Wednesday, April 13, 2016

1G: Creating a Blog and Facebook Page

1G. 
Today is the age of the "global village." We use the internet to get in touch with people in other countries to understand different cultures. However, surfing the net is also has its drawbacks. For instance, long time usage can hurt our eyes. Furthermore, the information passed along on blogs and websites may be wrong. 

Our goal at Sheng-Kang Junior High School is to create a blog (and Facebook page) concerning our home in Changhua and all of Taiwan to show our culture including local Taiwanese snacks and religious temples. It will stand as a testament to look back upon, with pride, when we reflect on what we have done to "Read the world so the world will read us."   


I. Creating a Blog and Facebook Page

A. Using a Blog and Facebook Page; drawbacks
     a. Taiwanese people spend more time using Facebook than any other society.
     b. Terrorists use the internet to send terrible messages to the world.
     c. Many teenagers use the internet to bully classmates 

B. Using the internet to make friends abroad
     a. Post information about you hometown  culture
     b. Become friends with international students
     c. Use sites to add and read about cooking and traveling 

C. Problems with Websites, Blogs, and Facebook Pages
     a. Some posts are direct copy, neglecting intellectual property rights 
     b. Some posts are bullying
     c. Scams are used to deceive and steal. Ex. seizure of accounts, fraud

D. Benefits of Blogs and Facebook Pages
     a. Understand the dynamics of the world more quickly
     b. Post interests to make friends worldwide
     c. Shape your own opinion and ideas with anyone

Overarching Questions: 
1. How can we attract viewers abroad to visit our blog and Facebook page?
2. How can we avoid legal problems of posting others' photos, videos, and text copy?
3. How could some viewers in some closed societies, such as China, be reached? Why do these countries hinder free access to information 

(see Introduction and Feedback for more of this group's contribution)


Tuesday, April 12, 2016

1B. How We Will Earn Our Living: Women's Rights

I. The Difficulty That Women Have
 To Earn Their Living 

A. Same work but lower wages than men        
 1. Stereotypes of gender
     a. People think women don't have the same ability as men.
     b. People think women don't need to earn lots of money.
  B. Effect: Most women get lower wages than men despite equal work and experience. 
B. A traditional mind-set blocks women's development
  1. Reason: Women still have to do most of the house chores.
     a. Though more and more females go to work, they still need to do most of the housework.
b. People think it is a woman's responsibility to take care of children and elderly parents.
2. Effect: Lots of women who have ability are forced to quit their jobs.  

 II. The Future Prospects
 of Female Career Development
  A. More women hold jobs in important company positions. 
   1. Reason: Coed Education has become common.
   2. Difficulty: Old-fashioned mind-sets of men that women should not go to work but stay home still exists.
   B. Females can show themselves and shine brighter
    1. Reason: The equality of genders is more common in Taiwan society
     2 Difficulty: Many woman are still affected by a traditional mind-set.

Overarching Questions with Teacher David's Responses 
1. Do American females face the same situation in the workplace as Taiwan females? If so, what do you think causes it. If not, what do you think is the difference? 
Yes, but it's less serious than in Taiwan. In a recent survey of 10,000 companies, 4% of American females got lower wages for the same work than men while, in Taiwan, that number is 9% 
2. Most people think western countries are more gender friendly and equal. What do you think about that? 
I think America is more gender-friendly than Taiwan. Woman can work wherever they like, or not work at all, and their decision is seldom affected by traditional mind set. Although there still exist some unequal treatment , it is still more gender friendly than Taiwan. As in Americas, women workers have to speak out and fight for their rights. 
3.  If this is so, why do you think western women choose to take their husband's family name when getting married? 
Actually, western women aren't forced to change their family names to their husband's when they get married. But why do more western women change their family names when they get married than Taiwanese woman do? I don't know. My mother, for example, still had my father's famiuly name although they were divorced when I was young, She thought she should have the same family name as her children to be part of one family. I don't understand why most western women keep their husband's family name. 
3. We found that Latin America has more female presidents than in other parts of the world. What is the reason for this? 
4. How to solve discrimination and difficulties that women face in the work force which act as a "glass ceiling" towards their future development? 

Feedback to Teacher David Temple's Presentation


Teacher David is from Brooklyn, New York. There are four children in his family. He has ancestors from Russia and Austria, and he is proud of his grandfather who fought for workers' rights. His belief is Judaism. After undergraduate work in college in San Francisco, he came to Taiwan to learn Mandarin. While here, he taught English in a cram school and found that he enjoyed teaching He got married and moved back to the U.S. to get his teacher's licence and teach. He came back after four years and taught in Taiwan. However, he divorced his first wife who was acting like his boss and, with his three children returned to Brooklyn to start teaching immigrants at a high school. He had met his second wife in Taiwan and married her later in New York. After his retirement in 2012, Teacher David came back to Taiwan. he still teaches part-time. He not only would like his students to learn English but also use the media to connect with the world. 

We have learned a lot from this presentation. First, it was a precious chance to practice our English and try to speak out. Although we aren't yet fluent in English, Teacher David still listened to our opinions patiently. It was a wonderful experience for us to communicate in English and be so confident. 

Secondly, Teacher David taught that if we "Read the world, the world will read us." We have to concern ourselves with events that occur inside and outside of Taiwan and be connected with the 
world. When you start to care about the world, the world will listen to your opinions. We kinow that we should take action and express our appeals.

In our discussion, we talked about discrimination and stereotypes which hinder women from developing to their potential. Teacher David told us that we have to speak out for our own rights and make these stereotypes get out of peoples' minds. We st6rongly agree with that, and it encourages us to advance and be brave to speak out.



We appreciate this meaningful presentation. We thank Teacher David for giving us this chance to have a different experience. 

After experiencing this presentation,we understand that if we want to improve our English ability, we should talk with others face to face; not rely on book learning.

Teacher David asked ouyr group a question during break time: "How do you learn English in your classes? Can you have a discussion like thios with your teachers and classmates?" 
Our answer was "no." It uisa bewcause we are not allowed to speak English freely in class. If one does so, his or her name is registered on the blackboard and be punished. In this way, we feel that Teacher David's idea of free discussion is less boring and more useful to practicing the English that we lhave learned. After all, language is a tool for chatting and reading the world, isn't it

 At the start of the presentation, Teacher David remarked he noticed people in Taiwan like to wear t-shirts  which express phrases in English rnd foreign place names, but he didn't know why it was so.
We think there are two reasons: First, since Taiwanese don't have a local reality of cultural pride, dominant cultures, like Chinese or American, proliferate . Fewer and fewer people pay attention to our own society. Second, people are caught up in the mainstream culture to much to consider why they wear the words on their t-shirts that they do; they just follow the trend. 

In Teacher David's presentation, he mentioned the "indomitable" direct our effort must take, such as in questioning why women's wages are less then men's . His solution was illustrated in the Chinese idiom: Bu-qu-bu-nau, which means, "never give up."
If women and other sectors of the common people in society don't step forward bravely and fight for their just causes, one one can break ther status quo. 



3D. Indiginous Arts & Craft



Overarching Questions:
1. How can we connect aboriginal culture in Taiwan to the world?
2. Are clothes or shoe donations to aboriginal communities needed?
3. Why isn't the "Double-Heart Stone Trap" not a protected cultural asset according to the United Nations?
4. Why can't Taiwan foresight be recognized worldwide?
5. How can Taiwan become a country?
6. How do you feel about native Taiwanese porcelain and ceramics? 
7. How do Taiwanese craft compare with native crafts in the U.S.? 
8. Can the traditional culture of Taiwan be found in foreign countries? If so, what are foreigner's views of our native art?
9. Do the people of Taiwan have enough pride in the traditional crafts of our indigenous people? 

2B. Places to Travel in Taiwan


2b. Traveling to Places in Taiwan

You may wonder, "How do I go to New Taipei City?" 
Here are some tips:

Taipei
To get to New Taipei City from Tao-yuan International Airport by taxi it takes about forty minutes. Taking the MRT is the best way to commute to New Taipei City. There is a shuttle bus from the airport that can take you to the MRT Station. New Taipei City is the most bustling city in Taiwan. There are some pretty views and a lot of delicious foods. 
 Ah-gai (top) and Braised Pork (bottom) 




Braised pork on rice is our favorite snack. You should taste it when you have free time in Taipei. Another one of the most famous foods in Taipei is "Ah-gai."

 





The "Queen's Head" stone formation on the east coast of Taiwan not far from Taipei in Yeh-Leo is a beautiful place for foreigners to visit, too. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Taiwan. The weathered rock is a place to take photos. 

Banqiao
Our favorite place near Taipei is Banqiao. There are many modern buildings there. We like the department stores there, too. There are many movie theaters, KTV centers, and some parks.

Overarching Questions:
1. Do you remember different places you visited when you first came to Taiwan?
2. What are you favorite and least favorite foods?
3. What do you think of the HSR (High Speed Rail)? 
4. Do you know any famous persons from Taiwan universities?
5.Are there any cultural differences you found hard to accept when you first came to Taiwan?




Saturday, April 2, 2016

2C Travel Outside Taiwan














2C. Travel  Outside Taiwan
A visa is simply an entry permit. Obligations of aliens cannot supersede the general principles of another nation's law. 

Taiwanese people who wish to travel to other countries and territories are required to have a visa. The application process for each country is not the same.

The United States
There are six different kinds of visas
1. Business/tourist 
2. Student
3. Short term
4. Transit
5. Aircrew and aviation
6. Domestic helpers

Europe 
1. The Shengen Area is comprised of 26 countries that allow 
free movement of their citizens. 22 countries are part of the 
European Union (EU) and 4 are not.
2. National Visa  applicant for a specific country and 
must return to their place of origin.

Foreigners to Enter Taiwan 
A visa is offered in accordance with the purpose and identity of the person.
1. Visitor
2. Resident
3. Diplomatic
4. Courtesy 

Overarching Questions 
1. Why are some nations with Taiwan relations still required to get a visa to come to Taiwan?
2. Refugee in transit to other areas have cause policy problems. Is there a resolution?
3. How is it decided if a countryman can enter another country visa-free? 



2D A Foreigner's Impression of Taiwan

2D A Foreigner's Impression of Taiwan

Taiwan may not be a popular country for foreigners to visit, but when they visit Taiwan, they will definitely find out the beauty of Taiwan.

Taiwanese people are really kind. Even though many of us cannot speak English well, we try our best to understand and express what we think. 

Delicious foods and fruits are everywhere to be found in Taiwan. Some common favorites are mango ices, braised pork over rice, "10,000 year old" eggs and "stinky" tofu, the last two many foreigners are afraid to try. 

There are convenience stores everywhere, even in the most remote mountain areas of Alishan  and offshore on Penghu and Matsu. Taiwan has the highest concentration of convenience stores in the world.

One thing many foreigners find "cool" about Taiwan is that there are scooters to be ridden everywhere. While Hawaii may be famous for its surfing culture, and Japan has its sumo wrestlers, Taiwan is a "scooter culture." 

Overarching Questions 
1. Why would a foreigner want to spend the rest of his life in Taiwan?
2. What is so repulsive to foreigners about "10,00 year old" eggs and "stinky" tofu?
3. What are your impressions about riding a scooter as a means for transportation?
4. What are the main differences between life in Taiwan and the United States? 
5. What are your most interesting impressions of teaching ESL to foreigners in the U.S.A.?
6. What are your thoughts about the "racial issue" in the U.S.A.? Is it as serious as it sounds?
7 In the upcoming U.S. presidential election, how does Mr. Trump's solution to racial problems stand up to reality? 

1A Methods for Communication in English


1A. Methods of Communication in English
1. Word bank - new words
2. Expand
3. Sentence patterns
4. Grammar

So far, most students in Taiwan go to cram schools to improve the English they learn in day school. Cram schools teach English starting from grammar; they make students memorize lots of rules but students lose a flexibility to become fluent. We do well on multiple choice tests but we often can't speak a full sentence when we need to talk with an English speaker.We need to keep a lot of vocabulary in our head and use those words to construct sentences. All the while, we must remember the grammar we have learned. It is not difficult to learn English; as long as we dare to speak it.



Overarching Questions
1. How can you learn English well? 
2. What is the best way to retain words we add to our word bank? 
3. How can we learn grammar in the most useful way?
4. What are the best methods for learning to communicate in English? 

3C Parks and Recreation

3C Parks and Recreation
1. "Read the world and the world reads you." "Read" means "understand."
2. Learning English is not only for tests; it's for meeting different people of the world.
3.In Taiwan, not only do we have endemic species but also our own pets. Don't let them become strays.
4. Besides national parks, there are places rich in natural resources that must be protected
5. Through English, we can touch the world, enjoy the world, and change the world.

Overarching Questions
1. Which of the Taiwan parks is the most impressive to you?
2. How should national parks be open to visitors?
3. Though there are many unique natural features in Taiwan, why are none of them listed in the U.N. World Heritage Sites? 












3B Dealing With Pollution

3B Dealing With Pollution 


It is quite important to build a cleaner environment for people and animals. There are too many factories emitting more and more CO2. We can pass laws to decrease pollution. One such law is the Kyoto Protocol. However, many countries which create the bulk of the world's pollution, haven't agreed to sign and follow the rules.      Everybody knows how to deal with pollution such as stopping the emissions of CO2.  Also If there were fewer vehicles in use, this would help decrease the CO2. However, in local developing countries, such as China, Vietnam and Thailand that need industry to develop their economy and create jobs for their workers, cutting production to reduce pollution remains a dilemma. 

Overarching Questions:
1. What do you think can be done to resolve this dilemma?

2. If you were the owner of a polluting factory in Asia, what would you do?  

Dealing With Pollution In Modern Taipei 

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. It is a bustling city with many big buildings. The "Taipei 101" building, is a "green" building. In November 2009, the trustees of Taipei 101 announced that it would invest 60 million NT ($1,875,000 us) to a foundation to increase the "green" of the building such as maximizing the efficiency of electric systems (energy and LED light Platinum certification), sanitary water equipment (toilets, faucets) . This will be a model to improve the global environment. The U.S. Green Building Council calls Taipei 101 "the world's tallest green building."  

Overarching Questions:
1. Are there any 'green buildings" such as Taipei 101 in the U.S.?
2. How do you feel about "green" buildings proliferation?