Second language acquisition Essay Example for Free

Second language acquisition Essay Study: To access the impact of anxiety and age on second language learning. Method A personal information questionnaire was first provided to two classes (34) of adults studying in the second semester of a migrant English program, all of whom had undertaken an oral exam within their English program two weeks earlier. From this corpus of 40 questionnaire responses only 7 were selected for this study, based on the fact that they had no knowledge of English prior to arriving and the length of time they had been living in America. Subjects The subjects chosen were all females and all were over the age of 25. Their time living in America varied between 6 months and 1 year but none had learnt or been able to speak or understand English prior to their arrival in America. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed for this purpose. The questionnaire consists of 10 items on a five-point Likert type scale. The items reflect the oral situations the subjects were likely to encounter within their study program. Results Table 1 below provides the results of the questionnaire by subjects ordered by age and numbered 1-7. Table 1: Subject/ age Q. 1 Q. 2 Q. 3 Q. 4 Q. 5 Q. 6 Q. 7 Q. 8 Q. 9 Q. 10 Oral Exam Score 1 (25yrs) Korean 5 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 2 48/100 2 (27yrs) Spanish 5 5 4 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 72/100 3 (32yrs) Russian 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 71/100 4 (36yrs) Spanish 5 5 4 1 3 3 4 3 3 2 66/100 5 (44yrs) Russian 5 5 4 2 3 4 3 4 3 2 53/100 6 (48yrs) Russian 5 5 4 2 4 4 4 4 3 1 47/100 7 (51yrs) Spanish 5 5 4 1 4 4 3 4 4 1 47/100 Discussion This qualitative data shows that talking in front of the class and answering teacher’s questions cause the most anxiety with all 7 feeling extreme anxiety in these two situations. The situation causing least anxiety for all is when they speak to their English teacher in an informal situation. Similarly, the table indicates low anxiety levels for 5 out of 7 subjects in group discussions. An interesting point to note is that anxiety levels proved lower overall when subjects were participating in a one to one situation with their teacher, even under test conditions, in contrast to situations where they were performing in front of their peers. Results also show that correction by the teachers whether for grammar or pronunciation does cause anxiety, whether it be moderately of very for all subjects. Results also indicate that anxiety increased with age with the one exception of subject 1 – the youngest but as anxious as the two eldest subjects. The same results are found in relation to scores received on their oral English exams, scores decreased with age and anxiety levels with the exception of subject 1. It should be noted that subject 1 is the only Asian participant, which may be a factor in her being the exception as all others were of Russian or Spanish descent. APPENDIX Questionnaire. Fill in the circles according to how anxious you feel when you speak English in the following situations. 1: not at all 2: slightly 3: moderately 4: very 5: extremely Situation Anxiety level 1. The teacher asks me a question and I have to answer in English O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 2. Having to talk or present by myself in front of the class O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 3. Taking part in a role-play in front of the class O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 4. Taking part in a group discussion in the class O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 5. When the teacher corrects my grammar O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 6. When the teacher corrects my pronunciation O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5. 7. When I think other classmates are criticizing my English O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 8. When undertaking an oral test O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 9. Asking English teacher for advice O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5 10. Speaking informally to my English teacher O O O O O 1 2 3 4 5. APPENDIX Personal Information Name: _____________________________________ Age: _______________ Address: _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Place of birth: ______________________________________________ Years living in America: __________ Age you arrived in America: _________ Nationality: _____________________ Score in school oral exam: _________.

