The Legal Drinking Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Legal Drinking Age - Essay Example The country does allow its citizen to do everything else like voting or marrying but they are forbidden to take alcohol until they turn 21. The legal age has always been a subject of discussion but it seems right to believe that if a person is old enough to take part in a war then is definitely old enough to drink as well. In the US, a person is considered adult when he turns 18 years of age. However, it is not legal to drink until a person turns 21. This does not make much sense. When a person can own a car, marry at will and make up his or her mind to adopt or abort children at the age of 18 then he or she should be given the right to drink at the same age where he or she can perform all these different activities as mentioned above (Hanson, 2013). Adults can make the right and wise choices for themselves. It is not right and fair that the government has placed a restriction on drinking up to the age of 21 when people are considered mentally and physically matures at 18 years of age. At 18 years of age young adults can vote and go to war in the United States of America. This means that the government believes that they have the ability to think in order to choose the right candidate or politician to run the country (Thio, 2011). If people have the ability to understand the vision of the politician and they are in the position to understand their body and to consume alcohol to their needs. Placing restrictions on young adults who can vote for the better future of the United States of America by voting but cannot consume alcohol only contradicts the judgment of the law-enforcing agencies in the country. If they are big enough to vote then they are big enough to drink alcohol (Thio, 2011). More confusing is the fact that in the United States of America an 18-year-old young adult could go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan but cannot drink a mug of beer.  

STI College Essay Example for Free

STI College Essay First of all, we would like to thank God for his help on our project, because without Him and His omnipotence this would be really impossible. Secondly, we would like to acknowledge the participation of the faculty and registrar. We would also like to extend their gratitude to the respondents during the data gathering. Also, the resource persons, our adviser, Mr.Bernjiber Silva who guides in terms of the development of the system documentation, and with the help of the 2nd year IT Students. 1.0 Introduction This generation is intensely attached with technology. Almost everything can be done with technology. Technology for the users provides good consolation and solace. Many await the enrollment schedule of the school they are studying in. Enrollment is an exciting day for every student in elementary, high school, or colleges. It is the most expected activity after summer vacation. But contrary to the expectations of the enrollees, enrollment has posed problems and hassles because it has become tedious and taxing. Sometimes the students’ leave it to their parents and other members of the family to enroll them. The unsystematic procedure of school during enrollment is now dreaded by them. Instead student enrollees have to stand and wait of finishing it in an hour or two, sometimes students are made to come back the next day or even after a week so that they can be officially enrolled. The latest Student Enrollment Systems include features such as computerized registration forms, enrollment forms and safer data keeping. Almost all aspect of the industry prefers computerized systems because of its greater offers and services. The system is now greatly recognized. Furthermore, the demand for better Student Enrollment Systems also increases. Enrollment is the process of entering and verifying data of student to register on particular school. Different interrelated processes build up enrollment procedures called Enrollment System (ES). ES are used particularly in recording and retrieving student’s information. Tracking student’s information is also one feature of ES, in which the school can trace the standing of a student. Verifying payments was also added to update or browse student’s billings. Enrollment System is a good example of a computer generated process. This can lessen the workload and provides accurate information needed of the school. As a result, it will benefit not only the student but the administration as a whole. Of course, Enrollment System is very essential in a school. 1.1 Background of the Study The purpose of this study is to fulfill a better system that will serve as a more reliable tool in registering and enrolling students in an institute. The study is to show the innovation of registration and enrollment systems from traditional to high-end technology. The study also serves the purpose of revealing the mechanics of the said system. Student Enrollment System includes a computerized registration and enrollment form which provides ease to clients and better management and maintenance of data in a reliable database. 1.2 Statement of Objectives 1.2.1 General Objectives 1. To come up with a functional enrollment system that will allow users to in the comforts of the in house facility and also allow the administrators to keep track and maintain information and data that was gathered from the submitted forms. 1.2.2 Specific Objectives 1. To make a system that is easy to use for the user to input information. 2. To retrieve data of the user in the Enrollment System database. 3. To update information of the user immediately. 