Discussion Topic Six: Reflection
Now that most of you have completed your essays and written assessments and we are coming to the end of the term, I would like you to look back to the first lesson and the goals that you set for yourself. Do you think that you have achieved those goals?What have you learned this term?How has your English improved?What is the next thing you want to achieve?

During this lessons I have learnt and strengthened many areas of English learning.
First of all speaking, because during this time I always spoke English in classroom with the teacher and with my pals, improving my pronunciation and accents in order to understand each other.
Then it comes listening, because to speak also means to listen.
Collocation was a great adding to my English knowledge and to repeat the forms of conditional also was very useful.
Now I am looking forward to the next course, in order to be ready for the final test at June.
I know there is a lot to learn but ..no pain no gain!






Discussion Topic Five. Euthanasia & the Law
Last week in class we touched on the topic of Euthanasia. This is a very emotive and controversial issue and the legal arguments for and against Euthanasia highlight some important differences between various legal philosophies. For example, a Natural Law theorist would probably argue against Euthanasia while a Legal Positivist might be in favour of it.In the U.K. Euthanasia is still technically illegal though the Courts have made a distinction between acting and refraining to act. Mick Hume, in his editorial in The Times, "Forget A New Euthanasia Law" (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/coulumnist/mick_hume/article3308471.ece )argues that there is no need to reform the law on Euthanasia in the U.K. because Common Law Judges are able to deal with the complexity of the issue on a case by case basis.What are your views on Euthanasia?What is the situation in Italy?Do you think the law should be reformed? Why/Why not?For more information on Euthanasia and the law in the U.K. and Europe go to:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/background_briefings/euthanasia/1044740.stm



Euthanasia (literally "good death" in Ancient Greek) refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner.
In my humble opinion euthanasia is a very controversial theme nowadays.
Of course to end a life is not something that a man could tolerate without a right cause but there are some situations in which it could not be so easy.
I would never kill anyone even if he asks me, still if had no chances of surviving a fatal ill I would probably be happy to know that when I want I can decide to stop living : after all it’s my life I am talking about.
In Italy there are no laws regarding euthanasia and I think it would really be important to move forward this direction.
Maybe everyone should be free to decide his own destiny.













Discussion Topic Four:
Last week saw Barack Obama win the U.S, Election in a historic victory. Obama is the 27th lawyer to become president of the United States. Why do you think so many lawyers go into politics? Do you think lawyers make good politicians? Why/Why not?See also:http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/election.trivia/index.html




I believe that so many lawyers go into politics because while studying law, and when utilizing what you learnt, you truly understand many things of our society.
I have just begun my law degree and I already have analyzed many interesting topics.
Good politicians are not necessary lawyers, but people aware of the society, and a lawyer is often so.










Discussion Topic Two: Pronunciation & Phonetics
This week I'd like you to consider the importance of using phonetic symbols.Do you use these symbols to help you? Why/Why not?How do you learn the correct pronunciation of new words?What other aspects of your English language learning can these symbols help you with apart from pronunciation?

I often use International Phonetic Alphabet while studying foreign languages ; being based on the Latin alphabet I find it really useful and easy .

But for correct pronunciation of new words I believe that the best way to follow is hear them and then repeat them, until you are really comfortable with them
Even if the IPA is designed to represent only those qualities of speech that are distinctive in spoken language: phonemes, intonation, and the separation of words and syllables, in order to represent additional qualities of speech such as tooth-gnashing, lisping, and sounds made with a cleft palate, an extended set of symbols called the Extensions to the IPA is used.

Discussion Topics

Discussion Topic : Lord Denning

(23 January 1899 – 5 March 1999)




Lord Denning was a judge for over 30 years before retiring at the age of 83 in 1982. Lord Denning analyzed many important concepts that would become pillars of the common law and many more which would ultimately be rejected in the House of Lords (such as the doctrine of fundamental breach). He made some famous (and infamous) decisions in his court over his long career, and is considered as somewhat of a legend for his witty, no nonsense judgments.
Creatively using his flexible approach and eloquent prose he shaped appellate law whilst following his primary interest: justice.
He was awarded with the Order of Merit in 1997 in recognition of his distinguished career.

Some interesting quotes:

"I have had to be a detective, inquisitor, advocate and judge and it has been difficult to combine them." On the Profumo scandal inquiry
"It's not the first time and probably won't be the last". On reversal of his decisions
"Parliament does it too late". On legislation.
"I was ambitious and saw it as the best way to advancement". On a career in law.
"Without religion, no morality; without morality, no law."
"Some persons, who would otherwise be good and worthy citizens, are deliberately breaking the law."
"I have all the Christian virtues - except resignation".
"You can do good work after 75. I think I gave some of my judgments of greatest value after 75."
"By eating plain English food. I don't want any of that French stuff." On how to live long.
"Remembrance of me in good works, that is how I should like to be remembered." His chosen epitaph.

Fourth Lesson 30th October 2008

The Italian legal system is a Parlamentarian Repubblic Based on a written constitution.


Based ON
Bound BY
Derived FROM
Developed THROUGH
Distinguished FROM
Settled By ( Sin. To Solve)

Trial = Process


Debating on the main differences between the Civil Law sytem and the Common Law system we concluded that :

Civil Law
+Certainty ( 1 written law to refer to)
+Accessibility ( 1 written law to refer to)
+Stability ( is not always changing)
+Judges have to be objective
= Faster to resolve problem
-Long process to change the law
-Inflexible, rigid
-Expensive
-Out of touch with the community


Common Law
+Respect of the traditions
+flexibility
+Less bureaucratic
+Cheaper
-Less democratic
-Less accessible

Discussion Topic One: Cinema & English Language Learning

I enjoy watching films in their original language even though italian cinemas usually dub them : the solution is to buy the DvD or surf websites such as http://www.nabolister.com/( which now is offline and i don't know why : / )
I do not remember seeing any film in particular about law but i guess i may need, seen the complexity of the topic, subtitles ;Also we shoud consider the differences between American and English pronunciation ( i heard some actor are even dubbed)
Most of my english skills come from enjoying original english sources, so their usefulness must not be discussed.

