Upstream: EFL_Writing

2004-12-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

To:Dean's Office
From:Sergey_m
Subject:making the total improvements relating to the students in the building at Academicheskaya,25
Date:28.12.2004

The question of making radical changes and improvements is raising from year to year. This process will always be underway if appropriate measures are not taken in order to achieve favourable conditions for study at the university.

Majority of students express their views concerning many essential problems. The most important for us is that we can not enjoy canteen for many years. Everybody understands it requires significant expences but we should also take into account that this is a very prestigious high educational establishment where a lot of students from China, Japan and other highly developed Asian countries are studying. I wonder what they are thinking about these shortcomings staying here for several hours 5 or 6 days a week.

Besides this faculty is widely visited by ambassadors, councils, other diplomatic agents of different rank from varios countries of the world. This should be in some sence the visit card of our republic. Noticed it, the foreigners and official bodies make the primary opinion which leaves much to be desired.

The other problem is that the price for making paper copy downstairs is pretty expensive while the same service not far from us at the colledge of communication costs 40 rubles lower for each paper. This is considerable difference. What is the reason? Are international relations students richer? May be this concerns to their parents in some part. But students are equal in their rights and obligations and the heads of the faculty should control the pricesequal with other establishments and make amendments.

Sure I should not be so negative to these facts but I'm just an adhearent of the students' reasonable views. Much depends on the rector Strazhev of course but reading newspapers I would not say that he is a brilliant professional. Finally I wish the future diplomats to study in the new modern building opposite the railway station some day.

Sincilly yours,
Sergey_M

Juvenile crime

2004-12-28T01:16:00.000-08:00

To: Crime court
From: Huraliuk Kiryl
Subject: Juvenile crime
Date: 27 December 2004

The purpose of this report is to show the problem of juvenile crime and to name the main reasons of juvenile crime.
The most horrible thing nowadays, as I found during the last year research, is that young people are more vulnerable to coming into conflict with the law. In some countries, for example, a survey conducted among offenders found that the main reason given for committing crimes was that crime was a “way of life”.
Juvenile crime rates are generally high where total crime rates are high and low where the total crime rates are low. Overall, the geographical patterns suggest that the more urbanized societies have higher registered crime rates, both juvenile and total, than do those countries where traditional rural styles and communities remain strong.
A greater number of young people in post-communities countries are seeking a feeling of connection and belonging by joining or setting up groups or even organized gangs. In association, youth have a high propensity for committing offences, usually acting together and often after excessive alcohol consumption.
Indirect evidence of the recruitment of young people by adults for criminal activity can be found in the number of registered crimes for which juveniles are charged with adults. In Russia, for instance, the number of these crimes tripled between 1990 and 1998, reaching 20,000 cases, in 1998, of adults who were charged for crimes involving children. Organized crime, including the illicit drug trade, has contributed significantly to this trend.
As we see, the problem of juvenile crime in post communities countries exist and we should pay attention to it, because the children of today are the grownups of tomorrow. Last year I found out above mentioned reasons of juvenile crime, next year, perhaps, some more would be found.

The city that never sleeps

2004-12-27T23:30:00.000-08:00

If you are travelling to New York for the first time, expect anything to happen, except boredom. The only emotion that the place does not arouse is indifference. New York has become a city that can be loved or hated but never ignored.

Culturally, New York has more than 150 museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, around 400 art galleries, and more than 240 theaters. Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera are world famous. By the way there is one painting at the museum of May Danzig, the national artist of Belarus who lives in the same porch with me. And I am really proud of it.

The entertainment possibilities in the city that never sleeps are immense: there is a choice of more than 60 clubs, offering everything from jazz to blues, and hundreds of places to dance each night of the week. Hungry? There are more than 17000 different places to eat. Inside this bustle there are quiet places too: Central park is worth visiting and enjoy all its magnificense in the center of the mad city.
New York's greatest drama was played out on September 11, 2001, when terrorists crashed two hijacked jets into the towering World Trade Center. The twin Towers collapsed and nearly 3000 lives were lost.

Added to this there is the social miser: the homeless are just as much a part of the city as its soaring skyscrapers and oversized limousines.
This is the city of myths. New Yorkers do have a reputation for being hurried, even rude, especially at metro. And it's true. Its residents are possesed of a restless energy.

To sum up, New Yorkers have persuaded themselves that living under constant pressure is stimulating. This is what gives them ther edge and makes Manhattan the center of the universe. It also helps to explain why few people choose to live out their declining years in the city.

(sergey_M )

2004-12-27T01:19:00.000-08:00

A young person of between 13 and 19 years old is called teenager. Being a teenager is not easy. It is natural for young people to want to become independent and look like grown-ups. Many people seem to be indifferent to their studies and social activities. And sometimes there are no people who can help them to find the right road. That is really dangerous because these young people begin looking for the easiest way to enjoy their life and to become adults. They may attack passer-by, fight in the streets, steel things. They become dangerous not only for other people but for themselves too.
National and local juvenile statistics show an increase in the number of troubled teenagers. The criminal justice system is overworked with hard cases and can not provide help for “at-risk” boys who, without direction or parental support, could likely become criminals themselves.
And this problem is very serious nowadays. I think the society must to help them through special centers for young people. Through love, hard work and discipline. And “at-risk” teenagers will build productive lives. But centers can not help everybody. So parents, teachers, friends mast do their best to prevent such tragedy.

Juvenile crime

2004-12-27T01:16:00.000-08:00

Dude, you've got to read this...

2004-12-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

CNN article on dude. Extract below:

"A linguist from the University of Pittsburgh has published a scholarly paper deconstructing and deciphering the word "dude," contending it is much more than a catchall for lazy, inarticulate surfers, skaters, slackers and teenagers.

An admitted dude-user during his college years, Scott Kiesling said the four-letter word has many uses: in greetings ("What's up, dude?"); as an exclamation ("Whoa, Dude!"); commiseration ("Dude, I'm so sorry."); to one-up someone ("That's so lame, dude."); as well as agreement, surprise and disgust ("Dude.").

Kiesling says... that the word derives its power from something he calls cool solidarity -- an effortless kinship that's not too intimate. Cool solidarity is especially important to young men who are under social pressure to be close with other young men.....In other words: Close, dude, but not that close. "It's like man or buddy, there is often this male-male addressed term that says, 'I'm your friend but not much more than your friend,"' said Kiesling, whose research focuses on language and masculinity...

Historically, dude originally meant "old rags" -- a "dudesman" was a scarecrow. In the late 1800s, a "dude" was akin to a "dandy," a meticulously dressed man, especially out West. It became "cool" in the 1930s and 1940s, according to Kiesling. Dude began its rise in the teenage lexicon with the 1981 movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

"Dude" also shows no signs of disappearing as more and more of our culture becomes youth-centered, said Mary Bucholtz, an associate professor of linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara...."

Farenheit 9 / 11

2004-12-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

Hi there.

I should say straight up that I have mixed feelings about Michael Moore. I think he’s a bit of a one-trick pony. His idée fixe – Bush is bad, get rid of Bush – I happen to agree with, but his methodology is sometimes less than sound. If you’ve read Stupid White Men, you’ve read Dude Where’s My Country, and, essentially, you’ve seen Fahrenheit 9/11, because Moore basically treads the same path over and over, bringing nothing new to the table.

Fahrenheit 9/11 begins with Al Gore’s Florida victory turning sour. There’s some depressing but confusing footage from the Supreme Court, when African Americans (members of congress, politicians?) protest the vote-rigging, but without the support of a senator, nothing can be done. Then on to Bush’s inauguration; scenes of Bush holidaying (endless games of golf and fishing), and then – the day of reckoning, and the events leading up to the Iraq War. Moore exposes the close ties between the Bush family, the Saudis, and the Bin Ladens, and the utter determination of the Bush Administration to wage war on Iraq.

The emotional centre of Fahrenheit 9/11 is the story of a military mother who, after losing her son in Iraq, travels to Washington to confront her demons. Outside the White House, she is confronted by a passer-by who angrily informs her that the anti-war protests are staged. Replying ‘my son is dead, and that’s not staged’ her legs buckle, and she breaks down. Her tragedy is real, and yet… well, call me hard-hearted, but if you join the army, at some point you should know that you may be asked to kill and die for your country. That’s what being a professional soldier is.

Moore balances this by pointing out that its generally the poor and working class youth, deprived of all other opportunities by the decline of traditional manufacturing industries, who are the main targets of US army recruiters. He illustrates this beautifully by asking members of congress if they’d be willing to send their children off to fight for their country. None are. But targeting the poor and disadvantaged for military service is nothing new, nor it confined to the US – the rank and file of Wellington’s armies were men so poor that the King’s Shilling sounded like riches to them.

Mocking Bush is almost too easy. His malapropisms and good old boy manner give him the air of a simpleton, and yet he’s not. He might not be the sharpest tool in the box, but he’s still the most powerful man in the world, with friends in high places. Sometimes, in order to get his points across in an accessible fashion, Moore infantilises the material, as when he illustrates how the FBI should have questioned the Bin Laden family with clips from Dragnet.

