пятница, 11 января 2013 г.
Thanksgiving Task
First of all, I would like to thank my teacher of English for giving us such interesting videos on Edmodo! They were really fascinating. I have learned a lot about this special holiday. The most difficult part was watching the movie and understanding it, but I have managed to understand it using a dictionary online and listening to it couple times! Now, I am aware of history of this holiday and the main traditions of its celebration in the USA and Canada.
Solutions to Hunger
The problem of starvation is very serious nowadays. This issue mostly occurs in the developing countries in South America and Africa. The reasons of hunger vary greatly - from the lack of money and resources to drought and policy of the country. This problem has become very urgent starting in the 90s.
I was impressed about the quantity of people who die every day because of starvation. I could not even imagine about that, as I am living in a well off family, comparing to those in Africa or Ghana. We live in a world full of goods and food, while the rest of the world does not have food at all. That is why it is important to think about the solutions to hunger and starvation.
I know that there are a lot of philantrophysts who give money and other forms of support to such people. I worship them, as I would do the same if I had enough money to sustain myself. Those people who have too much should share - that is the main solution. If not we, who will save our brothers and sisters? They are not guilty to be born in such a bad time and in such a location. Should they suffer if they are innocent? I do not think so.
I suggest that all people whose salary exeeds 500 dollars a month give 20 dollars from their salary on the needs of starved people. This would be a great solution to hunger problem in the world.
I was impressed about the quantity of people who die every day because of starvation. I could not even imagine about that, as I am living in a well off family, comparing to those in Africa or Ghana. We live in a world full of goods and food, while the rest of the world does not have food at all. That is why it is important to think about the solutions to hunger and starvation.
I know that there are a lot of philantrophysts who give money and other forms of support to such people. I worship them, as I would do the same if I had enough money to sustain myself. Those people who have too much should share - that is the main solution. If not we, who will save our brothers and sisters? They are not guilty to be born in such a bad time and in such a location. Should they suffer if they are innocent? I do not think so.
I suggest that all people whose salary exeeds 500 dollars a month give 20 dollars from their salary on the needs of starved people. This would be a great solution to hunger problem in the world.
The Story About my Favourite City
Kyiv is my favourite city.
I have learned that Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has the population of nearly three million inhabitants and covers over 43 km from east to west and 42 km from north to south.
According to the legend, Kyiv was founded by three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv, — and their sister Lybid. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument erected in their honor stands on the bank of the River Dnipro.
It was very interesting to discover that in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, the first fortification appeared in the northern section of Old Kyiv Hill. While the court of the princes was located on the hills of Kyiv, the lower part of the city, known as Podil, developed into a busy trading district.
With the establishment of Kyivan Rus' (the 9th century), Kyiv became its capital.
Prince Volodymyr the Great (980—1015) expanded the city. Kyivan Rus' was at its zenith under the rule of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1036—1054). Monasteries were established and developed into centres of education. Close to 400 churches were built, the most famous of which, Saint Sofia's Cathedral (1037), has survived to this day. The first library was founded on the grounds of the Cathedral.
I would like to add that today Kyiv is one of the greatest ancient European cities, rich with the monuments of art and architecture. It is a political, scientific, cultural, sports, and industrial centre of modern Ukraine.
Kyiv is a major industrial centre that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering, aviation, food, and chemical production, etc. Kyiv's economic development has been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.
I like this city, because it is very bright and people are very hospitable. I dream that some day I will move to this city and spend the rest of my life there.
Learning English with IT Tools
To prepare this topic, I have used information from the British Council website, as it was the most appealing to me. It contains a lot of topics for the teachers and tutors, video materials, lessons, vocabulary, etc.
It is the general idea that today learning English is not just only a good grammar knowledge and vocabulary. For foreigners, the most difficult part of learning English is learning to understand, comprehend and express their opinion. Nothing of these activities cannot be learned during an actual class. One needs, at least, to live in the English-speaking environment for couple of years to get used to the language and learn to speak fluent English. As a matter of fact, not all students have such an opportunity. Neverthless, they are very lucky these days, as they have IT tools to help them to become advanced speakers and learners. IT tools, such as webinars, online conferences, online tests and books, video lessons, movies, etc. can give a student anything he or she needs in learning English at home, in front of the computer. The main aim of any teacher then is to teach his or her students to use those online resources while preparing to the class. If they use those tools, English will not be so challenging for them. They will easily integrate in the English-speaking society when they go abroad.
