Different Perspectives of Gentrification

Introduction Gentrification is not a new process. Very much have been said in regard to gentrification but still, there exist some variations in its discussions. For this reason, it is a concept that has drawn a lot of attention from different directions, each party having the need to have a deeper understanding about it.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Different Perspectives of Gentrification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gentrification can be defined as the process of buying and renovating of buildings/ houses located in the depreciated urban neighbourhoods by the upper and middle income individuals and families. This is aimed at improving property values although it has a negative effect of displacing the poor or the low income families and small businesses. It could also be termed as â€Å" the process†¦by which poor and working-class neighbourhoods in the inner city are refurbished by an influx of p rivate capital and middle-class homebuyers and renters†¦.a dramatic yet unpredicted reversal of what most twentieth-century urban theories had been predicting as the fate of the central and inner-city.† (Slater 2002). This piece of work looks at the aspect of gentrification with much emphasis being given to the different perspectives that have been brought forward in regard to gentrification. Different Perspectives of Gentrification There are various perspectives of gentrification. Gentrification has been associated with an increase in the average level of income per individual and an average decrease in family size in the society. All in all, the process of gentrification does not adhere to the principle of equality between the poor and the rich but rather tends to widen the gap between them. For this reason, the following aspects are linked with gentrification; poor living standards of the low income earning people thus they are unable to sustain themselves, for instanc e, through paying increased rents and taxes. Displacement is however the main negative effect of gentrification. A positive contribution of the process of gentrification is that it enhances economic development which in turn helps in the reduction of poverty and crime levels, increase in the prices and values of properties as well as an increase in revenues collected from tax (Atkinson and Bridge 2005). Urban gentrification is associated with bringing about change in the nature of culture characterization. It brings about a more economically homogeneous society eliminating the character of culture heterogeneity. Over the years, the aspects linked with gentrification have significantly changed.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The changes are attributed to a variety of factors some of them being, urban consolidation that have been brought about by compact city policies, econom ic streamlining and state intervention in various issues for instance the development of brown field sites through the housing demand of the new middle class (Freeman 2006). In order to understand the concept of gentrification in a better manner, it is good to look at the various perspectives or approaches that, in one way or the other, tend to bring about the origin and causes of the spread of gentrification. Some of the perspectives that I will look at include; the socio-cultural, the political and economic, the demographic and ecological, the social movements as well as community networks perspectives. The social-cultural perspective of the process of gentrification is based on the argument that aspects like beliefs, values, attitudes, choices and opinions are most suitable in the explanation and prediction of human behaviour as opposed to populations’ characteristics such as demographics. This approach therefore emphasizes on the changes in lifestyles and attitudes of the upper and middle class of the late 20th century. These individuals became more urban oriented and thus avoiding the rural lifestyle. There were therefore movements into the cities as they were viewed to be more favourable. This led to formation of inner city. Criticism of this perspective is that the existing values determine people’s decisions to live as opposed to the changing values (London and Palen 1984). The demographic and ecological perspective explains gentrification through the demographics which includes technological advances, population and social structure and the environment. This perspective focuses on the increase in the number of people of (25-35 years) towards the end of the 20th century. Due to the increase in population, there was a rise in the demand for housing. As a result, cities were restructured to cater for the demand. This generation was relatively different in terms of demographics, for instance, they did not get married early and they opted for few children. Women were also involved in men-related jobs. This lifestyle promoted living in the cities to be closer to job areas (Lees 2000). The other approach of gentrification is the political-economic perspective. This is divided into traditional and Marxist views. The traditional view is based on the fact that political and economic attributes contributed greatly to the invasion of the inner-city.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Different Perspectives of Gentrification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Political changes led to gentrification of neighbourhoods. Another aspect that led to the invasion of cities is the insufficiency of rural land and increase in housing cost. Marxist approach tends to disagree with the traditional view. It states that interests groups became interested with the cities once they realized they would gain something from it; revenue. This led to the displacement of the poor. Com munity network is the other perspective of gentrification. The community is regarded as a powerful and interactive social unit capable of initiating changes. According to London and Palen (1984), there is the community lost and community saved perspectives. The community lost point of view states that small-scale and less powerful local community is replaced with large-scale powerful societies. The difference has been brought about by advancement in the telecommunication sector as technological advancement is witnessed. The community saved on the other hand asserts that revitalization of neighbourhoods as a result of gentrification results into an increase in community activity. The social movements approach centres on ideologically founded movements particularly with respect to leader-follower ties. The approach argues that the individuals who are more into gentrification do that due to encouragements they get from leaders to revitalize the inner city. Those who do not support gent rification on the other hand are the poor and less powerful and hence oppose gentrification practices in an effort to gain some powers and voice (Bounds and Morris 2006). