Sunday 31 August 2008

Cause and effect

Academic Vocabulary in Use

-The exhibition generated a lot of interest.
-The mobile phone contributed to the information revolution.
-The speech provoked an angry response.
-Parental attitude largely determines how well a child adapts to school.
-The teacher’s presence inhibited the teenagers’ discussion.
-The minister cut taxes in an attempt to stimulate the economy, which was performing poorly.
-A number of benefits can be derived from this discussion.
-We hope for a positive outcome to the discussions.
-Tree pollen can be a trigger for hay fever attacks.
-The drug can be used to help in the induction of labour.
-The new economic measures were introduced as a stimulus to the faltering economy.

Saturday 30 August 2008

Describing problems

Academic Vocabulary in Use

-His father experienced difficulties with being reemployed.
-She had difficulty in falling asleep.
-The violence posed an immediate challenge to him.
-I came up with an idea for a new product.
-The proverb seems to be contradiction in terms.
-Hey fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen certain plants such as cedar.
-They try to find a solution to see serious problem.

Organising your writing

Academic Vocabulary in Use

-This essay will address the global warming issue.
-Three hypotheses were listed in the preceding section.
(the section immediately before this one)
beneath: in or to a lower position than sb/sth; under sb/sth
-The boat sank beneath the waves.
below: at or to a lower level or position than sb/sth
-Please do not write below this line.
-Take, for example, Sweden, where industrialization was rapid, as can been in Figure 2.
-At this point, it is important to look again at the data.

Friday 29 August 2008

My final draft

1 Introduction (190 words)
It is generally agreed that a lot of people, money and information have crossed international borders easily and quickly recently. The technology of transport has enabled us to visit other countries and the modern communication has made it possible to send ideas to all over the world. Thanks to information technology and multinational companies, different cultures and economic systems around the world have influenced each other. As a result of this, economic integration of the world has grown and English achieved the status of a world language. It is widely believed that globalisation has brought about profit and variety, however, the wealth has been distributed unfairly and some local cultures have been destroyed. Times (2007) reported that the number of poor people in Africa has doubled in the last two decades. Crystal D. (2003) estimates that at least half of the languages in the world will die out within the next century. In this essay, I would like to review recent research into the effects of globalisation from the aspects of economic, communications and language. Afterwards, I will discuss the benefits to my subject area, which is English Language Teaching.
2 Economic
Multinational companies with production plants around the world have increased in recent years.
3 Communications
Spread of glabalisation and improvement of communication systems have affected each other.
4 Language
English has been used as a global lingua franca in a lot of fields.
5 Positive effects on English Language Teaching
Demand for English learning has increased because of the world status.
6 Negative effects on English Language Teaching
Globalisation has made language teaching more diverse and complicated.
7 Conclusion

Thursday 28 August 2008

My first draft

1 Introduction
It is generally agreed that a lot of people, money and information have crossed international borders easily and quickly. The technology of transport has enabled us to visit other countries and the technology of modern communication has made it possible to send ideas in words and images to all over the world. Thanks to information technology and multinational companies, different cultures and economic systems around the world have influenced each other and international integration has been spreading. Economic integration of the world has been grown due to the increase of world trade and investment. From the aspect of languages, English achieve the status of a world language. It is widely believed that globalisation has brought about profit and variety, however, the wealth has been distributed unfairly and some local cultures have been destroyed or died already. Times (2007) reported that the number of poor people in Africa has doubled in the last two decades because of globalisation. Crystal D. (2003) estimates that at least half of the languages in the world will die out within the next century due to the presence of a global language. In this essay, I would like to review recent research into the effects of globalisation from the aspects of economic, communications and language. Afterwards, I will discuss the benefits to my subject area, which is English Language Teaching.
2 Economic
Multinational companies with production plants around the world have increased in recent years.
3 Communications
Spread of glabalisation and improvement of communication systems have affected each other.
4 Language
English has been used as a global lingua franca in a lot of fields.