1.3 Significance of the Study The study is significant for the innovation of manual ways of registration and enrollment to a higher-end technology. It is significant to the registrars, faculty and students of the institution that will use the system. The study is significant in many ways. It provides a clear definition of its functions. The study will define the advantages with the use of the proposed system. It will identify new possibilities that may help ease workloads. It will serve as an instrument to entice more people to recognize and use such system. This study helped the school regarding their enrollment transactions and activities. The proposed design aimed to benefit the school in their enrollment facilities such as maintaining the files, assessment of fees and especially the Enrollment System itself. 1.4 Scope and limitation of the Study The proposed computerized enrollment system design covered the major processes namely: registration of the current and incoming students, class scheduling and sectioning, assessment of fees, files maintenance and reports needed (registration form, assessment slip, student master list, and other forms and reports essential to design). In addition, requisites for new student (Birth Certificate, Good Moral Character and Form 138) will be recognized in system design database by checkbox. Since one of the specific objectives of the proponents is to improve computer literacy of the community of NSI, the design system would allow four user accounts which are the Student, Accounting, Registrar and Directress The system includes a computerized registration and enrollment form. It allows users to fill in the form and submit. It allows the administrator side to retrieve information. It can severely reduce the amount of duplicate effort required for multi-enrollees. It also allows users to view whether their information has been passed. However, the system is not web based. It cannot be altered or modified by the users. It cannot show the results instantly to users. Users may not remove or delete their information once theyve been passed. 2.0 Methodology of the Study In this chapter, we have recognized the phases needed for the implementation of the Enrollment System. The methodology was referred as the waterfall model. It describes the steps taken in the development of the enrollment system. Requirements: = We have to find a suitable algorithm to come up with an effective enrolment system. -Testing the effectiveness and accuracy of the new system. Look for the design of the proposed system. Design: We have to create a effective design for the main screen that allows the user to create an account and fill up and submit forms such as the registration and enrollment forms. Verifications: Testing-This is the part where in we have to test whether the system is accurate or not. Debugging- modification is needed if has defects of the function codes. Maintenance -keeping the system running productively for over years. 2.0 Data Gathering Procedures and Output We researchers have prepared an interview with a proponent. The interview served as the basis for the creation of the function of the system. We planned to gather enough information and skills in building and creating good databases and well-organized interface through organize interview. Through internet, we also gather some information and advices that will help our system be effective.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Issues

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Issues The vast majority of patients seeking treatment for an eating disorder do not meet full DSM criteria. What are the implications for diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders? What are the broader implications for categorical versus dimensional perspectives on the diagnosis of mental illness? The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a handbook of written guidelines that primarily focuses on the classification of mental disorders rather than the mental disorders itself. It is used in the prevention, management and assessment of a patient’s mental state. Aside from this, it is also serves to provide as a common ground for researchers to work on, to study the criteria to further improve it for future DSM revisions. In clinical practice and research, the DSM’s role is facilitated by its classification system; usually either categorical or dimensional in approach (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Kraemer, 2007). The categorical approach is the assessment of either a positive or negative diagnosis based on a strict set of standardised criteria. Conversely, the dimensional approach is a more relaxed approach than the categorical, where it in volves the classification of mental disorders by quantifying a person’s symptom and representing them with numerical values on one or more scales. It concerns the degree of presence of the mental disorder apparent within the patient, rather than the actual presence; that is, how much of the criteria does the patient correspond with. The higher the scores on the scores of the scales the more likelihood the patient has the disorder. For instance, higher scores on the Hamilton Depression scale, a seven point Likert scale, will indicate a higher chance the patient is depressed (Brown Barlow, 2005). As recognised by Brown and Barlow, there is a potential positive implication of adopting a DSM with an increasingly dimensional approach. However, there is a continual debate regarding the categorical and dimensional perspectives of diagnosis. This is especially present with the richly dimensional oriented DSM-V (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Machado, Goncalves Hoek, 2013; Regier, Kuhl, Kupfer, 2013). Throughout this paper, the broad implications of this continual debate will be discussed, following by the investigation of the implications for patients who do not meet the full DSM Eating Disorder criteria. A patient has a