Analysis of Langston Hughes On the Road :: On The Road essays

Analysis of Langston Hughes' On the Road In life, we are often confronted with boundaries created by society and ourselves. In our limited understanding of what those boundaries represent, we find ourselves confined by our ego. Racism and prejudices have plagued society for many years, and many of us have been judged and condemned for expressing our true selves. How long must it take for us all to be accepted as beautiful beings, all perfectly capable of greatness and joy? Langston Hughes', "On the Road," uses beautiful symbolism and imagery. He offers a gift to his readers: Open your heart and life will provide unlimited abundance. During this literary analysis, we will take a look at how Hughes uses nature to demonstrate his main character's unwillingness to participate in life. Another point we'll examine is the use of anger and survival and how it can be used as a powerful force in breaking down racial barriers. Next, we'II look at Jesus Christ as a metaphor for how we experience life and how traditional church values contradict each other when it comes to the acceptance of human beings. Finally, we'll briefly take an historic look at how the Depression gave blacks an even playing field with whites. To begin with, Hughes uses nature to demonstrate a distinct relationship amongst blacks and whites. His use of snow and night convey a point simple enough, but through the use of these metaphors, he enables the story to be less invasive and more appealing to everyone that experiences "On the Road". Hughes' main character, Sargeant, is left doubting the goodness of life. "Sargeant didn't see the snow, not even under the bright lights of the main street, falling white and flaky against the night. He was too hungry, too sleepy, too tired" (Hughes 1). For almost two hundred years white people have suppressed the black population. Hughes' use of snow and night give us perfect example. Sargeant was tired of fighting, tired of surviving, tired of hoping, and most of all tired of the white people who've suppressed and tormented his life. On the other hand, Hughes reminds us that if combined, the beauty of both night and snow create a perfect harmony.

Examination of Clinical Psychology

Examination of Clinical Psychology Kristina England PSY/480 Tara Thompson University of Phoenix Clinical psychology focuses on the â€Å"assessment, treatment, and understanding of psychological and behavioral problems and disorders; in fact, clinical psychology focuses its efforts on the ways in which the human psyche interacts with physical, emotional, and social aspects of health and dysfunction† (Plante, 2011, P. 5). This paper will examine the field of clinical psychology.This paper will provide a brief overview of the history and evolving nature of clinical psychology, explain the role of research and statistics in clinical psychology, and last discuss the differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions, including social work, psychiatry, and social psychology. Throughout the course of history, there have been many events that have laid the foundation for the development of clinical psychology; each era holding a different view and providing n ew perspective and insight as explanation.The ancient Greeks believed the Gods â€Å"were the cause of both health and illness and that the mind and body were closely interconnected† (Plante, 2011, P. 46). Moving into the Middle Ages followed the same concept of the relationship between health, illness, body, and mind; however, it was spiritual beings such as demons, sin, and witches that caused disease and insanity. The Renaissance brought new discoveries, beliefs, and insight to the table; decreasing the beliefs that the cause of disease and insanity were the result of supernatural beings or religious views.Discoveries in medicine provided information in biomedical reductionism. It was suggested that â€Å"disease and mental illness could be understood through scientific observation and experimentation rather than beliefs about the mind and soul† (Plante, 2011, P. 46). Moving forward to Freud’s time, Sigmund Freud along with his colleagues brought the notion o f the connection between the mind and body to resurface; as Freud demonstrated the â€Å"connection between unconscious conflicts and emotional influences capable of bringing forth disease† (Brown, 1940).Freud’s views of the connection between the mind and body gave an opening for the beliefs of the Greeks to reemerge; allowing a more holistic view of health to be considered as an acceptable answer regarding emotional life, and one’s health, illness, and behavior. Psychology was first established when Wilhelm Wundt developed the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and published the first classic psychology text in 1890 titled Principles of Psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) was established in 1892 with G.Stanley Hall as its president and led into the creation of clinical psychology. Clinical psychology was formed not as a result of agreement of the APA, but rather in spite of it as many clinicians felt lack of support and concern for the clinical aspect of psychology. As a result more focus began to take place in clinical psychology and in 1896 the first psychological clinic was opened at the University of Pennsylvania by Lightner Witmer and a future for the need and purpose of clinical psychology.The evolving nature of clinical psychology holds much in store as advancements in technology and communication fields continue to rise. There are many events that have contributed to the ever-changing and evolving nature of clinical psychology; one event in particular that significantly impacted clinical psychology is the changes made by the APA. The changes made in the publications and the revisions of the DSM, particularly regarding the ethical standards (Plante, 2011). The field of clinical psychology will continue to change with new methods and cost efficient ways reaching to expand and redefine quality mental health care.Research and statistics are a fundamental part of clinical psy chology and are, in essence, the very foundation of which it is built. Research is used to help answer questions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and human behavior as well as when investigating research questions; particularly in cases involving new, rare, or unusual phenomenon. Generally, the primary goal of research in clinical psychology is to â€Å"acquire knowledge about human behavior and use this knowledge to help improve the lives of others. Clinical psychologists use the scientific method in conducting their research activities† (Plante, 2011, P. 06); the scientific method is a way to ask and answer questions through making observations and performing experiments. The steps to the scientific method include asking a question, doing background research, constructing a hypothesis, perform an experiment to test hypothesis, analyze data, and draw a conclusion, and finally communicate the results (â€Å"Science Buddies,†Ã‚  2002). Statistics in clinical psychology a re applied to research and is used to determine whether the findings are valid and reliable so that they can be modified to accommodate, or remain the same.The differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions can include length of education and training, point of focus, and location, or setting, of the work environment. Social workers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in social science, such as psychology or sociology, and subsequently enter a two-year graduate program to attain a master’s degree in social work; followed by two years supervised clinical experience to become licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (Plante, 2011, P. 25). Unlike with psychology, social work holds less emphasis on training in research.Psychiatrists are â€Å"physicians who earn a medical degree (MD) and complete residency training in psychiatry† (Plante, 2011, P. 24). Generally, psychiatrists receive a bachelor’s degree in premedical related fields su ch as biology or chemistry; followed by four years of medical school to obtain a MD degree. Prior to residency, a one year clinical internship is completed; however, unlike a clinical psychology internship, medical internships focus on medical training, and the residency is more so aimed to psychotherapy.Social psychology is â€Å"the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another; studying how individuals are affected by social interactions with groups and relationships† (Kinderman, 2009). Unlike clinical psychologists, social psychologists do not treat individuals suffering from mental or emotional issues; but rather observe how individuals influence one another’s behavior and attitude both individually and in group settings. According to the APA, clinical psychology â€Å"attempts to use the principles of sychology to better understand, predict, and alleviate intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behaviora l aspects of human functioning† (APA, 2009a, as cited in, Plante, 2011, P. 5). This paper has examined the field of clinical psychology. This paper has discussed the history and evolving nature of clinical psychology, explained the role of research and statistics in clinical psychology, and last discussed the differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions, including social work, psychiatry, and social psychology.References Brown, J. F. (1940). Freud’s contribution to psychology, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 10(4), 866-868. Doi: 10. 1111/j. 1939-0025. 1940. tb05757. x Kinderman, P. (2009). The future of psychology: a view from outside. Counseling Psychology Review, 24(1), 16-21. Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Science Buddies. (2002). Retrieved from http://www. sciencebuddies. org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method. shtml

