Literature as a Medium Which Conveys the Culture of the Target Language Essay Example for Free

Literature as a Medium Which Conveys the Culture of the Target Language Essay The purpose of this paper is to familiarize foreign language instructors with the effectiveness of using literature as a mean of bridging the cultural gap between students and the target language. It will also discuss how teaching literature can help students become more effective communicators in the target language and at the same time making them appreciate other cultures different from their own. This may lead to say that, one of the major functions of teaching literature in a foreign language classroom is to serve as a medium to transmit the culture of the target language of the people who speak the language in which it is written. Therefore, literary texts can offer to the students a colorful world that reflects the culture of the language community. As readers; students get engaged within these texts, they come to understand how the characters in such literary works experience life and how they speak and behave in different settings. However , the study of literature can be considered as a method in which students can dive into the cultural experience of the language throughout the imagery and metaphors mentioned in a given text, as Gray points out: â€Å" Students learn to see a world through another’s eye,observing human values , different kind of living and discovering that others live very different societies. they will understand and become broadly aware of the social,political,historical,cultural events happening in a given society. . The role of literature in language teaching Literature, when defined as a subject of study, is an activity that involves and uses language (O’Sullivan, 1991). Ganakumaran et al (2003) stated that it is also referred to as the big â€Å"L† that focuses on the literariness of a text. It is an example of language in use and a context for language use. Literature is seen as a medium in which students’ appreciation of different system language organizat ion can be developed. Therfore, studying literature, on the whole, may not be considered as a reaction but rather as an interaction between the reader , the writer and their cultures. From an other parameter ,the teaching of literature in foreign language classrooms is essential and can be used as a perfect instrument to stimulate and speed up the teaching and learning process Carter and Long (1991). In other words, literature contributes in helping the students to explore knowledge ,promote their literacy development and fosters their language proficiency. Also, literature may provide effective, attitudinal and experiential factors which will motivate students to read McKay (1982). As a matter of fact, Obeidat (1997) said that literature has much to offer than language would normally do, since it has greater freedom and since it acknowledges no linguistic barriers which could refrain our ability to use language. Therefore, it is undeniable that literature helps to improve students’ command of language and the ability to use it freely, not solely as a linguistic, but as a cultural, intellectual, social and psychological medium of expression. In terms of using literature to teach language, Brumfit and Carter (1986) asserted that literary texts not only can grip the reader’s imagination more strongly but they can also be promoted for the examination of language at work. Littlewood (2005) also observed that although such texts were predominantly valuable for developing reading skills, it could be exploited for purposes such as explaining grammar teaching and indicating various types of language usage. Since literary texts contain language intended for native speakers, literature stands as a model for language learners to become familiar with different forms and conventions (Collie and Slater, 1991). Containing real examples of grammatical structures and vocabulary items, the literary texts raise learners’ awareness of the range of the target language and advance their competence in all language skills (Povey, 1967). Second, using literature in language teaching has the advantage of providing cultural information about the target language. Literary texts increase foreign language learners’ insight into the country and the people whose language is being learnt (Collie and Slater, 1991), which fosters learners’ ability to interpret discourse in different social and cultural target language contexts (Savvidou, 2004). . Literature as an instruments that stimulates the knowledge of the culture Teaching literature stimulates the imagination of the students and develops their critical abilities by getting them involved in interpreting the different symbols and meanings found in the text. They become more productive and adventurous when they perceive the richness and diversity of the language. Therefore, it is vital if educators create a harmonious literary atmosphere ,they may enable their students to immerse themselves in the story by turning the classroom into a cultural island where students interact with the text, share different viewpoints about the settings, the style, the language. Researchers have recognized that the benefits of using literature in three core areas: First , literature is beneficial to language development( John and Louis, 1987; Morgan, 1998; Myonghee, 2004;Sage,1987); second, literature enhances the knowledge of ulture and society which is too complicated to be captured by any