Blog 10: English Proficiency Falters Among the French

English Proficiency Falters Among the French

After a museum opened up in Marseille France it became apparent that many French citizens do not know the English language. Though the museum has a European history some of the exhibits were presented in English. Others were amazed to realize some of the students had no idea how to read the language. Statistics show that France is one of the European countries that have low proficiency when it comes to understanding English. English is one of the basic forms of communication say experts and there have been debates to put English as a language back into the French school system. It has been brought to the attention of the schools that adult English proficiency is below the average rate. High schools have not been teaching this properly but with America’s influencing pop culture it has also been noted that English is rarely used. 

Unlike in France in America students are taught another language whether it be French or Spanish. This is a basic necessity that is required in all high schools before graduating and some are even making this a must in middle school. It is important that students at least know one other language with as much diversity as there is all around the world. English is indeed the basic language of communication and many countries are making it aware to their citizens that it must be known. Without the proper knowledge of English it can be detrimental as one gets older and realizes it is too late to learn the language. Schools should be enforcing it at a younger age since it is easier to comprehend and speak a language with high proficiency. Countries today work together to teach its students other languages and France should do the same if not more to improve their English proficiency. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/world/europe/english-proficiency-falters-among-french.html?_r=0 

Emily B. Lewis

2:28 P.M
November 15th, 2013

Blog 9: To Shape Young Palestinians, Hamas Creates Its Own Textbooks

To Shape Young Palestinians, Hamas Creates Its Own Textbooks

In Gaza City ninth grade students from Palestine learned about the 1929 riots about access to the western wall. They were able to learn about this due to a new textbook the school had received. This new textbook was introduced by the Islamist Hamas Movement which occurred the past fall. Textbooks have been the key topic of debate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since they were sought out to create cultural clashes deluding historical perspectives during this territorial fight. Daniel Bar-Tal, a Tel Aviv University professor said "When a leader says something, not everyone is listening. But when we talk about textbooks, all the children, all of a particular peer group, will be exposed to a particular material." He also claimed that a textbook is the strongest card to education. However Yosef Kuperwasser, a senior Israeli official argued that "“Palestinians have developed a system of deception to English-speaking people they sell one story, and to themselves they have a different story." But he also took another approach to the textbook issue saying “Textbooks are one of the tools with which they tell their children what is the truth.” Then finally concluded “If you want real peace, it has to be based on a real change in the culture of hatred.” 

Textbooks are the key component to the basis of education all around the world. Without textbooks we are not able to uncover half of the knowledge we obtain at school. Countries all around the world have debates and wars. However the key is to make textbooks that do not favor one side or the other only covering the facts of the events that have lead us up to present day. In other countries textbooks are a major privilege to education as some countries fail the funding to even supply them to students. Yosef Kuperwasser was right when explaining that if you want the real peace all around education included it all starts with the way people are becoming culturally biased and facing pure hatred toward one another.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/world/middleeast/to-shape-young-palestinians-hamas-creates-its-own-textbooks.html

Emily B. Lewis

2:59 P.M.

November 8th, 2013

Blog 8: Before Malala

Before Malala

Since her recovery from the Taliban shooting Malala Yousafzai received the Mother Theresa Award. SHe has also been known as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" her bravery and commitment to peace shines through as she explains the importance of education is known to be inspiring to others. There are a few who understand the stereotypes that are among the region of Afghanistan. There are some sources that believe that it was Malala's doing that lead to the British defeat of the Battle of Maiwand. Because of this many now believe that it is possible to be a Muslim from a Pashtun society and enforce the importance of nonviolence. Considering the fact that women do not play much of a role in society Malala also proved that women are a important role in public affairs is considered to be one of her greatest accomplishments.

It is important to have people like Malala in this type of culture and society. Speaking out against violence being a Muslim and in a society where women have no say is breaking a norm to the extreme which many would serve devastating consequences for. After her traumatic experience with one of the most violent terrorists in the world she was still able to come out of it and make a statement that empowered women in her society. She thought that education women would be beneficial and speaking on keeping the peace by interacting with nonviolence. It is because of people like Malala women around the world are now getting an education and that is the greatest accomplishment of all.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/opinion/international/malalas-brave-namesake.html

Emily B. Lewis

5:34 P.M.

