Ideas and solutions for teachers, English students, employers and employees to overcome the communication difficulties.
Since we started, the visitors have shown interest in topics like: personal development and job opportunities. You will be guided to articles on the following priorities:
• ESOL examinations
• Creative writing
• Public speaking
• improve your English
• set your goals
• stay motivated
• learn to achieve more
• stay positive
The student must learn in order to live and learn how to live. Life must enter school through all its doors and windows, inspiring students and teachers to exceed themselves, not in order to receive merits, but to reach their dreams, whatever they may be. (Marcelo Rodrigues - LIFELIKE PEDAGOGY)
We often complain that in Romania the students are not motivated enough. In his educational project LIFELIKE PEDAGOGY, M. Rodrigues suggests connecting the school to the world so that students and teachers can create and discover by themselves. To read about the author go to: The Author
Here's an excerpt from his book. Which of the types of teachers described below will best help our children reach their goals in life?
"Schools nowadays are boring! They discourage everyone, be they students, teachers or principals. They manage to discourage even the parents, who do not feel encouraged to take part in their children’s activities, contributing with the very important affective aspect, which would help students grow as students and people. The current learning model used in schools is inefficient and fake. Most students do not remember what the test they had the day before was about, even after receiving a satisfactory grade. The subject is not interesting to them and they only feel pressure from society as a whole to get the expected grades and evaluations. What could be expected from a professional that studied out of obligation? What evolution may be expected from a person who believes that learning is boring and difficult?
That is the reason why we see so many adults, in unfortunately increasing numbers, interested only in celebrity magazines and futile subjects. Or, on the other hand, they are fully, and blindly, focused on the unstoppable search for more and more money, as an attempt to attribute meaning to their empty lives, forgetting themselves, their families, their friends, always complaining about their lack of time and quality of life, without making any effort to change their life style.Let’s be better than that! Let’s teach our students that there is a whole world out there, and we can do that by bringing this world to the classroom and, at the same time, taking the classroom to the world out there. Let’s bring the world to our lives.
The expectant-teacher
The role of the teacher must change radically. Instead of dispensing knowledge, hoping that students absorb something, In my experience, what motivates anyone to become a teacher is the affectionate involvement that emerges from the relationship with other human beings and the pride taken in their personal evolution and achievements. But how is it possible to reach these two sources of satisfaction if the students are passive in the whole process? How is it possible to develop an affectionate connection in a relationship based only on authority? How can one be proud of achievements when the student doesn’t even show the desire to struggle? Or could we consider a high grade on a test as a personal achievement?
The stimulating teacher
Like a coach, who yells at the team the whole time, stimulating them to give their best and to believe in victory, teachers should show their students that they believe in them, that they support them, that they will assume the risks with them in order to reach their goals and dreams.
The guiding teacher
As a wise person, the teacher must offer advice, showing the possible threats and opportunities that may be found along the way, but the teacher must never make a decision on the students’ behalf. No one can learn in life following scripts. Taking risks is something necessary and teachers must guide their students during their journey, helping them face obstacles, so that they can get to know themselves and face the situations with courage and strength.
The provocative teacher
Many feelings may come from a teacher’s provocation. The teacher must prod their students so that they move, think, ask, question, and argue: all valid actions in the discovery of life and the world.
The challenging teacher
This doesn’t mean challenging in the sense of stirring up opposition towards their students. Teachers should suggest chal lenges to be met together with the students. The teacher should show that they can do more, can go beyond what they think they can and that their teacher believes in them to the point of suggesting that they advance.
The collaborative teacher
A partner. This term can describe the teacher who collaborates,who does their share, who works together with their students, hands on. Not in the sense of replacing the students, but
doing with the students, being part of the group.
The facilitating teacher
Students are not always ready for a challenge that arises. The teacher must be the regulator of the challenge, so that it doesn’t become a factor to discourage the students, being too easy or too difficult. In certain situations, as it would defeat the purpose if the students didn’t manage to advance, the teacher may facilitate some passages."
Do you want to participate in a creative writing contest? Start practising. If you need a coach, we are available for free consultations, so don’t hesitate to submit your questions or stories. Until then, here are a few tips for winning writing contests.
George Carlin - son of Mary and Patrick - was of Irish descend. He was raised in Manhattan by his mother with whom hi had a difficult relationship. At the age of 15 he left high school and after a while he joined the United States Air Force where was trained as a radar technician. Meanwhile, he began working as a disc jockey. In 1957, Carlin was discharged, being labeled by his superiors as an "unproductive airman". (To be continued)
The paradox of our time is that we have taller buildings, but shorter times, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We have bigger houses, but smaller families, more knowledge but less judgement.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, drive too fast, get too angry,
stay up too late, get too tired, watch TV too much, but. . . forget to:
give time to love
give time to speak
give time to share your precious thoughts
cherish the moment
say a kind word to one who looks up to you
spend time with the loved ones. They aren’t going to be around forever.
