Author Archives
9
Feb 11
Learn Spanish in Argentina
- Photo: Expanish
Have you planned anything for your vacation time this year? Instead of sitting on a beach somewhere, what about immersing yourself in the culture and language of another country? Latin American countries are a great choice for a holiday, gap year or even to study abroad and Argentina is one of the most popular choices owing to its charm, affordability and European history.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is where you will find the most Spanish schools. There are many that offer courses ranging from just a couple of hours daily to more intensive courses that will have you speaking Spanish, or at least mastering the basics, before you leave. Expanish is a Spanish school in the heart of Buenos Aires who offer a variety of learning options depending on your needs. Their objective is to immerse you in the language and culture, giving you the best chance at learning while enjoying your time in Argentina.
Intensive Spanish is a program of small group Spanish classes that are 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week. They offer all levels of Spanish classes starting every Monday, so students can begin a program at any time of the year. You can choose to take from 1 to 20+ weeks, depending on your specific goals and schedules. To complement the classes, they also offer a variety of activities and workshops where you can practice your Spanish and participate in the local culture. From tango classes to watching football games, studying Argentine films, bike tours and even weekend trips to exotic places like the Iguazu waterfalls, it doesn´t have to be all about the study because after all, it´s a holiday too.
Still not convinced? Spanish is the second most natively-spoken language in the world now (after Mandarin), Buenos Aires is regarded as one of the safest big cities in Latin America and you will get to see just how passionate the Argentine people really are. You may even find that after leaving this vivid city that the old custom of a firm handshake when greeting someone will give way to a friendly kiss on the cheek, even long after returning home to your country.
1
Sep 10
Spanish to Become Most Spoken Language by 2045
The Spanish letter "ñ" on a keyboard
It is estimated that by the year 2045, Spanish will be the most widely spoken language in the world. Humberto Lopez Morales, the secretary of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language, claimed that this is predicted by evaluating several factors. Perhaps the most prolific of these is that Spanish is the second most-learned language in the world (behind English). He also highlights the advantage of speaking another language in economic powerhouses such as the United States, where being bilingual opens the door to the labour market. This contributes to the number of people learning Spanish, and in the US almost 16% of the population are Spanish speaking.
There are currently more than 500,000,000 people in the world that speak Spanish; including native, bilingual and foreign-language speakers. It is the third most widely spoken language in the world, and the second when referring to native speakers alone. I can´t think of a better reason to start learning a language today! Here are some courses to check out:
Expanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina, offer small group classes of 20 hours a week. The average group size is 4 people, and students can practice conversation, engage in group activities and improve sentence structure with their fellow classmates. Expanish believe the best approach to learning a language is to also learn about the culture and how the two intertwine. They organise a number of activities and workshops so that students can apply the Spanish that they have learned in the classroom to real life situations.
In Colombia the Spanish World Institute have Spanish courses for students to learn Spanish as a foreign language. Their academic programs look for a deeper understanding of the Colombian culture, through cross-cultural education, personalised attention and dynamic teaching methods in a professional and friendly atmosphere and they also offer voluntary programmes.
If you have an interest in a particular country I would recommend that you choose to study Spanish there, as most of the programs involve learning about the local culture and customs as well, which is an added bonus. Suerte! (good luck!)
Reference: Wikipedia
18
Aug 10
University in Chile Gains Accreditation in the US
On 11 August, the Universidad Mayor de Chile became the first university in Chile to be accredited by the Ministry of Education from the U.S. government because of its high quality standards, which according to the U.S. government, are similar to those of universities in the USA. To obtain this certification, the Chilean centre was part of a strict evaluation process, which lasted five years, and was conducted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an agency under the Government of the United States. This comission also certifies United States universities such as Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Columbia, and their role is to ensure that higher education institutions are fulfilling their purposes and addressing the public´s expectations.
Universidad Mayor de Chile
The accreditation will allow Chilean students of this University to study both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in American institutions. The rector of the Universidad Mayor, Ruben Covarrubias said that with this progress, the doors of American universities are opening and creating new international opportunites for their students.
4
Aug 10
Connecting Students and Universities
The education industry today depends more and more on the World Wide Web, from online courses to virtual encyclopedias and discussion forums, education and the internet go hand in hand. The increase in the number of people using the internet to find courses is so significant, that today the best option for schools to communicate with students is by joining the online world.
It is within this context that Educaedu has launched an online tool that facilitates communication between universities and the users of the web. The newly launched Centre/School Profile option allows educational institutions to create an account, upload content and manage their course offerings, which are published in the Educaedu portal. This permits the centres to have greater autonomy with the ability to modify and update the information about their programs as often as they like, which in turn keeps the site up-to-date and makes the connection with students even more direct. Any type of higher education centre can upload their courses, from private institutes to universities and technical colleges.
Students can browse through programs that they are interested in studying, and if they have any questions they can email the centre with a form that appears on every course.