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is evident that the issue of gentrification is very wide and complex. This has led to a lot of controversy in the way the issue is discussed with some individuals and groups supporting it fully while others are against it, stating that it is disadvantageous. There are different perspectives of gentrification each bringing about different but related ideas. The variability of the processes involved has for instance led to lack of a commonly agreed definition of gentrification. The issues involved are related to economic, social, political as well as cultural concepts. Reference List Atkinson, R and Bridge, G. 2005. Gentrification in a Global Context: The New Urban Colonialism. New York: RoutledgeAdvertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Bounds, M. and Morris, A. 2006.Second Wave Gentrification in Inner-City Sydney. Cities, Vol. 23, No. 2, p. 99–108 Freeman, L. 2006. There goes the ‘Hood: Views of Gentrification from the Ground Up. Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Press Lees, L. 2000. A Reappraisal of Gentrification: Towards’ Geography of Gentrification. Progress in Human Geography 24, 3 (2000) pp. 389–408 London, B. and Palen, J. 1984. Gentrification, Displacement, and Neighbourhood Revitalization. New York, SUNY Press Slater, T. 2002. What is Gentrification? [Online] Web. This essay on Different Perspectives of Gentrification was written and submitted by user Jonathon Juarez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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The Influence Of Tests On Teaching Backwash

The Influence Of Tests On Teaching Backwash In the field of foreign language teaching and learning, there are two kinds of opposed views about the relationship between the language testing and the language teaching. One side is that the language testing should be known as the supplementary means for the language teaching. According to Davies (1968: 5), the good test should follow and ape the teaching. This is a point of controversy to most of researchers and teachers. The other side asserts that the relationship between teaching and testing is should regarded as partnership among each other. (Hughes, 2003: 3) That is commonly accepted among many scholars and teachers. Moreover, the language test is expected to support the good teaching and can be used as the corrective reflection and direction to the bad teaching. Furthermore, the influence of testing on teaching and learning is defined as backwash which can be either beneficial or harmful. (Hughes, 2003) Although, the test can impact the teaching on several aspects such as: c urriculum, materials, teaching method and content, attitude and behavior, and learning (Alderson Wall, 1993), the existence and the nature of the influence would be affected some elements such as: the teacher, the school, the test itself. (Spratt, 2005; Alderson Wall, 1993) Therefore, In addition, the existence and the nature of the backwash will be different in various teaching and testing context as well. (Alderson Wall, 1993) In the first part I show the complicated phenomenon of the language testing backwash in the language teaching generally. Specifically, there is a very close connection between the College English Test ¼Ã‹â€ CET ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °and college English teaching in China. (Gu, 2005; Li, 2009; Ceng, 1999; Shao, 2003) The CET is proved that it is an effective means of measurement for its result can accurately reflect the College English teaching and learning situation both of one university at different stages and different universities at the same stage. (Gu, 2005) With a great number of elements which can affect the CET and the college English teaching and learning, in second part of this essay I discuss the existence and the nature of the CET backwash. However, there are a great many of weakness which shouldnt be neglected, it is eager to find out some ways and means to achieve the beneficial washback of the CET to assist the college teaching efficiently. In the last part of this essay, I will give some suggestion how to promote the beneficial backwash of the CET with the theory of foreign language acquisition. The influence of tests on teaching- backwash 1.1 Definition of Backwash The influence of testing on teaching and learning which can be either beneficial or harmful is defined as backwash (it is known as washback as well). (Bailey, 1996: 259; Buck, 1988: 17; Hughes, 2003: 1). According to Taylor (2005), the backwash of tests has affected on numerous aspects of educational processes for a long time. It could believe that language tests backwash has been influencing on language teaching and learning constantly. As Hughes (2003:1) points that the test which is regarded as a significant one could command all relative teaching and learning activities. Specifically, the term backwash has been regarded as the way in which tests influence on teaching such as: designs of curriculum, choices of teaching materials, and conductions of classes. (Hughes, 2003:2) Therefore, the testing is playing an important role in what is taught in teaching context and how it is underway. However, the backwash of language tests would be regarded as either positive or negative. When the testing exerts the beneficial influence on language teaching, it could enhance the good teachings and reflect the bad teaching correctively as well. And the testing can play the role in language teaching as a partner of that process, which is perceived as an accurate relationship between teaching and testing. (Hughes, 2003:2) Otherwise, when a tests content and testing techniques are aimed to assess the restricted language ability only such as some tests doesnt test learners necessary language abilities (listening, speaking, writing and reading) directly, it would exert the harmful influence on language teaching. (Hughes, 2003; Taylor, 2005). The negative backwash would mislead teachers and learners to concentrate on doing what is regarded as unnecessary for achieving high score, and narrow the teaching/learning context as well. (Alderson Wall, 1993; Taylor, 2005) Although language tes ts play a decisive role in language teaching and learning, the influence of them may show different results in different teaching and testing situation. 