Swine Flu in Humans - The Facts

Swine Flu in Humans
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

Swine Flu
Report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Atlanta, GA USA

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Swine Flu in Humans

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?

In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?

In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?

Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?

No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Share the facts and information with your language learners.
If you're at risk in any way, get medical treatment or a vaccination - NOW!


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

A Visit to Copper Canyon in Mexico

AN ADDITIONAL WORD ABOUT DESERT COUNTRY …
…while you’re traveling around Mexico you absolutely shouldn’t miss Copper Canyon…

COPPER CANYON is wider, deeper and more beautiful than the Grand Canyon in the U.S. according to many. A system of very deep canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon in the U.S., Copper Canyon is carved into the rugged Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in northwestern Mexico. Although the area, also known as Sierra Tarahumara, can be reached by bus or car, the best way to see it is via the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, (El Chepe) a truly spectacular train journey. If you take the train east to west, the route begins in the desert at Chihuahua, cuts through the mountains and ends up at the sea. The train not only passes through amazing scenery, but also stops at small mountain towns where you can overnight to get a better look at the mountains and the canyon. If you go straight through, the trip takes one long day. It's possible to descend into the steep canyons, but you'll have to arrange a hike or other transportation (bus or car).

A journey through the canyon can be done independently or on a tour, but we highly recommend a tour. Tours usually incorporate stays at hotels along the way and may also provide opportunities for hiking, car tours, horseback riding and rafting. Most rail itineraries follow this basic route: The train leaves Chihuahua very early in the morning and the first stopover is at Creel, where you can take hikes or a horseback ride to several destinations, including a local mission school and some hot springs. From Creel you can also travel to the town of Batopilas, which lies at the bottom of one of the canyons at the end of an incredibly steep and unpaved road. Plan on at least five hours' driving in each direction. You can usually line up a driver in Creel's main square to take you there. The next day's train takes you to Divisadero, where you'll get some of the best views of the canyon. Several upscale rim-side hotels are in the tiny town if you decide to overnight there. Or you can continue on to Bahuichivo, about an hour's ride south of Divisadero, and transfer to the Mission Hotel in Cerocahui.

The final ride on the rails is to Los Mochis, near the Gulf of California. The gulf is an hour away, at Topolobampo, which has beautiful beaches but is not really prepared to offer sanctuary to tourists. From Los Mochis, many people go on to Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta.

You can also start the trip from the Los Mochis end, where the train leaves just as early in the morning. In either direction, reservations are essential, so make them well in advance. Copper Canyon lies about 300 miles or 485 km southwest of El Paso, Texas.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

All Humanity Will Perish on This Mayan Calendar Date

So Teach English in Mexico – Soon

Did you know that according to the Mayan Calendar there is a 2,000 year old prophecy that predicts all humanity will perish on December 21st in 2012? So, If you’re planning to visit, vacation, live or Teach English in Mexico, you’d better get hopping! ‘Cause time’s a wastin’ … there’s only three years and two months to go for humankind!

Step Back in Time in the Yucatan and Watch as …

The first rays of the sun reach across the shimmering cobalt seas of the Caribbean as a strikingly handsome young prisoner of war, arrayed in lavish plumes, adorned with gold ornaments and fine linen climbs purposefully up temple steps hewn from blocks of coral. Attendants, perhaps three on each side, ascend as well. They step up sideways, first left a few steps, then right a few more, imitating the “s-shaped” movement of a snake. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, must not be offended. A warm wind tumbles sand along the palm-lined beach below. Huge flames of a ceremonial fire blaze from a watchtower that all may know the gods are being appeased. The signal will be visible even far out to sea by the Spanish ships of Juan de Grijalva in years to come.

The sun is brighter now, its rays painting the outside walls of the temple in brilliant color. The temple, a resting place for the gods, is deeply carved and painted with designs and figures in the brightest shades of red and blue contrasting the bleached white coral. Shining through a precision-cut square hole in the temple wall, the sun’s golden beams bathe the temple’s main room in breath-taking brilliance before exiting the building’s front where the chief priest, a black stripe painted across his face and a polished gold mirror on his chest, basks in the ever-brightening golden glow.

