How do you explain the comma? What is it for and how is it used?
One of the easiest ways, is to say that is used in writing to reflect the pause you would use when speaking. Although that is simplistic, it does deal with the matter quite effectively.
Please click on the image below to read a very well-written article outlining 10 main uses of this punctuation mark.
I am on holiday now until 03 June, so see you soon.
What do you do? Do you think of things, do you innovate? Or do you make things perhaps? The chances are your work means you are not just one type, but have a mixture of skill sets, characteristics, strengths (and weaknesses).
Click on the image below to read an interesting article by Lou Adler. He says there are only four different types of job. Read the article and then consider yourself and your colleagues – what type or types are you?
Following on from the musical theme of yesterday’s post, we have the Eurovision song contest tomorrow. This will be broadcast live from Malmo and in many ways is no longer a song contest (Ding-a-dong won in 1975), but more a chance for subtle and not so subtle political statements to be made.
Do you watch this competition? Will Cyprus and Greece give each other the maximum 12 points? Does it matter?
Does singing your song in English improve the chances of winning as a larger audience will understand the words, or is it better to use your own language to gain the votes?
Click on the image below to read about and listen to songs from the Eurovision for endangered languages and perhaps hear a song in Breton or even Sami.
I often see lists with titles like ’50 places to visit before you die’ and ’20 pasta dishes to try before you’re 50′.
Then I saw ’1000 songs everyone must hear’ in the Guardian and I was surprised by some of the choices.
I asked some of the people I work with for their Top 10 lists for songs they think everyone should hear at least once in their lives. It might be because it has personal significance, it might have been groundbreaking or it might simply have been a great piece of music.
There is no right or wrong, these are personal opinions, but it creates some interesting lists and some fantastic listening as well.
Click on the picture below to see this list and copy and paste the links to listen to the songs. Do any of the choices surprise you? Now we have shared with you, what about your favourites – can you create a top 10 as well?
You can also click here to download our list - Top 10 songs
I have already done posts for the other days of the week over the last year or so with just the weekend remaining. For those who might doubt me you can see them here -
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (which was a bit depressing), Thursday (which was tricky) and then, as you might have guessed by now, Friday.
Now it is the turn of Saturday and I will start off with a poem that reminds me of my son when they are doing ‘exciting writing’ at school.
However, let’s not dwell on the chores of the week- click on the image below of someone who has just realised there is no ‘exciting writing’ on Saturdays and listen to the song…
Interpersonal skills are vital if you want to be able to communicate effectively. Indeed those people with a good understanding and command of these skills tend to be happier and more successful in both their personal and professional lives.
So what are interpersonal skills? They include areas of communication such as listening, problem solving and making decisions. Can you think of any others?
I think that first impressions are an important aspect, because the way people perceive you during that initial encounter may well have a considerable impact on your relationship with them.
Before you click on the picture of Bristol below to read an article about this, what ways can you think of that will help anyone make a great first impression?
OK, perhaps not the cigarettes in these enlightened times, but are you waking up too quickly and rushing into the day?
Research suggests that it might be our ‘groggy’ moments that give us those sparks of inspiration before the rigid tasks of the day take over our brains.
How do you begin your day? Could you change your routine to allow more time for creative thinking (and an improved quality of life)?
Click on the image below to read more about this.
Actually some of my favourite things are apps and ipads, not doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles. The sheer scale of the opportunities astounds me and every week I discover a new app that either offers something of interest, fun or value and many times all three.
To ignore the potential of using technology (and I don’t mean all day, every day) would be nothing short of irresponsible when we consider how we deal with education these days.
Click on the image below to see a very clever graphic that provides details of some of the more popular apps on the market today. How many of them have you used?
Are there any you would particularly recommend?
My iPhone apps as of February 2010 (Photo credit: dougbelshaw)
I was recently sent a link to an interesting article on a lesson plan for discussing Arab culture and society. Within it, there were many things I must admit I didn’t know…
Click on the image below to read for yourself and try to answer these questions. It doesn’t matter if you are Arabic, I still think we don’t know enough about even our own cultures, so please try as well. Of course, let me know if there is anything you don’t agree with or would like to add.
How many countries make up the Arab world?
What is the staple food in North Africa west of Egypt?
What were mulberry trees used for?
What is the Arabic origin of the English word ‘elixir’?
What does ‘qutun’ mean in English?
The Riq, is widely Used in the Arabic Music (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
