Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you again. Thank you for correcting my letter. I’m sorry for my mistakes. I found difference in my Oxford Dictionary.
Arak is a city in Iran. Iraq is a country Asia. Arak is a city in center of Iran. It is a land with warm climate. We have a lake in our village. It is very very salty. When you swim in this you will not go under the water. One is like a ball that he will come on the water.
It is very interesting. You cannot go under the water. I will go to my village in end of the week.
Take care,
Bahman
Monday, July 05, 2010
Sunday, July 04, 2010
The American Experiment:
Americans declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776, and what followed was the American Revolutionary War and our attempt to create a Democratic Republic. Since our nation is so new, our effort has played out on the pages of recorded history, leaving our stains there for all to see, and sometimes hiding our dreams.
In 1997 Paul Johnson, a British historian, wrote "A History of the American People", and dedicated his book to "The American People: strong, outspoken, intense in their convictions, sometimes wrong-headed but always generous and brave, with a passion for justice."
Generalities like this never hit a mark, in my opinion, but I do see America as a work toward a democratic ideal which may, or may not come to fruition. Our Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776 when we declared our freedom from Great Britain, says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 234 years later, the dream still lives. Inalienable means that these rights cannot be given or transferred to any one else. They belong to every individual. It also means that if I want these rights for myself, I must allow them for others. I doubt if our Utopian idea will become a reality in my lifetime, but I firmly believe that it is a goal worth cherishing.
In 1997 Paul Johnson, a British historian, wrote "A History of the American People", and dedicated his book to "The American People: strong, outspoken, intense in their convictions, sometimes wrong-headed but always generous and brave, with a passion for justice."
Generalities like this never hit a mark, in my opinion, but I do see America as a work toward a democratic ideal which may, or may not come to fruition. Our Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776 when we declared our freedom from Great Britain, says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 234 years later, the dream still lives. Inalienable means that these rights cannot be given or transferred to any one else. They belong to every individual. It also means that if I want these rights for myself, I must allow them for others. I doubt if our Utopian idea will become a reality in my lifetime, but I firmly believe that it is a goal worth cherishing.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Bahman's Writings
Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you again. Ali told me my mistakes in last letter.
Soccer is a game that that in this players play by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball whick players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal.
Rugby is a game by two teams of 13 or 15 players, using an oval ball which may be kicked of carried. Teams try to put the ball over the other team’s line. Hope this helps.
I had no class in last week because I was in Arak. I try to write more.
Take care,
Bahman
Nice to hear from you again. Ali told me my mistakes in last letter.
Soccer is a game that that in this players play by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball whick players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal.
Rugby is a game by two teams of 13 or 15 players, using an oval ball which may be kicked of carried. Teams try to put the ball over the other team’s line. Hope this helps.
I had no class in last week because I was in Arak. I try to write more.
Take care,
Bahman
Atonement?
Have you ever read a book that your mind's eye cannot dismiss? Ian McEwan wrote Atonement in 200l, and I have found it unforgettable. Atonement is the story set in the English countryside and the main character, Briony, is, at the start of the story, a young girl of 13. She has a childish crush on a servant's son, Robbie, who, in turn, is in love with Briony's older sister, Cecilia. Briony's jealousy leads her to tell a vicious lie about Robbie which leads to his arrest and a choice between jail and the army.
He and Cecilia, although much in love, never see one another after this, and he dies a terrible death at Dunkirk prior to WWII. Cecilia is killed in a London bombing incident, and so, although she wishes to atone, or make amends, for her lie, Briony is unable to do so, and she knows that her selfish action as a young woman absolutely ruined the lives of two young people. In the end, Briony becomes a writer, and writes a story in which the two do not die, but come together in love and happiness.
Atonement is a simple story of human jealousy later regretted, and we forgive Briony saying, "She was only a child!" "She didn't know what she was doing!" True, but what has haunted me from the time I read this, (and later saw the movie in 2007) is the undeniable fact that sometimes we cannot atone for wrongs we have committed even though we might want to do so. Writing a story in which everything comes out roses just doesn't make up for the wrong done. Our actions can be indelible on the lives of those around us.
