
Since I was little I have been able to do all activities I wanted. Doing things that make me really excited and happy are: school because I can be really good at it, by being responsible and dedicated. I always got the highest marks. I also love to look good which makes me a fan of makeup, clothes and beauty stuff. I like to do styles on my friends; I help my friends because I want them to look good always. They know that they can ask me for anything mostly when it’s about style. Being with my friends make me really happy. Sports are another thing that I enjoy, so I try to do them with my family and friends as often as I can.
Thinking about your future could be stressful mostly when you don’t know what you want for it, but when it is decided, you will always want to think about it, and just by thinking of it, your life will have sense and you will become really excited about it; then when you are not expecting it, you are already in it doing your goals that you thought in the past.
I can say that these are the most important things in my whole life. I am sure that for other people there are other important things. Every person is different but I think that you should always think about your future. I mean what would your life be without thinking about your future? Do you know how your future is going to be? Are you planning your future? Are you happy right now? I don’t know, but I think you should.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Learning Styles
By Quinton Chan
Did you ever study hard but still didn’t get a high score? Sometimes it is because your learning style may just not suit you at all. The way you learn and the result of your study is directly connected. However, there is no way which is good for every person. The learning style that suits your friend might not work for you. Teachers recognize that while there are many learning styles, most students are one of these three types: visual learners, auditory learners, or kinesthetic learners.
Students who belong to visual learners get the most benefit from learning by absorbing written information and taking notes because usually they are good at reading and remembering the word’s spelling. In addition, this kind of learner requires a quiet place for them to study. They need to focus so much on their problem they need to solve. Even in a lecture they have to think a while to understand it.
Unlike the visual learners, auditory learners learn mainly through listening. These students receive information mostly from listening to lectures and participating in discussions. In a group, they enjoy sharing their ideas with other people because during the process, they can review their thoughts in their mind. Furthermore, they are good at using word association to remember fact and lines. When they close their eyes, things that they’re remembering keep repeating in their mind.
The last learning style is kinesthetic learning, which refers to learning better by doing it. Students in this group need a hands-on approach because they always learn better when they are moving their bodies. According to this, many of them like sports. On the other hand, they can’t sit still for long. Studies with loud music on will be their choice always. Moreover, they are interested in lab science and role playing.
Choosing the best learning style for yourself makes study easier and more efficient. It will increase your interest in study and be a big help for you to accomplish your goal.
Did you ever study hard but still didn’t get a high score? Sometimes it is because your learning style may just not suit you at all. The way you learn and the result of your study is directly connected. However, there is no way which is good for every person. The learning style that suits your friend might not work for you. Teachers recognize that while there are many learning styles, most students are one of these three types: visual learners, auditory learners, or kinesthetic learners.
Students who belong to visual learners get the most benefit from learning by absorbing written information and taking notes because usually they are good at reading and remembering the word’s spelling. In addition, this kind of learner requires a quiet place for them to study. They need to focus so much on their problem they need to solve. Even in a lecture they have to think a while to understand it.
Unlike the visual learners, auditory learners learn mainly through listening. These students receive information mostly from listening to lectures and participating in discussions. In a group, they enjoy sharing their ideas with other people because during the process, they can review their thoughts in their mind. Furthermore, they are good at using word association to remember fact and lines. When they close their eyes, things that they’re remembering keep repeating in their mind.
The last learning style is kinesthetic learning, which refers to learning better by doing it. Students in this group need a hands-on approach because they always learn better when they are moving their bodies. According to this, many of them like sports. On the other hand, they can’t sit still for long. Studies with loud music on will be their choice always. Moreover, they are interested in lab science and role playing.
Choosing the best learning style for yourself makes study easier and more efficient. It will increase your interest in study and be a big help for you to accomplish your goal.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Chance
By Janice Chan
If I have a chance that I could choose any time to live, I will choose the present. There are three reasons.
In the ancient time, the social status of women is low. There are many things that women cannot do. There are a lot of rules to control women. We cannot live without men. If your husband treated you badly, you could not fight for your human rights. We could not follow our thoughts. We did not have freedom and we could do nothing. We lived without our own dreams. It was more horrible than death.
The future is something that we cannot know. I think we cannot live in the future because we are the ones who build up the future. Humans must live in the moment.
The major reason is that I am very satisfied with my life. I love my family and friends. I cannot live without them and they cannot live without me. I love today’s world although there are still some problems. I am very thankful for the place where I live. It is time for me to do something for the world. I must live in the present and build our future---a peaceful, friendly world.