If you’ve never read anything by Michael Moore, then his arguments – and his muck-raking – in the documentary will seem fresh, and there’s no doubt that the edited news footage and interviews make a powerful visual statement beyond anything that print is capable of. But as a documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 is pretty average. It lacks the emotional grip of a film like Spellbound or Touching the Void. It’s too long and risks becoming repetitious. For those of us already convinced that the Iraq war was wrong, well, that’s a given. We get it, Mike!

Still, in a world where the free press is anything but, and where calling George Bush an asshole can land you in jail, Fahrenheit 9/11 is a good thing. Moore’s heart is in the right place, and I’m glad he’s around making this kind of film and writing his books, because America needs him.

Anyway I'd reccomend you waithing this film as it's really worthy.

FIR Possible ways of making our life BETTER!!! :0)

2004-12-24T01:50:00.000-08:00

I'm a student of the Belarussian State University and a must say that uor life here is not a crecker :). Let me advise some actions to upgrade it...
Firs of all sure a student is eternally hungry person so it's hard to imagine how to live without some place to eat... But, as we know, our departmet (elite by the way :) still du not have even a simple conteen...And now try share our feelings staying in the university from 8.30 till 10.30 without eating anything!!! And some teachers are very surprised... What's the reason of such a passive behavior during the leccions or seminares...
But it's a physical facts... Let's check our programm of studing... Each session we have something about 4-6 exams... It's an amazing number, isn't it? For example students of Belarussian State Medical University usually hawe something about 1 or 2 exams... 3... For them it's a very hard session... And as a control shot we've got a state exem after 4-th cource... Congratulations!!!
Developing our education is an actual issue... It's a basic fact of social authority of the state... But it's very sad to feel yourself a sort of laboratory rabbit :(

Letters

2004-12-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

To: Mr. P. Faulds, Principal
From: Natalia Martinovich
Subject: Alcohol
Date: 19 November 2004

The aim of this proposal is to present our suggestions regarding the ways in which alcohol threatens to teenager’s life and how they can protect themselves against it.
Alcohol is a magic drug. It takes away problems. Teenage drinkers are no longer worried about their pimples or sexuality. Teenage drinking is very dangerous. What happens to the grown up in ten years will happen to the teenager in two. Whithin a short time he will have become a hopeless alcoholic.
It is known that a life of alcoholic is shortened on the average by ten or twelve years. Alcohol causes heart disease and finally brain damage. When the effect of a drink is over an alcoholic gets nervous and aggressive until he drinks again. By the time he realizes he has got a drinking problem he has already reached the point of no return. He begins losing friends and is soon unable to carry on with school or work.
In many schools of different countries programmers have been started to teach both pupils and teachers the facts about alcoholism. Many people are helped by Alcoholic Anonymous, an organization of former drinkers who now spend their time helping other alcoholics to control their drinking problem.
Apart from the specific facts mentioned above, I am convinced that teenage alcoholism will decreasing when our attitude towards drinking begins to change.

Dear Mr. Sharapo,
Our faculty is very large and has a great number of students, but our library which is situated in the building of the faculty is not so comfortable. It makes our educational process more difficult.
In my opinion, for the improvement of our library it is necessary to take some things that could bring positive changes. Particle: computerization and categorization of archives, instant access to the internet resources, systematic renovation of the judicial information. It is also important to increase the number of reading places, because today it is a problem to catch the moment when the library is not busy.
With the aim of solution of foregoing questions, it is necessary to concede during the allocation of the area in the new faculty building more space for the library. Library, which will be equipped with the latest achievements of the technique.
Yours sincerely
Vika Dubrovskaya

Dear Mr. Sharapo,
As it has been proved by the latest researches of the student crime rate, it remains quite high and continues to increase. One of the main reason of the increasing hostility among the students is their dissatisfaction with the quality of the catering at our faculty.
Lack of food makes students more angry, they can’t proceed with the educational process and what is more important – unpredictable and ready for crime.
We are deeply concerned about the situation with the students crime rate in the area nearby. We consider, that the only solution for this problem is the opening a canteen inside or nearby the building of our faculty. This will release criminal tension and stabilize the atmosphere at our faculty.
Yours sincerely
Vera Dzikevich

A proposal of Marina K

2004-12-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

To: Administration of Thermoelectric power station
From: Marina K.
Subject: Suggestions for improvement of temperature conditions in the lecture rooms of BSU
Date: 23.12.2004

1. Introduction.
The information below reflects the proposal to improve the temperature conditions in the lecture rooms of BSU, that to my mind, will influence on the degree of education at the BSU.

2. Law temperature
The problem of freezing of either students or teachers is a very serious one. It leads to the fact that students understand the given information much worse; they cannot concentrate during the lesson. All the time they have to think of how to get warm. I must admit that a great amount of either students or teachers comprehend this complex issue that is why it will be helpful to find solution to this stressful situation.

3.Spreading of illnesses
Such uncomfortable atmosphere is a source of virus . It provokes the aggravation of chronic ailments. As a result- change for the worse of organism. It will be reflected on the future carrier of students.

4. Electric energy
Another reason that I consider to be worthy to pay attention is a greater expenditure of electric energy because people have to use a heater. Besides, the payments are much higher.

5. Conclusion
Apart from the specific mentioned above, I personally want to recommend to organize special working groups for making windows warmer.

A proposal of Svetlana S.

2004-12-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

To: Mr.Sharapo, Dean
From: Svetlana S. Fourth year
Subject: Suggestions to make uniform in BSU
Date: 23 December 2004

1. Introduction.
The aim of this proposal is to present my suggestions to initiate the use of uniform in BSU. These suggestions ere of interest not only to all of students, but also to the image of university. But off course they present difficulties to authorities of our university. In my proposal I will try to convince the necessity of this innovation.
2. Uniform is a custom.
We all know that allover the world uniform has been used for many years, even centuries. Nowadays in these countries it is well excepted pracsis and custom. If an educational establishment has no uniform it does not enjoys respect, reverence and popularity. Famous universities and colleges has its one uniform and very proud of this. Why than BSU – the best university in Belarus still does not have it?
3. Prestige of university.
To my mind, uniform influence on prestige of university because, first of all, it is quite expensive to provide every student with uniform. It makes people believe that this is elite university. Secondly, it makes students more self disciplined, so parents can trust this establishment. At last, uniform change the general ethical view of students and promote to cultural growth of young generation.
4. To equalize students.
It is very important for young people to look fashionable and not out of date. At the very beginning students try to show that they are the best. They make friendship in accordance with how the others look like. But not every student can afford nice close. We can not allow the situation when close will be excepted as an identified card of personality.
5. Conclusion.
I recommend that these suggestions will be taken into consideration in the future because the statements I have made have reasonable ground.

A proposal of Alexandra V

2004-12-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

To: Mr. Strazhev, Rector
From: Alexandra V., Year Four
Subject: Proposal on establishment of 1-hour lunch break.
Date: 23 December 2004

The subject matter of this proposal is establishment of 1-hour lunch break from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m. for all students of the university.

Most of the students of the university spend six hours a day studying at the university. The necessity of the lunch break is obvious. Unfortunately students have only 10 minutes to move to another classroom and to buy something to eat. It produces several serious problems.

First of all, 10 minutes is not enough to buy food. Students can buy food only at a small food-court, situated on the first floor. There is always a long line of hungry students there. When food of bought students have to eat fast, which is bad for stomach. Besides, the food itself is not nutritious: it is mostly pastry, carbonated drinks and coffee. Large consumption of such food leads to health problems, caused by the lack of nutrition.

Pastry negatively influences the level of cholesterol in blood. Carbonated drinks, called by some nutritionists “liquid sugar”, cause dental problems. Consumption of coffee increases risks of gullet cancer. Besides, bad nutrition leads to osteoporosis.

All of the above mentioned facts prove that 1-hour lunch break is absolutely necessary. It will be useful for students and teachers to go out and have a proper lunch. Thus students will focus on studying, it will decrease tardies to class, increase a tendency (the negative factor of hunger will disappear) and amount of good grades. The university won’t have to build its own cafeteria. Students will achieve better results and thus improve the image of the university. But what is most important students, teachers and other staff of the university will have better health and positive attitude.

Your sincerely,
Alexandra V.

A proposal of Vika D

2004-12-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

To: Mr. Sharapa, Dean
From: Vika D, Year Four
Subject: Suggestion for making a canteen
Date: 23 December 2004

The aim of this proposal is to present my suggestions about making a canteen for the students.

I suggest building a canteen in our university, because it is an integral part of students life, where we can eat or drink a cup of tea and talk. A student spends much time in the university (sometimes all day) and is need of healthy food. Different buns, which a student can buy in our university, to my mind, are not healthy food. Besides many students don’t eat buns and so they have to starve, that tells on their health.

Besides, it is very hard to study on an empty stomach. Because a hungry student is thinking about food, he can’t concentrate on studies and as a result he doesn’t hear the half of the words that the lecturer if saying and so he has bad marks on exams. So for this purpose we really need a canteen.

