Language Barrier in Education and Social Life

Introduction Immigration causes differences in language and lifestyle. Language barriers refer to challenges experienced when one tries to communicate with an individual or people who speak a different language. This phenomenon is common in areas where there is a conglomeration of people from diverse backgrounds like culture and nationality. The term is also used to refer to problems encountered by immigrants when learning a foreign language (Kim Mattila, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Language Barrier in Education and Social Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Due to these challenges, there have been efforts to eliminate or reduce the impact of these differences especially in international learning institutions. Differences in language cause difficulties in education and even social life and can be solved in many ways to become less problematic. Consequently, immigrants should be aware of lan guage differences before moving, and this problem can be solved in a short period of time. Language differences cause a major barrier in communication. Under normal circumstances, communication can only take place if there is a common language to be used as a link between the communicating parties. It is quite common among immigrants, who find themselves in a foreign country, which uses a different language from his or her home language (Kim Mattila, 2011). Because of this barrier, affected immigrants are prone to misunderstanding, since the information passed across cannot be accurately interpreted. What are some of these language differences? As an element of cultural identity, human language is diverse and unique. For instance, English speakers are likely to encounter communication problems when interacting with Frenchmen because of the disjoint nature of the languages being used. Besides language uniqueness, the difference in accent affects the attainment of effective communica tion. It is not surprising that some English-speaking students find the American accent to be a barrier to effective communication (Kim Mattila, 2011). This problem arises from the fact that British English is more preferred by most international students and other immigrants. While this is the case, there are distinctive features, which define language accent. These include pronunciations, stress and intonations. For the case of these immigrants, the problem of accent is usually complicated because of the diverse nature of the American culture. This is to mean that people from certain regions within the country may not understand one another, and the problem worsens when a third party from a different country is included (Green, 2009).Advertising Looking for research paper on communication strategies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another language difference that acts as a communication barrier is the presence of phrases a nd idioms. In the case of American English, communication involves the usage of an array of phrases and idioms, which carry meanings that are different from the literal meaning of the root words used (Green, 2009). This can be a major communication problem, especially when immigrants do not have exposure to the phrases and idioms, which are commonly used. Many would get confused and misunderstood because of these distinctive differences. Language structure also creates differences among world languages, thus affecting immigrants. A good example is the universally recognized sentence structure of subject-verb-object in English (Green, 2009). This broadly differs from Japanese sentence structure, subject-object-verb. Additionally, some international languages contain suffixes, which cannot be converted into another language, say English. As a result, immigrants from such language backgrounds are likely to experience communication difficulties. Other factors include but not limited to culture, slang and language style. However, these barriers shouldn’t be problems when adapting new environments. This can be realized through familiarization of another country’s language before immigrating (Cronjà ©, 2009). Language differences shouldn’t be a barrier in education because of the essence of learning, language is one of the things people learn. As an immigrant, it is important to have the willingness to learn new culture, which includes language, behavior and even lifestyle. While one may decide not to conform to a new country’s behavior, it is never optional to learn a new language in a foreign country (Cronjà ©, 2009). In fact, it is believed that the process of learning a new language ought to be considered as an adaptive approach in overcoming a wide range of barriers encountered by immigrants. For one to be comfortable with learning a new language, it is essential to understand the pronunciation. As mentioned before, people from diff erent countries pronounce words differently. It is therefore, crucial for foreign students to identify difficult sounds for daily practice until confidence is gained. Additionally, learning preference should be given to words that are commonly used together with short phrases. For this to be successful, the learner needs to have an educated speaker who can help in correcting pronunciation mistakes (Cronjà ©, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Language Barrier in Education and Social Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Besides pronunciation, immigrants need to understand rhythm, intonation and stress, commonly used by native speakers of the foreign language. The simplest way of learning these elements is through imitation of native people that are educated. One can listen to some statements repetitively using audio and video tools (Cronjà ©, 2009). This can be followed by trying to say the same p hrases using a recording machine. In order for this to work, one has to repeat the process severally with an educated speaker for corrections. Skills gained from pronunciation lessons are essential in eliminating chances of misunderstandings during communication. Another way of learning a foreign language with ease is through borrowing or purchasing relevant materials, which are used by language learners. These may include but not limited to dictionaries, audio textbooks and translation dictionaries (Sherry, Thomas Wing, 2010). These tools help in minimizing language differences and communication barriers within a short period of time. Although language differences could be a communication barrier, there are several methods of communication, which have been developed to overcome these challenges. In other words, there are numerous ways of conversing smoothly without acquiring foreign language proficiency (Sherry, Thomas Wing, 2010). For instance, it is possible to pass across info rmation through