International Market Entry Methods

ExportingExporting is the direct sale of goods and / or services in another country. It is possibly the best-known method of entering a foreign market, as well as the lowest risk. It may also be cost-effective as you will not need to invest in production facilities in your chosen country – all goods are still produced in your home country then sent to foreign countries for sale. However, rising transportation costs are likely to increase the cost of exporting in the near future.The majority of costs involved with exporting come from marketing expenses. Usually, you will need the involvement of four parties: your business, an importer, a transport provider and the government of the country of which you wish to export to.LicensingLicensing allows another company in your target country to use your property. The property in question is normally intangible – for example, trademarks, production techniques or patents. The licensee will pay a fee in order to be allowed the righ t to use the property.Licensing requires very little investment and can provide a high return on investment. The licensee will also take care of any manufacturing and marketing costs in the foreign market.FranchisingFranchising is somewhat similar to licensing in that intellectual property rights are sold to a franchisee. However, the rules for how the franchisee carries out business are usually very strict – for example, any processes must be followed, or specific components must be used in manufacturing.Joint ventureA joint venture consists of two companies establishing a jointly-owned business. One of the owners will be a local business (local to the foreign market). The two companies would then provide the new business with a management team and share control of the joint venture.There are several benefits to this type of venture. It allows you the benefit of local knowledge of a foreign market and allows you to share costs. However, there are some issues – there c an be problems with deciding who invests what and how to split profits.Foreign direct investmentForeign direct investment (FDI) is when you directly invest in facilities in a foreign market. It requires a lot of capital to cover costs such as premises, technology and staff. FDI can be done either by establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing company.Wholly owned subsidiaryA wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) is somewhat similar to foreign direct investment in that money goes into a foreign company but instead of money being invested into another company, with a WOS the foreign business is bought outright. It is then up to the owners whether it continues to run as before or they take more control of the WOS.PiggybackingPiggybacking involves two non-competing companies working together to cross-sell the other’s products or services in their home country. Although it is a low-risk method involving little capital, some companies may not be comfortable with this method as it i nvolves a high degree of trust as well as allowing the partner company to take a large degree of control over how your product is marketed abroad.Turnkey projectsA turnkey project refers to a project when clients pay contractors to design and construct new facilities and train personnel. A turnkey project is way for a foreign company to export its process and technology to other countries by building a plant in that country. Industrial companies that specialize in complex production technologies normally use turnkey projects as an entry strategy. One of the major advantages of turnkey projects is the possibility for a company to establish a plant and earn profits in a foreign country especially in which foreign direct investment opportunities are limited and lack of expertise in a specific area exists.Potential disadvantages of a turnkey project for a company include risk of revealing companies secrets to rivals, and takeover of their plant by the host country. Entering a market wit h a turnkey project CAN prove that a company has no long-term interest in the country which can become a disadvantage if the country proves to be the main market for the output of the exported process.

Obesity in Children Essay

What parents allow their children to eat can affect their bodies and their life. Most children don’t realize the effects of long term illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart condition and high blood pressure. Taxing unhealthful foods and beverages could prove an important strategy to overconsumption and potentially aid in weight loss and reduced rates of diabetes among children and adults. Junk food should be taxed because it will reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, and health care costs. First of all, taxing junk food will lower obesity among Americans. The increase in both soda and pizza found that many Americans would still buy junk food regardless of a price increase. Taxing of sugary beverages at a penny-per-ounce rate with the goal of decreasing consumption of obesity caused in drinks. The junk food tax would fund obesity related health initiatives such as diabetes care. Obesity has been acknowledged as a national problem, notion of taxing junk food doesn’t seem so bad. Secondly, Americans need to take better control over what they eat and what they feed their children. We must take a stand against obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease in children and young adults. Most fast foods contain process meats and considered unhealthy in children. Americans don’t have an ideal what they are eating in fast food restaurants. How the government determined what foods should be served in schools. A couple of school systems such as Texas and California had a great idea to remove soft drinks, pop, soda, energy drinks and cola from the schools lunch rooms along with fast foods such as burgers, French fries, hot ogs and convenience stores, too fight the obesity epidemic among the United States and children. Replace drinks with orange juice, and water. Replace fast foods with fresh fruits, vegetables, salads and exercise. Obesity in the United States has risen from 48 percent to 65 percent within the last thirty years and so has health care which has sky racket. We need to be more proactive in saving our children by eating healthier f oods in the home and school. Schools need to change the vending machines to reflect eating healthy will help the body to become healthier. The school environment, nutrition, organizational support groups, school policies that take away things such as sweetened beverages, and replace them with water, juice, fruit, vegetables and less junk food. Availability of less healthful food and beverages in schools is worldwide. Despite changes in improving school food environment, availability of high fat food such things as pizza and hamburgers remain high in United States schools. Canadian elementary schools seem to have fewer vending machines, but less healthful food and beverages are available to all grades as they are made available through outlets such as cafeteria, school stores. It is said that schools may influence students into eating unhealthy by the lunches they provide and the vending machines that are in schools. Lastly, fast foods are not good because they have no nutrition value, most children that consume fast foods on a daily basic start to gain weight due to lack of exercise. Children watch more TV and play more video games than exercising. Less exercise in schools, have also been a major factor contributing to obesity in children. Fast foods make children tired, the more you eat the less energy you have. When you walk into a store whether it’s a large grocery store or a small convenience store the lack of fruits and vegetables are small. Most children and adults are unaware that they have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Most children who suffer from obesity also have a high rate of asthma. It would be a good idea if governments would rate schools on lunches they are providing to students. The school should prohibit advertising of fast foods, sweets and pop, prohibit use of less healthful foods , provide advertising that deals with eating healthy and healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, seek educational requirements for school food and include requirements for nutrition education. Include exercise in the diet each day that way children won’t feel tried after eating lunch. They will burn off fast and their bodies will feel better and become better in the long run. We need our children to be healthy. We need to avoid sickness, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Americans need to limit the intake of fast foods and start looking at healthy choices for themselves and their children. Medical bills have sky racket. If we plan to keep our generation of children around we better start looking at better ways of eating and providing nutrient in our everyday diet. Most people have cars, less people walk, ride bikes, or exercise. We have become lazy when it comes to exercise and eating healthy. Look at your children and ask yourself, do I want my child to continue looking like this, obese, sick and unhealthy.

