I have performed my month-long training in the Šeškinės day-centre. The main aims of the training were to take a look to the institution’s work, to know more about social worker’s functions and to analyze one case.
In this day-centre there works a social pedagogue and a social worker. Also there are about eleven volunteers.
I was working with children from the ages of 7 to 10. In the day-centre there are nine children from different families and with various problems. Children spend their days after school in this place: do their homework, eat, play and improve social, artistic, culinary skills. Of course each of them has some responsibilities: to wash their dishes, to tidy up the place of their work and etc.
At first I was a little bit afraid of the training: I didn’t know anything about social work in the institution like this, I was in ignorance of communication with children. Now I can say that the training was very successful and useful. I succeeded in achieving the aims of training with the help of a social worker and a social pedagogue. My relations with children are very close now. At the end of training I decided to do volunteer work in this day-centre.
I am very happy about my training. I have learned many useful things about social work, communication with children. It was a great experience.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Self-assessment of online listening to podcasts
I have listened two podcasts:
Ø ABC World News Podcast http://a.media.abcnews.com/podcasts/071107wn_webcasta.mp3)
Ø Exclusiva English Podcast http://a.media.abcnews.com/podcasts/071025exclusiva_eng.mp3
These online listening podcasts are upper-intermediate level and it was not easy to perform this task. Vocabulary was quite difficult, there were many unknown words. I had to listen podcasts 4 times for the complete understanding. Unfortunately, there was not written text (transcript), so I could not looked up the meaning of unknown words.
It is good that speakers’ accents were American, because it is easier to understand than British, although American accent has faster rate of speaking.
Listening task is not my forte. I have not enough experience. In order to have it more and improve my English skills I have to listen to podcasts as often as possible, watch English films. Also it is very useful to travel and work abroad.
After doing this task I persuaded that I am not well prepared for my exam listening paper and I have to work harder to pass it.
Ø ABC World News Podcast http://a.media.abcnews.com/podcasts/071107wn_webcasta.mp3)
Ø Exclusiva English Podcast http://a.media.abcnews.com/podcasts/071025exclusiva_eng.mp3
These online listening podcasts are upper-intermediate level and it was not easy to perform this task. Vocabulary was quite difficult, there were many unknown words. I had to listen podcasts 4 times for the complete understanding. Unfortunately, there was not written text (transcript), so I could not looked up the meaning of unknown words.
It is good that speakers’ accents were American, because it is easier to understand than British, although American accent has faster rate of speaking.
Listening task is not my forte. I have not enough experience. In order to have it more and improve my English skills I have to listen to podcasts as often as possible, watch English films. Also it is very useful to travel and work abroad.
After doing this task I persuaded that I am not well prepared for my exam listening paper and I have to work harder to pass it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Education policy in UK
Education is principally identified with schooling, though in theory it extends far beyond this, being concerned with intellectual and social development. The main emphasis within this is on children, though there is clearly scope for education for all and "lifelong learning". Education has been particularly significant as an instrument of social policy, in the sense not only of policies for welfare but also as policies intended to deal with the structure of society. The aims of education include:
- Liberal education: the development of each individual intellectually and socially to that person's fullest potential.
- Socialisation: education is a method of transmission of social norms and values. This is also sometimes seen as a form of social control.
- Education as 'handmaiden': the education system serves the industrial process and the economy by producing a trained workforce, and by providing child minding services.
- Social change (or 'social engineering'). The education system has been seen as a means of bringing about social change.
Free elementary education was introduced in England in 1870; secondary schools were fee-paying until 1944. 80% of children left after elementary education, which after 1918 finished at 14. The 1944 Education Act introduced free secondary education. The dominant principle was the pursuit of equality. The system was based on a 'tripartite' structure, distinguishing grammar, technical and secondary modern. Within these schools there was to be "parity of esteem". In practice, there were few technical schools, which meant the system was more "bipartite" than "tripartite". Since grammar schools were selective, and secondary moderns took the rest, there was never "parity of esteem".
