The importance of a good Lunch

     Good Lunch can give people a lot of energy, and then they can work efficiently. For students it's most important. In my survey, I asked some I.H students some questions about their lunches. I found the student’s lunch didn't look good, actually most of them didn't like it at all. Why? One student said: “it’s not enough for me and it's unhealthy". And another student said: "my lunch is not often changed, just once a week I get something different". Now we have some problems. A good lunch needs variety and healthy options (sometimes it would be nice to have food from our home Countries)   

     Noodles are just water mixed with flavored chemicals, they're not nutritious. Sandwiches and simple meals like; rice and meat, two pieces of bread with cheese or JUST a loaf of bread! Canned Foods or packaged food and soft drink or juice also fast food; that isn't a good lunch good at all. It's important to make a fresh lunch and it's cheaper than you spending your money on eating out.

Balanced diets need regular change and different food. I think a balanced diet; three kinds of vegetables, meat, fruit with different carbohydrates is necessary. Just spend a little more money for your daily nutrition, the health is important for humans, if you don't have health you won't have a future.

Where to exercise in Vancouver?

Meet the Vancouver metro skaters.

  Vancouver is a beautiful city. Many people like the streets, mountains, ocean and sunshine. Many Vancouverites like activities outside ,some like jogging, snowboarding, skateboarding and more, so I interviewed some people, and they told me that it's very fun, interesting and good for your health.

  Many I.H. people like jogging in Vancouver. Hana is an I.H. student, when she came here before she was a runner in Japan. Then she kept doing it. She likes jogging in Stanley Park she feels it has a beautiful view, the ocean and fresh air. Then Mily is always jogging around the Oak st. blocks. She sees many different buildings and enjoys the streets. She wants to keep slim. Another student is Clair who often jogs in Mundy Park. She always does it in the afternoon every weekend, she said "it's good health for her."


  Skateboarding is very popular in Vancouver, many young people do it very well. One skater told me "he thinks its very fun, very cool and that he has been skateboarding for about 10 years." When I saw him fall down, they always said "That's OK, it's normal, don't worry. If you think it's dangerous, you will be scared of it and always be to careful, than you can't do it well." He told me if you want to skateboard, you can go the club or join here and you will meet more friends. Skateboarding is really cool and fun. You should try it. They are really funny and friendly people.

Cell phones; distracting people from life!

Cell phones; distracting people from life!

   Nowadays, we can see people are using their cell phones every where all the time. I interviewed some I.H students and most of them think cell phones are too distracting.

    A girl from Korea, said "I cannot concentrate on my work because of my cell phone. I have to send the reply to my friend." A man from Japan has a more serious experience. He said, "One day, I used a cell phone while driving. I couldn't see the car in front of mine so I almost had an accident." Even Cell phone is threatening our lives!

   We use them for sending messages, playing games, checking Facebook, searching the internet, we are using them when we are alone. That's why it's easy to look at people who are using cell phones on the bus because we ride the bus alone as well. Almost all of the passengers on the bus are using their cell phones. Most Canadian buses are very quiet. Sometimes it feels a little bit scary. They look like they're not interested in other neighbors. I think I need more time to think about how I use cell phones and to try and separate myself from it more often. YOU SHOULD TOO!!!

Calvin- The wall (privacy)

The wall

When I did something, I always hope worked in my work place, but sometimes we couldn't do it than many people would made the wall by anything, because I didn't want another people to see what did I do. The wall, it let me felt safely, free and comfortable.

If another people were always snooped me, I would feel tension and uncomfortable. It let me couldn't do my job than I think what were I did wrong, anyhow I couldn't keep my mind on my job.

Long time ago, hummers were made the wall that defined their family and told another people know their place, they would get more security. Now, we still do it, because we need more security and privacy.

English and Song; the best combination

The aisles of International House are different since a new class started; English through Song! Do you know who that fault is? The big guilty one is Victor Botelho, a Brazilian teacher. But he doesn’t speak Portuguese here, ok? Only English, guys!

Victor was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but he lived for many years in the capital Brasilia. He and his wife immigrated to Canada four years ago. Both of them were English teachers. There were many reasons that he changed his mind about Brazil; violence, traffic jams, and everything was expensive. Now, he has more reasons to continue living in Vancouver; Victor and his wife are expecting their first baby.

Victor is the owner of a pretty beautiful voice and he discovered his talent to sing a long time ago. He has been in four Rock Bands; he used to be a lead singer. In his ESL class, he keeps being a singer and now has a big group of anxious students! Sometimes Victor plays guitar and sings with them. The class is not boring at all. His students love him. In his definition, he is lucky to have a fun job; “It’s not like an office job, sit down, deal number, even if you are tired you can find energy to teach, it’s much funner”!

He started teaching English 17 years ago. 17! That’s it! In the beginning as teacher, he taught Spanish. For this reason he lived for a couple months in Argentina.

At 20 years old, he started teaching English and he hasn’t stopped since. He has always had an interest to teach international students. In Brazil, he taught EFL (English as a Foreign Language) and here ESL (English as a Second Language). This is a big opportunity to know more about different cultures, what happens in another countries, etc.