Feminist Perspective of the Role of Lady Madeline Essay

â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher (1939)†, arguably Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous short story, is a tale centered around the mysterious House of Usher and its equally indiscernible inhabitants. These subjects are plagued with physical and mental degradation – the Usher siblings suffer from various abnormal ailments and unexplained fears, while the house itself seems to be tethering on the edge of collapse. The gothic elements in the story are distributed generously, and the plot is increasingly ridden with the supernatural as it progresses. Lady Madeline, Roderick Usher’s twin sister, is a key element in the story. She suffers from a disease much like catalepsy, a disease that subjects her to seizures and insensitivity to various stimuli. Roderick himself, on the other hand, suffers from an â€Å"acuteness of the senses† and a strong belief that the house is somehow alive and conscious of its surroundings. Roderick has not parted from the house in years, and has instead elected to keep himself inside to pore over literature and art, rather than threaten his sanity by overwhelming his senses. The siblings are very similar, not only in their appearance, as they are twins, but in their problems as well. They are both suffering from similarly mysterious diseases, and are both aware of the underlying sexual tension in their relationship. Early in the story, the readers are made aware of the age-old Usher tradition that has kept the Usher family ‘pure’. In other words, incestuous relationships were the norm for them. However, by no means was Madeline and Roderick’s relationship condoned by the rest of society. This essay will examine the story from a feminist perspective, focusing on understanding the narrating styles of the male author, and the actions of the characters in the book. It will also look specifically at the ways that women have suffered from social conventions throughout the years, and compare it to Madeline’s struggles in the story. Women & Poe Males are the dominant gender in the text, both in terms of dialogue and in description. The complete absence of a female voice in the text, save for several moans and groans from Madeline scattered throughout the story, is  pointedly apparent. Throughout the story, Madeline never utters a single word – what the readers know of her is severely limited by the vague descriptions given of her and the way she is treated. Not only do males dominate the text in terms of their presence, but there is also a greater sense of regard among the male characters themselves than there is between Madeline the the male characters. They seem to regard her ailments less seriously than they do of Roderick’s, giving Roderick’s much more detail and explanation than that of Madeline. Roderick’s description, on the other hand, seems to go on an on, reaching into Poe’s treatment of Madeline after her apparent death is a representation of the author’s strangely violent attitude towards women. Like in a number of his other works, women are subject to strange and horrific treatment after their deaths. Berenice was buried alive, and had all her teeth pulled. Ligeia sees the death of two women, and a perverse return of one of them. One could conclude that Poe had misogynistic tendencies, though the fact that Madeline did rise up in power could be seen as support for an opposing perspective. Women in Victorian Society Understanding the circumstances behind the treatment and portrayal of Madeline also demands an understanding of how women were expected to act, especially as reflected in nineteenth century literature. At that time, women were expected to adhere to certain well-defined virtues, centered around the virtures of submissiveness and domesticity. To some extent, a woman’s value depended quite largely on her physical attributes. This refers not only her physique, but also to her abilities in carrying out household tasks. Women were traditionally seen as homemakers – people in charge of matters in the household, not outside. Men, of course, were seen as the mind and intellect of the household, and the one qualified to receive an education and work in the outside world. A woman’s mental ability was regarded as essentially limited to superficial sensing, while a man would have been seen as the one responsible for complex thought and reflection in a household. In a way, Madeline’s suppression by her twin brother and the way she generally presents herself reflects this. Madeline does not speak, and simply obeys the orders of everyone else in the house. Roderick, on the other hand, always has the final word. This is exemplified once again the  Roderick’s live burial of Madeline, in which Madeline could not do anything to change her fate. In the nineteenth century, the female daughter is seen as a critical supporting element of the family. She was expected to keep her aspirations and motivations rooted in maintaining and upholding the family and its name, from within the household. The way Madeline was buried, â€Å"half smothered in its oppressive atmosphere†, reflects the way she was smothered in Victorian society. The nature of their illnesses also reflect the gender roles of the era. While Roderick’s illness amplifies his senses, Madeline’s disease, described as â€Å"a settle apathy, a gradual wasting away of the person†, dampens hers, reducing her into an ‘barely-there’, almost ghostly, individual. Roderick is able to isolate himself from the outside world to spare him from the torture of his oversensitivty, however, Madeline is helpless towards hers. Madeline’s illness subjects her to physical degradation. On a mental level, she is suppressed by the gender roles and expectations of the time. Relationship between Madeline and the Other Characters Madeline’s burial represents the suppression she is subject to under Usher tradition, and under the ideals of her brother. She cannot truly be herself or express herself fully, because of the expectations she has to fulfill. Even from the start, she is trapped in the house, trapped under the shadow of her ancestor’s expectations, and trapped under the realization of what she and her twin brother would have to do to continue their family line in the traditional Usher fashion. Madeline has no freedom, both in life and in â€Å"death†. It is a feminist victory, then, to see Madeline emerge from the depths of her suppression to exact her revenge and exert her power over those who have suppressed her all her life. He then says that his sickness can be â€Å"traced to a more natural and far more palpable origin†Ã¢â‚¬â€namely, to his â€Å"tenderly beloved sister—his sole companion for long years—his last relative on earth.† Madeline’s display of power and ability to induce fear is an abrupt change in the dynamic among the characters. Instead of the silent, unregarded character she has always been portrayed as thus far, Madeline is finally clearly seen as a powerful figure, capable of breaking out of her constraints, both physical and mental, and exacting justice on her own. It is interesting to see that Madeline only manages to struggle out  of these constraints after her apparent death. Perhaps in only allowing Madeline to break free after her death signifies that for women, stepping out of the very well-defined social conventions of the day is as difficult as death itself. Furthermore, Madeline’s new appearance as a strong character over her brother’s meekness represents how women actually have the capability to rise up and over society’s expectations for them, when given the chance. In that final scene, while Roderick is â€Å"a victim to the terrors he had anticipated†, Madeline is fearful and intimidating, with her â€Å"lofty† appearance and the blood on her clothes displaying the kind of struggles she has experienced and conquered. Perhaps this point offers insight into why this invoked fear in the readers of the era – to see a woman assume such a powerful role would have seemed abnormally threatening. Another notable fact is that Roderick’s condition visibly deteriorates after the departure of Madeline from his daily life. It signifies that despite Madeline’s apparent weakness and low value, she does play a fundamental role in the Usher family. It suggests that she may have been a strong character from the start – but the readers just cannot immediately see it as it is shrouded by the lack of attention on her and descriptions of her. In essense, a feminist criticism of â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† reveals much about the nature of the characters and their relationships, as well as the reasons behind the circumstances and the characters’ subsequent actions. A prominent theme stems from the context of the story, the Victorian era. By knowing how women were expected to act, we see the reasons why she was treated a certain way, and why her response was far from active. Madeline’s final actions, however, reflect a different side of the female role, adding a very interesting twist to the story. Bibliography: â€Å"Early Nineteenth Century Attitudes Toward Women and Their Roles as Represented By Literature Popular in Worcester, Massachusetts.† Teach US History |. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"‘Sympathies of a Scarcely Intelligible Nature’: The Brother-Sister Bond in

Discrete Population Growth Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Discrete Population Growth - Lab Report Example y, during a period of an extremely populous generation resources are brought to scarcity and life and reproduction are made harder for individuals, leading to a decline in population numbers. These ideas are well reflected by modeling the situation with a function assuming low values on both ends of the range of argument, and high values in and around its center. The equation below is a simple example of this kind of model, using a variable parameter k to account for variable reproductive strength of different species and/or a given species in different environments. The equation predicts the size of (n+1)-th population pn+1 as a quantity considered dependent only on the size of n-th population pn: Using the program Grapher by R. Decker, the first 100 terms of the sequence generated by equation [1] were generated and plotted for several initial situations characterized by different combinations of p0 and k. Graphs in Figures 1 to 4 show four situations combining the values of 0.5 and 0.8 for p0 and 1.5 and 2.5 for k. The graphs make clear the sequence converges rather quickly under these conditions. The limit values are 0.33 for k = 1.5 and 0.6 for k = 2.5, regardless of p0. This behaviour is seen for k values between 1 and 3. The graph in Figure 5 is different in that there are two values between which the population numbers keep alternating. The graph has been produced for values k = 3.2, p0 = 0.5. Experimenting with the program proved such behaviour is characteristic for values of k between 3.0 and 3.4 (see also Figure 6). For values of k exceeding 3.4, the lines observed in Figure 5 become increasingly split or blurred (see Figures 7 and 8) until k = 3.6, where the alternating course of the sequence gives way to chaotic behaviour (see Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12). In this range, changing the value of k by only 0.001 has profound impact on the sequence terms (compare Figures 9 and 10, and Figures 11 and 12). Figure 12, produced for k = 4.0, reveals an

Booker T. Washington and Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Booker T. Washington and Education - Essay Example For instance, Washington accepted segregation of the races, his outward humility, and his opposition to black militancy (Rutkoff and Scott). For this reason, many black intellectuals from Washington’s time were shy about placing him as the spokesperson for the struggle for social recognition. Regardless, Washington’s thoughts on education have remained within the public’s consideration for a number of years, opening the question of how does our current world evaluate, and utilize, what Washington had to contribute to the field of education. Washington was born a Virginian slave in either 1858 or 1859 and, although freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, sought employment at age nine in coalmines and salt works. Washington was entirely self-educated: finding the value of knowledge after his first experience with a spelling book. In 1872, Washington moved a few hundred miles to Virginia’s Hampton Institute in Virginia to enhance his education. Washin gton took employment as a janitor in Hampton so that he could pay his tuition, room, and board. Similar to his peers at Hampton, Washington received a lesson in the value of hard work for moral and economic strength. â€Å"He worked his way through school and taught for two years at Hampton after graduating† (Hine, Hine and Harrold 339). Afterward, Washington took up a position as headmaster at a school in Tuskegee, Alabama. Understanding how Washington found himself as the head of a school is crucially important for contextualizing his contributions to the philosophy of education in the early parts of black freedom within the United States. Because Washington employed personal initiative and hard work in reaching a place of dignity, he wanted to share that experience with all black people. His take on education was representative of the fact that he was not an intellectual; rather he was a man that employed action to achieve the means of survival (Rutkoff and Scott). He want ed black people in the south to value the need for industrial education from the perspective as both American and African. Washington emphasized the industrial curriculum as a means of a stepping-stone toward race independence; however, this emphasis does not represent an inherent belief in the incapacity of blacks to master scholarly subjects as well. Rather, â€Å"one man may go into a community prepared to supply the people there an analysis of Greek sentences. The community may or may not at that time be prepared for, or feel the need of, Greek analysis, but it may feel the need of bricks and houses and wagons† (Washington 156-157). Washington’s intent by advocating the industrial curriculum was to grant these blacks the ability to break cycles of perpetual debt brought on by a lack of independence from the sharecropping system, which kept individuals from learning the tools and competences necessary for work that is more skilled. As a man of action, who achieved a high status by working hard and taking the extra step, Washington saw the production of value with one’

Marketing plan Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Marketing plan - Term Paper Example SWOT analysis-------------------------------------------------------------------------8 6. Market positioning (BCG Matrix analysis)---------------------------------------10 6.1 Identifying the significant trends in the market--------------------11 7. Competitors------------------------------------------------------------------------------11 7.1 Differentiating Cool Pals from the closest competitors----------13 8. Micro-economic environmental factors--------------------------------------------14 9. Marketing and Branding strategies-------------------------------------------------14 9.1 The Products and its primary characteristics------------------------14 9.2 Branding strategies-----------------------------------------------------16 10. Advertising and integrated marketing communication-----------------------17 10.1 The effectiveness of the advertising and measurements-------17 10.2 Measurement of the advertising affects---------------------------19 10.3 The promotional strategies---- ---------------------------------------20 10.4 Measuring customer satisfaction------------------------------------20 10.5 The gaps in customer expectations and experience-------------21 11. Pricing and distribution strategy----------------------------------------------------21 11.1 The pricing strategy----------------------------------------------------21 11.2 Penetration versus Skimming pricing--------------------------------23 11.3 The other pricing tactics-----------------------------------------------24 11.4 Ethical and legal issues related to pricing---------------------------24 11.5 Distribution channel and strategy------------------------------------25 12. Future plans-----------------------------------------------------------------------------26 13. Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------26 14. Work cited------------------------------------------------------------------------------27 Introduction: Marketing is the pre-sales a ctivity which gives the live to a product so that it can be accepted by the customers. It is a phenomenal function which gives the identity to a product. Products are the tangible and intangible physical entities which cater to the needs and wants of the human society. Products are salable only after they blend with the virtue of the marketing activities. This particular paper focuses on the 360 degree marketing activity for a company which manufactures and retail innovative toys for the kids. Brief about the company: Cool Pals is the company which is expertise in manufacturing and innovating toys for the kids. The demographic profile chosen for the products of Cool Pals are boys and girls both aged between two to eighteen. The name itself presents the affection towards the kids. The company is in the market for the last four years. The primary markets are USA and Canada. The lion part of the revenue comes from the US market. The company is one of the most innovative toy making comp anies in the market. The sell their products through exclusive Cool Pals stores across USA and also through some selected retail outlets in US and Canada. The company is relatively new in the segment. However, it is privileged with the 15 percent market share in US toy market. The main successful formula of the

