Two robots debate the future of humanity

It appears that this year I have not written as many posts as in previews ones. Notwithstanding, you could argue that this particular year I have produced my greatest posts to date. This time around, I decided to talk about to what extent will technology affect us all in the future. Especially the development of humanoid robots. The idea seems taken out a science fiction movie. Still and all, robots have been around since before 2000 to various degrees. In the following, I will address this issue to the best of my ability.

 

Let us first give a short description of ASIMO. He happens to be the first humanoid robot to ever be created. He was developed by Honda in the year 2000 and modified ever since then. ASIMO was created with of intent creating a helper for humankind. To either help people with tasks that were difficult to execute or to perform jobs that were overly dangerous. He has the ability to understand preprogrammed spoken commands and gestures, recognize voices and faces, walk independently and climb stairs, among others. He is still as smart as an insect. Be that as it may, we might end up being surprised not long from now. Among the hazardous tasks he can perform are: fighting fires, disarming bombs and going into dangerous areas.

 

A more recent invention and a quite a breakthrough, has been without a doubt Sophia (The first ever robot to attain a citizenship). She was produced by Hanson Robotics, and their focus was more on artificial intelligence. Her features resemble more young female human being. She still lacks cognizance. Nonetheless, she can articulate scripted sentences in an outstanding manner. It seems as though you are having a conversation with a real person. As well as recognizing people and objects around her. Needless to say that her facial expressions and upper body language are impressive. Albeit, she has not yet showcased the ability to walk as ASIMO does. Not to worry though. Her future looks brighter than the sun as far as we can tell.

 

In summary, it is indeed fascinating how technology is a making our lives much easier as time goes on. It goes without saying it will also have negative effects on people. Such as reducing the need for human manual labor. Progress does requires some sacrifices nonetheless. Regarding robotics, if we combine the skill set of both ASIMO and Sophia, we may be able to create an even more advanced android. Moreover, we also have to take into account that according to Moore's law, computer power doubles every 18 months. After factoring in all these aspects, we conclude that the possibilities for growth are almost endless.

 

Sources:

https://science.howstuffworks.com/asimo.htm

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zarastone/2017/11/07/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sophia-the-worlds-first-robot-citizen/#4e89fe5946fa

BBC Earth Lab

Why curiosity and mentorship will change your life | Bogdan Gogu | TEDxAUBG

A topic that I neglected to write about before is mentorship without a doubt.  Making a decision about what you are going to do for the rest of your life at a young age can be quite daunting. Therefore, having  a mentor beside you who can properly guide and instruct you is essential not to make the same mistakes they did themselves at your age. In the following post, I will be addressing this issue to the best of my ability and expand on it with the aid of some facts and examples.

God or the universe if you will has endowed us with the natural ability to do something out of the ordinary. So long as we do not discover what that is however, we will not be able to capitalize on it.

It is the role of the parents and the education system to provide ways for children to be able to realize what they are good at. Unfortunately nonetheless, the aforesaid role is not executed correctly. Thus, keeping youngsters from uncovering their talents. That is where a mentor can play a highly significant part in solving this problem. Case in point, by exposing children to mentorship programs according to their preferences, we would be expediting the process of them finding a career choice. No matter what type of profession they might be interested in (all the way from medicine to portrait painting), there is always room for growth and improvement in every single occupation out there.

 

Having an inquisitive mind must also be taken into account when it comes to mentoring. Seeking answers for as may questions we can ask ourselves is key. We might struggle looking for the right person to answer them. Still and all, it will be worth it in the end. You see, the beauty of looking for a mentor is that they are not always going to be easy to encounter. Be that as it may, once we come into contact with them, we will appreciate their assistance even more. It could happen at the workplace, at university, or whatnot. The important thing is that this person is going to inspire and keep you motivated so as to be able to reach your end goal. You could even be at your breaking point and this character is going to lift you up and give you a boost to carry on. In the video I am showing you next, the speaker talks about an anxiety level diagram he was told about. Irrespective of how badly you feel while working on a long term goal, that feeling is mostly temporary. Primarily due to you being overwhelmed by such a large number of responsibilities and such a tight schedule.

 

In summary, being able to find a mentor is imperative in order to making a better decision regarding your career path at a young age. Workshops, internships, among other programs can indeed help those who have not been able to decide on a profession yet. I myself bemoan not having found a mentor at an earlier stage of my life. Even though I was lucky enough to meet  a couple "preceptors" later down the road; never did I dispose of the feeling that there was yet another piece of the puzzle that needed to be added. In other words, as long as you are pursuing what interests you and have the suitable educators around who can steer you in the right direction, everything will fall into place eventually.

Emotional Intelligence - Why Your EQ Is More Important Than Your IQ

It indeed has been a while since my last post. Notwithstanding, I did publish a teaser on my Facebook fan page. This topic I have chosen this time is emotional intelligence. Something the large majority of people lack even nowadays. I myself am learning how to apply it in my everyday life. Given that I have had to deal with a couple of rough situations in the past few weeks, it has in fact been essential for me to acquire some knowledge of this approach to life. In the following, am I going to address the essentials of this quality we should all have and provide some real life examples on them.

 

To begin with, it should be taken into account that emotional intelligence is not an inborn talent. Thus, the need for us to develop it through time. Our ability to either disarm people who have desire to hurt us, or successfully deal with an imminent conflict must be attained progressively. Albeit, the aforesaid is not easy task. Not only does it take skill and discipline to gain this capacity, quite a large amount of willpower must be added into the mixture so as to make it second-nature. Let me give you an illustration to elucidate on my explanation. Back when I was slightly younger, I happened to be about to leave the parking lot of a hospital with my mother. Be that as it may, out of nowhere, a person rear-ended her. Consequently, the only thing I resorted to doing was to get out of the car and yell at the man. The aforementioned yelled back at me and threatened to beat me up. Even so, I did not confront him physically. What I did instead was to call both the police and the insurance company. They were in fact the ones who ultimately dealt with the issue at hand.

 

What would have happened however, had I accepted that man's challenge to a physical confrontation. Well, I can tell you one thing for sure. By no means would things have ended in a better fashion. As a matter of fact, in my reaction in the previous paragraph I had used emotional intelligence without even knowing of its existence. Still and all, I have yet to spend time trying to master it. What is more, the ability to know how to express our feelings and emotions in a capable manner has to be learned by all. In point of fact, the information I shared in my teaser is quite true. If more schools implemented emotional intelligence programs throughout the world, the amount of high-school drop-outs and failed students would fall dramatically. The numbers are listed in the video I posted with the aforesaid teaser. This sort capability could have indeed help my deal in a better manner with the issue I had about three years ago. Case in point, had I known how to use emotional intelligence back then, I would have probably not even seen the need to quit school.

