More “Free Schools” to Open in England

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. set up (phrasal v.) [set-uhp] – to create or to make something for a specific reason

Example: My friend and I want to set up our own computer software company.

2. pioneer (adj.) [pahy-uh-neer] – being the first of a group or set of something

Example: The company released the pioneer batch of their new products to selected malls.

3. abandon (v.) [uh-ban-duh n] – to stop helping or supporting someone or something

Example: The funding organization abandoned the project because of the economic problems.

4. lay off (phrasal v.) [ley] [awf, of] – to remove an employee from work

Example: The employee was laid off because he violated the company rule.

5. dismantle (v.) [dis-man-tl] – to break apart

Example: It is hard to dismantle the machine because of its small parts.

Article
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The UK government announced that fifty-five new “free schools” plan to open this year in England The “free schools” is a major project by Education Secretary Michael Gove’s. These free schools can be set up by parents, teachers, charities, businesses, universities, and voluntary or religious groups. Such schools are funded by the central government, but local government authorities have no control over them in terms of how these schools train children or manage funds. According to Gove, free schools can offer more parents and their children the chance and the choice to go to excellent schools, without paying expensive fees for high quality education. The pioneer batch of free schools, 24 schools in all, opened in September last year. Gove said these schools have become popular and successful. However, Gove has received many criticisms regarding the policy. Critics say that large amounts of public funds have been spent on free schools that were discontinued or abandoned. Many teachers also reported that they were laid off when free schools took the place of schools run by the local government. Christine Blower of the National Union of Teachers said the policy dismantles the local education system. The local education system makes local governments responsible for schools, but free schools can be set up by any sponsor who may not have good management skills or experience. Chris Keates from the union said free schools also divide the limited budget for other public schools. Despite the criticisms, the program will continue. An additional 114 schools are expected to be set up next year.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What do you think is the advantage of schools that are not under the government’s control?

·         Do you think setting up free schools in your country would be helpful? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         What do you think is the main reason for a school’s success (e.g., students, teachers, facilities)?

·         If you were to set up your own school, what kind of school would it be? How would it be different from other schools?

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Territorial Issues Remain in Asia as Leaders Hope for Unity

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. territorial (adj.) [ter-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] – describing an area or region of land or sea that belongs to someone

Example: Foreign fishing boats are not allowed on the country’s territorial waters.

2. claim (n.) [kleym] – the right of ownership on something

Example: He wants his wife and son to have claim on his property when he passes away.

3. dispute (n.) [dih-spyoot] – an argument

Example: The singer and the company are in a dispute over who owns the copyright to the song.

4. code of conduct (n.) [kohd] [uhv] [[kon-duhkt] – a set of rules or principles that must be followed by a certain group of people

Example: The new employees were informed about the company’s code of conduct.

5. coercion (n.) [koh-ur-shuh n] – the act of forcing someone to do something

Example: A good leader does not need to use coercion for people to follow him.

Article
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Despite calls for unity in the recently held Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Russia, territorial issues between Asian countries continue. The countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea include Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and China. Japan, South Korea and China are also involved in their own territorial disputes. Rory Medcalf of the International Security Program at Australia's Lowy Institute said that the big worry about these disputes is that conflicts between China and neighboring countries could become even worse. Before the APEC, Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State, suggested that Southeast Asian countries should start making a unified code of conduct with China to resolve their disagreements. She emphasized that these problems should not be solved through coercion, threat or force. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa agreed that countries need to have more diplomatic talks. However, in the previous ASEAN meeting in July, the leaders failed to agree on a code of conduct. At the APEC forum, countries were able to successfully agree on several trade and environmental plans. But leaders of countries involved in disputes only talked briefly and did not hold formal discussions on territorial problems. Meanwhile, China has warned outside forces, particularly the US, not to involve themselves in South China Sea disputes. According to Clinton, the US only hopes to see China contribute positively to Asia’s navigation and sea trade issues.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think a code of conduct will resolve territorial issues between countries? Why or why not?

·         Why is it important for countries to solve their problems peacefully?

Discussion B

·         Are you familiar with the territorial dispute between Japan and China? What do you think of it?

·         How do you think it can be solved?

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White House’s Original Beer Recipes Revealed

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. insistent (adj.) [in-sis-tuh nt] –asking strongly and repetitively for something

Example: The insistent employees continued to demand for higher salary. 

2. blog (n.) [blawg, blog] – an online journal or diary where entries about personal experiences or hobbies are posted

Example: He started a blog about the food from international restaurants.

3. kit (n.) [kit] – a group of tools or items used for a specific purpose

Example: His first aid kit includes alcohol, bandages and different types of medicine.

4. concoct (v.) [kon-kokt, kuh n-] – to prepare something by mixing all ingredients

Example: His mother concocted her own coffee recipe.

5. sarcastically (adv.) [sahr-kas-tik] – said in a nice a way but with a different, usually, negative meaning or purpose

Example: The critic sarcastically praised the painter’s artwork.

