1st Reading
SALUTING THE FLAG
SUMMARY
The reading “Saluting the Flag” leads to the importance that the American flag has to American citizen. According to the text, for most of Americans “the flag is a cause for national pride and admiration and is a source of national identity”. In the current design of the American flag, the original thirteen colonies and the states are symbolically represented in the red and white stripes and in the white starts set in a field of blue stands, correspondently. Since 1942, the Pledge of Allegiance has been part of the cod for the use of the flag and it is proclaimed showing a deep respect by students, at the beginning of a class day or school assemblies around the country. Otherwise, not only displaying and raising the flag imply all a ritual, but also handing and folding it; even removing it from the pole must be done with special care for the flag not to touch the ground. Every year, on June 14th, Americans celebrate the Flag Day, and from most of the public Federal building, as well as from the porches of homes, the flag is prominently displayed. Finally, to emphasize how the flag symbolize the country’s identity, in the text is stated that, as part of the ceremony for becoming naturalized, resident immigrants are required to recite the pledge and salute the flag,
COMENT
What the text “Saluting the Flag” expresses has been, and still is, widely shown in many American movies, and it is my opinion that it is not a matter to agree or disagree with. Of course the Flag is one of the most common or traditional National Symbols for all countries and they represent national’s identity. What is different in many countries is “how” citizens feel themselves identified by the flag; this is what really makes the difference between one country and another. The way people behave to their national symbols shows their sense of belonging to a country, and in some measure it indicates how prepared citizens are to defend their country and to work hard for it to be a better place to live in. I wish in my country all of us had the same feeling and demonstrate the same respect to our flag as Americans do.
The reading “Saluting the Flag” leads to the importance that the American flag has to American citizen. According to the text, for most of Americans “the flag is a cause for national pride and admiration and is a source of national identity”. In the current design of the American flag, the original thirteen colonies and the states are symbolically represented in the red and white stripes and in the white starts set in a field of blue stands, correspondently. Since 1942, the Pledge of Allegiance has been part of the cod for the use of the flag and it is proclaimed showing a deep respect by students, at the beginning of a class day or school assemblies around the country. Otherwise, not only displaying and raising the flag imply all a ritual, but also handing and folding it; even removing it from the pole must be done with special care for the flag not to touch the ground. Every year, on June 14th, Americans celebrate the Flag Day, and from most of the public Federal building, as well as from the porches of homes, the flag is prominently displayed. Finally, to emphasize how the flag symbolize the country’s identity, in the text is stated that, as part of the ceremony for becoming naturalized, resident immigrants are required to recite the pledge and salute the flag,
COMENT
What the text “Saluting the Flag” expresses has been, and still is, widely shown in many American movies, and it is my opinion that it is not a matter to agree or disagree with. Of course the Flag is one of the most common or traditional National Symbols for all countries and they represent national’s identity. What is different in many countries is “how” citizens feel themselves identified by the flag; this is what really makes the difference between one country and another. The way people behave to their national symbols shows their sense of belonging to a country, and in some measure it indicates how prepared citizens are to defend their country and to work hard for it to be a better place to live in. I wish in my country all of us had the same feeling and demonstrate the same respect to our flag as Americans do.
Jaime Perez
2nd Reading
READING IN ENGLISH
Taken from EnglishClub.com at http://bl137w.blu137.mail.live.com/mail/ReadMessageLight.aspx?Aux=4%7c0%7c8C99528C1B488D0%7c&FolderID=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&InboxSortAscending=False&InboxSortBy=Date&ReadMessageId=22a571f8-60fa-4d31-a870-29c20a4ebe80&n=211314135
SUMMARY
The article “Reading in English” refers to the way we learn to read in English, and the way teachers teach how to read; as well as the way students can improve their reading. It is stated in the reading that people are used to read different types of texts: dictionaries, phone books, newspapers, article, novels, etc., but not in the same way. People use different strategies for reading each one of them. According to the text, learning to read in English can make students not feel very comfortable because the strategies teachers use. This strategies usually force the student to read more quickly than then can, in order to understand what they are reading. Besides that, students are some times not allowed to look words up in the dictionary, and they have to “deduce the meaning of some words from the context”. It is also explained that teachers have good reasons for teaching that way because they try to help students to develop their reading skills by making reading experiences “as realistic and productive as possible”; it means that they try that students learn to read in the same way they do in their own language. Finally, the text suggests that, to improve their reading, students, and people in general, must follow the old saying “practice makes perfect”; meaning that keeping reading regularly any type of text would make a positive impact on their reading ability and also in their vocabulary.
COMMENT
I have no other choice to make than totally agree with the statements made in the text. It is also my opinion that reading is the best way to learn to read, and the best way for succeeding at reading is the most natural way, as one does in our native language. Specially for learning a foreign language, students must try to read whatever appeals to them and try to get the meaning of words, or even phrases they don’t understand at first sight, from the context and not only trough the dictionary. Any way, if you are learning to read, just read! “Whatever you choice is better than nothing”
Jaime Perez
The article “Reading in English” refers to the way we learn to read in English, and the way teachers teach how to read; as well as the way students can improve their reading. It is stated in the reading that people are used to read different types of texts: dictionaries, phone books, newspapers, article, novels, etc., but not in the same way. People use different strategies for reading each one of them. According to the text, learning to read in English can make students not feel very comfortable because the strategies teachers use. This strategies usually force the student to read more quickly than then can, in order to understand what they are reading. Besides that, students are some times not allowed to look words up in the dictionary, and they have to “deduce the meaning of some words from the context”. It is also explained that teachers have good reasons for teaching that way because they try to help students to develop their reading skills by making reading experiences “as realistic and productive as possible”; it means that they try that students learn to read in the same way they do in their own language. Finally, the text suggests that, to improve their reading, students, and people in general, must follow the old saying “practice makes perfect”; meaning that keeping reading regularly any type of text would make a positive impact on their reading ability and also in their vocabulary.
COMMENT
I have no other choice to make than totally agree with the statements made in the text. It is also my opinion that reading is the best way to learn to read, and the best way for succeeding at reading is the most natural way, as one does in our native language. Specially for learning a foreign language, students must try to read whatever appeals to them and try to get the meaning of words, or even phrases they don’t understand at first sight, from the context and not only trough the dictionary. Any way, if you are learning to read, just read! “Whatever you choice is better than nothing”
Jaime Perez
