Dear Ai

Delta faces student enrollment decline ahead

2011-10-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

Vancouver Sun October 7, 2011 article,
Delta faces student enrollment decline ahead.

For Canadian universities, India is a land of opportunity.

2010-07-03T21:10:00.003-07:00

Globe and Mail July 2, 2010 article,
For Canadian universities, India is a land of opportunity.

I want to improve my son’s English speaking skills.

2010-06-18T20:45:00.002-07:00

"Dear Ai, I want to improve my son’s English speaking skills. How is it possible? He is in grade 7. My husband and I don’t speak fluent English. Please help me."- Sydney

“Hi Sydney, thank you for asking me a wonderful question. All parents wish that their children do well in their lives. You mentioned that you and your husband do not speak English well. Does that mean both of you speak different languages to him at home? That’s great! He can be a multi-language speaker in the future.

I also understand your worry for your son’s English speaking skills.

One scenario might be that your son is shy and has low-self esteem. In that case, sign up for sport/music/reading club activities for your son. Set up a familiar and safe speaking environment for him. Even though he is shy and it is hard to speak to his friends at first, he can communicate with doing things that he is good at. Team sports is great because they will help him to meet different types of children, but if he is good at an individual sport like swimming, please encourage him to pursue his interest. Once he has confidence, he will be comfortable to try things he is not good at.

The second scenario would be that he might sense that his parents feel uncomfortable speaking English. Show him that learning another language is fun! Watch movies/TV shows with him. Listen to dialogues and practice with him. Invite your English speaking family friends to play together.

I heard from a piano teacher that many parents learn how to play piano together with their kids. You also can join a karate, yoga, or swimming class that caters to both parents and children. Get a new skill and improve speaking English!

At home, you can read English picture books (which have a lot of conversation) to him. Then he can read aloud and you can even role-play. One of my favorite books to read at this stage are The Hardy Boys.
You will be surprised to hear a lot of parents wish for their kids to be multi-lingual like your son!

Financial crisis hits ESL enrolment in B.C.

2009-02-28T08:31:00.006-08:00

Vancouver Sun Feb 23, 2009 article,
Financial crisis hits ESL enrolment in B.C.But schools with degrees, diplomas, trades training fare well

What's a good way to improve my child's Engish??

2007-09-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, my children came her in grade 5. The school ESL doesn't give any homeworks and rarely bring any worksheet they did during class. There is no contact from ESL teacher unless parents specially ask for meeting, and even though, we are just told such as "It takes time. Don't pressure the children. Give them fun and mingle with English speaking friends. Join sports club."

Well, my child cannot mingle with other English speaking children. Parents cannot set playdate at their age. They are no longer lower grade children. They have long time English speaking friends, so they never want to invite my child, and my child is too intimidate to ask.

Also, my child is not good at sports, so he cannot get friends through sports activities.His speaking has improved little after more than a year.

What a good way to improve his pronunciation, intonation, speaking besides joining team sports, music lessons, arts or play English speaking friends after school?

My child has plenty time after school. But he usually read books in his first language. Homeworks are usually peer selected type group projects. He cannot be in any group, so he does them alone and you know, in poor quality, so it also doesn't take much time, too.

I'm wondering what is a good way to improve him English, especially his speaking? Natural way the school recommends just doesn't work for him.

Also, though the teachers don't like that children spend their time to learn English after school, saying it gives them too much stress, But I also hear conflicting messsages from other parents or English tutors that it is better to improve English as soon as possible, so they won't lose regular curriculum and better to catch up as quick as possible.

What do you think of those conflicting advices? Which is likely to suit my child case? And if I change the way he spends after school, and put him in learning English much more intensely, is it a good way for him?" from ESL Mom

"Dear ESL Mom,thank you for your question and I hear your frustration of getting conflicted messages from school. I understand both you and your school's opinion about your child.

You've already discussed with your child's teacher about your concern. I would only suggest that some group project should be formed by the teacher. As you said, if all the projects are the peer-selected type, then students are working with the same people all the time. It is a teacher's job to make sure students can work with different students.

As your child's teacher suggested, your child can improve his English skills through activities like music, arts, or sport. These activities are not focused on learning the academic side of English, rather focusing on making friends. Right now, your child is afraid of speaking English because his/her pronunciation/intonation/speaking pattern is different from other children. This is because he/she doesn't have a safe place to practice.

If he likes reading, why not joining a reading club that is held in local libraries. For example, Vancouver Public Library offers Kids Reading Club that children can read either English or their native tongue and write essays. Does he like swimming/drumming/horse riding?? Try not to label that your child is not good at sports. He might like them, but he needs more practice. Important thing for him/her is that he/she enjoys what he/she does. Once your child feels safe to speak English, then he/she will make English-speaking friends.

You need to be patient with his/hers progress. As you have experienced, learning English takes time. The best thing you can do for your child is giving him/her the best environment.

Do you know any moms whose children are also ESL students? Form a group and ask them for advice. Maybe your child can play with their children. Are you friends with other moms? Even though their children speak English as a first language, their mothers have similar concerns.

Thank you again for your question. If anybody else has advice, please share your experiences!"

What we have here is a failure to communicate

2007-06-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Sun June 23, 2007 article, What we have here is a failure to communicate

What ESL books do you recommend?

2007-06-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I am a new ESL tutor, looking for adult ESL books for my students. Do you have any recommendations? Paul – Vancouver

“Hi Paul, thank you for your e-mail. Because we have many ESL students in town, you can find ESL sections in any bookstore! However, it is difficult to choose the best one. Before I go to a bookstore, I visit Kenneth’s website and esl-lounge to see what books they recommend. Kenneth’s “Top 5 Teaching Adults English Materials” (http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/tp/teach_adults.htm) is an excellent place to start. Esl-lounge (http://www.esl-lounge.com/eslbooks.shtml) divides ESL books to different categories and I am sure you can find books you need for your students.

If you have time, visit unique local bookstores for ESL books.
Sofia Books (http://www.sophiabooks.com/) specializes in language. You can find books from Japanese to German. They also have an excellent collection of adult ESL materials. Vancouver Community College Bookstore (http://www.vcc.ca/bookstore/) has both new and used ESL textbooks.”

Should I open a dictionary for every word meaning that I don't know while I read?

2007-06-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai,
Right now I'm going to a college in a beginner English class with local American people. I have learned how to read and find the main idea. It was good, I have learned a lot. I wonder, what is the best way to read and understand the text. Should I open a dictionary for every word meaning that I don't know while I read? Or should I use the meaning in English or in my own language? Do you have any good suggestions? Thank you, Roy"

"Hi Roy, thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have learned a lot and enjoy studying English. It is very important for beginners to have some fun in order to continuing what they do. Readings usually takes time to improve.

There are two different approaches for improving reading skills. For beginners, it is better to use a dictionary each time you come across unknown words. This is because beginner students do not have enough vocabulary to guess the context. If you do not understand what is written, then there is no reason for studying the language. Some students have an easier time understanding words if they approach them from their native language.

If students are an intermediate or advanced level, I would suggest them to use an English-English dictionary to check the words. They might check fewer words in order to guess the meanings from the sentences they read.

It also depends on what you read. Either you are reading for fun (probably you will be checking less words) or a textbook for college, you will be approaching this differently.

Never assume that you can absorb new words after looking them up for the first time. You need to write, read, and say it as many times as you can to make them into your own words. Good luck!"

Language to a new life

2007-06-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Sun June 21, 2007 article, Language to a new life

Kingston High School Closes

2007-06-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Sun June 20, 2007 article, Kingston High School Closes

How can I tell him that I’m not interested in a relationship without offending him?

2007-06-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai,
I go to an ESL school in Vancouver. I arrived two months ago. One of my Korean classmates seems to like me. He was very kind and I appreciate his help since I didn't have any friends when I got here. Other classmates think we are boyfriend and girlfriend. Because of this, many people in my class do not invite me to their parties. How can I tell him that I’m not interested in a relationship without offending him?" Masako – Japan

"Hi, Masako. Thank you for your e-mail. Misunderstandings happen quite often in relationships, especially when you and your friend are from different cultures. Since he hasn’t told you what he thinks about you yet, you cannot really reject him. You cannot assume anything, but I know many women can detect romantic feelings instantly! At this point, it is a good idea to tell him by describing your relationship towards him. Make sure you thank him first for helping you when you didn’t know anybody in Vancouver. Then gently remind him that you are not interested in a relationship, but you do appreciate his friendship.

You also told me that other classmates hesitate in inviting you for parties. Why don't you ask them first?? You can check a very good website about current Vancouver events at http://www.canadafootprints.com/calendar/month.php. Summer has just started, enjoy the rest of the beautiful beach season."

I would like to read books written by Canadian authors...

2007-06-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I'm studying for IELTS right now. My reading skill is quite bad and I want to improve the skills as quickly as possible. My teacher told me I should read more books. I read many books when I was in Korea, but I don't know which English books are worth reading. I also would like to read books written by Canadian authors. Do you have any recommendations?" Kenny – South Korea

"Hi Kenny, thank you for your e-mail. I am happy to hear that you are interested in reading Canadian books! You need to be patient with yourself because reading skills do not improve dramatically. As your teacher said, I recommend you to read as many books as possible. Also read a variety of books (Science Fiction, Novels, Mystery…etc) and different reading materials (Newspaper, Magazine, Cooking books). You will be surprised to see how much vocabulary you can build. Have fun reading!!"

Excellent Canadian Authors
Atwood, Margaret – “The Edible Woman”
Cohen, Leonard – “Beautiful Losers”, “Suzanne”
Coupland, Douglas – “Girlfriend in a Coma”, “Hey Nostradamus!”
Davies, Robertson
Findley, Timothy
Montgomery, Lucy Maude – “Anne of Green Gables”
Munro, AliceOndaatje, Michael – “The English Patient”

Canadian Magazines
Canadian Geographic
Macleans (http://www.macleans.ca/)
Geist (http://www.geist.com/)
Walrus (http://www.walrusmagazine.com/)

It is hard for me to read newspaper...

2007-06-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai,
I'm talking a current events class at my school in downtown Vancouver. I wonder why I could get into the class because my classmates are advanced. Our homework is usually to read newspaper everyday. It is hard for me to read newspaper because my reading skill is not really good. I also study at a library till eight o'clock every night, so no time of watching news on TV. Please give me some advice. Thank you." Som - Thailand

"Hi Som. I go to the library quite often and I run into many ESL students studying very hard. I am proud of you. If you already known that your reading skill is not good, then try listening to radio and watching the news on TV. You can approach it in different ways to improve your English skills.

If you miss the news, you can still tune in to Internet news. Many broadcast websites have video clips and a Podcast. You can select the news you want to hear and most importantly, you can repeat the news until you understand it completely!

Global TV (http://www.canada.com/globaltv/bc/index.html)
CBC British Columbia (http://www.cbc.ca/bc/) both Video clips and Radio
CKNW News (http://www.cknw.com/)
News 1130 (http://www.news1130.com/)

What's the Internet situation in Vancouver like??

2007-06-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai,
I'm thinking of going to Vancouver this summer. It is only a two-week study trip. I'm thinking if I should bring my laptop. What’s the Internet situation in Vancouver like? Is it possible to request Internet option to my Homestay Coordinator?" Takashi – Japan

"Hi, Takashi. The Internet situation in Vancouver is pretty good. Many Homestay families and ESL schools have computers and Internet services to attract more international students. Some ESL schools even have wireless! It is not too strange to ask a Homestay Coordinator to request a Homestay family who has Internet access at home, so I recommend you to tell your Homestay Coordinator.

If you're only staying in Vancouver for two weeks, then you might be okay using Internet at either your school or Homestay family. The Vancouver Public Library also has many computers for public use. Also if you don't mind paying little, you may visit a local Internet café."

Is there any company that you could buy coverage on a yearly basis??

2007-06-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, my wife and I like to travel and we travel a lot to Europe and Asia and we do a lot of cruises. Can you suggest or know of a good company that provides Health coverage while traveling out of the U.S ? Is there any company that you could buy coverage on a yearly basis? Thank you" James & Jenny

Hello, James and Jenny. Thank you for your e-mail. I am glad that this question is connected to my last Dear Ai post. Most government health insurance plans will pay only a small portion of expenses if you are sick or injured while outside their country. I see many students cry when they have to pay thousands of dollars a day because they didn’t buy insurance in their country. Some students don't know that they can still buy insurance after they arrive in Canada. It is not too late to consider buying insurance if you stay in Canada or travel inside or outside of Canada.

It seems like both of you have traveled a lot. I am not sure at this point if you are Canadian or American. I deal with students in Canada mostly, so I’m only familiar with Canadian medical systems and health/travel insurance.

If you are Canadian (both International students and Canadian Citizens), TIC Travel Insurance (http://www.travelinsurance.ca/) and Bridges International Insurance Services (http://www.iiacanada.com/) are good insurance companies to deal with. They both have insurance for international students, visitors and Canadians. You can buy insurance by dates up to a year and you can choose a plan according to your needs.

If you are not Canadian, I would recommend you to visit local travel agencies where you usually buy your flight tickets or cruise tickets. I sometimes use “Flight Centre” (http://www.flightcentre.ca/) when I fly to the US and they always ask me if I would like to buy travel insurance. (of course, my answer would be "YES!") You can also visit banks and insurance companies. Also, Bridges International Insurance Services (http://www.iiacanada.com/e/iti.html) have travel insurance for citizens around the world.

Have fun traveling!