 

You live and learn as they say, I am going to employ most my time and efforts on mastering this skill. In fact, some even say it is more important than to have an off-the-charts IQ. It does make sense if you think about it however. What purpose could all the knowledge in the world serve to you, if you were unable to deal with difficult social situations at your work-place for instance? Being aware that emotions can drive our behavior and impact others in either a positive or negative way is crucial to keep in mind at all times. Never forget that it takes two to start a fight. Not to mention that most of the time knowing how to dissuade people from willing to fight  you is the best quality you could ever have.  

 

PS. As always, I will add a video to reinforce my explanations.

 

Sources:

- The School of Life YouTube Channel

- Actualized.org

Social Interaction & Performance: Crash Course Sociology #15

I know I promised I would write a post on this blog about a week ago. Nonetheless, school and some other obligations got in the way. Last week, I posted a teaser on social interaction and how crucial it is for us to be socially active. This time around, I will elucidate on it slightly further. Not to mention I will include a couple of examples in order to reinforce my explanations.

Whether we like it or not, we interact with other people at work, school, or anywhere we go on a constant basis. Thus, the need for us to learn how to behave properly in different situations. Besides, we all have a role in society. Regardless of how big or small, it is a role nevertheless. Apart from roles, we possess statuses. You see, a person usually performs a role, but they also hold a status. Be that as it may, there are some statuses we have no control over. For instance, skin color, gender, the financial situation of a person's parents, among others. The aforesaid are called ascribed statuses. They often happen at birth or later on in life, but are beyond our control. On the other hand, we have achieved statuses. Those are usually attained through hard work and the right conditions. Case in point, becoming the CEO of a reputable company.

Moreover, there is also the master status. In other words, the one people use to recognize you. The aforementioned status can either be accomplished such as "a doctor" or ascribed such as "color blindness patient". Notwithstanding, there are also situations in which roles do not have to be performed. Let me give you an example so as to illustrate my point. You happen to encounter one of your college professors at the mall. The interaction is of course going to be awkward. Due to the fact that it had not been planned in advance. Furthermore, there are countless situations such as the aforesaid in which the specific role of a person in society is not demarcated.

 

In review, I would say that there are a few things we should take into account when it comes to social interaction. Irrespective of how experienced we are socially, should we never disrespect others on account of their beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.  In fact, what makes developed countries remarkably appealing is the social diversity of their main cities. Keeping an open mind does provide you with more opportunities to grow in all aspects of life.

Sources:
- Crash Course YouTube channel

8 Habits of Highly Successful Students

Being successful is something we all strive to accomplish. Do we exactly know how to reach our goals however? Most of us struggle on a daily basis to keep up with our responsibilities and give a good first impression. Still and all, attaining success takes more than merely working hard. Having a plan along with the willingness and motivation to get ahead does help considerably more than you can imagine. Being disciplined and following some steps throughout this long process can certainly take you further than most people. On account of them being sloppy and muddling through most of the time. In the following post, I will go into more detail about how to become an above average student. Since it all starts at school.

 

Have already written a good amount of posts summarizing Thomas Franks' videos. Even so, this particular one caught my attention even more than his previous posts.  In fact, this video is an adaptation of one of Stephen Covey's greatest books so to speak. Back to the topic at hand nonetheless. Firstly, Thomas advises students to think and plan ahead of time. Taking possible setbacks into account before they actually happen can save you some time. Not to mention that being organized and having everything ready beforehand gives you an advantage over other people. Case in point, the school supplies you purchase in advance so as not to start off your upcoming semester on the wrong foot. The second piece of advice he gives is to move towards adulthood. In other words, acting more like an adult. We tend to postpone learning mundane tasks such as cooking and doing the laundry. Be that as it may, without that elementary knowledge, we would not be able to get by on our own. Moreover, having a solution-finding mindset has always proven useful when running into unexpected issues. Hitting a bump in the road does not mean we should immediately quit. Some setbacks and difficulties might seem unlikely to be solved at first. Albeit, taking enough time to figure out how to come up with a solution is crucial. Even if the aforesaid does not work, we get to write down everything we do in order to solve the problem. Thus making it easier for the person whom we are going to ask for help next.

 

In addition, the video highlights the importance of starting to build a network at an early stage in your career. It goes without saying how important it is for you to have friends in the right places as it were. For instance, having a good relationship with your professors in college and leaders in your community can aid you in finding a suitable mentor. Not only will you be able to acquire better opportunities, but you will also have access to more resources such as valuable information, strategies, among others. What is more, something that I can relate to is definitely learning things outside of class. Some skills you will only acquire on the field and not from a book. A useful illustration would be a scholar who wants to become a teacher. He may have an almost unlimited amount of knowledge on the subject he intends to teach. Notwithstanding, if he does not experience being in front of a class and instructing a group of students, he will never be able to call himself an educator. Acquiring knowledge in different areas can benefit your performance and skill-set in your respective field. Furthermore, it is always a good idea to constantly keep your eyes open and be on the lookout for opportunities. Social media, volunteering programs in the community, online resources. There are countless places where you can look for advertisements on jobs, internships, etc. Needless to say that this tip ties in perfectly with the one about building relationships. The more people you know who hold you in a high esteem, the more chances you will have to be successful. Besides, fitting a good diet and exercise into your routine should never be disregarded. The amount and quality of sleep, exercise and food you get regularly will assist you in successfully dealing with anxiety and stress. Apart from helping you perform effectively more often than not. Lastly, some people believe they have to go to a school to learn a new skill. Nevertheless, taking action and trying to learn the basics of something does not always entail that much effort. Once you have a good foundation on a particular area, you can hone your skills by attending a course for example.

 

In review, achieving greatness requires more than putting in some effort into what you want. Taking into account how necessary it is to be disciplined, organized and socially active is imperative so as to be successful. There is no point in being knowledgeable if you are not going to put that knowledge into good use. Finding the perfect balance between studying or doing research and experiencing things hands-on is key to success. Needless to say that having people around who can help you will boost your chances of reaching your desired goals by a high margin. If you encounter a difficulty along the way, do not get discouraged. Always reflect on your past mistakes and look for ways to improve yourself. That way you will never stop growing and will find better and faster solutions to issues that arise from time to time. You can even leave your lane while on the way to success. Meaning trying out a different path due to the previous one not working out as effectively. Having said that, we should never lose focus of what our original goal was in the first place.

The Afterlife Explained Within 14 Minutes Or Less!

It has indeed been a while since I last posted. About a month ago to be precise. This time around, I decided to write about the afterlife. Unfortunately, a family member has recently passed away. Thus, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate this post to him. There are countless religious beliefs regarding what could happen to a person after they leave Planet Earth for good as it were. In the following article, I will tackle a few of them. Apart from touching on some scientific theories as well.

