What got me started on an Intercambio jag was learning how Mexicans in the tourist industry on Mexico's Gold Coast learn English and achieve an amazing level of proficiency. They do it by engaging in Intercambios! This is where you exchange an hour of helping a Mexican struggling to learn English with an hour of him helping you with your Spanish. This is not just a good idea for learning Spanish but also an excellent way to master the culture. Far too few people stress a bicultural proficiency along with a linguistic fluency. You need both.
Many American companies, laboring under the false assumption that familiarity with Hispanics in general makes one an expert in Mexican culture, learn quickly this doesn't work. Some of the companies that want to begin a Mexican branch of their business will hire a fluent Spanish speaker to go to Mexico to run it. The person may have kept up his Spanish fluency with his American Hispanic family. However, the family might be second or third generation American Hispanics that, though Spanish fluent, has no Mexican cultural fluency. Though the family members can speak, read, and write Spanish, they have become so Americanized that they no longer understand the Mexican culture. The company finds it would have done better to send the person's grandparent or even great-grandparent to run the Mexican branch.
Linguistic fluency does not guarantee cultural fluency. One needs both to successfully interact with Mexicans in Mexico.
This is where the Intercambios rise to the occasion.
My wife learned more about Mexican culture through teaching ESL than the students seemed to learn English. Her students also made the comment at how thankful they were to have learned some American culture within the framework of their ESL classes. You've got to have both. The language is the portal to the culture.
The best part of an Intercambio?
It's free! No money exchanges hands. It's a barter gig.
I love free!
In the early days of desktop computing, software companies that catered to Educational software were among the first of software developers. This was because they recognized that the advent of computer technology could very well pave the way to learning through it. This was the reason why they quickly developed software programs that could make learning easier through a computer.
Indeed, education is an important part of every persons life. Some would even consider it crucial, for it is mostly when a person is educated that he is able to go through life in success, or achieve success in terms of financial gain. After all, a lot of people would consider getting a good job a done deal if one is educated.
With the constant changes in our society and the world in general, people would always try to adapt to these changes. If possible, we find ways to turn these changes to our advantage. In the modern age that we are in today, with the emergence of computers and other technological gadgets, people have also tried to make the most gain out of it.
Nowadays, we have the internet, where information can be accessed with a few clicks online. In terms of education, schools have also tried to adapt to the technological age by catering to Educational software. And when we say catering, we mean using them in the classroom as part of the curriculum.
Educational software refers to that device that is used in most schools to help students learn particular subjects through computer interactivity and electronic visuals. It enables both the student and the teacher to learn and teach out of their computers. It is convenient and more importantly, it is a great way to enhance the students learning.
Advantages Of Educational Software
A number of studies show that Educational software does live up to its purpose. It is found to be effective in helping students a more in-depth understanding of subjects, as well as enhancing quality of teaching. There is educational software available for subjects like math, science, language and even for art.
Most educational software have different levels of learning. So what teachers can do is to start off the students at the beginner's level and then up the ante based on the students level of learning and skill. Another great thing about educational software is that they are usually designed with fun graphics and easy learning methods. Learning does become fun. And no one really has to worry about the students becoming bored as classes go on.
Disadvantages Of Educational Software
As with any other decision, catering to educational software also has its disadvantages. For one, nothing can ever substitute for a live teacher. For another, there are a lot of kinds of educational software nowadays that there is always the possibility that one would not be able to choose the software that would best suit the subject and would best help the students. Educational software has its advantages and disadvantages, but people cater to it because the advantages outweigh its disadvantages.
Both Douglas Bower & Matthew Stanton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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