1.2 Factors influenced by the backwash The result of studies shows the backwash for several views of language teaching in classroom to a certain extent, such as: curriculum, materials, teaching method and content, attitude and behavior, and learning. (Spratt, 2005; Cheng, 1997) In the view of the curriculum, tests are always regarded as one of references for the change of curriculums. (Pearson, 1988) In addition, Alderson (1986) agrees that the innovation of language testing is considered as an influential factor which can cause the innovation of language curriculum. However, Vernon (1956) emphasizes that some teachers always overlook parts of curriculum which couldnt conduce to raise scores of tests directly for they concentrate on training test excessively. Besides the testing, there are many other factors such as the nature of course, the class size, stakes of tests, and schools could affect curriculum as well. (Alderson Wall, 1993; Lam, 1994; Lyon, 1996; Read Hayes, 2003; Watanabe, 1996) Therefore, it can conclude that in various teaching and testing situation, the backwash for the curriculum will show in different ways, and backwash may not exist in some situations at all yet. (Spratt, 2005) The aspect of backwash for teaching materials, many researches point that the revision of language testing can cause the innovation of language teaching materials usage as well. (Alderson Lyons, 1996; Watanabe, 2000) In addition, some studies point that when the language test gets closer the backwash for the selection of language teaching materials is greater. (Alderson Wall, 1993; Lumley Stoneman, 2000; Alderson Lyons, 1996) Besides, we cant neglect that the aim of choosing and using some teaching materials is to improve relevant language abilities and some is to enhance testing techniques merely. (Spratt, 2005) Consequently, tests can impact the usage of teaching materials, but is not the main factor to determine it. For the view of teaching methods and content, Spratt (2005) sports that tests especially high-stakes tests can affect the implementation of teaching activities and the choosing of teaching contents. For example, the study of TOEFL from Alderson and Lyons (1996) indicates that teachers teaching techniques and classroom activities have a great many difference between TOEFL and non- TOEFL classes. Moreover, high-stakes tests would let teachers to spend lots of class time in simulating tasks of tests or promoting techniques and strategies of tests. (Shohamy, 1996) However, some researches find that some teachers believes students efficient language skills play the most important role in passing language tests. (Watanabe, 2000) Therefore, it could conclude that testing is not the only factor to lead the variety of teaching methods which is related to the diversity of teachers and teaching contexts as well. In the aspects of attitude and behavior, Pearson (1988) points that testing has impacts which are both in positive and negative side on attitudes, behavior, and motivation among teachers, students, and parents. For instance, students always recognize that tests let them study hard for achieving high scores, however they also worried about testing cannot reflect their all learning aspects accurately. (Cheng, 1998) Furthermore, some teachers think that testing is a proper way to ensure whether aims of syllabus have been achieved. (Morris, 1972) Nevertheless, testing always soaks students, teachers, and parents in the atmosphere of anxiety and fear, as all of them worried about the result of tests. (Shohamy, 1996) Under this kind of pressure, students couldnt play their normal level; at the same time teachers would do whatever can help their students to achieve higher scores. (Alderson Wall, 1993; Spratt, 2005) The connotation for considering the backwash for learning is to discuss whether language testing can make students learn more and better. (Wall, 2000) Studies with mentioning students learning strategies and performance point that in the particular testing context students test scores would have at least ten percent improvements through several months of related conduction for testing preparation. However, we are not sure whether these finding can be applied to other learning and testing context. (Smith, 1991) Moreover, Andrew (2002) emphasize that after preparing the oral part of language tests some students just could achieve testing strategies and learn formulaic expression by rote but couldnt interact meaningfully or appropriately yet. 1.3 Factors affect the backwash The teacher, the school and the exam itself are known as the influential elements which can affect the occurrence and the nature of the backwash. (Spratt, 2005; Alderson Wall, 1993) Above all, the most important factor which can affect the backwash is the teacher. Specifically, all of teachers belief about teaching and testing, teachers attitudes towards the test, teachers educational level and experience, and teachers own personality will impact whether backwash exists and it is beneficial or harmful. (Smith, 1991; Alderson Wall, 1993; Alderson Lyons, 1996; Watanabe, 1996; Shohamy, 1996, Spratt, 2005) Moreover, the size of school, the education philosophy of school, and the attitude towards tests of schools administrator are regarded as the factors which can influence the backwash. (Watanabe, 2000; Smith, 1991; Read Hayes, 2003) According to Alderson and Wall (1993), schools can curb the appearance of the backwash and affect its nature even for communicative tests. In addition, test itself would be able to impact the existence and the quality of backwash. (Spratt, 2005; Alderson Wall, 1993) Morrow (1986) asserts that the language test which can measure candidates ability of language application can be considered as a qualified test with powerful and beneficial backwash. In summary, language testing can exert influence on language teaching and learning indeed, but it will present as either positive or negative. As the backwash can impact lots of aspects of language teaching and learning process; the existence, the nature, and the deep of it must be diverse in different views. Moreover, the backwash is also affected by some elements, so its nature must be independent in different teaching or testing context neither. Therefore, the backwash will be shown in extremely different states in different teaching and testing context. Even though in a particular situation, each aspect of the backwash must be different neither. 2. The backwash for College English Test (CET) in college English teaching across China 2.1 Introduction of CET in China The College English Test (CET) is a national unified test which is sponsored by High Education Department of the Minister of Education of China and administrated by The National College English Testing Committee. (CET Testing Committee) After completing the English foundation course in the second school year, all of university students across China are permitted to participate in this test. (Yang, 2000) There is national wide range of stakeholders (teachers, students, and administrators) involved in this test. In other words, the CET can be regarded as a high-stakes test. Besides, it is proved that the CET is an effective means of measurement for its result can accurately reflect the CE teaching and learning situation both of one university at different stages and different universities at the same stage. (Gu, 2005) As the high status and reputation of this test, passing the CET-4 is regarded as a qualification to obtain the B.A degree among the majority of Chinese universities. Therefore, there is an extremely close relationship between the CET and the College English teaching and learning indeed. Furthermore, the results of many researches show that the CET can exert beneficial washback on The CE teaching and learning. (Li, 2009; Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) Specifically, the execution of College English Teaching Syllabus has been promoted in CE teaching and learning by the CET. (Gu, 2005) However, there is harmful influence on CE teaching and learning from the implementation of CET as well. (Li, 2009; Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) Excessive using of coaching materials makes classroom teaching be confined for preparing the test, which results textbooks cant be completed ideally. (Gu, 2005) The washback of CET on CE teaching and learning is either positive or negative and will be discussed specifically as follows. 