Level 4 >> Post 10: English Language Challenges * What comments can you make about your experience learning English at university? * What about the use of blogs? * What aspects of your English need to be improved and how do you plan to do this? * Outside the English class, how much are you using English these days? What for? - Wordcount: 260 - Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts and one on mine. Dear students, this is our last blog session!!! There are 4 skills in English that are meant to be developed when learning the language: writing, speaking, reading and listening; even though most people would say that "speaking” is the most difficult one to be acquired the truth is that "writing" gets the first place in terms of complexity and accuracy. Writing Blogs is a good opportunity to put in practice our knowledge, to exercise it and to improve it and therefore to increase it. We are living in a globalized world where the common language for doing business and exchanging information such as advances in medicine and science is English. All relevant research results if given the case of having them published must be done in English since international magazines are in the so called “Universal Language”. It is a known fact that for example when doing business with China enterprises there’s no need to know Mandarin but English; first approaches via email and the following contracts are written in this foreign language. Covenants among universities from different countries are agreed in English too.

Level 4 >> Post 10: English Language Challenges

* What comments can you make about your experience learning English at university? 

* What about the use of blogs?

* What aspects of your English need to be improved and how do you plan to do this?

* Outside the English class, how much are you using English these days? What for?

- Wordcount: 260

- Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts and one on mine.

Dear students, this is our last blog session!!!

There are 4 skills in English that are meant to be developed when learning the language: writing, speaking, reading and listening; even though most people would say that "speaking” is the most difficult one to be acquired the truth is that "writing" gets the first place in terms of complexity and accuracy.

Writing Blogs is a good opportunity to put in practice our knowledge, to exercise it and to improve it and therefore to increase it.

We are living in a globalized world where the common language for doing business and exchanging information such as advances in medicine and science is English.

All relevant research results if given the case of having them published must be done in English since international magazines are in the so called “Universal Language”.

It is a known fact that for example when doing business with China enterprises there’s no need to know Mandarin but English; first approaches via email and the following contracts are written in this foreign language.

Covenants among universities from different countries are agreed in English too.

Summarizing: in modern society the way of communicating is through e-mails and texting; relations among friends, employer-employee, teacher-student, companies, universities, governments and so forth are importantly carried on in a written manner.

Nowadays our mobile phones are used more for writing rather than speaking.

Therefore WRITING is and has been a skill of great significance, in any language, and its communication value and usefulness go hand by hand with the everyday development of a more modern society

One last piece of advice: speak as you write and not the other way around, especially when formality is a must and you’ll prove yourself worthy of using the language of William Shakespeare.

LEVEL 4 - Post 9: CHANGES TO MY STUDY PROGRAMME Write about some changes that could be made to your study programme (major) Among others, think about: > The curriculum (the subjects you have to study) > Workload and length of studies > Faculty facilities (buildings and infrastructure) > Use of technology > Teaching methods - Word Count: 250 - Leave comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts and one on mine. This time I will have to make a big effort to think about my study programme since I left university several years ago and in time you usually end up remembering just the positive things specially when you consider that the decision made was the correct one. Nevertheless, taking into account the curriculum that I had back then I remember it didn't prepare the future teachers to face disruptive students and even less to deal with a disruptive and crowded classroom environment, which sadly is the reality of many schools nowadays and makes the task of teaching a real challenge. All methods, approaches and learning strategies were exemplified thinking of an ideal student in the perfect learning atmosphere, too unrealistic!!! At least for our country :(

LEVEL 4 - Post 9: CHANGES TO MY STUDY PROGRAMME

Write about some changes that could be made to your study programme (major)

Among others, think about:

> The curriculum (the subjects you have to study)

> Workload and length of studies

> Faculty facilities (buildings and infrastructure)

> Use of technology

> Teaching methods

- Word Count: 250

- Leave comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts and one on mine.

This time I will have to make a big effort to think about my study programme since I left university several years ago and in time you usually end up remembering just the positive things specially when you consider that the decision made was the correct one.

