Premium Essay

English 150

In:

Submitted By darga2015
Words 277
Pages 2
Alex Darga
English 150
9/8/15

When the phrase critical thinking has appeared throughout my high school and college career several things come to my mind. One of the things I think of the most when the phrase appears is sitting in a silent room and being forced to brainstorm. While in high school there were several times where we had critical thinking time, where we had to sit and think of in depth context for a future paper. This was usually at the beginning of a new paper as the teacher wanted us to get all of our ideas onto paper whether it be in note or paragraph form. This helped us start on our paper instead of being thrown into something blindfolded.
While teachers would make us use our critical thinking skills I always thought of it as more then just a demand. I believed critical thinking also means to think outside the box. Writing is more than just looking something up in a book or on the internet and putting it into content, I believe its using your own words and own mindset on things. This helps broaden our thoughts to what we put on paper and helps us become a better writer. While critical thinking may be tougher for some, everyone has the ability to think deeper into different topics.
Furthermore if it weren’t for critical thinking the world would be a boring place to live in. It would be like no matter whom you would talk to they would all speak the same and would have the same thoughts. So in other words critical thinking means change, different and unique.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mind Your Language Essay

...Empire ruled, the English language spread all across the world forcing a lot of people to take upon English if they wanted better in life. Because of English being one of the most dominant languages in the world, a lot of native languages were lost a long the way - one of those languages being Welsh. Why and how this happened to particular Welsh is what Tom Law discusses in his article Cachau Bant: Mind Your Language from 2013. In this article Tom Law accuses the British Empire for being the cause of the people living in Wales and speaking Welsh dropping drastically during the last couple of 100 years. The cause of this being that England took over the Welsh school system and made teaching English a first priority and Welsh was being taught like German or French is taught in schools nowadays. "[Welsh] was treated the same as any other foreign language – like French or German. It gave you tourist Welsh – enough to ask directions to the nearest zoo in Colwyn Bay – and not much else.” Frustrated with how people today react when hearing about the Welsh losing their native language, Law makes up a fictional scenario where everybody speaks German instead of English. The people who still speak English are considered as being dumb or poor, and with no job prospects if you cannot speak German. Law does admit that this is a rather drastic example, “Now this all sounds absolutely nuts (…) But this is what has happened to Wales and the Welsh language over the past 150 years. It was done...

Words: 971 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

JdshfıJfslj

...Doctors have been left baffled after a Chinese pensioner woke from a two-week coma speaking perfect English - but not a word of her native language. Liu Jieyu, 94, had been unconscious for a fortnight after suffering a stroke, which doctors had feared she may not recover from. When she finally awoke, the retired teacher asked in perfect English: 'Where am I? What is happening?' Surprised doctors were left even more confused when it became clear Ms Jieyu - who used to teach English - had lost all ability to speak her native Chinese. An English-speaking doctor was brought in to talk to the pensioner, who confirmed she was speaking the language perfectly - although a little slowly. Her shocked family say while Ms Jieyu had taught English previously, she had not spoken the language in more than 30 years. They say said she had stopped using English after retiring to live with her family on the outskirts of the city of Changsha, in southern China's Hunan province. RELATED ARTICLES Medic Tao Hou, 45, said: 'I can't ever remember having a case like this before but we anticipate with proper rehabilitation and rest she should regain the ability to speak Chinese. 'We assume that the area dealing with her ability to speak Chinese has been damaged, but brain cells to have an ability to repair themselves to a certain extent we would hope to see at least some improvement.' Ms Jieyu was admitted to hospital after suffering a type of stroke called a cerebral infarction, where the blood...

Words: 726 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Cachau Bant: Mind Your Language

...the countries culture, without the language the culture will not remain the same. In addition to that Law manages to discus the reasons behind the eradication of the Welsh language. This essay aims to analyse the reasons behind the use of history in the article through an understanding of the way in which Law draws in his audience through the tone and style used in the article. The topic that Tom Law covers in this article is of most interest to Welsh people, who still haven’t given in to the storm of the English implementation in Wales. He explains how English has become such a dominant language, to be exact the third most common language in the world, and how English speakers do not have to worry about losing their language “It’s hard to give a toss about language when you’re an English speaker. Because losing your language is not something you’ll ever have to worry about; thanks to the British Empire.” Compared to welsh that has slowly been drifting away for 150 years. When considering the fact that the reason behind the eradication of Welsh from the education system in Wales, was for all the wrong reasons, and the medias wrong portrayal of the situation that was going on at that time as Law describe it as “These were Welsh people joining together to fight against corruption, inequality and injustice. But they were portrayed in the London media as being a kind of sub-human rabble; wild and barbaric people who babbled and plotted in their...

Words: 1006 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Doc, Docx, Pdf, Wps, Rtf, Odt

...Canterbury Tales. Anything not completed in class should be finished for HW. Use the links to answer the questions listed below and please PARAPHRASE your answers. Submit electronically to my inbox. 1. Geoffrey Chaucer 1. What kind of writer was he? He’s an English poet. 2. What were the years of his birth and death? 1340-1400 3. Where was he from? London, England 4. What was his “masterpiece”? Canterbury Tales http://www.bartleby.com/65/ch/Chaucer.html 2. What is a pilgrimage? A journey to a holy place. 3. Define prologue. The preface or introduction to a literary work. http://www.webster.com (or other dictionary site) 4. Where is Canterbury? In Kent, England. What famous event happened there? The murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. What are the goals of the many people who travel there on pilgrimages? To pray, repent, or to be saved. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Canterbury,-England http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/history/history.aspx 5. When were The Canterbury Tales written? In what language were they written? The Canterbury Tales was written in the time frame of 1387 to 1400. The Canterbury tales was written in Middle English. * What are they about? Be thorough in your answer. A contest was drawn on everyone to see who could come up with the better story while they are on their way to Canterbury and from Canterbury. * What is a frame tale? A story within a story * What...

Words: 402 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Hispanic and Latino Are Umbrella Terms

...Post a 150- to 300-word response to the following Question: The terms Hispanic and Latino are umbrella terms for people from many different Spanish-speaking cultures in the Western Hemisphere. Although the grouping includes a wide range of cultures there is evidence of the formation of a panethnic identity. What do you predict the effect of Hispanic and Latino panethnicity to be in the future? I feel the future is already here based on the definition of panethnicity. The meaning is where ethnic groups come together and become one, with similar religions, speech, and various other features that bond people from different backgrounds into one common group. The Hispanics and Latinos are learning more on becoming Americans, the vocabulary, the way we live, right down to the food we eat. Their children are going to school to learn the English language; the adults are mating with American men and women. This in itself will start producing a new generation and ethnic group. I have female relatives that have married Hispanic men and their children are bilingual. They carry traits from both parents; dark skin and they are just a little shorter than the rest of my relatives. So what I have seen through my family experiences and also talking to Hispanics where I work, (and they have very good English), I see America turning into a different nation. A nation where everyone shares the same traits, America was taken away from the Indians and now it is time for a new society of humans...

Words: 289 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Error Analysis of English

...Topic Error analysis on written English of two public and two private universities students Abstract This study seeks to identify and analyze errors by means of error analysis procedures. The objective of this study was investigating the written English errors of University students in males and females universities in Dhaka. It was conducted on purpose of identifying The written errors of English committed by the university students, estimating the predominant errors And the least ones and explaining the causes of the written errors of English committed by the University students .The sample of study consisted of 4 student selected from public and private university in Dhaka. Introduction Learning a Second Language (L2) is a lifelong process and it is often a challenging experience for L2 learners. Presently, English is an international language and is used as the language in international relations, and in exchanging knowledge and technology. It is not easy for anybody to deny that English is one of the most important languages in the world. It is seen by large number of people as the language of art, science, politics and economics. So when one wants to cope with what happens in the world he must learn English language. Languages are of four Skills. English language is not an exception. It consists of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. One of the most important components in English language is writing skills. The ability to write...

Words: 2515 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Essay 3

...Ashraf Shaikh English 711 Essay Assignment #3 Elizabeth Spencer 22nd April 2015 Bilingual Education or Not? The debate on whether United States should adopt the bilingual academic program whereby children speaking other languages are taught in two languages, in English and in a second, native language (Hayakawa, 1991). There have been studies and researches indicating the benefits of the bilingual academic program, particularly to the students – such as high academic scores, mental flexibility, improved personal identity etc. At the same time, there is evidence showing a number of downsides to the programs – such as double expense to the government, politicized aspects etc. The aim of this paper is to examine different aspects of the argument on the subject of bilingual programs in schools, and whether United States should make English as its official language. It also demonstrates the argumentative ability regarding the controversial issue of bilingual academic program in the United States. Honestly, I feel that the need to make English the official language of the country is preposterous. Only, because it practically is the main language of the country just unofficially. From a general point of view, the definition of bilingualism is whereby a person possesses the ability of easily and naturally speaking in two languages, without experiencing any problem whatsoever. However, from the context of United States of America, bilingualism has a controversial definition (Fallows...

