Patricia Ryan: Don't insist on English!

Summary:
        According to Patricia Ryan’s lecture, she talks about languages lost and languages’ globalization, especially English. She has been an English teacher for 30 years, so she has seen lots of changes nowadays. One of the shocking result is there are 6000 languages in the world, but there are 600 languages in 90 years. In fact, a language dies in every 14 days. Thus, she explains what the reason of losing languages is. Parents always focus on English since they want their children have the best chance in their life. For instance, she gives an example from her daughter who studies in England has the best grade in Science and Mathematics class. She believes that when students come to learn English from the world, they didn’t give enough credits for what they know because these students know their own languages. Finally, she says that people not only focus on English tests, but also “Mind your languages” and use it to spread ideas in future. (words: 165)

Response:
        I m so surprised that we are losing a language in every 14 days. I think people should know it before study other languages. In fact, I will always think that why people have to study English rather than other languages. It’s true that we can get a better life, education or job in English. However, I think we have to keep our own languages as well. I think Patricia Ryan has the best example for audiences. People always concentrate on English tests, especially TOFEL and IELTS. For example, Anna told me that Koreans use TOFEL or IELTS for careers. Koreans usually take these English tests for getting a good job. Unfortunately, I think English may be important for the world because this is a global language. Thus, we should know our own languages are also important and spread our ideas for next generations. (words: 144)

Gever Tulley: 5 dangerous things you should let your kids do



Summary:

        In Gever’s lecture, he suggests that let children go 5 dangerous things. These things can make children learn more than studying. In fact, children always figure out how dangerous things they can do, so the purpose of Gever’s suggestion is find out how simple things to make children to be confident and creativity. First of all, he suggests that children can play with fire. Children can learn how to control fire such as extension, intake, and combustion. This is a great chance for them to get a basic knowledge of fire. Another thing he suggests is own a pocket knife. If children have their own knife, they can develop and extent sense by themselves through knife. Although knife is a universal tool, they will probably get a good practice and experience. Then, He believes that throw a spear can develop children’s physical and attention skills, even training their whole body. The fourth thing that he suggests is deconstruct appliances. Children can learn more through appliances because these are knowable. The last thing he suggests children can do is break the DMCA. Children should know common laws. In fact, they are breaking the laws when they listen to MP3. Finally, Gever also suggests that parents can drive a car with their children since children can know the basic knowledge about it. (words: 220)

Response:

        I don’t really agree with Gever’s point of view because playing with fire and knife is the dangerous ways for children. For me, my parents always remind me that I should be careful about gas fire at home even thought I am an adult now. I think every parent really care of their children. When Gever suggested children can play fire, I think audience may think it’s a dangerous way. On the contrary, I think throwing a spear and deconstruct appliances are good idea. Children can learn lots of knowledge from different ways, especially interesting activities. The most important thing is no matter children are doing a dangerous thing; the parents must be there with them. Maybe Gever has a good suggestion, but we must provide a safety place for our children when they are playing fire and knife. Be honest, if children get hurt from fire or knife, they will have unforgettable memory in their life. Thus, they won’t play it anymore. (words: 163)

John Hardy: My green school dream



Summary:

        According to John Hardy, he explains that he built up a green school in Bali with his wife. He said that he will spend his rest of his life to improve the possibility for the world. That’s why he built a bamboo school mostly by hands in Bali. The bamboo school is extremely green. The classrooms have no wall and light because they use natural light. Also, the desks are not square in classrooms. The teachers have to write on bamboo black board or PVC white board since they try to decline using papers. In fact, the Governor of Bali has provided full approval of the generator installation and the ‘bringing to life’ of their own hydro-energy plant built together with the school on the Ayung River. It provides electricity every day and night, as well as Green school can use 100% renewable energy now. There are 160 children from 25 countries in the school. They learn how to get vegetables, cook, and live with animals locally. John hopes Green school is the model for the world and Brail. He is looking forward to seeing more green houses, restaurants, and industries in future. (193 words)

Response:

        Be honest, I really want to visit this school. I think it was a really good environment for students. Nowadays, students have classes inside the building without natural light and plants. However, John built up green school with every natural material. I can’t believe that people can study in the extremely green school, but we can have this great environment now. Therefore, 160 children from 25 countries went there for studying. In fact, we should try to learn more about the environment, even thought we are busy with work and school. Moreover, I really appreciate that their lunch was fully natural and they left lots of spaces for animals such as cows and pigs. Children can feed the animals during the classes. I think it is the best way for us to learn how to live with animals. As John said, I also hope people can build up more green houses, restaurants, and industries around the school. We should do more for our environment now. If you want to get more information about Green school, you can click this website: http://www.greenschool.org/  (180 words)

 



                               source: http://www.greenschool.org/2010/11/04/library-learning-centre-a-hive-of-activity/



  source: http://www.greenschool.org/2010/08/10/in-my-garden-grade-1-2/



source: http://www.greenschool.org/2010/08/10/aga-khan-award-for-architecture-finalist-the-green-school/

Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue

Summary:

     According to Ellen, she talks about food programs and her two dreams about food system. First of all, Ellen explains that she has a food program for school calls “School Feeding”. This was her first dream three years ago. “FEED” company sold 550,000 bags which had meal boxes to children for 1 year. She wants to make everyone cherish food, especially children. However, 49 million hungers in the U.S. nowadays. The U.S. is facing a bigger problem now. One third kids are overweight or obesity. 67% adults are also overweight today. The percentage has doubled since 1980s. Actually, Americans are not only facing obesity, but all over the world. Ellen believes there are 2.3 billion obese people all over the world in 2015. Therefore, she explains why people get obesity more than before. It is because farming has changes since 1980. Ellen finds out more refines grains, add oils, add fats, and add sugars in food. That’s why people get obesity more than before. Unfortunately, food system is global, so she has second dream in 2010. She will have “30 Project” to change food system in these 30 years. She wants to stop these problems; find solutions to make food better; make everyone understands healthy food. (206 words)

Response:

        I think everyone should watch the speech. Nowadays, many people have too much food, so they do not cherish food. Unfortunately, many developing countries are lack of food. I think we are so lucky because we are living in wealthy society. I strongly agree with Ellen that food is really not enough for developing countries. That’s why there are many hungers. However, we are so lucky. We can have many choices of food, so wealthy countries have many obesity. Sometimes we do not cherish food because we don’t know what hungry feeling is. For example, when I go to a Japanese restaurant or buffet restaurant, there are lots of choices for us. People get different food, but they haven’t finished it. I think they do really waste of food and money. I do really support Ellen’s 30 Project since she will change the food system. Actually if we want to be health, I think we should spend some time on cooking and exercise. The most important thing is do not eat too much processed food. Finally, I hope Ellen’s plan can be successful. (184 words)