Nevertheless, taking into account the curriculum that I had back then I remember it didn't prepare the future teachers to face disruptive students and even less to deal with a disruptive and crowded classroom environment, which sadly is the reality of many schools nowadays and makes the task of teaching a real challenge.

All methods, approaches and learning strategies were exemplified thinking of an ideal student in the perfect learning atmosphere, too unrealistic!!! At least for our country :( 

In those years were possible to teach a subject at schools without having the degree via a special permit granted by Ministry of Education but only under the condition of being studying the corresponding major, so there were several classmates of mine who were already working teaching at schools and they talked to us, even in front of our proffessors, about the current educational reality and its many flaws.

I am completely unaware if the curriculum for pedagogies has been changed or modified but without any doubts subjects which provide the future teachers the necessary tools to face the current educational system in depth and in truth should be mandatory (my opinion)

Regarding the length of the programme, I know a lot more now than when I graduated from university, so you must never stop learning, always keep yourself curious; this is how I see it.

Concerning the faculty facilities and use of technology, I studied at a good big private university so there were no issues about that ;-P 

POST 8 >> PERSONAL OPINIONS

- Choose 4 of these questions and give your opinions about them.
- Number of words: 240 minimum (60 per answer aprox.)

What is your opinion about owning an exotic pet?

What is your opinion about women in the military?
What is your opinion about child labor?

What is your opinion about violence on television?

What is your opinion about tattoos?

What is your opinion about killing stray dogs to prevent sanitary problems and animal over population?
What is your opinion about legalizing marijuana and other drugs?
What is your opinion about the Chilean tradition called “mechoneo”?
What is your opinion about cloning?

What is your opinion about recycling?

What is your opinion about “barras bravas” (hooligans)?

What is your opinion about legalizing abortion in some cases?

- Make comments on 3 of your partners' posts + a comment on your teacher's post.

What is your opinion about women in the military? 

I think women should definitely have a strong presence in the armed forces, starting by being part of the military service as they are along with men for example in Israel. They should also be able to make a career in the army and hold the position of Commander in Chief. I’m sure relations among countries would be less warlike.

What is your opinion about tattoos?

Tattoos weren’t appealing to me when I was younger, but when I turned 40 I decided to have one done and I don’t regret the decision at all so in my opinion if you are truly conscious of its meaningfulness and mature enough to realize that it is going to be part of your bo most probably for the rest of your life, go ahead and have one (or many) done.

What is your opinion about recycling? 

Nowadays recycling should be mandatory! We, as human race, have the planet full of waste and by recycling we would diminish garbage in a great deal. The excuse given by governments is that recycling is expensive and non profitable but these shouldn’t be matters of discussion when thinking about the future of next generations. Nevertheless we can all do our part to help now; in my case, I have a compost bin in my yard.

What is your opinion about legalizing abortion in some cases?

Abortion should be legalized in all cases as it is in developed countries. Chile is a country full of double standard people where clandestine abortions are profitable business for doctors and clinics, where these same doctors claim for having the right of “conscientious objection” and where women who have had abortions done in secrecy vote for the right wing to keep the hypocrisy in which they live.

Question, research, analyze, and discuss your
individual opinions and beliefs as well as those of others.

Post 7: SPORTS (leisure activities)

-Since this is a free post you have the chance of writing about current or past sports and/or  leisure  activities you have done.

-Most of us had physical education classes at school so If you don’t like the idea of doing any  sports please explain the reasons why in detail.

-If you have never had the chance of doing a sport before you can write about one you would  like to do in the future and state the reasons why it is appealing or interesting for you, please  write about it in full.

-If “sports” are not your “cup of tea”  think that we all have had leisure activities from the  simplest to the most peculiar ones so don’t be shy and share your experiences with the rest!

Remember:

• organize your ideas well
• express your opinions or experiences in a coherent way
• your writing must have a guiding thread
• divide your composition into paragraphs
• Add some pictures

*Comments: leave a comment on my post + 3 of your classmates posts

*Word Count: 230 words

A friend of mine who had recently come back from her vacations in Europe told me that she was really surprised to see the large amount of people riding bicycles there. After some talking, she convinced me, very easily by the way, to start going biking.