He and Cecilia, although much in love, never see one another after this, and he dies a terrible death at Dunkirk prior to WWII. Cecilia is killed in a London bombing incident, and so, although she wishes to atone, or make amends, for her lie, Briony is unable to do so, and she knows that her selfish action as a young woman absolutely ruined the lives of two young people. In the end, Briony becomes a writer, and writes a story in which the two do not die, but come together in love and happiness.
Atonement is a simple story of human jealousy later regretted, and we forgive Briony saying, "She was only a child!" "She didn't know what she was doing!" True, but what has haunted me from the time I read this, (and later saw the movie in 2007) is the undeniable fact that sometimes we cannot atone for wrongs we have committed even though we might want to do so. Writing a story in which everything comes out roses just doesn't make up for the wrong done. Our actions can be indelible on the lives of those around us.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Faranak's writing
Dear Sue,
Thank you very much, your corrections are very useful for me, I became very happy when saw that you read my letter and wrote it again and corrected my mistakes, It is very valuable for me.
Sue, you are very good friend and very good teacher, all the time, I learn a lot of things from you.
Your friend, Faranak
Thank you very much, your corrections are very useful for me, I became very happy when saw that you read my letter and wrote it again and corrected my mistakes, It is very valuable for me.
Sue, you are very good friend and very good teacher, all the time, I learn a lot of things from you.
Your friend, Faranak
Praise Away!
Human beings are very complicated, don't you think? The older I get, the more I realize that we all have this deep personal hollow that needs to be filled. Henry Thoreau answered a friend's letter by telling him thanks for the compliment and to "praise away!" Every one of us needs to be loved and feel needed.
When Mother had Alzheimer's Disease she could get quite upset and nervous at times, and there was NO way to reason with her. I could talk myself blue in the face and it didn't help. Then I learned that a hug and few words of love was all she really wanted. She would calm down and lean heavily on my arm, totally delighted by the attention. Even though she had lost all reasoning ability, she never lost the emotional part of her being. She loved and wanted love till the end.
I find that we Americans sometimes hate to show our feelings, and we put up a tough front to protect that soft interior from harm. I think we are all alike in that regard. I guess the old American expression "You can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar" would be an American way of saying what I mean.
Your friend in America, Sue
When Mother had Alzheimer's Disease she could get quite upset and nervous at times, and there was NO way to reason with her. I could talk myself blue in the face and it didn't help. Then I learned that a hug and few words of love was all she really wanted. She would calm down and lean heavily on my arm, totally delighted by the attention. Even though she had lost all reasoning ability, she never lost the emotional part of her being. She loved and wanted love till the end.
I find that we Americans sometimes hate to show our feelings, and we put up a tough front to protect that soft interior from harm. I think we are all alike in that regard. I guess the old American expression "You can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar" would be an American way of saying what I mean.
Your friend in America, Sue
Faranak's writing
Hi Sue,
I couldn't written about 2weeks because I had exams.
I spent very hard days, my exams were very compressed and I had 7exams in 10 days.
After that(now), I have to give 2 projects. One of them is hardware and I want to design and make a very small calculator with very very limited operations. Other is about design of elevator.
Sue, in this summer I have a novitiate.
Novitiate is a lessen that most of students have to spend it in a governmental office or a private company about 300hours.
My novitiate is in Ministry of Industries. I have to go there from 8 am up to 4 pm. It is for from my house.
This summer, Tehran's weather is very very hot and quartering is very hard. How is the weather in Us? Is it very hot,too?
Take care, your friend Faranak
I couldn't written about 2weeks because I had exams.
I spent very hard days, my exams were very compressed and I had 7exams in 10 days.
After that(now), I have to give 2 projects. One of them is hardware and I want to design and make a very small calculator with very very limited operations. Other is about design of elevator.
Sue, in this summer I have a novitiate.
Novitiate is a lessen that most of students have to spend it in a governmental office or a private company about 300hours.
My novitiate is in Ministry of Industries. I have to go there from 8 am up to 4 pm. It is for from my house.
