International Students NZ

Today’s picture: Korean students at the Massey Albany Cultural Fair, May 2009

Part 1: Today's word

‘Liaise’ is to work together – especially in the planning stage of a project. It’s often used with the word ‘closely’ if the partnership is a very good one. It can also be written 'liase'.

It’s important that marketing managers liaise with a full range of colleagues to ensure everyone is aware of the company’s policies.

Effective child protection requires close liaison between schools, social services and, in some cases, the police and community groups.

Click here for interactive exercises on academic vocabulary and writing.

Part 2: Test

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

They decided to liaise on their own instead of wasting time waiting to hear from all the other interest groups.

The researchers hope to liaise with European and American teams on a new generation of software.

We will liaise with our colleagues in Sydney to make sure that everybody is involved in the new developments.

The police are liaising closely with local community groups to deal with the problems of rising crime in the area.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

Do you enjoy liaising with other students on projects?

Do you feel there’s effective liaison between the different teachers and administrators involved in your course?

Part 4: The Phrasal Test – Part 7

Some of these sentences are wrong? Can you identify and correct them?

1) At first they threatened to call in the police, but they backed up when they realised they were in the wrong.
2) I don’t care much for your attitude. You won’t get anywhere by being rude!
3) I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to go on about my holiday. I just got carried off!
4) It was a sunny morning, but it clouded up later on.
5) He tried a long shot, but it didn’t come off.
6) I’m dying of a rest. Can we sit down here for a bit?
7) She never really got along her brother.
8) I kept meaning to get in touch but I just didn’t get around to phone you. Sorry!
9) I never really hit off with my new boss.

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

Which of these is a popular – and very generous - bank in New Zealand?

NatWest
Westpac
Western Union
Westminster

Part 6: Today's online listening:

This is an interesting news report about two people who received millions of dollars in their Westpac account

Vocabulary for the listening:

put into receivership
overdraft
proceeds
flee
jurisdiction
misappropriated
in the vicinity of

Questions about the listening

How much did the bank customers ask for?
How much did the bank put into their account?
What excuse might they have used to transfer the money overseas?
Which kind of police officer is thought to have been sent to China?
Has any of the money been recovered?
How has the public responded to the news?

What would you do if it happened to you?

Today’s musical suggestion: from the UK

The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde by Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames
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