Week 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Week 8 - Essay Example In such instances, the management of multinational enterprises is always forced to the extra mile, in order to strike an ideal balance without compromising their core values, an approach that takes additional resources. Widespread public ownership and extensive government intervention somewhat presents a mixed bag for businesses. This perception is fundamentally because in as much as a section of business administrators have overtime reaffirmed that implementing some of the policies put forward by the government such as antitrust laws is a waste of both time and resources, government input has come in handy in some situations. This includes providing the businesses with information that can give them an edge over their competitors and financial loans during harsh economic conditions. Similarly, it is believed that government interventions always safeguard consumers and ensure that businesses protect the environment, hence ensuring that the businesses are in good books with the market. The relationship between democracy and economic growth has often brought up conflicting ideas, for some economic analysts hold the perception that in some instances autocratic leaderships can act as a basis for growth, as was the case during the tenure of Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore (www.wsj.com). Nonetheless, it is important to note that a democratic political system is essential for sustained economic progress. This is because democracy, when properly practiced naturally leads to a prosperous and stable economy. This is because most of the rich nations that have sustained rapid economic growth overtime are stable democracies, while most of the poor countries are either brutal dictatorships or dysfunctional

Report module topic 1-6 international business management Essay

Report module topic 1-6 international business management - Essay Example However, the MFC is bound to face both tariff and non-tariff barriers by operating on an international scale. Moreover, MFC will experience effects of trade protection as barriers to international trade. These challenges are compounded with the presence of political and legal risks, which affect the business in a number of ways such as business registration, taxation, licensing and reputation of the company. Cultural factors are also an issue in international trade that needs proper integration of people and ideas. In an attempt to help people understand cultural inclinations and influence Geert Hofstede came up with five fold framework of culture that has been discussed in this paper. At the same time, MFC will enjoy benefits of being a member of international trade organizations such as WTO and regional trading blocs and custom unions. Therefore, international trade is in general beneficial to MFC and the company can go worldwide while understanding aspects related to international for strategy formulation and management of business. Table of Contents Title 1 Executive Summary 2 Table of contents 3 1.0. Introduction 4 2.0 International trade 5 2.1. Reasons Why MFC chooses to trade internationally 5 2.2. Major types of international business the MFC will set up in the short-term and long-term 7 2.3. Globalization 8 3.0. ... Types of strategies MFC can use to manage political and legal risks 12 5.0. Culture and cultural frameworks 13 5.1. Hofstede’s cultural dimension 13 5.2. Strength and weaknesses of Hofstede’s Framework relevant to MFC’s managers 14 5.3. Ways on how cultural characteristics influence patterns of communication for MFC;s managers in USA and in India 15 5.4. Ways on how MFC’s managers improve cross-cultural communication international trade organizations 16 6.0. Trade organization (international) 16 Â  6.1. Ways on how MFC can use the range of international trade organizations 16 6.2. Influence of regional economic groups to MFC 18 7.0. conclusion and recommendations 18 Reference list 19 1.0 Introduction The Magic Fuel Company (MFC) is an Australian public company specializing in the production of fuel additives and other fuel products. Experimentation with fuel and the utilization of additives to make engines run more efficiently has resulted in the producti on of a super concentrated fuel gel which has the potential to reduce all fuel to approximately 20% of current volume and increase the efficient burning of the concentrate by up to 200% of current refined fuel products. This means that each litre of fuel is equivalent to approx 200 ml of gel and fuel usage is reduced to half current usage. Using the fuel gel a car with a 60 litre tank using 10 litres per hundred kilometers of conventional fuel could carry the equivalent of 300 (5*60) litres and travel approximately 3000 kilometers per tank. The gel is the same weight as current fuel, is less volatile and has a longer shelf life. MFC is aware of the potential of the new technology the company has developed to refine crude petroleum and the value of the special additives for the gelling

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Research Paper Example Another population that is showing emerging increase in PTSD is fire-fighters. More and more cases of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are coming to light, making it important for understanding of the conditions and therefore development of effective treatments. Feczer and Bjorklund (2009) define PTSD as â€Å" an anxiety disorder characterized by a triad of symptoms following exposure or trauma, including persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic stressors through flashbacks, nightmares, and/or intrusive thoughts, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma along with the numbing or general unresponsiveness; and persistent symptoms of increased arousal† (p.278). PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder since although anxiety has many of the symptoms and signs of fear, it also lingers long after the event and the threat associated with it have passed. This is perhaps the most unique characteristic of PTSD. Vieweg et al (2006) follow the development of the definition. In 1980 the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders first described PTSD as an anxiety disorder. In a later revision in 1987 the diagnostic criteria were revised to emphasize the avoidance phenomenon and in the 1994 edition traum a was redefined. The definition of trauma is important to the understanding of how it is applied to PTSD. Grant et al (2008) define a trauma as â€Å"an event involving actual or threatened loss of life or personal integrity such that one experiences extreme fear, helplessness or horror† (p.662). The American Psychiatric Association expands the explanation of the traumatic event saying that it must involve actual or threatened death or serious injury of a threat to one’s physical being. Witnessing the actual death or threat to another’s

Apple - Sweatshop Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Apple - Sweatshop - Essay Example It is crucial to note that the term stakeholder refers to the entire group of people affected by an organization’s operations. Different companies adopt different approaches of CSR. These approaches include; the Canadian, Continental European, and Anglo-Saxon approaches. Despite the differing approaches, most organizations adopt a common approach which involves philanthropy through giving out aids and monetary donations. However, some organizations opt to incorporate CSR into the firm’s business strategy, whereas others opt to Create Shared Value (CSV). CSV revolves around the idea that success within an organization is interdependent on the society’s welfare (William & David 156). Carroll’s CSR model is a four-layered pyramid. The bottom layer contains the label economic responsibilities, and it represents the profitable endeavors of an organization. This layer is the foundation on which all other layers rely on. Just above this layer lies the legal respo nsibilities layer, which represents, the legal obligations an organization must follow to avoid attracting legal liabilities. The next layer’s label is ethical responsibilities, and this layer represents an organization’s obligation to do what the society considers as acceptable, right and fair in order to avoid any harm befalling any of the stakeholders. The top-most layer has the philanthropic responsibilities label attached to it. This entails an organization’s involvement in exemplary corporate citizenship through engagement in philanthropic endeavors within the community as a way of giving back or saying thanks for the support granted by the community. Carroll’s arrangement of responsibilities on a pyramid served to show the existence of tension between the responsibilities. This arrangement also showed that the responsibilities were not mutually exclusive. Carroll’s CSR model continues to be empirically tested in many organizations around the world, for example, the initial empirical test involved an analysis of Forbes leading company CEOs in 1985 (McDermott 98). Apple Company continues to face allegations of using sweatshop labor in its Foxconn's plant, in China. In addition, the company faced allegations of involvement in practices which led to environmental destruction. Apple’s practices constituted to unethical business practice in the eyes of the company’s critics. The allegations compelled Apple to conduct further investigations and figure out ways in which the company could once again appease its stakeholders. From the investigations carried out, Apple tried to reassure its stakeholders that the allegations made about the company's use of sweatshop labor were false. However, the company executives acknowledged the presence of some irregularities with the labor relations policies used by the organization at the Foxconn plant. The further went to assure their stakeholders that the irregularities were of a technical nature and, that company personnel were tirelessly working to rectify these irregularities, for example, the use of complex remuneration systems. They refuted all allegations of the use of forced, child or sweatshop labor made against them by supporting their claims using investigation reports (Laurie & Lawrence 77). Carroll’s CSR model emphasizes the existence of tension between the different categories of responsibility. However, he maintains that the different cat