Education Minister targets improved literacy rate

2007-06-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

the Globe and Mail article, Education Minister targets improved literacy rate Education Minister targets improved literacy rate

Do you have a good travel option for me??

2007-06-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I’d like to go to the Rocky Mountains with my friends this summer. Most of them have a driving license from their countries and they are talking about renting a car. But I’m worried about accidents. Also some of my friends don’t have any health insurance. Do you have good travel options for me?” Rose - Taiwan

“Hi, Rose. Thank you for your question. I’m not surprised to hear that some students do not have any health insurance at all. Most of the time, an accident happens when you are not prepared for it. Driving to the Rocky Mountains is do-able, but on your way to the Rockies, there are narrow highways and sometimes animals jump into the road. Drivers probably need to take turns. If you and your friends are driving, then make sure you do not go beyond your limits. If you are tired of driving, ask them to take turns or rest for a while. You might need to book a B & B for a night to recuperate.

If you would like to be free from worrying, then take a train. You can do bus trips this time of year, but I recommend you to take a “Rocky Mountaineer” train.
http://www.rockymountaineer.com/

Be sure to buy travel insurance. You can go to any bank or travel agency to get it. It is very wise to listen to your instinct.

Do you think my English is good enough...

2007-06-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I’ve lived in Canada for eight months and I just finished school. I’m thinking of going to England because I know a friend who lives there. But I am not sure if they understand my English there. Also, I’ve used up most of my savings during my stay in Canada, so I need to go back to my country to earn some money. Do you think my English is good enough to communicate with anybody in English? Thank you for your advice in advance.” Tomo – Japan

“Hi Tomo, what a wonderful question! There are many English-speaking countries in the world. You had studied English in Canada for a fairly long time, so you won’t have many difficulties expressing yourself in English. Occasionally, you might run into challenges, because not all English-speaking people speak Canadian English. For Example, "pants" as far as us Brits (British people) are concerned are "underpants", not "trousers" at all. I love reading this website to find out different word meanings between American English and British English. Visit http://english2american.com/

Now, it is time for you to explore different accents, people and culture!

If you are low on budget, you might not want to go to the UK because the living fee there is pretty expensive; however, they have beautiful accents and a different culture than Canada or USA. Canadian English is partially influence by British English and as you know, both of our countries have Queen Elizabeth as our queen! If you are not really sure about how they speak, listen to a BBC radio program on the net (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/), watch a film like “Bridget Jones’s Diary” or “Pride and Prejudice” and visit Chris’s website!

More than half of ESL students without specialist teachers

2007-06-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

the Globe and Mail article, More than half of ESL students without specialist teachers More than half of ESL students without specialist teachers

Free ESL Podcast

2007-06-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi "Dear Ai" readers!!

I received an e-mail from Andrew and Addison who run an excellent free ESL podcast. They teach slangs and make studying English more fun! If you would like to listen to something relaxed and find out "the way English is really spoken", visit their website at http://www.china232.com.

TOEFL and English Grammar Books

2007-03-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I'm studying TOEFL to get into a university in Vancouver. I brought some English grammar textbooks from Japan. I finished studying all of them. Do you recommend any English grammar books that I can study? " Michiru - Japan

"Hi Michiru, it is always good to hear of students trying harder. If you have been studying TOEFL for a long time, you probably need at least upper intermediate level books. I have listed both grammar books and TOEFL prep books, so you can study. Good luck!"

Grammar books
-Understanding and Using English Grammar: Workbook by Betty Schrampfer Azar
-Focus on Grammar by Jay Maurer
-Advanced Grammar in Use With answers by Martin Hewings
-Grammar Workbook for the Toefl Exam by Phyllis L. Lim, Mary Kurtin, Laurie Wellman

TOEFL preparation books
-Longman Preparation Course for the Toefl Test: Next Generation (Ibt) by Deborah Phillips
-Power TOEFL Deluxe 5.0 CDROM: For the Computer Based TOEFL by George M. Rooks

Cherry blossom festival in Vancouver

2007-03-08T22:43:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I've heard there is a cherry blossom festival in Vancouver. If so, I would like to go. Do you know where and when it will be held??" Toshi - Japan

"Hi Toshi! The Cherry Blossom Festival is held on March 22nd at the Burrard Skytrain Station (from 12:00-13:30). You can check out more information at http://www.vancouvercherryblossomfestival.com/ Most of the events are free.
When you visit the website, please check Event>Neighborhood Map. Local cherry blossom blooming areas and types of cherry blossom are listed.

If you are looking for interesting events this month, please check EPIC. (Ethical, Progressive, Intelligent Consumer) It is a sustainable living expo - where style meets sustainability and vision meets practice. You can find information about how you can live an environmentally-friendly life. More information: http://www.epicvancouver.com/main.cfm

International students stir the economy

2007-03-05T22:57:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Sun November 14, 2006 article, International students stir the economy

Where can I find unique books??

2007-03-04T18:53:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I would like to read books that local Canadians find interesting. I check Amazon.ca and Chapters quite often, but I would like to find unique books. Do you know where I can find these books?" Stephanie from Taiwan

"Hi Stephanie, thank you for an interesting question! Amazon.ca and Chapters have the bestseller categories you can check. If the book is a bestseller, which means many local Canadians find the book interesting. You can also visit my favourite local bookstores, like "Duthie Books" http://www.duthiebooks.com/ and "Banyen Books & Sound" http://www.banyen.com/ (spiritual books). Both stores are located on West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. They have excellent book choices and these bookstores have never disappointed me. When you go there make sure you check the "Staff Pick" shelf, where the store clerks pick their favourite or recommended books.

Another way to find good books that I use is just asking people. I ask customers who have books with them. Questions like, "Is the book you are reading interesting," or "what is your book about" evoke a conversation. People are happy to be asked because they invest their time to read the book and want to discuss what they have read. It will widen your range of book selections. One of my professors told me that sometimes in job interviews, the interviewer may ask about what books you've read recently to find out if you are willing to upgrade or learn new skills".

I would like to improve my English skills...

2007-03-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
Right now, I live in Vancouver with a working holiday visa. It is good for two more months. I would like to improve my English skills as much as I can while I am here. What should I do?" Makiko - Japan

"Hi Makiko, thank you for your e-mail. I felt your idea to improve English skills is too general. It is hard to advise you because I don't know which skills are your weaknesses. Imagine, if you are dieting or getting rid of debt, I am sure you would scale or check your bank statement first to know where you are at right now. Then you can set your goals and start exercising, limit calorie intake or cut back expenses. Please send me more information about what skills you want to improve".

Children suffer when ESL education is treated as an afterthought

2007-03-02T07:26:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Sun article on February 19, 07 Children suffer when ESL education is treated as an afterthought

Am I stupid for not understanding articles??

2007-03-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I'm taking a reading and writing class at an ESL school. I have problems reading my homework. My classmates can understand once they read an article, but for me it takes 2 or 3 times to understand half the material. I feel I am stupid in the class. Do you think this class is too difficult for me?" Yasuko - Japan

"Hi Yasuko, thank you for your e-mail. Not long ago, one of my professors told me that he reads a textbook six times to understand it completely. He would read before the class, read after the class, when he had a problem during the homework, before quizes, before the mid-term and he would also read while studying for the final exam. This professor's first language is English and he is considered one of the smart people (to teach in school!). If it takes him six times of reading, you don't need to feel stupid. What you need is to read more. Practice, practice, practice!!

I am taking driving lessons now. (I know some of my "Dear Ai" readers would be surprised that I don't have a driving license by this age!) It is very awkward to find the balance with how much clutch and gas pedal I need in order to move the car after stopping. It is frustraing because what I think in my head and what I actually do are not the same. I've stalled in the middle of the road so many times! I could have given up by believing I am stupid to learn driving by this age. I believe "the more practice I do, I am closer to an "ah-ha!" moment" and practice. This "ah-ha" moment cannot be given by others, I need to get it by forcing myself to practice.

You can give up anytime, so why don't you try a little more?

Here are a couple of reading tips:
1. Use highlighters as you read. It is a good idea to change colours; for example, red represents materials you don't understand or need to ask questions to your teacher: yellow represents importance and need to go over it later.

2. Read it out loud. You will understand more if you use different senses at the same time. By doing so, you use reading, speaking and listening skills!

3. Use margins for taking notes of your thinking and questions. This process helps you to understand the materials on a deeper level.

4. Summarize what it is written, using WH questions. (When, What, Who, Where, to Whom and How). Tell your classmates or friends what you learn from the article with your words.

Where do tourists go in Vancouver?

2007-02-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I've lived in Vancouver for four months. Next month, my parents will visit me from Taiwan. I would like to take them to some sightseeing spots in Vancouver. Do you know any places where tourists must visit?" Rachel – Taiwan

"Hi Rachel, this is a wonderful question to be asked. Many ESL students in Vancouver probably visit "Stanley Park," "Capilano Suspension Bridge" and "Granville Island."

I came across an interesting article from Business in Vancouver. This newspaper has been publishing since 1989 and covers greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley business news. According to the Feb 13-19, 2007 issue, the number one tourist attraction in the Vancouver area is "Grouse Mountain." I am sure that many people would be surprised to hear this; however, Grouse Mountain is not only good for ski/snowboard, but also it is a famous hiking spot. "The Grouse Grind" is a hiking trail that every local Canadian knows.

Here are the top 5 tourist destinations for you. If you are interested in knowing the rest of the list, please visit www.biv.com for more information.
1. Grouse Mountain http://www.grousemountain.com
2. Vancouver Aquarium http://www.vanaqua.org
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge http://www.capbridge.com
4. Science World http://www.scienceworld.ca
5. Playland at the PNE http://www.pne.ca/playland

Where can I get some information about work permit...

2007-02-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I am thinking to go to a college in Canada. I try to save as much as I can, but if my money runs out, I would like to work while I am studying. Where can I get some information about this? Hitoshi – Japan

"Hi Hitoshi, thank you for your e-mail. I've been asked about students who want to work part-time often. When I was a student, the Canadian government limited international students’ work. They could only work on-campus, but now, the rule has changed and you should look into the Canadian government website for the latest information.

As the website suggests, you should earn as much as possible while you are in Japan. It takes time to adjust to a new environment. If you do not have to worry about money, then you can focus on your study. But I also understand, some students want to have some experiences of work. Other students do not have choices to work.

If you are looking for work while you are in school, taking general classes, then the "Working on campus" and "Working off campus" sections will help you. If you take academic courses with an internship required, such as business or tourism courses, then visit "Working under co-op and internship programs."

CIC Canada - Study In Canada

Current ESL News

2007-02-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hi! Dear Ai readers.
I made a category on my site, "Current ESL News", to share the latest ESL news with you!

CBC.ca article on January 7, 07 B.C.'s private colleges, ESL programs to face closer scrutiny

What is the secret to finding the best ESL school for me?

2007-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I am looking for an ESL school to take a part-time class. One of my friends recommended me "the best" school. But the other day, other friends said they didn't learn anything from the same school. I am not sure who to believe. What is the secret to finding the best ESL school for me?" Hiro - Japan

"Hi Hiro, thank you for your e-mail. Many students believe there is "the best" school which suits everybody. However, because individual needs and skills are different, it is normal to have different impressions about the same school. For example, a student who would like to improve his/her pronunciation would not be satisfied with taking an academic writing class. He/she might tell you it was a waste of time and money even though the class is excellent.

To find the best school, you need to know what skills you want to improve. Most importantly, you need to know your current English level is. Improving English skills is like dieting or getting rid of debt. You need to know where you are right now before starting exercises or cutting back expenses. If you are trying to lose weight, I am sure you would weigh yourself first. Then you can make a plan to do some exercises or limit calorie intake.

It is a good idea to take some practice tests like TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS to find out your strengths and weaknesses. Most test preparation textbooks have practice tests. Make sure you time yourself and take it as a real exam. After taking the test, mark it and find out what area of English you need to focus your studying. If you want to improve your English grammar skills, find the specific problem (i.e. prepositions or infinitives), then study only your weakness. If you would like to improve English skills efficiently and effectively, then this method will save you some time.

Is moving to an English speaking country the only way??

2007-02-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I'm studying English in Hong Kong. I have never left my county. Is moving to an English speaking country the only way to master English language?" Steve from Hong Kong

"Hi, Steve! Thank you for your e-mail. When I was an ESL student, I used to believe that in order to master the English language; I needed to immerse myself in an English-speaking country. I left my country when I was twenty and since then I have seen so many students. They are all from different backgrounds, and different English levels, but their main purpose of coming to Vancouver is to study English.

Recently, a young Chinese person in my class who has never left his country before, but you would never have imagined that. There are many Canadian students and immigrants who have been in Canada for a long time, but he is the first person to answer all of the teacher's questions. Even though English is his second language, he communicates like it's his first language.

The real question to you is how bad you want to master English language. Moving to an English speaking country is certainly a great option for you. It has an abundance of study materials and keeps you motivated and focused on your goals. However, not all ESL students end their study successfully. Some refuse to communicate with local people; others crush their dreams by facing reality that their English isn't as effective as they thought. So before you commit yourself moving, decide what your goals are. Make your best effort to study English in your country while you are there. No matter what you decide to do, your study won’t be wasted."

How do I tell my friends without offending them?

