Portfolio 17: Arguments and Counterarguments: Capital Punishment

                                   

ARGUMENTS Against death penalty	COUNTER ARGUMENTS
ü  It is not a deterrent against crimes.   ü  It targets the economically disadvantaged.   ü  It does not reduce crime rates.   ü  It is irreversible.   ü  It results in the death of innocents.   ü  It abuses the right to life.   ü  It causes physical and psychological tortures.	ü  The punishment should fit the crime. People who have killed someone, should be killed, too.   ü  Giving a killer the death sentence will reduce crime rates.

Portfolio 16: Opinion Essay

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/c1-advanced-writing/an-opinion-essay





It is proved that death penalty is not a deterrent against major crimes and it also goes against human rights. Many societies use death penalty with the intention to reduce crime rates. In addition to this, death penalty targets the economically disadvantaged. People who cannot afford a good legal counsel get the punishment. The death of innocents makes death penalty an inacceptable act as the right to live is inalienable and it cannot be taken away. Every individual facing the death penalty is still a human being.

Portfolio 15: Essay Gender Diversity in Education

Nowadays, the shift in the way the world understands gender forces educators to pay attention to what is happening within the classroom. The aim of this essay is to consider this issue focusing particularly on the teachers’ lack of knowledge about the topic, the discrimination gender non-conforming students suffer and the importance of developing a safe educational environment.

Teachers’ lack of knowledge about gender issues poses a challenge to schools. It is certain that educators have received thorough academic knowledge throughout their careers. However, tackling problems related to gender within the classroom has never been part of their education and is left to their personal use of common sense. Regardless their best intentions, teachers fall into traditional gender patterns due to the fact that they have been raised in a rigid culture. They need to break with the existing framework. They must be trained to avoid reinforcing gender stereotypes. Therefore, schools must provide training for teachers to avoid further complications and ensure all children are protected.

A further argument in relation to the importance of gender-based issues in education is discrimination. Gender non-conforming children are usually the victims of bullying through psychological as well as physical violence. Even teachers through the incorrect use of a pronoun or name may make children feel discriminated. These incidents will surely be the origin of later complications such as skipping classes, performing poorly academically, feeling isolated or depressed or even committing suicide. Encouraging zero tolerance policies for bullying and supporting victims must be a major goal. Discrimination must not take place in an educational environment and schools must learn to tackle this problem seriously.

As it has been mentioned before, creating a safe environment in which all children feel free from violence and are not forced to follow gender stereotypes is in the hands of the school. It must promote actions that encourage respect for gender in all its variations. Whether it is by creating unisex bathrooms, providing training to teachers or implementing policies that support gender non-conforming children and punish violence against them, schools are mainly responsible for the welfare of their students. Educational institutions must provide an environment that allows children to be their authentic selves.

In conclusion, nowadays schools must not only provide academic knowledge but also create a safe environment for inclusivity. Schools must be a place in which diversity is celebrated and gender is respected in all its variations. These issues must be dealt at school level with the hope that the outcome will be seen in the construction of an inclusive and respectful society.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/advanced-c1-writing/essay-about-women-science

Portfolio 14: Hedging and Boosting

Hedging

Example # 1

The issues highlighted in this study are applicable to all participating institutions.

The issues highlighted in this study may be applicable to many participating institutions.


Example # 2

Government support will assure the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the internet to thousands of people in rural areas.

Government support may help with the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the internet to thousands of people in rural areas.


Example # 3

The study proves the link between smoking and lung disease.

The study indicates/suggests a (possible) link between smoking and lung disease.


Example # 4

The number of unemployed people will continue to raise as the poor economic situation persists.

The number of unemployed people will probably continue to raise as the poor economic situation persists.


Example # 5

This (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that the GTP itself must be the elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of the GTP- as - mechanism. (Schweins et al. 1994, 1995)

This (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that the GTP itself may be the elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of the GTP - as - mechanism. (Schweins et al. 1994, 1995)



Boosting

Example # 1

Clearly, these sales figures show a definite increase in consumer confidence, which will undoubtedly, have an impact on our share price.


Example # 2

Employees will always respond positively in such circumstances.


Example # 3

Certainly, this has had an impact on learning outcomes.

This certainly has had an impact on learning outcomes.


Example # 4

This has an obvious impact on learning outcomes.

This obviously has an impact on learning outcomes.


Example # 5

This will have an impact on future research in the field.


Example # 6

These figures prove that there has been strong growth as a result of policy change.



HOW TO USE HEDGING
This video explains how to use hedging in academic writing and  provides some examples as well.
 

Portfolio 13: How to teach writing

Writing teachers have the responsibility to help students develop as writers. During the writing process teachers give support and encourage students in such a way they are engaged into the writing task. Teachers have to facilitate the necessary tools and techniques to make the writing process effective. There are different steps to follow in order to achieve the goal and make students become good writers.



https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r1EnOs8ENShuvPaM2AXaoKBikLdqAsLijom-4N0fIV8/edit#slide=id.g62f9d40640_0_35

Teachers have to provide students with methods and techniques in order to develop their thinking and writing skills following the steps mentioned before. It is also important to guide them during the writing process and teach them how to organise their pieces of writing in order to create something interesting for the audience. Teachers have to take into account students’ level of proficiency when they give feedback on the writing task, so that students do not feel discouraged and make profit from it.