My experience learning English at the University.

My experience learning English in University has had good moments and bad moments. I had every courses of English in my university life (Starter, Beginner, Preintermediate and Intermediate) and I must to admit that I am very tired, although I have learnt too much.
Now, I will talk about my different opinions, anecdotes and experiences with this course in each year. I want to show the importance of English in my career and my life, even though I have several problems to learning English.

When I matriculate in Universidad de Chile, I never thought that I must to have a course of English. Before of start my career, I come to Social Science Faculty to have an English test. This Test was very difficult to me and I think that me results were very awful. In the first week in the University, I knew that I belong to Beginner Course of English. In that moment I was very disappointed, and I didn’t want to start the course. In the first year, I felt discouraged, because I thought that I was so behind in my level. Then I understand that English course was necessary; I must improve my level in this language.
In the second level, I had other opinion about this course. Sometimes, I enjoyed learning English and I thought that I improved my vocabulary, listening and my writing. In that level I had my first Oral Presentation. Although I was very nervous, that experience was useful to me, because I polish up my speaking.
When I was in Preintermediate level, I learnt more words and idioms of language, I had my first Oral Interaction and started my first web page; the blog. Henceforth, my English skills were improving, above all listening. In this year, I began the level 4. Undoubtedly, this course was where I learnt more English. I learnt new words, I improved my reading and speaking, that is, I knew other ways of communication.

Finally, I can to say that English is very necessary to have more opportunities to understand the world. I learnt since simple things for example understand words and sentences in television (TV series or publicity), until important things for example giving directions to foreign people, reading scientific papers of my subjects and communicate with other people in my professional area.
For all that, I think that English has enriched my career, because that language allow me knowing other realities, which is the principal way to connect with people.

Money

I wouldn’t like to be wealthy. I would like to have a job and economic independency, but I don’t want a lot of money, because I think that I don’t need that many resources. I prefer earning enough salary to live well and supply my principal needs. People don’t need to have too much money to be comfortable, in fact, people can live with little cash.
If I inherited a lot of money, I would like to help some people in problems. For example, I help some close people with their careers and their expenses. Then, I would like to travel around the world with my family or my friends. I would visit Asia and Europe principally. When I return, I spend my time in my principal hobbies; painting, taking pictures, writing. I would probably buy some new cameras, but it would be difficult for me to change my old camera. Besides, I would buy several paints and canvas for painting. I would never drop my career.
If I was a millionaire, I would spend my money in my family and my interests. I would like to take some courses about literature, or painting, but I don’t have enough time. Also, I would invite my friends to travel for Chile and Latino America. I would buy several books and I would share some parties with my close friends.
Money is not very important to me. I think that I have enjoyed enough with little money. My hobbies are expensive maybe, but it’s possible to enjoy them in other ways.

Environment Cares are very important to preserve natural places and our lives. People learn environmentally friendly practices in school and from their families principally. Teachers instill to students good habits, for example, throwing wastes out or cleaning their desks. But the most important habits are learnt within familiar group.
Recycling hasn’t incorporated in my activities yet, because in my social and daily environment doesn’t have spaces that allow recycling. But I really like to include these healthy practices in my life. I would like that my neighborhood and university offer possibilities to recycle every kind of material.
I don’t like to use bike. I usually move with legs, I really like walking down street. In that way I keep my organism in healthy conditions and I careful environment. This city is much polluted, because many people use their cars and buses every day. People should begin to use other transport methods, like bike, segway scooter and their legs.
I never participate in an eco-organization, only small groups in my school. Actually, I don’t have time to join some organization, like Green Peace, but I really like participate in someone.
I think that I have well environmentally habits. I worry to keep clean every place that I use; my rooms, streets, my classroom, and etcetera. Beside I try to teach to other person good habits. I consider that I am very organized and tidy, and I try to share theses habits with my relatives and friends. As well I try to learn new ways to careful environment. I would like participate in a ecological group to clean beaches or forest in my next holidays.
I have decreased use of contaminants vehicles and artifacts, for example cars and buses, to reduce my carbon footprint. Society should incorporated institutions that teach people careful our planet. As well, government must include new educational reforms, which tackle environment cares, and create strict laws to prohibit bad practices, for example contaminate.