Article
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Due to insistent public demand, the White House finally revealed last August the recipes for their originally brewed beer. The White House officials published the recipes for Honey Brown Ale and Honey Porter on a blog article entitled “Ale to the Chief.” During President Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, he dropped by the Iowa State Fair and treated everyone to free beer. At that time, he mentioned he has his own recipe for beer. Since then, many people have been asking the White House to reveal the recipes. President Obama got the idea to brew his own beer after meeting several home brewers across the United States. He bought a home brewing kit and assigned the kitchen team in White House to brew an original flavor. All the original beers used honey harvested from the beehive in Michelle Obama’s special garden at the White House. This was the first time that the White House staff brewed an alcoholic beverage in the White House premises. Former presidents such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson concocted their original drinks in their own property. However, other people have negative responses towards the White House brewing their own beers since, for some people, beer is not considered a healthy food. Critics all over the internet also reacted to White House showcasing how they make beers instead of dealing with more important national issues. One Tweeter user sarcastically posted a tweet, asking if there is any solution for the economic crisis that is brewing in the White House.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Why do you think President Obama told people about the brewing activities in the White House?

·         Should they continue this activity? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Is it important to keep doing traditional ways of making food or beverage? Please explain your answer.

·         What popular food or drink in your country would you like to make by yourself? Why do you choose this food or drink?

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Men See Things Differently from Women

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. literally (adv.) [lit-er-uh-lee] – emphasizing that something actually happened or is true

Example:  He literally dropped to the floor laughing.

2. distinguish (v.) [dih-sting-gwish] – to know the difference between two or more things

Example: The man was color blind and could not distinguish between the colors red and green.

3. shade (n.) [sheyd] – a color that is a little bit different (lighter of darker) but of the same basic color

Example: There are many shades of red: pink, salmon, maroon, and ruby. 

4. focus (v.) [foh-kuh s] – to give one’s attention to something

Example:  Most painters focus on small details of their work.

5. hormones (n.) [hawr-mohn] – chemical of the body

Example: The female hormone, estrogen, is responsible for the female’s body shape.

Article
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Men and women literally see things differently, according to a study published in the Biology of Sex Differences. The lead author of the study, Israel Abramov, from the City University of New York, said many researches in the past have concluded that women have a better sense of smell than men. Women generally can distinguish the differences between smells much better than men. But what about the sense of sight? Abramov and his team did a research to find out the differences between male and female vision. After studying volunteers —all above the age of 16 and with normal vision—the researchers learned that  males generally saw colors differently from females. In one test to identify differences in color, men required longer wavelengths, or stronger coloration, in order to see certain shades. On the other hand, women were better able to distinguish small differences in shades. When it came to a test for sensing movement, however, men were better at seeing fine details and fast moving objects. Abramov suggests that these differences in vision may be due to male hormones [HAWR-mown], such as testosterone [tes-TOS-tuh-rohn]. While a baby is still in the mother’s womb, testosterone influences the way the baby’s brain develops, making brain connections that are different from those in the female brain. Other studies have also noted differences in the way men and women focus. During conversations, men focus more on the talking person’s mouth. Men are also easily distracted by movement behind the person to whom they are talking. Women, in contrast, focus more on the talking person’s eyes and body, and are distracted by other people and not just movement.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you agree with some of the points mentioned in the article based on your experience?

·         In what other ways do you think males and females are naturally different?

Discussion B

·         What are activities that you believe males can do better? What activities can females do better? Please explain your answers.

·         Do you think people’s gender sometimes limits or stops people from doing activities they like? What makes you say so?

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YouTube Groups Videos by Emotion

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. classify (v.) [klas-uh-fahy] –  to arrange something by group or by category

Example:  The tutorial service classifies lessons by level of difficulty.

2. evoke (v.) [ih-vohk] – to make someone feel or think of something

Example: The movie evokes feelings of pride for one’s country.

3. category (n.) [kat-i-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee] – a group of things that share the same quality

Example:   New students belong to the beginner category.

4. thumbnail (n.) [thuhm-neyl] – a small sample image  of a video or of a larger picture

Example: He clicked on the thumbnail to see the full size of the image.

5. queue (v.) [kyoo] – to line up data or programs that will be used

Example: He queued his favorite songs in his music player.

Article
Read the text below.

YouTube has created a new video service called Moodwall, which classifies videos according to the emotions they evoke in viewers. The Moodwall page is divided into 20 mood categories called “Vibes.” Among the categories are “amazing,” “catchy,” “scary,” “gross” and “intense.” Around 40,000 videos are already classified into the twenty categories. When a user visits the Moodwall, the page shows 15 thumbnails each of which represents a mood category. Upon clicking a mood, the user will see a set of videos related to the category. The thumbnails also show other mood categories which the videos evoke. For example, a user can choose the “sad” thumbnail and see other videos which are “sad and amazing,” or “sad and beautiful.” When a video is already selected, videos with similar moods will be queued in a playlist, which users can see at the bottom of the page. Team Jeannie, a team of four engineers, created Moodwall to help users find videos better. People often enter general terms, such as “funny videos” in YouTube’s search box, and the results shown are only videos that contain the words “funny video” in the title or description. Through Moodwall, this search problem is avoided. Engineers looked at user comments in identifying the mood category of each YouTube video. To further organize the videos, they also looked at other data, such as the video’s popularity. The test Moodwall page was launched in August, and the team will continue to work on it while listening to the viewers’ feedbacks.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think Moodwall is helpful? Why or why not?

·         What do you think are the disadvantages of Moodwall?

Discussion B

·         Is it sometimes difficult to find information on the Internet? Please explain your answer.

·         What do you do when you cannot find what you are looking for online?

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