VIEWING&LISTENING TASK 3: LISTEN TO 5 INSTALLMENTS OF “BBC WORLD NEWS” AND DO A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD/LEARNT.

1) Four die as train hits US parade float in Texas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20353059

2) Jamming TV satellite broadcasts: Who is doing it, and how?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20344823

3) Modern-day slaves 'held captive' in Moscow mini market.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20356386

4) Trolley dash: Bargain hunt in Mexico.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20374172

5) Tornado causes chaos in Portugal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20374171

SUMMARY OF WHAT I HAVE HEARD/LEARNT:

In the first installment, it is said that there was a parade float going on to honour war veterans. There was a group of people sitting behind a flatbed truck in which they were soldiers. The truck was crossing the railway track when it got hit by a train. Four people had been killed and 17 others injured.

In the second installment, I have learnt that there has been an increase in the number of complaints about the jamming of satellite TV signals around the world. Jamming is the deliberate interference with radio and television signals to block or censor transmissions. The installment says how the jamming works and that it is actually outlawed under international agreements but still countries like China, Syria and Ethiopia do it. I also leant that it is possible to find a jammer by using other satellites and comparing the signals but the real weapon against jamming is international pressure.

In the third installment, it is said that a group of people were held captive as slaves in horrific conditions at a mini market in Moscow for over 10 years where they slept and lived in the basement. Some of the women had children and some were beaten while they were pregnant whilst imprisoned while one child had been permanently disabled. The people were subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of a shop owner. They were not allowed to leave the place and they lived in constant fear of violence. Eleven slaves were freed during a raid. Local police had known about the captivity but were paid and thus they brought back those who escaped and did not do anything to stop the abuse.

In the fourth installment, it is said that in Mexico, there is an early Christmas sale which starts at mid-November where shoppers find for bargains and get televisions at half price and they do not need to pay interest. They will enable the people there to buy things for Christmas in their own homeland instead of going US for the black Friday shopping.

In the fifth installment, it is said that at least eight people were injured in Portugal on Friday when a tornado hit the south of the country. Violent winds brought down power lines, smashed windows, entered houses and destroyed everything in them, caused severe flooding and major damage to homes and businesses across the Algarve. The tornado has shaken up the community and many are shocked as tornadoes are usually unheard of in Portugal.

I like all the five installments a lot as I think they provide me with knowledge of current affairs that is happening around this world. I will get to know saddening and heart-wrenching, yet important issues like what countries are being affected by natural disasters and what accidents have happened in which countries, entertaining issue like which countries have started the sales for the festive season, shocking and terrifying issues like people being held hostage and tortured for 10 years and interesting and enlightening issues like knowing that certain countries are actually jamming the satellites and how they do it.

I would recommend these installments to everyone in this world because this are really current affairs that everyone need to know. Not only do they need to know but these installments are also fascinating and engrossing and will definitely improve their general knowledge. Moreover, these installments are suitable for everyone.

VIEWING&LISTENING TASK 2: WATCH 5 NEWS CLIPS AND DO A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN/LEARNT

THE NEWS CLIPS I HAVE SELECTED ARE ALL FROM CHANNELNEWS ASIA.

1) Terrorists attack at Sentosa`s Tanjong beach.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php?vidfile=w121115_sg_drill.flv

2) MOE develops code of conduct for educators.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php?vidfile=w121115_sg_teachcode.flv

3) Parliament passes Misuse of Drugs Bill.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php?vidfile=w121114_sg_drugs.flv

4) Casino visit limits regime for problem gamblers to start mid-2013.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php?vidfile=w121115_sg_casino.flv

5) Replacing all Circle Line cables expected to cost S$14m to S$15m.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php?vidfile=w121115_sg_circleline.flv

SUMMARY OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN/LEARNT:

In the first video, I have learnt that the continued growth in tourism in Singapore needs to be supported by safety and security and not solely by the tourists’ attractions, and so for good economic growth in Singapore, we need to be a safe country. Secondly, I have learnt that although Singapore has been safe so far, we cannot take our safety for granted and we have to exercise precaution and we have to always stay vigilant like how the team in the video did by doing the drill to boost the readiness of the team during terrorist attack.

In the second video, it is shown that there is a newly consolidated code of professional conduct for all in the teaching profession. This conduct created by educators for educators was made as educators had called for guidance in the area of conduct. This is because; with the rise social media, teachers find it hard to know when to draw the boundaries when interacting with students. This new code of conduct will help to clarify what teachers are supposed to do in and out of classrooms. It is said that it is important for teachers to recognise that they play important roles for students in their lives as they are the ones who help to nurture them into individuals in society. Thus, teachers adding students as friends and sending them messages may make students think they are same level as them which can go wrong in the long run.