2.2 The positive backwash of the CET We have discussed that the teacher, the school, and the test itself are the main elements which can affect the existence and the nature of washback on language teaching and learning above. Practically, as the CET is a high-stakes test, it makes all of administrators, teachers, and students to think highly of it. (Hughes, 2003) Moreover, one of the CETs aims is to promote the implementation of College English Curriculum Requirements in College English teaching and learning. (CET Testing Committee) In other words, to think highly of the CET among participants could be seem as to attach importance to College English teaching and learning. Therefore, one of the positive wahback of the CET is that it can guarantee the basic stage of implementation of college classroom English teaching. Moreover, according to the validation study of the CET (Yang Weir, 1998) shows that the CET is a highly reliable and valid test with rational design and can measure non-English majors English proficiency exactly and objectively at the tertiary level across China. So it can guarantee that the CET can provide the sensible feedback to assist college English teachers and students to promote their teaching and learning. The most important factor to warrant the positive washback is the design of question forms. (Gu, 2005; Li, 2009) Specifically, in order to fully reflect the importance of listening ability, the part of listening comprehension occupies a considerable proportion in the CET. Besides, the question forms contain not only the objective choice but also the subjective dictation with relatively diversity. Moreover, the selection of subject includes both narrative passages and dialogues with strong practicability. As reading is one of the main resources to achieve the information for people, training reading ability play a significant important role in college English teaching requirements. For meeting this demand, the CET has appreciable amount of reading tests with rational question form design. All of the selected reading texts are in the form of discourse. For the great percentage of listening and reading in CET, both teachers and students think highly of promoting these two kinds of abili ties actively. Furthermore, as the productivity and practicability of these parts of tasks, teachers pay more attention to use of authentic teaching materials. (Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) By this way, students applied language abilities can be developed essentially. Gradually, with the abilities development, students confidence and interesting on learning English has been enhanced as finding themselves can read original English discourse and understand English radio and TV programs days after days. Therefore, the other positive washback of the CET is that it can innovate college English teaching and promote college teaching and learning level across China. Tests of writing and speaking are the most important means to measure whether students have the ability of language application (Hughes, 2003). As the writing part in the CET, it sets the tasks and selects the samples as expression of attitude and information with all students familiar topic to evaluate students communicative applied ability in written English. (Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) It guides a clear direction for teachers teaching and students learning so that they can understand the centre of college English teaching and learning of non-English major has converted from knowledge of language to language itself. In other word, this kind of washback makes both teachers and students pay more attention on training of language application. For the speaking test of CET is optional, which means a student must get an exact higher score in the written part of the CET (more than 560 points in the CET-4 and more than 530 in the CET-6) who can be permitted to participate in the oral part of th e CET. (Li, 2009; Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) In order to achieve the opportunity to take part in speaking test, most of students eager to get the highest possible scores in written part. At the same time, it motivates students study hard. As it is regarded as extrinsic motivation which is not as good as the intrinsic one but is better than nothing. (Alderson Wall, 1993) With achieving higher scores, students integrated language abilities have been improved efficiently. Above all, the part of speaking of the CET exerts the beneficial washback on college English teaching and learning as they enhance the initiative of students. 2.3 The negative washback of the CET However, as the students performance of the CET is an important symbol of English teaching quality in each college and also the focus of competition among them in China, the results of the CET are given undue importance. (Li, 2009; Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) Specifically, in the fourth semester teachers just use the CET-oriented materials completely such as various simulated tests and the former CET papers to prepare the CET which is coming in June without any active classroom activity among students. They believe that test-oriented materials can help students to familiarize the test format and train their time management skill so that enhance the passing rate. (Gu, 2005) Using them as teaching materials in classrooms is inappropriate, as the CET is just the measurement not the purpose of college English teaching. Therefore, on the aspect of English teaching time distribution, there has been a phenomenon that the regular teaching time has been compressed and the curriculum has been distor ted among a great many of universities. Moreover, as the part of speaking in the CET is still optional until now, it must let teachers and students neglect to promote the oral ability during the period of test preparation. In this teaching environment, students are forced to face a lot of papers practice and the inevitable appearance of students dummy English have become increasingly unusual. Finally, students integrated applied abilities haven been promoted adequately with the lack of productive language skills training. Moreover, the score and the certificate have the considerable influence on opportunity of students future