If I have a chance that I could choose any time to live, I will choose the present. There are three reasons.
In the ancient time, the social status of women is low. There are many things that women cannot do. There are a lot of rules to control women. We cannot live without men. If your husband treated you badly, you could not fight for your human rights. We could not follow our thoughts. We did not have freedom and we could do nothing. We lived without our own dreams. It was more horrible than death.
The future is something that we cannot know. I think we cannot live in the future because we are the ones who build up the future. Humans must live in the moment.
The major reason is that I am very satisfied with my life. I love my family and friends. I cannot live without them and they cannot live without me. I love today’s world although there are still some problems. I am very thankful for the place where I live. It is time for me to do something for the world. I must live in the present and build our future---a peaceful, friendly world.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Planning a Weekend Trip
By Janice Chan
There are two theme parks in Hong Kong – Ocean Park and Disney. If I have spare time, I would like to go to Hong Kong and visit these theme parks on a weekend.
On the first day, I would like to spend all day in Ocean Park. I prefer to visit the lovely pandas first. At noon, after I finish my lunch, I will go to the aquarium because outside it is too hot. After that it is time to watch the sea creatures acrobatics show-dolphins, sea lions and fur seals. They are very cute. After that I would like to try some rides if I have free time.
The next day, I would like to go to the Hong Kong Disney Land-the smallest Disney in the world. I prefer to take some photos with Disney characters in the morning. At noon, there is a parade. I will go to watch a 3D movie and buy some souvenirs. There are fireworks every night and I would be glad to see that. It is a beautiful ending for my weekend trip.
There are two theme parks in Hong Kong – Ocean Park and Disney. If I have spare time, I would like to go to Hong Kong and visit these theme parks on a weekend.
On the first day, I would like to spend all day in Ocean Park. I prefer to visit the lovely pandas first. At noon, after I finish my lunch, I will go to the aquarium because outside it is too hot. After that it is time to watch the sea creatures acrobatics show-dolphins, sea lions and fur seals. They are very cute. After that I would like to try some rides if I have free time.The next day, I would like to go to the Hong Kong Disney Land-the smallest Disney in the world. I prefer to take some photos with Disney characters in the morning. At noon, there is a parade. I will go to watch a 3D movie and buy some souvenirs. There are fireworks every night and I would be glad to see that. It is a beautiful ending for my weekend trip.
Book Review: The House on the Hill
By Olga Juchnik
I’ll tell you something about his book. The name of the book is The House on the Hill. The name of the author is Elizabeth Laird. The issue date is 1986.
In a beautiful summer, Paul was finished the college and wanted to be a writer and work for a newspaper. But first he needed to rest.
One day he went down to the river and saw a young and very beautiful girl with long dark hair and she was wearing a pretty dress. Paul went up to her. Her name is Maria and she lived in the big white house on the hill.
Paul and Maria talked for a long time until it was nearly dark. And she had to go. Paul knew she was a rich girl, and he was poor. He lived in a little brown house, alone with his mother because his father was dead.
After that, Paul and Maria often met near the river and they fell in love.
On day, everything was changing after he asked her to marry him. She didn’t answer. She turned and ran away. But there were tears in her eyes. And Paul did not understand Maria.
The mistress from the big and important house was a rich old woman. She was ugly and her eyes were small and cold. She sent her servant to pick Paul up to make conversation about her daughter Maria. Paul hoped that Maria changed her mind and wanted to marry him.
But he learned Maria was going to be married soon to another man who was rich.
Maria said only, “I’m sorry. My mother is right. I don’t want to be poor. I want money, clothes, and a big car. Goodbye, Paul.”
Paul was very sad. All the time he thought about Maria. One day he saw a headline in the newspaper. “Rich man’s beautiful bride” with a picture of Maria and her husband. Paul wrote a story, “Paul and Maria,” and sent it to the newspaper for a story competition. He won first prize, and hoped Maria will see his story because he still loved her.
At the time when Paul got an envelope with the prize money at the newspaper office, the manager offered him to work for his newspaper. Paul was very surprised and agreed.
Paul learned that ugly old woman, Maria’s mother, died last week and Maria ran away from her husband. Now he should go to the funeral because they needed a report about it for the paper. It was a big funeral he wrote about it. He saw Maria standing along because everybody thought she’s a bad woman, she left her husband and killed her mother. Poor Maria, he thought.
