Закон США об американцах-инвалидах в действии

Закон США об американцах-инвалидах в действии

26 декабря 2012 года

Сила Соединенных Штатов заключается в способности развивать таланты, умения и потенциал всех своих граждан. Согласно отчету Бюро переписи населения США за 2012 год, примерно один из пяти американцев является инвалидом в результате физических или психических нарушений. Закон об американцах-инвалидах (ADA) предоставляет возможность этой категории населения принимать участие в бизнесе и торговле, в политике, искусстве и общественной жизни США.

More: http://woacenter.wordpress.com/

English Club on Gambling, Games and Talent

Topic: Gambling, Games and Talent

Fun Fact of the Day: “The city of Juneau, Alaska is about 3,000 square miles large. It is actually bigger than the entire state of Delaware” (theeconomiccollapseblog.com).

Topic:

1. What is your favorite “game” of all time?  What games do you and your peers most commonly play?  Do you find games interesting and entertaining?  Are they positive and helpful, or can they be negative and harmful?  What games do you dislike?
2. What is you opinion about video games?  Do you think that video games are appropriate for young children?  What affects do you think video games have on their users?  Is there a specific video game that you really enjoy and play often?  How much time do people spend playing these games?  Do you think that some find it hard to separate the games from reality?

3. Do you think that gambling is a problem around us?  What two different associations does the word “gambling” have?  How can it relate to more than just games?  Have you ever “gambled” anything in your life?  Would you ever try gambling in any respect?

4. Which types of game activities do you think are the most helpful and healthy: physical games, word games, video games, etc.?  How do all of these different games affect us differently?  Should children spend more or less time playing games in school?  Do you think adults should play games at work?  How might this help or hurt us?

5. Do you possess any secret “talents”?  Does an ability to successfully play games mean you have a talent for gaming?  How important are talents for character development?  Is there a specific talent that you wish you possessed more?  How could you train yourself to do so?

6. If you could create your own game or talent of any kind, what would it be and why would you invent it?  Who would be your target audience and how would you play?  Would there be any rules or restrictions to participate?  How could you make it popular among your peers or even worldwide?

Schedule: Please put topic ideas in the Suggestion Box!

Thursday, 17 January at 5:30- let me know if you want to lead!

Saturday, 19 January at 10:30

English Club on Imagination with Alex

Topic: Imagination

Leader: Alex

Fun Fact of the Day: “In 1796, two brothers ran against each other for President of the United States. Charles Pinckney and his younger brother Thomas (both from South Carolina) both received electoral votes, but John Adams won the election. It was the only time in US history that two brothers got electoral votes for President in the same election” (fun.xocomp.net).

Topic:

1. What is “imagination”? How does it differ between a scholar and layman’s perspective? In which ways does imagination relate to fantasy, creativity, dream hallucinations (while sleeping), and research hypotheses? Is there anything else it relates to?

2. What is the role of imagination in different spheres of basic human activity – playing, learning, arts, research, sports, professions etc.? Can you give some examples from your own experience or that of your peers? Why was “imagination” relevant in this situation?

3. Do you think that the ability to imagine is a gift or a product of deliberate training? Why do you think so? If it is a gift, how did it initially arise? If it is a product of training, what do you need to do to become successfully imaginative?

4. Is the impact of imagination on human lives always positive? If not, do you think it is more positive or more negative? How might this balance affect the role of imagination in our lives?

5. Please look at this pictured image. What kind of associations does it evoke in your mind? Why do you associate this image in this manner? Do images and pictures automatically invoke our use of imagination? Why or why not?

6. Do you wish that you had a more creative imagination? If so, what do you hope to do in the future to increase your imagination skill?
Schedule: Please put topic ideas in the Suggestion Box!
Saturday, 12 January at 10:30
Thursday, 17 January at 5:30- let me know if you want to lead!

CO.NX Program Archive - January, 2013

Digital Storytelling: Location-Based Apps - NEW!

Thursday, January 24, 2013
09:00 EST (14:00 UTC)
URL: http://conx.state.gov/eca

Description: Calling all State Exchange Alumni & digital storytellers! Do you enjoy using the newest social apps to document your experiences and share information like photos and video? Learn how to connect with others through location-based applications and better tell your stories using digital platforms. Participate in a live, engaging discussion featuring Fulbright U.S. Student Program alumni Josephine Dorado, Professor of Media Studies at NYC’s The New School and VP of the Fulbright NY Alumni Chapter, and Whit Schrader, Founder of Pearescope, a mobile networking service that introduces members to mutual friends and acquaintances whenever and wherever they want. Join Josephine and Whit online to learn how to share and communicate what you're passionate about!