5 Positive effects on English Language Teaching
Demand for English learning has increased because of the world status.
6 Negative effects on English Language Teaching
Globalisation has brought about both diverse and complex to language teaching.
7 Conclusion

Wednesday 27 August 2008

Topics and topic sentences in each paragraph

1 The Introduction
2 Positive effects on globalisation

It is widely believed that globalisation has brought about a great change in our lives positively.
3 Negative effects on globalisation
However, globalization has raised negative effects as well as positive effects.
4 Globalisation from the aspect of the English language
When it comes to languages, English is now the world language.
5 Benefits of the English language
Thanks to globalization, English is used as a lingua franca in a lot of field such as communications, science, business and diplomacy.
6 Problems with the local languages
On the other hand, other languages have come under threat because of the presence of the global language.
7 Conclusion

Tuesday 26 August 2008

The essay plan

1 The Introduction
It is generally agreed that a lot of people, money and information have crossed the border easily and quickly.
2 What is globalisation?
Globalisation is the process of integration of the world community into a common social and economic system.
3 Positive effects on economic globalisation
Economic globalisation has enabled unprecedented levels of success in advanced countries.
4 Negative effects on economic globalization
The world income and wealth have been unfairly distributed and inequalities have been brought about due to globalisation.
5 Globalisation from the aspect of the English language
English, which is used as the dominant or official language over 75 countries or areas, is now the world language.
6 Problems with the local languages
English has produced problems about sociolinguistic generalization especially in countries where English is used as both a first and second language (e.g. Canada) or where a history of language contact has brought about a language conflict (e.g. India).
7 Conclusion

Sunday 24 August 2008

Chatsworth


I went to Peak District with my family and we visited Chatsworth yesterday. Chatsworth has been the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire since 1549. It is said that the house is one of the Britain’s most impressive stately homes and has gardens originally designed by Capability Brown(1715-83), who was the most influential garden designer in Britain. The view from the top of the cascade was really wonderful. In the House, some costumes used by the film ‘The Duchess’ was displayed. The story is about the life of the Duchess Georgiana (1757-1806), who was the wife of the fifth Duke of Devonshire. I’d like to see the film which will start to be released from 5th September this year.

Friday 22 August 2008

Summary of Lecture 2: Risk

The notion of risk unlocks some of the most basic characteristics of the world in which we now live. Risk isn't the same as hazard or danger and it has negative and positive aspects. Capitalism is unthinkable and unworkable without risk. The idea of risk has always been involved in modernity, but in the current period risk assumes a new and peculiar importance. There are two types of risk. One is external risk and the other is manufactured risk. External risk is a traditional nature risk and manufactured risk is created by our developing knowledge upon the world. Manufactured risk is becoming predominant. In situations of manufactured risk, we cannot simply accept the findings which scientists produce, because the balance of benefits and dangers from scientific and technological advance, and other forms of social change too, is imponderable. More public means of engaging with science and technology wouldn't do away with the quandary of scaremongering versus cover-ups, but it might allow us to reduce some of its more damaging consequences. Risk always needs to be disciplined, but active risk-taking is a core element of a dynamic economy and an innovative society.

Thursday 21 August 2008

Presenting an argument

Academic Vocabulary in Use

-These issues are beyond the scope of the article.
-There are a lot of arts in the subject of beauty.
-With reference to our request for a meeting, we’d like to mention here the following suggestions.
-The extent to which we can carry out the project is doubtful.
-We will ship your order within 24 hours, provided that your debit card number is valid.
-Albert Einstein said, “Reality is merely on illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Good resources for globalisation

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6279679.stm
You can get basic information of globalisation through the website.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/31/economy.globalisation
The article was written this year. You can get new information of negative effects of globalisation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/457000/457022/html/default.stm
You can know the global economy such as global wealth and poverty, global money flows, multinational companies and world trade. But it is difficult to use for citation because I don’t know when and by whom these articles were written.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article1403536.ece
I searched the Internet and found the website. Now I know only two countries are likely to succeed in moving out from poverty thanks to globalisation.

Globalisation Research 1

I read these texts of the lectures quickly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture1.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture2.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture3.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture4.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture5.shtml

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-7932485454526581006&ei=GLaqSJqcEZSgiALvp5TWAQ&q=john+pilger&hl=en
I watched the TV programme above. It was very interesting. I didn’t know the situation in poor countries. They have to cut budget for education and social welfare in order to pay back a lot of debt to rich countries and international organizations. Globalisation is good for rich countries but bad for poor countries. Poor countries are getting poorer and poorer. Rich countries might be wealthy because of the poor countries.