He wanted to see Maria again, and went to her house. It was “For Sale” and looked empty. He went into the house through the window. There was nobody there and the rooms were all empty. Suddenly he heard a noise from another room. it was Maria. She answered Paul’s questions about her husband and wanted to be with Paul again. But he saw her look like her mother, hard and cold. He just said, “I don’t love you anymore. Goodbye, Maria.”
Paul left the house on the hill and walked home. He was free. Finally he met a pretty girl, Elsa. It was his cousin.
I would recommend this book because it is a nice story, easy to read and understand.
I’ll tell you something about his book. The name of the book is The House on the Hill. The name of the author is Elizabeth Laird. The issue date is 1986.
In a beautiful summer, Paul was finished the college and wanted to be a writer and work for a newspaper. But first he needed to rest.
One day he went down to the river and saw a young and very beautiful girl with long dark hair and she was wearing a pretty dress. Paul went up to her. Her name is Maria and she lived in the big white house on the hill.
Paul and Maria talked for a long time until it was nearly dark. And she had to go. Paul knew she was a rich girl, and he was poor. He lived in a little brown house, alone with his mother because his father was dead.After that, Paul and Maria often met near the river and they fell in love.
On day, everything was changing after he asked her to marry him. She didn’t answer. She turned and ran away. But there were tears in her eyes. And Paul did not understand Maria.
The mistress from the big and important house was a rich old woman. She was ugly and her eyes were small and cold. She sent her servant to pick Paul up to make conversation about her daughter Maria. Paul hoped that Maria changed her mind and wanted to marry him.
But he learned Maria was going to be married soon to another man who was rich.
Maria said only, “I’m sorry. My mother is right. I don’t want to be poor. I want money, clothes, and a big car. Goodbye, Paul.”
Paul was very sad. All the time he thought about Maria. One day he saw a headline in the newspaper. “Rich man’s beautiful bride” with a picture of Maria and her husband. Paul wrote a story, “Paul and Maria,” and sent it to the newspaper for a story competition. He won first prize, and hoped Maria will see his story because he still loved her.
At the time when Paul got an envelope with the prize money at the newspaper office, the manager offered him to work for his newspaper. Paul was very surprised and agreed.
Paul learned that ugly old woman, Maria’s mother, died last week and Maria ran away from her husband. Now he should go to the funeral because they needed a report about it for the paper. It was a big funeral he wrote about it. He saw Maria standing along because everybody thought she’s a bad woman, she left her husband and killed her mother. Poor Maria, he thought.
He wanted to see Maria again, and went to her house. It was “For Sale” and looked empty. He went into the house through the window. There was nobody there and the rooms were all empty. Suddenly he heard a noise from another room. it was Maria. She answered Paul’s questions about her husband and wanted to be with Paul again. But he saw her look like her mother, hard and cold. He just said, “I don’t love you anymore. Goodbye, Maria.”
Paul left the house on the hill and walked home. He was free. Finally he met a pretty girl, Elsa. It was his cousin.
I would recommend this book because it is a nice story, easy to read and understand.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Korean Red Peppers
By Jay Lee
Most Korean food is made with red pepper powder. Korean people enjoy its taste, which is somewhat hot.
The historical root of Korean red pepper is not clear; some say it is from India or China or Japan. Korean red peppers are harvested as a vegetable in summer. During winter and spring, it is sprouted in greenhouses before being planted in fields in summer.
Unripe red peppers are green, and as time goes by, they turn red. It is not easy to gather red peppers in summer because, as the taste is very spicy, its smell is also very spicy, and it makes farmers’ hands feel very hot, too. Even if they wear work gloves, they have to struggle with fevers.
Red peppers are dried by a big drying machine; otherwise, green ones are eaten at home. Dried peppers, which turn deep red, are sent to a mill to be turned into powder. The flour can be eaten for a long time because it hardly ever spoils.
Most Korean food is made with red pepper powder. Korean people enjoy its taste, which is somewhat hot.
The historical root of Korean red pepper is not clear; some say it is from India or China or Japan. Korean red peppers are harvested as a vegetable in summer. During winter and spring, it is sprouted in greenhouses before being planted in fields in summer.
Unripe red peppers are green, and as time goes by, they turn red. It is not easy to gather red peppers in summer because, as the taste is very spicy, its smell is also very spicy, and it makes farmers’ hands feel very hot, too. Even if they wear work gloves, they have to struggle with fevers.
Red peppers are dried by a big drying machine; otherwise, green ones are eaten at home. Dried peppers, which turn deep red, are sent to a mill to be turned into powder. The flour can be eaten for a long time because it hardly ever spoils.
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