Re: What I learned at the academy

Hi Terry,
 
Thanks for the message. I see that you're learning some really useful skills in your academy. I haven't heard about TEPS and I didn't know that it was difficult for students to get enough access to TOEFL. I also teach TOEFL prep to one of my students who is university-aged. Studying for this test is really hard work. There is so much to learn about academic ways of communicating.
 
I hadn't heard of the dangling restaurant before your message. It sounds fun, but to be honest, I felt a little sick at the thought of eating in that type of situation. I don't care for Ferris Wheels or bungee jumping or similarly high things. I don't think I'd like the idea of eating in such a precarious position. I would lose my appetite! You are certainly right, however, that there are many strange things around the world.
 
Can I make a suggestion about something you wrote? You said:
 
At first, it stands for Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University.
 
In this case, you should use "first of all" rather than "at first," which is more about things happening in a time sequence. Like this: "At first, I studied listening. Then 20 minutes later, we worked on writing essays. Next we studied grammar."
 
In your writing about TEPS, your purpose is describing, not writing about things in a time sequence. For describing, you need transition words that allow you to "add" qualities of what you are writing about. So you should use words like "first of all, in addition, also, as well." Your explanation could read like this:
 
First of all, it stands for Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University. In addition,  it's now a test of authority in Korea.
 
I think by now you have gone to sleep for night and you are right. It's day time here. Early morning, actually. I'm just getting ready to start the rest of the day.
 
I have another question for you. What is the easiest part of studying English? And what is the most difficult part? Please tell me about this in your next message.
 
All the best,
 
Gwen