Throngs chant below, in the courtyard in front of the temple. Some dance with rattles made of “ayoyote” tied around their wrists, lower legs and ankles and sing in accompaniment to ritual drums and crude metal bells while loincloth-clad musicians beat tones on beautifully carved bamboo “Tponaztlas”. The young captive warrior, his body painted blue, stumbles ever so slightly, woozy from the intoxicating balche poured into him lovingly by four beautiful maidens representing the four Chacs, or rain gods, each associated with a cardinal direction and with its own special color. For a year now the youth has consorted with them and lived a life of utmost luxury, the finest of all the culture available to him. It is now the fifth ritual month of Toxcatl. The priest, arrayed to represent a god, possibly Tezcatlipoca, a wizard and a master of black magic, now spreads his arms wide as the warrior-captive nears the top of the altar steps.

The crowd is in a frenzy now, chanting, yelling, writhing in unison like a massive wave of the sea below. In front of the stone carved altar, smoke rises from copal incense burning in pottery vessels. Suddenly, the waiting attendants seize the youth, who, beginning to come to his senses and realizing with stark foreboding what is about to happen, vainly struggles against his burly captors. Prostrating him face up on the altar with his head pointed Northward, they spread-eagle and hold his arms and legs immobile. Running rivulets of sweat now streak the blue-painted torso. The priest raises his arms in salutation to the gods and crowd before ceremonially cutting open the sacrifice’s chest with a gold-hilted sacrificial flint knife and tears out his heart as an offering. The balche does its work in deadening the pain, but it is not enough.

The crowd cannot hear the victim’s screams above their own. The priest, altar and attendants are splashed with blood as the still-beating heart is tossed down the temple steps towards the ritual-maddened crowd. Pandemonium ensues.

The gods smile. They are pleased.

Tulum of Centuries Past

Such may well have been the scene quite often in Tulum of centuries past, situated only about two hours south of Cancun on the coastal road headed towards Belize. The ruins here are a definite must-see during your time here. It’s heavily commercialized now and a bit of a hassle to do the trip. You’ll need a guide and you can no longer climb the ruins like I used to. Until a few years ago, you could still see the bloodstains on parts of the altar and the original paintings on the coral carved walls. Despite costs and inconveniences, it’s still an interesting site to visit. If you’re really an early bird, sea-side cabañas thatched with palm are available a little further south near the biosphere reserve at Chac-Mool de Sian Ka’an where there’s also a world-famous nude beach.

Such are many of the possible benefits and pleasures if you’re planning to visit, vacation, live or Teach English in Mexico.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Teaching English in Mexico: The Birth of a Volcano

Paricutin is Born …

His ox stopped again, panting from the effort of pulling a crude wooden plow through soil that cracked beneath each labored step. Dionisio stopped too, mopping his brow for the hundredth time. “Tst – tst!”, the Tarascan Indian coaxed at the beast. It clambered up and again began the grueling toil. They had been laboring since before the yellow burning ball had begun to launch its missiles against man and beast in the oft-parched lands that lay well east of the Pacific’s rocky shores.

Soon it would be time to plant the corn. But how could they know that this year, there would be no corn. There would never be corn here ever again. Suddenly the plow froze in the ground. The ox strained, the farmer strained, the frame creaked – but wouldn’t move. Instead, a hole now began to grow where the hemp ropes once met the plow’s wooden frame. A hissing sound enveloped the two as white smoke poured from the slowly-widening orifice. What was happening? With a loud “crack!”, the ground split open, the rope snapped and the ox of Señor Pulido bolted for the path that scored its way through sparse trees and farms hewn from rain-starved soil towards the tiny village of Indians across the desert flats.

“Run!” screamed the terrified farmer to the campesinos nearby.

But they were already careening headlong toward the village. Already the old bell of the church creaked and groaned against the rafters as it sounded its last alarm. Smoke billowed from the gap in the earth. Flames and stifling heat burst forth in waves. The earth itself cried and grieved turning black from the onslaught. No one slept that night. No one slept for many nights after that. The earth coughed in explosive “BOOMS”. Flaming stones and ash rained from the sky. Steaming lava that glowed at night spread over the ground, first torching the trees and days later, the village.

The people fled the reach of “El Monstro”, the name they gave the growing hill of fire that had now covered Dionisio’s cornfield and most of the small village.

