In the future, list something like this as a notebook entry, so that graders like myself can post edites to the origional text

Upgrade your listening using Podcasts

Recently I've been introduced to the world of podcasts. Since then, it has been a new way to improve my English. Thinking about the positive impact that has it caused to me, I’ve decided to write this text with the objective of sharing this information to help other students like me.


So, first of all, what is a podcast?
I like to define podcasts by comparing them to YouTube. YouTube is to TV the way that podcasts are to Radio. On YouTube, everyone can produce interesting (or sometimes not so interesting xD) videos and spread them around the world. In the world of podcasts, you can do the same, but in audible format.

Ok, but what makes it a useful language learning tool?
1.It encourages you to maintain contact with the language:
When you find a foreign podcast channel that you really like, nothing can stop you from learning! Naturally, a podcast allows you hear content in a foreign language--learning with zero effort.

2. Utilize “dead times” to learn:
What do you do when you are washing the dishes? Or stuck in traffic? Even when you're taking a shower, there is no reason not to listen to your favorite podcast and improve your listening skills? Ridding yourself of any excuse not to learn new languages and practice in the languages you study! xD

3. It’s very accessible:
You don’t need constant access to the internet to listen to a podcast. You can download them anytime you please and listen to them later. Furthermore, it's not a large file size compared to YouTube videos.

4. Choose the speed
Another big advantage that you can utilize is the ability to control the speed of the podcast. Too fast for your level? No problem: you can slow it down. Too easy for you? Go faster! (I’ve heard that when you speed up the audio, you improve your attentiveness and, of course, save time).

Oh, very nice Felipe, but how do I start listing to podcasts?

The first step is to download a podcast app. I suggest “Podcast Republic,” although I never tested others. (By the way, it would be nice to know your opinion of other podcast services; please comment if you know any).

Did you download it? Now it's time to look for channels that interest you. Actually, this step can be a constantly evolving one. For example, I come across something new that interests me all the time!

I like following TED Talks, as well as listening to AJ Hoge's, "Effortless English Podcast"--It has very clear English and nice tips for language learners.
How about you? Have you ever heard of podcasts? Are you listening to them now? What channel do you follow or recommend? Leave a comment here for us.

PS: All of this is only my vision. I’m very open for further discussions and feedbacks (about grammar mistakes too, ok?)

Just as a tip. These are much harder to provide edits for when they are an "answer," rather than a "notebook."

1. prospect My prospect this year is to travel to Japan. 2. tenant This apartment has three other tenants, but I have lived here the longest. 3. inspect The police inspect the driver who seems drunk. 4. represent He represents the company in the meeting. 5. accommodated The hard-drive-disk size was very large so it can accommodate a massive number of mp3s. 6. corporation Finally! I got the job in a famous global corporation. or I finally got the job in a famous global corporation. 7. specialized in He specialized in lying so no one believed him. 8. state of the art All of his furniture is state of the art.

Your best option is "I'm too embarrassed to ask him." However "I'm too ashamed to ask him." is just as correct but it sounds slightly more cacophonous--that's probably just me. Ashamed is often used with preposition 'of' or 'by'--"I was ashamed of/by my inability to ask him" and projects a slightly less urgent connotation. "I feel shame to ask him." is only incorrect because of the verb "feel" without the adverb "too." One 'feels' something 'in' something, and one 'feels too' much of something 'to' do something. So, "I feel shame in asking him" or "I feel too much shame to ask him." To use the verb 'feel', rather than the present form of 'be,' makes all of the sentences better because it is more descriptive. "I feel too ashamed to asking him." "I feel too embarrassed to ask him." "I feel shame in asking him." Hope that helped!

About Dance

In folk dance club today, I learned a Chinese classical dance <font color="#ff0000" style="background-color: inherit;">which</font> made me think of my childhood. I used to dance with confidence and pure happiness. When I <font color="#ff0000" style="background-color: inherit;">lifted</font> my leg, stretched every finger, and kept my back straight, I felt like a queen and nobody stop <font color="#ff0000" style="background-color: inherit;">me</font>. I controlled my breath to coordinate my moves. It felt like the whole world was dancing with me. I was obsessed <font color="#ff0000">with</font> dance.
Unfortunately, I failed several subjects that year and my mom was <font color="#ff0000" style="background-color: inherit;">furious</font>, so I had to quit dancing. But I still remember how amazing dancing was, and today I found that wonderful feeling again!

<font color="#ff0000" style="background-color: inherit;">Just as a tip, I moved "In folk dance club today" to the beginning of the sentence so that "Chinese classical dance" was next to the adjective phrase which describes it "which made me think of my childhood." The other way is correct, however to create clear and professional writing, it's always best to have descriptors next to their noun.</font>

To best understand when to use "for" and "by" its easiest to look at how you're using them. For example. Are you doing something alone--by yourself. Or are you performing the action in person or for personal benefit--for yourself. In the sentence "You can never get an accurate picture of it until you see it for yourself." the subject benefits for seeing the picture in person--"for him/herself" The other version of this would be "You can never get an accurate picture of it until you see it by yourself" suggesting that the viewer would get a more accurate picture if he/she was alone.