In the third video, it is shown that the parliament has passed sweeping reforms to the Misuse of Drugs Act. One of the changes made is the doing away with the mandatory death penalty; but under very specific conditions. It is said that death penalty will not be given only, if the trafficker has only played the role of courier, if the trafficker has a mental illness or if the trafficker has helped to crack down a drug syndicate. However, authorities stress that this does not mean Singapore is going soft on drugs as this change will make the regime tougher against repeat offenders; especially those who target young and vulnerable people for drugs. It is ensured that Singapore is still maintaining its zero tolerance against drugs as it is only then that they can save lives by those destroyed by drugs.

In the fourth video, it is said that the two Integrated Resorts in Singapore has generated many economic benefits for Singapore: It has brought many jobs and careers for Singaporeans in areas such as retail and food and beverage, and brought in more than 30 billion investments. Although it has economic benefits, there will be an introduction to visit limit next year. This is to minimise adverse social impacts on financially vulnerable locals who visit the Casino frequently. Around 4000 to 6000 people come under this visit limit. This is done for the long term benefits as the government wants to maintain law and order in the long run.

In the fifth video, it is shown that faulty cables were the cause of destruction in the Circle Line in which the most recent destruction was on the 25^th October this year. The Land Transport Authority says that it would cost about S$14 to S$15m to replace all the cables in Circle Line. They are reviewing whether higher grade cables should be used and whether the installation methods of the cables should be changed for the new Thomson and Downtown lines to avoid such destruction.

I like all of the five videos as they all talk about the current affairs happening in Singapore and so in one way or another, they can all be related to me. Also, as a Singaporean, I will get to know what is happening in my homeland and get updated of important issues through these videos such as the changes in laws, rules in Casinos, creation of code of conduct for teachers, precautions taken for terrorists’ attacks and the change of cables in our public transport. I would recommend these videos to all Singaporeans so that they will be updated of what s happening around them.

VIEWING&LISTENING TASK 1: WATCH A MOVIE AND COMPLETE A MOVIE REVIEW CUM RECOMMENDATION ON IT.

MOVIE I SELECTED: P2

P2 is a horror film produced in 2007.  The movie has mainly two characters who are involved throughout the whole movie; from the introduction to the climax and the ending. They are firstly, Angela Bridges who is a young businesswoman who works in a downtown Manhattan office block and secondly, Thomas Barclay who is a security guard  in the office block. Angela works till late in her office before finally leaving to attend a family party on Christmas Eve. However, her car would not start up and so after receiving some help from Thomas, he invites her to spend Christmas with him but she turns down his offer. Then she decides to take a taxi home but she gets locked in the lobby P2. Then Thomas suddenly appears and drugs Angela with chloroform and takes her to his office. Later, Angela awakens and tries to escape, but fail to as Thomas does everything to ensure that she does not. Throughout the movie, Angela tries to escape from Thomas prevents her from doing so and while his prevention; he kills several people on his way. In the end, Angela chains up Thomas to a car and set him on fire and he dies as the car explodes.

This movie is enthralling and thrilling and it makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next. The movie was not boring at all and it made me sit still in seat for the entire duration of the movie. I would recommend this movie to those who love horror and mystery genres as this movie captures both aspects and bring them as a cohesive and well-organised movie with an engrossing plot.

READING&WRITING TASK 4: REVIEW OF 5 NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT.

NEWSPAPER SELECTED: TODAY NEWSPAPER

This article is about a group of around 20 youngsters, who call themselves “Wedding Busters”, who helped a 13—year old, Rehana Begum, in Bangladesh by calling off her wadding which was about to take place. It shows that many child marriages take place in Bangladesh and that these “Wedding Busters” have been helping to prevent as many child marriages as possible. The group of youngsters have been raising awareness in the villages of Bangladesh in order to stop the tormenting child marriages.

I have learnt many children out there in the world are still suffering from practices such as child marriages.

Also, their sufferings such as their education journey being ceased, desertion from social live and toiling for their in-laws has come to my awareness. This article enlightens those in developed countries like me, about the plight youths of my age are facing in developing countries. This will make me appreciate the life that has been given to me and teach me not to take anything in my life for granted. Thus, I like this article. I would recommend this article to youths in developed countries so that they would know how fortunate they are.