higher chance of being diagnosed with depression  if they score higher a patient scores on the Hamilton Depression scale, a seven point Likert scale, the higher the likelihood they are depressed (Brown Barlow, 2005). Throughout the various version of the DSM, its use the categorical approach requires the acknowledgement that there are heterogeneous factors among disorder populations that are not within the diagnosis (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). As a result of this, there are high levels of co-morbid positive diagnoses – 79% of lifetime mental disorders are observed in people with at least one diagnosed mental disorder (Kessler, Chiu, Delmer Walters, 1994; Krueger, Bezdjian, 2009). From this, an implication of a categorical approach can be deduced; that is, positively diagnosed patients should be assigned standardised treatments that are not necessarily aimed at only treating them due to heterogeneous factors such as co-morbidity. The dimensional approach, however, utilises more clinical information about the heterogeneous factors that are present in patients (Brown Barlow, 2005). The implication formed here for the dimensional ap proach would be assignment of various appropriate treatments that would be deemed most effective for the respective patient, as there is sufficient clinical information regarding the patient’s varying dimensions. Additionally, with regards to the categorical approach, the lack of presence of a single criterion for a particular mental disorder in the DSM can ultimately determine a positive or negative diagnosis. Consequently, the forms large residual undefined categories, such as the Eating Disoder – Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) category, where it is a category aimed for patients who do not meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder (that was introduced in the DSM-V) (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Machado, Goncalves Hoek, 2013). Due to the nature of the dimensional approach, quantifying dimensions of disorders, it will help reduce the formation of large residual categories, thus, can be seen as an implication of the dimensional approach (Brown Barlow, 2005). Hence, patients have less of chance being diagnosed into the residual category of mental disorder under a classification system that priorities the rec ognition of presenting criterion, even though they do not satisfy the fixed diagnostic criteria of a categorical classification approach. The dimensional approach makes use of one or more scales to measure particular dimensions of various mental disorders. This can be seen as a potential positive implication for clinical practice and research (Lopez, Compton, Grant Breiling 2007). Initially, Kraemer (2007) found that the categorical approach is most beneficial to clinical practitioners, whilst the dimensional approach is most beneficial to researchers. However, Lopez et al. (2007) came to realise that clinical practitioners would also come to benefit from the growing popularity of dimensional orientation, since the changes in severity of a mental disorder and its dimensions could be quantitatively measured by fluctuations in multi-ordinal scales. Hence, proving to be more informative than measuring responses to interventions by comparing the fluctuations between the borderlines of a positive and negatives diagnosis, as in a categorical approach. Moreover, this implication relates to how an improvement of research outcomes would be apparent through the adoption of a increasingly dimensional approach. Unfortunately, there are many associated negative implications of adopting a more dimensional approached, which are apparent with the difficulties of changing an existing classification system (First, 2005). With the increase popularity of the use of the dimensional approach, similar to the direction and development of research of the DSM-V, there would be an apparent difficulty in merging past and present research to reach conclusions about present studies (First, 2005; Reiger, Kuhl Kupfer, 2013; 5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Moreover, issues will arise in the clinical use of the DSM, resulting practitioners to revise their diagnoses of existing patients as well as their practice with new patients. Lopez et al. (2007) also outlined a complication of the diagnostic criteria of earlier DSMs, where most were in favour of the dimensional approach, will be present as there will be a varying abilities of different psychiatric disorders to be measured dim ensionally. They highlighted this with comparison between dimensional approach adapted to psychoses obtained from a scarce literature and a dimensional approach for substance use disorder obtained from a supportive literature. Thus, concluding that the shift from categorical classifications approaches to dimensional approaches will be difficult in the future. The implications of categorical approaches of diagnosing mental disorders are evident through the concern with the diagnoses of eating disorders. One of these implications is the large residual EDNOS category. The majority of individuals who seek treatment for eating disorders are diagnosed with EDNOS. Due to the strict nature of the criteria of eating disorders, patients being negatively diagnosed due to not fulfilling the criteria; only having partial eating disorders like partial anorexia nervosa and partial bulimia nervosa, resulting an increase in the EDNOS category. The implication here would be a demand for treatment from an excessively heterogeneous population diagnosed with EDNOS. However, practitioners are at risk in having no solution or intervention to use, due to the EDNOS category lacking homogenous characteristics which are required to determine research-based effective treatments.

