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