Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
How does education need to keep pace with our changing world?
Here are 3 thought-provoking videos on the subject.
Pay attention
A vision of students today
Did you know?
Pay attention
A vision of students today
Did you know?
Using Vokis to practise contrastive emphasis and intonation
Log in to Voki with the login I'll give you and in pairs, create statements, questions and answers following this model.
Statement
Question 1
Answer 1
Question 2
Answer 2
Statement
Question 1
Answer 1
Question 2
Answer 2
Using voicethread for speaking practice
Look at the examples of how voicethread can be used on my blog posting
- Log in with the login I'll give you
- Choose 2 (or more) photos from FlickrStorm and talk about them
- Use the instructions on the posting to help you
- Create your voicethread and embed it on this blog
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Environmentalists?
As a new reader of your magazine,I'd like to denounce the attitude of some hard-core, self-appointed environmentalists who, with their permanent finger-wagging, patronising views and absurd actions, not only make fools of themselves at times but, which is much worse, do a greaty deal of damage to the otherwise beneficial and necessary green movement.
I'll mention but two revealing examples to illustrate my view. In the first place, most readers will recall the release of dozens of minks from farms, carried out by some so-called ecologists to protest against the fur industry, as the magazine itself featured recently. It's common knowledge-apparently not to the protesters though-that minks are voracious predators, so their wandering free in the woods will result in environmental imbalance: the cure is worse than the disease.
Another, more fundamental issue is raised in my second argument: I'm fed up with some green groups saying no to everything, including wind power stations, every time the authorities intend to set up one on a mountain crest; even if that may be the most suitable site, they will only regard the well-being of certain birds or claim that it is an eyesore. Even admitting all that, we must think realistically, not dogmatically: we need energy because we can't go back to the caves, so we should promote clean, renewable power sources instead of dangerous or polluting energies. As a result, we can't oppose everything systematically: we can't help but choose the lesser evil.
I'm aware that my views may seem anti-green at first sight; nothing could be further from my mind. Though not a radical myself, I try to apply some basic measures to my everyday life: use public transport whenever possible, reuse and recycle, save energy and consume less... I'm convinced that is the way to help our ailing planet. We also need sharp, clear minds who can argue successfully in favour of sustainable growth, because there is too much at stake-and it might be too late.However irresponsible, bombastic demonstrations only have an adverse effect on the movement to save a planet in distress.
I'll mention but two revealing examples to illustrate my view. In the first place, most readers will recall the release of dozens of minks from farms, carried out by some so-called ecologists to protest against the fur industry, as the magazine itself featured recently. It's common knowledge-apparently not to the protesters though-that minks are voracious predators, so their wandering free in the woods will result in environmental imbalance: the cure is worse than the disease.
Another, more fundamental issue is raised in my second argument: I'm fed up with some green groups saying no to everything, including wind power stations, every time the authorities intend to set up one on a mountain crest; even if that may be the most suitable site, they will only regard the well-being of certain birds or claim that it is an eyesore. Even admitting all that, we must think realistically, not dogmatically: we need energy because we can't go back to the caves, so we should promote clean, renewable power sources instead of dangerous or polluting energies. As a result, we can't oppose everything systematically: we can't help but choose the lesser evil.
I'm aware that my views may seem anti-green at first sight; nothing could be further from my mind. Though not a radical myself, I try to apply some basic measures to my everyday life: use public transport whenever possible, reuse and recycle, save energy and consume less... I'm convinced that is the way to help our ailing planet. We also need sharp, clear minds who can argue successfully in favour of sustainable growth, because there is too much at stake-and it might be too late.However irresponsible, bombastic demonstrations only have an adverse effect on the movement to save a planet in distress.
Monday, January 14, 2008
The animals are not to blame
The first thing that I want to state before I go on with my complain is the fact that I neither hate dogs nor am I against having them as pets. It's undeniable that dogs and humans have been best friends for long and so it's amazing to see what close bonds are developed between some owners and their pets. However, what owners easily forget is that they have an animal, which implies they are responsible for their proper care, that is not only food and water but also shelter, safety, regular veterinary care, exercise and so on.
Why am I complaining then? Above all because I'm fed up with the owners' irresponsibility about their pets. A valid-license and a rabies and ID tag doesn't mean that you can let the dog roam freely everywhere. Once it is your property, the dog must be on leash, because they can scare children and other adults who are unable to tell if the dog is friendly or aggressive. Besides, walking your dog in public might requiere a cage-type muzzle depending on the animal's breed.
Finally, what makes matters worse is having to put up with dog mess anywhere. Don't owners realize how disgusting it is to step in a dog poo -pardon me- or smell it or just see it clearly in the path? Why don't they pick it up and dispose it properly?
The majority of readers will agree with me that perhaps not only the animals should be trained but the owners should also be taught to take rsponsibility for the animal they have chosen to have.
Why am I complaining then? Above all because I'm fed up with the owners' irresponsibility about their pets. A valid-license and a rabies and ID tag doesn't mean that you can let the dog roam freely everywhere. Once it is your property, the dog must be on leash, because they can scare children and other adults who are unable to tell if the dog is friendly or aggressive. Besides, walking your dog in public might requiere a cage-type muzzle depending on the animal's breed.
Finally, what makes matters worse is having to put up with dog mess anywhere. Don't owners realize how disgusting it is to step in a dog poo -pardon me- or smell it or just see it clearly in the path? Why don't they pick it up and dispose it properly?
The majority of readers will agree with me that perhaps not only the animals should be trained but the owners should also be taught to take rsponsibility for the animal they have chosen to have.
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