On the one hand, IT tools are very difficult to understand for non-advanced computer users. They can be really confused with all the new information and challenges they face.
On the other hand, if they are persistent in their learning, they will do their best and become advanced users. If they are, they have good chances of succeeding in learning English online.
To conclude, we, as teachers, should encourage our students to use those IT tools in learning and shaping their English.
It is the general idea that today learning English is not just only a good grammar knowledge and vocabulary. For foreigners, the most difficult part of learning English is learning to understand, comprehend and express their opinion. Nothing of these activities cannot be learned during an actual class. One needs, at least, to live in the English-speaking environment for couple of years to get used to the language and learn to speak fluent English. As a matter of fact, not all students have such an opportunity. Neverthless, they are very lucky these days, as they have IT tools to help them to become advanced speakers and learners. IT tools, such as webinars, online conferences, online tests and books, video lessons, movies, etc. can give a student anything he or she needs in learning English at home, in front of the computer. The main aim of any teacher then is to teach his or her students to use those online resources while preparing to the class. If they use those tools, English will not be so challenging for them. They will easily integrate in the English-speaking society when they go abroad.
On the one hand, IT tools are very difficult to understand for non-advanced computer users. They can be really confused with all the new information and challenges they face.
On the other hand, if they are persistent in their learning, they will do their best and become advanced users. If they are, they have good chances of succeeding in learning English online.
To conclude, we, as teachers, should encourage our students to use those IT tools in learning and shaping their English.
In the library
"Library is a place where books are stored", most people would say twenty years ago. Since then, a lot has changed. Now we are living in the Informational Society which is developing with a very fast pace. To keep up, one needs to understand that nothing stays the same. The world is constantly changing. More than 2000 years ago, the book was a table with signes. Before the first book was published in Europe in the Middle Ages, a lot of years have passes. Now, a book is not only a printed document. There are electonic books also. That is why the sense of the library is now a little bit different. It is still a place with books and resources, but it can be not only an actual place or building. It can also be a virtual place where all the virtual books and information are stored. So, basically a person can access the library sitting in front of his or her computer.
There are different kinds of virtual libraries. Some of them are accessible to all people, some are closed and one needs to have special access to these data. During our fall session, we had a chance to go on the websites of different online libraries. It was really amazing. I recommend all people forget about the old methods and start looking to our future. The electronic libraries are the reality, and we need to learn how to use them. Also, we need to encourage our students to do the same.
There are different kinds of virtual libraries. Some of them are accessible to all people, some are closed and one needs to have special access to these data. During our fall session, we had a chance to go on the websites of different online libraries. It was really amazing. I recommend all people forget about the old methods and start looking to our future. The electronic libraries are the reality, and we need to learn how to use them. Also, we need to encourage our students to do the same.
Pastimes
Internet is a very interesting hobby for some people. Some years ago, most people were amused by different kinds of hobbies, like embroidering, sewing, knitting, reading books. Today, people with such kinds of hobbies are very rare. The most popular hobby of all people these days is surfing in Internet. Facebook and Twitter are very popular websites, mostly among youth. They help them to keep in touch with their friends and relatives, keep up with the news that are happening in the world and be closer to each other.
One more hobby I would like to write about is reading. Although people are living a very busy life, they still manage to find time for their favourite books. Now, most of all books are electronic. This is very convinient, as people do not have to spend money on buying books. Anyone can find e-books on Internet. However, some people are still fond of reading paper books. One of my friends is a very passinate reader. I would say she is a real bookworm. She recons that e-book is not actually a real book. She likes the spirit of reading the actual book, the smell of the paper, the fact of having this book in hand. As for me, I do not care if it is an electronic book or an actual one. I can read both without inconviniences.
Watching TV is another hobby that takes over the human life. The television was invented in the 60s, and since than it has spead all over the world and become the most popular hobby among people. Sometimes watching TV can be very useful, as one can learn a lot of new information form TV. Nevertheless, it is an actual fact that TV has a notorious impact on human health and phsychic. People become lazy, out of reality and cannot live in reality anymore. They live their favourite TV characters' lives. That is an enormous problem nowadays.