 

Let us begin with the religious approach. Thus far, have I only found information on the afterlife in regards to the main four religions worldwide: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

 

Christianity: The majority of Christians (most denominations that is) believe in some sort of heaven, whereby they can enjoy the presence of God. Most of them follow the idea that Jesus laid down his life for them on the cross. They also hold the belief that those who do not follow Jesus will wind up in hell. In other words, according to the Christian doctrine, those who do have faith in Jesus and accept him as their savior, will receive salvation.

As regards to funeral ceremonies, Christian used to mostly favor burial of the body. Nonetheless, nowadays both burial and cremation are accepted by them.

Islam: For Muslims, present life is a preparation stage for a greater one. A different plane of existence. That is to say, a journey from one world to the other. Their prophet gave them three main guidelines: First of all, to have given charity throughout their life-time. Secondly, to acquire an extensive amount of knowledge and be able to share it with future generations. Lastly, to have prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.

Upon death, the body of the deceased is cleansed and covered in a white cloth. The preparation for burial transpires as soon as the person has passed away. Muslims usually come together and perform prayers soon after their deceased loved one is buried. The corpse has to be laid on its ride side facing Makkah (A holy city in Saudi Arabia). On behalf of the deceased, pilgrimage, prayers and fasting are performed by their relatives.

Hinduism: Hindus strongly believe in the rebirth and reincarnation of souls. Thus, according to Hinduism, death is seen as a natural stage in the existence of the soul as a separate entity. When a person ceases to exist, their soul travels temporarily to another realm, and finally returns once more to Earth to continue its journey.

Hindus do not bury their dead. They actually cremate them. According to Hinduism, a human body consists of five elements. Out of the five, four are water, air, fire, and earth. The fifth element would be called "ether", and it does not belong to this world (Domain of the subtle body). Upon cremation of the body, the elements are returned to their individual spheres. Whereas the subtle body along with the soul go back to the world for the continuation of the afterlife. Several rituals are performed during the cremation ceremony.

Buddhism: Awareness of death was what encouraged Lord Buddha to explore the examine the truth behind worldly concerns and conveniences. After a long journey, Lord Buddha concluded that death was inevitable for a person who only focused on worldly pleasures and attitudes. Nowadays, Buddhists see death as detachment from this materialistic world. Buddhist people do not regard death as a continuation of the soul. Instead they see it as an awakening. Be that as it may, they do believe in reincarnation. The status of the new life of the person reincarnated will be determined by their works during their previous death.

Family members and monks usually recite scriptures and mantras when a person is about to die. As a result, they can help the dying person achieve a peaceful state of mind.

 

When it comes to explaining death through science, near-death and out of body experiences are the closest instances doctors have to go by.  Doctors say that the brain cannot operate when the heart has stopped beating. Albeit, several patients who had been clinically dead due to cardiac arrest recalled having had an out-of-body experience. After their hearts had been restarted that is. For instance, a 57-year-old social worker from Southampton was able to recount the medical procedure performed by the nursing staff. He even recollected the sound of the machines. Dr. Parnia from Southampton University, believes many more people such as the one mentioned above have these experiences when they are close to death. Nevertheless, sedatives and drugs may stop them from remembering. Even so, the aforementioned man was able to recall leaving his body completely and watching his resuscitation from the corner of the room. Many people have presumed that these were hallucinations. Notwithstanding, the claims of patients from hospitals in the US, UK and Austria do seem to correspond to real events.

Lastly we know that the brain normally shuts down within 20-30 seconds after the heart has stopped.

 

In review, I would say that both religious and scientific theories have some truth to them. Still and all, I will always consider myself an advocate of science. Due to the fact that evidence 99% of the time points on the direction of what is stated by a scientific theory. Conversely, religious claims are mostly based on their respective scriptures. Whose reliability is never the best. Considering the fact that they are man-made books strongly influenced by ancient culture. Regardless of their validity nonetheless, it is always a good piece of advice for a scientist to do research on "holy books". Hence, being able to broaden their understanding of early civilizations and find even more inconsistencies in the aforesaid books.

Sources:
http://www.religiousmovements.org/views-on-death-according-to-different-religions/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/12/first-hint-of-life-after-death-in-biggest-ever-scientific-study/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE9iUiRg4yY

01 What Is Neuroscience

Had I been going through my old posts, pondering over what topic would be appropriate to write about next. Even though I have yet to tackle one more teaching approach, there is one particular subject that caught my attention this past week. I am referring to neuroscience. Not only was it part of the curriculum for one the courses I am taking at school, but it also came up in a marketing book I am currently reading (Customer Sense by Aradhna Krisna). The aforesaid led me to believe that neuroscience encompasses a wide variety of fields. In the following post, will I address this matter as best as possible.

 

Neuroscience (Also known as Neural Science) studies how the nervous system develops. Apart from its main role and how it affects an individual's behavior and cognitive functions. In fact the concept of neuroscience as a field was first introduced in 1963 through the "Society of Neuroscience Conference". As opposed to neurology, which is a substantially older term. Be that as it may, neuroscience studies not only the biology of the brain, but it expands and entails several other areas of study related to it. Case in point, the fields of psychology, medicine and even marketing, among others, can all be benefited from the study of neuroscience. In the case of medicine (including psychiatry as well) for instance, it can assist experts in the treatment of diseases such as: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism, schizophrenia, depression, etc. Alternatively, it can also be of great help in several areas of education. For example, through the use of neuroscience educational experts are going to be able to design methods and strategies so as to improve students long term memory and IQ levels.

 

As mentioned above, neuroscience can aid a countless number of other fields. The aforementioned being possible in light of it being such a far-reaching area of study. Notwithstanding, let us not forget about the anatomy of the human brain. The brain is a three pound organ (1.36 kg) that processes information. It takes that information and it generates thoughts and actions. Albeit, due to it being a physical organ, it can also malfunction or make mistakes. When taking into account the exterior parts of the brain first, we should begin with the "neocortex". The neocortex is located in front of the head between the temples. It receives and stores information for the process of decision making and remembering. Not to mention that it has several other functions that I will mention as I go on. The somatosensory cortex is a part of the cerebral cortex where touch sensations are processed. Moreover, the visual and auditory cortex occupy a considerably large part of the neocortex and are essential for a fully operational brain. Among the core part of the brain, we have the following: The hypothalamus, which is located in the lower center and the brain. It regulates body temperature, stress responses, blood pressure, emotions such as rage, sleep cycles, among others. The cerebellum on the other hand is responsible for sensory processing. Such as smooth movements. A tennis stroke or a fancy dance step for instance. The amygdala (almond shape set of neurons that cover 1/7th of the brain) also does emotional processing. It is part of the limbic system communicates with other regions such as the insula. I could continue talking about the parts of the brain. Nonetheless, it would take such a long time that it would be better not to.

