WeChat ESL Class on January 7, 2017 Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 AM

A. High Lights of Your Week
B. Short Story: Family Vacation
     a. Reading
The Chow family is on vacation. They are staying in Hawaii for five days. They rented a hotel room on the beach in Maui. Everyone is excited. The kids want to go on a submarine tour and see the fish in the Pacific Ocean. Mrs. Chow wants to go shopping and take a sunrise tour of Haleakala Crater. Mr. Chow wants the family to go hiking in the morning, visit museums in the afternoon, and have a barbecue on the beach in the evening. He is worried about spending too much money. Mrs. Chow thinks her husband worries too much about money. She wants him to relax and forget about money while they are on vacation. What should Mrs. Chow do? How can she solve her problem?
     b. True or False
1. ________ Mr. and Mrs. Chow are married.
2. ________ The Chow family is going to Hawaii for a week.
3. ________ Haleakala Crater is in Maui, and Maui is in Hawaii.
4. ________ Mr. Chow is concerned about the family’s budget.
5. ________ Hawaii is in the Atlantic Ocean.
      c. Yes or No – What about you?
1. ________ I went to Hawaii on vacation.
2. ________ I like to stay in hotels.
3. ________ Unfortunately, I can’t afford a vacation this year.
4. ________ I am saving money to take a trip.
       d. Writing – What should Mrs. Chow do? How can she solve her problem?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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C. American Idioms:

1. Shoot Off One's Mouth
2. fishy
3. Get in Someone's hair
4. Cat Got Your Tongue?
5. Horse Around
6. For the Birds
7. Take the Bull by the Horns

D. Bible Story: Mark 1:12-28

The Temptation of Jesus

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[e] repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”[f] 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

WeChat ESL Class at Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 am Dec.31 Saturday morning (US 7:00-8:00 pm Dec. 30 Friday night)

A. High Lights of the Week

B. Short Story: Reading Labels

Labels on common household products can be very difficult to read in a new language. Use this exercise to practice looking over a difficult text to find only important words. You do not need to understand everything. This exercise helps you get comfortable with advanced reading.

Questions:

1. What should you use to apply the glass cleaner?
A. your hands

B. paper towels

C. absorbent cloth
D. nothing

2. What can happen if the product is swallowed?

A. vomiting

B. skin irritation

C. eye problems

D. heart problems

3. Which of the following should not be done with the container?

A. discard in the trash

B. reuse the empty container

C.  put it in a bag

D. put it in a cabinet

4. What should you do if irritation develops?

A. nothing

B. use a lotion

C. consult a physician

D. reuse the container 

5. How should you use the absorbent cloth?

A. use one side of the cloth

B. use the cloth quickly

C. use the cloth slowly

D. turn the cloth often

Find the missing word. These are phrases from the label.

6. _______________ breathing _______________ or spray mist.

7. ________________: move _______________ person to fresh air.

8. ________________: Eye Irritant.

C. American Idioms:

1. In the heat of the moment 
2. It takes two to tango
3. Jump on the bandwagon 
4. Keep something at bay
5. Kill two birds with one stone 
6. Last straw
7. Let sleeping dogs lie
8. Let the cat out of the bag
9. 
   

D. Bible Story: Mark 1:1-11
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:

“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John Baptizes Jesus

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from[d] the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

WeChat ESL Class at Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 am Dec.24 Saturday morning (US 7:00-8:00 pm Dec. 23 Friday night)

A. High Lights of the Week
B. Short Story

Sand and Stone!

A story tells of two friends who were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, she wrote in the sand:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE"

They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but her friend saved her. After she recovered from the near drowning, she wrote on a stone:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE"

The friend, who had slapped and saved her best friend, asked her, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone, so no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BLESSINGS IN STONE.

C. Christmas Carols

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

D. Bible Lesson: Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

WeChat ESL Class at Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 am Dec.17 Saturday morning (US 7:00-8:00 pm Dec. 16 Friday night)

A. High Lights of the Week

B. Short Story: A Cheerleader's Dream

Kelly has been cheering since she was in elementary school. She is now in her last year of college cheering for her school's sports teams. She plans to be a professional cheerleader for the Lakers team. That was her dream. Her parents wanted her to do something more normal, like becoming a nurse or working at a law firm. Kelly ignored her parents.

Kelly and her teammates were cheering at their last basketball game. When Kelly stood on top of her teammate's shoulder, she fell down. Everyone was silent. Her teammates checked up on her and asked if she was okay. Kelly had to be taken to the hospital. Her leg was permanently injured. "Can I ever be a professional cheerleader?"she asked. "I'm afraid you cannot," the doctor said. Kelly felt that life was unfair.

Kelly was scared for the future. All of her friends already knew what they wanted to do after college. Kelly had to change her plans. She already canceled her audition with the Lakers cheerleaders. Kelly thought about what she wanted to do for a career. She still wanted to do something related to cheer. After some thinking, Kelly wanted to be a coach for high school cheerleaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your dream career?
2. Can your dream be changed?

C. American English Proverbs:

1. Bad news travels fast.
2. Barking dogs seldom bite.
3. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
4. Beggars can't be choosers.
5. The best things in life are free.
6. Better a live coward than a dead hero.
7. Better late than never.
8. Better safe than sorry.
9. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
10. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
11. Birds of a feather flock together.
12. Blood is thicker than water.

D. Bible Story: Luke 1:39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[g] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

WeChat ESL Class on Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 am Dec. 10 Saturday morning (US 7:00-8:00 pm Dec. 9 Friday night)

A. High Lights of the Week
B. Short Story: Find an Apartment

Mike and Maria both lived in a one-bedroom apartment in the city of Pasadena. It had been only a few months that they had been living there. The city of Pasadena was a relatively calm place. Mike had grown up in Pasadena.

He had established a strong bond with the town, and was eager to go back to his childhood residence. Mike had been living in Los Angeles when he was dating Maria. When Mike and Maria decided to move in together, Pasadena was Mike's first choice of location to relocate to. Maria did not have any objections.

She agreed, and they both began looking for apartments. They looked through the newspaper section that listed housings. After a week of searching they came across a nice one bedroom apartment. They called the landlord to set up an appointment to go see the place in person.

C. Idioms 

black and white

hit the books

to chicken out 

eyes are bigger than your stomach

kill 2 birds with one stne

better late than never

a piece of cake

building castles in the air

love me, love my log!

never judge a book by its cover

D. Bible Lesson: Luke 1:

Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.