Middle Grades Education at the University of Illinois

Middle Grades Education at the University of Illinois The University of Illinois offers a variety of majors in the education field, including majors that arent for prospective teachers. When I applied to Illinois, I was admitted as an Elementary Education major. I had always loved literacy and language arts more than any other subject in school, but I also love young kids, so I was at a standstill for majors. Should I stay in Elementary Education? Do I have to move to Secondary Education? Gif from giphy.com It was in my first semester that I discovered a new major in the College of Education: Middle Grades Education. Middle Grades Education allows for concentrations in math, science, social science, and literacy. The endorsement is for teaching fifth grade through eighth grade. The track for a Middle Grades Education degree looks very similar to an Elementary Education degree in the first semesters of college and then goes into depth with the students selected concentrations. Gif from giphy.com I chose to concentrate in both literacy and social sciences, and could not be happier with my decision. I now have the ability to channel my passion into my profession, while working with the age group I prefer. The College of Education really does have a major that fits anyone. Rachel Class of 2020 I am studying Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Social Sciences and Literacy in the College of Education. Although I now reside in Champaign, I am originally from Vernon Hills, a Northwest suburb of Chicago.

Homonymy Examples and Definition

The word Homonymy  (from the Greek—homos: same, onoma: name) is the relation between words with identical forms but different meanings—that is, the condition of being homonyms. A stock example is the word bank  as it appears in river bank and savings ​bank. Linguist Deborah Tannen has used the term pragmatic homonymy (or ambiguity) to describe the phenomenon by which two speakers use the same linguistic devices to achieve different ends (Conversational Style, 2005). As Tom McArthur has noted, There is an extensive gray area between the concepts of polysemy and homonymy (Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language, 2005).   Examples and Observations Homonyms are illustrated from the various meanings of the word bear (animal, carry) or ear (of body, of corn). In these examples, the identity covers both the spoken and written forms, but it is possible to have partial homonymy—or heteronymy—where the identity is within a single medium, as in homophony and homography. When there is ambiguity between homonyms (whether non-deliberate or contrived, as in riddles and puns), a homonymic clash or conflict is said to have occurred.(David Crystal. A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics, 6th ed. Blackwell, 2008)Examples of homonymy are peer (person belonging to the same group in age and status) and peer (look searchingly), or peep (making a feeble shrill sound) and peep (look cautiously).(Sidney Greenbaum and Gerald Nelson, An Introduction to English Grammar, 3rd ed. Pearson, 2009) Homonymy and Polysemy Homonymy and polysemy both involve one lexical form that is associated with multiple senses and as such both are possible sources of lexical ambiguity. But while homonyms are distinct lexemes that happen to share the same form, in polysemy a single lexeme is associated with multiple senses. The distinction between homonymy and polysemy is usually made on the basis of the relatedness of the senses: polysemy involves related senses, whereas the senses associated with homonymous lexemes are not related. (M. Lynne Murphy and Anu Koskela, Key Terms in Semantics. Continuum 2010)Linguists have long distinguished between polysemy and homonymy (e.g., Lyons 1977: 22, 235). Usually, an account like the following is given. Homonymy obtains when two words accidentally have the same form, such as bank land bordering on a river and bank financial institution. Polysemy obtains where one word has several similar meanings, such as may indicating permission (e.g., May I go now?) and may indicating poss ibility (e.g., It may never happen). Since it is not easy to say when two meanings are totally different or unrelated (as in homonymy) or when they are just a little different and related (as in polysemy), it has been customary to adduce additional, more easily decidable criteria.The trouble is that, although helpful, these criteria are not totally compatible and do not go all the way. There are cases where we may think that the meanings are clearly distinct and that we therefore have homonymy, but which cannot be distinguished by the given linguistic formal criteria, e.g., charm may denote a kind of interpersonal attraction and may also be used in physics denoting a kind of physical energy. Not even the word bank, usually given in most textbooks as the archetypical example of homonymy, is clear-cut. Both the financial bank and the river bank meanings derive by a process of metonymy and metaphor, respectively from Old French banc bench. Since bank in its two meanings belongs to the same part of speech and is not associated with two inflectional paradigms, the meanings of bank are not a case of homonymy by any of the above criteria...Traditional linguistic criteria for distinguishing homonymy from polysemy, although no doubt helpful, in the end turn out to be insufficient.(Jens Allwood, Meaning Potentials and Context: Some Consequences for the Analysis of Variation in Meaning. Cognitive Approaches to Lexical Semantics, ed. by Hubert Cuyckens, Renà © Dirven, and John R. Taylor. Walter de Gruyter, 2003)Dictionaries recognize the distinction between polysemy and homonymy by making a polysemous item a single dictionary entry and making homophonous lexemes two or more separate entries. Thus head is one entry and bank is entered twice. Producers of dictionaries often make a decision in this regard on the basis of etymology, which is not necessarily relevant, and in fact separate entries are necessary in some instances when two lexemes have a common origin. The form pupil, for instance, has two different senses, part of the eye and school child. Historically these have a common origin but at present they are semantically unrelated. Similarly, flower and flour were originally the same word, and so were the verbs to poach (a way of cooking in water) and to poach to hunt [animals] on another persons land), but the meanings are now far apart and all dictionaries treat them as homonyms, with separate listing. The distinction between homonymy and polysemy is not an easy one to make. Two lexemes are either identical in form or not, but relatedness of meaning is not a matter of yes or no; it is a matter of more or less. (Charles W. Kreidler, Introducing English Semantics. Routledge, 1998) Aristotle on Homonymy Those things are called homonymous of which the name alone is common, but the account of being corresponding to the name is different...Those things are called synonymous of which the name is common, and the account of being corresponding to the name is the same.(Aristotle, Categories)The sweep of Aristotles application of homonymy is in some ways astonishing. He appeals to homonymy in virtually every area of his philosophy. Along with being and goodness, Aristotle also accepts (or at times accepts) the homonymy or multivocity of: life, oneness, cause, source or principle, nature, necessity, substance, the body, friendship, part, whole, priority, posteriority, genus, species, the state, justice, and many others. Indeed, he dedicates an entire book of the Metaphysics to a recording and partial sorting of the many ways core philosophical notions are said to be. His preoccupation with homonymy influences his approach to almost every subject of inquiry he considers, and it clearly struct ures the philosophical methodology that he employs both when criticizing others and when advancing his own positive theories. (Christopher Shields, Order in Multiplicity: Homonymy in the Philosophy of Aristotle. Oxford University Press, 1999).