2007-01-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I eat out often with my friends. Because our nationalities are different, we pick different restaurants each time. It was fun for a little while, but I feel overwhelmed recently. My friends usually order expensive food and a lot of amounts, but at the end we divide the bill equally. I feel cheated. They are from rich families and they use their family's money. On the other hand, I came to Vancouver with my hard-working money. How do I tell my friends without offending them?" Toshi - Japan

"Hi Toshi, thank you for your e-mail. Sometimes it is hard to tell friends what you really think because you care about them, you are too embarrassed, or you don't want to disappoint them. People assume other people would think, feel or act the same way as them. Your friends might assume that their spending habit is normal and never question about how you feel about the ritual. But from your point of view, this dining out activity causes you stress. There is a popular saying in English, "You cannot assume because it makes ass out of both you and me". You need to tell them how you feel because they are not mind-readers! They are your friends. If you tell them your money situation, they will understand.

Or if you are embarrassed to tell them the truth, then you can say 'no' sometimes. You can avoid your current situation this way. Make a plan in advance, like signing up for a hobby class, so you don't feel you as though you are betraying your friends when you leave them.

Do you have any suggestions to overcome this frustration??

2007-01-25T22:33:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I had lived in Canada for two years and last year I came back to my country. I am working right now, but I would like to go back to Canada to get into a university program. It will take at least a year to save up some money and I am frustrated just waiting. Do you have any good suggestions to overcome this frustration?" Michiko – Japan

"Hi Michiko, I'm thrilled to get your e-mail. I know it is hard to keep motivated, but I sensed your enthusiasm toward your future from your e-mail. If you already know which university you want to go to, then try to contact the student advisors of the school. They usually consult individually and will give you some ideas regarding which classes you can transfer from your university/college to theirs. They can also give you an estimate of living costs and schooling fees. Your commitment will be much stronger once you follow your action. Also visualizing (In your case, see yourself studying in a Canadian university!) is important for you to keep the fire burning. Request a school brochure and make sure you post it in places that you can see everyday!

Once you know which classes you need to take, you can actually start taking courses online. Ask the student advisor if the school offers online courses. If not, you can take courses from Thompson Rivers University (http://www.tru.ca/distance.html) and transfer it later. The student advisors are very helpful and knowledgeable there. One caution though, before you take any courses from a different school, make sure you ask the designated school if they accept the credit."

Should I look for my own apartment??

2007-01-20T23:34:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I’ve been placed to two unfriendly homestay families. Both families say I eat too much. I eat at home, but sometimes it is not enough, so I buy snacks and a slice of pizza after school. I think I pay enough ($700 per month) to the homestay family and it should cover the basic needs. To tell the truth, I don't need to buy extra food if I pay the homestay fee. I want to move out immediately. I am not sure if I should look for another family at this point. My friends and the Homestay Coordinator from school advised me to find my own apartment. What do you think?" Keita – Vancouver

"Hi Keita, thank you for your e-mail. It is not uncommon that I receive similar e-mails like yours. Students have issues about food, curfew, and miscommunication with their homestay. The majority of families are hosting students for good sake. I know many students who have left Canada and still keep in touch with their homestay families. They treat their students as their children. Some homestay families have different reasons (i.e. financial reasons) to accept students.

From your e-mail, I can tell you have already made up your mind not to live with your homestay family or another. If your friends and the Homestay Coordinator recommend you to find your own apartment, then you should try that. They are one of the few people who know you well.

$700 per month is a lot of money. You can find a bachelor or basement suite for around $450-500 outside of downtown Vancouver.

You don't need to feel bad that two homestay families didn't work out for you. You should focus on what you can do better for the rest of your stay in Canada. Good luck with your research!"

Where can I get a discount book?

2007-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
My teacher told us today in our class that there is a discount book. Where can I get the book? Are discount coupons only for restaurants? By the way, I live in Vancouver" Nancy – Thailand

"Hi Nancy, thank you for your e-mail. It is a big issue for students to save money and still have some fun. I believe the discount book your teacher is talking about is the "Entertainment Book". This book includes restaurants, retails, entertainment (movie theaters, museums, aquariums, art gallery, and recreational centers) and hotels and car rentals. You can find 50% and two-for-one deals in the book. Each city has different coupons, so make sure you buy the one from your city.

You can get the book from retail stores, but probably the easiest way is to go online. http://www.entertainment.com/discount/home.shtml "

Which books are you reading lately?

2007-01-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
Which books are you reading lately? I was asked this question in a job interview last week. I couldn’t answer that question because I don’t read books. Can you recommend books for me?" Brian– Taiwan

"Hi Brian, thank you for your e-mail. I am taking a business class right now and my teacher told us in the class, “There is famous a saying about our health. You are what you eat. It also applies to reading. We are what we read.” Reading is very important to our lives to improve our knowledge and it helps us to learn from other people’s experience. The reason why the interviewer asked you about a recent book you read is that they would like to know if your knowledge is up to date. They also want to see what your attitude is like to learn new things. Companies are looking for the best employees possible.

I love reading. I sometimes read three or four books at the same time. I mostly like fiction novels, business books and success stories. Right now, I am reading "Rich Woman" written by Kim Kiyosaki. Her husband, Robert Kiyosaki, wrote a book called "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". This book had changed the idea of becoming rich completely. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" does not tell you how-to-become-rich-quickly. It teaches you how to think like rich people, using his "rich dad" and "poor dad" as an example. On the other hand, Kim focuses more on the female point of view of becoming rich. Women tend to use many excuses like "I don’t have enough time", "I am not smart enough", "I have a husband to rely upon"...etc when it comes to money. Kim shows how dangerous this attitude is to survive in this century and women need to realize "financial independency" will give them a choice for their lives. Both of them are excellent books to improve your thinking.

If you are not into money or business books, that’s fine. You can visit Amazon.ca or the Best Sellers section on the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/index.html) to see what are the latest popular books. Good luck!"

Are there any tips that I can do to avoid being troubled?

2007-01-07T22:16:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I’ve been in Vancouver almost a year. I feel safe living here, but lately I see news on TV that women are targeted around Skytrain stations. Are there any tips that I can do to avoid being troubled?” Michiru – Japan

“Hi Michiru. Vancouver is one of the safest cities in the world. But people need to take care of their safety wherever they go. I will share my tips with you.

1. Do not plug both your ears with head phones. When you listen to the music, you lose your ability of sensitivity. Many criminals come and attack from behind. If you would like to listen to music, you choose safe place in public.

2. If you take Skytrain, make sure you stand and wait inside the designated waiting area, marked by yellow lines. This area is watched by security constantly. If you are on the Skytrain, you can use the speaker phone and the silent alarm to get some help. More information: http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/SkyTrain/SkyTrain_Safety.asp

3. When you take a public bus, make sure you sit where the bus driver can see you. If you are in trouble, it is easier to ask for help if you sit at front.

4. When you are walking, don’t walk in the same direction that cars are going. If you feel like you are followed, cross the street and walk on the other side. It is difficult for a car to turn around.

5. If you are followed, contact your homestay and friends immediately. Tell them where you are and arrange for them to pick you up. Walk on busier streets and enter the nearest convenience store, restaurant or shops and ask for help.

Are there any Japanese publications in Canada??

2006-11-19T23:12:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I’ve been in Alberta almost three months. I’ve heard from my friends that other provinces have many local Japanese publications. Is it true?? Do you know any Japanese newspaper/magazines in big cities, like Vancouver??" Kaede – Calgary

Hi Kaeda, thank you for the interesting question. I did a little bit of research and was amazed to see... so many different Japanese publications in Canada!! I listed ones which have online versions, so you can check them from where you live.

Vancouver Area
Coco Magazine (bi-monthly magazine)
http://www.cocomaga.com/

Fraser (monthly magazine)
http://www.nihongomagazine.com/home.php

Oops! (bi-weekly newspaper)
http://www.oopsweb.com/

Vancouver Shinpo (weekly newspaper)
http://www.v-shinpo.com/

Toronto Area
BINGO (monthly magazine)
http://www.bingomag.ca/home.shtml

Bits (bi-weekly magazine)
http://www.bitslounge.com/

Nikka Times
http://www.nikkanews.com/

Montreal Area
From-Montreal.com (online magazine)
http://www.from-montreal.com/

Other
Banff Times (bi-weekly magazine)
http://www3.telus.net/banfftimes/

Do you know or have any good teaching resources??

2006-11-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I’d just finished a TEFL course and was hired to be a new ESL teacher in Vancouver. My school is not a typical ESL school. It is a “conversation school.” The good thing about a conversation school is the small class size. It’s less structured and I can teach conversation rather than grammar. Because of this, we don’t have curriculum and I have to make my own lesson plans. This is very challenging for me. I am looking for interesting teaching materials for my students, but so far I haven’t found any. Do you know or have any good teaching resources?" Tania, Vancouver

Congratulations on finishing your TEFL course!! I know you did a lot of work to finish it. Now you are qualified and you can teach anywhere. I found that students are always appreciative of their trained teachers.

There are some teaching resources online. Most of them are categorized by age group or English levels (beginner to advance). You can easily find them by Googling. Dave’s ESL Café is always a good place to meet creative teachers. I also have my own lesson plans. However, I need to upload them to my website and it takes some time. I will let you know as soon as it becomes available.

A friend of mine, Jonathon Narvey has excellent teaching materials. He published his first book, “The Vancouver ESL Guide & Workbook.” This book is not just an English grammar book. Jonathon combined learning English and sightseeing in one book (genius!!) This book will guide you to the tourists’ spots, like Stanley Park, Gastown and the Vancouver Aquarium. Meanwhile your students can learn practical English through his CD (which comes with his book!), including idioms and common expressions. For more information, please visit Jonathon's website, Jonathon Narvey's ESL Centre.

Do you know any cheaper movie theaters in Vancouver??

2006-11-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I went to see a movie the other day with my friends. It cost $10.95 for a single movie. I would like to have some fun, but movies in Vancouver are pretty expensive. Do you know any cheaper movie theaters??" Kathy – Taiwan

Hi Kathy, thank you for your e-mail. It’s funny I felt the same way recently. Tuesday used to be a movie day, so you could watch a cheaper movie at major movie theaters. However, this is not always the case anymore.

You should check movie prices at each theater individually. There are lots of independent movie theaters who show excellent movies (not necessary new films). You can still get a good deal at these theaters and discover the uniqueness of movie theaters in Vancouver!!

Cinemark Tinsletown – Tuesdays $7, 1st Matinee(Mon-Fri) $6
Add: 88 West Pender, Vancouver, Tel: 604-806-0799

Fifth Avenue – Student $8
Add: 2110 Burrard St, Vancouver, Tel: 604-734-7469

Hollywood Theater
– Monday evenings $5
Add: 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver, Tel: 604-738-3211

Pacific Cinematheque
– Regular Price $6.50
Add: 1131 Howe St, Vancouver, Tel: 604-688-3456

Rio Theater
– Tuesdays $5
Add: 1660 E. Broadway (@Commercial), Vancouver, Tel: 604-878-3456

Vancouver Cinema Denman Place– Tuesdays $4
Add: 1737 Comox, Vancouver, Tel: 604-683-2201

Vancouver Cinema Van – Tuesday $5
Add: 2290 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, Tel: 604-251-1313

I frequently check Cinema Clock website before I make a plan for going to see a movie.

I would like to go to Japan to teach...

2006-11-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I am a 25 year old Canadian male, interested in going to Japan to teach. I have never been there, but I’ve met so many nice Japanese people in Vancouver. I don’t have any teaching certificate and don’t know where to start. Do you know any good websites about this, so I can start planning? Mike - Vancouver

Hi, Mike. Thank you for your e-mail. There are a lot of private ESL schools (mostly teaching adults) in Japan and I understand your frustration to choose the right one. Dave’s ESL Café
is an excellent website to start. You can see what other foreign teachers say about schools in Japan. It is very interesting to read about their experience.

If you live in Vancouver, pick up the Georgia Straight every Thursday. Famous ESL schools like Nova or Aeon are placing ads to recruit teachers. They usually have information sessions you can attend.

If you are interested in teaching younger students, I recommend you check the JET program. Their requirements might be stricter (eg. under 40 year old, BA holder…), but they are a well-established organization. You might be sent to a remote area as a TA. They pay great and even provide accommodations. Please contact them directly to find out more information.

Usually, in order to teach in Japan, the person needs to hold at least a BA and has a TEFL certificate. If you don’t have a TEFL certificate, don’t worry. You can take courses before you go.
VCC offers an excellent program. Some private ESL schools like Winfield College or Global Village might be a good option too.

If you would like to go to Japan to travel, study or work, then check a Working Holiday visa. I found the Japanese embassy in Calgary helpful. Visit http://www.calgary.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/Visas/workingh.htm

Do you think my friends moved on with their lives?

2006-11-11T23:15:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
Many of my friends went back to their countries. I try to write e-mails and letters to keep in touch with them. But it is hard to get any responses from them. Do you think they forget about life in Canada and moved on with their lives?” – Nicky from Vancouver

Hi Nicky, it is sad not hearing from friends. Especially when you’ve spent difficult times together away from family. You and your friends have a strong friendship. They are not ignoring you.

They also miss you, but right now, they need time and energy to adjust to a new environment. Keep in touch with them from time to time. Remember the good times you spent with your friends in Canada.

Vancouver Event Calendar

2006-11-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

If you are wondering what's new in Vancouver, check the top right of my page for my "Vancouver Event Calendar."

What should I tell my parents?

