Innovations In English Language Teaching Essay Example for Free

Innovations In English Language Teaching Essay Within the inter-related fields of linguistics, psychology and specifically language learning it has been recognized that language acquisition depends on several cognitive and environmental aspects. When giving instruction in a foreign language, it is also necessary to consider the language of origin already mastered by the learner, as well as the peculiarities of culture that may interfere with or otherwise have an impact on the manner in which a given language is learned (Collier, 1995). In Singapore, innovations in language learning based on these criteria have already been made, but implementation has posed a challenge (Tucker Corson, 1997). The true language expert has a deep understanding these barriers and must be prepared to come up with ideas that facilitate the change that drives the actual implementation of these innovative processes (Reza-Hernandez Clifford, 2003; Garcia, 1994). In Singapore, English has been acknowledged as the language of business and commerce, and therefore it has become crucial for greater strides to be made in passing on its knowledge to the citizens (Tucker Corson, 1997). Singapore’s national university has instituted such innovations as the creation of computerized databases that hold â€Å"profiles of Singapore-based English† as a method improving the research and development in the area of English language teaching in the country (1997, p. 227). This type of research appears to enable language instructors to understand the general areas of English that need more or better instruction. Other innovations directly affecting Singapore include the new dictionary of Southeast Asian English as well as numerous conferences that promote the improvement of the language. This research hopes to add further innovations, including in the area of technology, that would build on the projects already begun and further enhance the learning of the language in the country (Chapelle, 2003; Parker, 2007; Reza-Hernandez Clifford, 2003; Klein et al. 2006). Research Objectives The aim of this research is to find new approaches to teaching English that can be easily implemented in the Singaporean context. These will include new instructional methods, teaching aids, and the use of technologies as an integral aspect of imparting the language experience to those who learn. Research Question: How does collaborative learning, using the primary learners as mediators of the language, affect English language instruction in Singapore? Methods The major theme of the implementation strategies will be the establishment of a community of English language learners using a core group of English language institute students as mediators of the language. The use of technology will enhance the project but not be the main focus. In community building, emphasis will be placed on building bridges between and among students of language-learning institution and other schools or groups within the community (Hones, 2000; Parker, 2007; Klein, et al. , 2006). Technology will come into play as computers and the internet will provide the means of uniting persons separated by distance. It will also be used to engage the participation of native speakers of English from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and other English speaking countries of the world. Technology will also be used as a supplement to the activities performed in the language-learning setting (Kamhi-Stein, 2000). The study will therefore take the form of an action research in which the use of existing educational software, games, and activities in English are used within an integrative context. This integrative context will involve the exposure of the language-learning institute students to activities with native speakers, which they will in turn pass on to a group of Singaporeans within a given community—perhaps children or youth group. The types of activities used will include the following †¢ internet word-searches and studies †¢ webquests (Teclahaimanot Lamb, 2004) †¢ on- and offline word-game applications such as Scrabble †¢ watching and discussing movies in English †¢ reading and discussing books in English These will be done together with volunteers from English speaking countries who will be instructed to maintain constant dialogue with the institute student about the activities for the duration of the session. Group chats as well as one-on-one conversations will be used. Later the student will be expected to impart the knowledge gained from the session to members of the community. Activities will be monitored via reports and observation in order to provide the data for the research.

Galactosemia: A Rare Milk Sugar Disorder :: essays research papers

Galactosemia: A Rare Milk Sugar Disorder   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Galactosemia is a rare congenital disorder which affects the body’s inability to convert galactose into glucose. Galactose is a type of sugar, which is a breakdown product of lactose. Lactose is found in milk and milk products, including breast milk. Given that the galactose can not be broken down, it builds up in the body and acts as a poison that can cause serious damage to it‘s carrier(â€Å"galactosemiaâ€Å"). â€Å"As milk is important to a baby’s diet, early diagnosis is essential to avoid lifelong problems from this potentially fatal disorder â€Å"(Chung). This research paper provides information about the genetic part of Galactosemia, the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first trace of information that was brought to light about galactosemia was in 1908 by Von Ruess. He composed an article of his findings in an infant with many of the symptoms we now relate to galactosemia. This work has widely been accepted by scientists as the first reported case of galactosemia. However, at this time the diagnosis of galactosemia was not yet possible. It would be nine years before a similar diagnosis of galactosuria was largely accepted by scientists as a hereditary disorder.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1917, galactosuria was treated by eliminating dairy products from an individual’s diet. (â€Å"galactosemiaâ€Å") The discovery of galactosemia was published by Manson and Turner in immense detail. Although this disease was recognized earlier, it was not until 1956 that scientists discovered the mutated gene that causes galactosemia. It is know that the mutated gene is found encoded on chromosome 9. In 1963, a major break- through was unearthed. Galactosemia was the second disorder found to be detectable through newborn screening. Finally, in 1970 galactosemia was acknowledged as a metabolic disease. Today scientists largely accept the notion that galactosemia is a rare metabolic disorder (disease).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This disorder comes in two different variations. Though there is more than one type, it is still rare, having only 1 in 100,000 births being affected by the disorder (Feinbloom). Classic Galactosemia is the first and more common form of the disorder. This is the form when the affected has a complete loss of the enzyme. Both parents must contribute a galactosemic gene for a child to receive the disorder. Since the accumulation of galactose behaves as a toxin in the body, serious complications such as an enlarged liver, kidney failure, cataracts, and brain damage may occur.