Monday 18 August 2008

A World Language

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of The English Language

Summary
English, which is used as the dominant or official language over 75 countries or areas, is now the world language. The world status has been caused by the two factors; the expansion of British colonial power and the emergence of American economic power. However, English has produced problems about sociolinguistic generalization especially in countries where English is used as both a first and second language (e.g. Canada) or where a history of language contact has brought about a language conflict (e.g. India).


New Words
-The Antipodes refers to Australia and New Zealand.
-English is the dominant language on the Net.
-Japan was the preeminent economic power in the world.
-I had to eat unpalatable dish.
-The underpinning of communication among people who have different cultures is a spirit of tolerance.
-Simultaneous celebrations are held across the country on national holidays.


My Idea
I cannot imagine that people in a country speak more than two languages. In Japan, only one language is spoken and we can communicate in Japanese anywhere. We know the importance of English and it is studied as a foreign language. Even though we study English for a long time, we have a problem with speaking English because we usually don’t have opportunities to speak English. We start studying English in the age of 13, however, due to the changing of the national curriculum we will start in the age of 10 in a few years to improve our English. I’m interested in national language policy in the world. I didn’t know that Canada and India has linguistic problems. I’d like to know that in detail.

Tuesday 12 August 2008

summary practice

Bailey-Academic Writing(2002)

Dr. Kanani of Gujarat Agricultural University has found that an ancient saying is true. The saying links weather pattern to flowering of a tree, Cassia Fistula. Using the tree, it is possible to forecast the starting date of the monsoon approximately and farmers can select to plant peanuts or castor.

Friday 8 August 2008

UK biometric visas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2008/01/080114_uk_visas.shtml

New Words
-The high price of the service could deter people from seeking advice.
-I swapped seats with her.
-They were deported as illegal immigrants.

My Idea
I listened to the article about biometric visas. I understood easily because I already knew the information. I think biometric visas are necessary to prevent people in UK from terrorism or other crimes. There is an argument that fingerprints are problematic because of the feint print or wet hands. However, thanks to new technology, which highlights characteristics such as skin layer and collagen fiber, this problem can be solved.

essay draft

‘The advantages of a ‘surveillance society’ far outweigh the drawbacks’ To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Many people say that news related to crimes is seen on newspapers or TV every day. A lot of crimes take place even in your town and you would be a victim of crimes such as a robbery, burglary and murder. To protect our safety from danger and to solve crimes, a lot of CCTV cameras have been set up in our society recently. They are seen in many places, for instance, high streets, car parks and transportations. According to The Independent (2008), “you could be caught on CCTV cameras 300 times in a day.” It is widely believed that monitoring has brought about a lot of positive effects to our society. However, monitoring system in UK has some problems. The Guardian (2008) said that only 3% of street robberies in London were solved by CCTV in spite of spending billions of pounds on a surveillance industry. Telegraph (2007) reported that the majority of UK monitoring cameras are breaking the privacy guidelines such as commissioner’s code of practice and the Data Protection Act. In this essay, I would like to review recent research into the monitoring society concerning how CCTV effects on our daily life and then consider the importance of monitoring.

It is often argued that CCTV cameras are working well to reduce and solve crimes. Thanks to surveillance, a lot of crime reduction has been reported. However, the statistics may be fantasy. According to Welsh and Farrington (2002), “CCTV had no effect on crimes of violence, but a significant impact on vehicle crime(Martin Gill and Angela Spriggs, 2005).” In fact, after CCTV was introduced in Dover Council, public disorder and crimes of violence had almost trebled, though car crime went down 87% (The Independent, 2008). Crime may be displaced somewhere without monitoring because cameras are usually seen in only high value commercial area. In addition, it is sometimes pointed out that CCTV camera was switched off, did not have a film in it and was pointing in the wrong direction. As a result of this, the way of using CCTV may be worth of consideration.


References
Andy McSmith, 2008, ‘The Big Question: Are CCTV cameras a waste of money in the fight against crime?’, The Independent, 7 May, viewed 7 August 2008, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-big-question-are-cctv-cameras-a-waste-of-money-in-the-fight-against-crime-822079.html

Martin Gill and Angela Spriggs, 2005, Assessing the impact of CCTV, Home Office Research, Development and Statistics, viewed 8 August 2008, http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hors292.pdf


Owen Bowcott, 2008, ‘CCTV boom has failed to slash crime, say police’, The Guardian, 6 May, viewed 7 August 2008, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/06/ukcrime1


Tim Hall, 2007, ‘Majority of UK's CCTV cameras 'are illegal'’, Telegraph, 2 June, viewed 7 August,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1553090/Majority-of-UK%27s-CCTV-cameras-%27are-illegal%27.html


Welsh, B. and Farrington, D., 2002, Crime Prevention Effects of Closed Circuit Television: A
Systematic Review, Home Office Research Study, no.252, London: HMSO.

