International Students NZ

Today’s picture: South Island scene

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

William Shakespeare Sonnet 29

Part 1: Today's word

If you inspire someone, it means you give them great confidence, belief and motivation to do something. The ability to inspire your team is an important component of leadership – inspirational leaders are especially important in hard times or when changes are needed. If you feel inspired, you’re able to do things well without worry or tiredness. Let’s hope you feel inspired in your exams!

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?

Inspired by her example, many other scientists have begun using a similar methodology.

I hadn’t studied much, but fortunately I inspired myself on the day of the exam.

He has a wonderful gift of inspiring students to do their own research.

After hearing the music, I felt inspired to take up the guitar again.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

Have you had any inspiring teachers?
Have you ever listened to any inspirational speeches?
What inspired you to study at university?

Part 4: Phrasal Verb Review

Here are five extracts from today’s listening. Fill in the missing words – the meaning of the phrasal verbs is given at the end to help you.

1) T.H. Huxley was turned ______ for a Professorship at Sydney. (refused)
2) Charles Darwin was too shy to stand ____ _____ himself. (defend)
3) An email arrived with the names of students who had dropped ____ ____ our course. (withdrew)
4) The boy who complained got ______ it, I think. (recovered)
5) As Huxley, I did not hold _______. I wrote it how I saw it. (control myself)

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

What public holiday is celebrated in New Zealand next Monday (26th October)?

Part 6: Today’s online listening

This is an interview with an inspiring science teacher from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Questions for the article:

Who was Thomas Huxley?

What attitudes do science students generally have towards academic writing?

What assignment do Dr Lawlor’s students have to do?

How does she give them feedback on the assignment?

How do the students know what grade they have got?

Why does Dr Lawlor believe good writing is so important for scientists?

Grammar Review: Unreal Past

Look at this example from the listening:

It is possible that if he had not defended and supported Charles Darwin in London during the last half of the 1800s, I would not be teaching evolution and genetics at all. I would certainly be teaching it in a different way.

In fact, Huxley defended Darwin. So Dr Lawlor is imagining a different past – an unreal one. In the second half of the sentence, she imagines a different present. In fact, she is teaching evolution, but she imagines, as a result of that change in the past, she wouldn’t be teaching evolution now.

The grammar is:

If + past perfect tense (had done) in one half of the sentence and then ‘would’ / ‘might’ or ‘could’ (followed by ‘do’ ‘have done’ or ‘be doing’) in the other half.

Complete these other sentences – all of which include the unreal past.

1) If I (not come) to New Zealand, I (not see) a haka.
2) I (probably speak) American English if my parents (emigrate) to the United States.

3) Leeman Brothers (not go) bankrupt if their senior managers (behave) more ethically.

4) I (not start) working for Massey University if I (not see) an advertisement in The North Shore Times.

5) General Motors (close down) if the American Government (not step) in with a bail-out package.

Today’s online site:
Engage in Science – a great writing site for writing in biosciences

Today’s Video suggestion:
You raise me up performed by Celtic Woman
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