Words: 1495 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Junot Diaz Drown Research Paper

...English 150 18 December 2014 Unconsciously, we all speak different languages; we categorize the way we speak by the environment and people at which we are speaking too. Whenever a character enters an unfamiliar environment, they experiment with language to find themselves and understand reality. For immigrants, language is a means to retain one’s identity; however, as they become more assimilated in their new communities their language no longer reflects that of their identity but of their new cultural surroundings. When an immigrant, immigrates to a new country they become marginalized, they’re alienated from common cultural practices, social ritual, and scripted behavior. It’s not without intercultural communication and negotiation do immigrants conform to new surroundings. In “Drown,” the title story of his narrative collection, Junot Diaz enumerates the story of a Hispanic youth growing up in New Jersey. Though Diaz explores issues of queerness, shamelessness, and familial relations within this selection, it is his use of language that proves most intriguing. Rather than simply describing the struggles of adapting to a new language or customs, Diaz portrays how, at an early age, he manipulated language as a tool to makes sense of his new hybrid identity. The use of language in Junot Diaz’s Drown is spare and unadorned, often rendered in "Spanglish," an unpredictable mixture of both English and Spanish. Diaz uses Spanish words in the midst of standard English sentences...

Words: 1680 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Final Paper

...socioeconomic status, disability. Students participating in antibias curriculum become comfortable with diversity and learn to stand up for themselves as a teacher in the future students are learning about difference and they need a teacher to help them to have a positive attitude about people. Students who have a guidance of caring teachers children learn to speak up for themselves and others. By having an accepting environment children find that they have the ability to change situations and have positive attitude in the future. Having anti- basis curriculum begin in early childhood and continue throughout the school year. For example children who start to learn both English and Mandarin Chinese so that by the completion of the school they have the basic proficiency in both languages. The class is taught by an English teacher and Chinese teacher with the help of teaching assistants. Teachers will speak native language they use for instruction. Standards: What should students know and able to do? First Grade Language Arts/ Reading Content: Select materials to read Read aloud familiar stories and poems Use strategies to comprehend Activate: Children can solve problems and think for themselves Children learn best through experience and activates that are interesting. Teaching and learning is child centered Children have the knowledge based on what they already know Acquire having mixed age groups and having a wide range of materials within each classroom to meet the individuals...

Words: 1604 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Sociology

...ANXIETY AND SPEAKING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AMONG MALE AND FEMALE BUSINESS STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITI INDUSTRI SELANGOR Ayu Rita Bt Mohamad and Nadhia Dalila Bt Ab Wahid Industrial University of Selangor Jln Timur Tambahan, 456000 Bestari Jaya E-mail: ayurita@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This study explores the nature and anxiety of speaking English as a second language among male and female Business Degree students in Industrial University of Selangor (Unisel), Berjuntai Bestari, Selangor. This study attempts to identify potential sources of anxiety relevant to the students’ affective needs or concerns in an institution of higher learning through the use of an in-depth qualitative questionnaire. As the pre-administered questionnaire findings indicate, the differences in the level of language anxiety exhibited by the participants seem to vary by gender. Using various studies by previous researchers of language anxiety as a theoretical guideline for data collection and analysis, this study also discusses some of the influences or impact of anxiety-provoking factors on second language learning, along with some implications for further research on language anxiety. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction Anxiety is a negative way to present human feelings. When we are anxious, we feel nervous, worried, and fearful. We struggle, tremble, perspire, and our hearts beat quickly. In general, anxiety can be defined as a complex concept dependent upon not only on one’s feelings of selfefficacy...

Words: 7711 - Pages: 31

Premium Essay

English Wprksheet

...all the questions: (10 Marks) IN SEARCH OF GOOD ENGLISH FOOD 1 How come it is so difficult to find English food in England? In Greece you eat Greek food, in France French food, in Italy Italian food, but in England, in any High Street in the land, it is easier to find Indian and Chinese restaurants than English ones. In London you can eat Thai, Portuguese, Turkish, Lebanese, Russian, Polish, Swiss, Swedish, Spanish, and Italian—but where are the English restaurants? 6 It is not only in restaurants that foreign dishes are replacing traditional British food. In every supermarket, sales of pasta, pizza and poppadoms are booming. Why has this happened? What is wrong with the cooks of Britain that they prefer cooking pasta to potatoes? Why do the British choose to eat lasagna instead of shepherd’s pie? Why do they now like cooking in wine and olive oil? But perhaps it is a good thing. After all, this is the end of the 20th century and we can get ingredients from all over the world in just a few hours. Anyway, wasn’t English food always disgusting and tasteless? Wasn’t it always boiled to death and swimming in fat? The answer to these questions is a resounding ‘No’, but to understand this, we have to go back to before World War II. 15 The British have in fact always imported food from abroad. From the time of the Roman invasion foreign trade was a major influence on British cooking. English kitchens, like the English language, absorbed ingredients from all over the...