If in the university is a canteen students will come to the classes in time and won’t stand in the ling queue for bans on the ground floor, blocking teacher’s way.

Apart from the benefits mentioned above I’m convinced that existence of a canteen in our university will provide health of its students and thereby raise their progress.

I’d be grateful if you could let me have your comments on this proposal.

Your sincerely,
Vika D.

A proposal of Marina Z

2004-12-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

To: Mr. Sharapa, Dean
From: Marina Z., Year Four
Subject: Suggestions for self-service using Xeroxes
Date: 23 December 2004

The information below is in support for having more than one Xerox in our university and also having self-service for using them.

It is well known that our library is not so reach in number of books. So that is why many students have to make copies in order to be good prepared for seminars and exams. So, having two or more Xeroxes and self-service for students of our university can solve problems of the high price of copies, long queues and being 15 or 20 minutes late for studies. One more problem is that the only Xerox we have has limited working hours that makes our students frustrated by the fact that at 8.30 a.m. they are not able to make copies of the necessary material. These problems can be solved in the following way:

First, it would be better if our university would have some more Xeroxes downstairs. It would make the everyday picture of long queues of students different. It can be made with the help of allocation of a big crowd of noisy students in small queues. So that will make the whole process of making copies faster and easier.

Second, it would be more convenient for students to have self-service. In that case they do not spend their time for explaining somebody what exactly they need to be copied.

Third, it would be profitable for both students and the university to have special cards for using Xeroxes, providing special discounts for fixed amount of copies. In that case the university doesn’t have to pay to special staff but have money from selling these cards.

Fourth, our students will feel free when they know that they can do copies any time they like.

According to many other students I spoke to, more Xeroxes and self-service would be a great success for everybody. And I have no doubt that this idea should go ahead to make students and professors more happy because the prices will be lower, the queues will be smaller and the students will not be late for studies.

Your sincerely,
Marina Z.

An article of Vika D.

2004-12-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Treat your job like relationship

Work and love are similar in so many ways: when they’re going well you feel fantastic, and when they’re going badly, you feel miserable. Yet there are basic principles to bring you happiness in both.

1. Learn to accept some flaws. You might have an hour commute, but do you thrive on the atmosphere and love your colleagues? If so, you have to learn to overlook the downsides. If you doubt, make a list of pros and cons – it should become clear if you’re getting things out of proportion, or if the job will never make you happy.

2. Be loyal. For employees to work well alongside each other, they should share the same “golden values” – which means uniformly working in the best interests of your company. If colleagues think you’re constantly looking out for a better deal, you’re bound to make the group feel negative.

3. Treat your job with respect. It’s important to value your job just as you would your partner. If you have no respect for your work and spend most of your day messing around, you’ve got to ask yourself “why?”. Just like a relationship, if you hate it that mach get out.

I think that if is very important to follow these rules. Because our success depends first of all on how much we like what we are doing and how we like circumstances we are working in. So if from very beginning we build good relationship with our colleges, it will effect on the result of our job and our moral satisfaction.

IgnatS - Report

2004-12-23T06:27:00.000-08:00

This report is to present the recent workings of the penal system in Britain. The reason for this is that Parliament has recently voted on capital punishment, police chiefs have voiced their concern at the growth of violent public disorder and there have been riots at several British jails.
The British Home Office has been criticized over the rising prison population and overcrowding. Forced to deal with a steady increase in convictions for violent crime, it has launched an extensive prison-building programme. Providing more jails, however, merely tackles the symptoms, for the size of the prison population is affected by two factors : the number of offenders and the sentencing policy of the courts. Thus the government has also had to consider ways to reduce the prison population through the use of non-custodial alternatives.
Remission and parole system
The most widely-used device for reducing the number of prisoners in jail is the remission and parole system. This enables prisoners who have behaved themselves to “earn” their release before their original sentence has been completed. Some theorists believe that the over-use of this system has encouraged the British courts to impose sentence of up to a third longer than they might have previously, in order to compensate for potential early release.
Suspended sentence
The courts also have the power to impose a suspended sentence. Thus, if a suspended sentence of, for example, two years is imposed, the offender will not have to go to prison; but if he or she is convicted of another crime within these two years, then the new sentence will have the original sentence added to it. There is some evidence that the suspended sentence is used too frequently, with the result that the number of prisoners actually increases. Some reports indicate that as many as half of those given suspended sentences would not have been given a jail sentence for their first offence and are consequently sentenced twice over for their second offence.
Community service
Another option is the Community Service Order, whereby the judge can sentence a criminal to a maximum of 240 hours of community-based practical work. This serves both as a way of making amends to society and of avoiding the potentially harmful consequences of a period in prison.
Fines
The most common alternative to jail is a fine. Although appropriate for minor offences, fines are seen by the public as a too lenient punishment for those guilty of violent crime. Judges who impose fines are frequently the target of bitter criticism in the press, and are therefore reluctant to use this cost-effective and straightforward form of punishment.
Electronic tagging
The most revolutionary idea in the last two years is the use of electronic tagging. Ministers have decided to introduce a pilot scheme whereby British offenders will be forced to wear an electronic device while they are they are on probation, enabling their whereabouts to be monitored by police.
However, all these initiatives illustrate an underlying dilemma: by building new prisons and by encouraging the courts to impose alternative punishments, the government is trying to pursue two contradictory policies at once. The problem with increasing the number of prisons is that more places tend to result in more prison sentences.

2004-12-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

To: dean of the faculty international relations
From: Rinata S.
Subj: changes in our University
Date: 22/12/2004

If one day I won a lot of many, there are a lot of things I would like to change especially at our University.
First. The elevators do not work the way they should. They are always out of order. At times it absolutely impossible to stick in, as there are too many people waiting to go up or down.
Second. A hungry student is socially dangerous. Moral: WE NEED TO HAVE CANTEEN O CAFE.
Third. I would use the many to sponsor the construction of another building. As to my mind there is not enough space for all the students.
There are just a few taken cake of. And I really have a lot of many I would probably use it for this purpose.

2004-12-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

To: Minister of education
From: Olga D.
Subj: Children from Children’s home.
Date: 12/22/2004

Let imagine that I won a lottery. What would I do with it? I think I would spend it, or at least a big part of it for the good of my country and society. There are too many social problems in our republic, and I do not think that I alone can solve them.
But there is one problem that me feel unhappy when I think about it. That is when I see the children that do not have parents. There are alone, absolutely alone in this world,with noone to take care of them, to help them and support them. There are too mane of them in our government that doesnt have enough funds.
I would provide a better conditions for the orphanages. Provide them which food and elating and furniture, toys and books. And also if my many allows me, with proper education.
But probably the best solution would be to create a batter economic and social conditions for young people, especially young families. And then, probably, there would be less children with no parents and no home.

Merry Christmas!

2004-12-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hello there:

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New 2005!

Enjoy your Christmas break!

sg

proposal

2004-12-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr.Marshall,
Keeping in mind our previous discussion I would like to refer to the question of widening Christmas break terms for BSU students. It is very hard to underestimate the importance of time off school around Christmas - New Year holidays and its affect on students.
The annual studies of educational process within BSU show clearly that the end of the year is the time when most students are particularly stressed out as a result of semester-long studies and the happenings of the whole year. Besides Christmas (both, on December 25 and January 7) and New Year’s Eve are the events that no student want to miss. Holiday preparations are universal and time consuming, and of course all students want to be free of their duties during this time. Thus it seems quite reasonable to end the semester and exams before December 20th and start a new one after January 15 of the next year.
The results of the BSU students poll show that after longer holidays students are not starting the semester being completely worn out; after they spend enough time with their families they feel rested, energetic, goal oriented, more self assured and willing to work. There is no doubt that this kind of attitude will help students to be better motivated during spring semester and will contribute to their studies, good outcome at exams and of course their future life.
Hence, I would like to call for your attention and once again underline the importance of three-weeks long winter holidays starting around December 20 of each year. It will surely benefit students as well as university authorities and professors.
I will really appreciate it if you could let me have your comment on this proposal.
Sincerely yours,
Alexandra S.
Chief Executive Officer.

There is but one race humanity.

2004-12-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

There is but one race humanity and a man is its prophet. But is it so true? At first sight the answer seems to be «no». If we follow the definition given for the word «race», we will read that: Race is the large group of people of common ancestry with distinct physical features, such as skin colour( white, black, yellow), shape of head and eyes. But possessing equal ability towards cultural development the level of which is determined by the level of the given society. According to the scientific data there are 3 races existing: europeoid, mongoloid, negroid.
Let me take a look at the first component of the definition- «common ancestry»: those of us who are religious, or consider themselves to be, remember the story of Adam and Eve and the fact or creation. And if we really go into the matter there seems to emerge a positive answer to our first question- «Yes, it is». For we are not talking about the race of dogs or birds. And there in the Garden God didnt say: And we shall create a number of races according to our image.