Non-selective or "comprehensive" schools were introduced gradually, but comprehensive education became government policy in the 1960s. The arguments for and against comprehensive education have been confused with other arguments about educational methods and the purposes of education. The main arguments for comprehensives are they reduce the likelihood of discrimination or disadvantage on the basis of class , and that they improve the prospects of children of middling ability. The main argument against is that the selective system may be more consistent with the idea of equality of opportunity. Working class children who went to grammar schools did better than those who go now to comprehensive schools. In conclusion, it must be said that education of all the people, not only young children and youth but also adults, should be each nation’s highest priority.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Homosexuality
Homosexuality can refer to both attraction or sexual behavior between people of the same sex, or to sexual orientation. When describing the latter, it refers to enduring sexual and romantic attraction towards those of the same sex, but not necessarily to sexual behavior.
In many cultures gay and lesbian people are frequently subject to prejudice, they are also subject to stereotyping. Gay men are seen as effeminate and fashionable, often identified with a lisp or a female-like tone and lilt. They are stereotyped as being promiscuous and unsuccessful in developming enduring romantic relationships. Gay men are also often alleged as having pedophiliac tendencies and more likely to commit child sexual abuse than the heterosexual male population. Lesbians are seen as butch, "man-hatters" or radical feminists.
In some cultures homosexual acts are considered "unnatural" and are outlawed. In some Muslim nations (such as Iran) and Africam countries it remains a capital crime.
when we talk about sexual orientation and the law, it is necessarily to talk about employment and housing discrimination. Employment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, and various types of harassment. In the U.S. there is "very little statutory, common law, and case law establishing employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation as a legal wrong". Housing discrimination refers to discrimination against potential or current tenants by landlords. In the U.S. there is no federal law against such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Another important thing talking about homosexuality is same-sex marriages. Government recognition of same-sex marriage is presently available in 6 countries and 2 U.S. states. The Netherlands was the first country to authorize same-sex marriage in 2001 and they are now also recognized in Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Spain and U.S. states of Massachusetts and Iowa. Israel's High Court of Justice ruled to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries, although it is still illegal to perform them within the country. Other countries, including the majority of European nations, have enacted laws allowing civil unions, designed to give gay couples similar rights as married couples concernig legal issues such as inheritance and immigration.
What is the situation in parenting? Many openly LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual ant transgender) people are parents, often by a way of adoption, donor insemination, foster parenting, or surrogacy. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home.
Homosexuality is a complex problem with many definitions and variations. If someone tells you, “I am a homosexual,” he has really told you very little about himself. It takes a deeper look into his life to determine the degree to which homosexuality has become a part of his identity. Homosexuality can be a difficult problem to overcome.
In many cultures gay and lesbian people are frequently subject to prejudice, they are also subject to stereotyping. Gay men are seen as effeminate and fashionable, often identified with a lisp or a female-like tone and lilt. They are stereotyped as being promiscuous and unsuccessful in developming enduring romantic relationships. Gay men are also often alleged as having pedophiliac tendencies and more likely to commit child sexual abuse than the heterosexual male population. Lesbians are seen as butch, "man-hatters" or radical feminists.
In some cultures homosexual acts are considered "unnatural" and are outlawed. In some Muslim nations (such as Iran) and Africam countries it remains a capital crime.
when we talk about sexual orientation and the law, it is necessarily to talk about employment and housing discrimination. Employment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, and various types of harassment. In the U.S. there is "very little statutory, common law, and case law establishing employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation as a legal wrong". Housing discrimination refers to discrimination against potential or current tenants by landlords. In the U.S. there is no federal law against such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Another important thing talking about homosexuality is same-sex marriages. Government recognition of same-sex marriage is presently available in 6 countries and 2 U.S. states. The Netherlands was the first country to authorize same-sex marriage in 2001 and they are now also recognized in Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Spain and U.S. states of Massachusetts and Iowa. Israel's High Court of Justice ruled to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries, although it is still illegal to perform them within the country. Other countries, including the majority of European nations, have enacted laws allowing civil unions, designed to give gay couples similar rights as married couples concernig legal issues such as inheritance and immigration.
What is the situation in parenting? Many openly LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual ant transgender) people are parents, often by a way of adoption, donor insemination, foster parenting, or surrogacy. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home.
Homosexuality is a complex problem with many definitions and variations. If someone tells you, “I am a homosexual,” he has really told you very little about himself. It takes a deeper look into his life to determine the degree to which homosexuality has become a part of his identity. Homosexuality can be a difficult problem to overcome.
