The Noise Surrounding SAT

         

The 2013 SAT scores created a lot of noise and controversy. Virginia, for example was thrilled that students there got the highest scores ever on the exam, and officials credited the improvement on school reform. Maryland was unhappy about seeing a drop in scores for the third straight year .

The question raised wasn’t about why the scores went up or down, but whether or not the results reflects a student’s achievement and abilities. They don’t according to a report released in September’ 13 by the College Board, which owns the SAT.

Less than half of the students who took the SAT in 2013 are ready to succeed in postsecondary education, the report said.

Only 43 percent of the test takers this year met or exceeded the benchmark score of 1550 out of a possible 2400, the same proportion as last year.

Those who reach that number, according to the College Board, have a greater chance of attaining a B-minus average or higher during their first year of college and persisting to graduation. The mean score for 2013 was 1498.

For more test takers to reach a score of 1550, rigorous coursework will have to become more widely accessible, said David Coleman, president of the College Board.

Mr. Coleman plans to better align the SAT with the Common Core State Standards, which he helped write. They prescribe what students should learn, in English and mathematics, from kindergarten through high school. His proposal make the essay portion of the SAT more analytical has been met by a mix of applause and apprehension.

Critics of standardized tests contend that the examinations are unfair to students from low-income backgrounds. Many of those students, they argue, don't have the same access to advanced classes and test-preparation materials as their more-affluent peers do.

The College Board's report showed that test takers in the lowest income percentile, whose families make less than $20,000 per year, averaged a score of 1326, well below the mean. The average score for students from families who make more than $100,000 was 1619.

Language, too, can be a barrier for some SAT takers. Students who reported learning "English and another language" or "another language" first tested as high in math as their English-first peers—or higher than them. But on the critical-reading and writing sections, the average scores for that first group of students—who made up nearly 30 percent of those tested—were notably lower than for those who had learned only English first.

Mr. Coleman said to expect details about the forthcoming changes in the SAT, including the essay portion of the test in January.

The issue is complicated and needs a larger discussion. As of now Scholastic Assessment Test, better known as the SAT, still looms large in the minds of SAT aspirants.

Learning European Languages

If you don’t know a hoot about Italian Language, then there’s no harm starting from the scratch. Here you have “Alphabets of the World” as your personal guide. Download it on your device and start learning Italian from the very basics.

Slum-children in Dharavi, Mumbai learn English Alphabets

Last summer, I traveled to Mumbai in India for a couple of months, and I was troubled by the children who beg for money. Do I give them money or food or neither? If I give money, exploitative adults may take it. My family regularly contributes to Indian charities, but that is small relief in these miserable plight.

Your desire to help a child in distress is commendable, whichever of those options you choose. But I chose a different road to make those children self-reliable. Those Children were illiterate so I thought of teaching them the English Language. The challenge was to begin from the base that is teaching them alphabets.

I love exposing young children to letters! It is so fun to see them find letters in their environment and connect letters they know in their name. As we all know, letters and letters sounds are the foundation to our English language so identifying letters and the sounds they make is very important.

To say if only I can say my School was under a tree in Dharavi, the slum in Mumbai. Dharavi is the largest slum in Asia and one of the largest slums in the world. Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” was shot as well in this slum. The railway station was very close to the area. During teaching, we used to get the train sound.

Most of the children who came to learn the English language were basically child labor- factory-workers and rag-pickers. To make alphabet learning not a struggle but fun I got some activities. The activities included Letter Picture Cards, Large letters (for creating letter art), Letter Poem, Letter Snack and Sensory Ideas, Letter Book, Dot paint letters, Letter Flipbook, Letter Hunt, Letter Puzzles, Letter Lacing, Letter Size Up, Letter Writing, Letter Match-Up and Letter Sort.

The children found learning English alphabets extremely interesting. These children were amazing learners. They are great fun to be with. Given the opportunity, they too can experience an incredible India and participate in the exercise of nation building. Education can transform them from dependents to driving forces. In the words of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and I quote “Education is a vehicle for transformation or metamorphosis of the self and an aid to the growth of economy.”