 

In summary, neuroscience plays such an important role not a wide variety of areas of study. Not only does it deal with the biological part of the brain, but with everything it entails and has a connection with. As mentioned above, countless breakthroughs in this field have yet to be made. Case in point, in the treatment of mental disorders and brain diseases. Needless to say, that it also helps us understand the human psyche in such a way that we can develop new strategies to improve the quality of teaching in the field of education. Not to mention that it could also be possible to even improve a professional athlete's performance through the utilization of mental training, among others. The possibilities on how useful neuroscience will become are endless. It already is fundamental in our understanding of human behavior and psyche. Nevertheless, it seems as though we are only touching the surface.

 

Sources:

- https://neuro.georgetown.edu/about-neuroscience

- https://www.quora.com/When-did-the-field-of-Neuroscience-become-known-as-Neuroscience

- https://www.sharecare.com/health/functions-of-the-brain/what-is-the-neocortex

- https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/amygdala.htm

- The Neuroscience of every day life - Lecture 1- Sam Wang Ph.D. Princeton University 

Physics - Thermodynamics: (1 of 22) What is the First Law of Thermodynam...

A couple of weeks ago, at the very last service I attended, I heard the preacher say as follows: "One more reason not to believe most scientists is to hear that matter cannot be created nor destroyed". Once more, religious people display their inability to understand science. Have I even met Christians who have got degrees in engineering and nursing who still believe everything the bible has to say. Therefore, more than a lack of education (in these particular cases that is), there is an unwillingness from this people to learn the truth. Am I not going to go into detail as to why I was still attending church until that recently. Suffice it to say that I still had a glimmer of hope for these people. Now however, I would rather meditate and pray at the comfort of my home or wherever I happen to be at.

 

Back to the issue at hand nonetheless. What most people fail to understand is that matter and energy are constantly changing at quantum and atomic levels. Thus, the reason why these changes are not easily perceived by the human eye. The law of conservation of mass states that  in a chemical reaction, mass can neither be created nor destroyed. Whereas the law of conservation of energy states that all energy in a closed system must remain constant. It can not increase nor decrease without interference from an outside source. The aforesaid law is also known as the 1st law of thermodynamics. How can we explain how energy changes forms however? Case in point, when we climb the stairs, chemical energy in our food is changed into kinetic energy by our muscles, which in turn transforms into potential energy as our bodies are raised against gravity.

 

Mass conservation and energy conservation can be combined into mass-energy conservation. In fact, mass is not converted into energy or vice-versa. They are conserved as each other due to E = MC² equation which shows that "massless energy particles can act as mass when confined to a system. Energy = Mass times the constant speed of light squared. Despite the fact that mass and energy are equivalent and able to "convert" into each other without losing or gaining mass-energy, they are not exactly the same. Energy is the essential building block of everything in the universe, and all energy has mass when tied to a system. For instance, fire is a result of a conversion of chemical energy into thermal and electromagnetic energy through a chemical reaction. The aforesaid reaction merges the molecules in fuel (wood) with oxygen from the air to create water and carbon dioxide. It sends forth energy in the form of heat and light.

 

In conclusion, we could say that matter can indeed created or destroyed (only on the surface however). Be that as it may, its elementary particles of energy and mass cannot be destroyed nor created. In lieu, energy and mass are purely conserved as each other when matter transforms. Consequently, there is no such thing as "nothing". The universe is full of quantum field fluctuations (the temporary change in the amount of energy in a point in space). Lastly, we could conclude that: "At its core, all that exists has always existed and will always exist". Have the stultifying effects of dogma prevented religious people from comprehending the importance of the issue explained above? That might be a topic for another day.

 

Sources:

- http://factmyth.com/factoids/energy-is-neither-created-or-destroyed/
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/energy-can-neither-be-created-nor-destroyed/
- Michael Van Biezen YouTube channel.

What is the communicative approach?

Has it exactly been eleven days since my last post. Notwithstanding, it does seem slightly longer. Probably due to the fact that I have been somewhat introspective these past few days. As promised however, I will keep on talking about language teaching methods and approaches. This time, the focus will be on "The Communicative Approach". A widely spread and highly successful approach that has been around since the 1960s. 

As its name would suggest, its main focus is on communication. Thus, meaning that the best way to learn a language is through interaction. Even though it is important to learn about grammar, vocabulary, and discourse, the study of them alone will not guarantee fluency in the target language. Consequently, the need to keep a balanced syllabus or lesson plan. In addition, teacher should not only take CLT (Communicative Language Teaching) into account when preparing their classes,  but also other approaches. As I have mentioned on my previous posts, the ideal method for a successful language class is to be able to use an "Eclectic approach" (Blend of different approaches). For instance, useful activities applying this method in the classroom would be: Group work and role-play. Not to mention the use of authentic materials/realia (Examples of real language used for real communication).

What is more, reducing the amount of teacher talking time is essential when using this approach. In fact,  learners must become active users of the target language. Hence, the role of the teacher should be more of a facilitator. Needless to say that even when correcting, language instructors must be tactful. Case in point, rather than being curt with a student when he makes a mistake, we can make use of techniques such as recasting/shadowing (Repeating the last sentence the student said with the correct structure). So as not to raise their the students' affective filter that is (Not to make them anxious). Furthermore, emphasis is on fluency when using CLT. Irrespective of how indispensable it may seem to use the target language accurately, it will not matter if the learner does not speak it fluently. Therefore, none of the aforesaid should be disregarded. Lastly, basing our lesson on our students communicative needs is also key to having a worthwhile class.

In conclusion, I would say as follows: Even though it might not seem easy to communicate fluently in the target language at first, we should not let our students get discouraged. Learning a language takes time, patience and dedication. Doing things in order to make certain that our students are motivated and learning appropriately is crucial too. Using a language register that is slightly above theirs will constantly challenge them for example. Besides, allowing students to learn grammar through a heuristic method could prove useful as well. I am of the opinion however, that learners should be exposed to both. Activities making use  of the language structures, and short explanations so as to consolidate their learning.

PS. Before I go, I will leave you with the following quote whose author I neglected to find:

"I hope learning English is not your New Year's resolution. It should be your life's resolution"

Sources:

- The TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course Modules 1, 2 and 3, Cambridge University Press, 2011.
- http://eldstrategies.com/affectivefilter.html
 - Fiona Sloane YouTube Channel

Fact vs. Theory vs. Hypothesis vs. Law… EXPLAINED!

Has it not been that long since my last post. Be that as it may, a topic for debate arose in a class I am taking now. In fact, more than a topic, it was the definition a four words: "Hypothesis", "Theory", "Law" and "Theorem". Before, I proceed with my explanations nonetheless, will I say that this is not the first time I talk about science. Irrespective of my limited knowledge of the aforesaid area, do I try to keep myself well-informed and unprejudiced when it comes to relevant issues such as the one I will touch on tonight.

