Yesterday I taught Chinese in the morning (Open University L197 – Beginners’ Chinese module), and came home to watch Eurovision in the evening.
I must admit it was a wonderful day to indulge myself in languages and multi-cultures for a whole day.
My colleague Fernando Rosell-Aguilar at the Open University wrote this wonderful piece: Parlez-vous Eurovision?. [Read more…] about Did Eurovision 2015 Inspire You to Learn Languages?
Not as big an event as in Glasgow but Hillwood College Sports Day for the Nursery and Playgroup was great fun.
We knew we were to be invited but when the invitation came it specified us as “special guests” and that, before the prizes were distributed the special guests would make a speech. We thought we had better try to speak in Sinhala. How would you do it? [Read more…] about Commonwealth Games In Kandy
I love your comments in Chandler’s Ford Today. They add value to the posts, form discussions, challenge and debate, expand a topic, and enlighten the readers.
Today I’ll feature some blasts from the past. In our great debate over the spelling of Chandler’s Ford over Chandlers Ford, we had over 30 comments. People argued passionately about the use of the apostrophe, showing their love of our community and their stance [Read more…] about How I love Your Comments
Has anyone else living in the Chandler’s Ford area published an ebook or printed copy?
I’ve just published my first novel, Marriage A Journey And A Dog, and I would love your feedback.
I read how it takes 5 minutes to upload a book onto Kindle Publishing. It does when you have a perfect manuscript and [Read more…] about My Debut Novel: Marriage, a Journey, and a Dog
Janet’s post Easter Day – From Tragedy To Triumph is a fine account of a very memorable Easter celebration.
In most years the daffodils have been yellow – this year’s late Easter probably helps to explain the change of colour.
White is, however, a traditional colour for Easter.
In his poem ‘Loveliest of trees’ [Read more…] about White for Easter
I walked along Charing Cross Road in London last Monday.
I decided to look for 84 Charing Cross Road.
I had walked on this road so many times before, but this was the only time I took a photograph of No 84.
The booksellers Marks & Co. used to occupy this site. [Read more…] about 84 Charing Cross Road
English spelling at times seems completely random, but it is sometimes systematic, even if there seems no good reason for the system, and if exceptions can still be found!
Take the use of single L and double L at the end of a word for example. [Read more…] about English Spelling
A few weeks ago, I asked you what books you are reading.
A few of you are reading more than one book. It shows that some of us might not be brilliant at multi-tasking (such as tying shoelaces and talking at the same time), but we do somehow manage to read books of different genres at the same time.
Here is a list of books that we are reading: [Read more…] about What Are You Reading?
I offered my skills to Hampshire Libraries to be their casual tutor.
Today I received an email of rejection.
The course I wanted to run is Mandarin Chinese. I can teach Mandarin Chinese at all levels.
[Read more…] about Should Hampshire Libraries Run Non-European Language Courses?
What book are you reading?
World Book Day 2014 is on the 6th of March (Thursday).
To celebrate World Book Day, on Chandler’s Ford Today, I want to create a Chandler’s Ford Reading List from today.
I want to find out [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford, What Are You Reading?
I attended a pleasant book event at The Hilt a week ago. Writer Ann Morgan shared how she spent a year reading the world.
Ann Morgan read 196 books a year in 2012 when the world gathered for the London Olympics.
The talk was unusual because it was done in an unconventional order. [Read more…] about Reading The World At The Hilt: An Evening Of Joy And Sorrow
My friend sent me a copy of the Liberal Democrat’s Spring 2014 newsletter yesterday.
She said ‘word is going round’ as the Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury Liberal Democrats highlighted our engaging apostrophe debate.
I never knew my friend is a Lib Dem member. [Read more…] about Lib Dem Joined The Apostrophe Debate of Chandler’s Ford
Today (8th of February) is National Libraries Day, a day to celebrate and cherish our libraries.
We visit the Chandler’s Ford Library quite often. Today, I’m going to show you some features of the library. First, the multi-language automatic check-out machines. [Read more…] about Does Spelling Matter? Notes On Chandler’s Ford Library.
Today I would like to do a quick survey about an important (or trivial) matter – depending on your viewpoint.
Are you passionate about the apostrophe?
Would you prefer: Chandler’s Ford, or Chandlers Ford? Tell me. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Or Chandlers Ford? You Choose.
Update on October 2014: The Chinese Medical Centre has moved from the Mall to 2 Bournemouth Road, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 3DB.
This afternoon, I braved the rain and popped in to see my friend Jane in her Dr Yangzhou Chinese Medical Center in The Mall in Chandler’s Ford, to wish her a very prosperous Chinese New Year.
I wore a pinky red top, but Jane was wearing a more cheerful bright red top signifying the joy of the Chinese New Year. [Read more…] about Meet Jane: Dr Yangzhou From China
Google celebrates Chinese New Year with an animated Doodle on its search page today. Oh, I do love the rocking horse!
A happy rosy-cheeked oriental girl moves backwards and forwards on a wooden rocking horse.
Behind her, a young man with a new haircut [Read more…] about Pretty Rocking Horses Chinese New Year 2014
Jenny Han is a teacher of Chinese living in Chandler’s Ford. Today she is sharing with us her childhood memory of the Chinese New Year.
I have known Jenny for more than ten years. She is a trusted friend, an experienced teacher and translator, and she used to be a translator and interpreter for the Metropolitan Police.
Jenny is originally from the mainland China. [Read more…] about Meet Chinese Teacher Jenny Han From Dalian China
Do you know it is quite ok to ask for help in Cantonese when shopping at the Co-operative supermarket in Chandler’s Ford?
Meet Sonny, the friendly Cantonese-speaking employee of the Co-operative supermarket in Winchester Road. [Read more…] about Meet Friendly Sonny: Speaking Cantonese At The Co-operative
What is the must-have dish for the Chinese New Year?
Fish.
As a child, we always had fish during the Chinese New Year. A whole fish. We would buy a whole fish, gut the fish ourselves, and eat the fish with its head attaching to its body.
My Chinese friend Chang Rong from Chandler’s Ford [Read more…] about Fish: Wealth, Abundance, Puns
Do you remember how you celebrated the London Olympics 2012? Freelance writer and editor Ann Morgan greeted the Olympics through reading — she read 196 books representing each country in one year.
Ann Morgan is coming to talk to the Chandler’s Ford community about her wonderful journey through books at The Hilt (Hiltingbury Community Centre) on Friday 7th February 2014 at 7:30pm. [Read more…] about Ann Morgan: A Year Of Reading The World At The Hilt