The Debate Over Birth Control - 1251 Words

Everyone has heard the saying, â€Å"history repeats itself†. We’ve seen it time and time again from multiple Stock Market crashes, reasons for starting wars, to even patterns in fashion and music. The debates contraception poses proves to be no exception. While opinions differ from person to person based on their religious beliefs, political standing, and physical health condition, the argument always seems to be whether or not contraception should be easily accessible. This topic has been discussed since the early 1900’s, and is showing no signs of being solved anytime soon. Currently, the argument surrounding birth control is whether or not the government should be providing it at little to no cost for those who cannot afford it. It is hard†¦show more content†¦He believed that, â€Å"You can’t get pleasure without paying for it† again, meaning that sex held one purpose, to procreate, and that it was never meant to be viewed as pleasura ble. While the debate between Margaret and Russell focused on spreading the information about contraception, it has since turned into something much bigger. Most recently, it has turned to the argument of government funding and health insurance coverage. Should the government be funding institutions such as Planned Parenthood? Should insurance companies be providing birth control at little to no cost to the patient? There are facts supporting that they should. In 2012, Washington University in St. Louis published a study that focused on the relationship between access to free birth control, teenage pregnancies, and abortion rates. This study provided free birth control from 2008-2010 to 9,256 women that were at risk for unintended pregnancy for two years. Those that participated showed a massive reduction in teenage pregnancy, with a birth rate of 6.3 per 1,000 in women age 15-19 in comparison to the national rate, which was 34.3, showing a reduction of 82%. They also saw a decline in abortion rates, 7.5 among 1,000 women versus the national rate, which was 19.6. The researchers at Washington University concluded their study by stating that if free birth control were made available, it could prevent as much as 78% of abortions performed a year. In March of 2010, PresidentShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Birth Control1349 Words   |  6 PagesShould birth control be accessible to women? Should birth control be covered by insurance? There are many public debates covering the topic of birth control. 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