The Centre/School Profile option is available on all of the Educaedu websites, including our English countries Australia, the UK, the US and Canada. For all other countries, click here.
28
Jul 10
Applied Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Course of the Week
Does the thought of biochemistry and science take you back to high school classes, where you couldn´t wait for science to end and sports classes to begin? Well, maybe this course isn´t for you, BUT science can be much cooler than you thought it could. Did you hear recently that scientists have discovered that Australian Marsupials, such as the kangaroo, probably originally came from South America? A new study by the University of Munster in Germany, has found evidence that more than 80 million years ago the marsupials migrated to Australia from South America via Antartica, which back then was geographically connected and known as Gondwana. If you study science, you could be the one researching and discovering things like this!
Source: Flickr Creative Commons - Subhash Chandra
The key to this discovery was found analysing DNA strands, an important part in the study of biochemistry. So if you are thinking that science IS sounding a lot cooler than it used to, check out some courses you can take to get you on your way to the next big discovery in science:
Queensland University of Technology in Australia run a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biochemistry). In this course you will start by studying the different scientific areas including life sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics and environmental science, and then move onto more complex molecular interactions, and experimental theory and practice in biochemistry.
The University of Westminster in London has a BA Molecular Biology and Genetics, which focuses on, you guessed it, molecular biology and genetics. As well as studying traditional sciences, these are applied to a modern context, such as how human life is controlled, the potential to generate great benefits in improved healthcare provision, as well as the connection with improvements in agriculture and the environment.
28
Jul 10
Guidelines for Muslim Students During Ramadan
Source: Flickr - Ashish T
A city council in the UK has issued guidelines for primary and secondary schools that advise on how to support Muslim students during the upcoming month of Ramadan. The report suggests the suspension of swimming classes, as students can accidentally swallow water when no food or drink is allowed during the hours of sunlight. It also recommends suspending sex education classes, as sexual thoughts are discouraged during this time. Other recommendations include scheduling exams after Ramadan, as a student´s concentration may not be 100%, and being aware of physical activity if some Muslim students are fasting. The guidelines are actually very culturally sensitive and sensible, as there are health-related issues that come into play when people are not eating and hydrating their bodies properly.
The council´s point of view is that students should not feel disadvantaged during school time due to their religious observance. But they have faced strong criticism from the National Secular Society, who say that it is wrong to force non-Muslims to observe Islamic laws and traditions. They say that rearranging school activities to avoid displacing a minority group based on religious views is out of proportion, and not fair to all students.
Educating parents and teachers about Ramadan seems to be a positive thing, and Muslim students should be given allowances for things that affect their religious beliefs and health during holidays and other times such as Ramadan. Religion is a sensitive topic, and sometimes awareness can make day to day life safer and more maneagable for everyone. Religion and education should be able to work together, not get in the way of each other.
23
Jul 10
The Joy of Garbage – Course of the Week
Source: Flickr Creative Commons - D'Arcy Norman
Do you get excited about garbage? No? Well, neither do we, and this is not what this course is about either. The Joy of Garbage is actually about consumerism, recycling, ecosystems and politics, but it has a catchy title, doesn´t it?
This course, offered at UC Berkeley in the U.S., addresses current “garbage” policies – from electronic waste, recycling practices, landfills, incinerators, the dumping of hazardous materials, reckless or even unintended pollution of terrestrial and aquatic environments… just to name a few.
The first hour of class is dedicated to the weekly “Garbage in the News,” which will include student presentations, readings and discussion about current trashy topics. The second hour is generally reserved for a guest speaker or the viewing of a documentary.
Most students believe that topics surrounding environmental issues and sustainability are important for universities to address and even act on. To read about the “greenest” universities around the world click here, and to brush up on your garbage knowledge you know what to do.
23
Jun 10
Namibian Teachers Tell Their Story
Since 1999, the ACS International School in the UK has been sending students to Namibia, Africa, to help support local schools and education facilites. Recently, the headmaster and a teacher of the Kutenhoas Primary School in southern Namibia spoke about the everyday life in their school, and how it differs from the education expereince in the UK:
“In the morning the school children don’t have any breakfast – some do, but most come to school on an empty stomach. There is a government programme called the National Schools Feeding Programme, and it provides the kids with one meal and day, but it’s just porridge that has been cooked at the school. For most of the students this is the only meal of the day – they eat it and have to last until the next day without food.
They walk to school, even though some live very far away. And in the afternoon they have to walk back home. The school day starts at 7am, then they knock of at 1pm. We sometimes have extracurricular activities, like sports, and on some days they learn traditional life skills, where they are taught by the parent community how to do needlework, and working with beads and wires.
Source: Flickr Creative Commons - ^@^ina
But most of the time they are free in the afternoons. This is because they have to look after their family’s livestock, or do household chores like fetch firewood or water. We don’t have taps in the houses – instead there are certain collection points for the whole community to use.