Cross Cultural Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cross Cultural Perspectives - Essay Example To cope with an unpredictable world you mut build an enormou amount of flexibility into your organization. While you cannot predict the future, you can get a handle on trend, which i a way to take advantage of change and convert rik into opportunitie. n today' tidal wave of global economic, technological, and ocial change, that name of the game for you and your organization i urvival. If you are going to withtand relentle and contantly growing global competition, you need to be different and radically change the way of doing buine. You have to give up the old hierarchical, adverarial approach which wate individual talent and ap energy in unproductive conflict. Intead you need to create a new management model, witch from management to leaderhip, manage change, build trut, drive out fear of failure and and create productive partnerhip in which everyone can offer their unique knowledge and talent. If you know how to help your organization to do thi, you can make a deciive difference. How you change a buine unit to adapt to hifting economy and market i a matter of management tyle. Evolutionary change, that involve etting direction, allocating reponibilitie, and etablihing reaonable timeline for achieving objective, i relatively painle. However, it i rarely fat enough or comprehenive enough to move ahead of the curve in an evolving world where take are high, and the repone time i hort. When faced with market-driven urgency, abrupt and ometime diruptive change, uch a dramatic downizing or reengineering, may be required to keep the company competitive. In ituation when timing i critical to ucce, and companie mut get more efficient and productive rapidly, revolutionary change i demanded. When chooing between evolutionary change and revolutionary action, a leader mut purue a balanced and pragmatic approach. winging too far to revolutionary extreme may create "an organizational culture that i o impatient, and o focued on change, that it fail to give new initiative and new peronnel time to take root, tabilize, and grow. What' more, it create a high-tenion environment that intimidate rather than nurture people, leaving them with little or no emotional invetment in the company." Group, ocietie, or culture have value that are largely hared by their member. The value identify thoe object, condition or characteritic that member of the ociety conider important; that i, valuable. In the United tate, for example, value might include material comfort, wealth, competition, individualim or religioity. The value of a ociety can often be identified by noting which people receive honor or repect. In the U, for example, profeional athlete are honored (in the form of monetary payment) more than college profeor, in part becaue the ociety repect peronal value uch a phyical activity, fitne, and competitivene more than mental activity and

Animal Testing Should Be Banned Essay Example for Free

Animal Testing Should Be Banned Essay Kyle is a little white mouse who lives in a lab. Unlike others, he doesn’t have to worry about risking his life for food. But of course there are worse things. His mother was being cut alive to test for a reaction to certain products and his dad was being tested for different types of drugs, which made him lost the ability to see. Kyle knows his destiny, he’s still waiting for his day to come, and he’ll never forget the hopeless look in his mother’s eye. He watched his mother being rudely taking out of the cage, tortured and abused. He only hopes that someone will understand how he feels, but even that is too scary to think about. Animal testing still exists, and also happens to be legal, which is ironic because it’s injustice and murder. The hidden murderers around us are killing innocent animals. Animal testing is physical abuse, which in turn affects the environment. Animals don’t have the ability to communicate with humans, but that doesn’t mean they deserve having their life taken away. Most animals that have been used for testing lost their ability to see or hear. Some have even died. Not to mention the chance of extinction. Certain animals’ DNA or cell tissues are also being used; it harms the skulls and makes unsafe reproduction. Surprisingly about 75% of the testing is for things like cosmetic, drugs and personal caring products. Animals have their own rights too; they do not deserve to be abused. Another reason animal testing should be banned is that if it’s not taken care of, it often causes diseases and the flu. Animals in the lab are often under stress, this makes the results not trust-worthy compared to normal reactions. Also animals and human have different DNA patterns. The observation from animals can sometimes be wrong with humans. Certain animals are killed or abandoned in the wild after testing. Predators still hunt them, which ruin the environment, the food chain. Scientists have discovered many new ways ensure our safety. Computer modeling, artificial skin, improved statistical design, etc. Many more companies have started to use organic ingredients for their products. That does not only benefit the animal, it also benefits us. In order to let the Earth be in its original state, producing less chemical, less wastes are necessary. There are many better ways we can do without murder innocent animals. The world is a place for all living things. Every species deserve equality. Think about Kyle and many more animals are going through the same life. It up to us to make some changes, so protect the animals, protect the environment, which is protecting us.