Turn to the second part of our definition- «possessing the same ability towards cultural development the level of which is determined by the level of the given society». Here we are coming to the question of equality. Yes, we all are different. Many of us have different shape of eyes, bodies and the much spoken of skin colour. But we also possess different character, temperament, genes and set of chromosomes. Each of us. And each of us has its own individual finger prints.

So, it seems to show us or at least it shows me that the human race is the only one worth talking about. And we, humans, should live together and support each other. And the sad thing is that we so often forget about it. We are too busy deciding who is better and brighter and more intelligent.

Rinata St.

Film «The Passions Of The Christ».

2004-12-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

One of the latest much spoken of films is «The Passions Of The Christ». There is hardly another one in recent couple of years that had aroused that large a diversity of opinions, and opinions that are that popular.
The plot shows us the last 72 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. 72 hours of tortures, slaughters, suffering. The performance of actors is very natural and powerful. The film is very difficult psychologically.
The film is full of bloody things. Some would probably call it too cruel and overcomplicated, and even appalling. But I would call it breathtaking and stunning.
Some people even died while watching it. That is one of the reasons why the film brought about the views that controversial.
My opinion is that this is one of the films that must be seen by everyone. But on the other hand, if one is too sensitive and emotional that it is a question to be solved.

Rinata St.

Extra Funding by Kate_S

2004-12-20T01:28:00.000-08:00

To: Mr.Sharapa A.V.
From: Kate_s, fourth year student
Subject: Extra funding in BSU
Date: 13 December 2004

Dear Mr. Sharapa,

Due to decreasing level of attendance and progress of students in University I would like to propose you some measures to increase this level. It is our responsibility to make students interested in studying their courses. If we solve this problem we will get better attendance and better knowledge of students.

Since we have some extra funding this year, let’s use it for the future improvement of our education. I think we should start with simple things. My recent research showed that many students of our faculty don’t want to stay more than 4-5 hours in University because they get hungry. The best way to deal with it is to build a new canteen, which will provide out students with variety of snacks. The other problem that affects our attendance is lifts that permanently don’t work. Students have to stand in a long queue to get to 13th floor to their class. Some of them decide to come back later after one and a half hour for the next class. We should not just fix lifts every time, but buy new equipment. The other problem is specific for our faculty. It concerns our well-to-do students and their numerous cars. Our parking lot is to small to hold all the cars. Some students (or their fathers)J own luxury cars, which they don’t want to park to far away from University. It often becomes a reason to skip the classes. Widening parking lot can become a strong motivation for our students to attend all the classes.

I realize that some of the aforestated changes require a lot of time and expenses. But we should also realize that modern student experiences a lot of pressure and fulfills many academic requirements. Understanding needs of students becomes should become our main priority.

Yours sincerely,
Kate S.
Your student.

Some ways of reducing the numbe of pornoSites in The internet

2004-12-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

It's a real crime nowardays situating porno in the world wide net... Sitting there it's really impossible to find some sort of information not cocnflicting with a great numbe of porno-links situating everywhere... Connection to some sot of search-softwae will be coveed with about 6-7 links to the places of porno-galleries. And now imagine that your childen,working with internet, will sure connect this colored advertisement. And, watching all this, we have an honor to shout that we're disturbed of social education of ou future.
And, what's the most terrible, the base of this pictures or videos is Teenporno...
My opinion is that such a situation is much more dangerous than any sort of crimes
Advertising such styles of social degradation provides uneasonable sources of Juvenile crimes solving this issue so clear that any comments ae not needed.

What do we know about school violence? (Maruga E)

2004-12-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

Violence among young people is not new. What is relatively new is the degree and type of violence. Nowadays youth violence in the World has increased at an alarming rate in the last fifteen years. Homicide has become the second leading cause of death for persons aged 15 to 24, and the leading cause of death for African-Americans in this age group. Between 1985 and 1994, annual arrest rates for weapons carrying for youth under 18 years of age increased 104%.
But people don’t understand that it’s a big problem for everyone and government of all states should show that the problem is getting worse. Less than one percent of homicides and suicides among schoolchildren in the period from 1992 to 1994 were school-associated. With a school homicide rate of less than one in a million, the chances of violent death among juveniles are almost 40 times as great out of school as in school. The number of school-related violence is shocking and it’s still increase.
At the age 13-17 children are the most vulnerable. It is easy to influence on them, that why they can join different gangs, find criminal friends and so on. And how can parents prevent their children from such horrible things? They can’t deprive their child from communication with his friend, but how can they learn who of them are good and who are not?
I think that main problems for increasing number of school crimes usually deal with anger, hostility, aggression, rejection and stress in every day life. But how do children become malicious?. Usually parents don’t teach their children to be bad. Where is the source of evil? The answer is pretty clear. Most of the time children spend at school and the other half day – at home. Very often the climate on school is not so good, many children face misunderstanding, some children become objects of ridicule and so on. Of course, they want to strengthen themselves, that’s why they begin to commit crimes. By implementing comprehensive programs that improve overall school climate and reduce minor disruption, schools may be able to reduce the risk of serious violent incidents.
Another source of evil is TV and computer. Nowadays there are now news, films or games without violence. And even in real live crimes happen every day. Children get information very quickly, but sometimes they can’t sort it. "If every one take drugs why can’t we taste them? It should be interesting..." Sometimes they begin with minor crimes, but them they usually grow into big one.
We must save our children, our future from this evil invasion. We mustn’t leave children on their own. Parents must be always near to be ready to help and to explain everything in the right time, before it will be too late...

(written by Maruga E.)

An Open Letter to a Plagiarist...

2004-12-18T01:40:00.000-08:00

An Open Letter to a Plagiarist...

Gold Sellar wrote a letter to a plagiarist. Please, find some time and read it. Quoted in full here it is:

Dear _______,
I know how to use the Internet too.

Please find enclosed the original version of the essay that you altered slightly when you handed it in with your name on it. I expect you to email an apology to both the author (whose email address is ____) and to me.

Copying someone else's work is grounds for failure in my class, as I warned our class several times. In many universities, it is even grounds for expulsion from the university.

In our class I explicitly taught you how to quote material from other writers, and how to paraphrase it. The very least you could have done, to avoid being caught cheating, and perhaps improve your writing a little bit, was to paraphrase the essay instead of copying it, making minor alterations, and submitting it.

I told the class that plagiarism has serious consequences. I also warned the whole class that anyone who plagiarises their essay will get an F in the course. I was not joking.

I am giving you an F in this course because you cheated on the final essay.

I hope you learn a lesson through this. I recommend next time, you work hard and produce your own work in a class. Cheating is not only bad for you as a student-not only in terms of lost opportunity to learn; I further doubt that any professor who knows about this situation will ever trust you again-but in addition I believe it is unhealthy for you as a person. An important part of education and growth as an adult is trying to do things that are difficult, and working through them despite the difficulty. In doing so, you find your strengths as well as areas where you can improve.

Cheating is not a shortcut. It is an insult to your teacher and university-yes, I do feel insulted-and a disservice to yourself. I suggest you consider this carefully and change your approach to assigned work.

I further suggest you not enroll in again in a course taught by me, as I will probably be biased against you.

However, I will not pursue any official academic action against you if you email an apology, written in English, to both me and the author you stole from. I highly encourage you to do this, and to think seriously about what you did.

Sincerely,
Gord Sellar

Just a reminder

2004-12-18T01:05:00.000-08:00

Hello there:

To complete your final task in writing, please read again Ex 6. (SB, p 96 ).

Off topic reports and proposals will not be evaluated.

Take care and have a happy holiday season.

sg

Proposal:Gender Imbalance

2004-12-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

To: EFL Teacher
From: N.M., Fourth Year Student (International Law)
Subject: Gender Imbalance
Date: 17 December 2004

Purpose
The purpose of this assay is to present a future paper, which will be written in the nearest future in order to be presented at the conference.
Introduction into the problem
Nowadays the gender dimension of politics, problems of female political leadership may be considered as one of the controversial issues for the democratic transformations in the post-Soviet Russia. The political transition had allowed for women’s rights activists demand an end to merely declarative gender equality by state officials. It is necessary to evaluate the real effects and problems of women’s political leadership and civic activism in contemporary Russia from the perspective of increasing women’s involvement in political making decisions.
Focus of the future paper
The main focus of the future paper is to analyze the identity of women politicians, their strategies of political participation, and perceptions of women’s roles in the transition to democracy. My research will be based on some interviews conducted with women politicians and NGO’s activists in Samara region. The research will raise principal questions: what are the political priorities of women politicians and what are the effective strategies of achieving gender equality in Russia.
Distrust towards women
Political representation of women both on federal and regional levels remains insufficient. As Russian researchers say, commonly accepted world barriers are in use here. First, they name gender differences in political socialization, which cause weak motivation of women in this activity. Then comes unevenness in the distribution of different resources, which may be used by men and women, and this unevenness limits political possibilities of women in politics. And the third essential factor includes particular features of women’s course of life, demanding individual women’s responsibility for raising children and housekeeping. To the above mentioned factors researchers add the existence of discrimination, displayed both through unwillingness to give key positions in parties organizations and government bodies to women and through the predominance of traditional gender stereotypes, which cause distrust towards women in politics.
Conclusion
It happened quite recently that the problems of Russian women’s political self-organization, women’s social movements and also their strategy in the struggle for enlargement of women representation in power have become the subject of gender analysis. The study of political and social women’s activities in the Samara region raises other serious questions: what kinds of motivation and objectives of activity of women in politics can be traced? What are their political and social interests? So, perhaps, one more research will be need.

