"My experience of writing II"

There was a time in my life when I wrote because I enjoyed it and I felt that I had always been a pretty decent writer. My experience of writing started when I was a teenager. I used to write my diary and letters since I find pleasure in doing so, and I put no effort at all into the quality of my writing. I wrote because I loved writing.


When I entered the Teaching Training College, I became a hopeless writer: whenever I had to put my ideas down on a sheet of paper, my mind would get automatically blocked. Therefore I would spend endless hours before I could finish a coherent piece of writing, feeling completed dissatisfied with it, I thought my teachers were waiting for the moment they would highlight my mistakes to make me realize I had learnt nothing. "Writing": My mood used to change as soon as I heard this word. It was really a daunting task and I was overwhelmed by it.



Luckily, this traumatic period is over. This year I have experienced again "Process Writing" which has helped me a lot to change my mind. I used to feel frustrated when starting any piece of writing and now I believe I can cope with any task. I have been trained not only on how to write narratives, but also essays, abstracts, articles and other types of texts. I switch on my computer and I type my ideas straightaway now. The word processor helps me shape my thoughts: this awareness has directly affected my writing style. I am conscious there is a reader on the other side, so I have learnt to develop the ability to capture the readers' attention and to keep them hooked, begging for more. Consequently, I have been able to bear in mind at all times that I am not writing for myself, but for them.

I still need to work hard in my editing when writing and speaking because I tend to make mistakes that are very serious at this level of the course. I have thought it over all these months and I came to the conclusion that I have this problem because I might be emotionally blocked or perhaphs it is a psychological barrier. I am looking forward to shortening this gap in my linguistic competence and becoming a better teacher.



All in all, I feel I have reached November with the satisfaction of having produced most of my writing fairly "good". I need to resolve this psychological problem that prevents me from having a better performance in English. Thank you Analía for your help and patience! Thank you my dearest mates: Romi, Liting, Nana, Pauli, Ayelén, Dr Héctor, Silvi, Jackie, Barbie, Jaz, Anna, Scott and the tutors, you have been an immense sustain and support for me during this difficult year... All the best for everybody!

And now a SURPRISE!!!
This is a poem for all of you, I already shared something similar some years ago with another group, but I have made the necessary changes and this is it, I hope you like it...

LANGUAGE III "My Feelings"

I am still amazed
and it wasn't a maze,
although at first I guessed it was,
and thought I would be at a loss.

But soon I found a group
in which I felt so good
Romi, Liting, Hector,
Nana, Ayelén, Silvi,
Jackie, Barbie and Paula
all of you had a kind of aura.

Each one gave her/his very best.
Ideas, jokes, oral tasks, vocabulary and the rest:
good will, hard work, common sense,
friendship, laughs, nerves and love immense...

The tasks, the PPTs and the novels were so clear
that very soon we lost our fear.
Analía, Jaz, Anna and Scott taught us,
we taught each other
we changed forever, us and them...

After this experience in Language 3
I will never be the same.
Learning was a fruitful process
though it was no bed of roses...

We had to struggle our own battles:
poor health, our own problems,
schedule changes, strikes and other matters,
but nothing could our faith shatter!

And here we are, and here I am
our goal achieved, an accomplished aim,
I thought it was an impossible dream
but it is true, and now I beam!

Julia Villasboa

"A True Tale of Argentine Life" - The Lottery Ticket

On her way back home from the butcher's, Mother has legendarily stopped off at the Lottery Agency, which lies two blocks away from my parents' place. She finds it a pretty unavoidable temptation, like the alluring, inescapable door to hell. Father has always been in conflict with this practice.

- "Well blow me if that isn't my wife, trying to skulk away with her latest sin in one hand, and some meat in the other!" - He teased her that morning.
- "Well blow me if this isn't the winning ticket for the evening! I'm sick and tired of your complaints!" - Mother answered.

Thursting the meat and purse on the table, she strode out of the kitchen. She was well aware that he hated her doing this. It was a most irritating habit she had taken to. The numbers were 67 - 29 - 83 - 26 - 5. They were related to his age, the number of years they'd been married, granny's next birthdy, my own age and at last my son's. She had been betting on those numbers for the last decades. She had made the necessary modifications required by the passing of years, naturally, but basically the parameter had been maintained all along.

At the usual time, the peroxide blonde announced on TV: .- "8 pm, Lottery Time". The winning numbers of the day started oozing out of the presenter's lips like rose petals abandoning their crade: "Five... Twenty six... Twenty nine... Sixty seven... " Suddenly the lights went off and while we awaited, father collapsed.

