Capitale de la Nouvelle-Ecosse et premier port dans l' Atlantique. Sa position stratégique en a fait une importante base navale en temps de guerre :James Wolfe général anglais, partit de là pour aller prendre Québec en 1759. Elle fut, lors des deux guerres mondiales, un point de rassemblement pour les convois de l' Atlantique. Le premier service transatlantique à vapeur se fit entre Halifax et la Grande-Bretagne en 1840.

La ville connaît un fort trafic de cargos et de porte-conteneurs. Fondé en 1749, Halifax est appelée " la ville des arbres.C' est une ville agréable avec de magnifiques espaces verts. Les tours modernes de verre et d 'acier se marient avec les bâtiments historiques. Le centre-ville de Halifax est très animée.Halifax est aussi un centre d'étude important.

Heather Haskins (50) Dental Assistant Supervisor  Doug Haskins (51) Machinist

I am very pleased to introduce the Haskins to you. So, who are the Haskins?
 

1.  How long have you been host-parents?

We started being host parents in January 1997.

We've always liked having younger people around us.  When our sons were younger, they always had their friends over to our home.  Now that they're grown up, we enjoy inviting foreign students to our home.  We enjoy talking with our students.  It forces us to speak formal English - helping our proficiency as well!

We help students with their homework and with their conversational English.  We treat our guests similar to how we would treat our own children!  We even change their bedding and clean their rooms, and do their laundry when they need help.

1. Learn how to set the house alarm system!
2. Students make their own breakfasts and lunches.  They are welcome to take as much or as little as they wish.
3. We ask them to call us if they are not coming home for supper or if they are going to be late because, like with our own children, we worry.
4. If they smoke, we ask them to do so outside or in their rooms.

Students make what they want for themselves at both breakfast and lunch.  We always have a well-balanced supper for our family and guests.  Often we cook ham, roast beef, fish or poultry.  We serve rice more frequently as both our Latin American and Asian guests request it on a regular basis.  We would like to sample foods from other countries, but so far we haven't hosted many students who like to cook!

Students generally settle in within a week.  Hosting a foreign student provides a tremendous opportunity for cultural exchange, and therefore we encourage the student to bring their friends to our home.

Mexican Independence Day parties are certainly memorable!  We have hosted two parties at our home (1998 and 1999) - both years attracting about 75 to 100 guests!

1. Speak as much English as possible while you are here.
2. Although Halifax is a relatively safe city, you still should not carry a lot of money on you.
3. Experience as much of Canada as you can while you are here.  You never know when you will see it again.
4. Take as many pictures as possible.
5. Understand that Canada has many open areas, unlike many of your home countries.  It is therefore possible to drive much more quickly than to which you may be accustomed.  Drive cautiously.  Take public transportation.

Best : Our best experiences happen when the students really integrate into our family.  When they attend family gatherings and experience enjoyment and excitement, it is truly like having more children of our own.

Worst : Our worst experiences happen when our students are dishonest with us - it is a great disappointment.  Also, it is troubling, when our guests are having family problems at home - we share their pain.

We would like to keep in contact with all of our guests.  Some students do keep in contact; others do not.  However, e-mail has made regular contact with many students highly accessible.

TEACHER INTERVIEW


NAME: Madonna Lee Sampson

CREDENTIALS: BA, CELTA

1. How long have you been an English language teacher?

   "I've been teaching for about eight years now — one and a half years at ILI and 6 years in Japan."

2. Why did you decide to become an English language teacher?

   "At first, it was strictly for employment purposes. Following the experience, I found that I loved meeting people from different cultures. I always want to have that connection and teaching allows me to do that."

"I've taught students from Japan, Korea, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Spain... I'd say about 15 different nationalities."

"Being immersed in the language. Being in an environment where you feel comfortable and where you know it's OK to make mistakes. Mostly, being in a fun learning environment."

"In class, I try to get the language out in a fun way. I try to teach in a lighthearted manner where everyone is at ease and where students don't feel that I'm just lecturing them. I feel students learn more in a conversational environment."

"I speak to other staff members, look at ESL Web sites, and try to attend workshops. Mostly what I find helpful is teacher interaction."

"The last student I had started at a 480 and went to a 530. It depends on how much effort the student puts into it."

"At first, it was convenient because it was the city that I moved to. Reflecting back on it though, I wouldn't choose another school. ILI is a laid back, "family" school where the rapport is close amongst students and teachers. Everyone is helpful and I feel very welcome here."

"The best experience is seeing students succeed in their goals and improve in their language skills. The worst experience is when a student decides to give up too easily when I know s/he can succeed. It's crushing. No matter how much I try, once a student has decided to quit that's it. I feel totally helpless."

"Do it for you. Study because you want to. Have fun. Be prepared to practice. It's OK to make mistakes. Never be afraid to ask for help. Most of all have fun."

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