Students's manifestations

This week, students from Carmela Carvajal and Tajamar school took over the Instituto National as a protest against sexist behavior and education. The students blocked the gates and doors of the institute and manifested their anger against the abusive acts that students and teachers from such institution have practiced along the years. Recently, a cleaning person from Haiti reported that she was abused by a group of students. This was the origin of the manifestation. The students from Carmela Carvajal and Tajamar also claim that "institutanos" use aggressive language and that they feel harassed by these situations.

The students and authorities of the Instituto Nacional have reacted against this act and expressed that this is a violent act and that this group of (female) students are violent and that they don't respect the traditions of the institute and that democracy has been broken.

I think that this is a clear example of the naturalization of wrong behavior that has been  present in our society and culture for many years. The men feel insulted and exposed and they need to express their discontent against these girls, but they don't talk about the hidden reality within their institution and the privilege they have because they are the most respectable ONLY MEN school in Chile. This is just an example of how things operate in our society.

These girls are trying to change things, to unbalance the status quo and to generate a discussion of the issue. Maybe, some people see this as a violent act but changes are not easy to accept and action seems to be the only way to obtain something in a conservative culture that doesn't want to wake up.

What do you think?

Write 150 words about this topic.

Use the following words: protest, anger, language, against, democracy, society, action.

Write a comment.

Lucas

Students' manifestations: strikes and paros

Chile is facing a new period of manifestations in universities and school across the country. This time it is not about profits in education or free education for everyone or the quality of the contents and teachers/professors; this time the issue is about sexual harassment within the schools and universities, sexist education and injustice (people who have been accused of wrong behavior are still working and interacting with the victims). Girls and women are protesting against this abuse and they have decided to go on strike or have tomas (via democratic vote) to manifest and make themselves heard. Most of their male classmates support them.

A lot of people do not agree with this situation or they don't understand the meaning of this movement. "What is the relation between abuse and stop classes?" or "a toma is violent, feminists are violent" are ideas that I hear a lot these days.

In my opinion, this is also related to education because for years we have been told that professors and teachers are right and they have the power to act and we only have to obey and study, but guess what...some people believe that they have the power to do whatever they want and never question their position or their privilege or their role. I think our role is to provide knowledge and help you develop your skills (not only language skills) and be part of a healthy environment. Professors are as important as the students and as important as the people who clean the university. We are part of an entity and we should work together to have a nice context where we can all share and grow as a community. If that means that strikes and tomas are part of the process, we have to be able to reflect on these situations and create an environment where everybody feels safe and comfortable to learn, study and to grow as a person/student/teacher.

What do you think?

Write 150 on the topic.
Leave a comment.
Use the following words: strikes, issue, manifest, power, role, environment.


Regards.

Lucas

Santiago from my study program's point of view

Hi there, today I'm going to write about Santiago considering the perspectives related to my study program. I studied English literature and linguistics and, to be honest, I cannot find many references regarding English literature in our city. However, there is a small neighborhood downtown where the streets, squares and corners are similar to the ones we find in some old English books (Sherlok Holmes, for example). That place is known as "París-Londres". It is a bit similar to those places, but in a sort of cliché way. Also, there are some bars around that are inspired by English pubs (Irish pubs too) and that's all. Nevertheless, I think that Valparaíso is more related to the English culture and literature because of the sailors that came from England in the old days, the architecture you see in the middle of the city near the port and even some bars and restaurant have an English inspiration. I'm thinking of Liverpool or Manchester, maybe, but I could be wrong.

In terms of liguistics, there is a lot to say about Santiago and the English language. First of all, I can say that not many people speak a second language here in Chile (not because they are not able to do it, by the way) and English seems to be a real issue for some people. This can be related to their experience at school. This may be eplained because of the way they were exposed to the English language, the system we have to face and the teachers and professors who did not know how to motivate their students or help them in the learning process (I remember spending months and years learning the verb to be). Also, some people think it's not necessary to learn a second language because we are surrounded by Spanish speaking countries and we don't need another language to communicate (again, I think this is part of our education politics and the system they represent).