2006-11-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I am here for a working holiday visa right now. Before I left Japan, I told my parents that I will come back to Japan after one year to graduate from my university. I realized one year is not long enough to master a foreign language. I am not satisfied my English skills and I would like to extend my stay for another year. What should I tell my parents?" Masaharu – Japan

Hi Masaharu, thank you for your e-mail. It happens quite often that many students plan their stay much shorter. This is because there is a myth out there that if you emerge into an English speaking country, you can automatically speak the language fluently. You need to be actively studying. During my stay in Vancouver, I saw many students who live without speaking any English!! On the other hand, I met people who had never left their countries, but can speak English like natives. Knowing and using language are two different things and your efforts make a difference dramatically.

I feel you have done your best. Learning language takes lots of time, so be patient with yourself. The best results come soon when you are in peace.

To answer your question, you should tell your parents honestly why you need to stay another year. You also need to tell them your study goal or plan (i.e. get TOEIC 900, or a tourism certificate), so they won’t think you are fooling around. If you show staying in Canada one more year gives you a better future, then they might accept easily. If you are relying on their support financially, then you should take their concerns into consideration as well.

By the way, do not send a quick e-mail about it!! Call them up and discuss with them. Good luck to you.

Do you have any Vegetarian cookbook recommendations??

2006-11-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I had become vegetarian recently. When I was living with my vegetarian homestay family, my meals were prepared, so I didn’t need to cook. Now I am living by myself and I don’t know how to cook vegetarian food. Do you have any book recommendations??”-Vivian originally from Korea

Hi Vivian,
Thank you for your question. My fiancé used to be a vegan (Someone who omits all animal products from their diet and lifestyle) and now he is a vegetarian. I understand your frustration of cooking without meat!! Most of Japanese/Korean food is...based on meat and fish. If you were brought up in a non-vegetarian family or explored a variety of cooking, it will probably be hard for you to figure it out. I can give you some suggestions through my experience.

Visit restaurants to see if they have “veg” options. Explore and expand your cooking to Indian (curry dishes, chickpeas, cauliflower), some African, Ethiopian or Middle Eastern food (falafel). You can take cooking classes at a local community centre.

My favourite cooking books are as follows:

“How It All Vegan”, “The Garden of Vegan”, “La Dolce Vegan” by Sarah Kramer

http://www.govegan.net/

“The Vegetarian Manifesto” by Jay Fothergill

My homestay student would like to visit US this Christmas...

2006-11-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I was asked by my student about his US visa. He would like to go to the US this Christmas with his friends. He can stay in Canada for six more months and I believe it shouldn’t be a problem for him when coming back from the US. He doesn’t know if he needs to get a US visa to go there. Where can I get information about that, so I can direct him? Thank you very much for your help in advance.” Monica - Vancouver

Hi Monica, thank you for your question! It is very common for international students to visit the US during their stay in Canada. Some of them require a longer process (depends on their nationality and their visa status), so it is better to research earlier.

Because he is not Canadian, he needs to contact the consulate of his home country. Most of the consulates are located in Vancouver (glad to be in a big city!). He can either go to the office directly or phone them. I couldn’t get information about his nationality from your e-mail. I will give you a list of consulates located in Vancouver. If his country is not listed below, he can still look it up in the YellowPages or through Google. I hope this information will help both you and your student.

Consulate General of Mexico – Vancouver

Vancouver Consulate General of Japan

Korean Consulate General in Vancouver

Royal Thai Consulate General

Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver

Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver

Consulate General of France

Could you help me on my visa issue??

2006-11-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I am currently studying in Canada and my visa will expire in two months. I’d like to extend it for another three months, so I can keep continuing my study. I don’t know how I can do that. I asked my classmates and teachers about it, but they all tell me different things. I am confused. Could you help me on this?” Vicky – Taiwan

Hi Vicky, thank you for your message. I would like to make it clear that I am not an expert on visa issues. I also don’t know about your past and current visa situations. However, I do know where you can get correct information about visas in Canada.

First, go to the Canadian Immigration website. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

In the middle of the site, you will find “How do I…” then you can scroll to “Study in Canada.” I believe number 10 (renew my study permit while I am in Canada?) of the list would apply to your case. As I said earlier, this information is general information. Your classmates told you different things about extending their visas, because they might be coming from different countries. Individuals are treated as case by case, so do not believe or trust completely the information your classmates told you.

If you get basic information from the above website and your questions are still not answered, then contact CIC Centre. The number is 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only). Be sure to write down what you are going to ask before calling. It is easier for you to focus on your questions and you won’t forget to ask important questions. I have called them in the past and have found that CIC Centre agents are very helpful and patient.

A Visa is a very important issue and should not be delayed or neglected.

Is it impolite to ask guests to take off thier shoes??

2006-10-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
My roommates’ friends do not take off their shoes when they come to our house. This is not a serious problem, but it makes me uncomfortable. Is it impolite to ask guests to take off their shoes in Canada?” Yoshi – Japan

Thank you for your interesting question, Yoshi! I’ve always told my students that there are no stupid questions. If one person wonders, I am sure that there is another student who has the same question.

In Japan, people are expected to take off their shoes because it is a normal thing to do, but you cannot expect your guests to know your culture. Your guests probably won’t be offended if you tell them “taking off your shoes is my house rule”. It is not rude to tell your guests to take off their shoes in Canada. They are glad to know your house rules beforehand, so they can avoid being embarrassed or making you upset.

I have visited many Canadian family houses and they all have different rules. Some of them asked me to take off shoes and others told me not to bother.

October is Halloween and soon enough we will have Christmas. I bet you will be invited to house parties. When you visit somebody’s house, make sure you ask them about their house rules, so you can respect them.

Do you know where my homestay student can buy a travel book written in Japanese...

2006-06-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai, my Japanese homestay student is looking for a travel book about Canada in Japanese. I checked a couple of Chapters or smaller bookstores in downtown Vancouver, but I couldn’t find any. Do you know where she can buy one?” – Diane

Hi Diane, as you said, it is very hard to find books written in a foreign language in a regular bookstore. You need to go to a special bookstore. I quite often visit Japanese bookstores in town. Here are my favourite bookstores that might sell travel books about Canada written in Japanese.

Book Off(a large Japanese second-hand book store chain in Japan) They sell both English and Japanese books.

Konbiniya (second-hand books）They sell only Japanese books.

Sofia Books (new books) They sell Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, English books.Address: 450 West Hastings St.Vancouver, Phone: (604)684-4032／ FAX：(604)684-1683Monday to Friday 9:00～19:00, Saturday 10:00～ 19:00, Sunday 12:00～18:00

Iwase Book Store (Yaohan Centre 2F) They sell only Japanese books.Address: 3700 No. 3 Rd, Richmond, Phone: 604-231-0717

Good luck!!

Additional summer event list

2006-06-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Additional summer event list

Steveston Salmon FestivalJuly 1, Canada Day
This annual event starts with a 10:00am parade. To celebrate the rich culture, there are exhibitions such as Japanese cultural shows, crafts fairs, trade shows and the Childrens’ festival.

Illuminares Lantern Festival
July 29
Trout Lake, Victoria at East 15th at 7:00pm
Celebrate the 18th annual lights festival. Bring your homemade paper lanterns that light up the night. There are magnificent lanterns all over the lake, music, fire sculptures and fire works finale at 1:00pm

If you don’t know how to make a lantern, you can attend “Illuminares lantern-making workshops begining on July 17 at Trout Lake Community Centre. For more information, contact Carrie Campbell at setdec@publicdreams.org.

Vancouver Pride Week Celebration
July 29th to August 6th
The annual summer Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender celebration. The Pride Parade takes place along Denman Street on August 6th.

Powell Street Festival
August 5 and 6, 2006
The 30th annual Powell Festival held annually celebrates Japanese Canadian culture. Events are held in Oppenheimer Park and the Firehall Arts Centre. Performances includ taiko drumming, sumo wrestling, alternative pop/rock/urban music, film/video, play. Of course, you can taste great Japanese food from venders!

Chinatown Festival
August 5 and 6, noon to midnight
500 block of Columbia Street between Pender and Keefer
More info: call 604-632-3808

Latin Summer Festival
August 20
Trout Lake, Victoria at East 15th 11:00am to 7:00pm
The day starts off with a parade along Commercial Drive. There are Import markets and Latin dancing on stage.

Taiwanese Cultural Festival
September 2, 3 and 4
Plaza of Nations and the Roundhouse Community Centre

Do you know where I can buy some Japanese food??

2006-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai,
I am a new homestay mother. I am accepting a Japanese girl from August 1st for 4 months. I am not sure what she eats, but I would like to prepare some Japanese food for her. Do you know where I can buy it?" Mary – Vancouver

"Hi Mary. Thank you for your e-mail. I am pleased to hear that you are looking forward to welcoming your first homestay student. I am happy to share my favourite Asian grocery store information with you.

Fujiya is an excellent Japanese grocery store which has three locations in Vancouver. The one I go to the most is at 912 Clark Drive. You can buy sushi, lunch boxes, snacks, spices and Japanese magazines. Visit their website, there are maps and pictures of the store.

T & T is a popular and reasonable Asian grocery store. They are not focusing on Japanese food, but they have a wide range of Asian food. T & T has various locations and I bet you can find one close to your house.

Chinatown 179 Keefer Place (near Stadium Skytrain Station), Vancouver
1st Avenue Store 100-2800 E. 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Metrotown Store 147-4800 Kingsway, Burnaby
Richmond Store 1000-8181 Cambie Road, Richmond
Osaka Store 1000-3700 No. 3 Road, Richmond

H Mart Supermarket is a Korean grocery store (part of the U.S based Han Ah Reum chain). In Vancouver, there is a Coquitlam location and they just have opened a new branch at the corner of Seymour and Robson Streets. - 590 Robson Street

Food is one of the difficult cultural adjustments for international students. I am sure that your student will be happy to have you as her Canadian family.

Do you know of any websites or agencies where foreign students can find a place to stay??

2006-06-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I have a question for you. My friends’ daughter is coming to Vancouver from Australia this fall. I was asked to find a place for her, but I don’t know where to start. Do you know of any websites or agencies where foreign students can find a place to stay before they come to Vancouver? By the way, she doesn’t want to stay with a homestay family." Michelle – Vancouver

Hi Michelle, as for your friend’s daughter, English is not a problem, so I will explain an ESL students‘ situation first for my other “Dear Ai” audience and then I will answer your question.

I found two types of international students during my counseling regarding accommodation.

One group is the “first-timer studying abroad” student. They do not have any relatives or friends in the foreign country. They do not know how to prepare their visa documents, find schools or accommodation. So they visit travel agencies or school agencies in their country to look for information regarding studying abroad. Agencies usually charge for this service. I’ve heard from Japanese students that they pay from $300 to $2000! Using these types of agencies is great for busy students who do not have enough time to do research. Also, agents usually collect great information about the country from past students they have sent.

The other group is the “do-it-yourselves.” This is a time-consuming process and sometimes students are overwhelmed. Because their English level is too low or they can only stay a short-term, many owners (typically apartment owners) do not want to rent to them.
Usually advanced students check classifieds in local newspapers on the ‘net. The Vancouver Sun is a great site to start. They update daily and have current accommodation and roommate information; however, there are no photos. The Simon Fraser University website has an excellent classified section with photos.

Finding accommodation requires some conversational-level English. You have to negotiate with owners in English! If you are a lower level, I recommend contacting either your school or agencies who can help you, and most importantly, they can give you a hand if you are in trouble!

The Vancouver Homestay is a great homestay company that I have dealt with over the years. They offer both homestay and apartment rental. They can listen to your requests (such as furnished house, monthly rental, stay with pet etc…) and find a suitable place for you. They also send photos of the place, so you can see what the place looks like before you sign up.

In her case, she can stay at a youth hostel a few weeks when she arrives here. I have many students who stay this way and make friends/meet future roommates. Hostels in Vancouver are pretty reasonable; however, they are sometimes located in areas that are unsafe at night. Make sure she asks about the location and reputation of the youth hostel. I always research “Google Groups” to see what other people think about specific accommodations.

Useful hostel listings

Is there any newspaper that specifically written for ESL students...

2006-06-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
My teacher told that we should read a newspaper in order to improve our reading skills. I try to read The Vancouver Sun everyday, but it is very difficult to read. I am frustrated and tired of checking all vocabularies in my dictionary. Is there any newspaper that specifically written for ESL students?” Min-hee, Korea

“Hi, Min-hee. I am proud of you that you do your best to improve your reading skills. When I was an ESL student, I also bought a newspaper everyday and tried to finish it within a day. But soon I was frustrated because I could only finish the front page of the paper!! You need to find time and a comfortable chair. Read it only on the weekends and the rest of the time, you can follow news on the TV/Radio, so you are familiar with current affairs. Once you have some knowledge, it is easier for you to follow the newspaper.

I have encountered a very good newspaper. The Westcoast Reader is a monthly ESL newspaper published by Capilano College, focusing on adult literacy learners and new immigrants. Joan, the editor, extracts interesting articles from the Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Province. She simplifies stories with easier English sentences and words.

The Vancouver Sunis mostly focused on British Columbian news. If you would like to read the national paper, I recommend you read The Globe and the Mail. For the international newspaper, I love reading The Guardian.

Min-hee, I understand your urge to look up all words you don’t know in the dictionary. Sometimes, students forget that the main reason to know the words is to understand the story. Look up a few words in your dictionary and for the rest, try to guess what the story is about and enjoy reading the newspaper!

Do you know any ESL books that can help me?

2006-06-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I’ve been in Vancouver for more than a year. My level of English is advance in my school. The only thing I haven’t improved much is pronunciation. I still have a strong accent and people can tell easily that I am from Japan. Because of this, I’m afraid of talking to people. Do you know any ESL books that can help me?” Keigo – Japan

“Hi Keigo, thank you for your question. It is quite hard to eliminate an accent when people learn a second language. It is unfortunate, but possible to feel scared of talking if you are not confident in your speaking. But the more you practice, the better your pronunciation will be. So be patient and most important, be kind to yourself!