Harlem Literary Warriors

The legacies of slavery, freedom and racism continuously linger in the pages of history.   African American literature blatantly caters varied stories of experiences of those who had been witnesses of the struggles in the Renaissance time (Fabre and Feith).It was a time when the frustrations, desires, sentiments and everything that had been felt by those who felt that they were being oppressed were established in the form of literary pieces established in publications for the purpose of being heard (McKay and Gates).The lame fact of that certain point of time is that it had been a time of agony and doom for some of those who had their heart on writing.   The oppression and deprivation reached up to the point of not being able to be recognized in the field which they wanted to be a part of (Jones).Blacks were not considered as a part of the society, enjoying the privileges which had been sought by those who believed that they were above their race (Jones).   It felt like they we re hooked on a string like puppets.Zora Neale Hurston UnleashedKnown as a woman of deep interest on anything under the sun with a seminal figure of the vintage Harlem Renaissance; celebrated writer, anthropologist and part-time singer actress, shared her skills in the literary world by writing short stories, essays, novels, plays tackling different subjects aimed in enticing the eyes of the empathic masses (Kaplan).However, her classical works have not been published and produced given such reason that a lot of people in her time were considerably beyond her reach, a reason why here works were not often given credit (Nelson).But fate was not as bad as to how it could have seemed, in the person of Wallace Thurman, she was given the chance to share her masterpieces in literature and aside from that, a deeper sense of connectivity lingered but unfortunately soured which was even published forcefully negative against her in an autobiography (Kaplan).Succession of her worksObscurity swal lowed her being leading to a sad death.   If questions ought to pop out in mind for such confusion on how her works came out in the scene, Alice Walker’s succession among Hurston’s works is most likely the most suitable answer (Hurston; Kaplan).Hurston’s Political RhetoricHurston’s imperialistic and political stand in her works portrayed an array of incongruous arguments against cultural politics.   She always believed that the cultural populism is a way of energizing a battalion of democracy (Hurston; Nelson).Community based role innovative representations tiled her echelon of praises for the flexibility of her beliefs in political deeds and perceptions.   Her folklore commitment served as driving force in linking to an authoritarian and ethnically catalyst in political idealism (Hurston; Nelson; Kaplan).Genius of the SouthHer style in writing, though often criticized for the fact that it had not been adhering to what was common and desired by the government, portrays a perfect representation of the freedom of the press, one of the rights of a state which was in her time, not given credit to; her collaboration of passionate and zealous words and her ways in revealing language as well as concealing the cores of the soul, ensemble an indulging arena of classical writing (Hurston; McKay and Gates).The oral folklore which consistently fused her rationality and narrating her life story at the same time, an example by which various authors are mimicking nowadays to catch a reader’s attention had been a breakthrough in destabilizing the mishaps of contemporary literature.   Skipping the conventionality to higher form of intellectual skill in scribbling aiming tom entice the flaming emotion of quest for freedom (Fabre and Feith).

War What Is It Good For - 1386 Words

Sean Younce Professor Pokas Sociology 101 24 Jun 2015 War: What is it Good for? The three major sociological perspectives have conflicting viewpoints about warfare. The three sociological perspectives provide different interpretations of war. The Structural Functionalists focus on how war unites different peoples as they must work together to survive, as well as how war in general protect the freedom of the masses. Conflict Theorists focus on how militarism runs the world, from creating war to create capital to eliminating population through war. Symbolic Interactionists prefer to focus on how symbols( ex. the flag) play such an important role in supporting a war. With these overviews in mind, one can see how conflict theory is†¦show more content†¦Regardless of your opinion on war, historical evidence dictates that war has resolved disputes between nations, wherein winner of the war wins the dispute. Even though most would say that war only ends disputes because the loser dies, it has technically performed this function. Secon d, war generates a sense of social bonding within the societies at war. When people are faced with a common enemy, they unite with a shared purpose and become a greater force than any one alone could ever be. This dynamic is called the external conflict/internal cohesion process (Markides Cohn, 1982). Finally, war throughout history, such as those in which ancient Rome raped and pillaged the surrounding lands and peoples, led to the development of the nation-state as a political institution. Over time, these other peoples forgot their heritage and conformed to the Roman way of life. As these nations grew in stature, the size of their population allowed more room for the advancement of science, medicine, and politics. Therefore, war indirectly contributed to advances Conflict Theory Conflict theory’s perspective on war is considerably less positive than that of functionalism. There are quite a few different views within conflict theory in regards to war, but three main views are prominent. The first view exhibits