written communication, which is a common method applied when dealing with figures and facts. Additionally, this method of communication is the most preferred when making presentations. Although it may have limitations to a person learning a new language, it is easy to keep record and make corrections where necessary. Another commonly used method of communication today by language learners is nonverbal communication. This does not make use of oral communication skills and one may find it relevant, especially when he or she is still new in a foreign country. Nonverbal communication is also referred to as body language. It encompasses an array of elements, including gestures, actions and facial expressions (Smitherman, 2003). With this approach, it is possible to communicate without necessarily speaking. In cases where both oral and nonverbal communication is used, harmony is essential to avoid misunderstanding and confusion. Nonetheless, variation and understanding of the sign language may pose a challenge, especially when the other party is new to it.Advertising Looking for research paper on communication strategies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although some people view language differences lightly, it is regarded as a major communication issue. This is based on the fact that poor communication has a wide range of negative effects, which are experienced in schools, health centers and in other settings (Smitherman, 2003). The most detrimental effect of language barriers is misunderstandings, arising from communication gaps. Misunderstandings emanate from several instances, including, the use of slang or jargons, which are not universally recognized. Additionally, misunderstandings may arise from variation in accents due to diverse backgrounds and culture. It is doubtless that most conflicts in schools, families and even offices arise from misunderstandings. In essence, misunderstandings can breed frustrations and stress when a person is new in a foreign country. In some cases, these misunderstandings have been closely linked to emerging cases of stress among foreign students (Smitherman, 2003). One may feel out of place whe n he or she can neither get what is being communicated nor share ideas effectively. As a result of stress and disconnection from the surrounding immigrants, they may opt to be alone by excluding themselves from joint activities like playing and academic group discussions. Language barriers are also a major problem in written communication. Foreign students who do not understand the native language used in learning institutions find hardships in understanding lecture notes and other study materials (Roush, 2008). This is also experienced in written exams where students may have a correct idea, expressed wrongly due to ineffective communication. In extreme cases of such misunderstandings in written communications, students may end up failing their exams or scoring low grades. The negative impact of language barriers can also be experienced in the corporate world. Oftentimes, immigrants looking for employment in foreign countries fail interview tests because of language barriers. Due t o communication gaps, employers might not see the value in a foreign applicant. This may emanate from language mistakes or wrong answering of questions caused by poor understanding of the language being used (Roush, 2008). Foreign students seeking admissions in learning institutions may also be less considered because of their ineffective communication skills. Language barriers may also trigger cultural conflicts. For instance, different cultures have different ways of greeting each other or expressing gratitude. Based on such variations, it is possible for miscommunications to arise when certain things are not done the way they have been done before in one’s home country (Sherry, Thomas Wing, 2010). This is therefore, a major challenge, which immigrants need to beware of before going to study or work a foreign country. As globalization takes center stage and countries get smaller every day, there are new ways of communication that are being adopted. One of these approaches is language. The role played by any language, whether local or international is always immeasurable (Green, 2009). As discussed above, the purpose of a language gets undermined when there are differences, which breed communication barriers. These barriers are common in settings, which have immigrants, who do not understand the native language of the foreign country. In fact, it is believed that poor communication stems from a plethora of issues, language barrier being one of them. It is highly advisable for immigrants to beware of language differences before moving, and this problem can be solved in a short period of time. References Cronjà ©, J. C. (2009). Qualitative assessment across language barriers: An action research study. Journal of Educational Technology Society, 12 (2), 69-85. Green, D. A. (2009). New academics’ perceptions of the language of teaching and learning: identifying and overcoming linguistic barriers. International Journal for Academic Development, 14 (1), 33-45. Kim, E. Mattila, A. (2011).The Impact of Language Barrier Cultural Differences on Restaurant Experiences: A Grounded Theory Approach. University of Massachusetts Amherst. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=httpsredir=1article=1175context=gradconf_hospitality Roush, V. (2008). A Rational Approach to Race Relations: A Guide to Talking Straight about Contemporary Race Issues. Indiana: iUniverse. Sherry, M., Thomas, P., Wing, C. (2010). International students: a vulnerable student population. Higher Education, 60 (1), 33-46. Smitherman, G. (2003). Talking that Talk: Language, Culture and Education in African America. London: Routledge. This research paper on Language Barrier in Education and Social Life was written and submitted by user Madison C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Why We Study Humanities