single piece of expository writing; Third, literature fosters critical thinking by offering readers multiple perspectives especially in books with issues such as immigration, cultural differences, social upheavals (Edmondson 1995/6). John Lye (2003) believed that literature captures the complexities of the human situation, illustrating (dramatically, imaginatively, compellin gly) the grounds and the meanings of values, and the nuances of our experiences. It also allows us imaginatively to inhabit the lives, the experiences, the meanings of others. Lye(2003) added that literature challenges the sentimentalization of values, and those distortions of values which serve the ends of the powerful, the opportunistic, and those who want only to serve their own desires ,from an other parameter, literature explores and reflects conflicts in the culture itself, conflicts in the values and ideas of the culture, the conflict of social groups (ethnic, racial, class, gender, religious and so forth), in addition to that ,it offers a sense of identity and community, by establishing and founding narratives which capture the essence of what typifies the culture or community, or by dramatizing those particular stories and images which give the culture a sense of common meaning and purpose. 4.  Applying literature and culture in language teaching classroom When it comes to learning a new language there can be no substitute for actually living in a country where this language is spoken. Besides, teaching literature does not mean ,limit students to take a passive role but to stimulate students to be engaged proactively within the target language. However, foreign language teachers can provide literary texts best by turning their literature classes into a community where students can engage themselves actively with the culture and the language they are studying and where the emphasis in class could be on ‘cultural experience rather than cultural awareness. As Duff and Maley point out, â€Å"literature offers universal themes which are relevant to students’ own experience,it is also a mirror that reflects and heightens each learner’s perception of the social world. Thus, literary texts are opened to multiple interpretations and interactions†. Students cannot remain passive if they are to interpret and understand what they are reading. They are placed â€Å"in an active interactional role in working with and making sense of the target language guided by the teacher, they have to actively participate and interact with each other. Literature and culture in foreign language teaching can provide linguistic and artistic elements and perspectives to students.  Through literature as well as culture, students could have the opportunity to establish a connection with the target language and realize that their own personal, social,cultural and historical contexts have been influenced by a foreign language and a foreign culture and how, in a symbiotic process, this other culture has been nourished. Culture, on the other hand, offers an interdisciplinary field that includes artistic discourses, social conventions, and reflexive impacts. It opens the door for students to increase their knowledge of the target culture as they can contemplate and critically comment on people’s way of life, values, attitudes, and beliefs, and regard how these elements can have an impact in linguistic categories and forms. Indeed,language found a soulmate in literature, and they are inserted in culture.

Inc Narrative Report Essay Example for Free

Inc Narrative Report Essay For our group, the INCredibles, we are assigned to organize an event which has something to do with a group and its cooperation. The two most important thing when we say â€Å"LEADERSHIP†. As described, â€Å"LEADERSHIP† is the activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to achieve a specific goal. Leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations. Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Through this as a student, we are after a good and responsible leader that could really lead us for the best. Through teambuilding activities, different strategies and different leadership is being standout. Teambuilding is defined as the ability to identify and motivate individual employees to form a team that stays together, works together, and achieves together. For our event, entitled â€Å"Many Paths, One Spirit, A legacy of Leadership† we are after for a good leader and especially this event is after for a true and a strong bond. Our event took place at Ouans worth farm, Kanlurang Mayao, Lucena City. The call time of the organizers is at 7:00 in the morning. And for our participants which are the DSC Officers, their call time is at 9:00 in the morning at Manuel S. Enverga CTHRM Study Area. When we got at the venue, everyone is busy designating and planning the last minute petty things to be solved. Then after that, we started putting thing into place. We started cutting papers for the souvenirs and started blowing up the balloons, while other members of the group is still at Zharina’s House and busy preparing the food for our event. We also decorated and started arranging the tables at the conference room and putting some finishing touches. Then after that everyone is settled and other members already know their designated stations for the Amazing Race, and we are only waiting for the arrival of our participants but the DSC Chairman arrived as early as 8:00 in the morning. Then our participants arrived at 10:00 in