Third Lesson Homework

Find Ten Mistakes in the verb patterns in the report and correct them

The day began like any other. I'd started ( I WAS STARTING) to get ready for school when i turned on the radio.
The announcer said that the Wall was down. I couldn't help to wonder if I was dreaming, it was so unbelievable. I thought i'd( I WOULD HAVE ) better hurry to school to see what was happening.
In the school playground everyone seemed to be very happy and excited. Then the head teacher came out. He said he wanted that we join( HE WANTED US TO JOIN) in the celebrations and so would let us to have( HAVING) the whole day off school.
My friend and I decided to go immediately to Checkpoint Charlie, the main crossing point from East to West Berlin.
We were keen ON welcoming the people arriving from the East.
When we arrived , everything was in chaos. We saw young, old people, friends , and strangers laughing and hugging each other.
The first cars from East Berlin started arriving and people were clapping , cheering, and throwing flowers.
At first the border guards attempted controlling the flow of cars but soon gave up trying because there were so many, and instead joined in dancing.
After a while they didn't prevent people to climb the Wall either.
Soon the people at top were helping others to clamber up - me and my friends among them- and we all carried on to dance.
Someone lent us a hammer and suggested us to knock chunks of concrete off the wall.
I remember ( WAVING )to East German guards in their watchtowers and they waved back. Only yestertday they would have been ordered TO shoot us! What a day. I shall never forget it.

Third Lesson 23/10/2008

Common Mistakes :
-Word Order
-Prepositions
-Fixed Phrases
-Verb Structure ( ex. To ask someone for something)
-Collocation
- Phrasal vers (ex. to Descende : God descends from heaven but i don't descend from the train, instead i get off the train)
-False friends

Ex.
A tremendous success ( positive meaning)
A terrible mistake ( negative meaning)
A terryfing horror film ( frightnening)
A terrific party (positive meaning = awesome)

Help someone (to) do something
Make someone do something.
Suggest someone doing something

To and fro = backwards and forwards
Destroyer = battle ship

Look carefully :
1)
I stopped buying a newspaper
I stopped to buy a newspaper on the way to work

In the first example "buy" is the action stopped, while in the the second one "buy" is the reason for stopping, is another action, and so is used in its infinitive form.


2)
Try lo learn eight words for next week
Try using a dictionary to help you with your vocabulary

In the first example the "learn" action is done once for all, while the " use" action in the second phrase is a continuos action


3)
Remember to lock the door before you go out
I remember locking the door before i went out

Let's analyze the action timing :
Remember ( I) to lock ( II) the door before you go out . You remember THEN you will lock
I remember (II) locking the door before i went out ( I). You locked the door THEN you remember doing it now

Second Lesson 16/10/08

Group 14, Level B2+ Teacher = Sean

Overview of the English Tense System
Listening and Pronunciation

We analyzed the differences between the Italian and the English tense system, and we arrived at the conclusion that the English tense system is easier than ours because of the lack of different coniugations ( except for the 3rd ones) and the absence of many difficult tenses such as the future.

In the English system there are 2 elements of meanings :



Time : which for English is much more flexible than Italian

The meeting starts at 9.00 tomorrow ( present tense referring to the future)
I was i could swim ( past tense referring to the present)
I could buy it next week if you like. ( past tense referring to the future)




Aspect : Simple, continuous, perfect

Simple - complete, finished, formal ( i look forward to see you, master), permanent ( i love Roma and live there forever), emphasises amount ( i read ten times this books)

Continuous - duration, in progress, temporary, surprise, irritation, informal ( i am looking forward to see you, brother)

Perfect- completed before another time, action producing a result relevant to a later situazion. Shows the relationship between different times.

Each of these aspects adds another layer of meaning to the verb
Choosing the right tenses depends on many factors-


We must consider :

1. The Nature of the action or event ( What is going on- situation)
2. How the speaker sees the event ( point of view)
3. The nature of the verb ( a verb may indicates a state or a duration. Ex. to own indicates a state, to wait indicates a duration)

First Lesson : 9/10/08

Group 14, Level B2+ Teacher = Sean


At the end of the course we will be able to explain the italian law, and learn to compare different law systems, such as the English Common and Public law ones.

Things Learnt:

Collocation :

How words work together, you can be grammatically correct but still wrong.
It includes phrasal verbs, idiomatic forms
Es. Heavy rain is correct, strong rain it's not.

Verb Phrases

To apply the law
To put someone in prison/jail
To turn convint
To place someone in a cell
To be plunged into crisis
To impose a sentence on someone
To serve an order


Sentences ( Sentence in legal English is the penalty, the punishment ; Judge's decision's instead the judgement)

Non custodial sentence
Custodial sentece
Community based punishment
Rehabilitation
Torture

Crimes

Serious crimes/offences
Petty offences/crimes
Gun possesion
Drunk driving

Hello!

Hello my name is Adriano Angelini and i have just created this blog!
I am looking forward to use it as a form of self study, trying not to make too many mistakes :-)
My email is : bullmay@hotmail.it
See ya!