October 30th, 2013

Blog 6: A Bridge Between Western Science and Eastern Faith

A Bridge Between Western Science and Eastern Faith

It was the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people who decided it would be be necessary to combine both the hard science of a laboratory with the of science of the mind. This is so due to the fact it was known that a kindergarten class was trying to understand the concept of both the Quantum theory and the understand that Buddhism teaches that things happen with a cause and life is a karmic cycle. Emory University decided to have a program connecting these two different concepts together to teach students how these theories are connected. With the approval of the Dalai Lama the University donates over $700,000 years for this program. People from all over the world are starting to take part in this program and are amazed to see how these two completely different worlds are able to come together and teach students what life is really all about.

This is a great opportunity for students to understand how two concepts who appear to have no significance to one another have so much in common about the views on life. It is really exceptional that the Dalai Lama is so willing to approve in a program that is willing to combine both theories and use them as examples in the classroom setting. Countries who are willing to use the Western world's view on science and combine them with the Eastern view on faith to me is truly amazing. I am amazed to see how these two concepts go hand in hand with one another and they are able to be presented in the University setting. This can be used as an example on how the Eastern and Western world connect to do great things all around the world or in a particular country. With this at hand it is nice to know how we can all connect and what other ways scientists and believers can come together as one and make a simple fact known.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/us/seeking-a-bridge-between-western-science-and-eastern-faith-with-the-Dalai-Lama.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1382064392-kiUndh4jHIpacjb2IlW59Q&

Emily B. Lewis

2:42 P.M.

October 18th, 2013

Blog 5: Students in Britian Are Drawn to U.S. Colleges

Students in Britain Are Drawn to U.S. Colleges

It has become more apparent that college students in Britain are more appealed to US colleges. This comes to a surprise due to the fact this was never known before and students use to not want to go to the US for further education. What was once a sleepy event now the American College Fair in Britain is a major event to go to when looking for a college to pursue. It is true however that American Universities are more expensive than those in Britain but that still does not keep students from wanting to spread their horizons and looking at America as a new home for the college years. There is also the stereotype that the students of wealthier parents wanted them to attend American colleges. What appeals most Britain college students is that America offers more liberal arts colleges and powerhouse public universities. As rates for Britain college students increase for American colleges it looks like more people are starting to realize maybe America really is the land of opportunity.

This is a great opportunity and I am happy to see that students from Britain are looking into American colleges and seeing what they have to offer. Many students get intimidated thinking about studying abroad. Seeing this article really struck out to me, this is so because there are American College Fairs all around the world and that's how students get drawn to coming to America. It was interesting to know that since American Colleges are more expensive that it still does not turn away mind from students from Britain. Its wonderful to see students who are so willing to move to another country and even consider a school abroad to be their first choice. With American colleges showing more appeal it is going to be amazing to see how the international students rates go up and its all for one divine purpose, education. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/world/europe/students-in-britain-are-drawn-to-us-colleges.html

Emily B. Lewis

7:57 P.M.

October 10th, 2013

Blog 4: Gaps in Graduates' Skills Confound Morocco

Gaps in Graduates' Skills Confound Morocco

It has been noted that the Moroccan Government spends a high proportion of its budget on education coming to a total of a quarter of it. But with the high emphasis on education there seems to be a problem with Moroccan Graduates it's the job market. Newly college graduates are finding it harder and harder to find jobs blaming education to be the problem as to why none of the grads are able to find jobs. Thousands of graduates go down to the Parliament and protest demanding that the government takes more of a stance in helping the students find jobs. Many are starting to believe that education does not help you to succeed. With over 6.5 million students in Morocco in elementary schools and 600,000 in high school many debate of if the students will even want to graduate now or better yet find a decent job by the time they finish college. With a country that spends so much money on education many are starting to wonder if education in Morocco is really the route to go. 

I find this information devastating, it is unfortunate to know that students spend all of this time in school to not even get a job afterwards. We have some of the same problems here in America with college students which is why I find this article to be useful when describing a falling job market around the world. This is not only a country problem but a global problem. We are finding out that more and more students are graduating all around the world and not having a job to go to afterwards. With a country that spends so much of its budget on education it makes me wonder why the government isn't doing more to help the students find jobs. However this is the overall problem. The governments all around the world tell us how important education is but how important is it really when you have no job to go to afterwards? This is something that the world as a whole needs to elaborate on a bit more. It is becoming more of a problem all around the world and as a college student of my own I want to know that something is being done so when I graduate I know for sure I have a job to go to and all of my education has paid off! 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/30/world/africa/gaps-in-graduates-skills-confound-morocco.html?_r=0