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Verb + to-infinitive or bare infinitive

Advanced Grammar in Use

-I overheard him say that he's thinking moving to Manchester.
-We watched them play football until it started to rain.
-My parents always encouraged me to work hard at school.
-Sam promised to show me how to fish for salmon, but he never had the time.
-Hospital workers had to make do with a 1.5% pay increase this year.
-I hear tell that she’s got a new job.

Tuesday 5 August 2008

Social Variation

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of The English Language

Summary
Social Variation
Social language variation is focused on the social group you belong to and the social role you perform. Sex, age and socio-economic class have been important when it comes to explaining the way sounds, construction and vocabulary. Attitudes to social stratification are different among countries where English is used as a first language. For instance, Britain is thought to be linguistically much more class-conscious than other countries.

Occupational varieties

Occupational dialect is distinctive such as regional and class dialects, but it is usually used temporarily; when you stop work, you stop using the language. However, it permanently influences your behavior both linguistically and socially if you are always on the job. Several Dickens’s characters fall into this category and it is part of his satire.


New words
-The monarchy is still respected in England.
-I found the rigid social stratification in the country.
-We should know the cultural norms of behavior in this country.
-A thermometer is used as a indicator of temperatures.
-The TV show was a satire on political leaders.
-The shops sell a various array of traditional souvenirs and crafts.
-We want you to take over the department’s administrative position.


My Idea
I read articles related to Charles Dickens. I understood occupational varieties as one of the social variation. But I didn’t understand the Dickens’s example well because I did not have enough knowledge about Dickens’s works.

Monday 4 August 2008

Charles Dickens

I went to Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury this afternoon. Charles Dickens (1812-70) lived there only two years but The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby were written there. I had wanted to visit the museum for a long time because I have been interested in his works. I read Christmas Carol translated into Japanese when I was a university student and I watched the film Great Expectations, which was from his original story.

Feedback of the seminar

That was my first seminar because I couldn’t attend the last seminar. I prepared the seminar as much as I could and I was a really good listener. But I spoke only a few times. I gave an example of a CCTV problem, confirmed what another student said and explained DNA database in Japan a little. Although the group atmosphere was good, it was difficult for me to speak enough and interrpt politely during the seminar. One of the group members, Sheraz, was helpful. He created an opportunity to speak for me. But I couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity. I think that I need more experiences of attending seminars.

Biometrics

UK
Security

-After 2006, all passports must contain a machine readable chip with the passport holder’s details and a biometric identifier.
-Facial recognition is used to monitor individuals remotely.
Problem
-Finger biometric systems can be problematic for people with feint prints, or wet or dry hands.
-Where will this information be stored? Who will have access? Why should be records of innocent people be kept?
New technology
-US military is using portable iris enrolment and recognition devices to record and identify suspects. The latest multi-model devices incorporate iris, finger and biometrics.
-New technology highlights characteristics such as skin layers and collagen recognition system.
-voice recognition system
-Smart gun system makes it safer to store the gun at home because someone who grabs an officer’s gun cannot use it to shoot.

Japan
-Biometrics is used for ATM, log in for computer, mobile phone, entering office, credit card
-If you are sick and cannot go to ATM, another person such as you parents cannot withdraw money in this system.

-In 2006 passport with IC tip was intoruced.

DNA database

UK
-Three million DNA samples in 2006. 5.24% of the UK population has a DNA profile. EU average…1.13%, US average…0.5%
-The number of crimes solved through DNA technology has quadrupled over the past five years. 74% rise in the number of crimes where potential DNA material is collected. 75% increase in the number of matches of suspects.
-4m people in 2007. It grows by 30,000 samples a month.
-The database had helped police solve as many as 20,000 crimes a year.
-People who are found innocent usually cannot get their details removed.
-Only a tiny sample of salvia blood etc is need for testing.
-People who are found innocent usually cannot get their details removed.