I have met people who speak English like native speakers, but they’ve never left Japan! I asked them how they achieved this and here is what they told me.

First, you need to find a local Canadian person (either your friend or tutor). Then ask the person to correct your pronunciation each time you make mistakes. The person should be patient and you should also feel comfortable being with her/him.

It is also a good idea to listen to CDs and audios that have a pronunciation exercise. Listen and repeat them while you are driving, taking subways, or cooking dinner! Repetition is boring, but it is necessary for you to improve pronunciation. Have you ever wondered why you remember that you can sing along even though you’ve never read or study the lyrics?

Watch English news on TV with the audio off. Try to guess what the announcer says by watching his/her mouth and facial movement. You will be amazed to see the amount of information you can get without any sound.

I did a little bit research for you. There are 14 English pronunciation textbooks for Japanese people at the Vancouver Central Library!! I picked up two excellent ones for you to check. “Say it right! Pronunciation practice for Japanese students” by Harvey M. Taylor and “English pronunciation for Japanese speakers” by Pauletter Dale and Lillian Poms are helpful resources to improve English pronunciation for Japanese speakers.

Dear Ai in the Vancouver Province

2006-06-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

I got some requests from my "Dear Ai" audience about my article in the Vancouver Province (British Columbia Newspaper). Mr. Peter Clough wrote about my website on January 15, 2006. If you didn't have a chance to read it, here is the link!

The Province

Do you have any tips to find the best ESL school?

2006-06-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I have just arrived in Canada from Taiwan. I came here as a visitor visa. I heard I can go to school if the study is within six months. I am looking for an ESL school right now, but I am not sure how to find the best one since there are too many here. Do you have any tips?” Kevin – Taiwan

“Hi Kevin,
Thank you for your message. Some ESL students have already decided or even registered at schools before they arrive here. The advantage of this is that they can start their classes immediately. Parents are less worried because everything is organized. However, sometimes students regret that they arranged their study prior to their arrival and registered for a long period. They usually complain that the school doesn’t offer many elective classes, more levels compared to other schools, or they want to take a vacation. It depends on school policies, but often many students can’t get the whole tuition back if they change their school.

It is a good idea to visit schools to see with your own eyes. It is like interviewing your future schools to find out if your needs are matched with the schools.

Before visiting schools, you need to find out what area of English you would like to study. Different schools offer a variety courses and specialties. It is also important to check the size of the school, class size, teachers’ qualifications, price, nationality rates, and refund policy.

If you are “do-it-by-yourself” person, then look through the yellow pages. Under schools, you can find ESL school locations and phone numbers. Make an appointment to visit the schools you choose. Usually, schools have counselors or a receptionist who can give you school information. Some schools offer a tour or a “trial lesson” that you can attend for free. Talk with the teachers and fellow classmates about the school and also check their facilities (computers or text books).

If you would like to know the best schools, you can use school agencies. Many school agencies in Vancouver are free to use. They act like your agent to find the best schools for you. Sometimes, you can get better deals or a discount. However, school agencies get commissions from schools where they refer students to. Because of this, they are not obligated to send students to the best schools for the students’ needs. Otherwise they are knowledgeable and can be a good resource for information.

Are there any ideas to get relaxed...

2006-06-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I have been in Canada for 5 months. I’m studying for TOEFL very hard to get into a Canadian university for September. I only have 3 months left to prepare for it and I am far away from the score I need for admission. I’m exhausted and very frustrated. At this stage, I even feel I do not want to study anymore. Are there any ideas to get relaxed?” Kaori – Japan”

“Thank for your question, Kaori! Sometimes, I get frustrated when I cannot find a good answer for my “Dear Ai” readers. For writers, the struggling stage called “writers’ block” which means writers feel stuck and cannot write anything due to the pressure to write a masterpiece. When people are over-stressed or over-pressured, the results are not up to your expectations.

In order to break the period, people need to completely forget the task and do something completely different or start new things. In your case, since you have your goal (that is you would like to be admitted to the university) you should try a couple of things, but still stay focused (keep studying for TOEFL).

Tips you can try.

1.Go out and have a walk and explore your neighborhood. Using only your brain makes you very tired. You should have a balanced life. Smell the fresh air and enjoy your surroundings.

2.Have a treat. I love chocolate!! Set a small goal and once you reach that goal, treat yourself. When my website was published in the Province, I celebrated it with “tiramisu” at my favourite Italian restaurant, Café Presto Panini in town.

3.Get a massage. I make a 90-minute appointment at “Mountain Therapeutic” once or twice a month! You get lots of energy to tackle difficult TOEFL questions!

I don't know where to look for a job...

2006-06-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I am looking for a waitress job in Vancouver. I came here with a working holiday visa, so I can work legally. The problem I am having right now is I don’t know where to look for. I am taking part-time English classes to work on my English. If a waitress job is not available, I would still like to work in customer service job, so I can practice my English.” Mika – Japan

“Hi Mika,
Thank you for your question. This is a great season for you to look for a job since people leave Vancouver for summer vacations. Employers from the tourism or retail industry would be interested in hiring you since you are bilingual and summer is the best time for tourism in Vancouver!

Here is a couple of ways you can try to find a job.

1. Get local newspapers such as North Shore News, Vancouver Courier (both are free). Or you can pay for the Vancouver Sun or the Province. Check the employment section in the classified sections which are usually located at the end of the newspaper. If you do not want to spend any money for a newspaper, you can go to websites, like Working Canada.com.

2. Bring your resume wherever you go. Many employers post hiring signs in their restaurants.

3. Tell all of your friends and teachers that you are looking for a job. When you tell them, make sure to tell them what kind of job you are looking for, either part-time or full-time and it is also helpful to give them your contact information. If you are good on a computer, make a business card size “mini-resume” that contains your work experience, education, what you do or are good at and contact information (phone number or e-mail address). The good thing about this card is that your friends do not need to remember details about you. They can also pass on correct information about you to the possible employers.

Which is better environment between private ESL schools and college...

2006-05-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I need to study English hard when I go to Canada. Between private ESL schools and ESL classes at colleges/universities, which is the better environment for me?” Misa – Japan

“Hi Misa,
Thank you for your e-mail from Japan! Many students have a similar situation to yours. Limited budget and time is every student’s problem. It is very wise to plan ahead and get information about your study in Canada before you leave.

First, you need to set a goal. For example, would you like to be accepted in a community college in Canada? Or would you like to get a TOEIC score of 800 in order to get an import–export company in Japan?

Then, you need to find out how many weeks or months you can spend here in Canada. If you are currently working in Japan, then take a smaller step. Take a one or two week vacation to see if you like Canada for your study.

Third, you need to figure out how much money you will spend. You need to budget for a living fee, transportation, tuition, entertainment, food etc… Usually, students choose homestay when they arrive in Canada. It usually costs between $650-700/month in Vancouver. It includes food and utilities. Tuition fee depends on schools, please check with them, but usually it costs around $1100/month if you want to take a full-time class.

Going to ESL classes at a college/university has the following advantages: Lesson plans are designed by a semester (3 months). You will have the same classmates and teacher for the entire time; you can study in a steady environment. Usually, teachers are qualified and have excellent teaching experiences. Sometimes, you can audit regular classes and it will be a good motivation for you if you are planning to go to a college/university. This tends to attract serious students.

Going to a private ESL school has the following advantages: Smaller class sizes (from 5 to 12), so you can ask questions easily. They have a variety of students (nationalities, age, length of time they stay, purposes), so it will be a very fun environment. Also, some schools offer courses from one week and they might have more variety of classes like pronunciation, slang and idioms and listening classes, so you can study specifically what your weaknesses are.

I'm looking for festival information in Vancouver...

2006-05-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai, I am looking for festival information in Vancouver. Do you know any good festival I should attend? Also I would like to join festivals as a volunteer, do you know who I should contact? Thank you. “Lisa – Taiwan

“Hi, Lisa
Thank you for your question. I love May to October in Vancouver! The weather is excellent and there are many fun festivals in town. As you said, most festivals are looking for volunteers who can help to set up a booth or sell food and beverages. In return you are provided a special gift like festival T-shirts, a free event pass (so you can enjoy watching the event!) or invited to an event party! Volunteers are necessary to support festivals and sometimes 1000 volunteers help an event!!

I made a list of festivals in Vancouver between June to September. You can get festival information from the websites I provided and download the volunteer applications, fill them out and send them to their volunteer coordinator. Please contact festivals directly for information.

Eat! Vancouver, The Everything Food + Cooking Festival
If you love to eat, cook, entertain, then you must attend this annual event!
Date: May 26 to 28, 2006

Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Date : June 23 to July 12, 2006

Bard on the BeachAnnual Shakespeare plays performed at Vanier Park (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure, The Winter’s Tale, Troilus and Cressida)
Date: June 1 to September 24, 2006

Alcan Dragonboat Festival
Date: June 17 & 18, 2006

Vancouver International Film Festival
Date: September 28 to October 13, 2006

I don't know how to cook vegetarian food...

2006-05-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I had become vegetarian recently. When I was living with my vegetarian homestay family, my meals were prepared, so I didn’t need to cook. Now I am living by myself in Vancouver and I don’t know how to cook vegetarian food. Do you have any book you recommend?” Stacy from Korea

“Hi Stacy,
Thank you for your question. My fiancé used to be a vegan (Someone who omits all animal products from their diet and lifestyle) and now he is a vegetarian. I understand your frustration of cooking without meat since most of Japanese/Korean food is based on meat and fish. If you were brought up in a non-vegetarian family or haven’t explored a variety of cooking, it will probably be hard for you to figure out a new way of cooking. I can give you some suggestions through my experience.

1. Visit restaurants to see if they have “veggie” options. Explore and expand your cooking to Indian (curry dishes, chickpeas, cauliflower), some African, Ethiopian or Middle Eastern food (falafel).

2. Get some Vegetarian books from the library. I recommend “How It All Vegan,” “The Garden of Vegan,” and “La Dolce Vegan” all by Sarah Kramer. If you are interested in her books, you can visit her website at http://www.govegan.net/

I am lonely here and I am homesick of Canada...

2006-05-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I recently moved back to Mexico after spending time in Canada for two years. I’ve had a hard time adjusting to the culture since I moved back. Before I left Mexico, I didn’t feel adequate living here and now I do. I miss Canada so much and I feel awkward living in Mexico. Most of my friends have never left the country. They value their life by purchasing fancy cars and getting a better salary. I used to enjoy hanging out with them, but now I am focusing on different things. I am no longer happy spending time with them. I am lonely here and I am homesick of Canada.” Juanita – Mexico

“Hi Juanita,
It is very natural that you miss Canada after living here such a long time. Especially since you didn’t leave here voluntarily.

When you came to Canada for the first time, you probably missed your family, friends and culture in Mexico. You might have visited a local Mexican restaurant to satisfy your homesickness. But gradually you feel less homesick, soon after you find yourself molded into the Canadian culture. You accepted their values in order to survive here. You might not have noticed this change when you were in Canada, but now you feel the differences between you and your friends. Your new values and perspectives of the world had been widened and because of that you feel distance among your crowds.

It is hard to get away from a comfort zone. I encourage students not to be afraid of change and accept it as a part of the process (to be better or to have a better life etc…). Once you give up fighting, your life will be easier. People change anytime, anywhere and change will progress you to the next level. It doesn’t matter if they leave their country or not. Cry about Canada for a few hours and move on with your life. You may feel your life is wasted by not being in Canada, but Canada won’t run away!! When the right time comes, you will be here again. Until then, you treat each and every day as precious time. Time will cure the homesickness.

If you feel uncomfortable hanging out with your old friends, then find new ones who love to spend time with you. You can explore your city like a tourist. Send me a postcard from all the different places you go in your city. You haven’t been there for two years! It must have changed something.

Another thing I would like to mention here is that you might be afraid of being old you – the person you were before you came to Canada. Do not worry. You are not the same person and everyday through experiences you become a new person. Good luck with exploring the new Juanita!

I think it is illegal in Canada...

2006-05-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
My friend is working at a sushi restaurant in downtown Vancouver. She was told that she should be working 3 days (3 hours each day) for free as training. She is also given only 10 minutes lunch break for working 8 hours a day. I think it is illegal in Canada to work such a condition. I think she should talk with the owner. She said that because she has a working holiday visa which has few months left to allow her work in Canada. It is very hard for her to find next place to work. She doesn’t want to lose her current job, but she would like to improve her situation. What should she or I do?” Jay – South Korea

“Hi Jay,
It is unfortunate that your friend is afraid of confronting her boss about her work situation. I have been counseling many working holiday students who have been treated like her. Some students do not know the laws in Canada, so they accept unfair treatments, while others do not want to make any fuss by risking their current job. She is lucky to have you as a friend.

I understand her fear of losing her job. It might be her culture that tries not to make any conflicts. Probably, this boss has taken advantage of students who cannot question his management. This is very important that she should stands up for herself, so her boss will have better work ethics and it will benefit her and people who work there in the future.

I searched the BC Employment Standards website and found relevant information for her. As you said, her employer operates his/her business illegally if he/she doesn’t pay for her meal break. In British Columbia, “an employee must not work more than five hours in a row without a 30-minute unpaid meal break. An employee who is required to work or be available for work during a meal break must be paid for the meal break.” Also, employers need to pay for job-related training.

