Title: Why Bilinguals Are Smarter? (Science)

URL: http://extensivereadingprogram.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-bilinguals-are-smarter-science.html?utm_source=BP_recent

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

Reading Time: 17minutes

Level of Difficulty: 3

Summary:

Bilinguals have practical benefits in a globalized world. Research shows that in a bilingual’s brain are active even when he is using only one language, thus creating conflicting situations. However, researchers are finding out, it forces the brain to resolve internal conflict, giving the mind a workout that strengthens its cognitive muscles. Studies suggest that the bilingual experience improves executive function. It also influence the brain from infancy to old age and were more resistant to Alzheimer’s disease.

Feedback/Comment:

It is not surprise that people who learned more language are smarter. Bilinguals have to switch languages quite often. In other words, they activate their brains frequently. Bilingualism’s effects also extend into the twilight years. The bilingual experience improves a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and ignoring distractions to stay focused, switching attention quickly from one thing to another and holding information in mind. Just like remembering a sequence of directions while driving. Nowadays, parents send their children to bilingual school to accept a better education environment. However, students living in Taiwan still need to face the pressure to enter high school or university. As a result, the bilingual environment can’t last thoroughly and the effect may be restricted. If we have chances, studying abroad may be a substitutive way to enhance the ability of language. At least, we can reduce the percentage of suffering symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

Discussion Issues

1.If you can choose two languages as your native language, what would you choose?

Title: On Campus, Opening Up Conversations About Sex (Education)

URL: http://extensivereadingprogram.blogspot.com/2012/04/on-campus-opening-up-conversations.html?utm_source=BP_recent

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/science/college-students-opening-up-conversations-about-sex.html?_r=1&ref=science

Reading Time: 13minutes

Level of Difficulty: 3

Summary:

Sex Week was held at Yale first ,and then quickly spread to other universities. The event had helped dispel rumors and gave people the right information on how they should be pursuing relationships and sexual choices. This year, new groups established for a better form to replace Sex Week by hosting a spa night or other ways.

eedback/Comment:

Speaking of Sex , many people would feel shy at the first time, but sex education is not only important but also necessary for everyone. The most common way of it is to giveaway the condom. Some people may think that reading pornography magazines is not a good way to acknowledge correct information about sex, but we still couldn’t deny it existence. Some opponent claimed that it just gave a reasonable way to talk dirty in public. If we always avoid to talk about it, once facing the situation ,we may be at a lost . At that moment , you can’t deal with the problem properly or even do something ridiculous. That is the most dangerous. Perhaps we can consider the topic in another way. Animals and human are all creatures, so it is inevitable for us to skip the mating season. It is merely a physiological reaction mechanism. Maybe we has been living under a conservative culture for a long time, so we can’t accept these concepts. In my opinion, we should learn how to acclimate it gradually and view it in a healthier perspective, or you will restrict yourself in a small circle.

Discussion Issues

1.    Do you feel shy when talking about sex topic?

2.     When will you give the first lesson about sex to your students if you were a teacher?