Mother found out which the last number was once the power returned. And the last number was seventy five, so, once again, she had not been the winner. But poor Father, out of guilt, had a heart attack when the lights went off, convinced that Mother's ticket was the winner and he had spoiled it all. He did believe in God, rather vehemently. No doubt about it, he must have considered it a form of punishment for having been so intolerant with Mother. He was immediately clasped between the Hands of the Lord, unfortunately. Nothing could be done. Mother might never win any money from betting, but having ridden of her principal gambling hindrance seemed quite enough for starters...

Self corrections and after writing reflections: https://docs1.google.com/document/d/1NSB_NYX0g9xAWyTxQSYf8ChSpYSIO_lfTBV5PTLTGew/edit##

"Education in Crisis". Discuss

Normal 4 Primary School - 6th Form - Gym class

By definition a crisis is a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive action. Besides these crises now I will focus our attention on one that Argentina is suffering: crisis in education. To my way of thinking, there are three main reasons for this: the infrastructure problem, low salaries and the fact that for political leaders education is not a priority.

Firstly, schools do no meet the minimum standards of insfrastructure. Old buildings are in need of urgent repair. There is no water in the toilets, no gas for heating purposes; blackboards are so cracked that no type of chalk will write on them. Window panes are non-existent so students freeze in the colder months and boil in the hotter ones as no fans or any other form of cooling system is available. The poor condition of buildings is a clear reflectin of the lack of interest in education on the part of the authorities.

Secondly, teachers in Argentina receive very low salaries when compared with their European counterparts. The job teachers do is fundamental because without them our country would not have a chance to progress. Therefore, they ought to be paid according to their value. In many cases teachers' poor incomes result in their lack of motivation, so their lessons are unprepared or extremely boring. The effect on students is their denial to learn or show interest in the subjects they are taught. Besides, such low salaries mean that teachers need to work long hours to make ends meet, which only worsens the whole situation.

Thirdly, the crisis can only end provided education becomes a priority for the government. Politicians' attitude has put our nation into a hole that no quick fix or miracle pill will get us out of. Sporadic initiatives to improve the system of education have attempted to solve the difficulty but a more comprehensive plan is definitely required. Objectives have to be changed and the right steps need to be taken, for instance, the government should make the best use of resources and complete budget for education.

To sum up, the crisis education is undergoing is due mainly to the appalling state of the buildings assigned as teaching institutions, low salaries and the lack of interest on the part of the authorities. Argentina has the tools to improve the educational system; it just needs to use them properly so as to give a solution for today's emergency

.

Self corrections and After writing reflections:https://docs.google.com/document/d/12TwCCYsZnKbb1zn80hT2MB6u__58aAnw7HOAghwm8zw/edit?hl=es#

Argentina, a dream country

Have you ever thought of travelling to Argentina? If you haven't, what follows will definitely persuade you to do so. Because of its geographical position, Argentina offers diverse landscapes, different attractions and a wide range of activities. Argentine culture is as varid as the country's geography. Make sure you have plenty of time to visit different areas so that you will get a more precise idea of what it is really like.

It may be a good idea - considering that planes from abroad all land in Buenos Aires - to start in this city, which is the capital of the country. The general landscapes and the entertainment the city offers are worth a visit. Make sure you don't miss a 'tango' show. Tango is a dance that originated in Buenos Aires in the late nineteenth century and has nowadays become very popular around the world. You can even take some classes to learn this legendary dance! Buenos Aires displays beautiful architectural styles mostly imposted from Europe, impressive old buildings, some of which are extremely well preserved and are national monuments, all strangely mingled with some modern, state of the art flats and offices.

After Buenos Aires, you may wish to visit the Iguazú Falls, which is undoubtedly one of the most imposing natural attractions in Argentina. The Falls are situatd in Iguazú National Park in the province of Misiones. In Guaraní language "Iguazú" means "great waters". Various tour companies in Argentina offer trips for you to enjoy this astonishing treasure of nature. Besides the majestic falls, the jungle offer a wide variety of native animals such as the "tapir" and some luxuriant vegetation.

If you love adventure, mountaineering, rafting, horse riding or just hiking by lakes or through forests, Mendoza and Córdoba will provide you with what you are looking for. You will also be able to experience the pleasure of eating the succulent, tender beef and other tasty treasts during the famous "asados" (barbecues) and you will be able to drink the best wines Argentina produces. You may also want to visit some of the 632 vineyards in Mendoza, especially one called Trapiche, which is the world's most renowed wine producer.