The Employment Standards website (http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/esaguide/) gives you the basic information regarding work in BC, such as minimum wage, overtime, statutory holidays etc… Visit the frequently asked questions. Most questions can be answered on this page.

As her friend, you can show the website above. Once she gets the general idea, she can try to resolve the issue more confidently. If her boss does not agree with her, then download “Employment Standards Act Self-Help Kit” from the website. It shows her seriousness to her boss. If either directly talking to the boss or the self-help kit does not work, then you need to take the last step. Talk with an Employment Standards officer. They will help both employers and employees to try and reach an agreement. For general inquiries, you can call at 1-800-663-3316.

Also it is a good idea to report the restaurant to the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/) which watches companies to ensure they do business ethically.

Do not give up - be firm to the unfairness. This will be a good experience for her to stand up for herself and make the right decision.

Is it hard for me to blend with my classmates?

2006-05-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I am 45 years old and I am planning to go to Canada to study for one month. I have heard that there are many students who are in their 20s. Is it hard for me to blend with my classmates? Do you think I can meet my own age people at school?” Maggie – Taiwan

“Hi Maggie, thank you for your e-mail. I am very thrilled to talk with you! In a recent trend, there are more adults (over 40s) who come to Canada to study English, so I am not too surprised to meet a student like you. Some of them come to Canada with groups, with their children or by themselves.

Most ESL schools do not divide their classes by age or nationality. Students are assigned in their class according to the English assessment test. You might be studying with a 18 year old student or the same nationality as you. One of the advantages is that you can improve your English skills efficiently and make friends beyond your age group or nationality.

I know of one senior man who comes back to Vancouver every spring. Mr. Sato retired when he reached 60; however, his company was afraid of losing him and his extensive knowledge about the company, so he keeps working there as a mentor. He takes a one week vacation every spring to refresh his life, away from a busy life in Japan. Mr. Sato studies in full-time classes, while younger students take part-time classes because they are too exhausted to consume their classes and homework. Sometimes, he takes a nap during the lunch break, but he has never missed his afternoon classes. He even joins all the activities after school. He said “It is certainly inspiring and I feel younger spending time with younger students.”

Every now and then, I meet senior students, but not during the same period of time. If it is hard for you to meet in your school, you should start looking for hobby classes in a community centre. They have excellent classes, such as cooking, pottery or yoga. It is also a great chance to meet local people too!

When I need to smoke, I have to go outside...

2006-05-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I was placed in a non-smoking homestay family even though I requested a smoking family. When I need to smoke, I have to go outside. Summer time is ok, but winter is too cold to smoke outside... I know this is a family rule and I enjoy living with them. I discussed it with my school Homestay Coordinator. She suggested changing the family if I would like to, but there is no guarantee to have a nice family like them. What should I do?” Jason – South Korea

“Hi Jason, I am glad to hear you get along with your homestay family. Smoking is a very bad habit and it is not good for your health. You probably don’t like to hear this, but this is the time for you to quit smoking!

As your Homestay Coordinator advised you, there is no guarantee that you will be getting along with a new family. They might be good people, but they won’t necessarily suit your needs. You will need to build a good relationship again. The same time and energy you had invested for a current family to a new family. Do you have the time to do that? Since you already have a nice place and family to stay with, you should stay at the current homestay and just change your habit.

It is hard to eliminate bad habits. Think of it as you are replacing a bad habit with a good habit. You can start jogging or go to the gym instead of smoking.
You can do it!”

My roommate doesn't clean the kitchen...

2006-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai,
I’ve living with my best friend in a one bedroom apartment downtown Vancouver. Originally we decided that I clean the bathroom and she cleans the kitchen once a week. Since we moved in the house, my roommate doesn’t clean at all! I talked with her about this, but she said she is busy for the school work. I am very frustrated with her answer and haven’t talked with her a week. Do you have any suggestions to improve the situation?” Saki – Japan

“Hi Saki, thank you for your question. It is very common in Canada that international students decide to leave their homestay and start living with their classmates or friends. The first couple of months, they enjoy their independence away from their parents and homestay family. However, it is true that the problems start arising gradually between roommates as you described in your e-mail.

It seems like you have already talked with your roommate how the house chores should have been done before you moved into the house. This is a very wise idea. Most students are excited about their house warming party and other exciting plans and do not think about daily chores.

You had talked with your roommate about the job delegation many times and she still hasn’t done her job, so forget about it. I know this is very frustrating. You feel you are cheated. But this is not worth sacrificing your friendship with her. It is a special and strong friendship since both of you will go through the same struggles to learn English in an unfamiliar setting. When both of you go back to your countries, this memory will be a fun experience and you will probably remember good things about her.

She might be frustrated with you because you want her to clean your way. She may have different standards. If you want somebody to do it your way, then you need to encourage the person when he/she did right. You need to catch the right moment and give her/him the feedback right away. The sentence can sound like “because you cleaned the kitchen well, I’ll make a delicious dinner for both of us!”

As she said, she might be too busy doing homework and cannot take care of the house right now. Maybe she is planning to clean on weekends. Why don’t you ask her how to improve the situation? Perhaps you can switch bathroom and kitchen cleaning frequently or she might suggest to you that she will do cooking instead of cleaning.

Another problem is limited space. Living in a Vancouver apartment is very expensive. Most students share a tiny one bedroom apartment for two or three people. In a crowded space, people tend to argue. If this is your problem, why don’t you live outside of downtown Vancouver? You might need to commute to school, but you have your own space. You won’t let the small things bother you so much!!

My parents stopped sending money...

2006-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I have been getting a financial support from my parents during my stay in Canada. Recently, my parents found out that I’m dating a Canadian boyfriend and as soon as they found out about us, they stop sending money to me. I do not want to go back to my country, but my money will be running out soon. We are dating seriously, but there is no near towards marriage. What should I do? Keiko from Japan

“Hi Keiko,
Thank you for your e-mail. It is common that international students have some romance either with other international students or local Canadian people. Sometimes their parents in their country haven’t had enough information to judge the person and won’t allow them to date different nationalities.

It sounds like you haven’t told your parents about your boyfriend at all. Probably they felt they were deceived and that you were using their money for fun. I am not sure what you told them before you left Japan or the reason you came to Canada. However, most of my students came here to study hard in order to speak English fluently. They also enjoy their lives here in Canada. You need to sit down and think about your purpose for being here.

Go back to Japan since you don’t have any money to support yourself. As long as you are using your parents’ money, you cannot really decide what you want to do. You can start working and saving money to come back to Canada. Meanwhile, you can help your parents understand about your boyfriend. It might take longer for them to accept new ideas and culture. A long distance relationship will be challenging for you and your boyfriend, but if this is “the man” for you, he will step up to the plate.

My student has a tenant legal problem

2006-02-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
My ex-homestay student needs tenant legal advice. She is Korean but is from Bejing, so she speaks both Korean and Mandarin. She is very distraught about her situation and I would like to help her out.

She is renting an apartment in downtown Vancouver and was not aware that the 'thing' on the side of her livingroom wall was a sprinkler.....she hung something from it and it activated, flooding her apartment and allegedly damaging 11 adjoining suites. She has no tenant insurance. This was 5 days ago and the work is underway to dry out and repair everything. She just received a letter from the manager about her being liable for the costs.

Do you know of a local Vancouver agency, or professional person or that can help with a legal question that speaks either Korean or Mandarin? Is there anywhere that they can get free advice?

Thank you for being there, Helen　- a homestay MoM

“Hi Helen,
Thank you for your e-mail. Since I am not an expert on tenant rights, I called a couple of places that might help her.

The UBC Law Student's Legal Advice Program(http://www.lslap.bc.ca/mainmenu.htm), This legal advice is provided by UBC law students. They usually need to check with their teachers and takes a bit longer to solve the problems. However, they are doing it free of charge and they have a Chinese law student who can help your student. Her phone number is 604-408-7274 ext. 2057. The earliest appointment she can make is for Feb 22. If your student would like to make an appointment, please call them ASAP.

For your students to know the basic tenants rights in BC, two websites would be very helpful. Residential Tenancy Office (http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/) and Tenants Rights Action Coalition (http://www.tenants.bc.ca/).

Thank you again for your question and your action to help your student.”

I am having a difficult time communicating with my students...

2006-02-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I am a caucasian Canadian born homestay parent and have two Korean students ages, 15 and 16. I am having a difficult time communicating with them.

In the last five years we have had a number of Japanese and Chinese students and have been able to establish fairly close relationships with them. They learned to trust my wife and I and, with time, came to see us as almost parents to them. Since they have left our house they stay in touch with emails and send photos. We do not try and do not expect to have parent/child relationships with all our students, but if it happens, as it has in the past, it can be a rewarding and fun thing.

In the case of our Korean students, however, we can't seem to get to first base. They are polite and courteous but very distant, even though they have been with us for more than a year. Also, all of their friends are Korean which means that for their entire stay in Canada, so far, they have not allowed themselves to connect with non-Korean culture.

Let me be perfectly clear; if the situation is satisfactory to them then so be it. I would just like them feel comfortable if they decide to explore a little bit of North American culture.

Any suggestion?” Matthew - Canada

“Hi Matthew,

Thank you very much for your question. It is very common among homestay families that some nationalities would match better than others. Japanese students are seen as polite, tidy and curious and many homestay families actually request to their referring schools or agents that they would like to host only Japanese female students because of the above prejudice.

I hear from homestay families from time to time that they are surprised how different these students are even though they are coming from the same culture. For example, I used to stay with a Portuguese family and they had accepted many Japanese students in the past aged 15 to 30’s. They were surprised to see me having a glass of red wine during dinner time because none of the other students had ever said yes to the offer. They had thought Japanese people (especially women) don’t drink!! I am not a huge drinker, but I accepted my homestay’s culture and life style, and now it is part of me.

Sad, but it has occasionally happened that homestay families compare their current students with their past students. Do not assume your current students will behave in a certain way because of your experience with former students. Please treat your students as individuals. They each are brought up by different cultures, and different families within those cultures just like a family from Vancouver may have some differences compared to a family from Newfoundland or Whitehorse.

Looks like your students are having a great time with you and your family since they have been staying at your house for almost one year. Many students move out from their family quickly if they feel uncomfortable, so in your case, they like your family. One of the reasons you may feel distant from them is that they are teenagers. You might think it is because of cultural reasons, but if you think about your own child, haven’t you sometimes felt the same way? Around their age, they don’t like to be controlled and they try to seek and form their own identity. As teenagers, they are naturally going through many changes physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and they are doing so in a foreign country without anything or anyone familiar around them. Another possible reason for their distant attitude is probably they miss their families and friends in Korea. And if both of them are living in your house, they will speak Korean and hang out with Korean friends to fill in their missing parts. But once they are comfortable being independent, they start looking for new friends, new environments, and accept Canadian culture. At this time, they really need your support. Please be patient with them, even if it takes a year.

As you said, being a homestay is a wonderful and fun experience once you develop a parent and child relationship with them. So how can you feel more close to these students? Put yourself in their shoes. If you were them, wouldn’t you like your homestay family to be interested in your culture? Ask them what their favorite meal back home in Korea is, find a recipe for it and cook it for them, or take them to the Korean festival when it comes up this year, and let them show you their culture. Or take a “night school in a day class” to pick up some simple Korean greetings. Making the effort to share some things like this could go a long way in making your relationship closer. And tell them they are like your real family and you would like to know more about them. They will understand you. Good luck to you!”

How can I tell I am uncomfortable??

2006-02-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I found a language exchange ads on a Japanese newspaper. My friends said that I can meet local Canadian people through this experience. Some ads said I can meet at their house or parks. I certainly don’t want to go a stranger’s house. How can I tell them that I’m uncomfortable, but not offend them?” Kumiko – Japan

“Hi Kumiko! I am proud of you that you try new things. There are so many ESL tutors and language exchange advertisement in newspapers, and on the internet and bulletin boards in ESL schools. The big difference between tutoring and language exchange is money. If you would like to have tutor, you need to pay for the service. It varies, but from my research it ranges from $5 to $25 per hour. On the other hand, language exchange usually doesn’t involve any money. The Canadian person will teach you English and you can teach your native language. This is a good way to make close Canadian friends; however, you need to trust your instincts.

If you are uncomfortable meeting with the stranger by yourself, take your friends with you. Some tutors/language exchange lessons are done in a group. They sometimes offer the first lesson free for you to try out. Please also make sure you will meet this person in a public (open) area, such as library, coffee shop or schools. Do not meet anyone late at night. Never accept a ride in a strangers’ car.

I was surprised when one of my students told me that she had a pretty scary experience. She found a language exchange partner through a Japanese newspaper. When she called, he sounded nice and she agreed to meet him. He suggested meeting at Stanley Park after dinner and giving her a “class” in his car while he drove. She felt strange about the situation, but he looked like a nice person and because the ad was posted in a newspaper, she believed he must be trustworthy. She showed up alone and rode in his car. As soon as she got in his car, he locked the doors. At this point, she realized he intended to hurt her rather than exchange a language lesson with her. She pretended that she lost her contact lenses on the ground and made him open the door. Fortunately, she was able to get out of the car so she could run away and nothing happened to her.

If your tutor/language exchange partner does not agree to meet you in a public place, or insists that you to show up by yourself, be very cautious. If there is something about your tutor/language exchange partner that doesn’t make you feel comfortable, you won’t learn anything from the person. This is a time to pay attention to your instincts. If it feels bad, do not meet with that person. Someone who doesn’t even know you should not be asking you to go to his apartment in the first place.”