Paricutin Lives …

URUAPAN, often visited in conjunction with trips to Morelia and Patzcuaro, has a population of around 265,000, and doesn't seem to have much to offer on the surface. What's hidden is what makes it interesting. It was just near here on February 20th of 1943 that Paricutin Volcano (pictured above) rose up outside of town as farmer Dionisio Pulido literally watched it grow in his cornfield. Before it was finished forming, it had wiped out two villages. Miraculously, no one was killed, although it is said that more than two thousand people lost their homes. You can visit the area, but bear in mind that the dirt road ends 4 miles (7 km) from the volcano. Guides with horses can be hired to take you to the site, where you'll see a church spire sticking out of the cooled lava and ash - and that's it. Two lovely waterfalls, Tzararacua and Tzararacuita, which are smaller and better for swimming, lie about 6 miles (10 km) south of Uruapan, located 200 miles (325 km) west of Mexico City. You can read a historical account on the birth of Paricutin Volcano online.

Such are many of the possible benefits, pleasures and stories you’ll know if you’re planning to visit, vacation, live or Teach English in Mexico.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Teaching English in Mexico: Living in Acapulco

Teaching English in Mexico: Living in Acapulco

“See you on the beach after English class!” Living in Acapulco, this is an all-too-common phrase of sorts. But after the beach, there’s far more to do and see. Here are some snippets from my life in Acapulco. To keep up with the local and latest national / international news you can read one of Acapulco’s three major newspapers. “El Sol de Acapulco” which costs 6 pesos and is published daily by the Organizacion Editorial Mexicana (www.oem.com.mx). This paper features extensive international and national as well as local news coverage. Less extensive internationally but with good regional and local coverage is found in “Novedades Acapulco”, a daily, family-oriented paper available city-wide for 6 pesos. (www.aca-novenet.com.mx)

For up-to-date regional news for the state of Guerrero, “Diario Guerrero” is the paper to read. It isn’t web based, and features political news and events for the four pesos you plunk down. For sending commentary or just putting in your two cents worth, you can e-mail: diario17@prodigy.net.mx

What’s Around Acapulco to Do and See?
You’re kidding, right? Well. If you’re NOT kidding, here are some suggested sites to give you a modicum of ideas. An over-abundance of information exists on things to do and see, as well as places to drop a few bucks in the city. With more than 10,000 operating websites to provide ideas, you’ll be up to your eyeballs on the web for weeks. We’re listing a few of the better ones to help start you off. One place for you to start is the Frommer website giving an overview and some useful general information at: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/acapulco/

Mexico travel information on-line with the Traveleye website provides extensive things to do and see listing worth checking out in advance to give a more than a few ideas. Go to: http://www.traveleye.com/northamerica/mexico/thingstodo.shtml
Fodor’s website is also a good one to take a look at with detailed info and maps to give a good overview of the city, its environs and an avalanche of optional activities. Visit them at: http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=acapulco@7 or start at their homepage: www.fodors.com

So, are you ready to come on down? Then, “See you on the beach after English class!”


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Teach English in Mexico: The Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca

The Festival of Guelaguetza

Question: What do the King and Queen of Spain, the Emperor of Japan, and the Princess of Monaco all have in common?

Answer: They've all attended the Oaxacan festival of Guelaguetza.

The pride of Oaxaca, held on the last two Mondays of July, this year July 21st and 28th, the Festival of Guelaguetza is Oaxaca's answer to Rio's carnival. Planning and preparation take nearly one year and the results show it. It is spectacular to say the least. For the weeks prior to the festival it already pervades virtually every aspect of Oaxacaqueño life which you can experience first hand. Such are many of the possible benefits and pleasures if you’re planning to visit, vacation, live or Teach English in Mexico.

Beginning in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00, brilliantly costumed folk
dancers from each of the seven regions of Oaxaca perform traditional dances
to live music and toss offerings of fruit and produce to spectators at the
end of each folk routine. Culminating the festival are the colorful
Pineapple dance by the agile women of the Papaloapan region and the
exciting, stately, Feather Dance by men depicting the Spanish conquest of
Mexico. Seating for the event, held at the Auditorio de Guelaguetza on a
hill known as "Cerro de Fortin" to the north overlooking the city, go on sale months in advance of the event. There are free seating areas in this
open-air stadium but you must be there very early for any hope of a
seat. You'll need to wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunshade and bring plenty
of water to drink as the festivities last several hours. The Saturday
prior to the main event, delegations from each of the seven regions stage a
colorful, musical promenade through the city streets.

