Hello all,

I hope that you have enjoyed your time off. Now, back to our writing and reading theme. Today we will practice note talking. Please read the following explanation and follow the tasks below. 

By the way, since this Friday is off, our weekly presentation will be on Thursday, please check it and start working on it!

Note Taking While Reading

When reading for study purposes, it is common to take notes. People take notes for different reasons: to stay focused on what they are reading or listening to, to remember information better, or to deepen their understanding of the information. Here are some steps for note-taking focused on what they are reading or listening to, to remember information better, or to deepen their understanding of the information.

Here are some steps for note-taking:

1.Define your purpose for reading. Is it to get a general understanding of the text? To find specific information for a class assignment? Or to be able to recall information during an exam? Thinking about the purpose will help you stay focused on the information in the text that is relevant to your needs. 


2.Preview the text to get a general sense of its content and how the information is organized. For example, skim headings, sub-headings, chapter summaries and charts. Getting a sense of how the entire text is organized and what the main ideas are will help you organize your notes. For example, the headings in the text (or table of contents) can be used as headings for your own notes. 


3.While reading the text, try to differentiate between the main points and supporting details. It is helpful to read the introduction to the text and topic sentence of each paragraph for the main points. Take notes of the main points and supporting details. 


Skim the following text to find out what it is about.

In today’s economy, more and more workers are being laid off and relying on the employment insurance program. Today we’re featuring the history of Canada’s Employment Insurance program. When did it start? Why did it start? What’s it like today?

The Employment Insurance program was launched in response to severe economic conditions during the Great Depression. The Depression lasted from 1929 right up until the Second World War in 1939. During that time, millions of Canadians were out of work. With no government aid, families were forced to rely on whatever community aid was available. Many Canadians lost their homes, and many more were unable to provide for their families.

There was a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of an unemployment insurance program (as it was then called). People who were in favour of unemployment insurance said it would give families enough income to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But others felt that such a program would encourage people to stay unemployed.

Despite the debate, the Unemployment Insurance Act came into effect in 1941. In 1971, the program expanded, and began to cover maternity and sickness benefits. In 1996, the program changed its name to Employment Insurance. Today, EI places an emphasis on skills training. The program encourages laid-off workers who receive benefits to attend training programs before re-entering the workforce.

Employment Insurance operates like any insurance program: workers pay into a fund, and can apply for benefits under certain conditions. Workers most commonly receive benefits when they are laid off. However, they can also receive benefits when caring for a newborn or newly adopted child (maternity, parental and adoption benefits), when suffering from a long-term illness (sickness benefits), or when caring for a family member who is seriously ill (compassionate care benefits). Not all workers are eligible for benefits. Eligibility depends on how long workers have been employed and what type of work they have been doing.

 Adapted from information on www.hrsdc.gc.ca

 Task 1:

1.  Highlight the information you think you need to take notes on.
2. Compare and discuss with a partner.
3. Take notes on the key information.
4. Use your notes to write one paragraph summary of the text.

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There is a program that help unemployment people (laid off) in Canada, but there was a lot of discuss about the effect. After many years, this program expanded and changed the name. Now, this program operates like any insurance program: workers pay into a found and can apply for benefits under certain conditions.