Recent trends in teaching English

A trend is what's hip or popular at a certain point in time. Like fashion, teaching also has trends to follow. 

        I have browsed a cite discussing what trends could be effective in teaching English as a Second Language. Some says "CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) one of the latest trends in ELT. The pursuit of this model is to make a link between language learning and content development. That is to say, English learning is more oriented around school subjects (History, Science, Geography) development."(Garcia,Universidad Católica Sedes Sapientiae) Some says that Blended Learning should be the approach in teaching the language in such that it encompasses the use of technological and electronical support along with the face-to-face sessions of a teacher to his students.Some says that Task-Based Learning and Situated-Based Learning are among the trends in ELT nowadays, he believes that the student will learn best if he is exposed to real life situations and tasks.

         Facilitators should not only be attached with just a single method in teaching. They should be more dynamic in terms of the approach that they could use in imparting knowledge. They should not follow the trends because they just want to and just because they want to be popular,but consider the learners' needs. Trends could fade but the knowledge of the students that have acquired with your way of teaching is something irreplaceable.

References:

http://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_new_and_current_trends_in_English_Language_Teaching_and_Learning_Research_What_are_your_suggestions

Photo Credit:

http://www.edudemic.com/a-new-way-to-teach-using-wordle/

http://allthingslearning.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/covey-quote-01.jpg

I'm a great fan

Me and my lovable Mom 

     
      The person who loves you more than anyone else is your mother. She is your number one fan. She takes care of you even you are already an adult. She fights for your rights and protects you to any harm. She guides you always through her words of wisdom and sermons. She is your mother, your mama, your mom, your "nanay"and  your mommy. She is your best friend and the most wonderful gift the Lord has given us. 

       I am a great fan of my mother. She is the most beautiful and the kindest person I have ever met. She takes care of me even I'm already in the right age to be independent. She is awesome. She is Caridad Sison, and we are currently residing at Antipolo City, Philippines and I'm a proud daughter.

       I am a great fan of my mother, I really adore her because of her simplicity and kindness. I could still remember the times during my elementary days, she always sent me to school. She never complained to my father that she was tired already, she is the most industrious person I have ever met. I am not saying this to brag about how good my mother is, this is just my way of appreciation,my own way to show gratitude because she is able to raise us even though we are financially incapable.

         I am a great fan of my mother, I see amazing traits to her that someday I wish to have when I become like her. I want to be a good mom to my kids just like what she is to us. I want to be as devoted as her in serving her family and I want to be as kind as her in terms of socializing with others. 

         I am a great fan of her that I want to finish my studies and serve her as long as I can. I want to give back all the hardships that she had given in order for us to become a better person. I love my mother very much and I want the world to know that.

       Everyone of us loves our mother. I know that you Idolize your mom like I idolize mine. As early as now, give your thanks to your mom by simply hugging her and by saying "I love you". Simple words, It might be, but for a loving mom like yours, those three words would mean a lot to them.

Photo Credit:

http://www.adornpic.com/frames/

mio mitigatore di sforzo (my stress reliever)

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel NO PAIN."

- Bob Marley

What is Music?

           According to the Webster's II: New Riverside University Dictionary, Music is "the art of arranging tones in an orderly sequence so as to produce a unified and continuous composition". But in reality, Music has different meanings to different types of people. To some, Music could just be a form of relaxation, they use Music as aid to relax their soul and their exhausted body. To a musician, Music is their Life. Music is their food to their restless souls and their drink to their thirsty body. To a common fan of Music, they know how to read music, they know how to play different musical instruments and they know what kind of music are pleasant to hear. But for me, Music is a cure to stress, I may include myself to those people who uses music as a way to relax their selves, It's true that music is a great stress reliever.

           Everybody loves music and I,myself, really love music, listening to them could make me relax. According to a study, Listening to music have a relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Listening to music could also help our mind meditate and relax even just for a while.

           If you are stressed, try to give an ample time to listen to music, if you are a student that is stressed because of the upcoming exams, try to listen soft music on your cellphones or iPads. If you are a business man and is tired because of all the office works, try to listen to music while you are in your car. If you are a teacher, why don't you give yourself a break and listen to good music that could uplift your exhausted self. There are plenty of ways to avoid stress,you just need to lend some of your time to relieve yourself from stress.