How do young people spend their spare time

2004-12-07T01:42:00.001-08:00

How do young people spend their spare time? What leisure activities do they prefer? Music in combination with such forms of group activities as discos and concerts come first followed by the Internet, theatre and reading. Then come films, museums, TV and classical music.
Most of young people do not know how to plan their leisure. To use sociological terminology, their leisure Qualification is inadequate. But many of them have their hobbies, special interests. These help them to use energy they have and to realize their ambitions. However, many young people seem to be indifferent to their studies, social activities and so on. And sometimes there are no people who can help them to find the right road. That is really dangerous because these young people begin looking for the easiest way to enjoy their life. They start smoking, drinking, and even taking drugs. They become dangerous not only for other people but for themselves too.
The most terrible thing happens when somebody becomes a drug addict – a person who has a habit to take drugs and has become dependent on the drug to such degree that he or she would be very ill without the possibility to continue taking them.
And these kinds of problems are very serious nowadays. Many young people die because it is impossible to cure them. So, parents, friends must prevent such tragedy.

Possible ways of reducing juvenile crime

2004-12-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

The number of crimes commited by the juveniles grows day-to-day instead of the expectations of the police forces of our country. Low level of social service, problems with education... All this raises juvenile crimes to the front level of actual issues in our state.
I really dont know what to propose...Creating more places to work sure will reduce crime level, including juvenile, but, it is not so easy to realize it. The state also have to organize some sort of programmes to improve the social education of the juveniles released to the group of risk.
So it is difficuls to say what else we can do to overpass this problem... I think that such level of juvenile crimes is a necessary issue of each state standing on such a level of development.

Art. 3 by Olia_D

2004-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

About Friendship.
There is a very famous proverb: “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” Without any doubts I”d like to agree without any doubt’s with it. And you???
First of all what make me think so is that the existence of the proverb. Because, as we know, nothing in the world exists, without any matters. And that is why, I suppose, the main purpose of the proverb is to be the guide in people`s relations.
Then my own life experience. I’ve already had a chance to check the proverb it. Because when you are happy, when you have much pleasure of life, there are a lot of people which desire to share your happiness. but when you are getting in trouble. And then you see that only a few people can give you some support. And only this people your real friends.
Our life give a lot of surplices and we should be ready to accept them. And only people around you can make you life easier and more happy. So try to find this people.
Olia_D

The Five Love Languages

2004-11-30T04:08:00.000-08:00

Alexandra S.
There are many languages in the world. People all over the world use spoken languages, sign language, body language etc. Unfortunately not so many people know about so called love languages. There are five main love languages. They are: quality time, helping hand, giving gifts, words of affirmation and physical touch.
Quality time is very important for many people, especially children. It really is not hard to understand: people want their loved ones to spend time with them. It doesn’t really matter what they do together, they may go shopping, watch a football game, go out for dinner, bake a pie for family holidays or do whatever else one can imagine. What matters is that both people enjoy the way they spend their time together. Things of common interest are hard to find sometimes, but it is always possible. For example if I like watching movies and my sister likes shopping, watching a movie will be fun for me, but certainly not for her, she won’t feel appreciated. But if we go shopping together, we both will have fun and she will feel loved.
Helping hand is another love language. Some people feel needed and loved only when someone helps them to do something. For example parents can help their child with homework, or a husband can do the laundry while his wife is at work, she will definitely appreciate it when she comes back.
Giving gifts needs not to be explained. It is obvious that everyone loves to be given something, to be surprised. For some people gifts are more important than for others. If a girlfriend speaks “giving gifts” language and her boyfriend ignores or simply has no clue about it and never gives her gifts except for only Birthday and Christmas, they might face a problem one day. On the contrary, if he always has a surprise for her (and it doesn’t really matter whether it is an expensive piece of jewelry or a flower as long as it is put on regular basis) she will be always happy and willing to be “miss right” for him.
Words of affirmation we need to hear everyday. When we face difficulties, we always need someone to support us, but there are people for who words of affirmation are the source of their success. For example my Dad can says to me that I’m the best daughter ever. His words will inspire me to do my best at school, to be the best at home, to keep my room clean etc. But if he doesn’t repeat it as often as I need to hear it, I may start thinking that he doesn’t really care for my success and stop trying to be “his best daughter”. Unfortunately people often forget to tell each other how loved and important they are. Words of affirmation need to be told every single day, even if sometimes they do not correspond with the truth.
Physical touch is probably the most widespread love language in the world. At the same time it is the language that many people do not or for some reasons are afraid to speak. One touch of a hand, one warm embrace, one kiss can say more than hundreds of words. When a husband comes home after a busy day, he doesn’t want to hear a lot of talk. If he speaks “physical touch” language, the best thing his wife can do is simply to give him a hug and tell him how much she loves him.
We may speak all of these languages, we may speak one more than another. It is crucial to discover what language we speak and what language our loved ones speak. Once we discover it and imply our knowledge, our lives and the lives of our families will never be the same.

An Article of Marina K.

2004-11-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

Prohibition of smoking: for and against
The problem of smoking in public places is a very urgent one. For many years governments of many countries tried to cope with this difficulty. At the end of 20-th centuries Europeans made a decision to ban smoking in public pubs. It is a great step, which however have lead to many debates. The first country, which passed the law that prohibited smoking in public places, wasIreland.But was it a correct step?

The difficulty means that nobody can give an exact answer. It could be claimed that smoking for one people is just a kind of relaxation (they are called active smokers), however for others it brings much discomfort (passive smokers).

It might be maintained that a person after a long working week has the right to spend time in a way he likes, in a way he has got used to & nobody is entitled to accuse him that it is bad for him. It means that if an active smoker wants to visit a pub, sit there talking to his friends, drinking beer & smoking nobody must prevent him to do it. Everybody has the right to have a rest, besides this person while resting does not commit any crime. The employers complain that the profit has reduced greatly, they have lost many clients.

From another side of course, people who are not smoking have also right to relax in the pubs & and they do not want to be suffocated with smoke of cigarettes. And in general smoking is harmful not only for the health of clients but for the workers of pubs too.

From the judicial point of view the law restricts rights of smokers to spend time in a way they like but at the same time it protects the right of nonsmokers to live in favorable environment.
Marina K.

Article 3

2004-11-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

Work in England.
When summer comes many students try to plan where they can tavel and also earn some money. Most of us used to think that the best place to go in summer is
USA. But in most cases it's only because we never try to find any other options for work. This article may give an alternative adea of what to do and where
to work next summer.

Here and further we will talk about England as a place for work and travel. First af all comes a question: Why England? Well, may be it's not the best place
to go, but it can be a good alternative. Of course your income abroad depends on many circumstances, such as job offer, tax, hours of work, cost of
accomodation. But i think when you summarize all these circumstances you have more chances to find a good job exactly in England. Unlike USA work and travel
programs in GB Embassy you have more chances to get a visa if all of your documents are fine. Because when you go to US Embassy, your chance to get a visa
depends may be only on God's will. I will tell not you about an agricultural program in England. Because it's an easy program, everybody can go there, but
you will work like a slave and only in stated work in the farm otherwise you will be deported.
Pretend you have decided to go to England. You can either go to a travel company and choose their program or you can make your own program. Usualy your own
program is 100-200$ cheaper. To go to England without anybody's help you just need to find a college, pay for it, wait foк an official invitation from
college, make an appointment in embassy, collect some documents, go to an interview, get a visa, buy a ticket, go to England. If you want to travel with a
help of travel company, you just need to pay money, collect some documents also, go to embassy for an interview. Program costs something about 1100-1500$.
Now let's talk more detailed about Why you need to do some steps. You need to find a college, because that's gona be a reason for an embassy to give you a
visa. Normaly it costs 200-300$ per month. You can buy just a month of study in college, because anyways embassy gives you a visa wich is valid for 6 months.

Your documents are needed for an embassy to prove that you have enough money and reasons to come back to Belarus.
When you come to England you can find a job. Since you will have a student visa you will only be alowed to work 20 hours per week. But you can find a second
job and you will not have any problems. Averege wages are 4,5-5 pounds per hour.
Hopefuly somebody will find this article useful. If you are tired of USA and you don't want to experience this so-called american way of life then England
could be a way for you to experience something different. Something different where you can earn enough money, see some really famous and interesting
historical places (i don't mean Disney Land), and experience a real culture.
Plus an England program doesn't require to start it in October or November. You can start in April or even May. So you have plenty of time to make a
decision. Good luck!

