http://www.nfb.ca/film/how_to_build_an_igloo/
This classic film always fascinates audiences, especially the Chinese teachers who are wanting to learn about Canada’s aboriginal peoples.
Shanghai Egg Drop
I was attracted by the roars, a mix of applause, laughter, and collective sighs. Following the sound I found quite a few high school students milling about, and in front of some it looked like a pile of garbage. Some students were looking skyward though, and that’s just what I did. Click – prior knowledge helped me to know I was not looking at a pile of garbage but watching operation egg drop-in Shanghai! More students, three floors up, we’re preparing for the ultimate test – would the vessel they created safely shuttle their egg to the ground?
It’s a great activity, requiring creativity and teamwork, but like numerous scientists and inventors will tell you, there are many failures on the road to success, and the failures explained the sighs. The cheers and the laughter carried the day however, as these Chinese students enjoyed the experiment, just as do thousands of British Columbia students every year.
Fun
When trying to develop fluency in second language learners it’s important to provide opportunity for “real” 
conversation and it’s possible to have lots of fun at the same time.
Principal Training in Beijing
Educated Panda is currently training a wonderful group of school principals in Beijing. They will be studying at Royal Roads University in B.C. for six months beginning May 2012. This is a preparatory program designed to improve language proficiency, presentation and discussion skills, and of course provide increased knowledge of Canadian culture. 
Posted in Teacher Training
Leave a comment
Fangshan Teachers Are Enjoying Canada
A group of 30 teachers from Fangshan, People’s Republic of China are enjoying an eight week training program in Coquitlam, hosted by Canada International College, and the Coquitlam School District.
During this program they will achieve greater awareness of western teaching methodology, particularly as practised in British Columbia public schools, improved fluency in English, and more knowledge of Canadian geography, history, and culture. Note: they will do all of this and have a lot of fun at the same time. So will their instructor , yours truly. 
Welcome to Coquitlam - I'm going to China!
Welcome to CoquitlamNi Hao
Posted in Teacher Training
Tagged China, Como Lake, Coquitlam, Fangshan, international education, teacher training
Leave a comment
World Cup Soccer
Lunch at Arriva's
Italian restaurant, Canadian city, Korean friends, watching Algeria play England in a World Cup Soccer Game
.
Canada Day Celebrations
Thanks for the party Canada.
Thanks for the party Canada. Although you are older than I am we share the same birthday, and I always feel honoured by the special community celebrations that occur. Coincidentally my father’s birthday was July 4th so he also had parades and celebrations and fireworks but they were south of the border and mostly enjoyed vicariously on television. I get the real thing.
Canada Day celebrations in and around Vancouver looked and felt a little different this year. Likely a legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, there were more Canadian Flags flying, more Canadian Olympic Hockey Jerseys worn, and generally more visible patriotism than I have seen in the past. Cooler temperatures even encouraged the sporting of red and white toques, although I personally didn’t see any of the collectible mittens. That brings me to my only real complaint – what is with this cool (evenings and mornings are better described as cold) weather. As a kid I used to have to watch that I didn’t get sunstroke, now I have to worry about hypothermia.
There are other more significant changes in our community of course: the number of new Canadians, from virtually every corner of the globe, being one of them. I recently guided a small group of visiting Korean professors on a tour of Commercial Drive, and we watched a World Cup soccer game over lunch. Among our observations – the incredible array of ethnic restaurants in a seven or eight block stretch north of 1st Avenue. Another observation made by the professors – how friendly people from diverse cultural backgrounds are with each other.
It’s pretty common to take what we have for granted. Hearing how visitors see us, and watching their admiration, elevates my pride in our country. That is a pretty cool birthday gift.
Posted in Teacher Training
Tagged 2010 Winter Olympics, Canada Day, Commercial Drive, Korea
Leave a comment
About Educated Panda
Educated Panda provides training to teachers of English As A Foreign Language (EFL). Programs focus on instructional and classroom management strategies that will help teachers motivate, and effectively educate students from K-12. English is a communicative language. Our programs emphasize that point and provide model instruction that gets everyone talking, regardless of skill level or anxiety.
Educated Panda also provides presentation skills training to Second Language Speakers. Foundational language skills including vocabulary, pronunciation and common usage (functional grammar), lead to effective presentation skills .
Programs are flexible in length and design, and can be offered for groups between 6 and 30 in number. Some English Language skill is prerequisite. Programs are available in Canada, China, and probably wherever you are. Teachers in the program are certified teachers in British Columbia, Canada.
Email: ron.grender@gmail.com for more information
Posted in About Educated Panda
Leave a comment
Launched
Thanks to the following members of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers: Dene Rossouw, Howard Olsen, Gustavo Garcia, for the encouragement and the knowledge required to get started with WordPress blogging.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment