2012.10.13

We participated in an interview and were asked about our attitudes towards writing lectures and technologies which are used to help students to achieve knowledge. First of all we expressed our viewpoints related to the use of informational technologies. While one part of students admitted that they had been very useful, the others claimed that using computers had appeared rather complicated and disadvantageous. Secondly, we discussed the organizational process of our writing lectures and the opinions practically coincided. All the students accepted that writing an essay during the lectures is not so useful, because they could not concentrate in a short period of time and decide about necessary information which must be used. Therefore, our opinion was fundamentally related with one and only way out, that was we must concentrate on practicing to write separate parts of an essay rather than writing it fully during our lectures.

MY REFLECTION ON THE WRITING CLASS

     First of all it is worth to mention, that writing classes were both interesting and effective. I've learnt lots of things which helped to distinguish the difference between academic and practical use of the language. Moreover, I think that these lectures helped me to improve my writing skills so far as the modern English language proficiency itself. Finally, the lessons were presented in a very attractive way and were really educational and useful. From my point of view lectures helped me to acquire an extensive knowledge concerned with the writing subject, which I will use in my next year studies.

DID MY EXPECTATIONS WHICH I HAD AT THE BEGINNING OF MY STUDIES AT THIS UNIVERSITY COME TRUE?

     The summer is coming and the first year studies seem to be over. The academic year in the university went by in flash and I would like to summarize all the things I have obtained during my first year studies. Therefore it is very important to compare the expectations and the things I have gained in order to analyze language learning process.

     First of all it is very important to mention, that the studding at university is much more interesting than I supposed. The program includes not only the theoretical things, but also many practical items, which I think are very important and useful in my future pedagogical profession. Teachers give a lot of interesting materials and tasks, which help to broaden our knowledge and are up to date.  

     Secondly, it is worth to mention the teaching staff of university, which I think is well-prepared and provides a great variety of information on a particular subject. The lectures are incredibly interesting and educational. What is more, the lecturers are not as strict as I suppose they will. They provide students with help and support altogether encouraging for independent learning.

     In conclusion I'd like to say that although the academic year passed very quickly, but I have acquired a lot of experience and intimate knowledge about the subject during this time. I hope that the next year will be as interesting as previous one and it will help to strengthen all the things I've learn during my first year studding. 

2012-04-15

What does it mean to be a good teacher?

     More and more people want to be a teacher nowadays. This profession, even being very old, becomes very popular. It is a very complex job, therefore people should consider seriously all the facts before deciding to choose that profession. Being a good teacher requires not only passion for teaching, but also special qualities and great knowledge about the subject.

     Firstly, a real teacher is a person who feels a passion for teaching and communicating with children. This job requires a lot of patience, because sometimes children don't exactly do what they are asked to. Therefore a teacher has to direct their attention to necessary things and point the most important issues in the subject. It is really a hard work and that is why a person must love the teacher's job and all the things that are connected with it. 

     Secondly, a person must possess some necessary qualities when considering teacher's profession. First of all he has to be self-confident, because only than children will feel respect and reverence for the teacher. Creativity is also the main quality which is very important when involving students in a process of knowledge acquisition. Besides, teachers have to show interest in their pupils and never show the disappointment even in very complicated situations. A good communication between a teacher and children is also very important feature. A good teacher has to be sincere and well-balanced in order to be the authority for pupils.

     The last and one of the most important things is a great and consistent knowledge about the subject.  A person who wants to become a qualified teacher has to know all about the subject and be able to combine all the knowledge in a logical and understandable way. It is very important to explain everything accurately for all children and to make sure they understand everything in a right way. A teacher must give appropriate directions for pupils and check their awareness in teaching.

     In conclusion I would like to say that a person must think thoughtfully when choosing a teacher's profession, which is really very difficult and requires a lot of attention and effort. Moreover, being a good teacher means that a person will have to provide children with all the necessary knowledge and try to give all the information about the subject. A real teacher is also a person who has appropriate qualities that plays an important role in teaching process. Only with all these things a person may become a really good and respectable teacher.  