If you teach English in Mexico and happen to miss the festival, not to worry, videos of past festivals are usually on sale at travel agencies in town. Ask around for availability and the best prices.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

EATING INEXPENSIVELY IN OAXACA

A NOTE ON CHEAP EATS;


If you’re seriously watching your pesos but want to try some truly authentic, good local fare, a tasty option would be to have a Oaxaca style meal at any of the many popular, family-owned and operated food stands in one of the Main Market buildings, which serve a HUGE Oaxaceña meal plus juice or drink for 30 pesos or so. They’ll be more than happy to explain the selections available (but only in Spanish). By all means do try a local drink made from slightly fermented, uncooked rice seasoned with spices called “Ochata”, it’s creamy white, thick and absolutely delicious!

Another possibility is a truly low-cost but excellent meal at a “Rosticentro”. These are open-air barbeque establishments which will sell you an entire roast chicken with salad, potatoes, salsa, and of course, a stack of warm corn tortillas for two people, all for the paltry sum of $4.50 – that’s right, four dollars and fifty cents! I still haven’t figured out how they make any money off that one. Apparently they do however, because the joint’s jumping from morning till late. They’re all around town but a good one to try is at Mina No. 108 – 3 in the market district. Just look for the smoke from the grill or follow your nose. Pick up some soft drinks first from the supermarket across the street on the corner for 6 pesos (about $0.60) each and you’ll be all set.

RESTAURANTS AND EATERIES:

Name: El Meson Restaurant – Taqueria (All-You-Can-Eat Buffet)
Address: around the corner from the zocalo at Hidalgo No. 805
Phone: 515 – 2729

A popular eatery of Oaxaceños that features an all-you-can-eat breakfast or dinner buffet for $3.50. A selection of local dishes and specialties along with an assortment of fruit and vegetable platters, including desserts, are yours to leisurely sample. It’s a good way to know some of the local staples.

Name: Restaurante Las Mañanitas
Address: Rayon No. 221 at the corner of Fiallo (across the street from Pochcalli Institute)
Phone: 514 – 2868

A simple, quiet little place that serves tasty, inexpensive local fare. Service is fast and friendly. They’ll even take the time to explain any new or unfamiliar items on the menu.

Name: Restaurante El Amigo
Address: 20 de Noviembre between Hidalgo and Independencia

You just can’t get any cheaper than this! At El Amigo a charcoal-roasted chicken dinner for four costs just $7 (seven dollars) that includes one whole roast chicken, salad or cole slaw, a sky-high stack of steaming corn tortillas, rice pilaf, soft drinks all around, and a selection of salsas and picantes. The atmosphere is plain, but the food is good and definitely filling enough. It’s a good late evening spot right in the market district.

Name: Casa de Cartera (La Casa de la Guelaguetza)
Address: Murgia No. 102
Phone: 514 – 7585, 514 - 4603

You may just want to splurge a bit and try this elegant restaurant-bar which features a dazzling show in the style of Oaxaca’s annual Guelaguetza festival in July. Most platters are Oaxaceña style meals. Their colorful, musical shows begin around 8:30pm nightly. Call for reservations.

Name: Hacienda San Agustin
Address: Km. 2 Carretera to San Agustin Yatareni
Phone: 517 – 6477
e-mail: hdasagus@oax1.telmex.net.mx

Another great family spot for Oaxaceños is the Hacienda San Agustin. Not on the “tourist track” since it’s out a ways from the zocalo, the Hacienda offers a huge all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet of typical Mexican and Oaxaceña dishes, charcoal-grilled meats and sausages, moles, exotic fruits and desserts, beers and other alcoholic drinks including excellent samplings of local mescals, with more food, drinks and selection than you could possibly manage in a week. All this at the manageable price of 40 to 50 pesos – most definitely worth the price. Some afternoons and evenings there’s live entertainment too.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Using English as a Foreign Language Skills Coupling for Virtually Immediate Improvement

Foreign Language Skills Coupling

“Teacher, can you please repeat?” It was now the third time that my university English level learners requested a repeat playing of the listening exam section. It consisted of a twenty three second conversation set in a restaurant, but my learners shrieked and moaned at its apparent “difficulty”. This was even despite the fact that the selected listening was from two English language levels below their current one.

