Thursday, September 7, 2017

Can we skip or lessen the need to equip our youths's critical minds?

Can we skip or lessen the need to equip our youths' critical minds?


Many policy makers and some elders are shocked to witness the strange and transgression behavior of our teens. Today, our youths have been exposed to media from near and far. It is harder to make sure that traditional values and customs are maintained through the key institutes.

Many adolescents simply shun them down. Some have lost their bearings.

Critical thinking skills can be developed. 



Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Why the 21st-century war on the Korean Peninsula is imminent

Why the 21st-century war on the Korean Peninsula is imminent

The latest launch of a long-range missile by North Korea has caused stocks around the world to fall. Concerns and worries abound. More talks of way have been heard around the world. The best China could do and has been doing is calling for calm and restraints from all sides. But the fire has been ignited.

             Photo credit: http://news.sky.com/story/north-korea-test-fires-ballistic-missile-10855244


The fact that Japan has been unusually quiet concerning the NK missiles over their country is the first sign. Anyone familiar with the Japanese notion of silence can sense the immense tension. The treatment of Japan by NK is a shock to many. Taking Japan for granted by viewing it as a ‘harmless’ Samurai, a warrior without a sword,  a nation to be violated and humiliated at will is a serious mistake. Japanese authorities have asked its people to take cover.

Professor Jong-Wha Lee, Korea University and Warwick McKibbin from The Australian National University (AnU) have come up a post-war scenario where South Korea has to carry the burden of having to look after the NK’s economy. In the article, they write:

“South Korea should prepare for a unification process, which could happen unexpectedly. No one expected the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification. And the costs of not being prepared could be high.”

George Friedman has warned earlier (May 23, 2017) that “ evidence is mounting that the enmity between the two (US versus NK) is escalating to a point where war is inevitable.”

What should be done to prevent the clash? No one seems to have answers. It seems that everybody is ready for war. The situation may sound gloomy and it is. I wish I was wrong in this analysis. Perhaps, the best we can do is what the Japanese authorities have told its people: “Take cover”


Sources:

1. "GEORGE FRIEDMAN: A US attack on North Korea is imminent" From
http://www.businessinsider.com/us-attack-on-north-korea-is-imminent-george-friedman-says-2017-5


3. “Global stocks falling after North Korean missile launch”

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/08/29/global-stocks-falling-after-north-korean-missile-launch.html

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

How to Remember New Words and Expressions

How to Remember New Words and Expressions

Janpha Thadphoothon



The best advice: do it many times in many modes.

We can learn languages better if we understand how memories work. It's like learning how to play soccer. Practice makes perfect.

Scientists will tell you that the hippocampus and other parts of your brain work together to connect the wires, to build that memory or to rebuild that memory

Hence, to remember something your brain goes through the following process of what is known as encoding. First your brain consciously registers the memory (e.g. putative failure).  This is called encoding.

We need to repeat our use or expose ourselves to the variety of ways the target expression is used in context. 

- "Perhaps one of the principal goals of education is to alter learners’ beliefs about themselves by showing them that their putative failures or shortcomings can be ascribed to a lack of effective strategies rather than to a lack of potential. "


Hence, the best way to improve your memory is to keep remembering the same thing, over and over, and vary its context of use, in as many modes and media as possible.

If you can do this, you will be successful in your language learning.



Saturday, July 29, 2017

Why memories matter

Why Memories matter (especially the good ones)

Janpha Thadphoothon

We all have memories, good or bad. As we live we gather them. Some memories stay with us for a long time. We want to cherish them and embed them as part of our lives. Sweet memories define us. Bad meories, sometimes, help us to move forward in life.


I am fond of my memories, good or bad. They are like my second self. I think we all should nourish them with great care and tenderness. After all, these memories or the stories (our stories) are what shall remain in us. Memeories make life worth living.

This may explain why people love posting and sharing their memories. On Facebook or Instagram or other social media. We want our memories to stay with us and we want them to be forever.


The saddest thing in life is the loss or absence of memories. Even though there are times and occassions when we wish some memories (nightmares) disappeared or vanished, memories know their roles and places, they have their own existence.

We should allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by memories worth keeping and let the wind and rain wash the bad ones away. Keep only those worth keeping and with the hands of kindness..let the wind of time blow the bad ones away.



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