the morning and it also started the registration, the assigned for the registration is Lindsey Hidalgo, Vera Javier and Karen Tagon. After the participants finished the registration, the program officially begins. The event started with a prayer hoping the event would be successful and also at the same time to attain our main goal that is to have unity, cooperation and a strong bond among the DSC Officers. As the participants log their names at our registration forms, they were at the same time given their IDs and they are also to choose a balloon that indicates which group they would belong. After that Czarina Miranda the emcee of that day’s event, she welcomes whole heartedly the participants and calls on immpediately Nadine Almozara for her to start the day with a prayer. After the Opening Prayer, the Opening Remarks was given by Nina Lumenario. Then the emcee immediately instructed the participants on how the Amazing Race would work and what are the rules. The stations includes the following: Calamansi relay, bilangan ng monggo, spell me DSC, kadena, obstacle, pulot ng basura, harina, and eat all you can (includes ampalaya, banana, calamansi and tomsto). Then after that, the emcee instructed the participants that its time for them to know their respective groups. The first group includes Alexis, Meco and Nino. The second group includes Crio, Hazel, Tyrone, and Chesca. And the last group includes Paul, Alvin and Janica. After that the groups where formed and they need to make a name for their group and to present a yell. Paul’s group is named as the â€Å"TAMARights† inspired by the FEU Tamaraws, they performed their yell first. Alexis’ group is named as â€Å"Orange and Lemons† inspired by a Filipino Local Band. And the last group, Crio’s group is named as â€Å"BLUEtooth† inspired by a cellphone specs. Crio, Paul and Meco added spice whenever they throw jokes to each opther that makes also the event fun. And its now time for the groups to start the Amazing Race. The process is that they where given a clue that would took them to their destination and in that way they would be starting in dif ferent stations. In every stations that they’ll be accomplishing the Station Manager would give them a letter that is a key for a keyword â€Å"CTHRM DSC† and the first to complete this letters, they are the winner. So the game started it’s a thrill. We could really see the cooperation and the hardworks of our participants and we are really thankful because they really supported our event. The first group to arrived at the conference room and completed the letters is Paul’s Group and the are the TAMARights. Second who arrived is Alexis’ Group, the Orange and Lemons. And last is Crio’s Group, the BLUEtooth. So because Crio’s group finish last Meco started throwing jokes at Crio. And once4 again everyone laugh and enjoyed. Then after the picture taking. We started distributing lunch for our participants, our lunch is extraordinary because it’s in a banana leaf and we need to eat together but its really fun. We enjoyed eating like it’s all back to basic. After we finish our lunch, the second game begins and it is to solve a jigsaw puzzle. Alexis’ Group won the challenge, next is Crio’s group and lastly it’s Paul’s group. The next activity is to make their flags that would be symbolizing their group and everyone really made a good job. The event was tiring but it was really worth it, it’s fun and it really bonded the relationships of the participants and also the organizers. Alvin, the DSC Chairman, gave some message that really made us realize and also touches us. Immediately after that Donna, our Event Manager gave a Closing Remarks and after the program everyone was having a free time to sit and jam with the participants and to distribute their snacks and at the same time Paul gave us some intermission number and he does some impersonations. That ends our event and we really think that our event achieves our goals. And as we finish this event we are hoping that this would give our participants a more clearer and more deeper understanding about leadership.

Examining Marketing Strategies for the Mauritius Fast Food Market

Examining Marketing Strategies for the Mauritius Fast Food Market INTRODUCTION It is the beginning of a new era that the fast food industry has gradually breakthrough the Mauritius lifestyle. Due to the globalisation process, many fast food franchises are now available in Mauritius. Whether these fast foods have revolutionised Mauritius, today these products form part of our lifestyle and culture. People rely on their convenience to enhance their lives and productivity. But in the fast and increasing competitive business environment of today, the right marketing approach is necessary to compete with competitors. The ability to develop effective marketing strategy which enable the firm to become more responsive and adaptable to the market will perhaps more than ever before, differentiate the winners from the losers The rational of developing marketing strategies is to respond to the increasing high demand in fast food and to eventually increase the market share of chicken Delight Ltd. The answer lies in the fact that Chicken Delight Ltd franchise is in the fast food industry, selling fried chicken, chips and burgers, and its main and direct competitor is Kentucky Fried Chicken. Chicken Delight Ltd is relatively new on the Mauritian market and Kentucky Fried Chicken has already position itself in the mind of customers since it (KFC) was launched