America Should Be A Capitalist Nation - 1213 Words

During the nineteenth century there was a constant debate on if the government should regulate the businesses and people of America. This debate included many different sides other than the capitalists versus the socialists, throughout America people were placed on a spectrum from socialists to capitalists with millions of different variations and beliefs in between the extremists. Some viewpoints included men like William Graham Sumner or Herbert Spencer that believed in laissez-faire capitalism but differed in exact beliefs of how America should be ran from other capitalists such as Andrew Carnegie and then there were viewpoints from men such as Henry Demarest Lloyd who strongly opposed capitalism. Each perspective had positives and†¦show more content†¦They also shared the belief that people had an individual duty to better themselves and those people that did not progress in society did not deserve help or guidance from those that were able to do so on their own. Sumne r describes a person that is unable to progress individually as, â€Å"a man who is present as a consumer, yet who does not contribute either by land, labor, or capital to the work of society† and he believed that, â€Å"on no sound political theory ought such a person to share in the political power of the state. (518)† Spencer shared in this view, he stated that individuals that were wealthy and in control of business were more ‘perfect’ than those that were poor and had not tried to progress to their highest potential. He thought that the wealthy should not help the poor and that through this process a social Darwinism would occur weeding out the weak. Although some capitalists agreed with these men’s thoughts, not all did, including Andrew Carnegie. Another argument in favor of a capitalist America was that of Carnegie. He agreed with capitalists like Sumner and Spencer that laissez-faire capitalism was the right choice for American society, but he differed in their opinion about how America should react to the poor. Like Sumner and Spencer, Carnegie thought that the owners of companies should have complete control of their companies and should not be regulated by the government. Unlike Sumner and Spencer, Carnegie