There is no way you can give Patagonia (in the south of Argentina) a miss. In the Lake Region you will be able to admire crystalline and transparent lakes sorrounded by impressive mountains: The Andes. You will be able to enjoy the marvellous experience of walking through the 'Arrayanes', a unique formation with tree specimens centuries old, the bark of which is cold and smooth to the touch and the colour of cinnamon. This fairy-tale wood inspired Walt Disney for his movies. If you decide to travel across Patagonia towards the Atlantic Coast you will be able to appreciate the beauty of two sea creatures: the Magellanic penguin and the Southern Right whale.

There is no denying that Argentina is a great country which offers tourists diversity, tradition, great scenery and fascinating fauna. Give Argentina a try! You will not regret it!

Self correction chard and After writing reflections: https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=15XbYh7tSP0-7_gG0tbUpHht7Yilz6rLrv6vN3uSmeaQ&hl=es##

"Technological resources offer innovative teachers exciting ways to enhance their pedagogy". Discuss

Ever since the Industrial Revolution there has been constant technological progress in the world. Newer and better machinery has helped people improve their quality of life in different aspects such as transport and education. In my opinion, today's teachers should profit from technology since it offers several benefits.


To begin with, plenty of teachers' resources are very easily downloaded from the Internet free of charge. Teachers just have to google "teachers' resources" or whatever they are in need of, and several hits will appear instantly. A very well-known site is the "Learning Page" where teachers may find lesson plans, free printable workssheets, activities, and so on.
Secondly, by making use of computers and the Internet in class, teachers can approach different kinds of learners at the same time. This is possible thanks to what is known as "multimedia", which combines text, images and sound to reach the receiver from several angles. Examples of this are Power Point presentations, online games and encyclopedias.


Thirdly, teachers cannot deny the fact that these days most students are fond of technology and know how to use it. Sometimes, learners handle computers much better than educators do. Therefore, if teachers are willing to capture their students' attention, a very good way for them to do so is allowing pupils to work in the computer laboratory. Doing this will increase their interest in the subject.


In contrast, some experienced teachers sustain that learning how to use a computer at their age is an arduous task and that they have been teaching for many years without what they consider to be an unnecessary resource. However, this belief is not totally valid since there are several computing and Internet courses especially designed for teachers.


All things considered, I firmly think that even though these technological tools might be slightly difficult to incorporate (both for personal and professional use), they give us creative ways to teach and work. Finally, I would like to quote Brock Brady's words: "in the 21st century computers and the Internet offer innovative teachers exciting ways to enhance their pedagogy and capture their students' attention".


Self correction chard and After writing reflection: https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1OKypLM12hmtibTb0f8aaJHqw57JuiK4I7xU1gAF6dCY&hl=es&pli=1##

"Culture"

1. Photo culture capsules - "Pubs"
What catches my attention very much is that one of the most popular pastimes in Britain is "going to the pub". Anna told us that visiting a pub is still a very important part of British life, and more money is spent on drinking and other pub activities than on any other single form of leisure. Some seven out of ten adults visit pubs, and one-third go once or more a week. She said that the pub as a social institution, has changed somewhat over the years, but still caters for a wide range of different groups and tastes. Pubs open from 11 am to 11 pm every day except Sundays.
2. Boarding Schools PPT
Anna explained to us that a boarding school is a school where some or all pupils not only study, but also live during term time, with their fellow students and possibly teachers. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board", that is, food and lodging. Anna also told us that her father is a housemaster and that he has the largest responsibility for the general well-being of the students. She said that he stays in close contact both with the child and with the parents during the whole time at the boarding school. He meets with the individual pupils at regular intervals to talk with them about their work, their life in the community and their problems. Anna and her family live in the boarding school but I think it is quite difficult for her in some moments to share her dad all the time with so many students. For me all this about a boarding school is new, I did not know these kind of institutions exist nowadays.
3. Anna's own experience of education
Anna said that having a spiritual life and an academic life as well was fantastic for herself. She said that she had the time to reflect on things at her boarding school, she said she was just herself there. She also mentioned that her formative years in that school were certainly very significant in fostering her personality. She said that the students develop high levels of intellectual curiosity, creativity and independent learning skills and achieve outstanding standards in public examinations. Anna believed that the quality of boarding education is outstanding, which fosters exemplary standards in students’ personal development. She stated that school life does not stop at weekends; they have a varied and stimulating range of activities and trips at weekends.
4. Our intercultural gift
This was certainly one of the most moving experiences I had ever lived in the Teaching Training College. My mates and I showed Anna a Power Point presentation containg many pictures of beautiful places in Argentina, many of our "costumbres argentinas" and also some remarcable argentine people. We sort of summerized in this presentation our feelings towards our country and we actually enjoyed this class a lot.

Marcos and me...