Why We Study Humanities Free Online Research Papers One of the reasons why we study Humanities is to make people educated, cultured, civilized,socialized and refined. It is needed to respond to a rapid a social change. Without Humanities accompanying with the changes would be difficult for everyone. Life and society have different beauties that should be learned. Humanities helps to appreciate the beauty before our naked eye. It helps for the acceptance of individual’s differences. The acceptance that makes the society balance and harmonized. Humanities V is an art. Art is the reflection of the skills an individual possess. Arts have different elements, the visual arts, the performing arts and the literary arts. Visual arts is the art focusing in the visual aspect. Artist under this quoted, â€Å"I think, I see†. They are the painters who paint pictures from their own imagination, the sculptors that draw and carve from original designs of objects, the architects that plan and design the buildings, private residence and any establishment and the photographers that capture scene in its best angle. Performing arts make use of their hearing sense. They say that, â€Å"I think, I hear†. Thy are the dancers who move their body artistically, the choreographers that compose and teach dance moves, the singers that represent stage talent through signs of music and the actors that express emotions and feelings based on the role they play. Literary arts is a communication skill and make use of their mouth. They always say that, â€Å"I think, I write†. They are poets and writers that express their ideas through rhyming words, short story, novels, epics, biographies and essays. For a semester that I’m taking Humanities V as one of my subjects, I have learned just enough to change myself for the better. Upon learning the different topics, I do learn more about myself. I have a talent to express and be proud of and not to be ashamed of. I am unique individual that contributes to the society even in single ways. To live free is to live without any hesitations and doubts. To respect you, is to respect others for they are the reflection of our being. Research Papers on Why We Study HumanitiesHip-Hop is ArtThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andWhere Wild and West MeetThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoStandardized TestingThe Spring and Autumn

An e-commerce strategy and architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

An e-commerce strategy and architecture - Essay Example According to the research findings it can therefore be said that the Secure-Car Business deals in such systems along with other accessories which can help secure our vehicles from illegal intrusion. Up till now, this firm has been running its business using tradition business management structure. For instance, it has a store where people come to shop. They shop for the desired product and pay instantly. The firm has adopted a paper based approach to keep the record of its products and services. In this IT based era where people want to shop by remaining at their homes, Secure-Car has been using a traditional business approach. Once the manager/owner of the firm was using the Internet to locate information on a specific device, he was shocked to see the support of the Internet for delivering the required information in a few seconds. Manager/owner of the firm decided to implement an e-commerce platform for their business. The basic purpose of implementing this e-commerce business is to promote their business and let the other people shop by sitting at their homes. This e-commerce web site will allow the customers to place an order online by filling an online form. In this scenario, the order details will be received by the Secure-Car firm and they will deliver the product to their customer. Though, it is a proposed scenario and for the actual implementation of this idea, the manager/owner of the firm must be familiar with the terms associated with e-commerce. 2- Introduction to E-commerce Concepts A lot of the ways business organizations and individuals perform their daily tasks and continue to exist in the twenty-first century are measured with the huge web of electronic networks that is normally acknowledged as the Internet (Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005). In addition, the across-the-board existence of the Internet for performing transactions between sellers and buyers is the fundamental motive behind the development of electronic commerce or simp ly (e-commerce). According to (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 25; Stair & Reynolds, 2003, p. 19), â€Å"electronic commerce is the process of selling and purchasing services and goods and products is carried out electronically by means of computerized business transactions over the Internet, networks, and other digital technologies†. In addition, e-commerce also encompasses the operations behind those business transactions, such as business marketing advertising, offering customer support, and processing payment. Additionally, by replacing old and rigid paper-based and manual techniques with electronic processes, and with advanced information flows in up to date and active manners, e-commerce does not only offer the business organizations a capability to accelerate the process of ordering, delivery, and payment for products, services and goods but also minimizes the operating and inventory expenditures of the organizations (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 25). Moreover, the World Wide W eb (WWW) has turned into a common platform for performing e-commerce, building and implementing latest tools and technologies for the organizations to communicate with each other and their customers.

The most effective channel structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The most effective channel structure - Essay Example Specification of distribution tasks in order to achieve the set objectives was done using the five task groups namely physical distribution, after sale service, channel support, selling and risk assumption. The next stage involved selecting alternative channel structures using the channel levels, intensity and intermediary levels after which evaluation of the alternatives was done using the weighted factor score approach. This helped to determine the effective channel strategy which was to provide accommodation services so as to reduce costs for tourists hence attract them. This is to differentiate Webjet from the competitors and gain sustainable competitive advantage. An implementation plan was then designed to achieve the results needed. Table of Contents Executive summary 1 Table of Contents 2 List of Tables and Figures 4 1. Introduction 5 1.1 Authorization 5 1.2 Limitation 5 1.3 Scope of Report 5 2. Case Background 6 2.1 Company Background 7 2.2 Channel Design Decision Paradigm 7 3. Major Case Issues 9 4. Situation Analysis 9 4.1 Internal AND EXTERNAL Analysis 9 4.2 INTERNAL ANALYSIS 10 4.3 External Analysis 11 4.4 Setting and Coordinating Distribution Objectives 11 4.5 Distribution Tasks 12 4.5.1 Selling 12 4.5.2 Channel Support 13 4.5.3 Physical Distribution 13 4.5.4 Product modification and after-sales services 14 4.5.5 Risk Assumptions 14 5. Identifying Alternative Channel Structures 14 5.1 Number of Channel Levels 15 5.2 Intensity at Each Level 16 5.3 Types of Intermediaries 16 5.4 Alternative Channel Structure Strategy 16 6. Evaluation of Alternative Channel Structure 17 6.1 Company Variables 17 6.2 Market Variables 18 6.3 Product Variables 19 6.4 Intermediaries Variables 20 6.5 Weighted Factor Score Approach 20 7. Recommended Strategy 21 8. Implementation plan 21 9. Conclusion 22 10. List of References 24 List of Tables and Figures Figure A- Channel Design Paradigm Adapted from (birch, 2006) 9 Figure B - Channel levels in travel agency Adapted FROM ( Holma, 2010) 15 1. Introduction 1.1 Authorization This report has been authorized by Mr. David Clarke to outline the most effective channel structure for Webjet Limited. In the production of the report, the seven steps of the channel decision paradigm will be utilized. 