learning and job. (Li, 2009; Gu, 2005; Shao, 2003) It potentially makes some students regard achieving the CET Certificate as their final goal of learning English during their undergraduate study period. Consequently, after passing the CET, lots of non-English major students dont attach importance on English learning any more with this shallow attitude. Therefore, the CET cant motivate students to learn English intrinsically. On the aspect of test itself, it restricts students real language ability and interactive language ability. According to Krashen (1982), the most effective way for people to acquire language is achieving comprehensible input. Only this kind of language input which is slightly higher than learners current level can help learners obtain the better learning effect. As excessive emphasis on the initiative of the CET, the objectivity and impartiality of the score, the stability of the test level, the most of question forms of the CET are the multiple choices. (Li, 2002) Hence, students stray from the right path of learning English with the neglect of the cultivation about real language input and communicative ability training to concentrate on grammar, lexical analysis, testing skills unduly. In summary, the CET itself does exert the certain influence on the college English teaching in China. However, the research (Gu, 2005) shows that some schools and some classes which use textbooks and other teaching materials creatively have the better performance and higher scores in the CET. Therefore, the effects of the CET are much less than other elements such as the attitudes of schools, teachers, and students towards the CET; teachers teaching level; teachers academic level; teaching methods; and students initiative. The CET is just a very small part of the whole college English teaching system. Besides, as there are a great many of weakness which shouldnt be neglected, it is eager to find out some ways and means to achieve the beneficial washback of the CET to assist the college teaching efficiently. Promote the beneficial washback of the CET As there is a close relationship between the CET and the college English teaching indeed, the CET not only can but also should exert beneficial backwash on college English teaching. Therefore, we attempt to find out the way how we can achieve as more backwash as possible. The possible suggestion will be argued as follows: Aim to college teaching syllabi, adopt a large number of direct language testing Direct language testing means testing communicative language skills directly with using as many authentic texts and tasks as possible. (Hughes, 2003) Using direct language testing can measure students skills what we would like to foster efficiently and promote the implementation of related practice for those skills sufficiently during the regular teaching time. (Bachman, 2000) Therefore, in the CET using a great many direct language testing so that test whether students have the effective communicative language ability in the certain context. In this way, we would be able to encourage students to practice those interactive language skills as much as possible. Consequently, we can obtain the beneficial backwash from the CET to college English teaching in China as figure 1 shows. Sample tasks of writing test as much authentically and practicably as possible Adding numerous authentic and practicable tasks in writing test can promote the unpredictable of the CET. In addition, the creativity of teaching and learning can be developed rather than concentrate on what they can predict. (Hughes, 2003) Consequently, students expression ability in written English can be promoted exactly. 3.3 Give the same importance to speaking test as others Change the part of speaking in the CET to be compulsory rather than optional. Some research shows that Chinese college students oral ability is the weakest one among others. (Ceng, 1999) According to that, promoting their oral ability must be enforced. Testing the abilities which you want to incent can achieve the beneficial backwash of test sufficiently. (Hughes, 2003) Therefore, adding the oral part in the whole CET compulsorily can motivate teachers and students to promote this skill consciously. 3.4 Provide assistance to teachers in order to adapt the new test pattern Introduction of a new pattern of the test may lead many teachers feel they dont adapt it. (Hughes, 2003) Transfer the CET from grammar and vocabulary oriented to be more communicative would make a large number of teachers feel they are not familiar to enhance students communicative skills. Therefore, essential training and assistance for teachers could avoid imbalance and chaos to support the help to teaching. 3.5 Reduce the status of the CET The figure 2 shows the relationship between the CET and the college English teaching and learning currently. Therefore, if make the provision that is changing the CET from the compulsive test to be the optional test during undergraduate study. Besides, abolish all unreasonable regulations which stipulate CET certificate is one of qualifications to obtain the B.A degree. This is the basic condition to reform college English teaching with getting rid of test-oriented education. We could achieve the positive backwash of the CET to establish more harmonious relationship (which is shown in figure 3) between the CET and the college English teaching in China. To summarize, the innovation of the CET to be more communicative, more practicable, more productive would be able to promote the beneficial backwash of it to influence college English teaching across China energetically. Conclusion The present essay has discussed the relationship between the language testing and language teaching and learning from generally to specifically. The effect of the language testing is defined as backwash to impact several views of language teaching and learning. In a certain teaching and testing context, the backwash of CET has been known as to affect the implementation of the college English teaching curriculum; the using teaching materials; the teaching method and content; the administers, the teachers, and the students attitudes towards college English teaching and learning. Additionally, as there are some elements affect the deep and the nature of the CET backwash, it presents either beneficial or harmfully in different aspects of the college English teaching across China. Finally, with some theories of language testing and foreign language acquisition this essay have illustrate some proposals how to achieve as more beneficial backwash of the CET as possible. However, as the importance of communicative college English teaching is a growing concern, the demands of the productivity, the practicability, and the communicability of the CET have been received greater attention in China. Therefore, it needs to invest more and research to enhance the quality of the CET so that promote the beneficial backwash of it to cooperate with the college language teaching and learning perfectly.

