Language and culture are synonymous. For this reason, I try not to translate under languages into English and then the second language. We cannot feel or appeciate the deeper meaning of a language if we see it through our own cultural filter. Many words and expressions can’t be translated directly. I went to France in July for a month and did not speak a word of English. I went to small villages and avoided most of the touristy areas. I prefer to make mistakes in another language and fully immerse myself in the culture to speaking...
read moreMy students who know me are familiar with my piles of New Yorker magazines in the living room. These are sustenance for me. I have discovered several of my favourite writers whose poems have been published in the New Yorker. Yesterday, I was stunned and delighted to find Galway Kinnell’s piece ” The Silence of The World.” He tittilates the senses with his closely entwined phrases. As he describes the moments we will miss if the world falls dumb, he describes ” No more splat when singer spits /mouthwash into the...
read moreI have just spoken French and Spanish for a month-mostly French. I spoke Spanish when my friend’s relatives were visiting us from Granada. To really understand another culture, we have to speak the language. When I say speak the language I mean feel it, touch it, embrace it- after learning basic grammar and fundamental rules. Many words and phrases exist in other languages which are hard to translate. Similarly, humour is culturally specific. I taught myself Spanish by taking a giant “Teach yourself Spanish” book with me to...
read moreThese days, I am working as an MBA consultant for an international firm, and assisting my students with their Ivy league applications. The easiest advice I can give you, for both types of essays, is that the questions are hidden interview questions assertaining your character. If the question asks about a difficult situation, it is a stress test question. Those that probe your reading list are looking for a deep thinking, thoughtful and well rounded person. If your reading list is typical and uninspiring, most likely you are also a bit dull....
read moreFor those of you who are not familiar with Camus, L’Etranger or “The Outsider” is an incredible story- unfortunately, I have never read it in English until now, and much of it’s luminescence is lost in the translation. While English is my first language, it’s a bit dry and lackluster. Reading this novel in French practically gave me a blinding headache with his descriptions of the glaring sun hitting the sand. Camus draws our attention to the way society treats and judges a person who is honest: Mersault is a man...
read moreMarkus Zusak’s novel THE BOOK THIEF is beyond captivating; it’s spellbinding. I can’t remember my eyes hurting so much from reading. One of my students loaned it to me, and I am delighted. I am only on page 116, but the story is narrated from the grim reaper’s point of view- a rather benevolent reaper I might add, and describes the events of Hitler’s reign of horror in Nazi Germany… another must read! Thanks Sun Min for the recommendation!
read moreDo you ever watch the words in your mind, or coming out of your mouth? I encourage everyone to cultivate the seed of language awareness. Can you clean up your language or improve your vocabulary? Are you articulate? What is the nature of your thinking? Can you catch yourself in the act? So much of what circulates in our minds is junk- negative self talk. Just observe, and then shift the wording. Do you “should” yourself or say negative comments. Be at least as kind to yourself as to others (assuming you are not a malicious...
read moreStudents really suffer with S.A.T topics, and need to loosen their brain freeze condition. The most important aspect of writing is paraphrasing the topic. Instead of choosing a dull analysis, think about the grey area. Topics are usually about individuality vs conformity, or imply a “to what extent” should we value education. Good essays address the subtle gains and losses of a given topic. What is the purpose of education? Is it merely to make students conform to ideologies? How does a Korean education system differ from Canadian...
read moreI recently discovered a story by the Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz entitled “Half a Day” in which the protagonist is both a child, adult and old man, revisiting his life. His writing style has a touch of magic realism. I was horrified to have missed reading this genius’s literature, and discovered that he won the Nobel Prize years ago. I have just finished reading “The Mirage” and “The Seventh Heaven” , a collection of supernatural stories. I can honestly say the only time I was unable to comprehend...
read moreI believe the greatest struggle my students are having is with learning vocabulary. Unfortunately, S.A.T tests do not reflect the way in which our brains are wired-that is to aquire words in clusters of related meaning. Memorizing a hundred unrelated words is a waste of time. Focus on lists of synonyms to nail them to your brain! For example learn the words supercilious, haughty and disdainful and make a mind map, or chart of related words. Using a picture enables your brain to use both hemispheres and increases the chance of remembering a...
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