Education is a privilege ...

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

Everyone took their shots, and — as expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

He concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“Your job — as students who are receiving an education — is to be aware of your privilege. And use this particular privilege called “education” to do your best to achieve great things, all the while advocating for those in the rows behind you.”

 taken from this link: 

10 Common ESL Mistakes ! Take note =)

Learning a new language is never easy. Below you will find ten common mistakes among students of English as a second language. Even if you are a native English speaker I guess you could use a reminder on some of them. 

But like we always tell our students, DON'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE A MISTAKE, it's part of the learning process and making mistakes is the best proof that you are trying!

Incorrect: My sister is  ?  photographer.
Correct: My sister is a photographer.

Incorrect: It is more cold today.
Correct: It is colder today.

Incorrect: I have told you all what I know.
Correct: I have told you all (that) I know.

Incorrect: Which is the biggest city of the world?
Correct: Which is the biggest city in the world? 

Incorrect: I have done a mistake.
Correct: I have made a mistake.

Incorrect: I have been here since three days.
Correct: I have been here for three days.

Incorrect: We waited one and a half hour.
Correct: We waited one and a half hours.

Incorrect: According to me, it’s a bad film.
Correct: In my opinion, it’s a bad film.

Incorrect: It’s getting  ?  ?  winter.
Correct: It’s getting to be winter.

Incorrect: Except  ?   Angie, everybody was there.
Correct: Except for Angie, everybody was there.

American English or British English !

Americal English or British English 

( even the Cookie Monster has to figure it out )

     

Check out his funny anecdote:

Marvin found   himself in London a few weeks ago for a job interview for the position of a graphics designer, when he realised that he had  packed only  jeans.  Marvin decided to go to a big department store to by some casual pants to wear for the interview but when he went to the sales lady and asked her for some nice,  casual pants to wear  to a job interview he had, she first gave him a rather funny look, then smiled and said "Wow, you really want to be prepared for everything, don't you ..." Thinking that she was just being extra friendly and even funny ( British humour ! go figure !!! ) she lead him to the underwear section and started to show him several styles...she asked Marvin  " do you prefer boxers, fitted ones, a thong maybe ..." she then winked at him and showed him a leopard printed thong!!! Oh my gosh, I just wanted some decent, casual pants for my interview !!! he thought... So he politely said no thanks and pointed to what looked like the pants section in the distance. "Oh! you want to buy some TROUSERS!!!, I'm so sorry, you are American aren't you? " "Uh, yes! I'm from New Jersey..." she again smiled and said " I understand now...if you take the LIFT, you will find some more styles on the 5th floor....." " A lift????? take the lift??? OH, the ELEVATOR ! got ya!"

So just to avoid finding ourselves in a rather sticky situation like Marvin did or the Cookie a.k.a. Biscuit Monster, here is a list of words that might help you:

British English	American English
anti-clockwise	counter-clockwise
articulated lorry	trailer truck
autumn	autumn, fall
barrister	attorney
bill (restaurant)	bill, check
biscuit	cookie
block of flats	apartment building
bonnet (clothing)	hat
bonnet (car)	hood
boot	trunk
caravan	trailer
car park	parking lot
chemist's shop	drugstore, pharmacy
chest of drawers	dresser, chest of drawers, bureau
chips	fries, French fries
the cinema	the movies
clothes peg	clothespin
coffin	coffin, casket
crisps	potato chips
crossroads	intersection; crossroads (rural)
cupboard	cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc)
diversion	detour
drawing-pin	thumbtack
drink-driving	drunk driving
driving licence	driver's license
dual carriageway	divided highway
dummy (for baby)	pacifier
dustbin	garbage can, trash can
dustman	garbage collector
engine	engine, motor
estate agent	real estate agent
estate car	station wagon
film	film, movie
flat	apartment, flat, studio
flat tyre	flat tire
flyover	overpass
gearbox (car)	transmission
gear-lever	gearshift
Girl Guide	Girl Scout
ground floor	ground/first floor
handbag	handbag, purse, shoulder bag
high street	main street
holiday	vacation
hood (car)	convertible top
jam	jam, preserves
jug	jug, pitcher
juggernaut	18-wheeler
lift	elevator
lorry	truck, semi, tractor
mad	crazy, insane
main road	highway
maize	corn
maths	math
motorbike	motorcycle
motorway	freeway, expressway
motorway	highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate
nappy	diaper
naughts and crosses	tic-tack-toe
pants, underpants	underpants, drawers
pavement	sidewalk
pet hate	pet peeve
petrol	gas, gasoline
The Plough	Big Dipper
pocket money	allowance
post	mail
postbox	mailbox
postcode	zip code
postman	mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier
pub	bar
public toilet	rest room, public bathroom
railway	railroad
return (ticket)	round-trip
reverse charge	collect call
ring road	beltway, freeway/highway loop
road surface	pavement, blacktop
roundabout	traffic circle, roundabout
rubber	eraser
rubbish	garbage, trash
rubbish-bin	garbage can, trashcan
saloon (car)	sedan
shop	shop, store
silencer (car)	muffler
single (ticket)	one-way
solicitor	lawyer, attorney
spanner	wrench
sweets	candy
taxi	taxi, taxi cab
tea towel	dish towel
telly (informal), TV	television, TV
third-party insurance	liability insurance
timetable	schedule
tin	can
toll motorway	toll road, turnpike
torch	flashlight
trousers	pants, trousers
tube (train)	subway
underground (train)	subway
vest	undershirt
waistcoat	vest
wallet	wallet, billfold
wellington boots	rubber boots, rain boots
whisky	whisky/whiskey
windscreen	windshield
zip	zipper