Archive for April, 2007

Education vs. Entrepreneurial

education vs entrepreneurial

In my reading for revision of Small Business and its Development exam, an interesting comparison was found to in Gibb’s work about the difference of “education” and “entrepreneurial” focus on. A simple chart really illustrates the point!

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iTalki.com for language learners

iTalki.comI came cross this site and found it might be useful for whoever wants to learn a foreign language. Having a good language partner is a good way to improve the language you are learning, it’s very effective! When I first went to Japan, I had two language partners who taught me Japanese in exchange with my Mandarin and English. One hour per language and then swap. I found it more interesting to learn it that way, because it’s mutual learning rather than just one way learning from teachers in the class. Also you’ve got more chance to speak with your partners.

But one limitation for such kind of website is that you can’t really speak to each other, unless both are willing to use Skype or other VoIP software. Speaking is very important too (in comparison I think my writing need to be improved). I found most of my friends are very good at right writing and reading but poor at speaking skills, especially my Chinese and Japanese friends who are learning English. English education in both China and Japan seem to mainly focus on writing and reading, which I think it’s something need to be changed.

After exploring the site for a bit, I found there are a lot of native Chinese members there looking for English partners. Quite a few of my friends are learning Chinese or want to learn to Chinese, that might be a good place to find some partners.

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Spring and Exam

sakura1
(C) RichardHong.com // A Sakura-like tree outside Trevelyan College.

sakura 2
(C) RichardHong.com // Another one in the back garden of my friend’s house, like those taken in Japan more.

Cathedral
(C) RichardHong.com // Cathedral under sunset

These photos were taken by my Sony-Ericsson K800i, cool phone with a great camera, take a look at other people’s SE photos.

The weather has been really nice last two weeks, unluckily it’s not really the time to appreciate it yet. I went to have a chat with my dissertation supervisors this morning, still a lot improvement to do. Exams started from 14th May, got to to spend more time to prepare now. This year’s results count for 60% of the degree, so better appreciate that before the nice weather outside.

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What if I’m 101 years old

Food, for ages 0 - 100
(C) RichardHong.com // in a food store, Chinatown, Newcastle, UK

Got this photo when I went to Newcastle with Jenn and her sister. Japanese products can just make you smile (or laugh) without any warning. Guess by the time I have my 101 birthday, this mayonnaise won’t be suitable anymore! I won’t let my wife have it neither when she is pregnant in future, because technically it is not suitable for the baby under age 0.

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