Slang in English

This vedio has the lecture of American slang. we can learn how to use the common word 'SUCK' in English with this short class.

Maesil in season

In South Korea, it is called “maesil,” in Japan, “ume” and in China, “meizi.” In English, this sour, mouth-puckering fruit often goes by Japanese apricot or Chinese plum. Whatever the name, it is now in season.

Though not consumed raw for various reasons including the potential presence of toxins within the seeds, when fermented into an extract it can be used as a seasoning or to make tea.

The extract can range from sugary and floral to slightly tart with a wine-like depth; and because maesil is generally harvested in June or July, now is the time to start making it.

When this time of year rolls around, boxes of the fragrant plums are hauled home and bags of sugar and huge jars are brought out. Alternating layers of clean, green maesil and sugar are stacked in jars and left in a cool, dry place to ferment.

Chungmewon’s shade-grown “namgo” maesil sports a green hue (Chungmewon)

When ready ― the aging period can run anywhere from 100 days to three years ― the extract is added to hot or cold water as a beverage, or to spice up dishes when cooking. It is, essentially, a household staple.

“Most houses have some maesil extract,” said Martha Hwang from traditional tea house Moon Hyang Jae, where maesil tea and maesil extract are sold. “You can put a spoonful of the extract into a meat marinade or when you saute fish.”

“It is believed that maesil extract is effective at getting rid of gamey scents in food,” Hwang explained why it is commonly used as a seasoning.

Tea house Moon Hyang Jae’s maesil tea is made from an extract that uses green plums from Gwangyang (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)

Chungmewon

“We also add it to water when our children have upset stomachs,” she added. “Many enjoy the tea as a post-meal digestif and it also said to be good for hangovers.”

According to the official website of maesil producer Chungmewon (www.mesil.net), the plum has high mineral and vitamin content and was used in traditional Korean medicine in the past.

In short, it has been consumed as a health food for centuries.

While it is most commonly enjoyed as an extract, it can also be made into a wine and the fruit can be pickled and enjoyed as a “banchan,” or side dish.

The versatile nature of the fruit is evidenced by Chungmewon’s ability to take the “namgo” varietal of maesil raised on its farm in South Jeolla Province and whip out 18 different products.

Chungmewon makes everything from a particularly toothsome jam to a sweet, fiery gochujang-slathered pickle with those plums.

The namgo varietal raised at Chungmewon possesses a ruddy, blush hue and, according to Chungmewon president Kim Young-sub, “is firm-fleshed, preserves well and possesses a deep fragrance that makes it ideal for making maesil tea or wine.”

While it is easier to purchase the products ready-made, here are some tips and recipes from Chungmewon for those who want to try make them at home.

Maesil tips
Chungmewon president Kim Young-sub emphasizes the importance of buying maesil after June 5 this year, when the seed has ripened and hardened.

Here are Kim’s guidelines for when to make maesil pickles, wine and tea for namgo and other varietals as well.

June 10 ― 15: Maesil pickles

June 15 ― 20: Maesil wine

After June 20: Maesil tea, when the fruit has ripened a bit, for a fragrant extract

Where to buy

Chungmewon’s maesil products including jam, pickles and extract are sold at the Myeongin Myeongchon corner located at 10 Hyundai Department Stores nationwide.

Moon Hyang Jae; 106-2 Hwadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul; (02) 720-9691; open from noon to 10 p.m. daily; maesil tea costs 6,000 won hot or cold, maesil extract costs 25,000 won per liter, maesil pickles cost 50,000 won for 500 grams

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)

Maesil tea extract
Ingredients:
● 10kg maesil

● 10kg sugar

Directions
1. Select thick-fleshed maesil, wash and then dry.

2. Alternate layers of maesil and sugar in a sterilized, large-mouthed jar. When nearly done, put a final, thick layer of sugar on top and then seal and store in a cool, dark place.

3. After 15 days, when the sugar has liquefied, stir occasionally.

4. If the namgo varietal has been used then ferment extract for at least six months, then strain and boil lightly to get rid of any hint of alcohol. After the mixture cools, put it in a sterilized jar and store in a cool place. (Note: The fermentation period varies from recipe to recipe. According to Hwang, Moon Hyang Jae’s maesil tea, for example, is made from an extract that has been fermented for 100 days. Chungmewon’s Kim says to adjust fermentation period for other varietals.)

5. Add an adequate amount of the resulting syrup to cold, hot or warm water and drink. Moon Hyang Jae’s Hwang recommends a 3-to-1 ratio of water to extract when making tea.

