China and Japan research :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In China and Japan, there are numerous similarities and differences in their religions. People have their choices of following a certain religion. China is a country with great diversity as well as Japan. Religion is a big deal to many Asians. Chinas religions major religions and beliefs are Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Dongba and Protestant. China has about 5.5 million Protestants and 3.5 million Catholics. Confucianism is one of the major philosophies that concerns human society, social relations, and individual conduct. It is more of a social and ethical philosophy than a religion. Confucianism was adopted as a state religion which was to reorder society. The concept of family is central to Confucianism, generating a high standard for family interaction through mutual respect, love and consideration for the needs of others. Buddhism originated in India. This is another one of the major world religions. People sit and meditate for many hours then enlightenment comes to the man and becomes the Buddha. The main concept is liberation of the soul to achieve enlightenment. Life is made of suffering because people are tortured by desire. People overcome desire and enter nirvana, a state of complete freedom. Taoism is truly a Chinese religion which is more individual and mystic and greatly influenced by nature. This is the driving force and all order behind life. It is the power of nature and way of the universe. Taoism is the way to follow to organize life in harmony with nature and the universe. It inspired a love of nature and an intense affirmation for life- physical health, vitality, longevity, and even immorality. Taoism covers a wide variety of gods, magic ceremonies, powers and sorcery. All the religions are practiced today along with Chinas communist ideology. Confucius had government aspirations. He took to streets offering solicited advice about how to structure government and administration bodies. The religion became accepted as a state ideology and orthodoxy. The emperor considered the embodiment of Confucian wisdom and virtue. A strong hierarchy became the canon of political rule. Buddhism spilt into several major schools. Many of Japans religions are the same as Chinas such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Many of the beliefs are the same. Religions do not play a big role in the everyday lives of most Japanese people nowadays. The average Japanese just follows the religious rituals at a few ceremonies such as births. Japan's two most important religions are. The two religions co-existed for several centuries and even complemented each other to a certain degree. The feeling of duty to belong to just a single religion as it is widespread among followers of the three large occidental