It needs to be said that travelling still remains one of the favourite hobbies of most people. It is probably connected to the fact that people like challenges and like to change their surroundings. They get bored and tired of life. Travelling helps them to have rest and relax. In my view, it is one of the most useful hobbies, along with going in for sports.
To conclude, IT tools greatly helped me to develop this subject about pastimes. This topic was very interesting for me to research.
One more hobby I would like to write about is reading. Although people are living a very busy life, they still manage to find time for their favourite books. Now, most of all books are electronic. This is very convinient, as people do not have to spend money on buying books. Anyone can find e-books on Internet. However, some people are still fond of reading paper books. One of my friends is a very passinate reader. I would say she is a real bookworm. She recons that e-book is not actually a real book. She likes the spirit of reading the actual book, the smell of the paper, the fact of having this book in hand. As for me, I do not care if it is an electronic book or an actual one. I can read both without inconviniences.
Watching TV is another hobby that takes over the human life. The television was invented in the 60s, and since than it has spead all over the world and become the most popular hobby among people. Sometimes watching TV can be very useful, as one can learn a lot of new information form TV. Nevertheless, it is an actual fact that TV has a notorious impact on human health and phsychic. People become lazy, out of reality and cannot live in reality anymore. They live their favourite TV characters' lives. That is an enormous problem nowadays.
It needs to be said that travelling still remains one of the favourite hobbies of most people. It is probably connected to the fact that people like challenges and like to change their surroundings. They get bored and tired of life. Travelling helps them to have rest and relax. In my view, it is one of the most useful hobbies, along with going in for sports.
To conclude, IT tools greatly helped me to develop this subject about pastimes. This topic was very interesting for me to research.
Holidays and Food
This topic is very actual, as we have Christmas holidays now. That is why, having analyzed all the information online, I would like to say a few words about this special winter holiday.
English people celebrate Christmas on December 25th each year. They believe that on Christmas Eve the Jesus Christ was born. That is why it is a very special holiday for Christians. The main things people use to decorate their houses are miseltoe, Christmas tree, coloured lights and candles. They also prepare a Christmas dinner, which consists of the following dishes - plum pudding, stuffed turkey, cranberry souce and other dishes. They also really like to listed to Christmas carols.
Another outstanding holiday for Americans and British people is Thanksgiving day. People on this day thank God and each other for everything good they recieved this year. They usually celebrate this holiday in the family circle with a roasted turkey and mashed potatoes.
My favourite English holiday which is, although, not celebrated in Ukraine is Halloween. It is celebrated on October 31st. This is a holiday of scary costumes, masks and parties. People find different spooky costumes. Children also go trick ore treating and recieve candies. People make a lantern of pumpkin and put candels inside. They also dress like witches, ghosts, and other scary creatures. They also cook pumpkin pie and eat a lot of sweets.
The last but not least is the St. Valentines day which is a holiday of love. People can confess their sweethearts that they are madly in love with them or send an anonymous Valentine card.
To conclude, holidays is very good time in every country. I am a big fan of holidays, and this course has greatly helped me to learn more about them.
English people celebrate Christmas on December 25th each year. They believe that on Christmas Eve the Jesus Christ was born. That is why it is a very special holiday for Christians. The main things people use to decorate their houses are miseltoe, Christmas tree, coloured lights and candles. They also prepare a Christmas dinner, which consists of the following dishes - plum pudding, stuffed turkey, cranberry souce and other dishes. They also really like to listed to Christmas carols.
Another outstanding holiday for Americans and British people is Thanksgiving day. People on this day thank God and each other for everything good they recieved this year. They usually celebrate this holiday in the family circle with a roasted turkey and mashed potatoes.
My favourite English holiday which is, although, not celebrated in Ukraine is Halloween. It is celebrated on October 31st. This is a holiday of scary costumes, masks and parties. People find different spooky costumes. Children also go trick ore treating and recieve candies. People make a lantern of pumpkin and put candels inside. They also dress like witches, ghosts, and other scary creatures. They also cook pumpkin pie and eat a lot of sweets.
The last but not least is the St. Valentines day which is a holiday of love. People can confess their sweethearts that they are madly in love with them or send an anonymous Valentine card.
To conclude, holidays is very good time in every country. I am a big fan of holidays, and this course has greatly helped me to learn more about them.
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