Emily B. Lewis

3:09 P.M

October 4th, 2013

Blog 3: European Universities Catch the Online Wave

European Universities Catch the Online Wave

Jörn Loviscach is a professor at the University of Applied Science in Bielefield, Germany. He has been known for posting his lectures on YouTube since 2009. People who comment on his posts are mainly students but it has been known that parents of the students, and even professional engineers. He doesn't post just lectures but problem solving tutorials, math instructions and even discussions on relative theory. After about a year of doing this he turned this into a Massive Online Open Course which also allowed quizzes and discussion boards on this as well. Due to this many other platforms have started to develop all throughout Europe. The pros to this tactic is that there are little to no tuition costs, no scheduling conflicts and no admission requirements. However the cons are no college credit is given for a course like this and the original work cannot be graded. A lot of other professors don't agree with this type of learning and fear students will only turn to a computer screen and not the actual professor for help. 

This is a great way for education to be taught outside of a classroom. With this type of learning out there students will be able to get the help that they need if a professor is not available or they don't have the courage to ask for help. However I do agree that with this type of learning students may never attend class or think that the computer tutorials will just teach them everything they need to know. But I also understand why this would be out there for students its all about helping them learn what they don't understand in the classroom. There are different methods for different types of students and this would be another great source for students who need step by step instructions and are falling behind when it comes to a college course.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/world/europe/european-universities-catch-the-online-wave.html?pagewanted=all

Emily B. Lewis

3:53 p.m
September 27th, 2013

Blog 2: U.A.E Becomes a Magnet for Chinese Students

U.A.E Becomes a Magnet for Chinese Students

A student named Li Wentao was contemplating on where he wanted to study abroad after graduating from a public school in China. Unlike other students who usually would choose the United States, Britain or Australia he chose to join a group of students who were applying to the United Arab Emirates. Being a computer science major Li decided to go to the University of Wollongong which is a university that is based off of the New South Wales state in Australia. Universities in Dubai are trying to find students like Li by sending some of the U.A.E recruitment teams to China. in 2010 there were 3.6 million students in China who were studying outside of the home and the U.A.E was able to recruit 17% of them! The U.A.E hopes to recruit more Chinese students here later in the future.

I think this is a great opportunity that students should really look into. If you have hopes of studying abroad then every student should know about the U.A.E it serves a great purpose to those who are willing to do something different with their education. However even though the Chinese students are the main subject in the article Britain is also trying to recruit more international students into their university programs as well. There are many opportunities out there when it comes to education and it's great that the U.A.E decided to focus on China with its big population and students in demand of a higher education. Overall this is a great chance for educational advances for students who are wanting to study abroad and its all starting with China. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/world/middleeast/uae-becomes-a-magnet-for-chinese-students.html?pagewanted=all

Emily B. Lewis

9:10 pm

9/18/2013

Blog 1: Bomb Kills 2 Outside School in China

Bomb Kills 2 Outside School in China.


On Monday September 9th 2013 there was a homemade bomb that was sitting right outside of an elementary school in southern China. This bomb had killed two people and injured up to 17 with most of them being children. A three wheeled bicycle was carrying the bomb and it was expected to of been homemade.  It has been known that China has out outrages in the past when it came to violence in the school setting. During the bombing it was known that a 10 year old boy had his leg severly injured. However, it is still unclear about what the motive for the bombing on Monday really was. Many parents are starting to worry for their children's safety when it comes to going to school.
Considering it's past, China is going to have to come up with ideas that will not only keep the children safe while they are at school but also how to calm the parents when violence like this is to ever happen again.

This is a huge social problem all around the globe. This article states "In 2010, a series of seemingly unrelated school attacks, some fatal, by people armed with knives and other household objects shocked parents across China. In one case, a man attacked children with a hammer and then set fire to himself. " When circumstances like these occur the parents start to wonder how and what is going to keep their child safe. The educational system in China is taking a beating like this since something of this nature has happened once before. After reading this article I know that things like this don't just occur in the US they happen everywhere. If the educational systems around the world cannot make children safe while they are trying to get an education then who can? The one place a child should feel safe is at school and now reading this article I don't think Chinese children can feel the same way.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/world/asia/bombing-outisde-chinese-school.html?_r=0

Emily B. Lewis
2:18pm
09/13/13