First, we went up to the top of San Cristobal Hill for training every weekend and after we got used to that we decided to face a new challenge going up until Parque Mahuida.

Nevertheless, I was hungered for more therefore I start looking for bike groups until I found “Los Ciclistas Furiosos”.

I participated in many bike trips with them from Santiago to Lo Vazquez (round trip), and to San Antonio, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso (outward trips) full bicycling. Even though those were tiring sports experiences I accomplished them very well so my hunger for biking increased even more and I ended up being part of the “DRAKKARS” Team.

We weren’t that many but we were all really passionate about biking and since it was a mountain bike team I had the chance of knowing beautiful places in Santiago and other regions such as Quebrada de Macul, Aguas de Ramón, El Huinganal, Lagunillas, Embalse el Yeso, Cerro el Roble, Santuario Alto Huemul, among many others and of course competitions became part of my biker’s life. My favourite one was “Desafío Trek Subaru”, I participated 4 times and in spite of never wining a podium I can proudly say that I always improved my timing.

Nowadays, I’m practically retired from bicycling but a new sport is part of my life and it is Karate Wado. I have been doing it for a year and a half now and although it’s hard I don’t feel like giving up.

POST 6 - POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

v  Write about a postgraduate course that you would consider taking in the future.
Include:

ü  Reasons to do the course

ü  Subject(s) you would like to study

ü  Where you would like to study (Chile or abroad)

ü  How you would like to study (distance learning, blended system, part-time course, etc)

ü  Any other relevant ideas

v  Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts + a comment on your teacher's post.

v  Word Count: 220 words

As mentioned before on my previous blog, I'm currently working on my master thesis, the name of the postgraduate program is “Magister en Educación con mención en Inglés como Idioma Extranjero”. It's kind of a long name for a master's degree, isn’t it??? It is an on site class program and since I finished and passed all the courses I can say that I am a master candidate.
Going back to the past, I remember that as soon as I finished my pregrade program at university I started to recieve job offers from schools and after teaching at 2 institutions for almost a year I realized that it wasn't what I wanted to keep doing with the test of my life because it was very hard and difficult to deal with adolescents who didn’t want to learn and saw the teacher as their enemy.

However, a colleague of mine and former university classmate recommended me for a job at a profesional  institute and since then I never stopped working in higher education; some of the places I worked at were IP La Araucana, CFT Manpower, IP Los Leones, CFT Santo Tomás, etc.

After some years and because I was making a career teaching in the area I realized that a master's  degree was necessary to ensure my continuity. 

My first option was a Master in Education at The University of Auckland in New Zealand but only if I won a CONICYT scholarship. Unfortunately, I couldn't apply in the end and in order not to lose more time I decided to study it here in Chile at Universidad Central.
I don't regret that decision because it was a good opportunity to refresh some knowledge, learn some other and keep up with current teaching and learning methods and approaches. Besides, nowadays it's almost mandatory to have all competences certified. 

Regarding the future I’d like to study a "Diplomado en Fonética Inglesa"; there was one at Universidad Santo Tomás but it was a classroom training program in IQUIQUE!!! Although I have family there who would gladly receive me, travelling back and forth an entire semester it would be something to meditate on most definitely!!!

to study it or not to study it?

LEVEL 4 - Post 5: My Future Job 

• What kind of job would you like to have? How do you imagine it?
• Outdoors / indoors?
• Would you like to travel a lot in your job?
• What about the salary?
• What major are you studying / are you thinking of taking? Explain why
•  Add any other related ideas.
• Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts + a comment on your teacher's post.
• Word Count: 210 words

It is difficult for me to think about doing another job different from the one I do now since I love teaching; it has been such a rewarding job even though the payment is never good enough in comparison with other professions.

Modesty aside XD

However, I remember that when I was younger I made an attempt to work at a cruise company. It did not work out but I imagine that if I had gotten the job, it would have been a great opportunity for knowing beautiful places of the world and interesting people of different nationalities; apart from that, the idea of staying on a cruise while being in the middle of the ocean has been until now something very appealing to me.