Patch Adams

Patch Adams Patch Adams is very interesting to watch. From the beginning of the story, there is the willingness of the viewers to watch the movie till the end. It is simple but not on its meaning. It does not only talk about the life of patch, the doctors, patients, students but also the nurses who are always in the side of the patients. Its focus is more on personality. Meeting people that will pull you down then lift you up and changing their views is one of your amazing deeds and help.And even there are those people who helped you to build your dreams they must never be the reason to break it instead they will be the one who strengthen you to pursue it, even if they will be gone someday. It has a message that is no matter what; don’t let something to discourage you from what you love and who you are. It is not just any movie that will make you cry because of sad parts but because of the fact that even you have done good things it might followed by bad happenings. There are things that can not be prevented.It is the best example for many cases of being confused in oneself, not only in mental capacity of thinking but also the ability to know yourself. Patch was helped by this brilliant man, Arthur Mendelson, to see through problems which made me realize on simple things. Patch is not just an ordinary man. He knows the feeling when you give and help which gave him a reason to be a doctor. He might think of the wrong solution yet it led him to the corner of his way to the right direction. When Patch is treating patients in his clinic with his classmates as volunteers, he shows that we are a community that can help each other.There are these services that do not only look for payments but for the happiness and benefit they will bring to other people. He heals people in a beautiful way, more in a funny way. Breaking rules is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it will let you know that there are things not to be followed to have a better result. Maybe as a do ctor, you know everything in the book but what makes you sad is that you can’t even make an old woman to eat. You may have understood everything but how about to make someone eat? And as the main point for doctors, we should not just prevent death but also to maintain life.

Describe How Poverty, Social Class

U30 (P2) Health Psychology Describe 3 factors such as culture social class, gender, poverty and education may influence the way people respond to health and illness Poverty Imam’s house Individuals who are in poverty are more likely focused on the physiological l needs out of the hierarchy pyramid. My case study is sourced from BBC documentary, toughest place to be a bin man and is about a man called Imam Syaffi. Syaffi is 28 and lives in Indonesia with a monthly income of ? 8 by working six days a week from 6am to midnight as a rubbish collector and running extra errands for his wealthy neighbours as well as sorting and selling recycled rubbish. Imam lives in a shanty village with his wife, son and parents and their home is near to the mini landfill where Imam’s rubbish that he collects is transferred to a bigger landfill but it rarely does. Imam’s wages cover rent and small amount of food. Other luxuries are what Imam finds in the rubbish such as used shelves, mattresses and chairs.Imam’s home is a giant health hazard as the rubbish near his house causes disease and encourages mosquitoes, flies and rats to infect the village, himself and his family. However, Indonesian government don’t supply health care like in England causing Imam to risk the possibilities of catching malaria, streptobacillosis or worse. Imam’s influences on poverty make him choose to supply the physiological needs of paying rent and food than constantly supply ways to protect his and family’s health and pay expensive medical bills.Also, Imam finds it hard to provide healthcare for his family because upper classes can easily call authorities to make him unemployed if he isn’t doing his job properly if he needs to take the day off to take his wife to the hospital. However, Imam’s secret shows that he sneakily shows the upper-class that his cart is broken and unable to work by pulling out a tyre so he can take an occasional day of f for the family.Also, Imam’s dedication to provide for the family by working over 12 hours each day can make him very stressed and tired which can causes him to have poor health but he would rather work more hours if he could so he could provide more luxuries for his family. Furthermore, the food Imam can buy with his salary shows that he can only afford basic foods such as milk for the son, water, rice and rare portions of meat and vegetables so that leads to poor nutrition compared to English rubbish collector Wilbur Ramirez from the documentary who has a better life but has the same job title as Imam.Social Class Contrasting from my discussion about poverty I want to make a case study upon Wilbur Ramirez. Wilbur Ramirez job title is similar to Imam Syaffi but because his social class is higher than Imam that means that Wilbur escapes from being in serious poverty. Wilbur monthly salary is ? 1,700 and manages to live in Hammersmith, west London with his wife and three chil dren. Hammersmith is decent area for families to live in London and quoted by a local, ‘I can't think of anywhere better to be a child than one of London's inner suburbs like Hammersmith’.Wilbur’s hierarchy of needs are very different than Imam as he’ll be marked to fulfilling up to self-accusation because all the other needs are met because of his lifestyle as a working class English citizen. Wilbur’s job as bin man is less stressful due to shorter shifts than Imam and better pay which reduces risk of heart disease or tiredness. This means Wilbur is able to afford house bills as well as to provide for his family and buy extra luxuries.Therefore, I believe his opinion on health and illness would be more focused about how he looks after himself by being trained by his employer to use the uniform when touching rubbish by always wearing gloves. Also, England’s public health and NHS targets people like Wilbur to be constantly cautious about their health unlike the rest of the world like Indonesia. Therefore, Wilbur would be cautious about giving his family good nutrition and easily receive professional health care because its tax paid. Picture of Imam (left) and Wilbur (right) CultureDifferent cultures in general effects our responses to health and