Welcome to our open, self-paced ESL study group. We can and hope to add networks to the group. This blog is the hub where you can find lessons, links to ESL learning resources, leave links to add to the network, post comment and questions. The study group project is experimental. Participate by sharing ideas and suggestions.
My name is Yuphaphat. I am originally from Thailand but living in USA with my husband now. I have two kids. I started joining the class since September, 2004. I have been gone sometimes from the class but still stick with it. Glad to have you join us here. talk to you later.
Hi Odeth - you're doing it (blogging) right now and doing just fine. Welcome to the class. Tell the class and more about yourself - and where you are from so Mata can add you to the map.
I am Rajeev from New Delhi,INdia. Tell some more about yourself. We are here to hone our English language skills. If we want to improve our language skills we have to pen more often. So, whenever you are free kindly write in the blog.
Hi Odeth, How was your last week? I agree with Rajeev that we should write more often to practise our skills and learn more about friends. Why don't you tell us more about yourself?
Please the class about yourself. Writing and posting an introduction is not just your first blog "assignment" but also helps us get to know you better. You should also read posts and profiles too.
(So hey to the rest of you - if your profile is skimpy, time to update it)
I am Rajeev from New Delhi, India. I am 30+ and have just now finished my Masters in Law from a recognized University in India. My major was "Labour Industrial Relations and Administrative Law". In this subject I had to compare the administrative set-up of three countries - India, USA and UK. These three have different form of democraciies.
In India we have Republic system as well as a type of democratic socialism. In USA they have Presidential form of democracy. In Britain Monarchy is there.
At present I am employed in a concern to eke out a living and hope that after one year I will be able to join legal profession. Till then, I will be preparing for judicial services.
I think we should write as much as possible to improve our skills.
Today, the Rain God has arrived earlier than expected and it has quenched the thirst of the parched land two/three weeks before. It is the sign of arrival of monsoon in Delhi. The normal time of Monsoon arrival in Delhi is 28th of JUne, but it is highly unpredictable. It may come late and it may come earlier. But, this time it has arrived three weeks before.
Thank you very much for congratulatign me on completing my Masters. Your daughter is also in the same subject. It is nice. Pay my regards to her also.
I studied labour problems and social security laws in three different democratic systems. These three have different problems and different laws to tackle them. But, in America and Britain the implementation part is strong. These two Governments put great stress on implementing the law. But, India has a different set-up and it is a conglomeration of different religions and societies. So, it is very difficult to evolve a Universal law for each and every society/religion. Besides, the illieracy also plays a vital role in deciding the labour laws. Even after 60 years of independence we do not have a reliable social security system for the unorganised labour sector. Only recently, our Government has women to the ground realities and has enacted a law. But, in this sector implementing a new law is an uphill task because of their illiteracy and corruption at every level.
People work day and night but they don't get decent salaries. Not because the employer can't give them but because of the fact that the illiterate people do not know about minimum salary that must be paid to them. Bonded labour is another problem. Sexual harassment is also a major bottleneck.
My heart goes out for all those people who work in stone quarries and salt making quarries. These persons work there withoutany protective gear. Medical facilities are not provided even to the poor. Sometimes, the people who are working stone quarries do not match with the attendance registers.
It is only tip of an ice-berg. Every year thousands of poor farmers commit suicide in India for not being able to repay the loans they had taken for cultivation. MOneylenders/ middlemen and other unscrupulous elements make much profit allowing only pittance for the farmers.
In recent times, some Non-Governmental Organisations have taken some initiatives but still we have miles to go before we sleep.
At present Ms Vanessa, I am preparing for my Judicial Services and have still some time to start practicising.
What you describe as current practice in India was also common in the early years of labor movements in the US and UK. I can see how less unity and more diversity in cultural, ethnic and religious groups makes acceptance and enforcement of fair practices very difficult.
Even without as many different groups, I think the U.S. South and Southwest has some parallels. There is a history of racial discrimination and certain low status performing the lowest paid work under worst conditions - with employers considering it their right to exploit laborers because they are "inferior."
Education was a big part of these groups gaining rights and pushing for laws "with teeth," e.g. tough provisions for enforcement.
I subscribe to a Labor History list that you would probably find interesting. H-labor is particularly interested in fostering international discussion of labor history topics. It's a fascinating area - no two countries are the same but most share intriguing parallels.
Thank you very much for the reply and more particularly for the websites about History of labour movement. I haven't been able to go through the entire site but prima-facie it looks awesome.