This article talks about the education of children. It talks about the benefits of providing children with variety types of activities as a form of education and whether they are necessary. This article opens up both parents` and students` eyes that other than just usual and constrained classroom lessons, students should have a different range of learning methods in order to learn more than just what is in textbooks and school notes. The article mentions that recreational activities such as sports and learning journeys are needed to enable students to learn more things such as good character traits.

This brought a very important issue across me and definitely to everyone else; that is not to think that the only way of learning is through the fixed classroom lessons and that we can learn through variety means. Also this article has brought to light that learning through different ways can enable us to learn different useful things and thus we should make use of every opportunity that we get as a means of education. I like this article as it opens up my mind in how I view education. I would recommend this article to teachers so that they would know various ways to educate students so that they are fully nurtured.

This article talks about a very important issue which is to make sports a language of Singapore.  It is important as it does not just talk about sports for people who are very fit and those athletes who win competitions. It talks about everyone in Singapore; involving everyone in sports and promoting the sporting culture in Singapore for everyone to enjoy and stay healthy through engaging in sports. The article talks about an aim of making sports a way of people life such that people do it every time and that the factors in life such as the lack of time do not hinder their sporting time.

Thus this article is important for all Singaporeans as it aims to make sports an activity for everyone to engage in which will in term keep people staying fit and healthy. I like this article as I like the idea of getting everyone to be involved in sports as we would get to stay fit and healthy. I would recommend this article to the general public so that they would know Singapore wants everyone to have the sports culture so that they would start participating in sports.

This article is about more ex-offenders are being more financial support from The Singapore After-Care Association (SACA) which is a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO). It states from just being able to support 52 ex-inmates in 2009-10 it is able to support 87 ex-inmates and thus making the life of more ex-offenders easier after their release from prison. Also it raises awareness of its aid to the prisoners before they get released. This will greatly help their reintegration into society as one of the main problem they face after their release from prison is accommodation due to damaged family relationships and embarrassment to face them.

This article is actually indirectly apprising the general public to forgive ex-offenders by telling that even organisations are trying to help ex-offenders and that the public should give them their motivation as well and not shun them due to the mistakes they commit in the past. This especially applies to the family members of ex-offenders as it is their support that is needed the most. Thus this article actually enlightens the public of the role they play in helping ex-offenders by giving them encouragement. I like this article as it shows that Singapore is willing to give a second chance to ex-offenders and let them lead their life as normal Singaporeans instead of grouping them in one abandoned corner. I would recommend this article to family members of ex-offenders so that they would be more willing to forgive their family members who have committed crimes.

This article is about the life of a 26 years old pianist, Rahel Senn who started to learn how to play the piano since she was nine.  She used to be a girl who was easily irked and restless but everything changed when she started playing the piano. Playing the piano challenged her; made her find calm; gave her power and character. She followed her passion of playing the piano and now she is one of the youngest and most successful composers. She has won several awards and is still continuing her journey as a successful pianist enjoying her tour in both Asia and Europe.

This article makes me aware that we should follow our heart and do what we have passion in, in our life. In that way, we would stay happy like how Rahel Senn is as she followed her heart did what she was ardent about; playing the piano. Playing the piano gave her personality and so she was happy as she was truly being herself. Likewise, we should do something in life that brings out our personality and joy. I like this article as it show that the life of a person that is driven by his or her passion would come to a beautiful end as they would stay happy. I would recommend this article to all youths so that they would be encouraged to strive for their dreams.

READING&WRITING TASK 3: THE READING AND REVIEW OF ONE ACADEMIC MAGAZINE-LOOK AT THE VISUAL ACCOMPANYING THE ARTICLES AND DESCRIBE THEIR PURPOSES.

MAGAZINE SELECTED: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

The visuals show many types of beautiful birds from different angles.  The visuals show the close-up image of the various birds and how appealing they look to the eye. The purpose of having such visuals is to actually show that with Sony`s Full HD Digital Recording Binoculars we will be able to have a feast for our eyes by looking at spectacular views of nature from different angles. The visuals presented in the article is to help promote Sony`s Full HD Digital Recording Binoculars by showing its great ability to enable us to see the beauty of nature.  I like this visual as it grabs the attention of readers due to the wonderful images of the bird and thus would make readers want to buy the binoculars.  I would recommend this visual to nature enthusiasts as they would  love to have something that would enhance their nature visits such as the binoculars that would help them to see the flora and fauna clearer.

