Without Homework, School, Enjoyable!?

Should high school teachers not assign students homework at weekend?

School is one of the most amazing places, we learned most of our knowledge and introduced us new friends from there. I love to go to school. However on the other hand, school is also very stressful. Personally, taking test is not as tough as trying to finish homework on time everyday, especially on the weekend. Therefore homework is a widespread problem between students and teachers.

I bet everyone has heard or maybe used one of those excuses for unfinished homework list below:

·      I just got too tired and no time to do it.

·      I have sports practice until very late.

·      I forget my notebook at school.

·      I have to work after school.

Notice that student attend not to finish their homework during the weekend. As a high school student I think all of those reasons are very practical and true. However teachers might think those are all excuses students been lazy and irresponsible. If you are one of them, please bare with me for a second.

Most of the adults have weekend off, because after a week working they are exhausted and worn out. They needed weekend to rest and fresh their memories for the new week. Same as students after week-long training and absorbing knowledge, our brain needed time to rest, especially for students who are part-time worker and athlete. They are desperate for weekend to come and work on their social life. I can image some students who are part-time worker have to stay up late on Sunday night trying to crack through all the work its due next day. And on Monday start with pooped face and grappling mood. 

Not only school-work take away students time to rest, it also limits students work on their own weakness. For example, student who plan to go college have to study for SAT on their own. If homework take away their time I can’t image how are they get extra time to study.

Nevertheless homework can refresh students’ memory if they have test on next week. It also can make students more skillful at what they had learned at school.

It is a tough decision whether to decide have homework at weekend or not. If students could be more responsible for themselves that knowing what they should accomplish on their own. I think teachers not assign homework at weekend it's debatable. Then go to school would be really fun and enjoyable without Sunday night's struggles. 

Video

How to learn Japanese

How to learn Japanese

The Twenty first century is a very globalized. More and more people are interested in speak more than one languages. Especially live in America, it is very important to have the skill. I believe everyone in CGS has aware of that. I am a Chinese speaker; English is my second language, and I am learning Japanese. I think learning language is very interesting. Speaking other languages and be able to understand them is such a magic for me. I would love to share my learning experiences with you how to learn Japanese.

First, Japanese is based on Chinese, and then developed to its own language. Its writing system has divided to three parts Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Hiragana and Katakana are both Japanese syllable. Hiragana is used to write native words for which there are no kanji. In contrast to Hiragana, Katakana is primarily used for transcription of foreign language words into Japanese.  Kanji are adopted form Chinese characters, and is written using the same characters.

As a beginner, get to know Hiragana is the most basic and important material you have to learn. Hiragana is like English alphabet. If you know them by heart I guarantee you can read all Japanese articles that are write as Hiragana. You might not understand what does the article means, but its Okay that’s why we have to build up our vocabularies.

Talk about globalization, it show in Japanese as well. So if you hear our exchanges student very carefully you would realize that they pronunciation of “ice cream” just like how we pronounce it. It is very interesting right? There are so many English are written as Katakana. For example, coffee, computer, and sunglasses ect. Do you feel more encouraged to learn Japanese? See if you know how to speak English; you are automatically can speak 30 percent of Japanese vocabulary. How exciting is that! However, I have an advice for people who are taking Japanese right now. Please memorize your Katakana Chart! I know they are tricky to remember, but its important to know how to write them as well. I didn’t know all the Katakana, so every time I get points off at it. It’s such a shame!

Most people do not like writing Kanji, because they are hard to write and they can be pronounced to different ways. Personally I agree some Kanji are hard write, but I also think they are very beautiful and meaningful. For example, person is write as 人. Does this character looks like a person is walking? A tip to learn Kanji, think about the character as a picture or keep practice writing it on a piece of paper until you memorize it. Good luck!

There are also other enjoyable ways to learn Japanese. For example, listening Japanese songs, watching anime, and some TV shows; they will help you relate what you learned to real situations.

After all wish everyone have fun learning Japanese, and for people who are interested to learn Japanese hope you start learning soon. Japanese is a very fun and interesting language to know.

Use Smart phone, Be Smart!

Smart phone

            Stop for second... and look at people around you.

            What do they have in their hands?

            Yes, you are right. Cell phone, or a better name Smart Phone.

            Smart Phone makes people seem smarter. Live in 21 century, Smart Phone connected the world and people together. More and more people get to read emails, newspapers, and books through their phone. It allowed people read their material whenever they would like. For example, whenever I take train home from school. I can see 70% of the people on the train are reading through their phone. Also when I have questions I can just put it in the phone and through research get an answer. We are also able to get online classes to educate ourselves. For example, I have a friend have taught herself Japanese through online classes. Smart Phone makes our life easier by carry all the information we needed.

           

            Smart Phone makes our life more enjoyable. I love my phone it makes me happy. It proves music to cheer me up when I am upset. For example, I have different style and languages of music on my phone. When I felt home sick that when Chinese music is playing. It will give me comfort that I am not alone. The music will take me to my hometown where my friends who are care about me and give me courage. Smart phone is amazing. They know I am interested in world language, so the system is automatically gives me suggestions of related applications that help me to learn. I study Japanese get to know the meaning of new vocabulary; it is very important. The old fashion way is carrying a thick huge dictionary everywhere. Today I can just download a Japanese dictionary application on my phone. And I can use it whenever I wanted. Also this way is much easier and faster than find a word in a dictionary.

            Smart phone is very useful and helpful when we use it right way, if not would be very dangerous. For example, no texting while driving, walking, and crossing the road; it is important notice people and event happens around us. So making smart choice is other rule we have to follow when we use Smart phone. Be smart.