Test of English as a Foreign Language Free Essays

English, the third most common language spoken after Mandarin and Spanish, is spoken by around 370 to 390 million people in around 50 different countries. Many renowned universities, require their students, in the undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs to first prove their proficiency in the English language, as an entrance criteria. This created a need for a standard test, accepted and recognized by these universities, to be created. We will write a custom essay sample on Test of English as a Foreign Language or any similar topic only for you Order Now Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL as it is commonly referred to as, is such a test. This test is developed and conducted by the Educational Testing Service. TOEFL can be administered via the internet(TOEFL iBT) or can be written as a paper based test(TOEFL PBT). Written Tests are only administered in places where Internet Based Testing Centers for TOEFL are unavailable. This test score along with the applicant’s other academical information becomes the foundation for their admission process. The test score scale ranges from 0 to 120, for TOEFL iBT, and from 310 to 677 for TOEFL PBT. The minimum test score acceptable, varies from university to university, depending on factors like courses undertaken or whether the applicant is an undergrad, grad or post grad. TOEFL iBT TOEFL iBT tests the four basic skills needed for effective communication namely- Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. They test the takers to read, listen, and then speak in response to a question listen and then speak in response to a question read, listen, and then write in response to a question The test is 4 hours long and it is essential that all the four sections of the test be taken on the same day itself. Test Format SECTION FORMAT TIME READING 3-5 passages(700words), 12-14 question each 60-100 minutes LISTENING 2–3 conversations, 5 questions each 4–6 lectures, 6 questions each 60-90 minutes 10 MINUTES BREAK SPEAKING 6 tasks which include 2 independent and 4 integrated 20 minutes WRITING 2 tasks which include 1 integrated task and 1 independent task 50minutes(20 for integrated and 30 for independent) The time displayed above is not an actual representation, and may vary on the number of questions. Reading Section The reading sections tests the applicant’s ability to, comprehend, learn and to find information from university level academic passages and texts. The questions asked in the reading section are of the following format Multiple choice questions- asking the applicant to select a single answer from a given set of options Multiple choice questions asking the applicant to select an option to â€Å"insert a sentence† where it fits best in a passage Questions with more than four choices and more than one possible correct answer. Listening Section This section tests the applicants ability to understand Spoken English, by testing his/her ability to understand lectures and conversations. The applicant is allowed to take notes while listening to the material provided. These notes will be collected at the end of the test and destroyed. Questions asked in the Listening section, are usually asked in the following formats Multiple choice questions with a single correct answer Multiple choice questions with more than one correct answer Questions that require the user to order events Questions that require the applicant to match objects or text to categories in a chart Some questions replay a portion of the audio material provided, so that the applicant need not memorize the material before answering the question. Speaking Section Here the applicant is tested for his ability to communicate, participate in casual conversations, respond to questions etc. This section includes six tasks that that the applicant must undertake before proceeding further. The first two task are independent speaking tasks, where the user is asked to express their opinion or idea on topics provided, or on topics that the applicant is comfortable with. The next four tasks are integrated tasks where the applicant must use more than one of their skills before responding. These skills may include reading, listening and speaking. The user is only allowed to spend 20 minutes in this section. Writing Section This section tests the applicants ability to present their ideas in a clear and well organized manner. Here students are required to undertake two tasks, one integrated and one independent. Independent tasks include writing essays, articles, expressing opinions etc. The student’s range of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuations and layout are tested under Independent tasks. Under Integrated tasks students are required to summarize, paraphrase, and cite accurate information from the source material. The total time sanctioned for both these tasks is 50 minutes. TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. These scores are visible,10 days after the exam on the TOEFL registration website. Printed Scores are mailed after 13 days. More than 10,000 universities in around 130 countries accept TOEFL scores for their admission process. So when you plan on an education abroad, Think TOEFL. How to cite Test of English as a Foreign Language, Papers