in Mauritius in the year 1983. Chapter 1: Chicken Delight Ltd Company and Product Profile Chicken Delight Ltd was incorporated on the 22nd March 2001. The company is a franchise, offering five product lines; it sells fried chicken, chips, burgers, salads and soft drinks. In the early 2000s, with the globalisation and the growth of fast foods in Mauritius, the company has introduced the brand name of Chicken Delight in Mauritius. To cater for customer needs, Chicken Delight Ltd has set up one retail shop situated at Royal Road, Port-Louis (under the trade name of Chicken Delight. Chicken Delight Ltd is also an extremely innovative company with unique menu items, and to adapt the products more to the local Mauritian market, Chicken Delight has introduced 30 products in Mauritius. Chicken Delight Mission As stated by the manager, Chicken Delights mission is To provide fast foods that exceed customer expectations in terms of service, price and quality Chicken Delight Vision To be present throughout the island, and to be the market leader in the fast food industry(as stated by the manager) Product Profile In Mauritius, Chicken Delight products are manufactured within international norms and quality to provide the maximum satisfaction to its customers. The products sold are Halal guaranteed. Thus whatever someones belief and culture, he or she can eat Chicken Delights products. Thorough study of the product line has been conducted to meet up the different tastes and habits of different people in Mauritius. In Mauritius, Chicken Delights product mix consists of five product lines, namely fried chicken, Chips, burgers, salads and soft drinks. Chapter 2: Regaining competitive advantage 2.0 Introduction This chapter will aim at assessing Chicken Delights strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities and threats through an analysis of its external general environment also called macro environment, its specific external, also called micro environment and conducting an organisational audit. It will conclude with a SWOT analysis model The critical objective of Chicken Delight is to achieve competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is an advantage that a firm has over its competitors, allowing it to generate greater sales or margins and retains more customers than its competitors. It is all about profitability, and this can be achieved by either lowering costs (comparative advantage) or differentiate its product/service (differential advantage) or by doing both simultaneously, so that it creates more value and can charge a higher price (Hill Jones, 2008, p104). There are 4 competitive advantages: Efficiency Quality Innovation Customer responsiveness All these factors are key success to competitive advantage. Focusing on efficiency allows Chicken Delight to keeps close control of costs, and dealing with the quality, customer responsiveness and innovation allows the company to maintain its customer loyalty and charge premium prices, thereby gaining competitive advantage. 2.1 Chicken Delight internal and external analysis Chicken Delight to generate future alternative strategies and decide which strategic alternative to pursue to regain competitive advantage and improve profitability, it is vital to assess Chicken Delights strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal to a company. They determine strategic capabilities of an organization, which rely on its resources and competences. The objective of Chicken Delights internal analysis is to identify its tangible and intangible threshold resources, unique resources, threshold and core competences, which allow them to compete effectively and stay ahead. On the other hand opportunities and threats are part of an organisations industry and macro environment. Identifying and analysing opportunities and threats in Chicken Delights working environment allow the company to determine how best to build on opportunities and avoid threats. It helps deciding in which areas resources need to be committed or diverted. Assessing Chicken Delights strengths and weaknesses; opportunities and threats will entail analyzing their general external environment (macro environment); its specific external environment (micro environment) and conducting an organizational audit. 2.1.1 SWOT Analysis The swot analysis summarizes key issues from the business environment and the strategic capabilities of an organization that are most likely to impact on strategy development. The aim is to identify the extent to which the strengths and weaknesses of an organization are capable of dealing with changes taking place in the environment. SWOT provides a guide to management action and provides an excellent framework for decision-making. The main purpose of a swot analysis is to identify the strategies that will best fit Chicken Delights resources and capabilities to opportunities and threats of Chicken Delights environment, play down weaknesses, avoid threats or use creativity and innovation to turn them into opportunities. It further helps identify and align a set of strategies at functional level, at business level and at corporate level. (Hill, Jones, 2008, Pg 9). SWOT Analysis for Chicken Delight Strengths Has high seating capacity, more than its main competitor KFC Has good customer service, staffs are well trained for dealing with customers Uses fresh raw materials obtained from the local market for maximum quality Clean and tidy environment and air-conditioned seating space Strong brand name as Chicken