The Role of Education in Modern Society.

2004-11-28T06:09:00.000-08:00

Education is a major aspect of any modern society. If there is a deficit of educated people the society can`t develop and will stops in its further progress. That is why the government should pay serious attention to education in the country and support it economically and morally. It should encourage people in every way to raise their educational level. What is good about education for individuals?
Now more and more people realize that education is the best investment because well-educated people have more opportunities to get a good job, that is a job which gives them satisfaction and is well-paid. They have more hopes for promotion. They enjoy respect among their colleagues. Moreover, they can effectively contribute to the development of their country by making discoveries in various spheres by inventing new devices, by producing new medicines to cure people of diseases, etc.
Nowadays the ever growing number of people are not satisfied with their fist basic education and try to get a second or even a third education to meet the demands of contemporary society. They act according to the motto « Learn as long as you live ». Some of them enter higher educational institutes, some participate in different scientific or technological programmes, others attend professional courses still others search for additional information in the Internet.
They sacrifice their time and money and sometimes even their health to raise their educational level because they know that education is their passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
In conclusion I would like to express my personal opinion. I deeply respect people who are well-educated, competent and who-nevertheless continue to perfect their knowledge and skills. At present I am approaching the end at the University. And I intend to further my professional knowledge in every possible way so as to have more opportunities for myself and, on the other hand to contribute to the progress of my country.

Several Reasons Why do I Like Tennis

2004-11-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Sport has become a fashion nowadays. More and more people are involved in different sporting activities. They differ from yoga to bodybuilding and from rugby to curling. But the only sport I consider to be perfect is tennis.
Firstly, of course, tennis is a game. It is an exciting show, you can’t stand watching tennis sets once you came on it switching TV channels. You stay glued to the screen till the very end of the game. You barely take part in the competition empathizing with the players.
As every game, tennis has its own rules. They are quite easy and understandable. Watching tennis you feel comfortable and fun, because the game is not cruel it is just entertainment.
However, when you play tennis yourself the feelings are quite different. You concentrate on the court, ball, racket, net and so on. You don’t even need a partner. You can play with the wall, or pitching machine – it will be still tennis. You are disciplined and ready to fight. You realize that it is not just a game – it’s a sport. The best sport of all the times.
Vera.

Is Mass Media Distorting or Representing Reality?

2004-11-26T01:02:00.000-08:00

Is Mass Media Distorting or Representing Reality?
The mass media ( radio and TV, newspapers and magazines, Internet) are all sources of information about society. I shall concentrate on newspapers, the oldest of the mass media and the most convenient for the researcher to use. However this is not to underestimate the importance of news, current affairs and documentary programmes on radio and TV. In the coverage of up to the minute news, the broadcasting media have an obvious advantage over the press. Consequently the national papers now put greater emphasis on comment and special features, giving “in depth” discussion of the topics of the day.
Newspapers are businesses, out to make a profit. And most of them have a particular point of view on the main topics of the day. These factors affect their selection and presentation of news. For instance, the decision to splash a story on the front page will often depend on the extent to which it reflects editorial policy or seems likely to attract more readers. Consequently there is a danger that the reader`s view of society as a whole could become distorted through detailed press coverage of its more unusual or unsavoury aspects, including violent crimes and sex scandals. We often read about violent teenage gangs perhaps without stopping to think that such behavior is untypical of the mass of young people in our society. Ordinary teenagers, going about their daily business, are not newsworthy in the same way.
A paper`s political opinions are revealed in its editorial column, but they also lead to distortion of the news on other pages. As soon as journalists` reports are received at the paper`s newsdesk, senior executives have a whale of time to work them over and often to rewrite in order to bring them into the line with editorial policy (however with a certain grain of truth still remaining). Nevertheless, it is fair to say that political bias in the national American newspapers has declined in recent years. Owning newspapers has become less of a political crusade and more of a straightforward business operation.
To show any sort of profit, a paper needs to attract a great deal of advertising. This method of financing newspapers has an effect on the things that go into them. The ads themselves are kept separate, but they often have an indirect influence on the selection material. A company selling relatively cheap family cars, for example, will want its ads to appear alongside articles which appeal to the mass of ordinary people. Occasionally the influence is more direct, as when the advertising manager of a firm reminds a journalist that a favourable mention would be useful.
Different kinds of journalists may be in danger of misleading the public in different ways. Crime reporters admit to making payments to informers, many of whom are themselves members of the criminal underworld. Soch information often comes in the form of hints or clues, and it is hard to distinguish between a genuine story and one that is completely without foundation. Rumor and gossip tend to get printed when the demand for information is greater than the information available. On matters of public interest and concern, papers generally prefer to offer some sort of “news”, rather than admit that they have nothing definite to report.
One can make a conclusion that mass media are distorting the reality. Actually not only newspapers also other sources of information are not faithful towards the public.
Written by Ignat Sh.

Franchising. Historical Overview.(Article by Alexandra Vasilyeva)

2004-11-22T23:45:00.000-08:00

While being at school my favourite season of the year was summer. Of course because of the huge vacation that made me forget almost everything that I've learned at school, gave me a chance to meet new friends, live through new experiences. I can recall on many adventures that I've lived through during warm summer days, but there is one that I will never forget.

I and my family lived in a 10-stored house far from downtown in a picturesque suburb of the city. All the kids in the yeard were divided into two groups: girls (running around busy with their flowers and ribbons) and boys (trying to smoke in the bushes and fighting). The existence of the two groups was far from peaceful. Boys were trying to steal our ribbons and tear apart beautiful flowers and we, girls, were complaining to our parents and splashing boys with water. But once the conflic was more serious. In fact it had influenced me so much that I haven't communicated to any of the boys from my yard any more.

One afternoon my girlfired ran up to me and, heavily breathing, told me that there is a kitten and it's screaming. We ran together to a small garden that was near the hospital. There was a kitten hiding in the grass! It was very small, hardly standing on its paws. OF course we were amazed by this sight and ran home to get some food for the kitten.

When we came back we saw a bunch of boys in the garden. They stood around the kitten and yelled loudly. As far as I understood they discussed the fate of the creature: to drown it or to stick a stone into its mouth. I was terrified! Tears ran down from my eyes! But we, two little girls, could do nothing--we were helpless!

In the end everything turned out to be fine--I quickly ran to my father and complained, he came to the garden and took away the kitten. As he found out the creature couldn't even see (cats can't see when they are newly born) and we fed it with milk from the shprits. Now it's living with us.

An Article of Marina Kotljar

2004-11-22T02:15:00.000-08:00

Business success: mutual understanding with the client

Do you know much about business etiquette? Do you generally know what does it mean?
Such type of etiquette is not just an etiquette of business men. It is the etiquette of any person who wants to reach a great success, result according to his skill, energy & aspiration.
One of the most important problem during the negotiation or simply the communication with a client is the absence of mutual understanding. To avoid such principles you can follow some useful principles:
1. to posses a professional language. It is important for explanation of a situation;
2. to try to explain the information in detail. If you give the client a poor material it will lead to his misunderstanding;
3. to give the information logically, step by step. You must remember that you have the only aim while negotiation- to make the client understand what you want to say. It will help you to avoid conflicts in future
4. to attract attention. You must carefully listen to your client after your speech is over. It will also show your attention & respect to him.
So, I think these tips will help you to reach a success during negotiations, avoid problems, show you as a high-qualified businessman.

What is Friendship for you?

2004-11-19T01:07:00.000-08:00

Friend... Who are they? How do they look like? Do I have friends?
I think that lot's of people asked themselfs these questions and not evetyone can answer them. Every day we mix with thousands of people. Some of them we like very much, some of them we dislike. But how can we guess who are our friend, who will support us in difficult situation and never let us down.

Nowadays the notion of friendship has changed greatly (espettially in Europe). People don't want to have friend because they are afraid to be desived. They are ready to live on their own without friend's help and support. The only valuable things for them are money and work. Sometimes it can be family. But did they ask themself a simply question: " What for do I work or make money?" At the end of the life you can stay alone and your money will not save you from your loneliness.

There are some people, who think that they are O'k without friend if they have a good family. But two this notion (family and friends) are vety clouse to each other. Your own family can't be good if you don't have friendly relations. Friendship in the family is the main key to success.

I think that person cannot live alone (without friend or family). We need to comunicate, to get new information, to cooperate, otherwise we will degradete. Communication is absolutly important for our "inner" development. That't why its is better to choose interesting friend, who can give you someting, but not in material sence but in spiritual.

Of course, you are free to choose you own live stile. But friend will make you live more colotfull and you will gain the sense of belongingness. Only friend will be able to see your personaly, your talents and they certain will value it. It is difficult to find best friend, but if you did you are a lucky one. It is a great gift from destiny. And if you have already one, certainly you will understand me.

An Article of Marina Zaytseva

2004-11-19T01:05:00.000-08:00

Useful but dangerous!