Coming to school is a pleasure for the children and we don’t have much absenteeism. Maybe it’s because of their lifestyle at home – always having to do household chores – it’s nicer to be in another type of atmosphere. Also, the prospect of one meal a day attracts them.
With so many students learning on empty stomachs we have to be sensitive to certain things. We have to know a lot about the background of each child, and know why each one behaves the way they do. This is our biggest challenge.
We have a high rate of illiteracy because most of the students drop school after grade seven, at the age of 14 or 15. Then they have to look for work to feed themselves. It doesn’t help that their parents and siblings often can’t read either. It means we have to put in more as a teacher.
The school is like a big family. We don’t encounter behavioural problems like you do here in the UK. Usually if someone creates a problem there is another student who can help to calm them down. Problematic children are usually only those who are not getting enough attention…
In our classroom, maybe we’ll joke with the kids for five minutes and then it’s finished. No more talking! I’m steering the boat and you will listen, and afterwards you will tell me what I taught you.
We teach all subjects – we are jack of all trades and master of none. The main subjects are maths and English, natural science and Namibian languages like Nama.
The two of us speak good English because we were fortunate to come from good families. I learned English from the age of nine. My parents spoke it and put pressure on me to speak it.
One thing I’m going to take back to Namibia is English punctuality. If people are on time then everything runs smoothly. It’s what I’ve experienced here – people say they will start at 7 o’clock and they start at 7 o’clock. With us, our lack of punctuality is sometimes caused by the parents. They have to look after their goats. We might have an after-school programme on and we’ll have to wait for a parent to arrive. If we say 8pm there is always someone who will come at 10pm.
But something that is absent in our school is the involvement of the parents. In England, the parent community assists with so much. Also, the planning here is very good. And I like the way people smile at us when they see us”.
By Jeremias Goeieiman and Ronald Engelbrecht from The Guardian
18
Jun 10
HIV Education Through Soccer
Photo: Grassroot Soccer
Who would have thought that the FIFA World Cup and education went so well together, but it seems that the 1GOAL campaign isn´t the only one receiving attention during the tournament. Grassroot Soccer is a globally run program that educates kids about HIV and AIDS through the game of soccer. The organisation was founded in 2002 by former professional soccer players, and they are using the 2010 World Cup to further promote their mission, which is:
“Using the power of soccer in the fight against HIV and AIDS, Grassroot Soccer (GRS) provides African youth with the knowledge, life-skills and support to live HIV-free” (Source http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/who-we-are/).
The organisation trains African soccer players, coaches and teachers to implement awareness and learning about HIV for children, through soccer. For example, if a child hits a cone it´s 3 pushups, if he does it again, it´s 3 pushups for the entire team, and the cone represents an HIV related illness. Soccer is something that the children can relate to, and the interactive activities and discussion topics include making healthy decisions, avoiding risks, building support networks, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing knowledge about testing and treatment, addressing gender issues, and assessing values. Grassroot Soccer bases their methods on 3 principals:
- Children learn best from people they respect
- Learning is more effective when children actively participate
- It takes support from the community to really make a difference in the long term
With the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Grassroot Soccer have begun an ambitious campaign to reach 1 million children with their work before the 2014 World Cup begins. If you want to find out more, visit the Grassroot Soccer website.
14
Jun 10
1GOAL – Education for All
It´s round 2 in our series of blogs about the 2010 FIFA World Cup and education. This time we are focusing on the 1GOAL campaign that is being promoted during this years World Cup. 1GOAL addresses the issue that there are 72 million children around the world that are denied the chance to go to school and receive an education. The initiative stems from the United Nations pledge in 2000 to ensure that all boys and girls have the chance to complete primary school by the year 2015. Since this project started many countries have joined the fight, and in the last 10 years the number of children now attending school that previously were not has increased by 40 million.
On the 25th September 2008, the United Nations launched the Class of 2015, supported by world leaders, celebrities and the FIFA World Cup. This new initiative is to accelerate the progress of reaching the global education goals by 2015. The 1GOAL campaign for the World Cup stems from this, and is receiving huge support from players and fans everywhere. The video below talks more about the Class of 2015 and their goals:
The President of South Africa supported the campaign with these words:
“We support the footballers and their fans in calling on all world leaders to do their part to ensure every child can go to school. We need to see action at the World Cup and beyond. By acting now, together we can ensure education for all.” ~ President Jacob Zuma, South Africa, Host 2010 FIFA World Cup (Source: http://www.join1goal.org/about-1GOAL.php).
The coach of England´s Leicester City team Chris Powell is going to the World Cup as an ambassador for the 1GOAL campaign, as are many other people. He will be visiting townships around South Africa, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, to spread the word about the campaign and bring awareness to the cause both in South Africa and globally.
The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world, so its great to see people taking this opportunity to increase awareness for something that is important and relevant to everyone. To join the goal of education for all, visit the 1GOAL website and show your support.
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