Words: 1277 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Position of English as a Global Language: Political and Cultural Factors

...Position of English as a Global Language: Political and Cultural Factors English has achieved a global significance that no other language has ever been able to do so, in such a scale. A language earns its global status when it culturally and politically dominant across the continents. Also, it is notable that the most salient feature of a global language is not how many people use it, rather how strongly the people who speak this language is socially and politically established. In fact, perhaps the most significant force that makes a language global is political power of its speakers. The spread of English beyond Europe and the British Isles is accredited to four centuries of colonialism and British imperialism, which led to English being spoken by over three hundred million people. (Crystal 14) The first significant stride in the advancement of English towards its pre-eminence as a world language occurred during the early trade in the Atlantic. Crystal also articulates that by the year 1600, England had gained trading contacts across three continents, which retrospectively provided a powerful platform on which the English language was to flourish and become the globally dominant medium of communication that it is at present (39). Trading companies such as the Newfoundland fur trade, the ivory and gold trade on the western coast of Africa and the East India Company brought speakers of English into economic contact throughout the world. English and the English-based pidgins...

Words: 2140 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Mba 2013-14

...and that your classmates will be better for having met you. Tell us about your passion for sport, painting or drama. Tell us about the research you've done and the discoveries you've made. Tell us about the play you directed or the reforms you drove through. Tell us about the things you will do once you arrive here and the ways we can help you make them happen. The application is designed to let you showcase yourself to us. We do not mind if your greatest achievements were outside the world of business, or if your career has been unconventional. We are more interested in the content of your character than the numbers on your pay cheque. Application process You must apply using our online application form. The application fee amounts to £150 and is not refundable. Applications for the 2013/14 class will be considered in accordance with the dates given in the table below. You will benefit from submitting your application in the earlier stages. The sooner you apply the sooner you can start planning your move to Oxford and securing your visa (if required). If you are interested in a particular college, or want to live in college accommodation, you are more likely to be successful if you submit your application in the earlier stages. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship you must submit your application by stage 2. Application dates for 2013/14 Application deadline Interview decision on Decision by Stage 1 12 Oct 2012 9 Nov 2012 7 Dec 2012 Stage 2 11 Jan 2013 1...

Words: 1768 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

English as an Official Language of the United States

...English as an Official Language of the United States Sheila Maloney ENG 122 English Compositions II Leonid Chernyak April 27, 2012 English as an Official Language of the United States The United States of America is almost 236 years old yet we do not have an official language. Should we designate an official language for our nation? The US is traditionally thought of as an English speaking country and our official language should reflect that tradition. When we think of Japan, we do not think the citizens will be speaking Russian. When we think about Germany, it is normal to think the German people will speak German. This issue has created a split in the public opinion; however, this researcher believes that the country will benefit by designating an official language. There are many views on this topic by both US citizens and illegal immigrants. The implications of making a decision to designate a language are far reaching for individual states and the nation as a whole. This research paper will cover the financial aspects of declaring an official language, the choice of what language should be the official language of the US, and the history of designating a language for the United States. This researcher discovered that because we do not have an officially designated language, there are many problems for this country. This country is made up of many people from many cultures that immigrate to it. These cultures speak many different languages, but per the...

Words: 2421 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Essays

...1|Page RESEARCH AND WRITING MANUAL FOR ACADEMIC FREELANCE WRITERS Prepared by Levian Indasy Mahmady & Baba Elinyo as a partial fulfilment of our utilitarian aid of training freelance writers ©Developed by Levian Indasy Mahmady & Baba Elinyo, August 2014 2|Page PART 1 CONTENT Content entails the requirements in the rubric or order instructions. This is the most important order element that one must keep in mind to excel in this online “oil industry. First, a writer should be able to digest the order instructions for some minutes. Second, the writer should develop an intrinsic critical thinking whenever he or she comes across order instructions. Failure to critically approach the instructions can make a newbie spend the whole day in agony. It usually results in late submission of orders and heavy penalties to the writer. Therefore, CONTENT is very important if you want to rise through the ranks and get to the top as fast as possible. Illustration Question: ‘write a 10 page paper on the United States The above instructions can run a spasm of fear across the spine of a newbie for lack of comprehensive content. Therefore, to make it easier, one needs to develop the table of contents (outline) on the same. PLEASE DON’T BE SUBJECTIVE IN REASONING. BE OBJECTIVE AND AVOID MASS FALLACY. Most newbies will be like, “the united states is a very good country with a lot of opportunities. The country is big and has everything that an individual needs to survive. The current...

Words: 2386 - Pages: 10