Romantic Rich Herzlich Zurich Trip

My friend betrayed and cancelled the last minute plan. But it was comfortable traveling alone. Finally I boarded on a fine coach for Zurich, the cosmopolitan yet cultural city. My seat was adjacent to a hunk. OMG! We exchanged names and soon realized the fact that we could only use gestures and smiles. Roger did not know English and i was poor at German. Going through my android smartphone and came to know about a language learning app that made things easy. I downloaded the app and looked in for German language translator. Greeting Roger in his language surprised him.

I showed him the amazing app and he downloaded it too. We could now exchange at least basic stuff. Roger told me that he had come to pay a visit to his uncle’s place and thought of exploring Zurich. Roger was more than excited when he came to know that i was also there for the same purpose. Not to a surprise, we decided to have fun together. Attraction was natural. We decided to visit five places.

 Rietberg Museum

The Rietberg Museum is a paramount cultural institution in Zurich. Rietberg Museum comprised of Non-European art. I was just about to trip off the train, when Roger yelled, “achten”. According to the app it meant careful. And i replied, “I am fine”. He too scrolled his phone screen and gave a little smile. It was a sweet beginning of a yet sugary journey.

Zoo

With over 3,000 specimens, zoo is a great place in the city for education and fun. We clicked a number of photographs and also shared our Facebook accounts. Snake section was very fascinating. He exclaimed “schön” which means beautiful.

Fraumünster

The old church had exotic glass design work by Marc Chagall, reflecting the rich heritage of the city. We silently prayed and then went for lunch. The menu was in English. Using the help of lingual app, he decided to have pizza. We enjoyed pizza and pasta with cocktail.

Lake Promenade

Zurich has a lake and lush green scenery galore. All of a sudden Roger told, "kann ich deine Hand halten?", it means can i hold your hand? We took a walk hand in hand by the lake. The feeling was enticing . It seemed as if butterflies were flying in my stomach.

Lindenhof

It was the time of dusk and the romance was oozing. Our last destination was Lindenhof. Lindenhof is the historic home of a Roman castle and fortress. It consists of a hill and section of old Zurich. 

 

My flight was at 2:00 A.M. We would part after that, not willing to tell goodbye. He dropped me to the airport. Boarding on the plane, i saw the last message on my cell, it was Roger’s. It said, “ich liebe dich”. Our short love story had begun through apps, shortly i replied, “ich liebe dich auch”. Understand the emotions, it does not require any language translator.

Flirt, Love, Romance and Farewell

I happen to be a researcher and my work requires a lot of traveling. A researcher to me is a traveler and a poet who leaves behind a legacy of heart-wrenching memories, some interesting bundle of narratives, some untold stories, unsung poems, bunch of weathered roses and some broken hearts. When one travels to a
foreign destination one learns local language to effectively engage with locals there.

It is very often said a traveler breaks a heart at every place he makes a stop. You call it a myth or a stereotype that travelers, especially men, break hearts. There are  also women travelers who break hearts. I know by saying this I offend my feminist friends for which I have a great deal of respect. So, be it male or female, a traveler happens to leave a broken heart behind.

I have an untold story to say when I traversed an untraveled road. It all happened on my research trip to Paris last autumn. I met a Frenchman at a bar in Paris. I was having my favorite red wine when he suddenly came to me and said “Puis-je avoir le plaisir de danser avec vous”(May I have the pleasure to dance with you). Though he was a stranger, he did not appear to be a stranger to me. Quickly I gave my hand in his hand and we started dancing.

With every dance move he was drawing me closer and closer to him. And I don't know why I hesitated not once to go close to him. While dancing in his arms he asked me “ Quel est votre nom jeune fille?”(What is your name young lady?). I said Jane. Then I asked him, “What's yours?”. He said “Alfred”. From my accent he understood that I am an American. So he asked me, “Quelle place en Amérique, vous venez de ma chère”?(Which place in America you come from my dear?). I said “New York”.

Suddenly he drew me very close and whispered, “Vous avez un beau sourire sexy lady!”(You have a beautiful smile sexy lady!). I said looking into his eyes “J'aime les deux vin français et les Français” (I love both French wine and French men). We got more cozy and he kissed me on my lips. It seemed two strangers, a French man and an American woman were on an unusual date.

