Posted in Online Language Resources for English

answers …

When you’ve got a question, you need an … answer.

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Posted in Photos Savannah

A few photos taken in Savannah

Forsyth Park, Savannah. Everyone’s welcome just like in the Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris.

Can you feel it ? Can you feel how s l o w things can be down south?

a summer afternoon in Savannah … I guess

most everyone’s indoors.

or out towards Tybee for a walk

unless you’re fortunate enough to have access to a little boat for some fishin’ or dolphin watchin’

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments

Places to speak English

Sometimes people ask me where they can meet people to speak English with. There are many places – even in Paris – and of course, all over Savannah – but here is a list of … countries where English is spoken, where  English is an official language or is predominantly used.

However, I’m not sure that these countries share any sort of common accent, pronunciation, vocabulary or style in the language .

No need to have a complex when speaking English … It’s everyone’s language!

Ain’t no single owner can claim it!

Some of these places might be really neat places for a visit! Out of caution, check with your embassy first!

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Beliza
  • Botswana
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Fiji
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Micronesia
  • Namibia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Papua
  • New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments street signs

a detour to Edinburgh

Edinburgh: The Water of Leith must have footpaths on either side of it. One must head east and the other west – or perhaps one side goes north and the other goes south …

Those Scots are pretty shrewd folk.

When you’ve got a few days towards the end of July or the beginning of August … and cool, rainy days are just what you need to head off a feeling of Global Warming,  the Edinburgh Festival is the place to be. And I mean it! Enjoy it. I suggest you have a good (hot) cup of tea in one of the (warm) hotels in this very charming, Georgian city.

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Posted in France

Aux jardins du Palais Royal, Septembre 2009

A snapshot taken in the gardens of the Palais Royal, just across the street from the Louvre. A haven of peace in the center of the city.

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Posted in Photos France

A day trip to Giverny

Glycine over the pond at Giverny.

Is it still as natural, as authentic as when Monet lived here?

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Posted in Notes on English Cross Cultural Comments Popular sayings, proverbs & quotes

“One good turn deserves another”

“One good turn deserves another” or Good Karma ! That’s what this is all about.

When someone returns a favor (en français, un service … par amitié, par exemple), this expression applies. Suppose that, for example,  once upon a time, you gave some of your children’s childhood books or toys to someone with small children … with no expectation whatsoever of any compensation … and then later on, he returns the favor … by helping you … or even tutoring your children in his specialty …. Why, I’d say … “One good turn deserves another” and deeper friendship is the real, positive result!

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments

America’s Real Dream Team > a must-read !

In our age of identities and nationalities … this is well worth your time reading:

Look up America’s Real Dream Team by Thomas L. Friedman New York Times March 22, 2010.

Score on this one: 10/10

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments Reading

Dealing with and coping with life changes: Who moved my cheese ?

 

Who moved my cheese?

is all about handling change.

(I may be able to help you with this … 🙂

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Posted in Cross Cultural Comments Popular sayings, proverbs & quotes

Do it!

Whether you are a believer or not, one of the proverbs which encourages you to act is this one:

“God helps those who help themselves”

 

“Aide-toi et le Ciel t’aidera.”

What could this mean … ? Here’s a pretty recent example … But you must have stories of your own.

In wanting to get American health care legislation passed, Nancy Pelosi said “We will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault it. If that doesn’t work, we will parachute in. But we are going to get health care reform passed.” Jan. 28, 2010.

Have a listen to Pete Seeger’s 1963 Carnegie Hall Concert recording of  “We Shall Overcome” or the more recent one !

One very American saying is: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

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