This summer, Tehran's weather is very very hot and quartering is very hard. How is the weather in Us? Is it very hot,too?
Take care, your friend Faranak
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thoughts on Effective Education
In talking to some of my teaching friends I find that the goals for most good educators has not changed; good teachers want to prepare their students to live in the future world. It is the goal of most American educators to prepare students for 21st century living in which they will have to calibrate, communicate, solve problems and think outside the box in creative ways. Add to this the important necessity of interacting with all the people of the world.
For teaching to be successful, there are two important fundamentals for American educators: Engagement of the student in his/her learning and good Relationships with the child.
Relationships – The relationship between the educator and the student is of utmost importance. Teachers who cannot get students to relate to them and what they consider important are usually not very effective teachers. The educator must be interested in the whole child and intervene if there appears to be problems that limits the students learning. Without trust, little education occurs.
Engagement
Many methods will cause maximum engagement in the learning process:
1. Be creative in getting the student involved in what is being learned.
2. Use technology – the computer has opened a whole new method of getting students to interact and take part in their learning.
a. The GoogleBox at http://www.watchfreetvonline.net/?cat=Education
presents educators with many suggestions. The blog is used to connect students and have them comment on one another’s work,and add their ideas. Collaborative learning and group project learning is a key ingredient.
3. An emphasis on right brain learning. The most popular quote today is “Right brainers will rule the world.”
Key Ideas for Creatiing Philosophic Learners:
1. Use of the Socratic Method for discussions.
2. Introduce and teach the use of inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning
3. Game Theory -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory
4. Experimental philosophy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_philosophy
5. Simulation games – I think this article gives an excellent idea of the whole idea of experiential learning.
http://rs.resalliance.org/2007/01/19/teaching-using-a-world-simulation-game/
6. Prepare one’s own teaching philosophy. One cannot teach unless one knows what one believes about teaching. http://sunconference.utep.edu/CETaL/resources/stofteach.html
Some Key Thinkers:
http://wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html
Danial Pink, A Whole New Mind. http://www.danpink.com/whole-new-mind
Pirsig, Richard, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintenance
Philp, Raleigh T., Engaging 'Tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students [Paperback]
Greene, Maxine. http://www.edutopia.org/maxine-greene
For teaching to be successful, there are two important fundamentals for American educators: Engagement of the student in his/her learning and good Relationships with the child.
Relationships – The relationship between the educator and the student is of utmost importance. Teachers who cannot get students to relate to them and what they consider important are usually not very effective teachers. The educator must be interested in the whole child and intervene if there appears to be problems that limits the students learning. Without trust, little education occurs.
Engagement
Many methods will cause maximum engagement in the learning process:
1. Be creative in getting the student involved in what is being learned.
2. Use technology – the computer has opened a whole new method of getting students to interact and take part in their learning.
a. The GoogleBox at http://www.watchfreetvonline.net/?cat=Education
presents educators with many suggestions. The blog is used to connect students and have them comment on one another’s work,and add their ideas. Collaborative learning and group project learning is a key ingredient.
3. An emphasis on right brain learning. The most popular quote today is “Right brainers will rule the world.”
Key Ideas for Creatiing Philosophic Learners:
1. Use of the Socratic Method for discussions.
2. Introduce and teach the use of inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning
3. Game Theory -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory
4. Experimental philosophy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_philosophy
5. Simulation games – I think this article gives an excellent idea of the whole idea of experiential learning.
http://rs.resalliance.org/2007/01/19/teaching-using-a-world-simulation-game/
6. Prepare one’s own teaching philosophy. One cannot teach unless one knows what one believes about teaching. http://sunconference.utep.edu/CETaL/resources/stofteach.html
Some Key Thinkers:
http://wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html
Danial Pink, A Whole New Mind. http://www.danpink.com/whole-new-mind
Pirsig, Richard, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintenance
Philp, Raleigh T., Engaging 'Tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students [Paperback]
Greene, Maxine. http://www.edutopia.org/maxine-greene
Subjunctive
The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the Subjunctive. After you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use this verb form, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.
http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctiveexercise.htm
FORM
Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the verb "to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.