1.2 Limitation Various limitations were noted while conducting research and producing the report. One of the major limitations was not having a clear timeline for completion of the report. This meant the report could be delayed due to lack of urgency and timeline leading to outdated information which has been overtaken by events and also delays in implementation which could lead to severity of the problem. Another limitation was lack of useful and relevant information from the literature and inability to obtain timely communication from Webjet. 1.3 Scope of Report This report examined a number of ways on how to create or modify the channel design of Webjet Limited. This involved looking into the existing channels and determining if they are suitable for the organization and what could be done to improve on them. This was to assist Webjet to recognize the need to make a decision on the channel design. This involved undergoing the seven channel design stages to come up with the right channel for Webjet. Firstly, a brief background was given for the company selected (Webjet) containing company profile, locations, products and company history together with the channel design

Main Forces Driving the Market of Gas Essay Example for Free

Main Forces Driving the Market of Gas Essay In this assignment, I am required to write an analysis of the main forces driving the market for any specific product of my choice. For me to successfully complete this task, I have to first pick a product, one that I am interested in, discuss the long term forces driving demand and supply, discuss the position of the main substitute products and producers, look at past data and explain what has occurred to change the price and finally will the producer be profitable in the future?I have chosen Natural Gas. Natural gas is a vital component of the worlds supply of energy. It is one of the cleanest, safest, and most useful of all energy sources. Despite its importance, however, there are many misconceptions about natural gas. For instance, the word gas itself has a variety of different uses, and meanings. When we fuel our car, we put gas in it. However, the gasoline that goes into your vehicle, while a fossil fuel itself, is very different from natural gas. The gas in the common barbecue is actually propane, which, while closely associated and commonly found in natural gas, is not really natural gas itself. While commonly grouped in with other fossil fuels and sources of energy, there are many characteristics of natural gas that make it unique. Long-Term forces driving Supply Demand Demand for natural gas has traditionally been high. Demand for natural gas depends on the time of year, and changes from season to season. In the past, demand for natural gas has been relatively straightforward: demand was highest during the coldest months of winter and lowest during the warmest months of summer. The main driver for this natural gas demand is the need for residential and commercial heating. This has resulted in demand for natural gas spiking in January and February, and dipping during the months of July and August. While requirements for natural gas heating decrease during the summer months, demand for space cooling increases during this warmer season. Electricity provides the primary source of energy for residential and commercial cooling requirements, leading to an increase in demand for electricity. Because natural gas is used to generate a large portion of electricity, increased electrical demand often means increased natural gas demand. This results in a smaller spike in natural gas demand during the warmest months of the year. Thus, natural gas demand experiences its most pronounced increase in the coldest months, but as the use of natural gas for the generation of electricity increases, the magnitude of the smaller summer peak in demand for natural gas is expected to become more pronounced. In general, there are two primary drivers that determine the demand for natural gas in the short term. These include: †¢Weather as mentioned, natural gas demand typically peaks during the coldest months and tapers off during the warmest months, with a slight increase during the summer to meet the demands of electric generators. The weather during any particular season can affect this cyclical demand for natural gas. The colder the weather during the winter, the more pronounced will be the winter peak. Conversely, a warm winter may result in a less noticeable winter peak. An extremely hot winter can result in even greater cooling demands, which in turn can result in increased summer demand for natural gas. †¢Fuel Switching supply and demand in the marketplace determine the short term price for natural gas. However, this can work in reverse as well. The price of natural gas can, for certain consumers, affect its demand. This is particularly true for those consumers who have the capacity to switch the fuel upon which they rely. While most residential and commercial customers rely solely on natural gas to meet many of their energy requirements, some industrial and electric generation consumers have the capacity to switch between fuels. For instance, during a period of extremely high natural gas prices, many electric generators may switch from using natural gas to using cheaper coal, thus decreasing the demand for natural gas. Changes in Technology Technological innovation has equipped the industry with the equipment and practices necessary to continually increase the production of natural gas to meet rising demand. These technologies serve to make the exploration and production of natural gas more efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. According to a Department of Energy Report, â€Å"Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Technology,† released in 1999 and still one of the most in-depth analyses available as of 2012: †¢22,000 fewer wells are needed on an annual basis to develop the same amount of oil and gas reserves as were developed in 1985. †¢Had technology remained constant since 1985, it would take two wells to produce the same amount of oil and natural gas as one 1985 well. However, advances in technology mean that one well today can produce two times as much as a single 1985 well. †¢Drilling wastes have decreased by as much as 148 million barrels due to increased well