Delight is well known around the place Weaknesses Weak balance sheet showing losses No customers after 17.00 as all the shops are already closed at that time No variety of vegetarian foods available No product innovation since its opening No kids meal available No home delivery service available Slow service to customers during peak time due to lack of staffs Narrow product line, as have only chicken chips and burgers. No beef or fish dishes Opportunities Being a franchise, it can expand easily to other location as Chicken Delight has a good reputation Can introduce other products available at the Chicken Delights Head Office and thus increases the range of products Can introduce new products for vegetarians and for kids and introduce fish and beef products Selling company shares to the existing staffs to increase staff belongings to the company Can try to increase market share rapidly due to strong brand name and excellent location of fast food Threats Increase in price of raw materials Decrease in purchasing power of customers, customers will prefer cheaper foods despite less quality Possible entry of competitors selling same kind of products at cheaper price and at a better quality Severe laws about food production in Mauritius may interfere with the existence of Chicken Delight Franchiser imposes new law upon its franchisees Customers prefer healthy foods to fried oily foods Customer find another way of spending money and stop purchasing at Chicken Delight 2.2 Analysis of Chicken Delights general external environment The changing environmental factors have a high impact on the success or failure of business strategy. PESTEL model are used for analyzing the general external environment (macro environment) of organization such as Chicken Delight. It allows scenarios to be developed about the future. The macro environmental factors influencing Chicken Delight are as follows: 2.2.1 PESTEL Analysis of Chicken Delight Political The operations of chicken Delights are highly influenced by the individual state policies. Chicken Delight is affected by government policies on the regulations of fast food operation. Government is controlling the marketing of fast food restaurant because of health issue such as cholesterol issue, cardiovascular and obesity among the young children. Government control the license given for opening the fast food Good relationship with government in giving benefits such as employment and tax for the company success. Economic Fast food industry do have their individual concerns involving economic factors such as branches of fast food chains like Chicken delight is hit by inflation and changes in the exchange rate. Social/Cultural Chicken Delight indulges a particular variety of consumers with definite types of personalities. Young urban consumers want technology in their life and facilities such as credit card payment wireless Internet, cosy and relaxing ambient place and other attraction for their hangout and eating. The Mauritian population is becoming more and more health conscious and about how and what to eat. They are eating foods that are more healthier and less food with lots of oils, fat and spicy. Chicken Delight is thinking about how to offer the customer with healthier foods and also vegetarians foods. Hindu people do not take beef, and Muslim people do not eat pork. So far Chicken Delight has shown good effects in localization of its menu to suit local taste and had constantly survey and learns about local culture to better understand and design the best product for them. Technological For a fast food restaurant, technology does not give high impact on the company and it is not a significant macro environment variables. Chicken Delight is looking to competitors innovation and improved itself in term of integrating technology in managing its operation. Chicken Delight is looking in inventory system, supply chain management system to manage its supply. Easy payment and ordering systems for its customers and wireless Internet technology. Legal factors As a certified fast food operator, Chicken Delight should follow many regulations and procedures. Chicken Delight has to take into consideration legal concepts like tax obligations, employment standards and quality requirement. Chicken Delight requires conforming their meat to the Halal requirement of the law. The legal requirement is important so that the company do not get a fine or their business prohibited from operating. Environment Vegetarian environmentalist criticizes the fast food giant for cruelty to animals and slaughtering. Chicken Delight used paper packaging, and Chicken Delight was criticized for being insensitive to pollution and this was having a high impact on the environment by throwing away those hard to recycle packaging. Mauritius is getting concerned for environment issues and business operating should emphasise on careful usage of world resources for sustainable development and should care for environment safely and health for our future generation. 