The Application Of Mis In Honda

The Application Of Mis In Honda Introduction Management Information system is a kind of system which helps in providing information to the organization so that they can run efficiently. MIS can be regarded as a subset of the whole internal control processes in an organization which consists of the documents, applications of people, technologies and processes that are used by management accountants which they use for solving business problems like pricing or costing the service or product (Bidgoli, 2010). Management Information System is different from the other kinds of information systems because they are applied in analyzing the operational activities of the organization. Rationally, MIS is used for referring the group of information management techniques applied together for the support of decision making process in a business which is Expert Systems, Executive Information Systems and Decision Support systems (Lucey, 2005). Honda A manufacturing organization Honda is the world largest producer of the motorcycles and internal combustion engines that are measurable by volume mainly producing more than fourteen million internal combustion engines each year. With the progress of Honda in the manufacturing sector, it has also generated astounding amount of data. Even though IT departments have an advantage over the improvement in the hardware components for storing large amount of data, but still the fact gap exists in the Honda to met the needs of useful data at aright time to make effective and efficient decisions. For Honda, getting right kind of information is important in todays environment which it was not required before, therefore reducing costs, enhanced productivity and maximization of profits. Managers of Honda have to administer the intricacy of the supply chain, internal control and manufacturing as well as meeting the customer and distribution demands. In todays business environment manufacturers are forced to make effective decisions on a regular basis with the limited information system. Honda has to face mounting globalization, increased competition than before and customers whose needs are reflected in their own facts and opportunities of a global market. Besides maintaining proficient business, Honda has grown its emphasis on the information technology. With the rising needs for partnership, connectivity and speed in the modern economy, Honda has started looking for ways to give authority to their employees so that they can work smartly to compete with their competitors in the current market scenario. Any business without the information technology is failed to deliver competitive edge and is just wasting the potential of their human resource. Honda observes this change and adopts useful hardware and software in their company. MIS -information across various departments With the advent of time, internet and the global economy has got so well with each other such that there is requirement of proactive plans to be implemented in the organization, thereby, constant connection of employees to the web and with each other. Most of the IT departments are spending their time on budgeting personal computer equipments, but making choice for the Hondas network hardware infrastructure seems to be a critical decision. When planning for the network infrastructure for Honda, it is vital to consider the issues like how employees will share access to the information, which of the data is important and how to maintain it, what is the actual demand; is it for wireless computers? And what are your plans for integrating peripherals. Hondas hardware pattern is the basic element for driving employees connectivity and collaboration. (Bocji, 2005) Performance and price are the key determinants which are there to dictate from where to begin the search. The present scenario for the hardware system consists of wide variety of providers or manufactures like Juniper, Foundry, Cisco and many more. The MIS systems from the top manufacturers are useful in providing implausible security and performance but it could be expensive for the company. Honda maintains the balance between the price and performance for smartening up their hardware equipments. Many companies are there who specialize in providing price efficient businesses through brand name network hardware equipment. For the purchase of new hardware equipment, Honda needs to look its eyes open for the alternatives that best suits to their company profile. Even, proper search should be made regarding potential services and additional support with the hardware equipments purchase. It should be certain that the hardware manufacturer should have a brand name while keeping in mind th e organizations decisions and interests. The tools of the management information system help the organization and its workforce in performing the jobs which are related to the processing of information. The collaboration of business systems and MIS is useful in decision making as it collates the production reports and business data. Application of MIS in Honda Helps in decision making With the presence of computer everywhere, it is hard for any business to escape from the use of IT systems. Some of the fields or departments are there in HONDA where MIS is priceless. While computers are not able to create strategies of their own but still they can help mangers of the organization in efficient decision making process and make them understand the usefulness of strategies. MIS is capable of converting data into useful information which can be employed in decision making. Even, MIS assists Honda in providing performance reports and financial statements which is functional for planning, supervising and implementation of plans. MIS also aids Honda in collating valuable information and transform it into rational reports which otherwise be useless as it is impossible to manage volumes of data manually. With the help of these reports, Honda can recognize trends and patterns which would be impossible if all the work is done physically. MIS systems make use of the raw data to run replication and answer a variety of theoretical questions such as what if concerning modification in strategies. For instance, MIS can tell Honda about the effect of alterations in price on the sales of their cars. Due to the Decision Support Systems, Honda can be enabled to make more of the informed decisions within the organizations which otherwise would be impossible without MIS. Data collection Even though MIS helps in collating numerable amounts of business information, but they are also useful for providing saving time benefit to the employees. In contrast with the past where files are to b handled manually, now MIS quickly examines the data after entering it into the computer through data processor. Thus, enhancing faster decision making in the organization which is reflect in the efficient working. Information system Everyday business require some or the other kind of information system in the organization. With the computerized system recording and business process management is vital to run the company at a profit as well as responding to the fluctuations in the market. Management information system, however, are perfect for gathering and reporting information related to the companys business process. MIS enables Honda to review the data and make use of the information for achieving the companys objectives. (Clarke, 2007) Management methods The information provided by the MIS help the managers to look at the areas or departments where there is need for the improvement (Pearlson, nd). What will be the techniques and approaches for correcting the business activities will lie on the part of mangers abilities and style of management that is practiced in the organization. By making use of de-centralized management approach, line mangers are able to make corrections quickly as it requires a great amount of autonomy in the management process. With the centralized management approach, the power and authority lies with the top management only so that they can take decisions (Stone, 2002). Resource management MIS system allows Honda to look at the utilization of resources and see if they are making use of the resources in a proper and efficient manner. Equipments, raw materials, assets, labor and some other are the examples of management resources that must be supervised and monitored regularly by the organization. With an inefficient use of resources company may be pulled back in the competitive environment and may loose competitive edge over the competitors. This also leads to the losses for the company by reducing profit margins and lessening sales. Decision process Many of the companies make use of some sort of decision processes when they gathered information from the MIS system. Every single unit of data is reviewed and is used to make decisions regarding operational activities, market trends, profit margins etc. the process of decision making consists of all the levels of management, tends to generate most well-informed decisions (Wright, 2009). Communication Appropriate communication allows managers to take decisions for the organizations based on the information provided by the MIS. Communication system permits top-level managers to discuss the data from the front-line managers and department level managers, thus, creating downward flow of the communication for making decisions. Upward flow of communication is also important for the decision making process which allows front-line managers to have an opportunity to discuss the information from MIS with the top level management. Open communication flow allows Honda to obtain input or information from all the levels of the management to make informed decisions obtained from the MIS system. Environmental management With the establishment of the business in the global environment, Honda is planning to introduce environmental management system for continually improving the practices to be done for the protection of environment. With the MIS system, Honda is getting proactive to acquire environmental management ISO 14001 certification for the production processes and other services. (Garson, 2003) Kinds of MIS Financial MIS this MIS states the past and present records of the Honda and its activities. The financial MIS shows the profits and losses of Honda, its financial records to represent how well company is going, decisions regarding control of the cost and spending of funds. Manufacturing MIS this MIS monitors the flow of goods and services, raw materials and components of Honda. Raw goods which are processed on Honda get monitored by this manufacturing MIS. In this way, Honda with the aid of manufacturing MIS can reduce and control the cost of goods and services. Marketing MIS this MIS is created for handling all the aspects of marketing like prices, sales, advertisements, product innovations, future decision making etc. Marketing MIS aids decisions regarding product appearance of the Honda. It helps the company in enhancing customer contacts by preparing questionnaires for the feedback by customers about the services of Honda and tracks out the spending habits of the customer. Human Resource MIS HR MIS helps Honda in recruiting and selection of candidates. Human Resource views the requirements of the workers, hiring procedures, workforce rules, and training and performance assignments. The task for the Hondas Human Resource MIS is to look at MIS also deals with the external and internal information or data. The information regarding the internal working of the Honda can be easily available from the companys network, for e.g., sales for each car. The information of the external environment can be collated from: MIS is however, different from information system and data processing system (Lauden, 2007). Operational information systems just read the collated data and perform the tasks like producing lists of stuff that are required for re-ordering. Data processing systems helps in recording daily transactions like sales of Honda cars in a particular month. Whereas MIS assist the managers in analysing and evaluating the data related to the sales to show the pattern and trends of diverse product lines, enabling them to make efficient decisions regarding the product and its promotion or whether the promotion should be discontinued. It even collects the external data: Data on the population shifts with the increase in age of the people, they are less likely to be interested in customizing cars. Intelligence about competitors activities this information can be gathered from the newspapers, articles or from market intelligence. Government Legislation if there is increase in minimum wages, then financial condition would change. Economic and Social Factors sales for the cars would fall in a particular area where the employer had closed its plant. MIS even collates the data regarding formal and informal flow of the information Formal Flow of information is the one in which a process is accepted, e.g. downloading the sales figures across the several branches. External information can be gathered through data collection agencies like Bradstreet and Dun which provides economic data for the commercial and academic organizations. Formal flows of information can also be collected from the people who are working on the similar document at different locations, by making use of company intranets and e-mails. Informal flows of information are provided through reading newspapers or articles, chance meetings, or by watching news. The medical care and payroll of the employees. Facilitation Decision Making at Three Tiers of Management Management Information System even provides Honda the information on the regular basis. The term MIS implies three main functions Arrangement, Purpose and Order. The information system is useful for various purposes and at various levels. Its main uses are: It helps in strategic planning and its implementation. It lessens or reduces the service cycles Enhances the productivity of the employees resulting in efficient working Better understanding of consumer needs and demands Lessening the product development and marketing life cycles Smoothening the progress of Honda business and re-engineering process. The use of MIS can be applied across the administration for Carrying the procedures of policy making Carrying the research and development Recognizing the kinds of risk and ways for managing it Meeting the necessary legislative and regulatory requirements Assessing performance, achievements and quality Enabling the efficient and effective use of resources Supporting reliable and quick decision making Providing facts for business transactions The process of decision making is fundamental at various levels in Honda. These are made within the Honda at Strategic, Programs, Operational and Activity level. MIS at Different Levels of Management in Honda: Senior Management it directs the senior management for planning strategic business plan, provides information for the positioning of the Honda business, implementing policies and plans, analysis of competitors and evaluation of performance of the employees and the external factors which have an influence over the direction of strategic plans. Middle level of Management at the middle level, MIS assists managers in performing operational and organizational functions by providing: Assessment of resource usage Data for operational planning Data for delivery procedures Information for synchronization of work units Ways for controlling budget and problem solving It also allows middle level management for program administration by Providing data for implementing procedures Managing resource usage Scheduling of project and plans Providing information for administrating programs Line Management it allows line managers to manage activities of Honda by providing Information for problem solving Data for making consistent decision making And information for routine service delivery MIS plays an important role for providing information to the mangers to perform the above functions so as they can make informed decisions (Oz, 2009). The main purpose of the Management Information System is the transformation of data from external and internal sources into useful and valuable information which can be used for making effective decisions. A manger can take two kinds of decision which can be either structured or unstructured structured decisions are repetitive decisions and are taken routinely regarding the replacement of a supplier or stock. Whereas unstructured decisions need proper insight into the problem, knowledge and evaluation for carrying the business processes. Mangers have to go through different stages while considering the related decisions Identify the problem the MIS provides information regarding the performance of the departments and where the actual problem is arising Mull over the solution proper use of spreadsheet to know the issue like what if Scenario The solution so chosen is based on the information provided by the MIS and mangers experience. The solution is then implemented and reviewed. At this level, MIS again provides the data according to which solution can be evaluated. MIS An Efficient Mean to Manage Business Process Business process management can be termed or defined as the series of activities that are implemented in business organizations ranging from planning, leading, organizing, monitoring and controlling (Jeston, 2008). The five major functions of managers of Honda are Planning the directive functions for the company like where it is going to operate, diversifying etc Organising it deals with the organising of the resources like space, people, services and equipment. Coordinating it requires the coordination of the activities of different departments of Honda Decision Making what decisions should be taken for the growth of Honda, its products and services, employees and its IT department Controlling supervising and monitoring the activities of various departments of Honda As a leading company in this global environment, Honda has to face several challenges for managing thousands of its existing parts and at the same time qualifying, sourcing and approving new products. With the increase in competitive pressure, Honda has chosen management information system for managing their business process in association with qualifying and sourcing new raw materials so as to meet the critical requirements for scheduling (Magal, 2009). Problems New parts are being sourced constantly causing duplication in the organization. Existing parts are required to be updated with the altering specification. For the substitute parts, time consuming search has to be done Solution With the employment of management information system, the duplication of parts is easily recognized, thus reducing surplus inventories or stocks. With the automation of vendors and raw materials and parts, the business process of Honda has shown efficiency Search is now become simpler as qualified vendors are supplying parts Benefits It provides vision to the managers to see backlogs and buyer workloads Now time required for sourcing the parts have been reduced due to MIS The suppliers and vendors are continually managed while assuring accuracy and reduction in cost at the same time. The schedules for the new products are met on time and is exceeded by reshuffling the business process     With the enhancement of Business processes in Honda, there is need for more efficient production processes. With the improved and better information and data on the business processes, there is a closer approach to enhance the supply chain management which includes all the processes ranging from the sourcing of the raw materials to the production and allocation of the finished products. As a result of the improvement in management of supply chain, Honda is able to response efficiently to the changes in the market. With the efficient implementation of MIS, Honda is able to react rapidly to the external environment as well as MIS enable the organisation to render better and efficient service and products to be able to move ahead of their competitors and enjoying larger share of the market. While MIS is extremely helpful to generate data analysis and statistical reports, it is also useful for creating Management by Objectives tool. MBO is an administrative procedure through which managers and their subordinates and co-workers concur on the sequences of objectives to be achieved within a set time frame for the employees. Objectives are set with the SMART approach, that is, the goals should be specific, measurable, agreed, realistic and time-specific. The main purpose of SMART objectives is to give basic indicators through which an organization can judge or evaluate the performance of their employees. To make MBO a success, it is necessary to track the progress rate consistently. For this purpose, MIS system is best to make use of. As all the SMART objectives are measurable as mentioned in its name, the progress can be tracked with the help of management reports which are to be analyzed by the policy makers. Conclusions Every organization consists of one or more than one core competency, that is, to have a competitive edge over their competitors. With the application of proficient management information system, Honda has better chances to be ahead of their competitors. MIS provides necessary tools to Honda to better understand the enterprise and the external environment or the market. Management information system is an approach set out of internal control that helps Honda management in operating business day after day. It is just not a tool used for collating the information but allows the managers of Honda in the process of decision making that are used by the management. With the employment of MIS in the organization, Honda has found many benefits of it in the system. MIS assist Honda in describing its objectives and its resources. It even permits the managers of Honda for creating reports about the activities of the company regarding products and services, business partners, people, employees and inventories. It helps in keeping the resources of Honda in an organized manner. MIS track the records of resources and maintain the in an organized way. References Bidgoli, H (2010), MIS (2010), United States: Sage Publications Inc Bocji, P. Chaffey, D., (2005) Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management in the E-business: Prentice Hall Clarke Steve (2007): Information Systems Strategic Management: an integrated approach, Routledge Printing, USA Canada Garson, G. (2003), Public Information Technology, London: Idea Group Publishing Jeston, J Nelis, J (2008), Business Process Management (2nd ed.): Britis Cataloging- in -Publication Data Laudon Laudon, (2007), Management Information Systems (10th ed.): Prentice Hall Lucey, T., (2005), Management Information Systems (9th ed.), Croatia: Zrinski d.d Magal, S Word, J (2009), Essentials of Businesses Processes and Information systems: Library of congress Cataloging- In- Publications Data Pearlson, K. and Saunders, C., (n.d.), Managing Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach, 4th ed., USA: John Wiley Sons Inc Oz, E (2009), Management Information System (6th ed.): GEX Publishing Services Stone, et al., (2002), Management, 6th ed., USA: PHI Wright, G., (2001), Strategic Decision Making, UK: John Wiley Sons Inc