The Uncompromising Code of Bartleby the Scrivener Essay -- Bartleby Sc

The Uncompromising Code of Bartleby the Scrivener  Ã‚     Ã‚   There are certain social codes that we are expected to follow. They are too numerous and obscure to know-but for the most part, they don't need to be known. The unspoken, unwritten set of rules we are obligated to live by are subtly imbued in us from birth. When we live outside those boundaries and follow our own desires, we are walking on thin ice. An eccentric choice in wardrobe or unusual habits can make the difference between being considered an individual who "thinks outside of the box," or just a plain old lunatic. When someone refuses to adhere to our social codes, they become suspect. But what drives them, enables them to refuse in the first place? Melville seemed to have a good idea of what it feels like to be in such a position. The American Tradition in Literature discusses how "like Bartleby, Melville was a 'scrivener,' or writer. Melville also refused to copy out the ideas of others, or even his own, in response to popular demand. He too 'preferred' to withdraw"(Perkins 1564). So far it sounds like Melville was almost certainly creating something "out of himself." Additionally, Melville "distrusted the economic compulsion of society; he resented the financial assistance of his wife's father"(1564). This story comes from an artist reliant on only himself, true to his own nature. Bartleby is merely an exaggeration of this individual way of thinking. Melville presents a distorted image of independence from civil constraint, one that goes so far that it results in a sort of social anarchy. But considering the scrivener's background, it isn't hard to understand how he came to be such a social miscreant. Bartleby comes to his employer from a dead l... ...o the boss every once in a while-or to our spouse, our family, people on the street. No, you can't cut into my lane. No, you can't check out ahead of me even though you've only got the one can of beans. No, you can't change the channel, or ask me to pick the children up from practice. How easy to give up. How easy to let the responsibilities rest with another. We already know what rewards the other men have received for their admirable and semi-socially acceptable behavior. Neurosis, alcoholism, ulcers, and envy. All things considered, it seems that Bartleby is the most sound of them all. Works Cited Perkins, Barbara, and George Perkins, ed. The American Tradition in Literature. Boston:McGraw-Hill College, 1999. Perry, Dennis R. "'Ah, humanity': Compulsion Neurosis in Melville's 'Bartleby'". Studies in Short Fiction 24.4 (1987): 407-415.   

Exas Philippines, Incorporated Company Case Essay

Exas Philippines, Incorporated is a privately owned company by Japanese investor and run and managed by Japanese consultants and experts. It’s main business since the birth of their mother company are METAL STAMPING PRODUCTION (transient or manual and progressive dieset) and TOOL and DIE DESIGNING, PROCESSING and VALIDATION. I belonged in these two production businesses. Our department receives customers’ product technical drawings. We make tool and die design as basis for quotations then customers feedback for approval for the design price. Then processing follows on metal parts components of the go project(s). Assembly will follow of the processed tool and die. Validation follows to deliver engineering samples based on specifications required. Once the delivered samples are approved in their line assembly, mass production will follow at our metal stamping production area. Today, Exas Philippines has been adopting several methods and techniques to add and improve its methods of productivity and quality that is far better than existing technology. This development however, fully sustained daily activities that affect daily production output of the manufacturing industry including transportation. In fact, the effect of certain method and process shows as one of the largest components that helps the company to be more competitive in the market today. Within it, this methods and innovation plays a main role in satisfying customer demand developing trust and confidence among others. One known product that this company produced is MAIN PLATE, a metal stamped part that serves as the major component of digital camera to be assembled in Pentax Philippines, one known customer of ours. Among other parts suppliers, Exas Philippines remains one of its biggest and trusted plastic molding and metal stamped parts supplier for almost a decade. Trust and confidence we did to sustained and keep for future partnership ahead. In this matter, some market, somehow develop a unique and effective process approach in all its product and services. In such, inquiring new and state of the art tools and machineries, successful management program and improved process which could allure investors and potential customers in general. Moreover, products and services providers in an open market like us, need to innovate and enhance operation to the maximum utilization of resources and cost to be more competitive, especially commercial value of our products and services were greatly controlled and dictated by our customers. Where at point, it is a need for the manufacturing industry to forecast total profit prior to producing or launching a certain project through extensive process evaluation and analysis of every aspect of manufacturing and somehow build and innovate unique and well-develop processes. Since main plate manufacturing process and cost involves values need to be considered and improved, moreover, it has the longest and overmanned process to date as evidenced by the results of the operation production and delivery during the first two months. And with the company’s aim for â€Å" Continuous Improvement† and â€Å"Process Optimization†, the researcher conducted this study for possible remedies and measure which has to be developed to improve this poor performance process operation. CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE II STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The study helps to improve the present methods to be more efficient and productive. Thus, it is the goal to optimize production output of Main Plate. The study conducted specifically and systematically to provide answer to the following: 1) Are the present methods or set up efficient in terms of the following? 