2.3 Analysis of Chicken Delights specific external environment The common models used for analysing the specific external environment of organisations, also known as the micro environment of organisation such as Chicken Delight is the use of the Porters 5 forces model and analysis of the competitive market structure. Porter has suggested that it is the collective strength of these forces that determine the attractiveness of the industry. Organisation should tend to find a position in the industry where it can either defend itself against these forces or influence them in its favour. Analysis of the specific environment along Porters 5 forces model reveals the micro environmental factors that affect Chicken Delight as follows: The Structural analysis of small enterprise Porters 5 forces model of competition Source: Porter 1980 Porter (1980) claims, There are five forces which determine competitiveness. Porters 5 forces model would be useful to analyse the impact of structural forces upon the fast food (which is a small enterprise) Barriers to Entry In the fast food industry, the barriers to entry are relatively low. Only a small investment is required to see up a fast food outlet and it is not difficult to obtain a franchise from an international company. There are many marchand ambulants (street Hawkins) who can easily sell their snacks in the streets of Port Louis or even infront of Chicken Delight outlet. Buyers If buyers are powerful vis-Ã  -vis small firms, there are more opportunities to obtain discounts, supplementary services, products of superior quality and other benefits, that could only add to the costs of small firms. At Chicken Delight, buyers can very easily shift to other fast food, since they have a wide choice of products at relatively lower costs than Chicken Delight Products. Some of the fast foods available are roti, doll pouri, samoussa, gato piment, and pain fourre among others. Suppliers Large suppliers produce an impact on small firms by the way they price the raw materials. Concerning the suppliers, raw materials such as chicken, potatoes, cheese, lettuces and bread are easily obtained on the Mauritian market. Rivalry The intensity of rivalry among existing firms can remain high if there are high exit barriers. As highlighted by Stokes (1995), exit barriers that prevent small firms from quitting the industry, are:- Economic constraint such as costs of liquidation or sales or loss of income Psychological attachment to the enterprise Loyalty to employees Prides that comes from ownership Concerning the competitive rivalry, there are lots of competitors in the fast food industry. Some of the direct competitors that also sell fried chicken are KFC and Rodeo Fried Chicken. Other rivals that also offer fast food are Pizza Hut, McDonald, Debonnais and other Mauritian snacks (roti, doll pourri, samoussa) and restaurants. Threats of Substitute Stokes (1995) stresses upon two ways through which substitutes might represent a real danger to a small firms products. A substitute which performs the same function, but in a different way. A substitute way of spreading money. There is really a real threat for Chicken Delight as there are many substitutes of fast foods on the Mauritian market. These substitutes are the local foods as gato-piment, samoussa, roti, doll-pourri, the brianis, the restaurants, and also foods that can be easily cooked using a microwave. Also, people may find a better way of spending, rather than spending their money on fast foods, they may turn towards more healthy foods.

Utopian School :: essays papers

Utopian School My Utopian School If I was able to create my own school, and was able to select every student, every staff member, all members of the faculty, class sizes, curriculum, and everything and everyone that has to do with effectively running the school, then I believe that the utopian school would consist of the following. I believe that the students that would be enrolled in the school would have to all be of the same or around the same abilities and intelligence, I believe that if students are around other students that are at about the same level, it is easier for them to learn and score better. If all the students are slow learning, then they can be taught at the same rate, and the same goes for students with higher learning abilities. The faculty would have members from different backgrounds so that the students can learn different life experiences. Curriculum would be the same throughout all grades, all first grade would be the same, and so on, all the way up until fifth. Class sizes would be smaller , so that the teachers can give more attention to every student, and every class would have kids who are all about the same intelligence and learning rates. Support staff would also be qualified to teach the children, not just assist. They would be able to assist the children just like the teachers do. There wouldn’t actually have to be any specific groupings within the class, because every class would only consist of children that are all at the same level, so there would be no seperation, and the kids would not feel bad about being slower, and being separated from the â€Å"smart kids.† I would do my very best to make absolutely sure that the entire facility would be one-hundred percent clean, I think that a clean school would make it easier for students to learn, instead of trying to learn in filth. I would try to raise money with events and fundraisers to keep the school clean and a positive learning environment. As far as materials and equipment go, I would use the best materials and the highest grade equipment so that my students could use them to get the best education possible. I believe that all of these attributes would make the perfect school, every single student would be able to get a proper amount of attention and they would be able to use moder n technology and have people that actually care about the students and their education, and what they are going to do with their future.