Status Of English Language Education In China English Language Essay

Status Of English Language Education In China English Language Essay In today world, English language is widely used and the status of the language can viewed differently according to where it is utilized in several parts of the world. In some nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and Australia, English is considered a native language. However, Singapore, Philippine, India, and Malaysia regard English as a second language whereas other countries including Greece, Russia, Poland, Thailand, Vietnam, and others view English a foreign language (Bray Kashrus, 1985, 1992 as cited in Zhang, Zhang 2008). As the language of communication in numerous fields, both developing and developed countries have adopted and used English language accordingly. China, one of those countries, has accepted and utilized English in diverse domains, so that they may properly develop their country and build more relationships with outside world or vice versa. According to Ford, 1988 Bickers, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008), English language has entered into China in nineteenth century through trading between China and western nations, and the first country in western nations, which did the trading with China, was Portugal and then British. After China lost in the Opium war to British, Hong Kong was abandoned, and other territories were open for foreigners and traders. During the period, a number of foreigners, especially English people and British mission schools flew into China. Since then, English teaching/learning has gradually become popular for Chinese people. As stated previously, the object of topic of this literature review is to find out how status of English language is in fields of education, business and economy, and international relationship from 2000 to Present. II. Literature Review Status of English language in education in China Hui (2001, p. 128) expresses that English is the most widely taught foreign language in China. In some cities, English is taught from grade 5 and some from grade 3 while in rural places, children in junior and senior high schools are allowed to have English class. In the junior and senior, two types of English books are used in which the first one is called Band 1 and the second is Band 2. According to English Syllabus for Jonior High School, 2000 as cited in Hui (2001), in Band 1, students are encouraged to be familiar with vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and speaking. In colleges and universities, English is compulsory subject, and students are asked to study through Band 1 to Band 6, and they should complete six specific requirements; for example, familiar 4000 words, acceptable pronunciation and intonation, reading, listening, writing, and speaking (intermediate level). Similarly, according to Zhongshi Yu (2003), English language is considered one of the needed languages in Chinese educational system. In 2001, the ministry of education of China announced that English shoud be taught from lower level to higher one. In the lower class, all children from grade three are instructed English language so that they may develop their English ability before they go to higher education. The ministry further declared that for universities and collegues, English has to be used as a medium of instruction for several subjects such as information technology, biotechnology, finance, foreign trade, economics and law because these subjects have interrelation with English language. Due to this plan, provincial education commissions accordingly start to set up schedules for teaching English in many universties and collegues in cities (South China Morning Post, 2001 as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). To facilitate English teaching/learning, the materials including textboo ks, classroom facilities, and testing centers are gradually developed in order that both teachers and students may find it easy to use them in their study because they are created locally (Peoples Daily Online as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). Additionally, in the period, not only publish schools promote English but private schools also help encourage Chinese students to study English. Equally, according to a study by Zhiwei (2007), in order to help modernize the country, ministry of Education of China has strenghtened the English language teaching/learning through primary school to university level. In primary level, English is taught since third grade; in middle school, it is instructed as a main subject as other subjects such as Chinese language and mathematics while at university level, all students are required to learn English. To build up Chinese teachers ability in English, the ministry of Education has sent them to English speaking countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to have more trainings in English as well as to invite the native English teachers to share their knowledge and experiences to Chinese teachers and students. In addition, the ministry has as well promoted researchers to conduct more studies to explore more effective language teaching/learning strategies. Zhiwei (2007) states that to help make easy English teaching/learning, the ministry have established some textbooks and materials, so that the students can use and self-study; for example, English 1-4 volume, Functional English 1-4 volume, and Practical English Grammar. Zhiwei claims that before sending to next class or admitting to enter a course, students are asked to take different types of tests based on their levels; for instance, (1) basic grade tests, and higher grade test are done for students who are in English department, (2) 4-6 grade English test, a test for university students, (3) PETS, a co-operative item between Chinese and British, a test for publish, and (4) English Self-study text is conducted two times per year (in April and in October) for those students who want to test their English ability. Similarly, Zhang (2008) states that English teaching/learning becomes more and more popular in China; hence, a number of Chinese learners start to acquire English, and most of them want to be near-like English speakers. Based on ELIC website, an organization of English Language Institute in China as cited in Zhang (2008), numerous native-English instructors, especially from the United States, are hired to teach English in Chinese universities across the country. The organization adds that the reasons China rent those teachers because they are viewed as good models, and are considered effective trainers who probably provide better English knowledge to Chinese students in terms of pronunciation and accent, effective strategies and techniques, teaching styles, and others. Pennycook, 1998 as cited in Zhang (2008) also emphasizes that English teaching in China is constructed as a superior language since knowing English is believed to have a better understanding of the world making English speakers not only to be better teachers but also to gain superior knowledge of world. Likewise, based on Zhang (2008), English language is the most-studied foreign language in many educational institutions in China. From primary schools to universities, English classes are given and every student is required to attend English class from middle school to unversity level. In middle schools, English is tutored as a basic course which is similar to mathematics, sciences and Chinese language while in university level, English language is a compulory subject. Zhang (2008) emphasizes that university students has to successfully finish English course before graduating from the universities since they will use it in their workplace. So, if their ability in English cannot be qualified, they may not be employed. On the contrary, if their English ability is strong enough, they may be given a priority to work, especially in foreign companies. By the same token, according a study by Aimin Yan (2011), college English (CE) is highly recommended subject for undergraduate students in China. Their study was conducted with 20 graduates, from universtiy of Jinan in China, who have already possesed jobs for one or two years. The study shows that CE curriculum is a needed program in colleges because it provides a lot advantages to undergraduate students in their studies such as English for special purpose and billingual course as well as to gain advantages in workplace. The study also shows that graduate candicats need to have enough competence in English in order to be qualified for various positions in job market. In China, the most common jobs available are in businesses and in government organizations, and to be qualified for the job market, applicants need to make sure that they can use English in locating information, translating documents, and creating and editing English, especially in oral communication. As a result, CE program in colleges needs to be strenghtened to instill students ability in English to fulfill the schools requirement and to meet job market. Status of English language in business and economy Zhongshi Yu (2003) raise that in China, English plays a very important role in doing business, particularly in international business. In international business, business men and women need to use English to communicate with other foreign business people. Most documents including non-formal and formal are written in English. According to a survey study by Pang Jixian et al, 2002 as cited in Zhongshi Yu (2003), he found that a number of business people in China mainly use English throught faxes and emails to contact their business partners instead of using Chinese language. More importantly, English is officially used in joint venture contracts and in other agreements. The study also found that Chinese people work in the international companies are given English names, so that their managers can easily address them. Furthermore, English names are not only given to employees but they are also written on logoes of many international business; for example, Mcdonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Cr oss Pizza, China Telecom, China Mobile, bank of China, agricultural bank of China, and commercail and industrial bank of China (Pang Jixian et al, 2002 as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). Zhu (2008) asserts that due to development in a number of fields in China, business English is designed for higher educational institutions. Business English is a language used by people who work in business field, so selected words, expressions, grammatical structures are utilized in only business purposes. In China, English for business has its own characteristics, and English for business program allows the learners to build up English language skill and business management skill. According to Zhu (2008), English for business becomes an interest for a number of Chinese learners since it benefits a lot for their future. For that reason, business English program for undergraduate students was first run at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. In the program, the learners who complete all requirement subjects are awarded to get BA degree in foreign language or in business management. Based on Zhu (2008), another reason that English for business gain more interest is due to an incr ease of globalization economy. Thus, National Education Department has designed English for business in most universities in China so that when the students graduate, they may easily get a job in business companies. Johnson, (2010) illustrates that to expand trade inside the country and with the world, China may need to adopt English language because it could serve such purposes. After registering as a member of WTO, numerous foreign investments-western nations and the United Stated-come to China to do businesses, and more Chinese investments oversea are, as well increased noticeably. Johnson (2010) asserts that trading within a location or with local people is not enough, so Chinese traders begin to trade with foreigners, especially with the United Stated because most famous and large manufacturers are under the control of the United Stated. In other words, the United Stated is a central part in which all products and goods from different parts of the world could traffic under their power. So, the official language for both speaking and written form is English. For this reason, Chinese traders need to improve their knowledge to English language because they might enlarge their trading either with Chinese people or with foreigners. Johnson, (2010) further raises that knowing English bring Chinese people to have better job and benefit. In other words, English is probably a bridge to well-paid job or gate to reach working world. A big example raised by Johnson (2010) is 2008 Beijing Olympic Game which could be considered a great opportunity for Chinese people. Considerable Chinese people who have English knowledge would make much money, even taxi drivers because a number of foreign visitors entered China. Since then, more and more Chinese people are interested in English because they may earn a lot of money for daily job as well as in the next consequent famous events (China daily as cited in Johnson, 2010). Wang (2011) emphasizes that English is regarded as a demanded foreign language by a lot of Chinese people because fo the current need in working fields. As known that China has attracted many foreign investments-companies, factories, restaurants, shops and others-to come to do business, particularly from the United States, and the United Kingdom. Hence, many Chinese people who have English knowledge are given priority to have job opportunity since in daily operation, Egnlish is used to communicate between employees and employers. Besides oral communication, written form in English through faxes, and emails are commonly used to contact one another within workplace or to other workplaces. More importantly, the legal documents such as contracts and other agreements are officially written in English, particularly in joint ventures, and agreements of exhanging products and services. According to Rugman and Collinson, 2006 as cited in Wang (2011), most management teams in international bus inesses use English to communicate with their employees within the company as well as with other companies. Rugman and Collinson, 2006 as cited in Wang (2011) also point out that there are two different levels in communications in international businesses in which first one refers to a communincation between two independent business whereas the second one refers to a communication occurs in multinational business. Status of English international relationship Hui (2001) points out that after setting up opening door policy, Chinese government has reinforced English so that the country could probably understand and communicate with the world. Since Chinese citizen has adopted and used English, it has helped bring China to world. Probably due to the policy with integration of English in Chinese policy system, China gets involved with the world through numerous works with the United States. In addition, many foreign tourists visit China creating stronger relationship with the world. Hui (2001) further states that Chinese civil service and ministers go oversea to further their education in English as the time as more and more students get scholarship to continue their study at English speaking countries like the United State and Australia. Also, Gil Adamson (2004) state that China has become more and more popular in the world; therefore, more connections between China and other countries have to be built up gradually. And to help build up the connections and to make those nations understand China or vice versa, Chinese government possibly need to use English because it is an international language. Most Chinese documents, especially official documents from political leaders need to translate into English in order that other goverments find it easily to communicate. Based on Hung, 2002 as cited in Gil Adamson (2004), Chinese government has established Foreign Language Bureau and Foreign Language Press to help facilitate English language and translate the governments view to the rest of the world in which China has a connection with. Sun, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008) raises that because of arrival of English, Chinese government could build up its prestige in international events which lift up China to the world. Zhang (2008) emphasizes that English becomes Chinese students passports for a better life. Chinese people who have English knowledge may find it easier to in foreign events or countries rather that those who do not know it. Bakhtin, 1984 as cited in Zhang (2008) demonstrates that to develop its connections through the world, Chinese government encourage all ministries to improve its own ability in English. Bakhtin, 1984 as cited in Zhang (2008) further explains that knowing English might provide Chinese people with good way to obtain benefits, social position and image. According to Zhang Zhang (2008), English teaching in China was reduced due to a cold war in 1950s and 1960s between American and Soviet. On the other hand, English returns to China with high speed due to an open-door policy created by Deng Xiaoping who wants China to be modernized with the world. Virtue of this, Chinese government has rebuilt a diplomatic relationship with the United States. For this reason, a number of American teachers, students, and scholars travel to China as well as other foreigners come to visit and reside in China. Because of better connections between China and the United States, China government has sent a few politicians to the United States or vice versa in order that they could exchange their concepts and learn each other. Lam, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008) states that China government rents considerable English experts to help instill Chinese officials so that they may work effectively in jobs because they works as the countrys representatives Similarly, Song (2009) indicates that due to its open-up policy, China becomes an interesting nation attracted by the world. From time to time, China plays more important role in the world in fields of politics, economy, culture, and diplomatic. A few famous events; for example, 2008 Olympic Games, Shanghai World exhibition, and Boao Foru are consequently held in China impressing millions of people around the globe. Hence, to make China easily connect the rest of world or vice versa, Chinese people, particularly the ones who work in the government need to have English knowledge. Thus, English teaching/learning in China starts from low level (elementary) up to higher one (university level). Song (2009) reveals that due to department of English of Nanjing University, western cultures and ideas, and Chinese cultures and ideas are promoted in teaching/learning English courses. In other words, Chinese learners are encouraged to acquire both westerns and Chinas philosophy and culture at the same time so that the learners can use English expressions to substitute Chinese ones when there are not any equivalence to English or vice versa. Likewise, based on Jiang (2011), English is considered a golden award for Chinese people which could promote Chinas prestige and image in many international connections after China is registered to be a member of Word Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. The international connection between China and the world is gradually accelerating as soon as appearance of English language in China. Through the connection, a few famous events such as international exhibitions, and Olympic Games celebrating in China, attract millions of people around the world to visit China. According to Li Li, a vice president of New Orient as cited in Jiang (2011) declares that the influence of those events can give China more power as well as prestige to develop the country faster. Onec again, because more and more Chinese people gain more English competence, their connections with the rest of world is getting better and better. In the same way, Su (2011) indicates that as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), China tries its best to take adantages of this chance to meet challenges. China has promoted and accelerated both products and human resources in order to compete with other nations. To export more products to the world, more companies and factories have been established, and run the companies and factories, human resources has been improved by sending them to well-known nations such as the United States, and the United Kingdom, so that they can develop their technological and English skills. Furthermore, to help build up their students knowledge in English, China has to reinforce billingual education. Student are requiresd to accomplish English since they have to face a plenty of international situations. Another benefit that China obtain after being WTOs member is international relation. English not only brings China to compete with other nations in terms enonomy but it also allows China to have closely relationship with the world, specially with the United States. Su (2011) explain that as English serves as a variety of benefits for Chinese people and its society, China is having more willingness and power to push better national image in internationa l arena and to encourage their students to step forward on ladder to reach the world of prestige. III. Conclusion According to mentioned above, status of English language may plays important roles in education, business and economy, and international connection. To some extent, arrival of English may also be one of the reasons that help develop and improve in China. It is non-avoidable thing for Chinese people to associate with others and to adopt the age of technology; as a result, it needs to accept English since it is a language of technology. Therefore, Chinese governments has emerged English education to help build up Chinese students ability in English from lower levels up to higher levels. Besides the importance of English in education, it also plays as a main role in doing business, especially in international businesses and international relationship. However, Jiang (2011) states that while English may profit Chinese people and its society, the negative impact probably come to Chinese people and its language, too. Professor Ma and professor Pen as cited in Jiang (2011, p. 198) emphasizes that there is a important connection between language and national security and English fashion in china is not a good phenomenon for the development of national language security, which is the component of national sovereignty. The fast spread of English language in China will more or less ruin Chinese language since many Chinese students pay less attention on their own language. According to my understanding, I would say that what China does to its country is properly right because it brings the development, prestige as well as status to the country. However, it may not be an appropriate idea to highly promote English without seeing the bad influence to the society. The more China tries to give value to English for their development; the bad impact will come to damage Chinese Language. As we know that, Chinese language is widely spoken and used if comparing to English. A number of Chinese people are around the world doing business, so its language is used accordingly. Nonetheless, if English is supported Chinese citizen, a number of next generations will more or less forget his or her own language (Chinese language) from time to time. Based on my point of view, Chinese government should reduce the image of English by emerging Chinese language wherever English is. Chinese language should be promoted to write in research articles and publish in international journals, Chinese governments should raise awareness that Chinese language needed to be preserved in order to defend its reputation, and last but not least, Chinese government should limit the number of English learning at all educational system.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) :: Essays Papers

