BBC Learning English message boards

My question:

What's the difference between in/on one's mind?
And how to use them?

Teacher's answer:

They are both correct, but are used in different ways. For example:
1) "You are always ON my mind." "What is ON your mind right now." "I have the 'Theory of Evolution' ON my mind".
BUT,
"Even though we are far apart, IN my mind I can visualize you, I can touch you, I can feel you, and the only thing I hear is the beating of your heart."

Reflection:

Sometimes the English preposition usage like in and on is confusing. The sentences like in my mind and on my mind often can be heard, so I wonder there are differences and how to explain the differences.

I am glad to see that teacher provided several examples, but I think it would be better that the teacher could provide more clear explanations or rules.

We also have the board for asking English question in Taiwan, but the answers are offered by anyone on the internet, while the answers in the BBC Learning English message board are offered by professional teachers, which I think is more convincing and accurate.

However, because of time differences, the board will be closed in a certain period and my question could not be asked whenever I want.

Reflection of Steve Jobs' speech

I have watched some speeches on Youtube, and there would be some stories, experiences and quotations which made an impression on me and inspired me.

Also, when I listen to the speech, I like to keep those memorable quotes down. Some are inspiring, some are beautifully expressed and some allow me to reflect on myself.

In Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement speech, he talked about his early life, his career and his near-death experience. Sometimes, I wonder why people who dropped out of school, become successful and wealthy such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and so on. Does educational background not important? Are they genii? Or do they luckier than others? Then I found out that those people who did not complete their studies but have outstanding performance are “audacious” and do “complete” things they like and their dreams.

Like what Steve Jobs said in the speech: external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure would affect people when they are going to make the big choices in life. Later, he said, “your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” Then I think of myself. To be honest, sometimes I’m still unsure that whether my decision to study abroad after graduation is right or not because there are too many things to be considered. Sometimes, my thoughts could be swayed by other people, and external factors may prevent me from doing something further. Even though I know I should follow my heart and walk my own path, it is still hard to stop worrying this and that in mind.

In addition, it proves that life is really full of uncertainty but surprise! “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards;” “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick;” “it just gets better and better as the years roll on” says Steve Jobs. It seems absurd that Steve Jobs was fired by a company he started. However, he still won something back afterwards. In my personal experience, I do find that losing something but gaining something, and I also believe that things seem unimportant or discouraging could lead to unexpected consequence.

In this fifteen-minute speech, it can be found that Steve Job’s life is full of dramatic ups and downs, which lead to what he has now, and I learn that the only way to go through it is being audacious to do whatever you want and trusting yourself.

ESL Podcast 347 – Writing a Postcard

ESL Podcast 347 – Writing a Postcard

This is a dialog about two people writing postcards to and sharing experiences with each other in their own journey.

Listening note:
1. I'm having the time of my life: it means you greatly enjoy something you have done.
2. We're off on ~: to be off means to ready to start to do something or go somewhere.
3. This is the life: to describe a situation that someone is very happy and think that it is one of a best experience in life.
4. Connection: when you are flying, you have to get onto another plane in order to get to a place where you want to go.
5. It has poured the entire time: in this case, it means to rain very heavily, a lot.
6. What a dump!: it is an expression when u go to a hotel that is bad and in bad condition.
7. Food poisoning: when you eat something bad, it causes you go to the bathroom a lot or to vomit.
8. Washout: it means a disaster, waste of time and it is not worth doing.

In the listening, I learned some expressions and phrases which can be use in writing a postcard. I think ESL Podcast provides various interesting topics and clear explanations, but the speed is too slow for people who want to sharpen their listening skills.

The Difference between Big & Large

Big means 1. of considerable size or extent, e.g., the big meal 2. of considerable importance or seriousness, e.g. big cases



Large: of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity, e.g. a large sum of money, a large flock of crows

Generally, big and large can be used when you describe the actual size; however, large is slightly more formal; also, large is used in the expressions: a large amount/number/ quantity.

this is Yinvi

Hello, everyone, this is Yinvi Huang. Some people may think that “Yinvi” is an odd name, so I would like to say something about my English name first. Originally, my name was called Eva, which was given by a teacher in the kindergarten. However, when I gave a self-introduction in Wenzao, I created Yinvi then, since I thought my original name was too normal.

I like to go outdoors to enjoy nature and participate in a variety of activities when I am free. Also, I think travel and taking pictures in the trip are the best ways to learn about people, culture, life and ourselves. Therefore, I am trying my best to explore Taipei in these two years. : )