Hi, How has everyone been doing? Rajeev's story was so interesting. and teacher Vanessa is so helpful. I don't have any much to tell about my career. I am a quality checker in a small sport bras company in town. I have been working here for 3 years now. I have 2 kids, one is 2 and a half, the other is turning 1 year next month. They both were sick last week with stomach flu, threw up and had bad diarhere. They are getting better now but still have stomach problem and can't eat much like they used to. They said this stomach flu will stay with them for about a week and will be gone. The weather in the town I live is nice, warm and sunny everyday. Last 2 weeks we had rain all week but now it is really nice. Talk to you later,
Ms. Yuphaphat how are your children now? I hope they are much better now. Diarrhoea and other water related diseases are quite in India and other Asian countries and you, being from a South East Asian countries, must be knowing about that.
I think our bad habbits like felling of trees (de-forestation) coupled with other factors like Untreated Sewage disposal in rivers (In India particularly)and pollution are the main culprits.
Last to last month I purchased a water filter of a reputed company. Now a new problem has started i.e. whenever I am out on a visit I would have to take either mineral water or carry home-water along with me. Now, I am no longer using that filter.
Ms. Vanessa can I ask you a question?
Which one is correct grammatically? If there is any fault in it what's that?
1. The Meeting took place on 22nd June, 2008.
2. The Meeting was taken place on 22nd June, 2008.
Which one is more appropriate and why? I have seen both the sentences in some books. Kindly help.
I think you are on to a good idea here. We can have sentence workshops here. I'll ask each of you to bring a sentence or passage (a couple of sentences) that you have questions about.
#1, "The Meeting took place on 22nd June, 2008" is the correct sentence. The other is incorrect - verb error. Correct is always more appropriate that incorrect. Sentences in books are not always correct just because they are in books. The editor was sleeping on the job!
NOT: I have seen both the sentences in some books.
BUT: I have seen both sentences in books.
Think about verb use. Both cannot be correct or have the same meaning "meeting" is the active subject (do-er) in #1 and passive (action being done to) in the other.
"to take place" = occur
This is an idiomatic expression.
"The Meeting was taken place" no longer follows the idiomatic construction (pattern) and makes no sense.
You could say:
"The meeting was taken (moved) to a more private location"
"The meeting was taken very seriously by everyone there."
Both sentences, however, would be much better written in the active voice with "meeting" as object of direct action.
See how different the meaning is in sentences using "meeting was taken" correctly.
Hi Odeth,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Yuphaphat. I am originally from Thailand but living in USA with my husband now. I have two kids. I started joining the class since September, 2004. I have been gone sometimes from the class but still stick with it. Glad to have you join us here.
talk to you later.
Hi Odeth - you're doing it (blogging) right now and doing just fine. Welcome to the class. Tell the class and more about yourself - and where you are from so Mata can add you to the map.
ReplyDeleteHi Odeth, How are you?
ReplyDeleteI am Rajeev from New Delhi,INdia. Tell some more about yourself. We are here to hone our English language skills. If we want to improve our language skills we have to pen more often. So, whenever you are free kindly write in the blog.
Bye
Rajeev
Hi Odeth,
ReplyDeleteHow was your last week? I agree with Rajeev that we should write more often to practise our skills and learn more about friends.
Why don't you tell us more about yourself?
Odeth,
ReplyDeletePlease the class about yourself. Writing and posting an introduction is not just your first blog "assignment" but also helps us get to know you better. You should also read posts and profiles too.
(So hey to the rest of you - if your profile is skimpy, time to update it)
Hi everybody in the class,
ReplyDeleteHow are all of you?
Let me first introduce myself:
I am Rajeev from New Delhi, India. I am 30+ and have just now finished my Masters in Law from a recognized University in India. My major was "Labour Industrial Relations and Administrative Law". In this subject I had to compare the administrative set-up of three countries - India, USA and UK. These three have different form of democraciies.
In India we have Republic system as well as a type of democratic socialism. In USA they have Presidential form of democracy. In Britain Monarchy is there.
At present I am employed in a concern to eke out a living and hope that after one year I will be able to join legal profession. Till then, I will be preparing for judicial services.
I will tell more in my next entry...
Bye
Rajeev
Hi everybody in the class,
ReplyDeleteI think we should write as much as possible to improve our skills.
Today, the Rain God has arrived earlier than expected and it has quenched the thirst of the parched land two/three weeks before. It is the sign of arrival of monsoon in Delhi. The normal time of Monsoon arrival in Delhi is 28th of JUne, but it is highly unpredictable. It may come late and it may come earlier. But, this time it has arrived three weeks before.
Bye
Rajeev
Congratulations on completing your Masters, Rajeev. Let's all look for e-cards to send Rajeev - have a virtual party to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your plans now? By the way, my daughter is in labor law too.
Hi Ms. Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
Thank you very much for congratulatign me on completing my Masters. Your daughter is also in the same subject. It is nice. Pay my regards to her also.