            We should not let stress maneuver our life, they could be defeated through listening to music,but you should know first what kind of music soothes you, music that relaxes you. Remember that listening to music, is just one of several ways to relieve stress, we should also keep in mind that another way to get yourself away from stress is through smiling and laughing.:-)

Reference:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/000930

Photo credit:

http://bestquotesaboutlife.org/wp-content/uploads/life-quotes-music-is-what-feelings-sound-like.jpg

Love comes when you least expect it.

           

"True Love is rare, and it's the only thing that gives life real meaning." 

                                  - Nicholas Sparks

             To love and be loved is one of the greatest thing you could ever experience in your life. To share love with the one you adore is totally priceless and to know that you are loved by your special someone is wonderful, an amazing feeling a woman could ever feel.

             I believe that love will come to you unexpectedly, in the most unexpected time and with the most unexpected person.

             I had loved so many men but he was the only one who loved me despite of my imperfections. I am not his ideal girl and he was not my ideal man either, maybe because he was always teasing me when we were still young. He was so mean and I don't like him. But I found out that he was not that bad.

           We had got the chance to talk before(I got his number from his younger sister-my best friend) ,you know, sending each other text messages composing of forwarded quotations from different people. One day, when my boyfriend broke up with me, I decided to dial his number and call him, he got shocked because he heard me crying from the line. He asked me why am I crying and I told him the reason, he said an enlightening advice to me," once you love, be prepared to feel the pain ." I felt relieved when he said that. From that very moment, when I heard his voice comforting me, my mind set about him- as him being mean, had changed. I always called him whenever I had problems, I am happy to hear his voice, maybe,I already liked him that time. I know that he was not feeling the same feeling I have with him so,  I decided to turn my attention to another man but, as always, that man hurt me, again. I called him again-my love doctor,and told him how I'm feeling and do you know what he said? "ikaw kasi, ang landi mo, masyado kang nagmamadali." Ironic, but when he finished his sermon, I felt relieved. I don't know but his words always touched my heart. After that very moment, we found ourselves falling from one another, then, without expecting it, we became couples.

            Loving him is the most wonderful gift I have ever received from God. For the past Three years that we are loving each other, he never failed to make me happy, he never ceased to love me. I know that problems in a relationship is inevitable, all you need is to give your whole trust to each other. 

            We will be celebrating our 3rd year together this coming March and I am very grateful for that.I never thought that he would love me like unconditionally. I know that he is the right one, he is my life and my forever love.

                 Indeed, love comes unexpectedly, in the most unexpected time and with the most unexpected person. You don't really have to wait, because love will find you to the time when you least expect it.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A man who traded his soul

        The first book that I had ever received from my love was Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Oscar Wilde was a great conversationalist and a famous wit, he was known for his comic plays and had only published his only novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" which tells the story of a young man who traded his soul to the devil to gain his immortality and remain ageless and beautiful forever. It was his portrait that aged and not him in flesh.

       Oscar Wilde's book discusses three different themes: the negative effects of influences, the reality about the society and the facts about immorality.

        His book examines the negative effects of influences, just like what the character Lord Henry did to Dorian Gray, he greatly influenced the latter to treasure his youth and beauty because he said that someday it will just fade. So Dorian, being mesmerized by his words, gave in, and follow his evil suggestion.

          He also exposed the reality about the society, that if someone is wealthy and beautiful, many people would admire you, many people would worship you and many would love you. Likewise, Dorian gray was loved by his elite friends because of his beauty and youth but, they did not know that his perfectness is not real.

       The Picture of Dorian Gray also confers the facts about immorality. Because of the hideous behavior that Dorian had became, he then entered himself to immoral things, he could not stop his vices such as mating with different people including males and females, and drugs. That in real life, happens.

         I really love Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, in fact it has it's movie adaptation, filmed way back in 1945 and was directed by Albert Lewin and stars George Sanders as Lord Henry Wotton and Hurd Hatfield as Dorian Gray. I highly recommend this movie to those people who want to experience drama and suspense at the same time. The book is also great just like it's movie.

         Indeed,Oscar Wilde's Story,enlightened my views in life, that no matter how wealthy and beautiful you are, as long as you are not satisfied with your life, happiness is hard to find.

Reference:

http://www.online-literature.com/wilde/dorian_gray/

Photo Credits:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/Dorian_gray_ver2.jpg
http://www.mobipocket.com/eBooks/cover_remote/ID5630/coverThePictureofDorianGray.jpg

Face your fear

            Everyone of us has fears-fear with snakes,spiders,bees,thunder,lightning,flowers,heights and etc. These fears maybe minor to some,but when these becomes severe, the normal life of a person could be extremely affected. An anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations is called Phobia.