Why I should have an A in the English class Essay Example

Why I should have an A in the English class Essay I have come to discover that success is not just an event, rather, it is a series of events. When we say that someone is successful, what we often see is the eventual outcome of what has transpired in the secret. Fundamentally, success comes as a result of everyday events. Nothing captures this better that the words of Albert Einstein who said that â€Å"Genius is 90 per cent perspiration and 10 per cent inspiration.Consequently, I approach all my courses in this manner. For me, an A in the English class is a reality because of what I have sown into the course. Therefore, it will be no surprise to me if at the end of the year I have an A in the English class. I say this because of the following reasons.Firstly, I make sure I attend all classes in the course and if for any reason I can not attend, I make sure I go through the class note and course material used while I was absent from class. Apart from this, I make sure I read ahead of the class so that I can comprehend what the teac her is teaching. Also, I attend tutorial classes that are organized by the class and I do not miss any discussion class in the course.Furthermore, I understand that I will be impossible for me to pass a course without developing interest in the course. In view of this, I make sure I developed a unique interest in the English class and I make sure I keep my notes updated at all times. When I get home, I review what I have learnt in class and this has helped in making me have a better knowledge of what has been taught. In addition to this, I have registered for some online tutorials where I have access to various materials that explains what we learn in class better.In conclusion, I believe that failure to preparation is the key to all successes and so I test myself intermittently in order to assess my level of preparedness and how much I have learnt in the course. My perspective of the English class has changed and this has helped me in having a positive attitude towards learning gen erally. Today, I can say that English is not only a course to me, it is a platform for me to equip myself for the challenges ahead.

death in a rose for emily essays

death in a rose for emily essays The topic of death in a Rose for Emily, a short tragic story written by William Faulkner that took place in the southern town of Jefferson in the beginning of the twentief century. Miss Emily Grierson, who is the subject of a towns obsession.The narrator, a member of the town, tells the story of what transpires in decaying old southern house that is always under the watchful eye of the towns people. They witness Miss Emilys life, her father death,her turn to insanity and the death of both her and her lover. However, it is important to establish wath is the plot and the character and the theme in the story. They can help us to develop the topic about death in a Rose for Emily. First,the plot in this story that is simple. It begins with the Miss Emilys funeral in wich all the people went, and its the end of a decaying of all since her father died, the houses and Miss Emilys illness. The next part of the plot is when Miss Emily was alive. The narrator talks about her characteristics, behaviour and Miss Emilys conceptions about her life, taking into account that she had a tradition, a hereditary obligation ruled by her father and the colonel sartoris. Then, we can establish the following sequence in the facts that talk about Miss Emilys changes such as attitude in front of the people because the story talks about the temerity that ladies had to call her, and her status as a 30 years single woman. The towns people thoughts about Miss Emily such as Poor Emily, and all the things which talk about her decaying life because she took options for killing herself using poison. The last part of the plot is about M ...

Have No Time for Homework Learn How to Speed Up the Process!