I studied labour problems and social security laws in three different democratic systems. These three have different problems and different laws to tackle them. But, in America and Britain the implementation part is strong. These two Governments put great stress on implementing the law. But, India has a different set-up and it is a conglomeration of different religions and societies. So, it is very difficult to evolve a Universal law for each and every society/religion. Besides, the illieracy also plays a vital role in deciding the labour laws. Even after 60 years of independence we do not have a reliable social security system for the unorganised labour sector. Only recently, our Government has women to the ground realities and has enacted a law. But, in this sector implementing a new law is an uphill task because of their illiteracy and corruption at every level.
People work day and night but they don't get decent salaries. Not because the employer can't give them but because of the fact that the illiterate people do not know about minimum salary that must be paid to them. Bonded labour is another problem. Sexual harassment is also a major bottleneck.
My heart goes out for all those people who work in stone quarries and salt making quarries. These persons work there withoutany protective gear. Medical facilities are not provided even to the poor. Sometimes, the people who are working stone quarries do not match with the attendance registers.
It is only tip of an ice-berg. Every year thousands of poor farmers commit suicide in India for not being able to repay the loans they had taken for cultivation. MOneylenders/ middlemen and other unscrupulous elements make much profit allowing only pittance for the farmers.
In recent times, some Non-Governmental Organisations have taken some initiatives but still we have miles to go before we sleep.
At present Ms Vanessa, I am preparing for my Judicial Services and have still some time to start practicising.
Bye
Rajeev
Rajeev
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe as current practice in India was also common in the early years of labor movements in the US and UK. I can see how less unity and more diversity in cultural, ethnic and religious groups makes acceptance and enforcement of fair practices very difficult.
Even without as many different groups, I think the U.S. South and Southwest has some parallels. There is a history of racial discrimination and certain low status performing the lowest paid work under worst conditions - with employers considering it their right to exploit laborers because they are "inferior."
Education was a big part of these groups gaining rights and pushing for laws "with teeth," e.g. tough provisions for enforcement.
I subscribe to a Labor History list that you would probably find interesting. H-labor is particularly interested in fostering international discussion of labor history topics. It's a fascinating area - no two countries are the same but most share intriguing parallels.
Call for Contributors: Encyclopedia of Labor History Worldwide
Hi Ms. Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
Thank you very much for the reply and more particularly for the websites about History of labour movement. I haven't been able to go through the entire site but prima-facie it looks awesome.
Bye
Rajeev
Hi, How has everyone been doing?
ReplyDeleteRajeev's story was so interesting. and teacher Vanessa is so helpful.
I don't have any much to tell about my career. I am a quality checker in a small sport bras company in town. I have been working here for 3 years now. I have 2 kids, one is 2 and a half, the other is turning 1 year next month. They both were sick last week with stomach flu, threw up and had bad diarhere. They are getting better now but still have stomach problem and can't eat much like they used to. They said this stomach flu will stay with them for about a week and will be gone. The weather in the town I live is nice, warm and sunny everyday. Last 2 weeks we had rain all week but now it is really nice.
Talk to you later,
Hi everybody and C. Yuphaphat in particular,
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
Ms. Yuphaphat how are your children now? I hope they are much better now. Diarrhoea and other water related diseases are quite in India and other Asian countries and you, being from a South East Asian countries, must be knowing about that.
I think our bad habbits like felling of trees (de-forestation) coupled with other factors like Untreated Sewage disposal in rivers (In India particularly)and pollution are the main culprits.
Last to last month I purchased a water filter of a reputed company. Now a new problem has started i.e. whenever I am out on a visit I would have to take either mineral water or carry home-water along with me. Now, I am no longer using that filter.
Ms. Vanessa can I ask you a question?
Which one is correct grammatically? If there is any fault in it what's that?
1. The Meeting took place on 22nd June, 2008.
2. The Meeting was taken place on 22nd June, 2008.
Which one is more appropriate and why? I have seen both the sentences in some books. Kindly help.
Bye
Rajeev
Rajeev
ReplyDeleteI think you are on to a good idea here. We can have sentence workshops here. I'll ask each of you to bring a sentence or passage (a couple of sentences) that you have questions about.
#1, "The Meeting took place on 22nd June, 2008" is the correct sentence. The other is incorrect - verb error. Correct is always more appropriate that incorrect. Sentences in books are not always correct just because they are in books. The editor was sleeping on the job!
NOT:
I have seen both the sentences in some books.
BUT:
I have seen both sentences in books.
Think about verb use. Both cannot be correct or have the same meaning "meeting" is the active subject (do-er) in #1 and passive (action being done to) in the other.
"to take place" = occur
This is an idiomatic expression.
"The Meeting was taken place" no longer follows the idiomatic construction (pattern) and makes no sense.
You could say:
"The meeting was taken (moved) to a more private location"
"The meeting was taken very seriously by everyone there."
Both sentences, however, would be much better written in the active voice with "meeting" as object of direct action.
See how different the meaning is in sentences using "meeting was taken" correctly.
Hi Ms. Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
Thank you very much for clarifying the mistake. I think now I will have to put more stress on usage part of Grammar.
Bye
Rajeev