Outraged by the illiteracy of the literate

     

   According to a survey, many teachers in the UK have problems with basic literacy, needing proofreaders to correct their letters to the parents.

      I am outraged, disappointed and half of my heart grown on the notion of justice is crying, while the other one only winks and rather makes my hand to write these lines of criticism.

       Further on, a former headteacher and the chairman of the Chamber for Real English confirmed that it is very rare to find teachers who are not making mistakes in grammar and punctuation.

     They do not allow me to teach here, regardless that I have the master’s degree in teaching translated and verified by the relevant organization. They would demand the General Teacher’s Status as well as much more documents ‘in the package’. I dare, nor would they allow me to be one of the correctors who are payed 14.02 pounds an hour. Pursuing the economic perfection, did they realize that it is the rework that coughs up lot of money?

     Calming down, I realize that apparently, most of the ‘literate’ teachers would also be immigrants who managed to get through the barrier of administration. And I have to recognize they might be real experts in their field. Actually, teaching in the UK is not read directly at the university, but people with degree in different spheres could apply for the General Teacher’s Status. Because of that the general reluctance towards the graduates from a system where 90% of the population could qualify for the three letters that entitle them to teach.

    Outraged by the “Pride and Prejudice”, I do not know whom to blame. And honestly, having seen the school yard full of rascals last week, I do not think I want to become part of it. Therefore I do it like the author who was also discriminated to the margin of the society despite the fact she proved much better than most of her judges. I will write. 

Few things about Slovakia

      Few months ago, I came across an article entitled “Is Slovakia Stuck in the 1950´s”? (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  It was written by a foreigner, most probably American citizen, who has been living in Slovakia for several years and has a good intelligence and understanding about the everyday life. His article was a collection of interesting, though anecdotal facts about Slovak customs and common practices that has become part and parcel of our daily routines. Each of them is covered in several paragraphs, containing a healthy dose of criticism, which Slovaks often were asking for. Yet in general, it seems that he likes Slovakia the way it is.

      In each paragraph, he attempts parallelism with American or western way of live, and often comes out with something that might be interesting for the concerned foreign reader, but rather commonplace for the majority of Slovak population.

    The text reads in a smooth cadence, the author did not attempt to impress the readers with incomprehensible terminology. In between the lines one can scribble out that in some aspects Americans could take after Slovaks, for example the preservation of traditions such as family lunch on Sunday, which, notwithstanding the consumerism, are perpetual. The author likes the easygoing, even flippant attitude of Slovaks manifested in their approach to booze, which, I feel might have a negative impact on the social and economical development. In general, in each nation he has discovered some values that the other should take home.

     In my commentary I do not want to criticize the author, but provide my opinion on some of the issues. From each point I have chosen one sentence. It does not necessarily convey the central point of the argument, but I found them interesting. 

here are link to the particular articles

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/suntanned-arms-on-pale-torso.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/2-family-lunch-in-slovakia.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/traffic-in-bratislava.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/easiest-solutions-are-often-most.html

http://erik209.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=8HLtFTsBAAA.9Rw8qAyhAtntWO0ngzcSLg.bNlmGWy8WpQzfIeRPxp0gQ&postId=7500004642257250226&type=POST

http://erik209.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=X5TuFTsBAAA.9Rw8qAyhAtntWO0ngzcSLg.qkfYGsktnOeP-LyCaFDQsA&postId=647533500658558398&type=POST

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/break-booze.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/8-slovak-mother-still-in-role-of_18.html

