Thank YOU!

Just a short note to all those readers who sent me a card on Saturday, 26th September, The EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES: a big hug and THANK YOU!!!
Please keep on :)))

26th September: European Day of Languages

What is the European Day of Languages?

The European Year of Languages 2001, jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union, was successful in involving millions of people across 45 participating countries. Its activities celebrated linguistic diversity in Europe and promoted language learning.

The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are:

1.Alerting the public to the importance of language learning and diversifying the range of languages learnt in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;

2.Promoting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe, which must be preserved and fostered;

3.Encouraging lifelong language learning in and out of school, whether for study purposes, for professional needs, for purposes of mobility or for pleasure and exchanges.

Who is the European Day of Languages for?
The Council of Europe is hoping that this Day will be celebrated by both authorities in its member states and potential partners at the following levels:

■among policy-makers (specific measures or discussions on language policy issues, for instance)
■among the general public (awareness-raising on the overall objectives of the Day, including the importance of lifelong language learning, starting at any age, in educational establishments, at work, etc);
■in the voluntary sector (specific actions by and/or for NGOs, associations, companies, etc).

SOURCE:
http://edl.ecml.at/Abouttheday/Whatisit/tabid/1760/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

After some info on this particular day, I have some suggestions for students and teachers/colleagues alike...

To celebrate the upcoming European Day of Languages I would invite you all to click on the link below
http://edl.ecml.at/LanguageFun/MemoryGame/Flagsmemorygame/tabid/1870/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
It will take you to two examples of pelmanism. TRY at least the easy one!!!!
Anyway, there are also other activities I find quite interesting. If you click on "Language Fun", you will find topics such as "Language Treasures", "Language Facts" or "Language Quiz" but I would challenge you to send me (or somebody else) a CARD ("Send a Card") :)))

Another suggestion (especially for teachers of English) is to click on
http://www.britishcouncil.org/portugal-ensinar-ingles-materiais.htm
where you will find resources you may wish to use.

I'll be waiting for your feedback and cards!!!

Swine Flu Plan

In a prior posting dating back to August 10th, I have already introduced some information, posters and a video on swine flu. Now that the school year is about to start, Martinho Árias - just like all schools in Portugal - has a plan, the so-called "Plano de Contingência", mainly developed by Biology teacher Maria João Machado.
Teachers Natália Costa (coordinator) and Maria João have been addressing the different audiences communicating preventive measures and other pertinent information for flu, both seasonal and H1N1 related.

It is important that we all (parents / students / staff) take this information - and plan - seriously to avoid spreading the virus.

Keeping this in mind, watch another video.

8 th September - International Literacy Day (UNESCO)

Today one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women while 75 million children are out of school.

Since its foundation in 1946, UNESCO has been at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas. However, with some 776 million adults lacking minimum literacy skills, literacy for all remains an elusive target.

UNESCO’s literacy programmes aim to create a literate world and promote literacy for all.

Why is literacy important?
Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.

Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA).

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development .

Now, just compare how these students go to school in Japan and in India and imagine their learning environments, schools, school material,...
How easy it is for some, and how hard it can be for many, many others! Some have it all and others lack everything... still such deep contrasts / gaps between the haves and the have nots in the 21st century.

What about yourself? How do you go to school? Is it comparable to any of these means? How important is it to attend school (kids + youngsters + adults) ???

BACK TO SCHOOL

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever."

Mohandas Gandhi