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) Abstract: Computers are being used for many different reasons all across the world. Computers are used in the work place for documentation and to keep records of clients. The question that will be answered is how does the computer monitor affect an individual during use? The anatomy of the human eye will be addressed to give the reader a better understanding of how light travels through the eye. Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as (CVS), is an effect of gazing into a monitor for long periods of time, and will be discussed to give the reader a clear illustration of the negative effects of the computer monitor. Computer monitors are used in everywhere in many types of lighting, and workplace lighting is an example that will be discussed. The factors that contribute to CVS will be discussed, the symptoms, and finally ways to prevent CVS will be addressed so that the reader will be aware of what can happen if they are sitting in front of a computer for a long duration. How does the computer monitor affect the individual during use? To answer this question, I will address the structure of the pixel and the anatomy of the eye. The human eye is very complex system that responds to many different types of light waves. The light waves enter through the cornea, which is a curved thin membrane that bends the light that passes through. The pupil is the part of the eye that contracts or dilates in response to a given amount of light. For example, if an individual stands in a well-lit room, then the pupils would be constricted because there is too much light. If that person turns the light off, then the pupils will dilate. They dilate, or become bigger because the eyes want to see what is going on. While an individual type on the keyboard in front of the computer monitor, the pupils act the same as in a lighted room versus as dark room. The images that one sees on a monitor such as graphics are made of small pixels. Pixels are the result of an electron beam striking the phosphors coated rear of the surface of the screen (Watt, 2004). Outside of the pixel is less bright than the center of the pixel (Watt, 2004). It is the pixel, which makes it hard for the eyes to focus.