Have No Time for Homework Learn How to Speed Up the Process! How to Complete Your Homework Quicker For most of the students homework is torture and they would rather concentrate on their leisure or hobbies. However, there are many ways out and simply by organizing the process, asking for help and learning useful tips will surely help to boost your creativity. Don’t hesitate and approach your homework right now! Make lists. It is not surprising to hear students say that they have simply forgotten about the task. There is a simple solution: write down class assignments in one of the convenient ways and you will always remember about them! The most effective way is to use a simple diary. Write all the assignments on a separate page and always have it in front of you. You can also use calendars and daily logs. There is also a chance to write down all the tasks on top of your workbook, indicating the number of pages and all of the guidelines your teacher may have. However, if you use such method we strongly recommend you to copy tasks to your diary not to lose anything. Such a simple trick will help you not to miss any details; Understand every assignment. Many students are too shy to ask teachers or their friends for clarifications and hope to manage the task on their own. However, if you don’t understand the task, you won’t be able to detect whether you have the necessary data or skills. If you see that the equation is not familiar or the questions after the text are too confusing, ask your teacher at once. The best way is to look through your homework while you are still in the class and not when you come back from school; Make sure you have all the necessary tools. Remember how distracting it is to notice that you don’t have a ruler or a necessary pen, while you are already working on your homework? You will lose track of time and often won’t be able to get back to your thoughts. If you plan in advance, you will have everything you need to complete homework without any distractions. Another useful advice is to plan a break in advance and don’t get up from your place until that time approaches; Remain focused on a single task. It is impossible to remain effective if you decide to complete homework on several subjects simultaneously. Go to the next one only when one subject is ready. This will help you to complete every assignment without missing any important details. If you find the assignment too difficult and need assistance, you can switch to another task. Stick to the chosen duration of breaks and don’t make them longer. Remember, the first 15 minutes are the most effective because your brain is ready to solve the most complicated tasks; Don’t forget to treat yourself for a completed assignment. For example, you can promise yourself to play a favorite video game or to have some chocolate once you are finished. However, such a treat should be something you don’t usually do while you are on a break to stimulate you to complete homework much quicker; Don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you are not able to concentrate, you can always ask your friends or relatives for help. You can give your phone to them, while you are doing your homework not to feel tempted to check your social accounts. After your homework is completed, take your phone back and don’t forget to treat yourself; Discuss difficult assignments with your teacher. He was the one to choose it, so he knows the task perfectly and may help you to complete it and cope with all the difficulties. If you are asking for help it doesn’t mean that you are stupid and don’t understand the task. A good teacher will surely listen to your questions and will offer the best solution. Never be scared of asking for help, because it is much simpler than to get stuck in the middle of the process at home, not knowing what to do. Network This advice may not be directly related to completing your homework but it is an essential part of your student time, which is able to simplify your life! Ask international students whether they find it beneficial to meet people from all corners of the world with different backgrounds and skills. College is a great chance to enter an internship, attend various fairs and competitions, where you can meet people and network. If you use all of these opportunities wisely, it will be much easier for you to get a strong reputation among other students. Such relationships may not only influence your future carrier but also help to overcome any difficulties with assignments you may face. Networking is a key, which will always help you to remain afloat, understand subjects and find useful connects. Believe us, networking at college is as huge, as using social media accounts at Facebook or LinkedIn. Â   Train Have you ever talked to students, who are studying communications? They obviously have lots of benefits, when it comes to learning unique training techniques and skills. Such skills help students to train in completely different situations, which allows them to sharpen skills in completing all types of homework and other assignments. Communication and foreign students also get an opportunity to understand what they want from their lives and help to get additional skills for future success. If you are a journalist or a language student, you may be offered to attend newspapers, channels and radio stations. All of them help you to train and exercise unique skills to build a strong portfolio, sharpening skills in completing all sorts of assignments. You should always remember that completing homework is important not only for getting a degree but also for building a future career. Very often students invent brilliant ideas for the future business amidst completing homework, so training is surely a key to a better future. Being rejected Now, when you know how it is possible to simplify the process of completing homework, and know why it is important to network and train, we would like to say a few words about rejection. Once in a while, any student will have to experience rejection. Whether it is a rejection of a poorly completed homework or a scholarship cover letter. However, students, who are taking a communication course, know that rejection of an article or a new strategy can become a positive result for their future and be fruitful for the future success. Don’t worry if your homework gets rejected or your teacher asks for additional changes. Just work on the best solution, mind your previous mistakes and improve yourself to deliver better results in future. We hope that our simple but yet effective tips helped you to understand that there is nothing difficult in completing homework with a proper approach and enough devotion.