About / of

We think about something when we dedicate some time to study the matter. We think of something when it comes spontaneously to our mind. We also use "think of" to express and ask for opinions. We use hear of to talk about the existence of someone or something (I’ve never heard of a thirteenth sign of the Zodiac). We hear about something when we are told about it. 

1. I asked permission to my parents to spend the weekend abroad, but they said they had to think about it

2. You are not listening, what are you thinking about?

3. She didn't hear about the demonstration and was surprised to find the street

4. I have never thought of having a pet

5. What does the president think about his opponent's position on environmental politics?

6. They had never heard of such a story about her daughter

7. Let me phone Ann, she could have heard of the date

8. He said it was stupid even thinking of driving for so long

9. After thinking about the consequences, they decided not to close down the old shop

10.What do you think about Tom? Will he be able to do the task assigned?

Acknowledgement speech from Marion Williams

Chair, OISE  Academic Development Manager

 

Two years ago I was invited to chair a new board for the OISE Group, the Academic Development Board. Our very first meeting was held in August 2006, in which we set ourselves the tasks of, first, defining what we mean by the word ‘academic’, and secondly, identifying the aims of the board. Since then we have redefined the aims; they are presented below so that you can see exactly what our remit is. One thing has become clear to me since I took on this assignment and that is the total commitment of everyone on the Academic Board to fostering the development of the teachers throughout the Group.

If I look back over the eighteen months since we all first sat round the table I can see just how far we have gone. In this short space of time we have introduced regional training in the schools, we have launched an in-house certificate for teachers, we have given every teacher a portfolio folder, and we have planned our inaugural teacher conference. There have, as always, been some teething problems; however all of these developments have now begun to take root, and I look forward to seeing them flourish.

I have found it exciting and rewarding to be associated with this initiative. As an academic, my life’s work has been concerned with facilitating the development of teachers.  I am delighted to be able to continue this work with all the teachers in the company.

·         to chair:   to be the president

·         board:   group of people  who take important decisions within a company or association

·         development:   evolution, improvement

·         very first::   first

·         to set :    to arrange, to agree on, to  establish

·         task:   thing to do

·         aim:   what  you have to get

·         remit:   tasks you have to take

·         below:   underneath 

·         to take on:   assume, accept

·         assignment:  mission, task

·         commitment:  obligation, responsibility

·         to foster:  to promote

·         to look back:  to remember the past

·         to launch:  to start something new

·         in-house:  within the company

·         teething:  problems with the first teeth, usual problems in the growing

·         to take root:  to become basics

·         to look forward to:  to wait for something with excitement

·         to flourish:  to give the best, to give fruit

·         rewarding:  profitable, gratifying

·         concerned:  related,

·         delighted:  pleased