productivity and fewer wells. †¢The drilling footprint of well pads has decreased by as much as 70% due to advanced drilling technology, which is extremely useful for drilling in sensitive areas. †¢By using modular drilling rigs and slimehole drilling, the size and weight of drilling rigs can be reduced by up to 75% over traditional drilling rigs, reducing their surface impact. †¢Had technology, and thus drilling footprints, remained at 1985 levels, todays drilling footprints would take up an additional 17,000 acres of land. †¢New exploration techniques and vibrational sources mean less reliance on explosives, reducing the impact of exploration on the environment. Market structure The structure of the natural gas industry has changed dramatically since the mid-1980’s. In the past, the structure of the natural gas industry was simple, with limited flexibility and few options for natural gas delivery. Exploration and production companies explored and drilled for natural gas, selling their product at the wellhead to large transportation pipelines. These pipelines transported the natural gas, selling it to local distribution utilities, which in turn distributed and sold that gas to its customers. The prices for which producers could sell natural gas to transportation pipelines was federally regulated, as was the price at which pipelines could sell to local distribution companies. Competitors Change of price Prices of natural gas vary throughout Europe. One of the main objectives of the projected single EU energy market is a common pricing structure for gas products. Europes main natural gas supplier is Russia. Since the major pipelines pass through Ukraine there is an ever arising dispute on the supply and transition prices between Ukraine and Russia. During the negotiations in 2008 Ukraine proposed that the price of natural gas for Ukraine should increase by $21.5 to $201 per 1,000 cubic meters, and the transit fee by $0.3 to $2 per 1,000 cubic meters pumped 100 kilometres (62 mi). Gazprom proposed that Naftohaz should buy its natural gas at $250 per 1,000 cubic meters starting from 2009. Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin said that the $250 per 1000 cubic meters price was a humanitarian gesture to Ukraine considering that Russia buys gas from Central Asia for $340 and that the European price level is $500 per 1000 cubic meters. Later, Naftohaz said it was ready to pay $235. Negotiations between Gazprom and Naftohaz were interrupted on 31 December 2008. While Gazprom claimed that Naftohaz would not negotiate, Ukraine said that the negotiations were interrupted at Gazproms initiative. Three Future Trends in Natural Gas Prices Prices will rise due to three major trends, causing a demand increase to meet this oversupply†¦ †¢Trend #1: Utility Customers Lining Up While the natural gas producers are bemoaning the lower prices, electric utilities are lining up to buy. Nearly every new plant to come online in 2010 and 2011 uses natural gas as its primary source of fuel. Historically, the only power plants that used natural gas as a fuel were peaking plants. Those are generators that utilities turn on only during peak times of energy use. Theyre expensive to run, and utilities pay top dollar for the natural gas they use. More recently, utilities are converting old, dirty coal-fired power plants to run on much cleaner burning natural gas. These are big, base load power plants, online all the time. That allows utilities to negotiate long-term lower priced contracts for the gas they burn. †¢Trend #2: The Growing Aversion to Nuclear Power Ever since Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nuclear power has been on the back burner in the United States. The newest (and only) plant under construction by Southern Company doesnt have an operating license yet, and probably wont go online for at least a decade. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan, plans for new nuclear power plants were either shelved or delayed all over the world. While Japan rebuilds, its relying heavily on natural gas and other fossil fuels. Meanwhile, countries around the world are reassessing nuclear power plant safety. Germany announced its getting completely out of nuclear by 2022. And New York Governor Cuomo is adamant about shutting down the Indian Point nuclear plant, just north of New York City. All this generation capacity will have to be replaced by other sources, and natural gas is the fuel of choice. †¢Trend #3: The LNG Shortage Nearly every gas import terminal in the country (there are nine of them) applied for permits to install natural gas liquefaction plants. The reason? The demand for natural gas is booming just about everywhere else in the world. Qatar, the worlds largest exporter of natural gas, will soon hit its full annual export capacity of 77 million tons, in the face of global demand that can absorb nearly as much as the world can produce. In the wake of the multiple disasters in Japan, its importing an additional four million tons over the next year from Qatar. Its in negotiations to purchase even more. Future prospects of natural gas According to current projections we have a maximum of 50 years’ worth of petroleum reserves left. That means that in the next five decades our lives may change dramatically. We will no longer have one of the most important resources responsible for the industrialization and modernization of our global society. We have relied on it to run our ships and airplanes, heat our homes, fuel our cars, carpet our floors, clothe our bodies, brush our teeth, and wax our surfboards. In short, thousands of industrial, domestic, and recreational petroleum applications may not be possible in the coming century. Now that we are dependent on this finite resource in every realm of life, we may soon have to relinquish it. Clean energy from renewable sources like the wind, sun and ocean waves, while promising, are likely to take several years before they reach a critical mass. An alternative for investors to consider is natural gas. Yes, natural gas is a fossil fuel, but it does offer the advantage of having a cleaner reputation than oil. Will natural gas be profitable? Yes. There are many factors in which shows that Natural Gas is a profitable product, for example, it is an ever-growing product, one that is hardly used. One might say the transporting of Natural Gas is very expensive. The best way to improve the problem of natural gas oversupply is to increase its export. The most economical way to export natural gas is to liquefy it; this type of natural gas is called LNG. In its liquid state natural gas takes up 1/600 of its normal volume, making it ideal for export. In conclusion, I have successfully analysed the main forces driving the market for any specific product of my choice, which I chose Natural Gas.