             Phobia came from the Greek word "fobos"which means fear. Phobias are classified into three categories: Specific Phobia, Social Phobia and Agoraphobia. Specific phobias or simple phobias involve a disproportionate fear about specific situations, living creatures, places, activities, or things. Examples: Dentists (dentophobia)- Bats (chiroptophobia),Dogs (cynophobia),Flying (aviophobia),Snakes (opidiophobia),Birds (ornithophobia),Frogs (ranidaphobia). Social Phobias,people with this kind of phobia find social situtations difficult and sometimes unbearable while an individual with agoraphobia is frightened of finding himself/herself in situations where there is no escape; they fear being stuck in a desperate situation with no help. Agoraphobia may include a dread of traveling on buses or trains, going into large shops or shopping malls.

              My fear belongs to specific phobia or simple phobia. I am really afraid of insects particularly with June Bugs (Salagubang). Whenever I see one flying towards me, my blood rush and I faint. I will shout loudly as if any moment I will die. Fear of Insects is called Entomophobiaor Insectophobia. An entomophobic is likely to experience enough anxiety upon viewing or otherwise coming into contact with an insect that he or she experiences a full-blown series of panic attacks. With extreme cases, the individual may lose consciousness for a short period of time. Uncontrollable weeping or a strong desire to flee from the area are also common signs that indicate an individual is suffering with this particular phobia

             

               I am an entomophobic since I was young-four years old I think. My brothers used to collect June Bugs that time,they played with it as if it was a real toy. I never liked touching and playing such bugs because their feet are so sharp and I really hate rainy season because that is time June Bugs appear. Up until now, this unwanted fear still hunts me.I tried several times before to touch and play with those bugs but I can't help but cry whenever they fly towards me.

               According to the experts, one way to avoid fear is to stay away from it and that's what I do whenever June Bugs visits me. To stay away from it makes me relax and happy. Fears and Phobias could be treated, you just have to stay strong and be brave to conquer all your fears.

References:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/phobia

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomophobia

Photo Credits:

http://elainajdavidson.blogspot.com/2013/10/qindarkaphobia-and-entomophobia.html

Preparing a Speech

"Writing is a way of communicating a message to a reader for a purpose. The purposes of writing are to express one’s self, to provide information for one’s reader, to persuade one’s reader, and to create a literary work." - (Troyka,1987:3-4)

        We write not only to express our emotions but also to impart lessons and information. Likewise, Speakers are always equipped with good speeches to impart knowledge and to inspire people, therefore, they should come up with a good talk. I am going to tell you here the procedure on preparing a Speech:

1. Choose your topic. 

In choosing a topic, you could brainstorm to generate many ideas and distill these ideas for you to come up with a singular topic. You should also identify your target listeners or audiences for you not to have a difficulty in choosing your topic.

2. Provide research and evidences. 

In order to fully substantiate any claims you make in your speech, you must fully research those claims and provide supporting evidence.Researching and gathering evidence thoroughly about your topic could help you deliver your talk confidently and competently.

3. Every speech should have a point or main argument, it is also called as thesis.

Therefore, you should come up with a thesis, so that your listeners know your point.Use a variety of ways to support the ideas and claims that you make with your thesis statement to give your speech depth and dynamics.

4. Your speech should be well organized. 

The information that you have gather such as- your thesis, additional points, and supporting evidence,should be arranged in a way that will make sense to your audience. 

5. Fifth,make drafts and review. 

In writing your speech, multiple drafts and review should be done for you to be able to analyze and evaluate your own work.

6. Practice your speech. 

Provide yourself the time to rehearse your speech. Practicing would help you develop your self-confidence and also, through that, you would be able to know the flow of your own talk. 

7. Deliver your speech confidently. 

Therefore,you should be well-dressed. Proper enunciation and body language would help you deliver your talk successfully.

           Always bear in mind that writing is as important as speaking. It requires not only fluency but also accuracy.That is the reason why we have good speakers, they are not only fluent and accurate in speaking but also in writing. Like these speakers, I also want to develop my writing ability as much as I want to develop my ability in speaking. I know that through constant practice, I would be able to achieve my goals and that's to be accurate and competent someday.

Reference:

https://www.boundless.com/communications/preparing-a-speech-a-process-outline/steps-to-preparing-a-speech/

Photo Credit:

http://blog.bullabbai.com/2012/08/a-9-step-guide-to-write-for-public.html#.Uuny7NKSzwQ

Dyslexia

1. 
   
