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I need some information about how students in Australia
usually spend their holidays, especially at the weekend.
(Rini)
Sometimes we have a BBQ, go sightseeing or shopping, or we might
watch a sporting event or visit a festival, etc. When due dates
for submitting assignments are approaching we usually spend the
time on campus studying. Well that's what Indonesian students usually
do! (Agus)
Can you tell me what sort of accommodation most students choose
in Australia?
There is a wide variety of accommodation available to students
in Australia. You could live on campus in a dormitory, rent a flat,
share a house with other students or live in a home stay. The first
place to go is the Accommodation Office at your university as they
will be able to give you lots of advice.
Can I get help with my written assignments, especially when I first
arrive?
Most university campuses have an English Language Centre which
provides support for overseas students. Drop in and ask to meet
with a Counsellor. They won't write the assignment for you, but
they can certainly advise you on how to go about it!
What is Bush Tucker?
Bush tucker is food that can be found in the wild all over Australia.
It includes plants e.g berries and edible flowers, worms like the
witchetty grub and meat like kangaroo, crocodile and emu. Now it
is possible to find Bush Tucker on restaurant menus in big cities
like Sydney and Melbourne. Why not give it a try?
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One morning, I was cycling along a river path in Perth. I saw a man walking
with his pet dog. Suddenly, the dog did a 'poo' on the grass. The man
waited until his dog had finished then he pulled out a plastic bag from
his pocket, picked up the poo and threw it in the rubbish bin. Wow! I
never saw this in Bali. I also noticed that next to the rubbish bins there
were special plastic bags for dog poo. Another time, I saw a man pick
up some poo and throw it in a rubbish bin. He didn't have a dog but his
concern for the environment really amused me.
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A. Test your knowledge of Aussie slang by matching the word with the
definition! Answers on page 6.
| Esky |
relatives |
| Lucky Country |
to feel full |
| Chockers |
a sensitive new age guy |
| Rellies |
in bad condition |
| Blotto |
someone who works on a farm and looks after sheep and cattle |
| Drongo |
be very drunk |
A Lemon |
Australia |
| Hooked |
an ice box (for keeping food and drink cool) |
| A Snag |
a stupid person |
| Jackeroo |
to be addicted to something |
B. Now complete the sentences using the slang words above.
- I couldn't eat another mouthful. I'm ________________.
- How long are you staying in the ___________________?
- Have you seen the latest soap opera on TV? I'm ___________!
- Before moving to Sydney I worked as a _________________ in Western
Australia. It was hard work but good fun.
- "Is there any more beer?" " Look in the _____________".
- Did you say your boyfriend is cooking a meal for you tonight? What
a _________!
- "It was a great party last night." "Yeah, but I drank
too much and was pretty _________."
- Why did you buy that old car? It's a real_____________.
- Did you hear what Andy did yesterday? What a __________!
- I can't see you at the weekend. I've got ____________ coming to stay.
In a car with a group of friends one day in Melbourne I saw a big banner
in the street which read 'If you drink and drive you are stupid'. I said
innocently, "Of course people can drink while driving". All
my friends responded, "It's you who is stupid, not the banner, Siti.
It means if you drink alcohol before or while driving." I didn't
know that 'drink' means 'drink alcohol'.
(Siti, teacher, IALF Bali)
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