Today more and more people are having and buying modern self-phones and use them so often and in so many places: at home, at work, anywhere outside and even unfortunately in the cenemas and theaters. So I can say for sure that self-phones became a part of our everyday life and for people who have self-phones it is hard to imagine even a day without them, because they start feeling lost and helples.

The wave of self-phones covered our life. And in this small, modern and beauty thing on which we depend so much we do not see our foe. So few of us even think of how our little friend and a connect with external life influences on our health. So much information is given in magazines, newspapers, TV, radio etc. about that dangerous influence on our life.

The first example of it is the fact (proved be scientists) that people who have self-phones become very soon so nervous reacting on every ring and every sound they hear around even if it is not their self-phone...

The seconed thing is that magnetic field of our self-phones harms our health. That is why it is not recommended by doctors to put self-phones near your head when you sleep or not to wear it too much close to your body.

The third thing is that it is also not recommended to talk on the phone while walking in the street. Because when you usually step on your feet you breath out and then breath in and this process is normal for your body and especially for your spain cort. But if you talk on a phone and walk at the same time you breath in a different way. It harms your health and later you can feel pain in your spain cort.

The fourth thing I can mention is that when you use your self-phone a lot and it has too loud sound it also badly influences on your hearing.

Unfortunately, despite we have so much different information most of us don't take it into account and breake the rules which scientists and doctors make for us to safe our health. Especially if you are young, you would better think of it now in oder not to have problems in the futuer when you would like to have healthy children and less troubles in your old ages.

Why i like living in a big citi?

2004-11-18T23:16:00.000-08:00

There is a migration from countries into the cities in nowadays.The reasons are different:finding of the work,studying,improving of the health.Although many of the arguments have been interesting.
First of all, as far as i am concernd,it is often easier to find the work and there is usually a choice of public transport,so you do not need to own a car.
On the subject of moving to the metropolise-a major change in a social life occurs.You are one of the special ones,you have made the break.All those famous places that were previously jast names in the paper or seen on TV become familiar personal landmark.
Finally,I totally agree with the view point that you are never stuck,life is never dull in the citi:always something to do,everything there on your new door step:discos,night-clubs,pubs.For those people who are culturally educated there are museums,cinemas,theartes,concerts
To sum up,in the city life is beautiful and wonderful.And only you should see this beauty and find it.

What is the secret of successful language learning?

2004-11-18T23:15:00.000-08:00

I think the most important thing is that you really have to want to learn the lan guage. You also have to believe that you will do it.
Then there are other thing: of course you need to work hard and you have to be realistic- learning a language takes time, and you can not expect to know and understand everything in a few weeks.
Also, you should try to"develop an ear" for the language- not only to recognise the sounds of the language and to understand what people are saying, but also notice the exact words that people use and then try to use them youself.
Fo me, motivation is the most important thing. You have be ready to study grammar, read a lot, listen to English songs, radio and TV, and you have to do these systematically.
Finally, I totally disagree with the viewpoint that learning a language can be quite stressful, especially for adults. We speak like children and make fools of ourselves. But if you are motivated, you learn to overcome this.

“We are always getting ready to live…but never living”

2004-11-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

“We are always getting ready to live…but never living”

I want to live, I want to live
The right to live my life
I want to search far and wide
Have the chance to winder why.

I want to learn all the secrets
The world has to dive
The chance to see it all
I want to live – I want to live-

I want to feel that I am real
To find a reason for who I am
I want to know that I belong
To learn what’s right and wrong

I want to glide through the air
Like a bird in the sky.
I want the chance to show the world
What I am before I die.

I want to be, I want to see
A world that’s good and free
I want a home, someone to love
To share their life with me

I want to have and to hold
A child of my own,
I want to live,
I want to love,

The right to grow old –
I want to live, I want to live
The right to live my life
I want to search far and wide

To know the answer why –
I want to glide through the air
Like a bird in the sky.
I want the chance to show the world
What I am before I die…
I want to live (by David Gordon)

All people around the world know this (I mean they know the fraise “we are always getting ready to live, but never living”), but none have ever tried to make it come true.
From day to day we wake up, we look at the same sky, at the same sun (and even don’t see the beauty of them), we feel the same busy.. from time to time we turn the pages of our organizer and this action seems to us rather simple, nothing special…just another page…that’s all. But don’t You see, it is one more day of Your life passed? And what have You done? Again – nothing special.
“A long life may be good enough, but a good life is long enough”.
The brightest example of this is Vincent Van Gogh. There is a book by Irving Stone The Thirst of Life about his life in art and for art. Van Gogh wasn’t happy during all his life, he used to have a number of periods of desperation. But in spite of this through all his career runs the theme – a love of humanity and of life. This love was the theme of his art as well, and was to produce one of the most intensely personal witnesses in the spiritual history of mankind. Even Van Gogh’s mental illness, which brought about his frequent masterpieces show his grest thirst of life and the world in it’s beauty.
You have the right to say, that You are not so talented to do something special for this big world. But I will tell You then, that You are. You are the best for Your relatives and friends, and You are really able to do something special for them. You are able to make their lives better and to make Your own wishes come true.
To LIVE (in a full sense of this world) – is to be satisfied with your life, to have something special in Your heart – something, that makes You want to live, makes You proud of Your life, and even when Your heart is broken, when it’s full of tears and sorrow, when it hurts and You feel lonely, it makes Your heart a burning star again. TO LIVE – is to have special talent to make each day of Your life bright.
“All You can – just take this life and live it
and never let it go ” (by Eros Ramazzotti and Cher)

Natalia

Writing Assignment 3. Articles

2004-11-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone:

Virginia Evans in her book'Successful Writing' ( Express Publishing, 1998) writes:

"Articles are pieces of writing for publication in a variety of forms, covering a wide range of possible subjects. They may be intended for the general public, or a specific group of readers."

A successful article consists of an eye-catching title, an introduction, which outlines the topic(s) to be covered, a main body of several paragraphs in which the subject is developed and a conclusion, in which you can summarise the main points or re-state your opinion.

It would be great, if you could try to write one.

Before writing, read the Writing chapter in your SBs (pp 68-72).

Please, post your Articles to Upstream:EFL_Writing Blog

Thanks,

sg

Just a Reminder

2004-10-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hello there:

I thought I should remind everyone that your first review is due next week. I understand some folks are having trouble getting everything ready. Don't give up!

You can do it in class. Just bring a floppy disk or a hard copy containing your final draft .

Please complete the survey which you can find at: http://www.ir.bsu.by/kel/studentsonlineq.html and let us know a little bit about your life online.

Thank you,

sg

Writing Assignment: Reviews

2004-10-02T01:57:00.000-07:00

Hello:

Hope you enjoyed your first writing assignment.

Have you ever written a book or a movie review? Do you want to try it? You know what, reviews can be written about a wide variety of subjects. It is a special type of article written for publication in a magazine, newspaper, etc, giving a brief description and evaluation of a film, book, article, play,TV programme, CD, DVD, etc.

It may be formal or semi-formal and is usually written using present tenses. A successful review should consist of an introduction, a main body and a conclusion, which includes an overall assessment of the work and /or a recommendation.

Before you start writing, go through the writing chapter in your SBs and try to do all the exercises ( pp.42-46 ).

Looking forward to reading your reviews.

Thank you for your cooperation and hard work.

Your EFL Instructor.

Hello,

2004-09-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

My name is Rinata. I am 20. I am student and i am study in Belarussian State Univercity.
I like music very mach and i can play in piano. My favorite music is rock, becouse it its music for people who like life, speed and noisy cities.
i do not like cooking.

Good night.

2004-09-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

My name is Olga. I am 21 years old. I am studing in Belarussian State Universit, in the faculty internationai relationship.
I like reading very mach and is my hobby. I lake read historical books, becouse, i thing, that ever of us must to know history of our country, our world. Also i like to read classic books. My favorite writer is Dostoevski.
I do not like to do sport, becouse i am very lazy man and is very bed.

Funny girl

2004-09-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Sweta.

I am 20 and I am astudent so my life now is on the point when I should take the best from it. I don't find my study borring like many students do. First of all because I need it for my future and I take it sirriosly. But it does not destorb me to have fun, to meet my friends and spend nice time with them. The second, I am independent and under controll of my perents. This makes me feel free.

I am a person who has many interrests. I like to read different kinds of books. But sometimes I read too much and forget about other hobbies. I like musik a lot. But moste of my free time I spend with my friends for going out.

So, I like my lifestile.
Hope to hear you soon.

2004-09-23T22:49:00.002-07:00

Hi,

My name is Victoria. I'm a four-year student of Belorussion State University.I study international law. Before Belorussion State University I have studied at European Humanities University.

I'm very friendly and have many friends. We like spending time together. Very often we see each other and have fun. I also like travelling. But unfortunatly I haven't visited many places.

See you.

friendly

2004-09-23T22:49:00.001-07:00

Hello, everybody!

2004-09-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hello,

My name is Marina,I am a student of Belarusian State Univesiry, I study international law, especially european law. I find my future professoin very interesting and international relations are in general very important in the modern world. Of course it is pretty good for communication!