Language Skills are Inter-Related

The four basic language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are inter-related even though they are not necessarily equal. For example, if you want to speak better, then practice more listening. If you want to improve your listening comprehension, then practice reading aloud. If you, or your learners, would like to write better prose in English, read more and more in English. And if you want your reading comprehension skills to develop to a much higher level, then improving your writing will help to do the trick.

Both individual and integrated practice of each of the four basic language skills will aid in developing overall English or other foreign language communicative abilities. Reading aloud, for instance, improves speaking and pronunciation in addition to listening comprehension. It also promotes internalization of language elements from short term into long term memory.

Language Skills Development by Coupling

Improvement of inter-related language skills is not equal, however. When your reading improves, so will your writing, but not as much as your reading does. Then if you focused on writing, your reading comprehension would also improve, but likely not as much as your writing would.

A Quick Activities List

So for some really fast English language skills improvement, try some of these activities for starters:

• Reading texts, poems and stories aloud
• Practice pronunciation using spoken riddles, rhymes, fairy tales and stories
• Mimic speakers on the television, newscasts, narratives and speeches
• Write down a speech or other oral discourse as a dictation-type activity
• Try saying tongue twisters, quirky quotes and short jokes on a regular basis

Oral Recitation Practice Activities

For speaking and listening skills development, reading aloud is such an effective method that I now incorporate it into all of my English as a foreign language courses regardless of the EFL learners` level. This single, seemingly simple activity impacts not only speech, but pronunciation, fluency and vocabulary too. As you vocalize the reading or text content, your listening skills become more finely attuned as well. With the possible exception of say, a radically different foreign, regional or other accent being suddenly thrown at you, you’ll generally understand other speakers, native or not, far better after even a limited amount of practice in reading English texts aloud.



Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Teaching English and Foreign Languages to Disabled or Handicapped Learners

Handicapped or Disabled English Learners
In some institutions, disabled learners study English for both academia and communicative purposes. Basically, two forms of disability are encountered by English, as a second or foreign language, teachers; physical and mental. Adaptation of methodologies and didactics for teaching and learning success with handicapped learners or with learners who may be disabled in some way can help to improve teaching and learning with many other types of EFL class groups and therefore merits the attention of all EFL or ESL language professionals. .

Physical Disabilities

At the Santiago de Cali University where I teach, students are allowed to enter programs even when physically disabled or handicapped in some ways. There are legally or physically blind (invident), wheelchair-bound and cerebrally palsied students currently enrolled and engaged in academic study along side of regular students. These disabled or handicapped learners can be subjected to distinctive problems and difficulties in integrating into an EFL, ESL or foreign language class room setting.

A few commonly encountered problems include:

• Not being able to access institutional facilities
• Need for specially-adapted teaching and learning methods
• Class schedule adjustments
• Specialized programming of computer room and listening lab facilities
• Alteration of language acquisition methods
• Sensitivity to environmental conditions like heat, cold, noise and lighting
• Highly-focused or distinct learning styles and learning characteristics
• Need for alternative methods for note-taking and test-taking
• Need for multi-media format texts, classes and input sessions

Mental Disabilities

Although mental disabilities are more strictly monitored and controlled as far as student admissions are concerned, nonetheless they can be encountered at a number of institutions, most likely those that specialized in these types of learners. I think that in many cases grouping “these types” of learners together may be doing more harm than good, but that’s another story not intended for this short article post. From schizophrenia to Autism and ADD to even Alzheimer’s, learners actually may benefit more by being placed in, learning and functioning in a “normal” environment. The same may be true for selected Home-schooled learners at certain points in their academic growth and development. Not in each and every case, mind you, but only in a selected number of them.

The Need for Adaptive Methodology and Didactics

The need for adaptive methodologies and didactics when teaching disabled or handicapped learners cannot be over-emphasized. Rather than “lumping these types of learners together”, more may actually be accomplished by “mainstreaming” more of them and adapting the EFL or ESL methodologies and didactics to suit class groups of more widely diverse learners. This is highly effective for virtually ANY class group of language learners and not just simply a means of addressing the needs of handicapped learners. In my experience, action research and investigations, I have definitely found this to be true, albeit on a somewhat limited scale.

… to be continued …

Be sure to check out “An Interview with Prof. Larry M. Lynch” online at:
http://www.e1-network.com/professor_larry_lynch.html


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.