USE
The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see below).
Examples:
•I suggest that he study.
•Is it essential that we be there?
•Don recommended that you join the committee.
NOTICE
The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb.
Examples:
•You try to study often. you-form of "try"
•It is important that you try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" looks the same.
•He tries to study often. he-form of "try"
•It is important that he try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" is noticeable here.
Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive
The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:
to advise (that)
to ask (that)
to command (that)
to demand (that)
to desire (that)
to insist (that)
to propose (that)
to recommend (that)
to request (that)
to suggest (that)
to urge (that)
Examples:
•Dr. Smith asked that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.
•Donna requested Frank come to the party.
•The teacher insists that her students be on time.
Expressions Followed by the Subjunctive
The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:
It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)
Examples:
•It is crucial that you be there before Tom arrives.
•It is important she attend the meeting.
•It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of Subjunctive
The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms.
Negative Examples:
•The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.
•The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours.
•I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.
Passive Examples:
•Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.
•Christine demanded that I be allowed to take part in the negotiations.
•We suggested that you be admitted to the organization.
Continuous Examples:
•It is important that you be standing there when he gets off the plane.
•It is crucial that a car be waiting for the boss when the meeting is over.
•I propose that we all be waiting in Tim's apartment when he gets home.
Should as Subjunctive
After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs "suggest," "recommend" and "insist."
Examples:
•The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.
•Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS:
•Subjunctive Exercise 1: http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctiveexercise.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctiveexercise.htm
FORM
Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the verb "to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.
USE
The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see below).
Examples:
•I suggest that he study.
•Is it essential that we be there?
•Don recommended that you join the committee.
NOTICE
The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb.
Examples:
•You try to study often. you-form of "try"
•It is important that you try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" looks the same.
•He tries to study often. he-form of "try"
•It is important that he try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" is noticeable here.
Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive
The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:
to advise (that)
to ask (that)
to command (that)
to demand (that)
to desire (that)
to insist (that)
to propose (that)
to recommend (that)
to request (that)
to suggest (that)
to urge (that)
Examples:
•Dr. Smith asked that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.
•Donna requested Frank come to the party.
•The teacher insists that her students be on time.
Expressions Followed by the Subjunctive
The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:
It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)
Examples:
•It is crucial that you be there before Tom arrives.
•It is important she attend the meeting.
•It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of Subjunctive
The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms.
Negative Examples:
•The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.
•The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours.
•I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.
Passive Examples:
•Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.
•Christine demanded that I be allowed to take part in the negotiations.
•We suggested that you be admitted to the organization.
Continuous Examples:
•It is important that you be standing there when he gets off the plane.
•It is crucial that a car be waiting for the boss when the meeting is over.
•I propose that we all be waiting in Tim's apartment when he gets home.
Should as Subjunctive
After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs "suggest," "recommend" and "insist."
Examples:
•The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.
•Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS:
•Subjunctive Exercise 1: http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctiveexercise.htm
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Dear Sue,
Dear Sue,
I am so glad to hear from you. I am sorry for my mistakes. Exams were ended. I got my grade. It is not very bad. I go to airport tonight. My father’s aunt will come from Mecca. Mecca is a holy city for Muslims. Do you wath the world cup’s game? I like Germany. Your team is better than before. South Africa is an advanced country. It is very beautiful. It is a success for blacks that they have an advanced country.
Today is the father’s day in Iran. Iman Ali was born today. He is a spicial character.
Take care,
Bahman
I am so glad to hear from you. I am sorry for my mistakes. Exams were ended. I got my grade. It is not very bad. I go to airport tonight. My father’s aunt will come from Mecca. Mecca is a holy city for Muslims. Do you wath the world cup’s game? I like Germany. Your team is better than before. South Africa is an advanced country. It is very beautiful. It is a success for blacks that they have an advanced country.
Today is the father’s day in Iran. Iman Ali was born today. He is a spicial character.
Take care,
Bahman
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