This visual shows a good shot of a monkey being taken from an interesting angle. This visual of the good image being taken makes readers think that Canon cameras have the great ability to take great pictures from any angle. Thus, the visual would entice readers to make them want to buy the camera as they would have the thought of being able to snap fantastic photographs and enjoy. I like this visual as it displays Canon`s intelligence in promoting their camera by showing the camera`s ability to take unique shots. I would recommend this visual to those interested in photography and nature enthusiasts as they as they can would like something that is really to their hobby.

This visual shows a television programme on National Geographic channel showing a dog playing with a cheetah.  The image shows an interesting and unique view of the behavior of animals as two very different type of animal are seen enjoying each other`s company. This visual would make people thing that such enthralling programmes can be seen if they watch National Geographic and thus. They would be willing to subscribe to that channel. I like this visual as it is eye-catching and unique. I would recommend this visual to animal-lovers as after seeing such an engrossing picture, they would most likely want to subscribe to National Geographic channel.

The visual shows a pair of ear buds which give off light connected to an IPod. The article states that the ear buds that give off light `can help alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms` and can `help prevent and treat mood swings`. Thus, when people see the visual and read the article they will consider buying the ear buds the ear buds that give off light because they will think that it is a good device as it allows them to listen to music and at the same time help them in their Seasonal Affective Disorder. I like the visual as it does not just show that the ear buds giving off light but another of its function which is listening to music through connecting it to an IPod. I would recommend this visual to people who love to listen to music and have Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

READING&WRITING TASK 1: THE READING AND REVIEW OF ONE NOVEL (FICTION) + IDENTIFY ITS TARGET AUDIENCE AND WHOM YOU WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO.

THE NOVEL I CHOSE: THE HUNGER GAMES BY SUZANNE COLLINS

SUMMARY OF THE STORY:

SUMMARY OF THE STORY:

In this novel, the protagonist is Katniss Everdeen who is sixteen years old and who lives in District 12 in the country of Panem with her mother and sister, Primrose Everdeen. Ever, since the death of her father, her mother has not been doing anything in depression and so Katniss has to go to the woods gathering and hunting for food to support her mother and Prim, who is only twelfth years old. The story is mainly about an event called the Hunger Games where two tributes – a boy and a girl from the age twelfth to eighteen will be taken away from each of the twelve districts in Panem to be brought to an arena where all twenty-four will kill each other until there is one sole winner. On the day of the reaping in district twelfth, the girl chosen as tribute is Prim and Katniss immediately volunteers as tribute to save her beloved sister. The boy chosen as tribute is Peeta Mellark. They are then brought to the Capitol where they are served many rich delicacies and made to stay in a room of their own. Then Katniss, Peeta and the twenty-two other tributes from the other eleven districts are made to go through opening ceremonies, training, private sessions with the Gamemakers, interviews and are finally brought to the arena to battle with one another. Throughout the stay in the Capitol, they are mentored by Haymitch who is a former Hunger Games winner, escorted by Effie Trinket, styled by Cinna and Portia and prepared by the prep team: Venia, Octavia and Flavius. In the arena, the twenty-four tributes battle day after day and when the tributes are told that if both people from the same tribute are alive till the end both can win, Katniss and Peeta believes that and form an alliance and eventually the both of them win. Then they are brought to the Capitol where they are congratulated and they go for an interview. Finally the both of them return back to District 12 to join back with their families.

MY VIEWS:

I love, really love this novel a lot as it has the ability to bring me inside the story and make me a part of it. I has the ability to make me forget about the present world I am in and make me enter into a world of the Hunger Games story. Also, the story provokes a lot of my emotions and I can literally put myself in the characters shoes. The novel ignites my feelings throughout the story from the beginning till the end and thus it never made me bored at all. Moreover, this novel has a lot description being used which enhances the story and helps us to picture the setting and the scenario clearly. In addition, the storyline is enthralling and thrilling, and at the same time, it has a tinge of horror, mystery and romance.

TARGET AUDIENCE AND WHO I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS NOVEL TO:

The target audience of this novel is teenagers as this entire novel is about the life of a sixteen years old girl and her experience in the Hunger Games where she battle with people around her age for survival. Thus, since this novel is about teenagers, teenagers would definitely be interested in this book.  Also, the storyline of the novel is riveting.

I would recommend this novel to everyone as this novel is really engrossing and enjoyable to read.  The storyline has a variety of genres as the novel portrays thrill, horror, mystery and romance and thus anyone would be keen on this book. Moreover, the elaborate description of events and settings would entice readers to carry on reading as they would be able feel that they are part of the story and thus it would help them beguile.