Alzheimers Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Essays

We are currently living in the age of technology. Our advancements in the past few decades overshadow everything learned in the last 2000 years. With the elimination of many diseases through effective cures and treatments, Canadians can expect to live a much longer life then that of their grandparents. In 1900 about 4% of the Canadian population was over the age of 65. In 1989 that figure tripled to 12% and the government expects that figure to rise to 23% by the year 2030 (Medical,1991,p.13). This increase has brought with it a large increase in diseases associated with old age. Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is one of the most common and feared diseases afflicting the elderly community. AD, once thought to be a natural part of aging, is a severely debilitating form of mental dementia. Although some other types of dementia are curable or effectively treatable, there is currently no cure for the Alzheimer variety. A general overview of Alzheimer's disease including the clinical description, diagnosis, and progression of symptoms, helps one to further understand the treatment and care of patients, the scope of the problem, and current research. The clinical definition of dementia is "a deterioration in intellectual performance that involves, but is not limited to, a loss in at least 2 of the following areas: language, judgement, memory, visual or depth perception, or judgement interfering with daily activities" (Institute,1996, p.4). The initial cause of AD symptoms is a result of the progressive deterioration of brain cells (neurons) in the cerebral cortex of the brain. This area of the brain, which is the largest and uppermost portion, controls all our thought processes, movement, speech, and senses. This deterioration initially starts in the area of the cortex that is associated with memory and then progresses into other areas of the cortex, then into other areas of the brain that control bodily function. The death of these cells causes an interruption of the electrochemical signals between neurons that are a key to cognitive as well as bodily functioning. Currently AD can only be confirmed at autopsy. After death the examined brain of an Alzheimer victim shows two distinct characteristics. The first is the presence of neuritic plaques in the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain including cerebral blood vessels.... ...988).Understanding Alzheimer's disease.New York: Scribner's. Brassard, Daniel.(1993).Alzheimer's Disease.Ottawa: Library of Parliament, Science and Technology Division. Brown, Phyllida.(1992, November 7).Alzheimer's May Not be Linked to Aluminum.New Scientist Supplement,p.6. Carlton University Department of Health Sciences Freenet.(1996).Internet.http:\www.nct.carlton ca/fp/social.services/alzheimer/disease.dir Evans, Denis, et al.(1989).Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease in a Community Population of Older Persons.Journal of the American Medical Association,272(15),1152. Institute for Brain Aging.(1996).Internet.http:\www.128.200.55.17/aboutad.html Medical Research Council of Canada.(1991).Presidents Report 1989-1990. Myers, David.(1996).Exploring Psychology.New York: Worth. Pollen, Daniel.(1990).Hannah's Heirs: The Quest For the Genetic Origins of Alzheimer's Disease.London:Oxford University Press. Statement on Use of Apolipoprotein E Testing for Alzheimer's Disease.(1996).American College of Medical Genetics/American Society of Human Genetics Working Group on ApoE and Alzheimer's Disease.Internet.http:\www.faseb.org/genetics/asng/policy/pot

Enemy of the People :: Essays Papers

Enemy of the People The book I read was written by Ibsen and called Enemy of the People. There were nine characters in this book but only five main characters. Dr. Stockmann, Hovstad, Aslaksen, Peter, and Billing. The protagonist was Doctor Stockmann. He has just discovered that a bathing complex that is crucial to the town’s economy is seriously contaminated. He alerts several members of the community and receives generous support and thanks for making this discovery in time to save the town. The next day his brother, the town mayor and the antagonist, tells him he has to retract his statement to the town because to repair the bath it would cost to much money for the town; the mayor is not convinced by the doctors findings. They have a huge argument, but the Doctor hopes that the newspaper will support him. But the mayor convinces the newspaper to oppose him. Soon after the doctor holds a town meeting to tell everyone about the baths. The mayor and Aslaksen, the newspaper printer, try to keep him from speaking. The doctor begins a long lecture in which he condemns the foundations of the town and the tyranny of the majority. The people find his speech offensive and revolt against the doctor. The next morning the doctor’s house is vandalized and all the people who supported him earlier now oppose him. Instead of leaving the town the doctor stays in the town to defy authority. His family is supportive and he says, â€Å"that the strongest man is the man who stands alone.† Psychology plays a main part in the conclusion of the story. Its mob psychology, in the story the newspaper editors did support him and so did most of the town up until the mayor got to them and told them that he was bad. The people knew that the baths were no good and contaminated but they were to afraid to voice there opinion in fear that they might be different and consider bad to the town authorities. So mob psychology deals with people who don’t want to stand out in a crowd no matter what is going to happen to them or the town.