BIODATA

Julia Villasboa is a graduate teacher (Primary Level) and third-year student (Secondary Level) at the Joaquín V. González Teacher Training College. She has worked as a teacher in primary and secondary state schools in Buenos Aires for five years. Two of her main interest areas are the teaching of writing and literature.

My experience of writing

My writing experience has been greatly enriching and varied over the years. As a child, it was easier for me to express myself through writing than face to face. During those years, I used to write in my diary, where I wrote about the usual kind of situations girls go through at that particular time of life. I kept on doing this well into my teens and I felt an incredible sense of relief. Thus, my first connection with writing was a way of expressing my feelings rather than trying to please an imaginary audience.

Throughout my adolescence I developed two different approaches to writing. Influenced by the blossom of love and romantic views, I started writing poems and short stories but I was too shy to make them known. In the fullness of that moment of awakening, I became gradually aware of the political reality in my country, democracy was coming back and it was my first contact with it. As a result, I developed a new motivations for writing: instead of expressing my feelings and desires, I started expressing my opinions. I fondly recall some secondary school teachers who contributed to my intellectual growth and introduced me to a critical way of thinking.

However, my experience of writing in English was completely different to the one I had had in Spanish. It can be frustating to write in another language if you find it difficult to put your thoughts into words. Whenever I was assigned a task by any of my Language teachers, I felt an incredible lack of freedom to express my ideas. I wanted to say many concepts but I didn't have enough vocabulary to put them on paper. I felt like water pressing to burst out of a blocked hosepipe. As my vocabulary became wider and my general knowledge of the language got better, I developed new confidence when writing.

All in all, writing has given me a better understanding of my true self and it has been a means of conveying my feelings and opinions. In spite of my negative experiences at the Teacher Training College, I must say that I've always thought that personal writing is a sort of distration, a pastime, or a therapy, and that academic writing may not be the real thing. However, I believe that, regardless of the style or layout we may give it, writing is a way of expressing ourselves, making sense of experience, recording particular moments and touching the reader's heart with our words.

Julia

SCs&AWRs WT n° 2:
https://docs2.google.com/document/edit?id=1OKypLM12hmtibTb0f8aaJHqw57JuiK4I7xU1gAF6dCY&hl=es#

Speaker's Corner

My reflections about “Speaker’s corner” activity

I must admit I did not have the opportunity to give my speech in this activity because I was absent one class and the following class Anna came and so we started something new. But in the process of writing this task I learnt that one has to be clear and to the point in order to make people understand you. I had the opportunity of working together with Romina and Jacky who were very fluent and coherent with their speeches. Even though I did not talk in front of the class I listened to my mates, some presentations were very interesting, others were funny and others were quite moving for me. I really like this sort of activities because they help us as teachers.
To my way of thinking, I need to improve my ideas in this task and work harder on the use of language because I feel mine was a bit simple.
My main objective for the next speaker´s corner activity is to improve my language and use new vocabulary. I received feedback from my peers that helped me realized of self-correct some mistakes.

My Profile

Hi Everybody!
I’m Julia Villasboa, I was born in a quiet little town in the north of Buenos Aires called Escobar. When I was nineteen, I moved to Almagro because I wanted to study and work in the big city. I found a job as a receptionist in an American firm in Palermo. At the time I also attended first-year subjects at the Joaquin V. Gonzalez. In my job I received training and became a Bilingual Executive Secretary. Eventually, I was promoted to a better position in the Purchasing Department.

Then I came to the conclusion that I was giving more consideration and energy to my job than to my studies. I could not cope with the subjects, so I decided to give up college. Afterwards I got married and I had three sons very soon. Thus one day I found myself being a very active Executive Secretary and a mother of three beautiful boys! However, there were days when I felt so exhausted and miserable that I made up my mind to talk to my manager and stop working. I felt I had to devote more time to my husband and particularly to my kids.

Ten years later I went back to Teacher Training College and in 2005 I obtained my degree as an English teacher for primary school. One of my teachers, Ms Molina, encouraged me to go on studying and to finish the complete course of studies to become a teacher for secondary school. So here I am... I hope I can finish it before I become a grandma since my eldest son is sixteen already!

I have been working as an English teacher for primary and secondary state schools since 2005 thanks to one of my dearest teachers, Ms Perez Berbain, who literally pushed me into the classrooms! She was always telling me to be open to new experiences. I love to be a teacher; I know I have to learn more and I’m really looking forward to doing it together with you people! All the best, Julia

SCs&AWRs nº 1:

https://docs0.google.com/document/edit?id=1MBvzmSUKdlfc-VnrinG6Ou_YLgSzoZf2xKCfCi1NSto#