Spoken language versus written language

Spoken language versus written language Spoken vs. written language Not so long time ago, the written language played much bigger role in second language learners life than the spoken language. According to Brown (2000) Today the importance of teaching the spoken language is universally acknowledged (p. 1). For example, many scientists state that people should learn speaking and listening, as well as writting and reading; furthermore, learners should spend more energy on listening. Thus generally one can claim it is more difficult to learn how to understand the spoken language than the written. First of all, during listening, learners cannot focus on one section as they would do in a reading task. Listeners do not have opportunity to read back, if they misunderstand an expression or forget the beginning of the text. Furthermore, according to Ridgway (2000) they do not have the possibility for looking a word up in the dictionary, or guessing the meaning of a word from its context (p. 3.), like they do it in a reading exercise. Secondly, during listening learners depend on the style of the text and on the listening environment more than in the case of reading. As Field (2000) points out, a listener, who has difficulties in identifying words in connected speech(p. 2.), can also have problems with different dialects, and the style and the speed of the text he or she listens to, because native speakers speak only clearly enough to make themselves understood in a particular context (Brown, 1990, p. 2.). Furthermore, listeners can be confused by the noisy, annoying environment, for example, during a conversation on the street or a crowded restaurant, while these conditions do not appear in a written text. Thirdly, during a listening exercise, the motivation of learners is always lower, because these kinds of tasks scare listeners, adding, that in reading they are braver, because of the advantages which are mentioned at the second paragraph. So to become a good listener, the most important aim is to find the faith in ones ability to apply a listening readiness (Field, 2000, p. 1.), because after this momentous step, a text will not cause so much fear. Furthermore, listeners should be able to determine the complexity of the given tasks, because then they can choose the appropriate level for themselves, so they will probably not fail and their self-confidence will improve. However, according to Ridgway (2000), grading texts is problematic (p. 3.), so it can be another serious controversy. Finally, practising listening is more difficult than reading. For instance, it is not easy to learn listening skills, because as Brown (1990) says, the students are not receiving any help in learning (p. 3.) ,but they have to realise alone how to set up the process of listening and improve their facilities. Moreover, learners abilities to listening are not similar to everyone, so the ways of practice should be different from each other. For example, even in a class, which is few in number, the teacher should prove at least four different ways of learning listening, but unfortunatelly it is not possible. It follows that learners have to find the best way independently. In conclusion, learning and listening to the spoken language is more difficult, than learning the written language, because listeners cannot focus on one section; they are dependent on the style of the speech and the listening environment; they are threatened, if they get a task at higher level; and they need different ways to practise and more help from teachers. References: Brown, G. (1990). Listening to spoken English. London, England: Longman. Field, J. (2000). Not waving but drowning: a reply to Tony Ridgway. ELT Journal Volume 54/2 Ridgway, T. (2000). Listening strategies- I beg your pardon? ELT Journal Volume 54/2

Daniel Quinns Ishmael - Transformation of Will Weston from Taker to Le

Daniel Quinn's Ishmael - Transformation of Will Weston from Taker to Leaver The seceded Ecotopian nation and the country it came from can be categorized into two groups, "Takers" and "Leavers". These terms are derived from Daniel Quinn's novel, Ishmael. "Good. So henceforth I'm going to call the people of your [American] culture Takers and the people of all other cultures Leavers." "You call your self civilized and all the rest primitive." Upon entering Ecotopia, Will Weston is impressed, horrified and overwhelmed by the practices of Ecotopians. "Can things be as weird as they sound" and will he be able to "keep his sanity" among the madness he encounters? What Will does not know is that the longer he stays in Ecotopia, this "Leaver" society is going to challenge his "Taker" beliefs and mindset and ultimately change them for good. Will is very cautious and defensive upon going into Ecotopia. He's an American "Taker" traveling off into unknown "Leaver" territory and he is very suspicious of the Ecotopians. "Something peculiar is going on in this place. Can't yet exactly locate the source of the feeling. The way people deal with each other -with me- keeps reminding me of something -but I don't know what. Always takes me off guard, makes me feel I was confronted with some fine personal opportunity -a friendship, learning something's important, love -which by then has just passed Will's first impression of the Ecotopians is mixed. On one hand he thinks that they have very novel ideas in regards to the way they live and when he thinks of them as savages because of many of their different practices. "Woke up sweating, hands clutched tight on dream spear. Wished I was home safe in New York. Savages!" Many experiences wit... ... and live out in these past six weeks. He sees the horrible person that he used to be and instantly wants to part of it any more. He knows now that his place is right here in Ecotopia. For the past couple weeks he knew deep down that he should stay here, but couldn't bring himself to admit it openly. Not until he is shown is former self, does he admit his true feelings and decide to stay in Ecotopia. The one thing Will Weston never expected to happen as he went on assignment in Ecotopia did happen. He was influenced and changed by these so- called savages. He was changed from a typical American "Taker" into an Ecotopian "Leaver". His ideas about love, life and friendship were all changed in a matter of six weeks. He learned what it meant to live in harmony with nature and to be one with your fellow Ecotopians. We should only hope that Americans could do the same.