As I have previously mentioned on my post regarding evolution, the vast majority of people world-

wide still mistake the term "theory" for "hypothesis". You see, a hypothesis is "a". For instance, you could say something such as: "All brands of light-bulb last equally long". Notwithstanding, once you test out the different brands, you find that brand "X LED light-bulb" offers the best quality, performance, and durability. You could thus say that the aforesaid hypothesis has been disproved. It would be worth noting that before we develop a hypothesis, we have to make an observation about something. Conversely, a theory is " a well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method. Repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation". Case in point,  the big bang theory, which suggest that the universe began about 14 billion years ago with a colossal expansion event. Even though it cannot be directly observed, most of the evidence found thus far indicates it indeed took place. Not to mention inductive reasoning, and the tests done to the aforementioned theory as well.

Moreover, a law is "a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describe some phenomenon of nature". An example would be Kepler's laws of planetary motion. Which can be proven through mathematical equations. A theorem on the other hand, is "a statement that can be shown to be true by accepted mathematical operations and arguments. For example, the Pythagorean theorem, which states that "In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the square of the other two sides".  Generally however, a theorem is the embodiment of some general rule that makes it part of a larger theory". What is more, outside of mathematics, a theorem would be one of the tests that are done to a theory so as to validate it. Not to mention that according to Richard Feynman (Novel Prize-winning physicist, 1985), any theorem can be viewed as inconsequential by mathematicians once it has been proven (Regardless of how challenging it must have been to solve).

 

In review, I would say that it is imperative not to confuse one scientific term with another. From what I have been able to glean, I have found reasonable descriptions of what I have explained today. Albeit, there is an almost limitless amount of information out there. Needless to say a large number of people to talk to. Hence, the need to have an inquisitive mind and always do research. The more knowledge you gain, the more you will be able to understand the world around you. Stay humble and question almost everything you hear as long as you can prove it wrong.

PS. I neglected to mention that a group of hypotheses can become a theory. It is better explained in the video I will share.
 

Sources:

- http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/scientific-experiments/10-scientific-laws-  theories1.htm
- https://sciencenotes.org/hypothesis-examples/
- http://amazingbeautifulworld.com/amazing-facts/10-scientific-laws-and-theories-you-really-should-know/3/
- http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Theorem.html
- http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Theorem.html
- http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/archive

TPR - An Overview of Total Physical Response (Theory, History, Thoughts)

Once again, I have found some time to be able to keep this blog alive. For now, am I going to continue with the topic of English teaching approaches and methods. As soon as I am done with them though, will I try to move on to something slightly different. TPR (Total physical response), is a method I had been meaning to talk about for a while. I might have probably talked about it a couple of years ago. Nonetheless, am I convinced that this time around, I am going to be able not only to explain TPR, but also expand on it in a better fashion. Without further ado, let us begin.

 

"TPR" was developed by Dr. James J. Asher during the 1960s. Its view of language, is that grammatical structures and vocabulary are the most important aspects of language. Albeit, when first learned, they should not be acquired the traditional way. Hence, its language learning focus explains it more accurately: First of all, learners learn by being exposed to the target language. Thus, comprehension should come before production. What is more, learners need a silent period (A time when learners hear the language before they can produce it) so as to acquire the language. Consequently, students must not be interrupted until they are ready. Besides, it is thought that language is learn best when joint by doing things physically. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that for all of the above to successfully take place, learners have to be calm and soothed.

 

Furthermore, it would be most appropriate at this point to substantiate what I have been writing about so to speak. Well, there are few things we have to understand regarding the human brain first. You see, the aforesaid has two hemispheres. The left hemisphere is more logical and rational. It thereby performs tasks that have to do with science and math. Conversely, the right hemisphere performs tasks that have to do with creativity and the arts. In addition, the both are joined by a part called "corpus callosum". Back to TPR however. Dr. Asher noticed as follows: He considered that the Broca's area (speech/frontal lobe) and the Wernicke's area (comprehension/temporal lobe), were both located on the left side of the brain. Be that as it may, learners needed to use the right side of the brain in order to acquire new words/phrases for the first time. This is because the right hemisphere does not analyze content when first encountered. Since, its function is not to reason things out. Not to mention that the right side of the brain is used to listen. Thus, it makes more sense to listen first, and then use the left hemisphere to produce the newly learned word after some thought. Hence, the reason why the traditional teaching method does not work with beginners most of the time.

 

In review, there are countless benefits to applying the TPR method in the classroom. Long-term retention being one of them. Even so, as I have said in previous posts, resorting to only one method/ approach would not be a smart thing to do. Due to the simple fact that students need variety and change in the classroom from time to time. Needless to say, that some methods work better with some learners than others owing the their types of intelligences. Despite the fact that I have covered a considerable chunk of information, there are yet a couple more points I have not touched on. Still and all, I believe the source material would be more helpful in aiding your learning process through further explanations. One last peace of advice from me would be to do use this method in your class whenever you have the chance. Try not acting as the YouTuber from the video I am going to share did. He took vicarious excitement out of watching videos of other teachers using this method in real life. The aforesaid (ESLexplorer) might be indeed exceptionally smart. Nonetheless, only by putting the technique into practice, will he fully comprehend and connect with it.

Sources:
- http://www.travlanders.com/DL/TPR-Int...
- ESLexplorer YouTube channel.
- The TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course Modules 1, 2 and 3, Cambridge University Press, 2011.

P is for PPP

Do I know there has been a considerably long hiatus since the last time I posted anything. On my defense nonetheless, I will say that it has not been as long as some other times. On the plus side, I did managed to complete the entire preparation course material for the TKT (Test I will be taking in a few months). Notwithstanding, I believe it would be necessary to take a couple more mock tests so as to secure a high-score on the actual day of the exam. Back to the main topic. Last time, I talked about TBL (Task Based Learning). Thus, an accurate continuation for this post would the PPP approach (Presentation, Production, practice). A more structured, yet old-fashioned method. In the following post, I will tackle the importance of this particular approach, and elucidate on my explanation as I proceed.

 

The main focus of this approach is definitely on grammatical structures and functions (the reasons why we communicate). Hence, the method suggests that language is learned by first witnessing it take place in context. Then, practicing it in controlled and guided conditions. Lastly, using it in freer conditions which give the student less support from the teacher. We could say that being able to practice the language in a safe environment has its benefits. It does indeed. Notwithstanding, when it comes to using the target language in real life, learners will need as much exposure to it as possible. Consequently, the reason why countless language educators use the PPP approach alongside TBL.

 

Moreover, each stage is fixed and takes place immediately after the other. Therefore, lessons move on from the presentation stage, to the practice stage, to the production stage. In other words, students need chances to get the language right before they can experiment. At least according to this approach, the aforesaid rule should be respected for the student to have results. Even though I concur with the aforesaid to an extent, I do think that it should also be complemented with other methods. As I mentioned above. Another feature of the PPP is that the teacher inputs language. Consequently, he will be the main source of knowledge. Since he will provide examples and explanations. Finally, common activities for this approach are: Situational presentations (Scenarios in context) or miming during the presentation stage; drills (repetition exercises) during the controlled practice stage; and role-play or information-gap activities at the production stage.