My experience in high school was really nice. In first place, my classmates and teachers influenced me very much. They are so kind and funny people. My classmates are my brothers practically, although they are a little irresponsible with their tasks and works.
Most of my teachers were good and professional. I had a good teacher of Language, he taught me to write in a symbolic way or write with good orthography. My History teacher was very orderly, she taught me about universal history improving my knowledge in that area. Other teacher that I remember is my Biology teacher. He was an expert in microbiology and lab techniques. He worked in France and then he did classes in Medicine Faculty in Universidad de Chile. These persons were my best teachers and they influenced me in my interests and decisions.
My favorite subjects were Language, Mathematics, Biology, History and Art. My likes were fed by big knowledge and advices from my best teachers. I really liked mathematics, although I didn’t have good teachers. I just liked Language, because it let me create texts and short stories.
My school had some technological objects that help my teachers to make classes; data show, video room, microscopes, etcetera, but my school needs include new artifacts.
I think that my formation in school affected totally my decisions. My History teacher and I applied several vocational and skill tests to find some appropriate area for me. According to those results, I decide study Psychology. In my opinion I take a very good decision.
The authorities must include some reforms to improve educational development. For example, government must promote that more people interested in pedagogy careers. The authorities must also improve technology in all schools in this country.
Even though some teachers were very bad or unpleasant, I can say that I received a good education. Education depends on our efforts too, not only our teachers.

I chose a little article about educational psychology: “Time for a rethink on special educational needs”. This text speaks about special needs in a classroom, specifically disadvantaged children. This article quotes to Ofsted, an institution of education in England. This entity recognizes that children with special needs or disability are generally excluded from school. Ofsted suggests simply that children have better teaching. This text says that suggestion is inappropriate and insufficient, because that don’t considers special needs of kids.
The great majority of prisoners apparently have bad reading and writing skills; probably their teachers are very incompetent. In a good school children special needs are considered, but sometimes is very difficult teach to thirty students or more. An insufficient education would be very detrimental for children, which falls by the wayside and then they feel failure.
Finally, give extra help to children with special needs is urgent, in this way children improve their literacy skills, which gives them best opportunities. Bad literacy skills of prisoners prove it. Ofsted should consider special needs and benefits of a good education in population of society.
This interesting article was extracted from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/sep/16/time-rethink-special-educational-needs from “the guardian”, and the link of this page is: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

One of my favorite movies is “Un long dimanche de fiançailles”. It’s a French movie, directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet and based on a Sebastien Japrisot novel. This movie shows a relationship between Mathilde and Manech, who were separated by First World War. Mathilde searches Manech, who disappeared in trench near Germany. Everybody says that Manech was dead, but Mathilde refused to believe it. Mathilde is very optimistic, never lose her hopes.
First, Mathilde received a letter from a veteran, which had been with Manech in trench. This man tells Mathilde that her boyfriend was condemned for self mutilation in Bingo Crepuscule, one of French trench in frontier with Germany. The veteran give to Mathilde a little box, where is many objects of soldiers; pictures, letters, watches. Mathilde get several clues to find her boyfriend. Then, she goes Paris for contract a detective, which helps her. Mathilde knows many people, old majors, other women that search their boyfriends and a murderer, who looking for revenge. This Murderer named Tina Lombardi is very vindictive; she murders every major that hurt her boyfriend (the Angel) in war. Tina search her Angel, but in a different way of Mathilde. Mathilde connect stories to know where Manech is.
My favorite part in this movie is when Mathilde meet with Manech, in an old convent. There, she discovers that her boyfriend is amnesiac. Due to he don’t search her. Manech says the same words that he said when he knows Mathilde.
This movie likes me because contain many war stories, interesting characters and beautiful images, although sometimes result a long film too much. I wouldn’t like to change nothing of this movie, maybe only reduce the length off.
Bye bye.

I think that a foreigner should visit many places in Santiago, specifically The Center. There a foreigner should visit some old buildings and streets, for example Londres Street, Paris Street or some avenue in Providencia. These places are full of antiques stores, coffee shops, pubs and old museums. Santiago presents several areas very beautiful to take pictures, for example San Cristóbal Hill, where is possible have a panoramic view of city, visit to zoo park and make exercises climbing the hill. Other interesting place is Santa Lucía Hill which presents a Castle Hidalgo and beautiful gardens. Near of there, is Lastarria Neighborhood, where is possible visit alternative cinemas, theaters and nice restaurants. Lastarria Neighborhood has many old streets to paint, parks to make exercises and relaxing and cultural centers. In the north of Lastarria, we find Bella Vista Neighborhood, full of pubs and restaurants where we can enjoy parties and have lunch. This place has the most beautiful streets with paving stone and to surround of colorful houses. There is possible visit Pablo Neruda’s House and several theaters.
In my opinion the best places in Santiago are Lastarria Neighborhood, Londres and Paris streets, Providencia, Bellas Artes Museum and Bella Vista Neighborhood. Lastarria is a little area, next to Forestal Park. For me Lastarria is the most typical place of Santiago. Then, Londres and Paris streets are an area that preserves some traditional architectonic elements of old Santiago. Providencia contain nice places to eat and buy, for example book stores, sushi bar or record shops. Bellas Artes Museum is a spectacular art experience where is possible enjoy sculptures, paintings and photo expositions. Finally Bella Vista Neighborhood is a very popular place, where everybody in Santiago and foreigners meet.
Bye!