gives our opinion on what causes illness, how it’s treated, who should we seek for assistance? In the industrialised world in USA it sees’ disease as a form of a negative substance infecting the body that can be treated with medicine or hospital equipment to diagnose and treat the patient from the disease. However, other cultures believe that disease is caused by a paranormal activity and prayers, spiritual rituals or visiting a witch doctor would release the disease out of the body and destroyed by a higher authority.This shows that health professionals should give patient compliance due to the sensitivity of one’s culture. Studies of group of Cambodian pati ents were reassured throughout their therapy by understanding how the medicines and the body work due to lack of education. However, since 2010 the quality of health is rising in Cambodia to increase the life expectancy and making awareness towards HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases but in Ratanakiri, Cambodia is receiving the worst healthcare causing endemic case of malaria, tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, cholera, diarrhoea and measles.Also, maternal/ child mortality and severe malnutrition are issues that causes poor health and illness. Ratanakiri locals are most likely to respond to their faith which is most likely to be Buddhism to gain better health than modern health care. In Buddhism it’s believed that a person suffering from physical disease also suffers from a poor mindset therefore they have to devote their entire life to their faith and releases what poisoned their body; greed, anger and ignorance to heal the illness.However, modern health care is accessible in this province but the medical equipment and supplies are minimal and the staff are poorly trained and irregularly paid. This gives mistrust for the locals to use professional help as they’re in risk to receive the incorrect care and other hospitals are far away near the big cities. Therefore, it’s most likely that in Ratanakiri; diseases are known to be paranormal spirit filled with greed, anger and ignorance than a biological infected substance.However in more industrialised places in Cambodia they’ll believe the opposite due to better education, healthcare and scientific awareness. Ratanakiri Hospital ——————————————– [ 1 ]. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=6EWLQw9TiCM [ 2 ]. http://www. bbc. co. uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/participants/imam-syaffi [ 3 ]. http://www. bbc. co. uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen [ 4 ]. http://www. fodors. com/comm unity/europe/is-hammersmith-a-good-area-of-london. cfm [ 5 ]. http://www. euromedinfo. eu/how-culture-influences-health-beliefs. html/ [ 6 ].

Free Essays on Diphtheria

Diphtheria What is diphtheria? Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that can infect the body in two areas:  · the throat (respiratory diphtheria)  · the skin (skin or cutaneous diphtheria) A common childhood disease in the 1930s, a vaccine against diphtheria has made it very rare in the US and other developing countries today. 10-year-old child with severe diphtheria What causes diphtheria? Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which is spread from person to person. Corynebacteria are Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacteria related to the Actinomycetes. They do not form spores or branch as do the actinomycetes, but they have the characteristic of forming irregular shaped, club-shaped or V-shaped arrangements in normal growth. They undergo snapping movements just after cell division which brings them into characteristic arrangements resembling Chinese letters. How is diphtheria transmitted? The diphtheria bacterium can enter the body through the nose and mouth. However, it can also enter through a break in the skin. It is transmitted from person to person by respiratory secretions or droplets in the air. The incubation period of diphtheria is 2-5 days (range, 1-10 days). What are the symptoms of diphtheria? The following are the most common symptoms of diphtheria. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: respiratory diphtheria When a person is infected with diphtheria, the bacterium usually multiplies in the throat, leading to the respiratory version of diphtheria. A membrane may form over the throat and tonsils, causing a sore throat. Other common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria may include:  · breathing difficulty  · husky voice  · enlarged lymph glands  · increased heart rate  · stridor (a shrill breathing sound hea... Free Essays on Diphtheria Free Essays on Diphtheria Diphtheria What is diphtheria? Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that can infect the body in two areas:  · the throat (respiratory diphtheria)  · the skin (skin or cutaneous diphtheria) A common childhood disease in the 1930s, a vaccine against diphtheria has made it very rare in the US and other developing countries today. 10-year-old child with severe diphtheria What causes diphtheria? Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which is spread from person to person. Corynebacteria are Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacteria related to the Actinomycetes. They do not form spores or branch as do the actinomycetes, but they have the characteristic of forming irregular shaped, club-shaped or V-shaped arrangements in normal growth. They undergo snapping movements just after cell division which brings them into characteristic arrangements resembling Chinese letters. How is diphtheria transmitted? The diphtheria bacterium can enter the body through the nose and mouth. However, it can also enter through a break in the skin. It is transmitted from person to person by respiratory secretions or droplets in the air. The incubation period of diphtheria is 2-5 days (range, 1-10 days). What are the symptoms of diphtheria? The following are the most common symptoms of diphtheria. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: respiratory diphtheria When a person is infected with diphtheria, the bacterium usually multiplies in the throat, leading to the respiratory version of diphtheria. A membrane may form over the throat and tonsils, causing a sore throat. Other common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria may include:  · breathing difficulty  · husky voice  · enlarged lymph glands  · increased heart rate  · stridor (a shrill breathing sound hea...