George Carlin (1937 - 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author. He won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums comprising his black humour, thoughts on politics, the English language and some taboo subjects.
We laugh too little, read too little, and pray too seldom.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.
The paradox on time is that we've learned how to make a living but not a life. We've added years to life but not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to welcome a neighbour.
1. Do parents care about how children are doing in school or about the rest of their lives?
2. Do Moms and Dads get relationally connected to their child in different ways?
3. How can Moms and Dads help their child to be a better and happier person?
As an employee who’s been working with a language school for 17 years I’ve been in touch with lots of parents and have often been asked many questions. Parents need a little advice every now and then and some even ask for help and support. There are solutions different sciences and experienced educators can offer to all the problems parents are faced with. Briefly, here are a couple of tips on handling everyday situations.
1. Parents focus on their child’s well-doing from day one: his crawling, his saying the first words (how many and how well pronounced), his singing, drawing and the ability to recite poems. Later, school success matters most and the parents’ life becomes a struggle for the best kindergarten, best school, expensive language courses, dance and sports training. Everyday is a busy day. Does this mean that parents help their child become a better person? Not at all. Some children can’t sing or draw well. Few win competitions. Fewer have a chance to become Members of Mensa. Still, many of these children have a high chance to be successful in life. They are the children whose parents realize their job is to stay involved and use their capacities for companionship and communication; a year-round job, a job for a lifetime, not a day off work from infancy to adolescence.
2. Usually, mothers have no problem to stay connected to their children. The child is born connected to his mother, while a father must learn how to build this connection. Men are interested in how their children perform, and hate to admit emotions, to acknowledge and express them. Until recently, men have been blamed for that. Scientists consider that most Moms have a high level of empathy to care for and protect their baby. Their capacity to express love is innate, but most learn the art of communicating love, and are willing to develop it. This is what makes a child feel like a human being. Unlike women, men don’t do much effort to practice empathy.
Scientists seem to have found an answer to these two differences: mirror neurons. They are considered as the physiological basis for empathy. Although still a controversial aspect, recent research has proved a gender difference in the human mirror neuron system. Women seem to have a stronger activation of the mirror system for hand actions and emotions.
Another theory argues for personality and education not the sex of the parent. There is proof that both men and women can be overly performance-focused and the focus on fathering has increases over the years.
3. Ideally, both parents should be physically and psychologically there for their children to mentor and encourage. Otherwise, children of absent parents usually look for models and connections outside their family. This can be very harmful; strangers can become dominating and start influence children’s behaviour, morality and their plans for the future. To say nothing of other dangers some girls and boys will be faced with: to be sexually exploited or … However we are not discussing worst-case scenarios and their tragic consequences. We are interested in everyday normal situations that parents should focus upon if they want their children’s well-being, not only their well-doing. It’s possible and not hard to apply.
There is one single rule – BE POSITIVE! Here are a couple of tips for parents to be relationally focused:
• start by controlling your anger
• don’t be critical. Let the child try and fail.
• don’t be violent. Teach your child right from wrong, teach him appropriate behaviour and in case the child fails, find discipline alternatives to spanking. Don’t punish.
• avoid conflicts. Treat such situations as a chance for your child to ask you questions, to discuss and understand what they’ve done wrong.
• spend time with your child and expose them to different activities: read to them, play different kinds of music to them.
• build something together, learn together, give them time alone, but watch them.
• build character traits such as: responsibility, dedication, determination, diligence, enthusiasm. • ask “How are you doing?”, “How are you feeling?” as many times as you can. Say “I love you.” everyday.
Your child’s well-being depends on your ability to:
Stay hungry, stay foolish - STEVE JOBS Watch this video on opportunities, motivation, perseverance, positive-thinking and success. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA
You continue avoiding your assigned summer reading books. Right? You find multiple reasons. Right? Come on. Admit it. You've never been an avid reader. You are addicted to computers. So, am I. Nevertheless, I read a lot. I love British literature. I have no right to persuade you into buying and reading books.
I have a proposition instead. Go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/animation.shtml and make the acquaintance of some of the greatest British writers. You'll use your computer competences and knowledge of English (Intermediate level+)in an entertaining way: by practicing listening, reading and computer games abilities.
Are you a 21st Century Sherlock Holmes? Become an investigator or time traveller.(?) Go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/
I recommend Sherlock Holmes: The Science of Seduction and Doctor Who: The Adventure Games.
There is a lot more. See for yourself. You might want to read or buy a book after that. Have a good time!