1) Process lay-out activities evident for cheaper and safer process. 2) Process flow chart implemented specifies steps required in terms of lay-out cost. 2) Can the material be improved for cost analysis? 1) Pricing 2) Material kind 3) Material rejection or scrappage 3) Is the manpower available sufficient enough? 1) Manpower vs. Process lay-out 2) Manpower vs. Machines 3) Man-hours requirement vs. Production plan 4) Machineries and fixtures fully utilized? 1) Press stamping machine utilization per day 2) Bench drill for chamfering and tool bits utilization 3) Pneumatic tool grinder, cutting and polishing tools utilization 4) Degreasing Machine Utilization b) What would be the proposal to modify or improve the high cost of production of Main Plate in terms of ? b.1) Labor cost b.2) Machine and Equipment set up c) How would modification of the process benefits the company, the department, the employees, the valued customer as well as the researcher? II SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The study helps the company understand the nature and true cost of work and reducing unnecessary costs, and balancing processes in the line to make work flow smoother. It also helps the company to be more competitive in an open market, highly productive and profitable in return. Also using effective techniques that will enhance processing time will eventually increases productivity with less cost, less manpower and man-hour requirements. This study serves as the guidelines for the manufacturing department to determine man and machine effective planning, established time and motion standards to improve production planning and material preparation in general. It will also provide relevant information in settling financial statement, resource allocation and product estimating cost and value. For the employees, it will boost their morale for work since there is that proper division of work load, improve their working conditions and environment. This will also benefit me since I learn time and motion study from this project. I could apply this at my working section, at my home as learning for my family for time management for better results. To the company’s valued customers and business partners, the assurance of on-time deliveries with satisfying high quality product is highly guaranteed. CHAPTER II THE DATA Scope and Limitation: The study conducted by the researcher is focusing mainly on ten (10) different processes involve in producing MAIN PLATE product. The following are the processes: 1) Blanking 6) Flattener 2 2) Piercing 7) Tapping 3) Chamfering 8) Degreasing 4) Flattener 1 9) Visual Checking 5) Polishing 10) Final Packing The entire processing of the product is the main scope of the project where most of the critical problems has been found and identified. The primary targets of the research are to established standard time and methods to be followed in the processing of the said product as well as to improve productivity and reduce manufacturing cost. The project involves considerable cost . Some of them involve a large number of activities which must be carefully planned and coordinated. There are few which can be completed on time, cost and performance targets. Furthermore, another aim of the study is to determine how profitable are the new and improved methods established by the researcher.

Evaluating Several English Extracts

Evaluating Several English Extracts Introduction Today, more than ever before, the art of evaluating materials, extracts or textbooks is increasingly gaining currency as an important strategy in the teaching and learning process. Teachers are often required to evaluate, select, and adapt teaching materials to not only meet their teaching and students’ learning requirements, but also to optimise learning potentials (Allwright1981; Sheldon 1988).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Evaluating Several English Extracts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this light, the present paper evaluates several English extracts with the view to synthesising the positives and negatives. The main components to be evaluated include vocabulary, reading, speaking and writing, listening, as well as pronunciation. Vocabulary The activity on vocabulary discusses options by attempting to find and pair two sentences containing similar meanings with a sentence in the boxed section. The utilisation of boxed sentences attracts the students’ attention to the vocabulary exercise and directs their input to the activity under study. The requirement to identify two sentences containing similar meanings with one of the boxed sentences can be termed as a form of deliberate learning which can readily transfer to communicative erudition (Nation 2003). The pairing of the sentences is quite involving to learners as they must understand the meanings of the two sentences to be able to pair them with a sentence in the boxed section. As such, the activity is effective in assisting students to learn and internalise vocabularies owing to the fact that learners remain active participants in the learning process. Additionally, the exercise is effective as it assumes a planned approach to vocabulary development in terms of understanding which words and vocabularies can be used to replace others in a sentence and still get the same meaning. The activity is likely to make a strong contribution to the learning of various vocabularies as students rely on matching and generative use of sentences to pair them in order to achieve similar meaning. Although no incidental learning is likely to occur, the students will nevertheless benefit from information transfer through answering questions that extend the meaning or use of words in the text and also through deliberate attention to vocabulary (Nation 2003). The form of matching words with definitions is also likely to be of immense benefit to students undertaking this activity. Furthermore, this exercise is bound to assist students in finding common meanings of sentences, choosing the right meaning, as well as undertaking semantic feature analysis.