Phenomenon of Social Networking Essay

Social networking evolved as a result of the many challenges which were encountered in the past in the process of communication. Given that the loved ones and business associates wanted to keep in touch, a desire for a social network came into place in order to facilitate social networking where people can be able to communicate with ease. The social networking made possible for people to talk randomly globally to other millions of people thus helping to put out the communication thirst with people of like mind. The social networking evolved in order to offer more opportunities for people to meet and stay in touch both known and unknown. Furthermore, it made easy for people to exemplify personas and also feel unconventional. The social networking however is associated with a number of dangers. It leads to many new cyber crimes in that it creates a long term personal havoc which is regrettable later in life given that people do make fun of others or false identity online leading to enormous consequences as a result of online inappropriate behaviors. Scammers may try to steal or use ones personal information and use it to fraud, since they can stole your password and use it to send out spam messages which will ruin your reputation online (Hassam, 2010). Sexual predators can get information especially from kids and harm them. Children more so do not observe privacy and can leak out important information. Furthermore, information made online is public and thus no privacy is entailed. In conclusion, social networking plays a big role in helping people to make friends, market yourself or business and to find romance online nevertheless they can be misused thus ruining our privacy and reputation. Social networking is best used in sharing ideas but not private and confidential information’s.

Alzheimer s Disease A Progressive And Fatal...

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative condition that is characterized by a decline in the individual’s memory and cognition, problems with carrying out daily living skills. There are no exact imaging tests or laboratory tests we can use to diagnose Alzheimer’s. The only way to 100% diagnose Alzheimer’s are when the person dies and has a brain biopsy. The best treatment we have now is medication to help slow the progression and different types of therapy. Caregivers will have a hard time adjusting to the changes the person is having but with patience and time they will be able to take care of the person. When the time they cannot care for them there is Memory Care and Assisted living programs. Alzheimer’s is a disease that is irreversible, it is considered progressive and it slowly destroys the memory and thinking skills. It will eventually prevent the person carrying out the easiest tasks. Alzheimer’s is considered one of the leading cause of dementia in older adults. When an individual has dementia they will lose cognitive functioning and have behavioral issues which can interfere in a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia can at first be mild (when it is just starting to happen) up to the severe stage, when the individual must depend on other’s to help them with all their basic needs. Memory problems can be one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s, but doesn’t always mean the person has Alzheimer’s. The symptoms that a personShow MoreRelatedThe Mystery Of Alzheimer s Disease1537 Words   |  7 Pagesthinking, and behavior. The purpose of this paper is to discuss medical definition, etiology, signs and symptoms, stages of disease progression, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is Ultimately fatal. Medical Definition. Alzheimer s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. These neuronsRead MoreCauses And Symptoms Of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies1744 Words   |  7 PagesCreutzfeldt- Jakobs (CJD) is a rare and incurable neurodegenerative fatal brain disease. The disease rapidly and severely affects the brain and progressively disables an individual by gradually destroying their memory, vision, ability to think and move voluntarily and function independently. It is one variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and is categorized under a group of brain disorders known as prion diseases (Kraft, 2014). This disease is very rare affecting about one person inRead MoreNeurodevelopmental And Neurocognitive Disorders1490 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders Jackeline Rodriguez Psy/410 September 10th, 2014 Caroline Simpson Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders â€Å"The neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of severely disabling conditions that are among the most difficult to understand and treat. They make up about 3.2 percent of cases seen In inpatient settings (Sverd et al., 1995). They are considered to be the result of some structural differences in the brain that are usually evidentRead MoreBrain Structure And Basic Functions6760 Words   |  28 Pagesconcentration/focus - Concentration/Focus Disorders IV- Brain Nutrition V- Brain Sleep VI- Brain Exercise VII- Brain Social Life VIII- Negatives for brain health - Stress - Alcohol - Smoking - Drug Addiction - Traumatic Brain Injury - Cerebrovascular Disease â€Æ' Preface The brain is the control center of the body. It controls the conscious and the unconscious body processes. It is the center for conscious thoughts and mood , allows us to make decisions , think , feel and communicate with outside . ItRead MoreAlzheimers Disease Essay2087 Words   |  9 PagesAlzheimer’s disease (AD), a form of degenerative, fatal dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline. While AD is the most common form of dementia, its prevalence has only recently been recognized. When Alois Alzheimer first described the sequence of changes in 1907, physicians believed the disease to be an extremely rare, mid-life condition. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the same types of changes were shown to occur in both late- and early-onset forms (Cavanaugh et.al. 2008). As