2.      A general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence is called DYSLEXIA. Dyslexia is a neurological disorder and often genetic. It is also 

   often characterized by difficulties with accurate word recognition, decoding and spelling, this,may result in poor reading fluency and reading out loud. However, the person who is dyslexic could be treated with proper guidance and support.

   
   

         There is a movie that discusses the effects of Dyslexia to a child's learning. The movie is entitled "Every child is special" a Hindi drama film released in 2007 (Taare Zameen Par, interpretation: Stars On Earth)  and was directed by Aamir Khan. It is all bout a child that has Dyslexia and the challenges that he is facing along with the neurological disorder. The teacher (Nikumbh) played an important role in the story because he was the one to enlightened the mind of Ishaan's father. Nikumbh tells the father that his son is very intelligent and that he only needs ample time to learn and that he needs their support. Through the help of his teacher, Ishaan eventually improved and became the most intelligent boy in the school.

   

   Every child is special:Hindi movie

   
   

   
   
            Dyslexia is not a disease, Dyslexics simply have different brains that find reading difficult,they should be taught thoroughly and patiently. Dyslexics, need people who are willing to understand their difficulties and weaknesses. They need people who can support them all through out their battle. Remember that, Dyslexics are one of the most talented and most intelligent people in the world. Many renowned artists were once dyslexic,such as Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Keanu Reeves, Steven Spielberg and many more.
   
   
            We should always remember that Dyslexia was not a hindrance to achieve someone's dreams, you just have to surpass all the challenges that this "gift" could bring. Just keep in my mind, that we are all sons of God, regardless of our color, race and ability.
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   References:
   
   http://www.dyslexic.org.uk
   http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
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  Credits for photos:

1. http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/52/5e/df/525edf2dd7823a9ae1079b9db05bc17a.jpg
2. http://nurulnadiaabubakar.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/message-from-dyslexic.png
3. http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcwg7mrYvD1rumepw.jpg

A student's view to the abolition of PDAF (Pork Barrel)

PDAF( Priority Development Assistance Fund) or also known as Pork Barrrel are funds that should be given to lawmakers and congressmen for their official projects such as funds for reconstruction of roads and bridges, scholarships, support for poor farmers and legitimate non-government organizations. The government officials such as mayors, congressmen and governors has their own projects to be given to the common people. One of these projects were Scholarship programs.

I am one of those students who applied for a scholarship program of a congressman,and I believe that this program really helped the unfortunate students who really wanted to continue their studies and graduate. The pork barrel scam really affect the common folks, the money that should be given to the poor people were just spent to the cars, huge houses and businesses of the corrupt officials in the Government. I am against to the Pork Barrel Scam but I do not want it to be abolished because I know that once it was abolished many lives would be affected and many would suffer. 

If there would be only honest government officials the pork barrel would still remain, many people would be given help, many students would graduate, many benefits would be given. If there would be no greediness, no corruption many lives would be saved and our country would prosper. 

I have found an article stating why pork barrel should not be abolished and it was my basis to this blog post. Here is the link:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/weekend-davao/2013/09/28/sunday-essays-why-pork-barrel-should-not-be-abolished-and-its-alternatives-

Without mistakes, how would you learn?

My greatest mistake in life was when i walked away from the people whom I really love: my
family.

I committed rebellion when i was 16, i was in  my first year in college then, my father told me that i needed to stop for a while because he lost his job. I am very disappointed that time and the only way that I could think  was to leave them and be alone. I never thought that it would hurt my family, especially my mom..maybe i was not thinking that time and i have hurt the most important person in my life.. after seven months i went back to the place that I truly missed: my home. I could still remember how warm their embraces were, they'd even cried when they saw me walking towards them. The feeling that I had felt that time was truly overwhelming, I realized that I should not have done that because It would be very painful to them, so right from that moment I swore to myself that i will not hurt them anymore.

Mistakes are meant for learning, committing mistakes does not define you as a worthless person, it only shows that you are trying to do your best, and that you are learning from it. I promised to myself, to my family and to God that i will not do that again, that I will not hurt again the people whom I really love.I have learned a lot from it and still learning.

Always remember that you can never make the same mistake twice, the second time, it's not a mistake.. it's a choice.

Photo Credit:

http://quotespictures.com/quotes/broken-heart-quotes/page/35/