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, although the exercise exemplifies a student-centred approach to learning vocabulary, it nevertheless encourages the propensity to concentrate on individual words rather than on overall meanings of the sentences in question. The process of pairing students and requiring them to remember two expressions with similar meanings reinforces the belief that social interaction is the basis of learning and development as demonstrated in the sociocultural theory. It also underscores the importance of internalisation as a vehicle for transforming learning from the social to the cognitive plane (Lavadenzi 2010). The exercise provides students with an enabling environment to transit from word-level learning to phrase-level learning. A good understanding of phrase-level learning will assist learners to graduate to intermediate-level learning by exposing them to new vocabulary definitions and uses. However care needs to be taken to ensure that learners using this approach develop the capacity to use the context of the sentences to decode meaning (Larsen-Freeman 2000). Reading The r eading extract titled â€Å"Hello, Class, I am the 16-Year-Old Head† and the ensuing questions are instrumental in developing students’ creative and critical thinking skills. For example, the question requiring students to use the title of the extract and the picture to tell a partner what they would like to find out in the rest of the extract is instrumental in assisting students to develop innovative and critical thinking capabilities. In the words of Masuhara (2003), such a question is important as it facilitates the development of high-level cognitive skills during reading activities. The use of visualisations during the reading activity activates the students’ schema and encourages them to form mental representations of the text for ease of understanding (Bress 2008). However, although the title of the extract demonstrates simplification and contrivance, the pictures are not labelled and hence students may end up having a different interpretation than what is intended.  The question requiring students to provide a guess about the contents of the extract is useful in assisting them to develop reading skills such as skimming and scanning. Such a question, according to Masuhara (2003), can be used to develop the students’ capacity to discover the main ideas and concepts of a reading/text by looking at the title and reading the first paragraph. This is what experts refer to as skimming. Additionally, such a question can be used to develop the students’ capacity to scan in terms of looking down and around a page quickly and efficiently with the view to searching for significant words, facts or phrases.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Evaluating Several English Extracts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These words or phrases can then be utilised to find context-specific information (Bress 2008). However, the first question of the extract may ignit e problems of grammar, syntax, as well as discourse structures.  The questions immediately after the extract are designed to assist students to develop a deeper understanding about the contents of the reading. The extract is instrumental in assisting students to yield to important teaching points, including vocabulary and syntax development, structure memorisation, and identification of signposts to demonstrate the structural arrangement of the text (Masuhara 2003). Overall, it is evident that reading the extract can assist students to develop critical awareness (looking at the text objectively to find out what the author is actually trying to say) and comprehension (understanding the purpose and function of the text, and also the core topic and how this is developed from one paragraph to another). It can also help students to develop flexibility (reading the text in different ways and at different speeds with the view to fulfilling a number of purposes) and context (selecting rel evant information and weighing up evidence and arguments with the view to picking out the major points from the mass of detail and evaluating their importance). Speaking and Writing The extract on speaking (Don and Carrie, and also Alex and Liz) shows that the participants are able to achieve a communicative objective through speaking. This is because they are able to demonstrate a fair knowledge of the English language as well as the skill needed to use this knowledge (Carter McCarthy 1997; Dat 2003). Indeed, both speaking activities that form the extract are designed to be communicative as they are conducted in pairs and are deeply personalised. However, there is an overuse of the filler sounds â€Å"Erm† and â€Å"Er†. Although these filler sounds demonstrate that speaking activities are highly personalised, they may be misconstrued to mean or symbolise other things when exposed to non-native speakers. On a lighter note, however, these filler sounds and hesitation devices have been credited for facilitating oral production and also for enabling speakers to take time to reflect on the words they employ in a conversational setup (Vilimec 2006).  It is worth mentioning that the speaking activity between Don and Carrie is initiated upon reading a brochure on Portuguese culture. Research is consistent that students can develop their speaking skills through reading (Mart 2012), and that nurturing improvements in word knowledge and vocabulary development through broad reading has the potential for nurturing improvement in speaking skills (Carter McCarthy 1997; Dat 2003).Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, although the fluency of the speaking activities can be termed as standard, there appears to be a lack of clarity of thought and inaccuracy of structural discourse. The speakers also seem to overuse filler sounds as a strategy of communication. The possible role of the teacher in this context is to direct the speakers on the proper use of filler sounds and on creating conversations with proper structural discourses. The exercise on writing may appear difficult for weaker students, who may only be able to answer a few questions. It is evident that more advanced students will definitely demonstrate the capacity to display more language when writing down the answers, while less-endowed students can respond to the items in shorter formats and still be able to attain a sense of achievement. While writing in shorter formats may indicate a shortcoming, it is worth mentioning that repeat exercises in reading, speaking, and writing are essential in the development of a wide range of vocabulary as well as internalisation of common English idioms (Harmer 2004). Furthermore, although the write-down extract appears quite complex for foreign students, it nevertheless provides them with the opportunity to expand their creative and critical thinking skills. Listening The extract on listening to Carrie and Don’s conversation is provided in simple language which ensures that learners are able to speculate about the topic of conversation (choosing a course). However, the listening activity does not have a warming up section which is credited for improving understanding by giving students an introduction to the topic (Sharma 2011). For example, a good warm up activity within the context of the conversation would be to ask students if they consider themselves to be having difficulties in choosing courses. Students should then be requested to explain the reasons for their answers.  Students are requested to listen again, which underscores the importance of repetiti on in improving listening skills and enhancing comprehension of language and grammar (Wilson 2008). However, such repetition may not necessarily serve the interests of non-native speakers or listeners as they may not understand, interpret, and evaluate what they hear. The question on describing the reasons behind Carrie and Don’s decision to take the course together demonstrates that listening can be used to foster understanding, increase cooperation, and identify the main idea or concept (Sharma 2011). The intonation patterns (pitch level, pitch range, speech rate) demonstrate a conversation that is full of emotions and attitudes regarding the best course to take in the college. Such intonations enhance the understanding of the listening activity and facilitate learners to predict the conversation discourse (Sharma 2011). Although the listening activity does not demonstrate rhythm and assimilation in terms of features of connected speech, it nevertheless demonstrates authent icity in the teaching and learning of English language. The arrangement of words, sound, and grammar in the conversation creates meaning in terms of listening for specific information, recognising cognates, and identifying word-order patterns (Wilson 2008). However, responding to the listening activity with short answers may serve to indicate a lack of understanding of the main idea behind the conversation. Teachers should therefore stress a top-down approach to listening to ensure that students use the background knowledge to understand the meaning of the conversation. Pronunciation The extract on pronunciation focuses on the use of certain contractions (e.g., wouldn’t, doesn’t, cant, isn’t) and how learners can practice saying sentences with those words while leaving out the â€Å"t† sound. The â€Å"t† can be silent if it is at the beginning/end of the word or if it is between two consonant/vowel sounds. The activity not only enhances smartness and smoothness in spoken English, but also demonstrates how pronunciation can be taught through imitation and repetition (Howlader 2011). Although the activity demonstrates the importance of phonology in speaking, it nevertheless fails to demonstrate how students can practice vowel and stress shifts for better pronunciation and understanding of meaning (Littlewood 1984). The intonation patterns of the sentences provided in the extract are also not clear, though more guidance has been offered to students through the use of different colour schemes. Intonation patterns are needed in such an activity as they assist learners to pay attention to the overall communicative objective of the pronounced sentences rather than accuracy at the phoneme level. It would have been beneficial if the activity indicates how the voice rises and falls when dealing with mentioned contractions. It can be argued that the sentences are designed to reinforce mechanical production of speech. However, the activ ity is silent on how it is supposed to achieve acceptability and intelligibility in pronunciation learning, teaching, as well as understanding (Howlader 2011). Affixation and tactile reinforcement are all important, though the activity is quiet on how these are to be achieved. While it is suggested that students should practice saying the sentences (recitation), there is need for tactile reinforcement and kinaesthetic enforcement to ensure learners are able to pronounce the contractions correctly (Littlewood 1984). Consequently, the need for personalisation and memorisation of the activity cannot be underestimated. The requirement to develop visual and auditory reinforcement to assist in the proper pronunciation of the contractions is also predominant. It is important for students to learn the pronunciation in small groups as this would enhance cooperation and minimise problems. Such a set up would also reduce student anxiety, facilitate feedback, and encourage a sense of collective responsibility. However, social and cultural considerations need to be addressed when using group dynamics as they may impede successful learning and teaching. Conclusion This paper has been successful in evaluating several English extracts in order to discuss and analyse their positive and negative points. The central components that have been evaluated include vocabulary, reading, speaking and writing, listening, and pronunciation. Overall, the extracts have been found to posses many benefits when it comes to the teaching and learning of English. Teachers need to make use of these benefits to ensure that non-native learners are able to develop an adequate understanding of the English language. 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