Japan
-DNA database started in 2004.
-In 2006, DNA tests were carried out in 2338 cases.
-People who are found innocent usually get their details removed.
-Samples are only a small amount, the database does not work well sometimes.

Sunday 3 August 2008

CCTV

UK
Number
-The number of CCTV in London is estimated around 500,000.
-The total number of cameras in UK is around 4,200,000.
-One camera is for every 14 people.
-A person could be caught on CCTV 300 times in a day on the high street.
Expensive
-Between 150 and 300 million pounds per year is now spent on a surveillance industry.

-Growth in the market is estimated at 15-20% annually.
-Billions of pounds have been spent on kit, but the police don’t know how to use the images.
Technology
Night version, computer assisted operation, motion detection facilities, remote control operation, automated self defense mechanisms, excellent clarity of the pictures (ex. Cigarette packet at a hundred metres even at night )
Advantages of CCTV
-In the north-east of England, 27% fall in robbery and a 26% reduction in burglary over the last two years
-Once people know they have been videotaped, they admit the offense immediately. People save time and money from long and expensive trials.
Problems of CCTV
-After Dover Council introduced CCTV, car crime was down 87%, but public disorder and crimes of violence had almost trebled. Crime may be moved to law rent residential areas from high value commercial areas because a lot of CCTV is working on high street.
-Only 3% of crimes were solved by CCTV.
-Sometimes CCTV cameras was switched off, did not have a film in it, was pointing in the wrong direction.
-The majority of CCTV are operating illegally or breaking the privacy guidelines. According to Commissioner’s code of practice and the Data Protection Act, CCTV cameras must be visible with clear signs.
Public thinking
-72%...Cameras could easily be abused and used by wrong people.
-37%...Cameras will be used by the government to control people in the future.
-The loss of privacy is pointed out.

Japan
-Due to the trend of rising crime, security cameras are increasing as one of the crime prevention systems.
-Foreign groups of thieves, bad economic situation in the long term
-CCTV cameras are used in shops, bank, government facilities, high street, personal residence, etc.
-vending machine with CCTV cameras…23% crime reduction
-technology…Photo of a wanted person is now clear.

Saturday 2 August 2008

My Fair Lady

I went to Covent Garden with some of my friends at London Metropolitan University yesterday. It is famous for My Fair Lady. The srory was based on Pygmalion witten by George Bernard Shaw(1856-1950). Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, and Eliza Doolittle met in front of the Royal Opera House. Eliza selling flowers on the street had a strong Cockney accent. She took speech lessons from Professor Higgins so that she could speak with an upper class accent. Cockney refers to the form of English spoken by working class in London, particulary in the East End. I hear that accent is very important in this country. Each public school has its own accent. I don't know whether it is true or not, but you may possibly find a good job because of the accent. I am really interested in various accents among different classes. Although I don't have enough time, I would like to read Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour by Kate Fox someday.

crime words 2

-There is no obligation to buy this product.
-They are engaged in scientific crime detection.
-The offender was told tp come to the police station immediately.
-To carry a handgun concealed lawfully they have to go through the application process of the permit.
-They were in great peril when the typhoon hit the island.
-The police said he murdered his girlfriend, but he says he is innocent.
-He was the key member of the covert operation.
-CCTV will deter criminal activity.
-He was arrested for evading over 1 billion in income tax.
-THe old man deliberately transgressed the law.
-She complained about the vandalism of public buildings.
-Tim was notorious for taking his clothes off at the parties.
-The police began a crackdown on illegal parking.
-The defendant was found guilty.
-The judge took into account his voluntary surrender to plice.

Friday 1 August 2008

crime words 1

-The robbery was committed in broad daylight.
-The alarm goes off immediately in case of burglary.
-He apologized for the intrusion on the private property.
-Safeguard against traffic accident are needed to protect childrens' lives.
-The prosecutors started a probe into the accounting irregularities of the company.
-She was oppressed by her father, so she ran away from home.
-I will send you a detail listing for you scrutiny.
-The jury needed more time to convict the criminal.
-The bank will place new ATMs with biometric recognition functions in all of its branches.
-The police kept surveillance of the house for 24 hours.
-He will try to persuade the parliament to avoid the legislation.
-What he did was obviously bank fraud.
-The jury acquitted him of murder.