Maesil pork belly
Ingredients:
● 200g samgyeopsal (pork belly)

● 10 ml maesil wine or maesil extract mixed with soju

● 1/3 tsp salt

● 1/4 tsp black pepper

● 20 cm cooking foil

Directions

1. Prepare 200g pork belly and season with salt and pepper.

2. Marinate the pork belly in maesil wine or maesil extract that has been mixed with soju for three to six hours in the refrigerator.

3. Wrap the marinated pork belly in cooking foil and store in freezer for use whenever needed or grill right away.

(Recipes courtesy of Chungmewon)

DOU VOCA

I studied 50 vocabularies on this week. I will introduce words that I studied.
"awful, terrific"




Natto" smells awful but tastes terrific.

"Natto" smells awful / but tastes terrific.

낫토의 냄새는 심하다 / 하지만 맛은 훌륭하다.


awful 과 terrific 단어는 알아두자.

awful 심한(나쁜 의미의 심한이다.)

terrific 훌륭한, 엄청난

[Listening] A Christmas Carol

In this festive lesson we listen to a story by Charles Dickens. 'A Christmas Carol' tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is set in 1843 and takes place in London. It is a ghost story with a moral message. By listening and watching this vedio, you can concentrate on learning English. you can understand the stroy easily because there is a script of this vedio.

[Speaking] American accent training 3

You can learn how to pronunciate the correct AH sound. AH: When your upper jaw as well as your lower jaw expand apart. Which means your upper jaw goes up, and your lower jaw goes down..... you make an AAH sound. Keeping in mind that your check muscles need to remain straight, and your mouth will form a shape of an oval.

20120607

conversation skills

We can learn how to start conversations with native speakers and improve your ability to speak English fluently.

Madangpan attracts foreign visitors

Spectators watch a Bongsan Mask Dance performance in Insa-dong on Tuesday. (Kim Myung-sub/The Korea Herald)

A crowd of some 200 Koreans and foreigners gathered outside in Insa-dong on Tuesday afternoon to watch a traditional Korean performance.

The event, organized by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, featured a combination of the Bongsan Mask Dance Drama, a social satire performed by players in masks who dance and sing, and a traditional wedding ceremony.

During the performance, the players bantered with the spectators, sometimes exchanging jokes, all in the spirit of “madangpan,” which involves lively interaction among the performers and the spectators, sans a raised stage.

“Not only Koreans but also foreign visitors say they are enchanted by this unique piece of Korean culture,” Lee Sang-hwon, a KCHF official who was at the performance, said.

Although the foreign visitors in the audience may not have understood the language, the universal message of the performance was clearly conveyed.

“This show is very interesting and different from a Japanese traditional wedding. I can’t understand the language but I can see how the main theme of this performance, love, flows,” said Kimberly Johnson from the U.S., who currently lives in Japan.

The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism and Cultural Heritage Administration to commemorate the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldm.com)

DOU VOCA

I studied 50 vocabularies on this week. I will introduce words that I studied.
"pass by, give off, subtle"



A woman passed by me giving off a subtle scent of perfume. It reminded me of my ex-girlfriend.

A woman / passed by me / giving off / a subtle scent of perfume. / It reminded me / of my ex-girlfriend.

한 여자 / 날 지나갔다 / 발산하고 / 희미한 향수 향기를 / 그것은 나에게 상기시켰다 / 전의 여자친구.

한 여자가 희믜한 향수 향기를 발산하며 날 지나갔다. 그것은 내 전 여자친구를 떠올리게 했다.

pass by ~의 옆을 지나가다. give off 발산하다. subtle 희미한.

[Listening] BBC NEWS

You can also improve English listening skills.
CNN news can help you to listen American pronunciation, and BBC news can help you to listen British pronunciation.

[Listening] CNN news

Listening CNN news, you can improve your listening skills.

[Speaking] American accent training 2

This vedio give you guidelines on the movement of your mouth parts for the correct AY sound.

GREETING MANNER OF INDIA

1. Lower your head and say "Namaste" or "Namaskar" gathering both hands.
2. Hindu think that digging up all the details to ask about is a symbol of interest, so don't be angry if
    Hindu dig up all the details to ask about.

[Speaking] American slang vs. British slang

The fantastically talented Hugh Laurie paid a house call to Ellen, and they played an exciting game of American slang versus English slang -- and the game was bloody brilliant!

With fun, you can learn American slang and British slang.

