#3 My comment on podcast

        I think podcast is one of the convenient tools whose contents of each topic are practical because I can use it without the time limit so that I can learn English whenever I want; In addition, I can also choose my favorite topics depending on my needs. Through this kind of tool, I can train my English skill as if an English speaker would teach me how to correctly speak native English. The reasons why I like podcast are that I can build up my vocabulary bank a bit every day and the lectures don’t speak fast so I can catch up what he said.

Different from the materials I used before like the CDs with contexts book or English-learning magazines, I do not need to install software or insert CDs to the computer; besides, I can download the mp3 formats from the website and save them to my smartphone.

I think the strength of podcast is that users can learn English online every time only if they have computers that can connect to the Internet and even download the formats in order that they want to make good use of time learning English. However, it has drawbacks which are users cannot communicate with the lectures in time if they have any questions and the topics are those lectures decided; therefore, users may have no choices to pick up their most interested topics.

#2 Dictionary Exercise

1.      Strain(N.)[C][U]: pressure on somebody/something because they have too much to do or manage, or something very difficult to deal with; the problems, worry or anxiety that this produces

E.g. Their constant arguments were putting a strain on their marriage.

2.      Psychological(Adj.): connected with a person’s mind and the way in which it works

E.g. Victory in the last game gave them a psychological advantage over their opponents.

3.      Swap(V.): to give something to somebody and receive something in exchange

E.g. When you've finished reading your book, and I've finished mine, can we swap?

4.      Correspondingly(Adv.): in a way that matches or is connected with something that you have just mentioned

E.g. As the course becomes more difficult, there's usually a corresponding drop in attendance.

5.      Neighbourliness(N.): friendly and helpful behaviour, especially between people who live near each other

E.g. He has argued that neighbourliness requires ‘mutual recognition among residents through repeated informal encounters’.

My favorite online dictionaries are Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary because they provide explicit definition that I can easily understand. Besides, they also give the readers some or more examples so that we can know how to use the words we look up. Take myself as an example. I usually use Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary while I was writing English essays. Sometimes, the examples on the online dictionaries are practical for using in our daily lives. From those great dictionaries, I do not have to buy paper ones and spend too much time on looking up the dictionaries. 

#1 My Introduction

Hello, everyone! My name is Vicki. I've lived with my family in Taipei since I was born. There are four members and two pets in my family. My father is a retired police officer, my mother is a civil servant, and my elder sister is a student as well. Now, I'm majoring in applied foreign languages and double majoring in international business. I love studying and reading books in my spare time in order to gain more knowledge that I haven't known. Besides, I'm a diligent student that I always put an effort on my studies because I want to be an excellent person and fulfill my dream I made in junior high school. I'm also an easygoing and friendly girl. Glad to meet you!