He loves living abroad and to know different places. He has been to Europe, South America, and the USA. By the way, Victor also did an exchange in 1996! He lived for one year in the USA. This was the most important experience in his life, because it encouraged and helped him to be a teacher.

For him, Vancouver is safe, clean, has fresh air, and doesn't have a lot of people everywhere. When he has free time, he likes to work out, to go to pubs and restaurants, play guitar, and of course, sing songs!  “English and songs walk hand and hand”, he emphasizes.

I asked him what are his future goals and the answer cannot be different; “I’m going to be a teacher for the rest of my life!”

 You can watch a clip of Victor's class here;

Talya's World

Do you know this expression; “A world in a family”? So, let me introduce Talya Florian! Talya was born in Toronto, her mother is from Ireland, her father is from the Czech Republic and her step mother and stepsister are from Colombia. Her grandparents are from Austria and Russia. And last, her sisters are Canadian.

Her father created an international English school when she was a teenager. From that, she started to experience other foreign cultures. She has had the opportunity to know many countries in Europe, North America and South America, but not Brazil (YET), she also wants to go to Africa, her big dreams.

She has graduated in Photography at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Making art and taking pictures are her biggest passions. But one day, she discovered another one; TEACHING! “You love talking to people, you know many cultures, you should be a teacher”, her father always advised her. But in that time, to be a teacher was unimaginable for her. When finally she tried, it was love at first sight. It has been one year since she is a teacher in ESL (English as a second language) at International House, Vancouver.

Each day, she gains knowledge through her students. Actually, she feels proud to understand the English spoken in all different accents. The students feel confident and really enjoy her class. For sure, you’ll learn and laugh in her class. It’s impossible to sleep when she is teaching!

In this year, she had an amazing opportunity to combine, for her students, three abilities; photography, writing and speaking English. This funny class happens every day from 1:30 to 3:20 pm.

All this cultural immersion has contributed to who she is today; her intensive knowledge about different cultures, accents and curiosities. Now, despite the fact she has a world in her family, she also has a big world in her heart.

Roger-interview (Ken&Andrew&Juile)

Kenneth Deane Craig 

Life motto; "Love conquers all ". 

Ken is Canadian; his father used to be a Professor at Oxford University. When he was a kindergarten student, he went on a study tour to England, then in high school he did an exchange in France. He is a Capricorn man, so he is a practical person. He doesn't like puke yellow and he likes Punk Rock style. His favorite food is Pizza with beer. Also he is a shy boy, because he likes snowboarding and mountain biking. But walking with his Korean dog, is his only hobby now. 

He has many, many travel experiences in the world. He has been to; Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia and more…, close to 25 to 27 countries. Also he has a rich experience as an  English teacher, he possess 15 years of teaching knowledge. 

When he tough English in Korea, from 2001-2007, it was the best time of his life. He had a good job, a nice house and met other foreigners also traveling in the world. the most important was meeting his dream girl, but she is now in the past, now his dream girl is Talya. Also he had his second best life experience  in England, he enjoyed studying there. Now he has a goal, he wants to become a lawyer in Vancouver and to help people have a future and job. 

He is a broad-minded man because he said “Even if one day I find my other half is man, I'll also say love you to him, even if I suffer peculiar looks from the world. so he likes to share different cultures with students, also he has a lot of knowledge in his brain, students can break into it, then dig out the treasure, one day you will find one piece.

Andrew Gordon Claxton 

Life motto; "Live the world as the fair place that you found it". 

Andrew was born in Richmond, Vancouver,  then he grew up in Langely, eight years ago he moved to Vancouver. He is a Taurus man, He looks calm, friendly and mature, also he is an imaginative teacher. He loves every food and can "eat anything". He likes ordinary style and loves any color. In the future, he wants to go back to university and to get PDP, that can help him to teach in public school.  

He also has many English teaching experiences with children and adults. He has even taught English in Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan for two years. he has had many travel experiences in the USA and Canada. If you have travel questions about any south American or north American countries , he can become your Travel Consultant. he has also been to the Philippines. 

He likes to help students to simulate and imagine real situations that help them to remember English, also he is very good actor, you can see many different shows in his class. 

 

 

 

Julie Morphet 

Life motto;“In the future your more likely to regret the things that you didn’t do, rather than the things that you did do, I want to do a lot things, have a lot of adventures, and then I won’t regret anything in my life...”. 

Julie was born in Guelph, Ontario Canada, her father was born in Scotland. She is a very grounded and practical person also patient and willing to wait for what she wants. Despite her intense focus on her goals, she can be very witty like her horoscope Capricorn. 

She doesn’t likes yellow but likes casual style and also likes to create something, sewing sweaters or clothes. Her favorites foods is Greek food Souvlaki also she likes BBQ and steak and stinky tofu and still likes snowboarding and playing hockey. 

She has been to many countries; Taiwan, Mexico, Europe, Scotland, England, France, Prague (Czech), China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Hong Kong, America. But her favorites time in her live was traveling in Thailand for three months. It is a beautiful country and she met very nice fiends there. If she have time travel abilities then her want go to the future. In the future she wants to get married and meet her dream man Mr. Darcy.  

She likes to make students speak like machines , because in her class you must say something, but don't worry about it, she has a lot of teaching experience and she can operate your brain.