Its Nature, Strengths and Weaknesses

Balanced of Literacy is philosophical literacy approach which children would learn how to read and write effectively. Teachers use different effective teaching technique and eternally guide students in accumulating new knowledge. The system uses the principles of Motivation, Engagement, Guidance and Individualism or Self-actualization. Also it uses the phonics rule to help students to read accurately. On the other hand, the program has also weaknesses. Educators certainly believe that balanced education can be achieved not only in using the Phonics method but also the learning principle called Whole Language.Education will be its best form when the two rules mixes and will be applied accordingly to enhance children’s ability to read and write. Balanced Literacy: Its Nature, Strengths and Weaknesses Balanced Literacy is the principle of learning on how to achieve and develop proper reading and writing through determined support and proper technique from the teacher. The princip le uses premiere techniques to motivate and inculcate values to the students. Basically, it is a program that cultivates student’s skills in different fields bearing in mind different approaches for the students.Also, the teachers use approaches that consider the degree or level of complexity subject matter appropriate for the students. To sum up, the technique also makes it a point to respect and to be acquainted with the student’s culture, religion and especially academic diversity. (Frey, et al, 2005, p. 272) Nature and Importance The philosophical orientation of balanced literacy uses different strategies proven to help student’s particular abilities. The importance of balanced literacy in education is inevitable considering its applications in educating children. In this practice, the ability of the teacher to teach is necessary.The teacher’s basic teaching skills must be polished in order to gain responsive actions from the students. The common conc erns and practices include the following: Motivation, Engagement, Guidance and Individualism. (Frey, et al, 2005, p. 272) Motivation, Engagement and Guidance comes simultaneously. Motivation is the principle of attracting or stimulating participant’s interest in the writing and reading. The teacher encourages students to do well and pay attention in everything they do. This method is one way of uplifting egos of participants so that proper education may take place.Also, in this strategy, student will be able to realize the significance of learning and the role of education in molding their lives. Engagement is the process in which students will be active in joining different activities set by teacher. They are listening attentively and give responses in the best way they can do. Also, they are teacher oriented where they seem to value teachers’ instructions to a great extent. The nature of engagement uses different approaches. This method is the most critical stage whe re the most learning takes place. In this system, teachers use different excellent teaching techniques.The method includes Teachers Reading, Shared Reading, Teachers Writing and Shared Writing. Teachers Reading is the process in which the teacher reads a story in a loud voice incorporated by emotions depicted in the story. This will cultivate student’s vocabulary and will activate student’s ability in predicting how the story goes and assessing the sense of the story. On the other hand, Shared Reading is the method in which students and teacher reads together. Shared reading will surely enhance students’ reading strategies. (Strickland 2001) Also, they would develop correct pronunciation as well as fluency and phrasing.To sum up, this practice will surely inculcate the value of politeness and respect as students will be able to listen to teacher as they read. The concept of â€Å"Teacher writing and Shared Writing† is the process in which teacher gives th e model writing and students try to do it in with the guidance of the teacher. The purpose of this method is primarily is to develop student’s concept of hand writing applying writing strategies. This method is a catalyst in helping students in familiarizing the alphabet and will further support their reading and communicating development.(Heydon et. al, 2004, pg 44) On the other hand, the balanced literacy program also uses the Phonics method where teacher uses the principle of spelling and the students are taught of sound relationships. Students are given with passage containing various words that applies the Phonics rule. Consistently, with this method, children will be able to comprehend more the text and appreciating or knowing the words precisely. (Wren, 2000) After the students are monitored by the teachers, children will read and write on their own. This method is called Individualism or Self-actualization.This method is also called the progression stage where the chi ld will act out the things that he learned. Problems with Balanced of Literacy Educators from different parts of the world are debating on what is the most accepted literacy program that would certainly and consistently teach children in the most effective way. Considering the great and wide applications of Balanced Literacy, it is one of the most distinguished and most eminent literacy programs. However, it has also certain flaws. Educators across the globe are questioning the use of the method of Phonics in the method.They are claiming that the in order to be called a â€Å"Balanced Literacy†, the Phonics method should be used in accordance with the Whole Language. Whole Language is a literacy principle in which teachers tend to teach children on focusing on the meaning of the text, undermining its authority and its essence. Also, students are paying attention to moderate skill instruction. (Chitrapu, 1996, p 28) Finally, educators believe that education will be in its best when the combination of the two principles will be used to teach children to read accurately and precisely. Narrowing downThroughout the years, balanced of Literacy continue to help children to expand their horizon in the field of education. It is unquestionably one of the best literacy programs as it continues to nourish and feed the mind of young generation in an exceptional way. References Chitrapu, Devil. English Teaching Forum. Whole Language: Adapting the Approach for Large Classes. Volume 34, No 2, April – June 1996. Page 28 Frey, Bruce B. , Lee, Steve W. , Tollefson, Nona. , Pass, Lisa, Massengill, Donita. Balanced Literacy in an Urban School District. Journal of Educational Research. p272Heydon, Rachel, Hibbert, Kathryn, Iannacci, Luigi. Strategies to Support Balanced Literacy Approaches in Pre- and Inservice Teacher Education. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. December 2004. p44. Strickland, Dorothy (2001). Balanced Literacy: Teaching the Skills and Thrills i n Reading Retrieved August 09, 2008 from, http://teacher. scholastic. com/professional/teachstrat/balanced. htm Wren, Sebastian (2000). What Does a Balanced Literacy Approach Mean? Soutwest Eduactional Development Laboratory Magazine. Retrieved August 10, 2008 from,http://www. sedl. org/reading/topics/balanced. html

a va" Informal French How Are You

Now that we have studied  the formal ways of saying how are you in French, lets look at the informal ways. Granted,  Ãƒ §a va is not the most formal French. But its so practical that its been used a lot in French lately, and has really made its way in almost all situations: among friends and family, of course, but also at the office or with acquaintances. Its only in the most formal of situations that it may not be appropriate. For example, you wouldnt say to the Queen of England Bonjour Votre Majestà ©, à §a va ? Ça Va: How Are You / How Is It Going? Ça va (pronounced sava, since the cedilla makes the C sound like an S) is truly the magical French language word language. Why? Because it never changes. It is used to both ask and answer common questions about well-being. Use Ça Va to Ask an Individual How Are You? Ça va Camille ? (How are you, Camille?)Oui, à §a va bien, merci. Et toi ? (Yes, Im fine, thanks. And you?) Whether you are using tu or vous doesnt matter: Ça va madame Chevalier ? (How are you, Madame Chevalier?)Oui, à §a va bien, merci. Et vous ?  (Yes, Im fine, thank you. And you ?) Use Ça Va to Ask Several People How Are You? Ça va bien vous deux ? (How are you both?)Ça va, à §a va, merci. Et toi ? (Fine, fine, and you?) Use Ça Va to Ask About Others Et vos enfants, à §a va ? (And your kids, are they OK?)Oui, à §a va bien, merci. (Yes, they are well, thanks.) You dont even need to use à §a va  to talk about people. Votre travail, à §a va ? (How is work?)La santà © de votre mà ¨re, à §a va ? (How is your mothers health?)