Format: This program will be an interactive video webcast in English. Please click on the URL above to participate. Follow the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #ExchangeAlumni.

English Club on Communication

 Topic: Communication 

If others have difficulty hearing you, how effective do you think your communication skills are? You can have a wonderful delivery at the lectern, superb telephone techniques, and/or marvelous negotiating skills on a one-to-one basis, but if others cannot hear you, then it doesn’t matter how good the delivery. Let's speak about communication skills.

Fun Fact of the Day: “Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung” (www.funfactz.com).

 Discussion:

1. What is “communication”? What are the most common ways that people communicate? What forms of communication do you use everyday?
2. How might “intercultural communication” differ from other means of communication? What “do’s and taboos” do you think exist when interacting with individuals from other cultures? Are there any barriers to intercultural communication?
3. Do you think that communication methods differ between genders or age groups? What problems can occur when trying to relate to other groups, like teenagers to older adults or children to parents, for example?
4. How does communication differ between the workplace and your personal life? Do you use the same methods of communication for friends and family as you do for your boss and coworkers? Are there any expected or restricted means of communication in the workplace?
5. What forms of communication exist on the Internet specifically? How does “computer crime” and “googlization” affect communication? Do you think that online communication is as affective and personal as telephone, written, or face-to-face interactions? How has Internet communication changed the ways that individuals interact? Has it helped intercultural communication?

6. What unique means of communication can you think of? Do you think that certain “talents” provide a means of communication, such as magic, dance, art, music, etc.? How can such talents help individuals communicate across social barriers or cross-cultural divisions?

7. If you could form another new method of communication, who would you try to interact with and what would this means of communication be? How can you try to put your ideas in motion?

Schedule: Please put topic ideas in the Suggestion Box!
Thursday, 10 January at 5:30- Special club on “Imagination” by Alex!
Saturday, 12 January at 10:30

«БОЛЬШОЕ ЧТЕНИЕ» В КРЫМУ: РАВНЯЕМСЯ НА ЧИКАГО

В 2013 году Крым впервые проводит необычную акцию, призванную превратить весь полуостров в единый «читательский клуб». По инициативе министра культуры АРК Алёны Плакиды и Крымской республиканской детской библиотеки им. В. Орлова стартует программа «Большое чтение». Идея акции заключается в том, чтобы как можно большее число участников прочитали в установленный промежуток времени определённое художественное произведение, выбранное организаторами программы. И, желательно, не только прочитали, но и обсудили – «живьём» и в Интернете, а также создали по прочитанному собственный творческий продукт, например, видеоролик (сегодня модно говорить – «буктрейлер»), рисунок или даже спектакль.

Аналогичные программы национального и регионального масштаба уже несколько лет проходят в Америке и в России. Их инициируют общественные организации, библиотеки и учебные заведения при активном участии мэров городов. Например, Национальный художественный фонд США регулярно организует кампанию «Создаём нацию читателей». Чикагская публичная библиотека в 2001 году объявила программу «Одна книга – один Чикаго» по роману, который уже 40 лет держится в списке бестселлеров, – «Убить пересмешника» Харпер Ли. А в 2011 году чикагцы читали и обсуждали роман английского фантаста Нила Геймана «Никогде».

http://www.biblioevpatoria.com/content/view/376/83/

English Club on Happy Holidays

Winter getaways with loved ones are great but even if a person plans to spend the holidays alone, they should prepare their home or caravan for such. If one plans on entertaining at home, they should do an assessment of those things that need cleaning both inside and outside of their home. If they did not prepare their static caravan, then it may not be too late to be with us and enjoy some fun.

Topic: Happy Holidays! 

What is your favorite holiday and why?
Topic: 

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? What is your favorite tradition? How do you usually spend Christmas? What are your favorite activities or pastimes? Based on  what you know, how do you think Christmas in Ukraine differs from the U.S.? 

2. What is your favorite New Year’s tradition? How do you usually celebrate the New Year? Do you have a favorite activity, such as decorating, gift giving, or cooking? How do you think New Year celebrations differ between Ukraine and the U.S.? 

3. If you could spend Christmas or New Year’s in any other country around the world, where would you go and why? What traditions would you bring with you to this celebration and what would you hope to learn? 

4. What are New Year’s Resolutions? Do you make them? If so, what will be your Resolution for 2013? Do you think that Resolutions are important? Why or why not? 

Schedule: Please put topic ideas in the Suggestion Box! 

Saturday, 05 January at 10:30 

Thursday, 10 January at 5:30