Thomas Hardy’s poem “Hap Essay -- Thomas Hardy Hap Poetry Poem Analys

Thomas Hardy’s poem â€Å"Hap" Poetry is ultimately defined as a major literary genre. How boring that is for such a beautiful literary form. I believe that poetry is a genre devoted to art, complexity, and precision. All in which the poet does more than just writing; he or she takes that which is indescribable and finds words for it through poetry. Granted, this leaves poetry vastly open to interpretation. After all, each and every poet expresses him or herself in a different way; with different meter, rhyme, mood, and meaning. Leaving one poem practically unlike any other, like a snowflake. This is poetry, and this is also why poetry is so hard to analyze. Every person that has read and analyzed a poem has been left wondering what the author of the poem had intended by it. Often there is room for more than one interpretation, so many are often left wondering if they correctly interpreted a poem. Several arguments could be left unfinished with the phrase, â€Å"Well, how do you know? Did the author of the poem tell you? In which the answer is, with rare exceptions, no. Authors leave clues in, in between, and all throughout their poems. That’s part of the art. They don’t just tell the readers what the poem means. That would take away from it. Instead, the reader must keep in mind that everything is in a poem for a reason. The author may not come out and say what a poem is about, but he or she will leave enough information in the poem for someone dedicated enough to find. I intend to devote such a dedication to Thomas Hardy’s poem â€Å"Hap,† in order to analyze, and hopefully, understand this poem through a p rocess. Perhaps the first and most obvious step would be to read the poem. Just read it. As in: begin reading and don’t stop, fee... ...becomes a piece of literature that a reader can appreciate. These, also, are by no means the only steps a reader could take to understand a poem. There’s always more time that can be devoted to understanding a poem. There is also a multitude of research on poetry that a reader could use in order to better understand it, just as I would have been lost without a dictionary. Sometimes there is more inside knowledge that a reader would have never known unless they looked it up. Still, it depends on the reader, and the poem they are reading as to whether or not they’ll go beyond their own understanding in search of others’. Understanding poetry is a difficult task, but that does not mean it cannot be done. Depending on how much time and effort a reader is willing to devote to a poem will affect how well they will understand it, in addition to how much they will enjoy it.

Holistic Approaches to Development Essay

Introduction My focus with this assignment will be on education as a whole and to demonstrate a knowledge of key legislation in respect of curricula and initiatives within the widening children’s education work-force. I will do this through relevant reading and understanding gained from personal experience, demonstrating a comprehension of the holistic nature of learning and how it is developed through age-appropriate activities. I intend to show an understanding of the types, role and functions of play. I will relate them to theoretical and practical models of play and learning practised at my setting, where the Primary Years Programme is implemented. The Primary Year Programme (PYP) takes a holistic approach in developing the complete child. Practitioners endeavour to deliver a curriculum that is relevant and meaningful to the child. Piaget suggests the principal goal of education is to create people who are capable of original thought and of being creative and not simply repeating what previous generations have done. The PYP is a Primary Curriculum recognised world-wide and the PYP for Early Childhood synthesizes insights of educational research pioneers such as Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner who maintained that education should be understood as the art of cultivating the moral, emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of the developing child (J,1013). Play is child-centred activity that engages young children and promotes learning. Play is the means by which children make sense of the world and is an effective method of teaching young children. Play is a context for learning through which children organise and understand their social worlds as they actively engage with people, objects and representations. An holistic approach to education focuses on the whole child with care and education being of equal importance; and is known as a combined holistic  approach. Montessori and Steiner are among the most important of the many education theorists who have influenced the way children are educated today. Learning through play is one of the key principles that they and other education theorists advocated. All children have the right to be in a safe and welcoming environment. Keeping children safe is of course â€Å"a non-negotiable element of any early years framework† (Tickell, 2011.) In the United Kingdom there is a wide range of legislation enacted specifically with the aim of protecting children and their families. The safeguarding and welfare requirements are given legal force by The Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations. EYFS is the legal framework for the welfare and safeguarding of all young children from birth through to the end of the reception years in all types of early years education provision. Learning Outcome 1 -You will need to produce clear evidence of your knowledge and understanding of key, recent legislation & current initiatives pertinent to your setting practice. You can demonstrate this by discussing what is encompassed within the initiatives currently informing practice and identifying the various curricula available to parents, children and settings e.g. National Curriculum, The Early Years Foundation Stage, Steiner Approach, Montessori etc. Higher grades will be awarded if you can demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of the key legislation & current initiatives pertinent to your chosen age range within the setting. Learning Outcome 2 – You should show that you understand the nature and meaning of a holistic approach to learning and development, whilst recognising the need to provide strategies for incorporating a range of holistic age related curriculum-based learning activities, which help promote development through play and. You should also identify specific aspects of your age-related research as being of significance to holistic development and explain their importance. To improve the grade you must show that you have considered a wide and comprehensive range of strategies for incorporating holistic age related curriculum -based learning activities, which will help development through play and learning in the setting.  