2012-04-15

A FILM REVIEW

     Watching a film is really a good way to spend our leisure time. It is an escape into a fantasy world through which we can forget about our problems and worries. Everyone has a different preference on what kind of movie is the best, so it is difficult to recommend one particular film for everybody.

     Regardless of different people's preferences I would like to recommend a film, which I have recently seen. It is called “I am Sam” and it is really an excellent movie with Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer in the leading roles. It tells the story of disabled and autistic man who was left with a newborn baby alone. Despite this disabilities Sam manages to raise his daughter, but unfortunately social workers takes his daughter away. Hopeless and abandoned Sam begins a fight for his daughter and wins the battle. 

     The main theme of the movie is ‘all you need is love’, which resembles all the efforts and problems which the main character faces as a father. It is obvious to everybody that his intelligence quotient has no affect on the love he is able to give to his daughter. Moreover, we can also explore the complex nature of love, parenting, intelligence and other important themes addressed in the film which are really important for all people. This film can help us to define the most important things which are necessary for being a good parent and to understand that raising a child is really a heroic feat.

     In a conclusion I would like to say that this film not only helped me to understand disabled people, but forced to look at the relationships between parents and children more thoroughly. I realized that love is the most important thing and we should give it to everyone no matter who he is. I cordially recommend this film to everyone, who wants not only to watch a really interesting film, but also to learn useful things which will help in future relationships.   

2012-02-24

       I read an the article about a damage of alcohol for our bodies. All of us know that drinking too much alcohol is very harmful, it gives us hangovers, makes us feel tired and nervous. Moreover, research shows that a high alcohol intake can also damage our mental health, memory skills and reduce fertility. Also everyone knows that alcohol destroys the health by damaging the liver, heart and nervous system.

       In fact, drinking alcohol is a kind of generally accepted social customs. People drink on every possible occasion: to celebrate a first job, a passed exam, a wedding day or the birth of a first child. From my point of view there is nothing wrong in drinking at parties or some ceremonies, but the problem is that many people do not know when to stop and they usually drink to much. In the conclusion I'd like to say that the less we drink the lower will be the risk to develop health problems.And  as soon as we realize, that alcohol is dangerous for us, our society will be more heather.

2012-02-24

THE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION IN LITHUANIA

          After Lithuania joined European Union, emigration became a serious problem in the country. Majority of people are starting to immigrate to foreign countries in order to find better conditions of life. Scientists, teachers, manual workers and even students go to such countries as England, Norway, Sweden and Germany to look for a better-paid job.  The increase of emigration was caused by several reasons, such as difficult economical situation, unemployment and low salaries.

          Firstly, during economical crisis the situation in the country changed very much. The government in order to stabilize the budget adopted some changes in law, which was unprofitable for ordinary people. On the one hand, the government reduced the amount of subsidies and grants, while on the other hand the taxes were increased. Most people were not able to live in such conditions and decided to emigrate.

          Secondly, during this difficult situation, most small businesses went bankrupt and a lot of people lost their job. The government was not able to protect people from unemployment. What is more, lots of people even having the high degrees in science, law or medicine were forced to leave the country because of the lack of jobs. Even students who finished studies were not able to find an appropriate work and were constrained to go abroad to search for a better life.

          Finally, the situation became even worse when the salaries were decreased. People were not able to make a living out of that because of high prices and huge taxes. It became very difficult to survive or even to live in the normal cost of living. It caused the youth to emigrate because of all these reasons. It was impossible to find a well-paid job and most people desperately left country and established themselves in the foreign lands where they could earn much more money and live successfully.

          In conclusion I want to mention, that the situation in the country is becoming more and more complicated. People do not trust the Government any more and the only solution they find is emigration. There is no more motivation to work and live in Lithuania. That is why people decide to emigrate to get financial independence in foreign countries. From my point of view all the Government should be involved in the emigration decision-making process while it is not too late.