Of course I would have had to work very hard, probably during long shifts and for sure I would have ended up really tired after finishing work but according to what I know the salary is good; nevertheless I think that it had been an advantageous learning experience which would have made me grow professionally speaking as well as in personal matters.

On the other hand, thinking about the future, I would like to work for the Ministry of Education. Having an office work it would be just fine, taking into consideration the benefits of a steady job with a contract and salary stability. 
Nowadays I am finishing a Master (working on my thesis) but maybe I would need to study a Doctorate in order to get a position in the ministry... or to have a really good “PITUTO”!!!

Post 4: MUSIC

·         Now you have the chance to write about your favourite music: singers/bands/music styles.

·         Tell us when and how was the first time that you hear their music.

·         Say why you ended up liking this music.

·       Demonstrate that you are a fan of their music.

·       Add any other piece of information you considered relevant

·         Remember:

ü  organize your ideas well

ü  express your opinions or experiences in a coherent way

ü  your writing must have a guiding thread

ü  divide your composition into paragraphs

·         Comments: leave a comment on my post and on 3 of your classmates posts

·         Word Count: 200 words

Today I’ll let you know about a “guilty pleasure” of mine; my favourite female latin singer “Ana Gabriel”

I remember that I was 13 years old the first time that I heard a song from her called “Simplemente Amigos”; actually I heard and watched it at the same time because I saw her video clip on my granny’s black & white TV.

I got immediately impressed by her powerful rough voice, her interpretation was full of emotion, every single word sung by her sounded so true; it was as if she had been sharing an episode of her life, maybe she was!!!

It is also interesting to highlight that she isn’t the prototype of beauty; some people would dare to say that she is ugly, but that made her even more appealing to me; a real Mexican woman singing her grief in such a peculiar way like no one did before, so true to herself.

   Here you can find her single "Simplemente Amigos"

After discovering her in 1989 I started to buy many of her albums in cassette format, like “Tierra De Nadie”, “Quien Como Tú”, “En Vivo” (here she sings “Hasta Que Te Conoci”); then when the CDs became popular I bought these same albums again in digital format and I added “30 Grandes Éxitos” to my collection. Finally, I started to get all her new singles on the Internet using eMule.

For many years it has been said that she is a lesbian and based on her latest statements given to the press I can say that most probably she is but I think maybe that’s is one of the many reasons why she is such a special artist and this makes me admire her even more.

If I had to make a “mea culpa” it would be that I have never seen her singing live. Shame on me!!!

Post 3: PETS (your favourite animal)

·         Now you have the chance to write about current or past pets of yours.

·         If you have never had the chance of having a pet before or you don’t like the idea of having one please explain the reasons why in detail.

·         If you don’t have a pet but there is a wild animal you find appealing or interesting please write about it in full.
·         Remember:

ü  organize your ideas well

ü  express your opinions or experiences in a coherent way

ü  your writing must have a guiding thread

ü  divide your composition into paragraphs

·         Comments: leave a comment on my post + 3 of your classmates posts

·         Word Count: 180 words

During the course of my life I have had a lot of pets, cats mainly, dogs, fish and I even had a rabbit; however “the dog is the man’s best friend”, no question about it.

This is not just my opinion I am simply quoting the common phrase about domestic dogs, referring to their millennia-long history of close relations, loyalty, and companionship with humans (first recorded use of the phrase in the 18th century).

Leaving controversy behind I am going to tell you about my “Copito”. He was left outside my window when he was a very little puppy. I noticed he was there because of his crying but as soon as I saw him I knew he was a gift sent to me so I decided to adopt him right way and since then we have shared a lot of experiences.

He has made me company and shown his affection towards me for over ten years, I have seen him grow and grow old too.

It is easy to love an animal at its young age when it is healthy and playful but having a pet is a huge responsibility, it is a commitment with another living being that will need your care for the rest of its life, especially during its golden years, where special food, permanent intake of palliative medicines, frequent visits to the veterinarian and even medical procedures are part of its necessities. 

Both of us were so young!