Go cherry-blossom viewing

I went to cherry-blossom viewing with friends of English Education department. We went to Yeoudio Yoon joong ro. There are many cherry-blossoms. We could saw very beautiful sight of cherry-blossom. We took many pictures. It was very meaningful day because today was our first picnic^^.
We played many games and took many pictures. I was so happy because I could be with many friends.

DUO VOCA

I studied 50 vocabularies on this week. I will introduce words that I studied.
"lean, pillar, gaze, statue, liberty"


He leaned against the pillar and gazed at the Statue of Liberty.

He leaned / against the pillar / and / gazed / at the Statue of Liberty.

그는 기댔다 / 기둥에 / 그리고 / 응시했다 / 자유의 여신상을

그난 기둥에 기대서 자유의 여신상을 응시했다.

lean 은 몸을 기울이다, ~에 기대다 라는 뜻을 가지고 있다.

pillar는 기둥; 주요인물, gaze는 응시하다. statue 는 조각상, liberty 는 자유 란 뜻이다.

London Native English speaker interviews

Watching this vedio, I can learn British pronunciation.
By listening and repeating, I can feel comfortable to British pronunciation.

[Speaking] American accent training 1

Watching this vedio, you can train American accent. The first part of this vedio is vowel sounds.

[Listening & Speaking] Improving conversation skill

You can improve your conversation skills by watching this vedio.
You can study how to greet someone.
It's always good to keep in touch with old friends.
There is also script for this conversation.

<Transcript>
Woman: Hey! Hello there! Haven't seen you in ages!

Man: Oh... all right yeah.

Woman: Great to see you again! You're looking really well!

Man: Oh! You think so? Thanks...

Woman: So, how are you?

Man: Well, you know, mustn't grumble.

Woman: What've you been up to? Still working in that coffee shop?

Man: Yeah...same one...

Woman: Still trying to be an actor?

Man: Well, yeah, you know...

Woman: So Hollywood hasn't called in yet?

Man: Not yet...

Woman: Still living in...that ...er...little flat?

Man: Yeah. Same one.

Woman: Well, great.

Man: How about you? You still there...working in the fast food place?

Woman: No! Stopped that a long time ago! I'm working in the city now, financial industries!

Man: Oh. Great. Are you still sharing that house with all those other people?

Woman: No way! I bought a big house with... four bedrooms, and a garden... the works.

Man: Hmm...good for you.

Woman: Listen! We should get together for a drink sometime! Catch up!

Man: Yeah, I'd love to.

Woman: Let's do it! Keep in touch then!

Go to Han river

I went to Han river with my friends. We went to Han river on a whim, so maybe it was more enjoyable. We borrowed bikes with cheap money and we rode bike. The weather was very good so we could feel fresh air by riding bikes along the Han river. After riding bikes, we ate fried chicken. Because we ate fried chicken in Han river, it was more delicious. I think that Han river is a very good place to go on a picnic. I will go Han river again^^!

DUO VOCA

I studied 50 vocabularies in this week. I will introduce words.
"soaked, stink, stand back"


"I'm soaked with sweat." "Stand back! You stink. Take a shower."

"I'm soaked / with sweat." / "Stand back!/ You stink. / Take a shower."

나 흠뻑 젖었어 / 땀으로 / 뒤로 물러나 / 너 냄새나 / 씻어/

"나 땀으로 흠뻑 젖었어." "저리가! 너 냄새나. 샤워해."

soaked 가 흠뻑 젖었다는 뜻. stink가 냄새난다는 뜻

stand back 은 뜻 그대로 뒤에 서있으라는거. 곧 뒤로가~

How to be a good listener

I think that active listening is about paying attention and actively trying to understand what is being said. I watched this vedio to become a good listener with tips from a communications specialist in this free video on communications, dialog and conversations.

[Speaking] British vs. American accents

Watching this vedio, you can compare British accents with that of American and you can catch how different the accents are between British English and American English.

greeting manners of USA

1. Shake hands saying own name.
2. Usally say "How do you do" or "Nice to meet you."
3. If you greet with man, you can shake hands with him on ahead.
    But if you greet with a woman, you can't shake hands with her on ahead. You should wait until 
    she shakes hands with you on ahead.

Job interview skills

There is a job interview tips: some common questions you will be asked and how to answer them! We can learn what to say to impress and get that job!

[Grammar] Recommend the best book

I will recocomend you the best book to learn grammaer.

The name of this book is "Grammar in Use"

This book has many benefits.
1. You can learn practical English, not English for exam.
2. You can see contents of each chapter at once because this book has two-page system.
3. There are only important thing to learning grammaer, not unnecessary things.