Today’s photo: Arte Canela Flamenco Group, WOMAD 2009

Part 1: Today's word

The ethos of a community is their values and attitudes, especially the unspoken rules of behaviour. It is an important part of culture.

The boom in mergers and acquisitions took place within a general ‘Big is beautiful’ business ethos

Click here
for more academic vocabulary and practice

Part 2: Test

Here are FOUR sentences with the word of the day. But only THREE are correct. Which is the Odd One Out?

She found it difficult to introduce a market ethos into this traditional academic organisation.

I never agreed with the manager’s profit-focused ethos.

It’s not enough for schools to exclude children who become involved in bullying; it’s a sign that the whole ethos of the school needs to change.

Her research showed that the ethos of public service had its roots in the influences of family, schools and churches in early childhood.

Part 3: Practice Question:

What values and attitudes form part of the ethos of your college or community?

Part 4: Idioms

keep a tab on
get a foothold in the market
suck
a snapshot
zoom in on

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

How many internet users are there in New Zealand (out of a total population of 4.3 million)?

half a million
one and a half million
two and a half million
three million

Click here
to see the full report (from March 2008)

Part 6: Today's online listening

This is a short interview from Radio New Zealand with Mike O’Donnell, Business Manager of New Zealand’s most popular website, TradeMe

Vocabulary for the article:

incumbent
dial-up
ruthless

Questions for the article:

Who was the founder of TradeMe?

Who is the current owner of TradeMe?

What is TradeMe's current weekly volume of sales:

What advantages did TradeMe have in their start-up phase?

What has the basis of TradeMe’s success been?

What has their main achievement been in relation to the consumer?

A piece of bread and something belonging to the Prime Minister are given as examples of what kind of item?

What qualities do sellers need in order to succeed, even with unlikely merchandise?

How are the staff celebrating their 10th anniversary?

Today’s Musical Suggestion: from the UK

My Generation by The Who

click here to read a review of their concert last weekend at North Harbour Stadium, opposite Massey University’s Albany Campus

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