The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey Essay -- The Jesus I Never Kn

The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey Yancey starts out with the image of Jesus. When he was young he had envisioned Jesus to have angelic features such as, young, handsome, and a compassionate face. It wasn’t until he entered into a Christian college, that he was introduced to the real image of Jesus. I had an immediate connection with Yancey. I too had an image of Christ in my head, which consisted of Hollywood portrayals and those in classical paintings. It wasn’t till I engaged myself at a Christian college, that I have now received a new and more accurate picture of Christ. His book, The Jesus I Never Knew, questions the reader with the thought, â€Å"How many Christians today are in the same position, not fully understanding Christ’s mission and purpose?† Yancey divides the novel into three main sections: â€Å"Who He Was,† â€Å"Why He Came,† and â€Å"What He Left Behind.† The section that I connected with was â€Å"Why He Came.† I enjoyed reading this section, because he points out key thoughts on Jesus’ life that we take for granted. I like how it explains the reason for His arrival on earth through the Beatitudes and His Resurrection. The chapter on the Beatitudes, Yancey covers a great deal of information that shows how Jesus cares for the less fortunate and humble. Yancey points out that the Beatitudes describe the present and future, a fact that I never realized. He tells of how they are a contrast on how we can succeed in the kingdom of Heaven verses the kingdom...

The Four Functions of Management Essay example -- Business Management

The Four Functions of Management The four functions of management include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Each provide the fundamentals needed in a company that is just starting or a company that has been established for many years. Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals. Planning activities include analyzing current situations, anticipating the future, determining objectives, deciding in what types of activities the company will engage, choosing corporate and business strategies, and determining the resources needed to achieve the organization’s goals. Plans set the stage for action and for major achievements (Bateman, Snell, 43). At Pritchard Engineering, Inc., we are a service-oriented, not product, team that strives to provide the best for our clients. Our staff department heads meet every Monday morning to discuss what projects we will be working on and completing for the upcoming week. We have a round-table discussion to prioritize what areas are most important to the least important. Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals. Organizing activities include attracting people to the organization, specifying job responsibilities, grouping jobs into work units, marshaling and allocating resources, and creating conditions so that people and things work together t...

Nature-Nurture Debate Essay

Introduction In this report I will examine and explain effective communication by looking at the role of effective communication and interpersonal interaction in health and social care context, theories of communication, methods of communication (verbal, non-verbal and written communication), communication cycle, what is effective communication, formal and informal communication, differences between language and culture. Communication between people enables us to exchange ideas and information, but it involves much more than simply passing on information to others. Communication helps people to feel safe, to form relationships and develop self-esteem. Poor communication can make an individual feel vulnerable, inferior and emotionally threatened. Effective communication helps us understand a person or situation, enables us to resolve differences, build trust and respect and create an warm environment. The effective communication helps us improving communication skills in everyday live, business, relationships, but also in health and social care context. Learning and understanding the effective communication skills the people can better connect with the family members, friends, co-workers (by improving teamwork), people looked after in care homes. What is effective communication Effective communication combines a set of skills including verbal and non-verbal communication, attentive listening, the ability to manage stress, the capacity to recognize and understand your own emotions and those of the person you are communicating with . Effective communication is about more than exchanging information. It requires also understanding the emotion behind the information. It enables us to communicate even negative or difficult messages without creating conflict or destroying trust. Effective communication-Methods of communication Verbal communication The basis of communication is the interaction between people. Verbal communication is the main way for people to communicate face to face. The components of the verbal communication are: sounds, words, speaking and language. Only people can put meaning into words; words alone have no meaning. As meaning is an assigned to words, language develops, which leads to the development of speaking. Over 3000 languages and major dialects are spoken in the world. The huge variety of languages creates difficulties between different languages, but even in one language there can be many problems in understanding. Speaking can be looked in two major areas: interpersonal and public speaking. To communicate effectively we must not simply clean up our language, but learn to relate to people. To be an effective communicator, one must speak in a manner that is not offending to the receiver. Listening Successful listening means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding how the speaker feels about what they are communicating. Effective listening can: -create an environment where everyone feels safe; -save time; -relieve negative emotions; -focus fully on the speaker, make the speaker feel heard and understood; -avoid interrupting; -show you interest. The communication cycle According to Michael Argyle(1972) skilled interpersonal interaction (social skills) involves a cycle in which you have to translate or â€Å"decode† what other people are communicating and constantly adapt you own behaviour in order to communicate effectively. Good communication involves the process of checking understanding, using reflective or active listening. The communication cycle supposes: -an idea occurs: you have an idea that you want to communicate; -message coded: you think through how you are going to say what you are thinking and you put your thoughts in to language or sign language; -message sent: you speak, or sign, or write, or send your message in some other way; -message received: the other person has to sense your message; -message decoded: the other person has to interpret or â€Å"decode† your message; -message understood: your ideas will be understood if all goes well. Non-verbal communication Non-verbal means â€Å"without words†, so non-verbal communication refers to the messages that we send without using words. We send these messages using our eyes, the tone of our voice, our facial expression, our hands and arms, the way we sit or stand. We can enhance effective communication by using open body language (arms uncrossed, standing with an open stance, maintaining eye contact with the person you are talking to). When we speak about non-verbal communication we actually mean: -posture; -the way we move; -facing other people; -gestures; -facial expression; -touch; -silence; -voice tone; -proximity; -reflective listening. As well as remembering what a person says, good listeners will make sure that their non-verbal behaviour shows interest. Skilled listening involves: -looking interested and communicating that you are ready to listen; -hearing what it is said to you; -remembering what was said to you, together with non-verbal messages; -checking your understanding with the person who was speaking to you. Written communication When people remember conversations they have had, they will probably miss out or change some details. Written statements are much more permanent and if they are accurate when they are written, they may be useful later on. Written records are essential for communicating formal information that needs to be reviewed at a future date. For the people who cannot see written scripts or who have limited vision there is a communication system known as Braille which uses raised marks that can be felt with the fingers and it’s based on the sense of touch. This system is now widely used for reading and writing by the people who cannot see written script. Theories of communication The verbal and non-verbal communication is not always straightforward. Effective communication involves a two-way process in which each person tries to understand the view point of the other person. According to Michael Argyle (1972) interpersonal communication is a skill that could be learned and developed. Skilled interpersonal communication, interaction(social skills) involve a cycle in which you have to translate or â€Å"decode† what people are communicating and constantly adapt your own behaviour in order to communicate effectively. The communication cycle involves a kind of code that has to be translated. The stages of communication cycle might be: 1. An idea occurs. 2. Message coded. 3. Message sent. 4. Message received. 5. Message decoded. 6. Message understood. Tuckman ‘s stages of group interaction Bruce Wayne Tuckman(1965) argued that communication in groups can be influenced by the degree to which people feel they belong together. Tuckman suggested that most groups go through a process involving four stages: 1. Forming refers to people meeting for the first time and sharing information. 2. Storming involves tension, struggle and arguments about the way the group may function. 3. Norming sees the group coming together and agreeing on their group values. 4. Performing means that the group will be an effectively performing group, once they have established common expectations and values. Formal and informal communication in health and social care Health and social care work often involves formal communication, which is understood by a wide range of people and shows respect for others. Usually care workers will adjust the way they speak, in order to communicate respect for different communities they address to, as the service users, visitors, colleagues. Formal communication is used in local authority social services and supposes proper English. It also shows respect for others (e.g.: if one went to a local authority social services reception desk, that person will expect to be greeted in a formal way like â€Å"Hello! How can I help you?†, and not informally, like â€Å"Hi! How’s it going?† In many situations such informal language could make people feel not being respected; so it is often risky to use informal language unless you are sure that people expect you to do so. The formal communication is also used in social care services with the manager and even between colleagues if they don’t know very well each other. Otherwise, when they know each other better, they will use informal language. Communication with people at work (between colleagues) is different, because care workers must communicate respect for each other. Colleagues, who do not show respect for each other, may fail to show respect for people who use care services. Colleagues have to develop trust in each other. It is important to demonstrate respect for confidentiality of conversation with colleagues. Care settings may have their own social expectations about the correct way to communicate thoughts and feelings. Communication between professional people and people using services involves the professionals being well aware of the need to translate technical language in to everyday language, when they work with people from other professions or people who use services. Professional people such as doctors or nurses often use their own specialised language, called jargon. It is important that people check that they are being understood correctly. Differences between language and culture Language There are many minority languages in the world. Some people grow up in multilingual communities, where they learn several languages from birth. Many people have grown up using only one language to think and communicate. People who learn a second language later in life find more difficult to express their thoughts and feelings in that language, and prefer to use their first language. Working with later languages can be difficult, as mental translation may be required. Different localities, ethnic groups, professions and work cultures have their own special words or phrases known as speech communities. Some people might feel threatened or excluded by that kind of language they encounter in these speech communities. The technical terminology used by care workers (called jargon) can also create barriers for people who are not a part of that speech community. When people who use services communicate with professionals there is always a risk of misunderstanding between people from different language communities, therefore the health and social care staff needs to check their understanding with the people communicating with them. Culture means the history, customs and ways of behaving that people learn as they grow up. People from different regions use different expressions. Also non-verbal signs may vary from culture to culture. In Europe and North America people often expect other people to look them in the eyes when talking. If a person looks down or away they think it is a sign of dishonesty, sadness or depression. On the other hand, in some other cultures (some black communities or Muslim communities) looking down or away when talking is a sign of respect. (E.g.: in social care settings a Hindu or Muslim person will not accept to be looked after by a person of the opposite sex). People from different geographical areas who use different words and pronounce words differently, they are often using a different dialect. Some social groups use slang (non standard words that are understood by other members of a social group or community, but which cannot be usually found in a dictionary). BTEC Level 3-Health and Social Care-Book 1-Beryl Stretch/Mary Whitehouse www.helpguide.org/effectivecommunication http://louisville.edu