Where can I get information about local events?

2006-01-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
I’ve been in Vancouver more than 6 months. My life is pretty much going to school (9-4), come home, eat and sleep. I am getting bored of city and school. I thought maybe if I participate in some local events in Vancouver, my life would be more interesting. I checked websites, but it is difficult to find local events. Where can I get information?” Lisa – Korea

“Hi Lisa,
I am proud of your positive attitudes! Many students burn out after studying excessively. Sometimes, students are frustrated that their English hasn’t improved as much as they hoped, and they get depressed. These types of students blame themselves and so they choose to be alone. However, in your case, you have asked my advice to help you make your life more interesting and meaningful. It is a wonderful attitude!

I recommend my students get the “Georgia Straight”, which is a free Vancouver newspaper issued every Thursday. There are listings of events, entertainment (movies, books, concerts), arts, culture and lifestyle. Also, they have an annual contest called “Best of Vancouver” where readers vote for their favourite restaurants and other things in the city. I can always find a new restaurant from the paper! If you would like to read their back issues, you can visit their website at http://www.straight.com/.

For other ideas, if you would like to know more about where you live, visit http://www.van.net/ for local community newspapers. You can glance at Canadian life in these community newspapers! The CBC online event calendar is a good source of fun activities! Their website is http://www.cbc.ca/bc/community/.

Reading newspapers will not only help your reading skills, but will also help you learn about people and their culture. Canadians will be impressed with your knowledge, and they will appreciate your efforts to understand them. The other day, I visited “McLean’s Specialty Food”, a deli store in Nanaimo. I had read an article in the local newspaper that the biggest Scottish cheese arrived in their store three days ago! I mentioned that to Eric, the owner. He & I have become long-lasting friends! Their store has become one of my favourite stores in Nanaimo! I would not have had this experience if I had not read the local newspaper.

I'm not a teacher and not qualified to do the job..

2006-01-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

“Dear Ai,
A friend of mine asked me if I can teach some Korean before he goes to Korea (to teach English). I’m not a teacher and not qualified to do the job. I don’t know what to teach. I know it is a good idea for him to know some Korean to make friends there. I would like to support him. Do you have any suggestions to me? By the way, there is no money involved.” Hana – Korea

“Hi Hana,
Thank you for your e-mail. You should definitely take this opportunity for the sake of your friends and yourself. I know in Korean culture (or any Asian culture), the teaching profession is highly admired and sometimes teachers are seen as “Gods” who don’t make any mistakes. You might be feeling stressed to be perfect. Here in Canada, teaching can be viewed differently. They are highly admired here as well, but they can also grow and learn with their students. You can start this by picking topics you are familiar with. Why don’t you teach Korean culture you think is interesting? Drinking rituals, taboos, dating practices, how to take public transportation, or Korean folklore would be interesting topics. You will be amazed to rediscover your own culture through explaining it to foreigners! This exercise will help you to improve your English skills dramatically. Good luck!”

How can I get over missing about Japan?

2006-01-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I was driving home from work today and listened to your interview on the CBC Radio. You are doing a great service to ESL and others through your web blog. Great work!

My question is this: I lived in Japan (Osaka and Tokyo) for 12 years and returned to live in Victoria two years ago, however I am still missing Japan and Japanese life very much. I used to take taiko lessons, eat Japanese food everyday and enjoyed the onsens among other cultural aspects. I often find myself thinking that I'd like to return and live in Japan again.

You mentioned in your interview that some Asian ESL students have reverse culture shock when they return to their homeland and I found I really experienced the same thing when I returned to Canada.. and to some extent haven't gotten over it yet.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and many thanks for your time.
Peter - Victoria"

"Hi Peter,
Thank you very much for sending me an e-mail. I understand your “lost” feelings. Many of my students who went back to their countries have sent me similar comments. It seems like you have been trying to keep your tie to Japan (i.e. take taiko lessons and eat Japanese food everyday...) and it is good for you to keep reminding yourself what you want to do in your future (ex. returning to Japan).

In your e-mail, you said “some extent (I) haven’t GOTTEN OVER (missing about Japan) yet”. It is interesting to be said. I believe this feeling (missing things about Japan) will not go away because now it is part of you. Your experience is like an album and each event you experienced there becomes like a snap shot (both good or bad). You can always come back to this album whenever you like. It will give you great energy and inspiration to work or live in Canada. So it is nothing you need to overcome.

What I can advise you is to live fully while you are in Canada. Looking back on your life in Japan is not forward thinking. Japan doesn’t run away from you. When the right time comes, you can go back there again. Until then, you can discover more about yourself. Start doing new things you have never done! What regrets did you have when you were in Japan? You can learn another language and meet new people! You might explore another part of the world. “Everywhere we go becomes a part of us, and the beauty, culture and excitement of being there will always call us to come back. If you were to go to Ireland, or Greece, you may find yourself also feeling homesick for all of those places in some way. They will all become a part of you.”

When you go back to Japan next time, your friends will be surprised to meet the new side of you. "

How to make my students feel welcome?

2006-01-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
You must be getting bombarded with questions. I am a homestay mom and was wondering if you could give ME any advice on how to make my students feel welcome and comfortable in my home. Thank you very much! Katherine- Vancouver"

"Hi Katherine,
It is wonderful to hear from a homestay family. It sounds like you have already hosted some students in your home.

Students expect their homestay family to be like their own family. They come to Canada by themselves without their parents and friends. They don’t know anybody and mostly they don’t speak English at all. You will be the first close Canadian person he/she might contact. Their first impression will affect their view of Canada. I am very happy that you are thinking of what is best for students from the students’ point of view.

Some typical complaints I have been receiving from students about their homestay include:
1. Homestay families are too busy dealing with their own life (children, their hobbies and social life.. etc) and there is no time for the students.

2. Students would like to participate in family events (watch kids’ soccer game, be included in home parties or eating out)

3. Food is a very important factor for them and it is hard to adjust to Canadian food styles quickly. Please ask students what they would like to eat. You can also cook their cultural food. If you don’t have time to cook, ask students about their favourite restaurants.

4. Encourage students to speak English and help them to use new words/sentences they learn in school. The more they practice English with you, the better they will be able to communicate with you, and they will begin to feel more comfortable around you.

Imagine yourself going to their country not knowing anybody and to be compassionate with them. You can be their wonderful family!"

I would like to meet other Asians about interesting topics..

2006-01-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai,
I live in Washington and am interested in talking and meeting other Asians about interesting topics. I live across the water and the city is more interesting than Port Angeles. I was on a surf trip with my American friends and saw your article in the Province. " George – USA

Hi George,
Thank you for your message. I am glad to hear that my article was read internationally! I once visited Washington in the Fall. I was amazed to see so many trees change their colours compared to Vancouver.

In Vancouver, we have many "language exchange" classes. International students teach you their language (for example, Japanese students will teach you Japanese) and you will teach English to them. It is usually a small class and a very casual style. Many students are in their 20-30s and if you are their age group, you might have lots of things in common. This might be a good way to meet interesting people!

If there is no language exchange classes in your city, you can make your own website and discuss online. This might be a long process, but once you create an interesting site, people will visit your website from anywhere.

Good luck in your search!

How did “Dear Ai” start?

2006-01-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

About 3 years ago, a female Korean student was attacked in Stanley Park while she was jogging. Many international students were afraid to come to Canada because the mass media in their country portrayed Canada as a dangerous country. I didn’t want students to stop coming here because of the tragedy; I felt it was necessary to change the negative image of Canada. Having lived in Canada for over 7 years, I am confident that Canada offers the best education, and has friendly people who look forward to meeting others from diverse backgrounds.

Danger will come to you anywhere anytime. But once you know how to protect yourself, you are more confident and live happily and safely.

In 2002, I organized the first “Girls' Fair” with the intention of giving female students the knowledge they needed to live here safely and happily. This one-day event was focused on self-defense, safety, and safe-sex practices; moreover, I contacted fashion/make-up, health (Yoga and Shiatsu), esl/computer/arts schools and Universities, crafts instructors, non-profit organizations (MOZAIC, WAVAW), and Christmas craft people to attract an audience. All participants (both exhibitors and audience) were women, and entry was free. It resulted in over 40 exhibitors and over 200 female students came to the fair.

One of the exhibitors was ESL EGG, a monthly, free ESL informative newspaper. Since the Girls’ Fair was only a one-day event and I felt a strong demand to educate my students, Simon (the publisher) and Marlene (the editor) agreed to publish an advice column for ESL students to continue this ongoing spirit and awareness stemming from the Girls' Fair. Unfortunately, ESL Egg is now gone; however, I continue writing my “Dear Ai” column on my blog.

How does the homestay system work in Vancouver?

2006-01-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Ai;

We live in Vancouver and would like to be a Host family, however we are not sure of how to get involved. Could you send direct me to a person/agency who can explain to us how to get involved.

I read the article in the Sunday Sun about your blog. I'm sure your getting a lot of email today. Thanks for your help.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,
Thank you very much for your e-mail. Students usually write me e-mails, but it is very interesting to receive an e-mail from a homestay family. This will be a good opportunity to share with Dear Ai readers regarding how the homestay system works in Canada.
The process to become a homestay family is to first contact any schools or student agencies (who refer students to ESL schools) and at the same time ask them for a form, then submit a homestay application form. Once you’ve submitted it, the Homestay Coordinator from the school or agency will visit your house to check if you have sufficient room and food for students. Meanwhile, students also fill out their homestay request stating if they would like to live with children, other students, pets, smoking/non-smoking family, food preference, religion, medical conditions and allergies etc.. The Homestay Coordinator’s job involves matching students and homestay family’s needs. Sometimes it takes longer for a new homestay to get the first student.

There are more than 200 ESL schools and countless agencies in Vancouver, so it is difficult for me to choose schools for you. For a listing, please visit http://www.vpl.ca/branches/LibrarySquare/lit/ESLschools.html
Usually, schools or agencies that refer students charge the student a Homestay Placement fee. After that, the school/agency will send you the Homestay fee to compensate you. Each school or agency sets its own fee. Please check with them directly. I always advise both students and homestay families to use a third party for fee payment in order to reduce miscommunication. They’ll also help you and your students if you have any problems.
Hosting international students can be a valuable experience for both the homestay family and the student. When I worked at ESL schools, I felt that I didn’t need to go anywhere to experience different cultures because the world came to me. Good luck!

Should I tell a lie that I stayed in Canada?

2006-01-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Ai,
Ten months ago, I quit my company to come to Canada as a Working Holiday student. I went to several ESL schools for three months, but after that my money run out, so I worked as a waitress in a Japanese restaurant. My visa will be good for two more months and I am getting worried if I can get a good job when I go back to Japan. Friends told me that many Japanese companies have negative image towards Working Holiday since many Working Holiday students don’t really work or study. It is true that some of my friends come here not to study and have parties every week. But some come here to challenge themselves to change their career or search their identity like me. I am not ashamed working as a waitress, but don’t want to be viewed as “Lazy” Working Holiday student. Should I tell a lie that I stayed in Canada in job interviews? Yuriko – Japan

Hi Yuriko!
I hear similar comments a lot from my students. It is sad to hear that you think your Canadian experience might be seen as negative in your career. I don’t think you need to lie about your life in Canada at all!

Living in a foreign country by yourself takes lots of courage and patience, and is a great opportunity to learn about yourself. Your family and friends will notice your positive changes when you go back to Japan. They will be proud of you. However, as you said, in the job interview, they don’t know you as a person. They might have a stereotypical image about Working Holiday students. But if you know what they might be asking you, you can prepare the answers for them.

People like to hear stories like overcoming difficulties or success stories with happy endings. If the interviewer makes a comment like “Oh, you had been in Canada as a Working Holiday student, so you don’t really have a serious job in Canada.” Then you can say, “I saw some Working Holiday students who come to Canada to relax. I was working as an engineer before in Japan. It was always a problem for me to deal with customers. I was very uncomfortable surrounded by people. I wanted to change myself, so I got a Working Holiday visa to replace my weakness with strength. Working as a waitress challenges me everyday; I had to communicate with Canadian customers in English and also learn how to give great customer service. I gained valuable experiences in Canada. I am glad that I took the opportunity to come to Canada.”

If you are asked a question that you think they will view negatively, use the “sandwich” technique which I learned through my excellent instructor at Immigration Service Society of British Columbia. The formula is “Start with Positive + Sandwich the weakness + End with Positive”. You can also prepare answers to typical questions like “What were the challenges during your Working Holiday time in Canada?” “How did you overcome the challenge?” Your interviewer will be impressed with your thoughtful answers!!

Is it possible for you to post monthly activity calendar?

2006-01-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Ai,
I really liked your idea of involving Canadian culture as much as possible to study English effectively. Is it possible for you to post monthly activity calendar on your website?” Stephanie from China

“Hi, Stephanie!
Thank you very much for your suggestion. I asked my friend to set up a monthly calendar on my website. If you are not living in Vancouver, I also give you some links that you can go to see events/activities in another city in Canada.”

I am uncomfortable to give homestay money..

2006-01-13T22:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Ai,
I live with my homestay family for almost 3 months. Before I come to Canada, my school arranged this family for me. I like them very much and I would like to stay more. Yesterday, my homestay family asked me if I would like to extend my stay. They said I should pay to them directly. I couldn’t answer right away because I feel uncomfortable to give them money without my school. What should I do?” Eric – Taiwan

“Hi Eric,
I am glad to hear that your homestay family is nice. This will help you to improve your English skills quickly through living with them. From your comments, I can see that you feel uncomfortable dealing with money issues with the family. I suggest that you do not give money directly to them. Usually, homestay families are selected by schools or student agencies. They are not taking advantage of students; however, it is better to have a third party (in this case your school) who witnesses that your money has been handed to the family. Go to school and talk with the Homestay Coordinator or the Administration staff. If your homestay family is nice, they would understand your situation.”