8 Slovak mother still in the role of the benefactor

Quote: “Despite so many women in Slovakia working, the idea remains that a mother who would not see to it that there was a warm meal for her family to eat, even if it means each member of the family heating it up themselves, is a mother who is not playing her part in watching out for her family.”
      We should cherish the few Slovak women that try to provide healthy diet for their children, preparing complete meal every day. Conversely, some American women consider heating up a hamburger cooking. Sadly enough, many Slovak’s are hankered by these fast foods, or ready to eat dishes, that are commonplace in America. Actually, most of the fast food is just original meals from other countries, spoiled by the commercial culture. And we would feed on it, even on Sunday dinner. But try to walk into an original Italian pizzeria and ask for “extra thick dough” or ketchup. In Sicily, you would be probably killed.
    Also Americans have some eating habits that are worth mention and conversely, many of them are being screwed up by Slovaks. For example, Slovaks would denote any act of putting a peace of meat on fire and wait until it is red, which means ready to eat, a barbecue. But the word barbecue comes from Texas, referring to a slow process of cooking the meat on charcoal at a medium temperature. It would allow the meat to be well cooked, but not burnt – which often happens at Slovak grill parties.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

2 Family lunch in Slovakia

Quote: “In Slovakia a nicer meal is often eaten for Sunday lunch than what would be eaten during the rest of the week. The family might even all sit together at one time at the table.”

     I have to remind you that Slovakia is predominantly Christian country, and keeping the family together (however taken over from the Jewish predecessors) is still entrenched in the subconscious of the society. Although the old-school church goers are slowly dying out, or are being institutionalised in the retirement homes; it is not bad to join our beloved ones for a couple of hours, enjoy our meal and discuss the things we can’t get down to during the busy week. As the five star chef Gordon Ramsay says in one of his book I recently came across in newly-opened bookshop, the gathering at joint meal can actually take place on any day. Just make sure that you spend some with your family and no one leaves earlier than everyone eats up his game.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

Swimming to work in the city of London

     Yesterday, I had a chance to visit the centre of world’s business in London’s Canary Wharf. It is full of high buildings, busy businessman, expensive shops and restaurants. But whole complex is interwoven by many canals, which in past used to be one of the busiest docks in the world. Now, they offer niche to reveal and get some fresh air during the lunch breaks. But occasionally, you could see a swimmer crawling through the water. After a while he would climb up the ladder, change his neoprene into a suit and disappear in the darkness of the commercial buildings. An image to be seen only in James Bond movies, but for him it was nothing more than getting out of the bus or tube. For fitness specialists an interesting way how to fit exercise into a busy business day.

      Watching the Olympic triathlon in Hyde Park, someone realized that the same could be done in Thames. Swimming is an effective physical activity – a thing many people simply can’t incorporate into their lifestyles. Most of the day is spent at work and the rest is occupied by travelling. And then it hit the nail. Swimming to work is a short-cut. The idea was further developed by the people from the Y/N studios. Part of the Regent’s canal between Little Venice to Limehouse basin was turned into the LidoLine, a wet commuter network. Before, the canal was used as a freight route for local industry. Now, it gives the Londoners another eco-friendly travel alternative, except of the Boris Bikes. Moreover, it is also beneficial for their health.

    ASA study learned that that it can extend the life expectancy. It is a form of physical exercise that engages all the muscles, but it does not overexpose your joints, because the water supports your body. Also, it was proved with improving the vital capacity of lungs and improves blood circulation, which, however, is valid for any cardiovascular activity. But swimming is unique in boosting the immunity, because of the winterization. Mainly during the cold months, leading up to the ice-hockey season.

     In order to keep the water clean the city authorities will use a filtration system already pioneered in New York’s Hudson River. Actually, these days many New Yorkers are forced to swim even against their will. Basins will be placed into the river. They will provide for cleanliness and also distract he boats. You can get changed into the suit in changing areas with lockers, located at the stations along the river. Also sunbathing decks will be available in summer. In winter the whole route will be changed into an ice-rink. Once I read that the employees at google play in-line hockey. I am curious whether someone will come up with an idea to play ice-hockey. Maybe some business associates from Canada.

     For many swimming to work might sound as a completely crazy idea. Mainly in a city like London. But it is the peculiarity of big cities that offer possibilities that would be considered unusual elsewhere. Moreover this one is environmental friendly and health conscious. At the end of the day, or predecessors were forced to learn to swim in order to overcome natural obstacles while hunting – which was their job. I would like to follow their footsteps. I will definitely try the canal in summer. In winter I would prefer hockey, but I have not seen a stick in any sport shop yet.