Delaware Indians essays

Delaware Indians essays Throughout my life as a Native American I have experienced many beautiful aspects of life and many terrifying aspects of life. I come from a tribe we call the Delawares. We were named the Delawares by the English because we lived on the bay named in honor of Lord de la Warr, governor of the English colony at Jamestown in 1610. We are members of the Algonquian linguistic family and are also known as Lenni Lenape, or the common people. Throughout my childhood I was told stories of our family and the tribes past. Every story became more and more interesting to me. I wanted to know the entire history of the Delawares and make sure I would carry on the traditions and lifestyles the best way I could. It has been said that in my great grandfathers time the Delawares owned and occupied a vast and magnificent territory extending along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Massachusetts. Before the 1620s the Delaware were very powerful people in the land. The traditional home of our tribe in that time was at the River Basin, an area that extends from what is now Southern New York to Delaware Bay. But the location of our tribe on the Atlantic coast brought the tribe into early contact with the English colonists. The Delawares style of living has not changed much since my great grandfathers days. The Delaware tribe has never depended solely upon the chase for subsistence. We grow large fields of corn, squash, beans, sweet potatoes, and tobacco. We manufacture pottery, dressed deerskins, beads or wampum, feather mantels and other ornaments. We also use considerable native copper, which we hammer into ornaments or use for arrowheads and pipes. I sometimes use copper to make stone pipes and bows and arrows. Throughout the many years our implements of war have continually been war clubs, tomahawks, bows and arrows, scalping knives, and spears. We often use spear for killing fish and...

Summry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summry - Assignment Example The front view is shown as full section. This kind of section is advantageous when the object is symmetrical about a centre line. Here, full section view may not be necessary. In this case, a half sectional view is drawn as a front view which shows internal details of half the component. In cases where full information cannot be obtained if the section is taken along the centre line, offset section is used. To obtain full details the cutting plane is offset by 90 degrees to pass through all the holes and slots. The advantage of this section lies where there are elongated parts of the object are also present. This is used to show the transverse section of one part of object. The cutting plane is shown in section by cutting in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An adjacent view is obtained by rotating the cut section by 90 degrees. The Disadvantage of this kind of section is that when too many parts are present then using this section view may get complicated. In such cases, removed section proves to be advantageous as the section are shown removed from the front view located adjacently. This kind of sectional view has its own advantage as it does not use a cutting plane at all. Instead, the section view is shown with the front view and a jagged line is used to show the break. Hence, one may chose to break the object any way which helps showing the full internal details. The disadvantage of this view is that it may some how become difficult to decide how to introduce the break. In case, the object has elongated parts, the application of this section may become very

Film Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Film - Term Paper Example Review of Chungking Express by Wong Kar-wai in 1994 Chungking Express was a film that was produced in 1994 by Wong Kar-wai. It was made in Hong Kong and this was during the period when they were handing over to China. The movie has so many thing going on because there were political matters along the way and again it was during a time when the citizens were starting to embrace freedom in the sense of a change in lifestyle and the economy. Chungking Express sough to express what Hong Kong was going through in a manner that was relating to them. As a result, this period also brought about the global spread of modern commercial culture to East Asia. This definitely had its advantages and disadvantages because with lifestyle changes, traditional values were abandoned and the people started to adopt new moral and modern values. According to the movie, the story revolves among two police officers; Takeshi Kaneshiro and Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia who have been abandoned and left lonely where t hey try to acquire individuals that they fall for. Kaneshiro is described as lonely because his girlfriend abandoned him and he still cannot believe that it happened and she left forever. Lin is related to drugs and the life she was living was not worthwhile as she sought to escape the country because she was in a deal that went sour. At this instance is when Kaneshiro meets Lin and tries to get to her. Another scene would be the one where the officer meets Faye Wong who falls for a police officer, who had broken up with his girlfriend, a flight attendant. During that time, the cop was very lonely and he was portrayed as a n individual who had already lost touch of his life. Faye becomes the person that cares for him as she sneaks into his house and the result is that she hopes that what she was doing for him would change his mind and focus on her. With no reason what Faye did with her heart did not deem successful and as a result she ditched that thought of getting to the cop. With regard to the movie, there is also a rise in the number of entertainment joints. Apparently, the people of Hong Kong were portrayed as people who love karaoke’s and music and this trend was apparently increasing thus the traditional thought of such traits was starting to disappear as the people were starting to adapt to a new culture and lifestyle. For example, Faye met with the cop when they were in the bar. Traditional culture was not based on love in that manner. A man would not meet their potential girlfriend or wife in entertainment places, but the movie sought to eliminate that gap and allow for love to be felt in a variety of places and that if why the characters were set to meet in a bar. With regard to sexual relationships, it can be concluded that Faye had an intention to have a sexual relationship with the cop. According to traditional values, traits such as pre-marital sex and one-night stand were not acceptable in the culture and the only way that one could indu lge in sexual relationships was when they got married. In addition to that, the movie portrays aspects such as loyalty when the officer is abandoned by his girlfriend but he still thinks about her and feels for her. The Personals by Chen Kuo-fu The Personals was a movie directed by Chen Kuo-fu. It is based on an opthamologist by the name of Du Jiazhen (Rene Liu) who goes ahead to critically search for a