 

In review, no single English teaching method/approach is perfect per se (And that includes PPP). Be that as it may, when combined with others, they can be significantly helpful in the classroom (Eclectic approach). Thereby, the need for language teachers to be cautious when using a blend of different approaches. They have to take into account their learners' learning styles, and intelligences for instance. In conclusion, so as to further explain my opinion on the matter, will I attach a video that  underpins and expands my views on PPP.

Sources:
- The TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course Modules 1,2 and 3 Cambridge University Press (2011).
- Scott Thornbury (Language expert) YouTube Channel.

Black Box Videocast 9: What is Task-Based Language Teaching?

Even though I have briefly dealt with English teaching methods on this blog before, had I never previously acknowledged the TBL approach. "TBL" stands for "Task Based Learning". I would say that it does in fact correspond with a small number of other methods, such as: "The Communicative Approach", "Total Physical response", among others. In the following post, am I going to address the importance of TBL in the classroom, and express my opinion on the matter.

 

Introduced about twelve years ago, TBL focuses on language as a tool for communication. In other words the target language is learned by application. You see, the lesson is based upon the completion of a central task. As a result, the content studied is contingent on what takes place as the students complete it. Moreover, the study of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation could either be considered or not after the main task is finished. Notwithstanding, the use of this method is not set in stone for a particular type of class. In fact, there is something called: "An eclectic approach"(An approach with mixes techniques from different other methods). The aforesaid suggests that teacher can take the liberty to use this approach (with prudence that is) to better suit the needs of their students. Since learners different learning styles and divergent ideas on how language should be learned.

 

Back to the topic at hand nonetheless. Let us list the most relevant stages of the TBL approach:

Pre-Task:  The teacher introduces the topic to be dealt with, and explains what the task is going to be. They usually aid the students remember previously seen content, and show clear examples so as to facilitate the process.

Task: The students work in groups in order to complete the task. They will use all the resources the have at their disposal. In the meantime, the teacher supervises the class and offers help.

Planning: Students arrange a short oral/written record so as to inform the class about what happened during their task. The teacher is still available to assist the learners.

Report: The students will present their report/record to the class either in a written or oral form. The teacher will decide the order in which the learners present their report. What is more, they will also offer useful feedback to students. Not to mention that they will show them some illustrations for the learners to compare with their own work.

Analysis: The teacher accentuates the more crucial parts  from the text of the recording (illustration) for the class to analyze. The teacher can also encourage the students to identify the most interesting aspects from the text. They can also emphasize the language used during the report.

Practice: Lastly, the teachers selects areas where the students need some improvement. In other words, what the errors that emerged during the report. Consequently, the learners then do practice activities so as to further develop their confidence and skills.

 

In conclusion, I would say that it has been proven that no specific teaching approach is perfect. Thus, the reason why I mentioned the eclectic approach in the above paragraph. In truth, it is up to the teacher whether to focus on a controlled practice, freer practice or free activity. It could even be communicative activity. It will all depend on the students' needs and preferences. As a matter of fact, using several kinds of activities in our lessons adds variety. Thus, keeping the learners motivated and interested in the topic at hand. Be that as it may, moderation (Not to overuse a specific method) does play an important role in the success of our lessons (As I previously stated on this post as well).

Sources:
- http://esol.britishcouncil.org/content/teachers/staff-room/teaching-articles/task-based-approach
- TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course (Modules 1,2 and 3) Cambridge University Press.

What is customer service ? The 7 Essentials To Excellent Customer Service

Customer service in Perú has considerably improved in the past few years. Notwithstanding, there is still a fairly large number of unscrupulous businesses here that focus on self-gain more than  anything else. Thus, the reason why it is imperative to tackle this issue and try to fix it in the best way  possible.  According to a recent study by "Zendesk Benchmark", the three countries (As of August 2015) with the highest customer service satisfaction rates are: "Belgium", "Norway", and "New Zealand". What should other countries due to duplicate the success of the aforesaid?. In the following, I will express my opinion on the matter, and share with you a handful of key pieces of advice on it as well.

Irrespective of the type of service you offer, your priority should always be to keep your customers satisfied. In essence, customer service is about how to please your clients by meeting their needs and expectations. For instance, if I register at a language school to learn a third language, the least I expect of the school is to have highly qualified teachers and a pleasant infrastructure. Not to mention  that I would also expect from the clerks working in the counter to be well-informed about the programs the school offers, and to have some knowledge of the languages being taught. Be that as it may, the aforementioned concept is not exactly being applied by all language centers in Lima for example. Hence, the illustration I gave can be applied to most businesses. Even so, there is more to efficient customer service than only doing what we believe the be best for our clients. Being attentive and informed of their concerns is also crucial.

One simple suggestion I would give to begin with, would be to employ the "LAST approach".

You see, the first thing you should do when a customer has a complaint is to enquire what the problem is. In order to do that nonetheless you have to listen carefully first. After they are done, you can rephrase their complaint so as to ensure them you understood the message. Lastly, you should try help the customer regain their composure as best as you can. Case in point, by expressing your point respectfully (Sir/Madam, I understand your frustration and want to help you solve your problem, but your anger/ language is getting in the way), and of course by not taking any offensive comments personally. Afterward, you should apologize on behalf of the company. You could say something along the lines of: "We are sorry you had to go through that". Regardless of whether or not it was directly your fault, you should still apologize. You do not necessarily have to put the blame on the company that is. What is more, when it comes to solving the problem, there are a couple of ways to deal with it: If you can solve it, you should explain what you are going to do. To illustrate my point, let me give you an example: If you work in the counter of a hotel and are told about a Wi-Fi problem within one of the rooms, you could tell the guest: "This is how we are going to proceed: I am going to send an IT to your room as soon as possible". Be that as it may, if you cannot resolve the problem yourself you could tell the customer: "Let me check with my manager to see how we can solve your situation as best as possible". Finally, and by the time the issue has been dealt with, you should thank the client. You could say: "Thank you for letting us know about your situation. It was indeed helpful to us" Not only can a company grow by being aware of their customers concerns, it can also do so by ending a disagreement in a friendly manner. 

In review, applying the "LAST approach" can indeed aid business owners, and by extension their employees to offer a best service overall. Even so, there is more to each one of the steps mentioned in the aforesaid approach. Consequently, the need for me to elucidate on them slightly more. The video I will attach so as to reinforce this content, was made by Coach David Brownlee, a highly successful businessman and customer service consultant that will guide you through this process in a more efficient way. Before I leave though, I would like to share the following inspirational quote by Brian Tracy: "Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking: What's in it for me?".

