Introduction

Some of the following materials are designed specifically for persons whose native language is Chinese.


Instructions

Lesson 2 is about introducing yourself.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the first paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 1.png

Read paragraph one of Paul’s introduction below:

“Hello. My name is Paul MacKay. In the United States it is most common to introduce yourself using your first and last names as I just did. However, in a formal setting, such as doing business, sometimes people introduce themselves using only their last name. Using that style of introduction I would say ‘Hello. My name is Mr. (pronounced Mister) MacKay.’”

Read paragraph one of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 1 Chinese Translation.png

Hear paragraph one of Paul’s introduction read slowly by clicking below:

Listen to Paul read paragraph one at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the second paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 2.png

Read paragraph two of Paul’s introduction below:

“I also have a middle name, which many Americans do, which I don’t usually include when introducing myself. My full name, including my middle name, is Paul Thompson MacKay.”

Read paragraph two of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 2 Translation.png

Hear paragraph two read slowly by clicking below:

Listen to Paul read paragraph two at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the third paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 3.png

Read paragraph three of Paul’s introduction below:

“I was born in Canada, in the city of Victoria, in the province of British Columbia. My parents moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, when I was two. I lived in Vancouver until I was twenty three.”  

Read paragraph three of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 3 Translation.png

Hear paragraph three read slowly by clicking below.

Listen to Paul read paragraph three at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the fourth paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 4.png

Read paragraph four of Paul’s introduction below:

“I met my wife, Dana, on the first day of classes in the first year of university. We had gone to the same high school but had not become acquainted. We were married upon graduating from university after which we moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We lived in Toronto from 1974 until 1993. We moved to Andover on September 1st, 1993, and we have lived here ever since. We have become United States citizens but maintain Canadian citizenship as well.”

Read paragraph four of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 4 Translation.png
Victoria to Andover.png

Hear paragraph four read slowly by clicking below.

Listen to Paul read paragraph four at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the fifth paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 5.png

Read paragraph five of Paul’s introduction below:

“Dana and I have two children; one son and one daughter. Both our children are married and luckily for us, live close by in North Andover. We have a grandson, who will be three on November 3rd this year, and our son and daughter-in-law are expecting a second child at the end of September. Both of our children were educated in the Andover public schools.”

Read paragraph five of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 5 Translation.png

Listen to Paul read paragraph five at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the sixth paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 6.png

Read paragraph six of Paul’s introduction below:

“I have a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in mathematics and a minor in English language. I worked in the field of computer software for forty three years. I retired in May, 2017.”

Read paragraph six of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 6 Translation.png

Listen to Paul read paragraph six at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the seventh paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 7.png

Read paragraph seven of Paul’s introduction below:

“I traveled extensively during my career. I’ve set foot on every continent except Antarctica. I have visited ninety three countries. I’ve been in every country in North America, Europe and South America, most countries in Asia, and a number in Africa. My travels took me to China over forty times. I have visited Hong Kong too many times to count, and I‘ve also made many trips to Taiwan.” 

Read paragraph seven of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 7 Translation.png

Hear paragraph seven read slowly by clicking below.

Listen to Paul read paragraph seven at normal speed by clicking below.


Familiarize yourself with some new words and phrases used in the eighth paragraph of Paul MacKay’s introduction.

Lesson 2 Paragraph 8.png

Read paragraph eight of Paul’s introduction below:

“I have often been asked which country is my favorite. My answer is “None.” I like them all, and what I like most about each is the people. In my opinion, people make the place. I am pleased to say that I’ve made friends around the world.”

Read paragraph eight of Paul’s introduction translated to Chinese below:

Lesson 2 Paragraph 8 Translation.png

Hear paragraph eight read slowly by clicking below.

Listen to Paul read paragraph eight at normal speed by clicking below.


Now listen to Paul’s entire introduction without interruption.


Learning Assessment

  1. Write an introduction of yourself that you will read during the class.

  2. Practice by reading your introduction out loud as many times as possible.


This series of questions may help you write your introduction. Try to answer them out loud without writing down your answer.

Question 1:

What is your name?

Your answer to question 1:

“My name is…”

Question 2:

Where were you born?

Your answer to question 2:

“I was born in…”

Question 3:

Are you married?

Your answer to question 3:

“I am…”

Question 4:

If you are married, where did you meet your spouse?

Your answer to question 4:

“I met my (wife/husband) in…”

Question 5:

Do you have children?

Your answer to question 5:

“I have (number) children.”

Question 6:

Where do your children live?

Your answer to question 6:

“My children live in…”


Practice by reading Paul MacKay’s full introduction out loud.

Listen to Paul read his full introduction by clicking below.

Audio Block
Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more

Learn about Victoria, British Columbia, by clicking through the presentation below. Click on the picture in slide 2 to watch a short video introduction to Victoria.


This is the end of Lesson 2.