Alfred with a deep sigh said “Je veux te sentir mon amour?” (I want to feel you my love?). At that moment I felt as if he said what I desired but could not utter. I pressed his hand suggesting my consent. That night we spent with each other in a hotel room. The next morning we parted. Alfred said “Je ne vais jamais oublier ces moments précieux”.(I am never going to forget these precious moments.). I said “Même ici Adieu ma belle inconnue!”(Same here, Goodbye my fair stranger!).

Now when on my couch I lie and recall these memories, I see a host of golden daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze. I would not call it a one night stand but an intimacy and romance which lived only for a night. Me, a traveler and this is my story of broken heart.

But again, I have to move on. I am a traveler and this is my journey. Life is a forward journey. There is no turning back. My next research assignment takes me to Madrid in Spain. In Spanish, I ask myself “¿Quién es el que más?.”(Who is the next man?). I wonder “Va a correr la misma suerte?” (Will he meet the same fate?)

Here I pack my bag. All set to travel to Madrid. “Taxi Airport”! Standing in the Queue at John F. Kennedy International Airport for my Boarding Pass, I get a man's voice who is standing on my back speaking in Spanish to somebody over phone. He is saying “La señora delante de mí está deslumbrante!”(The lady in front of me is ravishing!). He seems to be Spanish and unaware of the fact that I know Spanish.

Wow! I got a window seat. I don't see that Spanish man in the flight. Wait a minute! ¿Por qué estoy en busca de él? (Why am I looking for him?). ¿Es él el que más? (Is he the next man?)

The flight lands at the Madrid–Barajas Airport. Excited to be in Spain, the native country of one of my favorite actress, Penélope Cruz. I am waiting for a Taxi to reach the hotel. Hey! I see the same Spanish man boarding a Taxi whom I saw in the queue at the airport. As the Taxi moves, he shouts “Bienvenida Señora del hermoso país España!!” (Welcome Madam to the beautiful country Spain!)

Sitting in the Taxi, on my way to the hotel, my heart is beating fast. I can't stop thinking about that Spanish man. “Me imagino otra historia corazón roto está esperando.” (I imagine another broken heart story is waiting.)

-To be continued

Flirting in Italy – How to impress a woman?

Italians are known for their aggressive flirting. Italians get intimate when they flirt. The popular image of the Italian man inspired by Italy’s most famous actors: the boyish romance of Roberto Benigni, the suave sexiness of Marcello Mastroianni.

We look to the Italians as master of romance, Latin lovers who conquer with a smouldering glance and whisk women away on their scooters to woo them in some secluded olive grove.

In Italy where men and women embrace with ease at each meeting, foreign girls can be seen as fair game by young Italian males, often frustrated by long, traditional courtships with their Italian girlfriends.

Even though bottom-pinching may now be a thing of the past, women sitting on their own in a Rome cafe are likely to attract more than one rowdy and could find it hard to shake off their unwanted beau.

Here are five very simple phrases that can be used whether you’re chasing a boy or a girl, a gentleman or a lady, a spring chicken or mature vintage… The Italians do flirting like no other nation in the world so you need to be prepared with at least a little linguistic reciprocity!

1. You’re so funny – Sei molto simpatico/a (this is informal but if a waiter in a trattoria is telling you jokes or having a laugh with you, then it’s okay to use this wording normally reserved for friends and family)

2. You have been very kind – Lei e’ stato molto gentile (this is formal, which is good for situations with hotel managers who have looked after you or perhaps a restaurant owner who finds you a table even when the kitchen is closing)

3. Your English is excellent – Parli benissimo l’inglese (informal) or Parla benissimo l’inglese (formal)

4. You’re charming/enchanting – Sei affascinante (to a male) or Sei incantevole (to a female)

5. You’re so sweet – Sei carinissimo/dolcissimo (to a male) or Sei carinissima/dolcissima (to a female)

6. You’re hot/beautiful/fit/genetically blessed/I’d love to breed with you – Sei bellissimo (to a male) or Sei bellissima (to a female)