Learning Disabilities and the Classroom Essay

Learning Disabilities and the Classroom With every classroom you are able to see a dynamic between students and their teacher. It takes a strong teacher to really make everything accessible to all students including student with learning disabilities. The class that I watched was Christina Hilliker’s second grade. The disabilities that were part of this great dynamic were Downs, Autism, ADHD, auditory processing and behavior issues that cause learning difficulties. Within the classroom I was able to see many ways that Ms. Hilliker was maintaining her classroom. For general classroom behavior she used a stop light method (red, green yellow). Each student had a Popsicle stick with their name for individual reprimands. For the students that have ADHD or behavior issues there is a behavior chart with daily goals, these goals last the week but are checked daily for each subject. The student with Downs has a paraprofessional that keeps track of her daily behavior goals to connect with her IEP. The student with Autism also has a paraprofessional that maintains the guidelines for behaviors for this student. He is also on a behavior intervention plan that allows for him to maintain control of his by allowing him to pick three activities to complete before his break. During my visit I noticed that table grouping was strategically placed to help lower level students engage with peers that are at a higher learning level. This works with shoulder partners, face to face and there were no more than four in a ground so it is not overwhelming for students with the learning disability. I also noticed that she placed the more encouraging and higher level students with O.D. the student with Downs and C.S. the student with Autism. M.M and B.S. both were split between the tables that did not have Para’s so Ms. Hilliker was able to monitor their needs as she taught. They were both placed facing the board and away from the door and window to reduce distraction. Ms .Hilliker planned her lesson around the student with the disabilities, during reading the teacher made it a point to meet with the red group (below readers) and explain to them what was expected during this time. This meeting allowed for the students and the  paraprofessionals to hear exspectations and allow for the Para have to review the directions for the red group students. C.S. and O.D. both had Ipads that allowed them to work independently on Prologo allowing the Para’s to work with the other students. Math time was planned around the special education teacher, this was to allow for the students who were in need of flex grouping to work on the activity to have this and she was then able to monitor the correct use of the math titles. In science there was little planning needed because C.S. and B.S. (B.S. has ADHD as well as behavior problems) were always read a social story to prepare them for the openness of science class and the expectations that they were to follow. For purpose of inclusion I did not like the stop light discipline, I felt that it held the students who were already on plans for behavior to too many behavior expectations. This seemed overwhelming for me as a visitor to comprehend so I am sure it was for the students with learning difficulties. I think that the behavior plans that were for the individual students worked well to meet their academic abilities and behavior goals. I would use the stop light for the students that were not on BIP’s. During reading I thought that meeting with the red group was great idea because it allows the students to get that one on one time with the teacher in flex group setting and allows for the other students to show independence in the classroom. While meeting I thought that the Para’s should have been introduced to the directions earlier so they could have in the IPad’s and written down for a check list for B.S and M.M. It was nice to see that Ms. Hilliker and Mrs. Mester worked together during math because it seemed that the students really struggled in math and reading and the flex grouping seemed to help. I found it very strange to find out that the student with Downs was not labeled as a learning disability but was put into this category to access what she needed academically. I did not like the fact that due to funding most of the students like this were not on an alternative curriculum in all cases. I would however use Ms. Hilliker’s seating ideas because it seemed to help B.S. maintain his behavior and compete is work with minimal distractions and M.M. was close to the teacher at all times to ask for clarification. I did notice that M.M. was labeled as auditory processing disorder and there were few accommodations to help this student as an individual. While watching B.S. it was clear that there was the need to have  some type of social skills expectations that should be worked with, this student was very immature and inappropri ate at times. M.M. on the other hand had no social interaction with his classmates unless the teacher essential made him do it. I also saw that students that were higher sometimes made B.S. and C.S. get off task when they thought it would be funny for them to get negative attention from the teacher, this was normally right after the Para or teacher paid one on one attention to these two particular students. It was clear that Ms. Hilliker was familiar with this behavior as well because she was able to stop most of this behavior before it got out of hand and was actually able to address the students that where essentially picking on B.S. and C.S. and explain the bully type behavior that they were displaying towards their classmates. In this one classroom there were many things that jumped out at me maybe because they looked overwhelming or maybe because they really worked but one thing is for sure and that is it takes everything a teacher has to keep students learning and without the support from her students and Para’s Ms. Hillikers class would not run like it does. They are a class community working to gether to create lifelong learners.