I have many hobbies, for example listening to the music, especially pop music, meeting with my friends and of cource to have fun with them!
Studying takes a lot of time, but in free time I like to read books, they may be historical or humorous, in general it depends on my mood.

So, hope to see you again.

Take care,
Marina

I like sport and fun

2004-09-23T22:47:00.001-07:00

Hello,

My name is Marina. I'm a four-year student of the Belarussian state university. I study international law. This is my first year in BSU, before I studied at the European humanities university.

I realy enjoy studing law and want to be a good lawyer in the future to help other people to solve their problems with the help of law and different legal methods.

But law is not the only interest in my life. I like sport. I go swimming sometimes and enjoy playing different ball games very much. As for my free time I prefere to spend it with my friends and have fun with them. When they all are busy and I'm alone at home I just listen to classical, jaz or pop music.

Have a good day,

Bye.

Hello from Eugenia

2004-09-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

My Name is Eugenia,

I’m a student of the Belarusian state university. I study international law. I study law for 4 years and I find it really very interesting. I ready to enrich my knowledge every minute. That's why i can say that I am a sociable person.

I like to do different things and I want my life to be very colorfull. I'm fond of travelling and metting new people, reading interesting books, swimming, playing voleyball, sometimes basketball. I'm crazy about different unordinary parties, espetially open-air patry.

Some words about me family. My family is quite big (4 persons, but no there is 5 person (my sister's husbend)). I don't live together with my parent's that's why I always miss them. We see each other not very often, but when we do we have a lot of fun.

So, I think that you've get already some information about me. If you want to get more, please, commect me.

And now bye to everybody.

Take care,

Eugenia

Too early in the morning

2004-09-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

My name is Alexandra (Sasha :)and this september I became a student of Belorussian State University, 4th year. I study international law and hope to succeed in it.

I am supposed to write about my likes and dislikes now. Actually there are a lot of things that I like and even more things that I don't like at all. It seems pretty hard to name at least a couple of likes and dislikes... It's just TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING. I know, I know I need to write something more about myself, but if it was not so early in the morning... I don't like getting up early. I hate scrambled eggs ("omlet" in Russian). I also don't like when it's cold. I like marshmellows, tea with cinnamon and old American rock'n'roll (you know, the Temptations is my favourite group. Remember this one "My girl..."? Well, maybe yo don't - they used to sing it even before I was born and they quit singing before I was born too. It was back in the "dark ages":).

I believe it's enough for now. Our task was to write an introductory letter and not a novel "About my-so-nice-self":). Besides, our teacher pointed out that my second paragraph is a bit bigger than necessary. So it's time to go.

Take care :)!

PS. If all classes are going to start so early I doubt that I'll succeed in law... Really, it's too early in the morning, right?

Something about Natalie

2004-09-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Natalia.

Frankly speaking it is quite difficult to do this task decause I don't have any plan. But any way, I'll try to fullfeell it.

So, I am a student of International Law Department of the Belorussian State University now. But not long time ago I have been a student of the European Humanities University. For me studuing Law is not interesting now, I'd better study Tourism or Psycology.

Concerning my hobby, I am a big fan of aerobics. I am also interested in dancing and reading. Once a week I go out with my friends (most of our meetings are in night clubs).

I'd love to continue my Introduction Letter, but I am having a class right now, so, I have to stop writing.

Hope to hear from you soon

With respect
Natalia

Hello!!!

2004-09-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

My Name is Henry.

I’m a student of the Belarusian state university. I study international law.

This is letter about my summer holiday. This summer I worked as a manager in the park. After work I spent time with my best friends. In August my friends and I made a wonderful trip on the lake Naroch. We swam, played football. On the whole I am satisfied with the way I spent my summer holiday.

And now bye to everybody.

Take care

Henry

Hello,hello,hello...

2004-09-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

My name is Konstantin.

I am a student at Belarussian State University, majoring International Law.

I like all kinds of music. Such as chillout music (ATB, Kay Tracid, Paul Van Dyk) but also i can listen some rock (Metallica, COY, Deftones, Korn)
Most of all I like to spent my free time playing Russian Billiard (Game called MOSCOw), PC GAMES (WAr3,q3,CS, Age of Mythology...).Bowling is fun too.

I don't like alchohol, smoking and studing. Because it hard to learn something when you know that in future it will be useless, like chemestry ,logic, phsycology, and the like.

I spent my summer holidays with my two best buddies Vitaly and Hleb. We were in Spain... This was cool;) Spain is a beautiful country...

Antonio Gaudi
Spain

Best wishes,

Your Music Instructor.

Hello guys...

2004-09-14T03:17:00.001-07:00

My name is Vera. I am a student. I study at the Faculty of International Relations of Belarussian State University.

I like rock music, espesialy russian rock. Sometimes i listen to pop music,clasical music. My favorite groups are Kino, Nautilus, Ariya.

I prefer reading historical novels. My favorite foreign writer is Alexandr Duma. Also I like Dostoevsky, Shamiakin.

I don't like eating much. For example, I hate ice-cream, chocolate, coffee. But I like different vegetables and fruits very much.

Bye for now,
Vera.

Hello!!!

2004-09-14T03:17:00.000-07:00

My name is Yulia. Do you remamber me? I'm here agan!
How do you do, buddy? How do you do my University? I have not see you for two eyas!

I'm glad to be back. I love my friends and do some fan with them. For example to dance in big and nice nightclub untill four a.m. or take few friends and cake and coffee and visit someone at home. Surprize!!! It is fun, isn't it?

I love people and I wish peace to everybody everywere. I think we have to be more kind to each other. What do you think? Write to me.
Bye-bye from now.
Yulia.

Hello

2004-09-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

My name is Vika. I'm a student of the Belarussian State University. I hope to be an International Lawer in the future.

Some words about my summer holiday. In this summer I visit Israel. This country is very intresting and wonderful. And I recomend to see this country.

By the way, my hobby is driving my car. When I have free time, I usually spent it with my friends.

Take care,

Vika

hello

2004-09-14T02:10:00.000-07:00

Hello,

My name is Sergey. I'm studying international law and I hope this would be my future profession. This summer was wonderfull for me and my relatives because it was full of impressions. I spent the whole August in Sochi. This trip there was for the 3rd time. I had a rest at the Black Sea with a company of friends. Nights were very loud during discos drinking a lot of beer and red wine. We also arranged hot parties in the restaurants.

By yhe way I'm planning to go to the USA next summer. But I do not know yet if it's possible for me to do it because I wasn't granted visa this time. So this is my cherish desire. Besides I want to make some extra money and new acquaintances. To my mind that's very important.

Stay in touch, hope to see you soon.

Sergey

Hi, guys

2004-09-14T02:04:00.000-07:00

I'm Kate. First of all it's nice to see all of u again.

Here's a couple of last news about me. My summer holidays were great. I was in UK. I really like it. I use to study in college there, it was like english language studies. I hope they helped me a little bit.

By the way, I still need to pass my english and spanish exams in the university. I really hate learning law in english. I fill myself like a dumn. Maybe english is not for me at all??? And spanish as well:(. But it's only the one thing that makes me sad. I hope that this year I will improve my language skills, because of my teacher.

So how are u doing guys??:))

Kate

Hi, there

2004-09-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Hi there.
You asked me to drop you some lines about my holidays, so here they are...

First of all I'd like to tell you that i've been to the Crimea. Had a wonderful rest. I managed to visit a Kazantip opening. The weather was awsome and the water was milky.

It's a pity but I only had time to stay there about 2 weeks, but I wish i had at least a month.

See you,

Slava.

Hello

2004-09-09T23:41:00.001-07:00

My name is Natalia.I am a student. I am studing well and want to be a professional lawyer.I have good marks.I speak English and Spanish.

This summer I went to the Crimea and had a lot of friends.I like reading,listening to pop music, cooking, shopping,spending time with my friends. I am going to find a good job in a small company and practise my skills .

Cheers,

Natalia

Wassuuup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2004-09-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

Hi...

My name is Andrew... I'm glad to greet you and I'd like to offer you my note..

I'm a 4th year student of The Belarussian State University. It's a terrible damn to study in our University. But I've to say that doing nothing all the summer vacations is worse... Last summer I spent in Belarus... Instead of going somewhere abroad :(... But it was just a part of the curse given on me by my parents... I HAD TO WORK! 1,5 terrible months of hard work instead of joining my rest time...

But alo the were some positive moments... One of the is the successful end of my driving courses. I've done it and got my driving license(at last).

So thank you,

Stay OK...

Hello & Welcome

2004-09-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

.

Dear Students,

Welcome to Upstream Advanced online writing course!

One of the main goals of this course is to develop your writing skills. To that end, over the course of this semester you will be asked to do a number of exercises. As each assignment approaches I will provide you with detailed instructions and handouts.

I have created this blog to make our communication easier and faster. I will also ask you to post your comments on your peers' writings. To post a comment, click on 'Comments' below each assignment.

Hope, you enjoy this new learning experience.

Best wishes,

Your EFL Instructor.