Friday, May 4, 2007
A Virginia Tech: "As strong a place as it has always been"
On April 16 was the worst shooting in US history. A massive shooting spree at the Virginia Tech resulted in 32 dead victims, at least 15 wounded, and one dead student gunman - Seung-Hui Cho from South Korea. It was his final year of college.
In Virginia Tech seven percent of students are international. This year in University there are two thousands foreign students. Most of them are from India, China and South Korea.
One week after the massacre at Virginia Tech classes began again. Foreign students aren’t rejecting admission offers because of the tragedy. It seems as if Virginia Tech is “as strong a place as it has always been”.
In Virginia Tech seven percent of students are international. This year in University there are two thousands foreign students. Most of them are from India, China and South Korea.
One week after the massacre at Virginia Tech classes began again. Foreign students aren’t rejecting admission offers because of the tragedy. It seems as if Virginia Tech is “as strong a place as it has always been”.
Choosing a Student Exchange Program to Come to the US
The high school students, which are good in foreign language, have a great chance to travel and work in foreign countries. There are many exchange programs that enable high school students to do it: ASSE, ISEP, WORK AND TRAVEL USA.
ASSE – American Scandinavian student exchange. Students learn and live in the family in Norway, Denmark, Finland. This program organizes exchanges in thirty - one countries.
ISEP – International Student Exchange Program – is for college students. In this program two students from different countries trade places for a year or a semester.
Students, which choose WORK AND TRAVEL USA program, don’t work in the United States – they got a chance to work there about for months. Students often work in restaurants, hotels and also for other employers.
I think these programs are a great chance to see other country, meet with other culture, make useful contacts and find new friends. Several people that I know learn and work in foreign countries by these programs. They all are very happy about their decision to go to USA or other country. In my opinion, it’s a very useful opportunity and I am sure, that next year I will take this opportunity of work or learn in foreign country.
ASSE – American Scandinavian student exchange. Students learn and live in the family in Norway, Denmark, Finland. This program organizes exchanges in thirty - one countries.
ISEP – International Student Exchange Program – is for college students. In this program two students from different countries trade places for a year or a semester.
Students, which choose WORK AND TRAVEL USA program, don’t work in the United States – they got a chance to work there about for months. Students often work in restaurants, hotels and also for other employers.
I think these programs are a great chance to see other country, meet with other culture, make useful contacts and find new friends. Several people that I know learn and work in foreign countries by these programs. They all are very happy about their decision to go to USA or other country. In my opinion, it’s a very useful opportunity and I am sure, that next year I will take this opportunity of work or learn in foreign country.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Employment law summary
Employment law, which begins in 19th century, regulates relations between employers, employees and trade unions. The main purpose is about employment rights.
The 1978 Employment Protection Act is a summary for employees about their conditions of work and the main rights. They have the right to compensation for unfairly dismissal, the right to take their case to an industrial tribunal, if people complaining of discrimination. Women have the right to time off in order to have a baby.
European Community law gives better protection to employees than English law. Sometimes if employee lost his case at an industrial tribunal, European Court ruled that plaintiff – employee is right. EC law try to harmonize employment rights among member states: minimum wage problem, right to strike, Sunday trading in European Countries.
As compared with Japan, employees in this country have to work very long hours and they don’t ask for overtime payment. Also it’s unusual for Japanese workers to take legal action against their employers. But employees in Japan enjoy more security than employees in Western countries: once hired, they’re unlikely to be dismissed.
In conclusion the work in employment law is well on and, in my opinion, employees and employers can enjoy security because employment law regulates relations between them.
The 1978 Employment Protection Act is a summary for employees about their conditions of work and the main rights. They have the right to compensation for unfairly dismissal, the right to take their case to an industrial tribunal, if people complaining of discrimination. Women have the right to time off in order to have a baby.
European Community law gives better protection to employees than English law. Sometimes if employee lost his case at an industrial tribunal, European Court ruled that plaintiff – employee is right. EC law try to harmonize employment rights among member states: minimum wage problem, right to strike, Sunday trading in European Countries.
As compared with Japan, employees in this country have to work very long hours and they don’t ask for overtime payment. Also it’s unusual for Japanese workers to take legal action against their employers. But employees in Japan enjoy more security than employees in Western countries: once hired, they’re unlikely to be dismissed.
In conclusion the work in employment law is well on and, in my opinion, employees and employers can enjoy security because employment law regulates relations between them.
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