Remember that the essay is intended to show your ability to integrate ideas and information drawn from a range of sources From early in the 20th century, a number of holistic approaches to early education have been put forward and refined (ref needed) . The most important principle of holistic education being to engender and nurture a sense of wonder in the child. Montessori, for example, spoke of â€Å"cosmic† education, which â€Å"helps the young person feel part of the wholeness of the universe, so that learning will be naturally enchanting and inviting† (Miller,2012 pg for a direct qoute). Holistic education is founded on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life by connecting with the community, to the natural world and to spiritual values such as compassion and peace (J ? author ?, 2013). Miller date ? describes holistic education as: â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.an attempt to return to the mysterious source of human creativity and authenticity for fresh inspiration. It seeks to enable the wholeness of the human being to emerge and develop as fully as possible. In contrast to progressive education, Holistic education sees the child as an emerging spiritual being within a larger planetary and cosmic ecology that extends beyond social and political realities. In Holistic education we must respond to the learner with an open, inquisitive mind, a loving heart and a sensitive understanding of the world he or she is growing into†¦..† (Holistic Education, 2011).too long a qoute, break down into own words please While However, the Reggio Emilia approach to holistic education involves dealing with or rating the ‘whole’ of something or someone, and not just a part of the ‘whole’ (J ?, 2013). This approach also places great emphasis on artistic self-expression and engaged creativity. Miller (2006) suggests that while there is clearly no one method, after reviewing a number of different holistic teaching methodologies, he concluded that there are four key aspects of the holistic approach to teaching: Learning is organic, emergent, experimental and based on cooperation. There is a strong sense of community and engagement between children, parents and educators where those members feel strongly to care for one another There is a great respect for children’s inner life, with methods ranging from environmental spaces that facilitate time out of competitive nosier environments, to time to ask deeper questions about the meaning of life and spirituality. There are strong connections to nature, with the care and connection with the environment incorporated throughout the curriculum (Higgins, 2012) In keeping with a holistic approach, the Priamary Years Progra (PYP) curriculum is an inquiry-based transdisciplinary curriculum. Pre-planned teaching is facilitated only in so far as it initiates open-ended questioning and inquisitiveness. Children are given maximum opportunities for discovery. A child’s questions are an important part of what happens in a PYP classroom. The school aims to develop the whole child, so while developing academic knowledge and skills, we also develop a child’s social and emotional skills and understanding. Children are taught to be caring individuals and encouraged to make a positive difference in the world. The IB Learner Profile Attributes guides schools in their holistic approach to education and includes the social and emotional aspects of a child’s school life. The PYP teaches students that they can make a difference in their lives by being independent and making â€Å"good choices,† for example by turning lights off to save energy when leaving the classroom, or recycling materials to avoid unnecessary waste. Physical education too is an integral part of the PYP curriculum and provides vital opportunities for the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child. In Nutbrown’s (2012 pg ? ) review she asserts that, â€Å"high quality early education and childcare  can have a positive long term impact on a child’s later learning and achievements.† Connecting with nature is important for a child’s spiritual development and should inform daily activity. Incorporating holistic activity into the early childhood classroom provides opportunities for children to connect with nature. Activities such as painting classes in a park or other open-air neighbourhood location expose children to nature , while painting on mirrors helps develop self-awareness and spirituality by encouraging creativity and the representation of ideas while having fun. These are all straightforward, uncomplicated, activities that encourage a child to be inquiring. Refs needed The extreme heat and humidity at certain times of the year in Hong Kong make it impractical to take children outside to explore and discover. When this happens, we do our best to bring the outside into the classroom. We use natural materials such as shells and leaaves to inspire and encourage creativity. We also provide tools more normally associated with adult usage, such as cameras, this to illustrate the point that children are competent and capable learners and able quickly to master relatively sophisticated technology. As our knowledge of each child increases and we become more familiar with his or her interests, we use this and festivals such as Diwali, Christmas and Thanksgiving to inform our planning. Learning Outcome 3 – This learning outcome requires you to show sound evidence of practical knowledge and understanding of theoretical and practical models of play and learning which incorporate examples of the different types, roles and functions of play in the widening children’s workforce setting. To improve you would need to demonstrate clear, concise, in depth evidence & knowledge/understanding, of the application of practical and theoretical models of play and learning. Incorporating a range of examples of the different types, roles and functions of play. Smidt (2011) argues that Play may be defined as the way children, within a context, a culture, a family or a community explore or experience something  that excites and interests them and is fun. Through play, children learn to express or communicate their feelings (Smidt,2011.) Wood (2005) further supports this viewpoint by stating that †¦Play activity entails a wide range of behaviour and may be found in different contexts and with multiple meanings for children and adults (Wood,2005.) A holistic, place-based, approach