Sources:
- https://www.zendesk.com/blog/
- www.engvid.com

What is evolution? Charles Darwin's brilliant idea explained

https://youtu.be/PxK2UQpbJ7E

Evolution, is without a doubt a highly controversial theory; regardless of the vast amount of evidence there is so as to prove its validity. What is more, not too long ago, a new human-like species was discovered. In 2013, anthropology professor John Hawks and his team aided by the locals made a huge discovery. They found 15 partial skeletons in a burial chamber deep in a cave system in Johannesburg.  An unprecedented achievement for the scientific community. Still and all, countless religious people still remain skeptical about evolution. What more evidence do these people need to come to the conclusion that most religious ancient texts were purely man-made?

 

"Homo Naledi". That is how this newly-discovered species has been named. Let me refresh your

memory regarding the human evolutionary chain.

- Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years ago): Fossils were discovered in Ethiopia in the 1990s.

  They were able to climb trees and walk upright.

- Australopithecus afarensis (3.9 - 2.9 million years ago): The famous "Lucy" skeleton belongs to

   this species of human relative. Fossils of this species have only been found in East Africa. They 

   were also able to walk upright, but spend most of their time in the trees.

- Homo habilis (2.8 - 1.5 million years ago): This human ancestor had a slightly larger braincase and

   smaller teeth than older species, but retained features such as long arms.

- Homo naledi (Still of unknown age, but thought to be as old 3 million years): This new

   discovery had small modern-looking teeth, human-like feet, but more primitive fingers and a

   small braincase.

- Homo erectus (1.9 million years ago): Homo erectus had a modern body plan that was almost

   equal to ours. Nonetheless, it had a smaller brain than a modern person. Not to mention a more

   primitive face.

- Homo neanderthalensis (200 000 years - 40 000 years ago): They were a side group to modern

   humans. This species inhabited western Eurasia  before our species left Africa. They were shorter

   and more muscular than modern people. Besides having slightly larger brains.

- Homo sapiens (200 000 years ago - present): Modern humans evolved in Africa from a predecessor

   species known as "Homo heidelbergensis". A small group of Homo sapiens left Africa 60 000

   years ago and settled the rest of the world. They replaced other human species through

   interbreeding.

 

The aforesaid evidence, should be able to preclude the existence of any other theory regarding the origin of humankind. Be that as it may, there is something else that needs to be considered. As if this information was not enough, I would like to add the following explanation. The reason why the "Theory of evolution" is called a "theory" is not due to the fact that it is merely a hypothesis. You see, in science , a theory is an explanation for something that is seen in nature. Thus, there is usually evidence to substantiate a scientific theory. Whereas a law, is typically used for describing some relationship that we witness in nature. Case in point, there is Charle's Law that states that for a gas, as the temperature rises, the volume of that gas rises too. In other words, a theory would be what explains why a law exists. Consequently, we can conclude that what creationists claim about evolution is just a misconception.

Finally, I would also like to mention that the former Pope himself (John Paul the 2nd), stated as follows: "Fresh knowledge leads to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than just a hypothesis". He said the aforesaid on a letter released to the Pontifical Academy of Science meeting back in October 1996, in Rome. As a result, even some of the most prominent religious authorities have come to accept evolution as a fact. Notwithstanding, the pursuit to fully reconcile science and religion is yet to be fulfilled, as many still refuse to acknowledge the truth. In order to better understand evolution, I will attach a video of highly regarded biology teacher Ceri Evans. On this video he introduces the concept of evolution to a group of high-school students in an exceptionally dynamic manner. According his explanation the process of evolution happens through: Competition for survival, variation through mutation (random), and adaptation to fit their environment.

 

Sources:

- Article by Pallab Ghosh, BBC News, September 10th, 2015.

- Scientific American Magazine, July issue, 2002.

- Article by Randy Frame, December 9th, 1996.

One decision can change your life | Michael Sales | TEDxColoradoSprings

Can one decision really change the entire course of your life? That is a question I had been asking myself for a long time, until I happened to watch "La La Land". Indeed a movie a highly recommend. Not only due to the fact that it is well organized in terms of story-telling, but also owing to it playing with the plot in such a marvelous way. For instance, by showing a what-if scenario near the end of the movie, that it seems it was going to end that way. Back to topic however. In the ensuing post, I am going to share my experiences and opinions so as to tackle this issue as best as possible.

Ever since I can remember, it had always been a challenge for me not only to voice my opinions out-loud, but also to even approach a person from the opposite sex and have a conversation with them. However, through time, I learned how to deal with those situations considerably more efficiently. As consequence of my former indecisions nonetheless, I happened to regret some of the outcomes. Case in point, I remember one time in my freshman year in college, I did in fact ruined a opportunity to date a very attractive girl more than once. On account of my still-remaining insecurity back then. Even though, I had already had some experience in that regard. Did I even daydreamed for some time thinking what would have happened, had I acted differently in those situations. Although deep inside, I knew that for now, time-travel was not a reality. Thus, I needed to use my achievements as a way to bolster my confidence. In fact, that is what happened in the end. My teaching experience served as a capstone for me to resume my studies in college. Not to mention, that it also motivated me even more to undertake some other projects.

In order to reinforce what I right on these posts, you already know I share some videos. Well, this time around I listened to Michael Sales' (Motivational speaker, author, and former commercial pilot) story. He proved to me that one decision can in fact change your whole life, just by listening to his story. It took him some thought to decide what he was going to do for the rest of his life, after he left community college. Notwithstanding, did he make the right choice. Unfortunately though, it seemed as if his years of experience had not been enough for him to control the flying device he rode back in 2013. Due to a few a mechanical error, Michael suffered a devastating accident that cause him the mobility of his legs. In spite of the aforesaid nevertheless, Michael never lost his resolve. In fact he became even more determined to accomplish his goals. To say nothing of the fact that he also became stronger in every aspect of his life. For instance, he started applying himself at the gym, to the point of, not only entering, but winning several wheelchair competitions. Be that as it may, he did not stop there. He also became a very successful motivational speaker and author. He motivates people around the world. From high-schoolers to prominent business men and women. Had Michael stopped believing in himself however, none of what he accomplished would have been possible.  

In review, I wanted to say that courage and determination are not qualities that are rooted in our nature. We have to work hard so as to acquire them. While in the process notwithstanding, we cannot relent either. You see, as Michael himself said: "You are never going to be great searching for the approval of others". That means that you are the one who has to ultimately decide what you will do for the rest of your life. If you are not doing it already that is. By doing something that is not truly your passion, you are always going to feel unaccomplished. Therefore, the reason why it is important to introspect from time to time about your work. So as to make sure whether what you are doing is the right thing for you or not. Just as I mentioned in my previous post about career paths. You can start adding value and making other people's lives better by doing what you love. Albeit, until you discover what it is that you are passionate about, that will never happen.