My new e-mail address!

2006-01-12T21:58:00.000-08:00

Hello readers,

Check the Province on Sunday (January 15, 2006)!! I was interviewed by Peter about "Dear Ai" and he told me that I will be quite busy answering questions! So I created a new e-mail account. Please send me your questions to aiuchiyama@hotmail.com. My New Year resolutions? Yes, I will write more. Happy New Year!

I would like to thank my parents...

2005-10-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai, I am currently living in Vancouver with my Japanese roommate. We are very good friends and even cook meals for each other everyday! I enjoyed studying English here, so I would like to stay here, but I have to go back to Taiwan before the Christmas. I am thinking of buying souvenirs for my parents, but they said they don’t need to have any gifts from me. I would like to thank my parents of paying my education. Is there any gifts suggestions for me?” –Elizabeth from Taiwan

“Hi Elizabeth! I am very touched by your thoughtfulness towards your parents! I am sure that your parents are happy to know you had a great time in Canada. Also they are happy to have you back. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your respect. If you are hesitating using their money to buy gifts for them, why don’t you learn new skills? From the e-mail I received from you, it looks like you like cooking. Why don’t you learn new recipes and show them your appreciation by cooking a traditional Christmas meal? Local community centers provide excellent, short-term cooking classes. They offer one-day courses to several-nights classes. Most of these classes don’t segregate (to separate one group of people from others) ESL students from local Canadian students, so you will have Canadian friends! Your parents will be proud of you!! Vancouver community center list, please visit site below:http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/cc/

I have a Canadian boyfriend, but....

2005-10-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

“Dear Ai, I have been in Canada since February 2005. I have a Canadian boyfriend. I am very happy to be with him, but it is very difficult to socialize with his friends. None of his friends are ESL students. When I come to school, I have no problem of talking with my classmates because they all make mistakes. My boyfriend wants me to be more talkative and friendly to his friends. What should I do?” -Sue from Korea

“Hi, Sue. Thank you very much for asking this question!! I had the exact same problem! It is very hard to start a conversation with a stranger. You may also worry about your accent and incomplete sentences… since English is not your first language. Your boyfriend’s friends would like to know you. If you are not good at talking about current events or news, read the newspaper. Talking about Korean culture, food and travel tips would be the best topics for you! Try to listen more than talking. People feel good about themselves when there is an audience. You can be the great listener. Also, smiling is very important to make people comfortable. I came across an incredible book for you to read. It’s called “How to be a People Magnet” written by Leil Lowndes. There are great tips you can try when you meet a group of strangers. It is a good sign for your relationship that your boyfriend wants you to meet his friends. He is proud of you, so enjoy socializing and make new friends!”

What it would be like to volunteer in Canada?

2004-10-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Q:"Dear Ai, I am interested in volunteering and I wonder what it would be like to volunteer in Canada? Could you give me some ideas" -Yuki from Vancouver

A: Thanks, Yuki. Volunteering is one of the best ways to make friends and improve your English. I've done so much volunteer work and made friends (both Canadian and international) through these experiences.
First, decide how much time you have to volunteer and how often you would like to do it. Volunteer opportunities are usually between 10 hours and 40 hours. All volunteers receive a pass (to enjoy the event for free), T-shirts or hats (great souvenirs), and lunch is often provided.
Right now, in Vancouver, there are many summer festivals. I found out about Dragon Boat Festival in the last issue of esl EGG, so my students and I called Lynn, the Volunteer Coordinator for the festival. The festival was a two-day event and we worked two shifts (about 8 to 10 hours). Some students worked at the Pass Holder section where they checked the different kinds of admission tickets for people entering the festival. Some worked in the ticket office. Both positions had lots of communication with local people, so students could practice what they had learned at school.

If you like music, the International Jazz Festival takes place June 25 to July 4, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival on July 16, 17, 18. If you like Shakespeare, from June 3 to September 26 the Bard on the Beach festival will be perfect for you.

If you like cars and car races, volunteer for the Molson Indy on July 23, 24 and 25. You have to pay a $15 membership fee to do volunteer work for the Molson Indy, but pre and post event parties are included! If you love movies, the Vancouver International Film Festival will provide opportunities to watch films from all over the world. You can have fun without spending any money, but also meet new people.

For more information on volunteer opportunities at these upcoming events, visit the following websites:

International Jazz Festival:http://www.jazzvancovuer.com/
Vancouver Folk Music Festival:http://www.thefestival.bc.ca/
Bard on the Beach: http://www.bardonthebeach.org/
Molson Indy Vancouver: http://www.revv.org/
Vancouver International Film Festival: http://www.viff.org/

Should I accept this as their culture?

2004-08-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, my homestay family is very nice, but they give me pasta everyday. In my culture, I eat rice everyday. I paid a homestay fee that includes 3 meals, so I don't want to use my money for food. I respect them for their culture, but I would like to eat different kinds of food. Is it rude to tell them that or should I accept this as their culture?" -Lin in Vancouver.

"Hi Lin! It is not rude to tell them at all. Your homestay family probably doesn't know what you would like to eat -- and they won't know unless you tell them. You are not a guest in your homestay family. YOu paid the homestay fee, so negotiage (make arrangements through discussion) with them. In Western culture, you don't have to assume, you can say what you think."

How do I cope with homesickness?

2004-06-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I came to Vancouver one month ago and I'm homesick. I'm not sure if I can stay here 6 more months to study. I heard that you have been here for more than 6 years. How do you cope with homesick?" - Takako from Japan.

"Hi Takako. Actually, I've been homesick several times during the past six years. But here are some things to do to make the most of your time in Vancouver.

1. Rent Japanese videos and watch them with your friends.
Sometimes, I will translate a whole drama series for my Korean friends. Some videos have subtitles, so you can enjoy watching them with non-Japanese friends. One type of film you can easily find in Vancouver video stores is Hayao Miyazaki's animation(e.g. Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). He's quite popular in North America. By the way, my roommate's favourite Japanese film is, Shall We Dance?

2. Get recipes from your mom.
When you're not eating properly, you can become sick. I have ten Japanese cookbooks, but mom's cooking is still the best!

3. Maintain a connection with your family and friends.
Write and send emails. Writing will help you clear your mind and clarify things.

4. Find people who want to learn Japanese.
Start with the other students and teachers at your school who might be interested in a language exchange. You can also meet other people wanting to learn Japanese through volunteer work, other friends, or by putting an ad on a school bulletin board. Try teaching your language to other Canadians; it can be fun and exciting to teach somebody your view of Japan."

How ESL students study in Vancouver???

2004-05-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I am preparing for the TOEFL test to enter university in Vancouver. I have never been outside China. I am very nervous about communicating with local people in Vancouver. Could you tell me how ESL students study in Vancouver? Is there a different study method between a non-English country and an English speaking coutnry?" -Vicky from China

"Hi Vicky. Thanks for your e-mail. Many EGG readers live outside Canada and hopefully this answer will help other students like you.

If you are currently in a non-English speaking country, try to build your vocabulary. If you are planning to to go to university, then you will need to know many academic terms. In university, you are required to read English textbooks quickly and efficiently. Also, many students put pressure on themselves to make the perfect sentence or else they do not speak up in class.

However, even if you do not speak in perfect sentences, you can still say enough words to communicate. Most English-speaking people can guess what you are trying to say. To become a good English speaker, you need to make many mistakes! You also need to be a good listener. When I was taking a creative writing course, one of my homework assignments was "eavesdropping on a conversation". I took the bus a lot back then, so I listened to conversations, recorded them in a notebook, and then practiced later.

This is a good way to learn idioms. But be cautious: some people may be offended if they know you are recording them. This is one method I used to study English successfully in Canada."

What kind of Accommodations do you recommend?

2004-04-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I'm planning to go to Vancouver this summer for one month. Because it
s a short time, I want to enjoy Canada as much as I can. What kind of accommodations do you recommend?" -Cathy from Taiwan

"Hi, Cathy. There are many types of accommodations, but most students choose homestay. I had four different homestay families in Vancouver: one with two young children, another with older children, one was a vegetarian couple with a dog, and the family I stayed with for almost two years was from Portugal.

Homestay is an excellent way to see how Canadians live. There is a homestay placement fee, but you'll be treated like one of the family and efforts are made to place you with a homestay that maches your needs. For example, would you like to live with a family who has younger, older or no children at all? Do you mind living with a dog or cat, or sharing the house with other students? Also, it's important to tell your homestay family if you have allergies. After you are assigned a homestay, contact the family. Often homestay families have an email address and are happy to talk to you."

I would like to improve my reading skills, but...

2004-04-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

"Dear Ai, I would like to improve my reading skills, but I don't know what level I am. I tried some books, but it's too difficult and I gave up on reading. Is tehre any book you can recommend?" -Ji-Eun Kim from Korea

"Hi Ji-Eun. Many ESL students have told me they "hate" reading because they tried some English books and found them too difficult. But one bad experince doesn't mean that reading is horrible. You simply haven't found the right book. Finding an interesting, well written book takes time and patience, but it can help improve your English skills.

When you pick up a book, look at the back cover. There's usually a summary of the book or comments by a popular newspaper. These will give you a general idea of what the book is about. Next, skim one page and count the number of words you don't know. If you're not sure about a word, include it anyway. If there are more than 3 words you don't know on one page, the book is too difficult. If you don't know 5 words on each page, then you'll probably look up 5000 words in the dictionary for a 100-page book! That's a lot of work! Using this simple test, you can choose the right book and finish it without frustration."

Why should I use a English-English dictionary??

2004-03-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I have been in Vancouver 6 months and my teacher told me to use an English-English dictionary, not a Japanese-English dictionary. I feel more comfortable and memorize the vocabulary better if I know the meaning in Japanese. Why should I use a English-English dictionary?" -Mari, Japan

"Hi Mari, when you translate words from English to Japanese, your mind switches to Japanese. This is not a very good way to improve your English. Translating words means you are still thinking and memorizing words in Japanese. Unless you are going to be an interpreter or translator, you do not need to know the Japanese meaning. Many English words sometimes do not have meanings in Japanese at all. Speak English, dream in English and make English speaking friends! There are the best ways to learn English."

I feel my English level is the same as before...

2004-03-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I have been Vancouver for more than 7 months. I have improved my English a lot since I came here, but I feel my English level is the same as before. I usually use the same structure and same vocabulary when talking with friends. I do not have any idea how to improve my English not only in speaking but also reading. Do you think I should memorize vocabulary as much as I can? What I can do to improve my English? Thanks for your help - Penny from Taiwan

A: Hi Penny, thank you very much for your question. This is a very good one and in fact, many students asked me that. When people learn a new language, they often reach a plateau (a level where there is little or no change). You feel you are not improving, even though you are actually continuing to improve. Once you pass the first plateau, you will be surprised at how much you have actually learned.

You already know what your weaknesses are. Most students do not know their weaknesses. These types of students usually ask me "How can I improve my English?" It is very difficult to give specific advice. In your e-mail you said, "I usually use the same structure and same vocabulary." There is nothing wrong with using the same sentence pattern as long as the sentence is correct. But it is more fun if you know other ways of expressing yourself. Ask your Canadian friends and teachers for another way to say something. Try reading different types of magazines or watching a variety of movies, TV shows and local news. If you do not understand sentences or idioms, make sure you ask someone to explain.

What are your goals? Are you studying English for university or college, to improve your conversation skills or for business purposes? Knowing your goals will help you to decide what kind of vocabulary you need to focus on.

My roommate and I try to eat something new once a week. That is how I learned about "dragon fruit", "starfuit" and "Horchata". Enjoy expanding your vocabulary: it will help you to reach the next plateau."

Should I cut out all Japanese friends???

2004-03-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

"Dear Ai, I try to speak English as often as possible, however, when I hang out with my friends - mostly Japanese friends- I speak Japanese and I feel guilty about it. Do you think I should cut out all Japanese friends and start spending time with non-Japanese people?" Satoshi, Vancouver

"Good question, Satoshi. It is hard to speak English all the time, but you and I know speaking English all the time is the best and fastest way to improve your English skills. When you were in Japan, you likely anticipated having many Canadian friends and speaking fluent English. You probably did not expect to meet so many Japanese people in Vancouver. Do not cut out your Japanese friends, but try to maximize the benefit of being in an English speaking country by meeting as many non-Japanese speaking people as possible. You are here to learn the language, but also to know the culture and make friends!"

I feel my English hasn't improved....

2004-03-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Q: Dear Ai, I have been in Vancouver for 3 months and I feel my English has not improved. I go to the library every day, even weekends. I am planning to go back to Japan before the summer. What should I do to improve English quickly? -Miyuki, Vancouver

A: Hi, Miyuki, I assume you spend most of your time studying grammar, reading and writing at the library. Generally, Asian students know English grammar and can read English, but the problem is there is no connection between the brain and tongue. If you make the effort to speak English, you can connect what is already in your brain to the part of the brain you use for speaking a second language. A good way to make friends and practice your English is to attend local activities or do volunteer work. This will help your brain decide which sentence to use in a situation. Use this opportunity of living in an English-speaking country to speak as often as you can; you can save the studying for the library in Japan!