F2F Class Notes (Nicholas)

In future classes, let’s read sophisticated international/American newspapers and journals together for speaking topics and for vocabulary — Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Atlantic…we will replace our basic vocabulary with their sophisticated vocabulary.

Vocabulary

agnostic — not favoring or preferring one side strongly over another; it doens’t matter what tool you use, as long as the tool accomplishes its task or does its job.

e.g. I don’t care about how I learn English — whether its from tutoring or movies — I’m agnostic, I just want to learn.

authority / authoritarian — this is a strong leader.

volatile / volatility 挥发 性 — the price of something goes up and down very violently and quickly.

e.g. Usually older people dont like to invest in the stock market because it’s too volatile.

commodity 商品 – oil, timber, gold, crops

e.g. You can trade in commodities or stocks.

learning curve — the amount of time it takes to learn something.

e.g. Basic math has a short learning curve, but learning calculus has a steep learning curve.

not a good political / not a good politician

do not share thinking of any people / not so forthright with their opinions

Grammar

my first job also is sales / my first job is also sales

i can’t feel that very clear / it doesn’t affect me greatly

played int stock he can feel very clear / it does affect my friend greatly [acutely]

even he become the President / even though he became the President

Pronunciation

day vs. they

sink vs. think