How to Choose a Career

Which career path should I choose? That is a question most of us ask ourselves once we are out of high-school, or whenever we are willing to start over. Needless to say that in my particular case it was not easy whatsoever. Albeit, through time, I was able to not only find what I was good at, but also dedicate most of my time and efforts to it. In the following post, am I going to tackle this issue based on Brian Tracy's (Motivational speaker and author) account, supporting it with my own opinions and experiences.

 

According to Brian Tracy's research, most working people in America do not feel fully challenged by their current job. Why does this happen though?. I have a theory. For instance where I come from, and all throughout South America, parents usually pressure their children into getting into college too soon. Making the aforesaid decision prematurely can prove to be a huge mistake on part of the parents. On account of it being detrimental to their children's professional and even psychological development. Even though this is changing now, it still takes place due to the education system being flawed in most Latin American countries. Back to Brian's account, taking part in a job that is not ideal for you, can in fact deprive you of some of your most productive years.

 

How to counter this though?. Well, before deciding what career to pursue, you need to do as follows:  You have to introspect about what are good at doing, and based on the aforementioned, think of what you like doing. Besides that, you need to look for jobs that allow you to do what you enjoy doing. What is more, what you have to do at this point is "informational interviewing". What you do here is to arrange meetings with prospective employers, and people in the industry you are interested in. That way, you can learn as much as you can from them about the industry, their specific company and the position you have an mind, among others. Consequently, you will acquire a great amount of information and thus be able to make a better-informed decision. Not to mention, you will be able to network with people in your area of interest. Lastly, it is crucial for you to find a place to land so to speak. You have to commit to your ideal job wholeheartedly, and improve as much as you can through time. By doing so, you can ascertain whether you are good for the position or not.

 

In review, it is imperative to follow the steps mentioned above if you want to find a career path that suits you. By making sure of your natural talents, you will be able to do a better job in the long run. Needless to say that by networking and committing to your work, you will progress even further. Thus, the need for youngsters to be unafraid of voicing their opinions and protesting in a respectful way against their parents forceful demands. Only then will they be able to unleash their untapped potential more prematurely.

 

PS. I did not mention higher education in this post whatsoever. It is implied however, that by the time the trainee decides to take the job seriously, he needs to pursue a university/college degree.

The CELTA -- My Experience | Should you take it?

Before this month ended, did I want to talk about something that has been running through my mind lately. I also teased it on the fan page to this blog. What I mean is teaching certifications for ESL educators who are planning on teaching abroad (Especially the CELTA). Not only do I think that this sort of exams/courses should be accompanied by a bachelor's degree, but also with meaningful experience in the field. In the following post, will I go deeper on this topic and elucidate on the reasons why I think they way I do regarding it.

 

Recently, I encountered a friend who told me about his plans of taking the CELTA program. You see, this friend has been doing mission trips with American teams for a while now. Thus, you could say that his English is quite good. Albeit, he has almost no previous experience teaching. As a result, you do not have to be an expert prognosticator to believe that he is indeed going to have a hard time passing this course. Notwithstanding, it is an enriching experience that aids trainee teachers who have a strong desire to lean progress faster. Conversely, I do think that for instance in my case I would have higher chances of passing the CELTA. That is, considering the fact that I would have to prepare some time in advance.  Given the fact that leveraging my previous knowledge and experience would not be enough to succeed at it. Not to mention, I would have to save enough money so as to be able to register.  

 

Let me explain further mostly what you should know about the CELTA. It stands for "Certificate of English language teaching to adults". Therefore, it is by definition targeted towards the needs of adult English learners. Be that as it may, the principles taught on this course can be transferred to different age groups as well. Mainly, "The communicative approach" is the focus of what is imparted on this course. There are only two drawbacks to taking this program. First of all, the tuition fee for registration is about $1700 (South America) depending on the country. Apart from the aforesaid, the course per se is incredibly condensed (one month). Consequently, not allowing the applicants enough time to digest the information provided. Lastly, in order to even be accepted into the program in the first place, you have to submit an application form of 12 pages. To say nothing of the fact that you also have to pass a Skype interview after you submit your application (Both steps have no cost).

 

In review, the CELTA certification is quite a program. It is extremely condensed, and it entails mostly hard work to successfully complete it. In other words, you basically have to be on vacation to be able to pass the course. No major distractions can keep you from achieving your monthly goal. You have to take into account the sacrifices you are going to make in order to pass this program. Such as the investment and the hard work you will put into completing the assignments. Thus, if you are willing to take it, strive to be successful at it at all costs.

Is America Racist?

This is actually my first post from 2017 after a well-deserved hiatus . Things have not changed that much where I left off last time. Nonetheless, there is one thing I should mention. I got to make a lot of progress with my paperwork, and I am almost done with it. The aforesaid leads me to believe that I will be finishing up my studies in the foreseeable future after all. On a different note, I wanted to focus on the topic for today. Racism is surely a controversial topic. Albeit, nothing warrants discrimination of any sort against people who have done nothing wrong. In the following post, I will be talking about my take on the matter and my experiences with it.

 

First of all, I wanted to start by admitting that I have been on both sides of the spectrum. Have I been both the perpetrator and victim of this unspeakable attitude. Be that as it may, did I learn my lesson a long time ago. A case in point would be what happened to me just before I was about to return from my relatively long stay in Canada. You see, it was Christmas time back then. I had been job-hunting to no avail for almost a year. I presume they gave me a hard time due to my English still improving at the time. Back to the topic at hand though. Had I already sensed something suspicious after picking up my job-application form from this furnishing store. It was inside a big mall in downtown Toronto. The store manager replied in an extremely rude manner when I asked him about any job opportunities available. However, someone close to me told me not to worry and try the following day anyway.

 

Therefore, I went to the store after listening to this person with my application filled in. What happened afterwards was definitely uncalled for though. I confidently went into store while holding my resumé at the same time. Since I knew this so called manager would be difficult, I tried to hand in my document to one of his employees. Notwithstanding, the aforementioned only compounded the situation even more. Not only was his boss insulting to me, but he also lied to get out of the situation. For instance, one of the things he said was that he knew where to find me. That was obviously not the case though. After what happened I can only assume that he discriminated against me on account on finding out that I was Peruvian. That alone could have been more than enough for me to file a lawsuit against him. Be that as it may, I had neither the support, nor the knowledge of how to do it at the time.

 

Finally, I will close things out by saying as follows. I may have disrespected a few people back in the day. Even so, I was only a child who did not know better. It had been an unreasonable belief passed down from generation to generation in my community. However things have drastically changed now. As I was growing up, I started realizing what an inconsequential belief racism was. Especially when I finished high-school at 16. Not only do most of my best friends have dark skin, but they have also been the ones who have helped me the most. That completely disproves the idea that having white skin makes you better in any way. Before I leave, I will add a quote from Martin Luther king Jr: "I have a dream, that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"

 

PS. I will also attach a video like I always do with some statistics regarding racism in the US. Since I could not find more about other countries for now.