Anyhow, I'd like to say more things but I want to know what you see in Santiago from the point of view of your study program or the field that you are studying.

I can't wait to read your post!

Cheers!

Lucas

Why did you choose this study programme (carrera)?

Write about:

- your dream jobs when you were a child

- other career options that you had at the moment of applying to university

- what made you decide in the end

- your experience at university until now

- the kind of job you would like to have

Hi there. When I was a kid I wanted to a be an austronaut and a football player. My first option was almost impossible because that carreer didn't exist in Chile. The second option was impossible too since I was not very good at playing, so I had to change my mind.

When I was in highschool I wanted to be a writer so when I had to decide what to study (after the PAA...yes, I know, many years ago) I chose a study programme that included reading a lot. My idea was to read and learn and after that I could create my own literature. It never worked because we had to read A LOT and I ended up really tired and bored.

I started working teaching after I finished university. It was really difficult at first since I didn't know what to do. After a couple of years I learned more and my classes were better. Now I enjoy my job and I love working with young students here in the same university I started to study so many years ago.

Cheers!

Love and respect.

Lucas

 > word count: 130 words

 > don't forget to leave comments on 3 of your classmates posts and on your teacher's post as well.

An interview

Pair work: students interview a classmate and ask questions about personal life, interests and dreams. Follow the example:

My friend G

I talked to my friend Gerson about life and other things and I got to know him better:


Lucas: Where and when were you born?

Gerson: I was born in Santiago in 1985.

L: Where do you live?

G: I live in Santiago Centro in a small apartment but I want to move because I don't like my neighborhood. It's too far from my job.

L: What do yo do for a living? What's your job?

G: I'm a risk preventionist. I work for a company in San Bernardo, so I have to wake up very early to be there everyday at 8 am. I need another apartment or a car.

L: Do you like your job?

G: Mmm, yeah, I like it, but I would like to do something else.

L: Like what?

G: I really like music, listening to music, playing music, etc. I play in bands and I'd really love to make a living playing music. I don't know. It's difficult to make money playing music here, but that truly makes me happy. Maybe I could have a part time job and spend more time making music with my friends.

L: How often do you practice?

G: We get together twice a week on weekdays and on Saturdays. We play, talk, drink something maybe, probably we eat something and then play again. Spending time with my friends makes my day after a long day of work. Being in a band with my friends has helped me to go through difficult times and I enjoy meeting them. It's fun and we make great music.

L: That's good. Who is in that band with you?

G: Well, my friend Luis plays the drums and the guitarrist is a friend of mine from highschool. His name is Lucas, you fool!

L: Oh, that's right. Hahahaha!
     Thank you for your time, bro. Take care.

G: Thanks to you, man. Cheers!!

My biography

Hey!

My name is Lucas Araya. I am 36 years old and I am an English tutor.

I studied English and linguistics at the University of  Chile and now I am currently working at this university and other institutions.

After I graduated from highschool in 1999, I moved to Australia and lived there for six months. I didn't speak English at the time but I had to learn so I could survive. I used to watch cartoons and and sitcoms like Seinfeld and Friends. Also, I talked to people at shops and bars. That's how I learned to speak English. I also worked as a cleaner at a second-hand shop where they let me take one record (vinyl) once a week. That's how I started my record collection.

I came back to Chile and I started to study English at the University. I met my best friends while I was studying. 

Once I finished my studies I started to work as an English instructor. I have been doing this for ten years and every year I have the chance of meeting new and interesting students.

I love music. I really enjoy listening to music and playing music with my friends.

I also love cooking, trying new kinds of food, riding my bike and spending time with my four dogs.

I hope we can have a good time in class and learn a lot.

Cheers!

Lucas.