to learning utilises the local community and environment to teach subjects across the curriculum, emphasising hands-on real life experiences. Ref here  Blah Blah (2010) discusses how Various educational theorists have influenced the way young children are educated today. Among the most influential have been Rudolf Steiner and Maria Montessori ref. Both shared a belief in the importance of learning through their play. They believed that experimental learning through play was more effective teaching methods than ones that were directed and prescriptive ref. The Reggio Emilia approach, developed by Loris Malaguzzi,ref here emphasised the role of the child as a competent agent in his or her own learning. Within this setting, educators make informed choices about the pedagogical approaches and curriculum based on the theories and principles of Malaguzzi. There must be a reference or more within every paragraph to show where the info came from, it’s particularly important when discussing theory or viewpoints. Bruce (date) as cited in Smidt (date) clearly regards play as one of the most significant ways children learn. She refers to play as ‘an integrating mechanism.’ When children are involved in self-chosen play, over which they have control of what they are doing, they are able to bring together many aspects of their learning, coordinating their activity in a way that brings about or creates new learning (Bruce, 1991 page ?), enabling discovery and problem solving as the child becomes increasingly independent. There are play opportunities both inside the PYP (Primary Years Program) classroom and in the playground as the learning environment is equipped with material that provides for a range of creative learning. A PYP classroom reflects what Moyles (date) regards as one of the most significant aspects of play – that of ‘ownership,’ meaning that the child takes control over  finding answers to questions that interest him or her. Wood 2005) recognizes that Play cannot always be easily defined or categorised because it is always context dependent and the contexts are varied (Wood,2005). Types of play cognitive play, involved play, passive play, pretend and socio-dramatic. She discusses this viewpoint further by stating The context of play will determine its nature and category, play is therefore ‘context-dependent (Wood, 2005). However, as the context varies, so will the nature of play in which the child engages: cognitive play, involved play, passive play, pretend play and Socio-dramatic play being the most important types. The physical development young children is also essential. Research has shown that physical activity in young children can enhance concentration, motivation, learning and well-being. Early Years educators use their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and the interests of the child to organise activities that provide opportunities for freedom of movement and physical stimulation. Refs needed throughout this paragraph  Piaget, another theorist, (date, cited in?) believed that play and imitation were an important feature of his theory. He saw play as almost pure assimilation without any attempt to adapt to outer reality (Wood, 2005). While Erikson ref thought the world of play was very important in the early stage of a child’s development, providing, as it did, a safe place for a child to work through conflicts in its life. Piaget, Erikson and Vygotsky ref all agreed that children use play as a way of teaching themselves. A child plays through situations very much as adults might think through a problem or difficult circumstances in which they find themselves. Children, of course, can more readily and naturally engage in fantasy play, when they delve into symbolic representations of objects and ideas by acting them out as part of a game or other form of play.ref Try to widen references from Wood, and use more than one ref in a paragraph. If you use the same source within a paragraph, you can use the term (ibid) which means ‘the same’ in Latin. You can only use it with the paragraph that you’ve cited the author e.g. Wood (2005) †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ blah blah blah (ibid) Its important you are using wider  reading within and throughout the work. There should also be a conclusion, which shows awareness of good practice and professional development through the implementation of this module. Throughout the essay, you must show the ability to integrate a range of information, drawn from a wide and varied area of sources (LO 4) Learning Outcome 4 – You will need to draw upon a range of contemporary source materials to inform your individual research into the impact of current/pending government initiatives & legislative factors on early years settings and the resultant age-related curricula delivered. Educational & researched-based journal articles afford the best opportunity of achieving this. Use of tertiary sources and of web-based material is permitted but is unlikely to attract significant additional marks. Sourcing and researching other related material may also earn additional marks Conclusion: Holistic approaches encompass, as the names suggests, a broad range of teaching goals and aspirations for children’s learning that extends well beyond academic learning into fields of social and emotional wellbeing. While this can at first seem overwhelming, teachers can find the small opportunities in their day to day practice to incorporate and extend ideas that promote connection, community and wellbeing. REF: Druce, J. (2013) Holistic education , MOD001262 Holistic Approaches to Development . [Print] Anglia Ruskin University , Unpublished 2012, Department for Education. (Foundations for Quality Nutbrown Review) [pdf] UK: Department for Education. Available at http://www.gov.uk [Accessed 06 December 2013]. Dame Clare Tickell (2011) The Early Years: Foundation for life, health and learning . London: Crown . Druce, J. (2013) Holism (Noun), Holistic Approach to Development . [Print] Anglia Ruskin University, Unpublished Holistic Education (2011) Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Holistic Education [Online] Available at http://www.hent.org/glossary.htm [Accessed 15 December 2013] Natalie Higgins (2012) Exploring Holistic Approaches for Early Childhood Educators [Online] Available at http://www.raisinglearning.com.au [Accessed 12 December 2013] Ron Miller (2012) Holistic Education: A Brief Introduction [Online] Available at http://www.Pathsoflearning.net [Accessed 12 December 2013] Smidt, S (2011) Playing to Learn. UK: Routledge. Wood, E (2005) Play, Learning and the Early Childhood Curriculum . 2nd ed. London : Sage Publications .