Joan of Arc

‘History is formed by the people, those who have power and those without power. Each one of us makes history.’ It’s true that there were a vast number of people who won the respect, made a breakthrough, who were peace activists or fought a running battle with enemies, who were at war or lived in peace with each other. All of them were absolutely diverse with special thoughts and wishes, those who stood up for their rights and those who lost their nerve, but all that people have created one history. As a matter of fact, it is important to remember that we are not passive pawns but people who have the ability to shape and direct history.

One of the most famous women of the history is Joan of Arc. She was the girl who led French folk which was at war with England. Joan was born in 1412 when the Hundred Years’ War had broken out many years before. She never knew what such words as ‘make peace’, ‘the peace process’ or ‘period of peace’ mean because she observed the horrors of war from the early childhood. At the age of twelve she had visions in which Saint Archangel Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret appeared before her and said that she was a woman who had to save France. In 1429 she decided to take it seriously and go to war as a volunteer. Joan visited Karl VII who was the heir to the throne of her country. The girl told him about her visions and managed to convince Karl give her permission to assist the French army in the war. She served in the army like many others men and turned out the best soldier. Thanks to her the French won a lot of combats. Joan of Arc put up a heroic fight against English army and raised a siege of Orleans. That event caused a sensation and attracted a lot of interest to her personality. To be honest, it was a crowning achievement of France as well as Joan. In August 1429 the French began to release Paris which was occupied by the English but they lost the battle. During the next year Joan of Arc took part in some other military operations but they were not highly effective. 

The same year she was taken prisoner by the Burgundians and accused of doing magic. Such a terrible fact caused an uproar in France and the girl was sentenced to life imprisonment. She refused to admit her guilt and was strongly convinced in her beliefs. Two days later Joan was burned at the stake by the residents of Rouen. Twenty five years after her execution she was vindicated and pronounced innocent. Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920 by the Roman Catholic Church.

Being a young girl she managed to fight a lot of decisive battles and save France. Nobody could repeat the heroic feat of abnegation. Joan of Arc proved that even plain people can change the course of history.

Postcard

Hi, Victoria!          

   How are you? Remember me? I am Rosalia Pellegrino from Italy. I have been living in America for half a year. Two days ago I had an intense nostalgia for my native country. Do you want to know why my family and I came to America six months ago? 

   To begin with, we were refugees and sought asylum.  My father worked in the local government and I thought that nothing can change our life but one day he came home and said that we should flee the country. As it happens, I had no desire to leave my homeland but what could I do? In fact, we were uprooted.

   Emigration was really popular at that time and a lot of people left their homes seeking better life in other vibrant countries. Thank God, I got accustomed to living in America. It’s stunning country and there is no hostility towards foreigners.    
      
   In order to immigrate to America I had to have a valid passport but I already had. I was abroad with my family once or twice. To be honest, my photo in the passport was not very charming and I didn’t want to show it.L When my father bought tickets it turned out that we would travel by ocean liner. I was not allowed to pack many things, so I took clothes, shoes and bedding. Needless to say that the first two things were necessary, because one day my blouse and shoes will wear out and I will need to change them. My mom didn’t have any idea why I took bedding but it was my firm conviction that I needed it.  It took us ages to get to America. Just imagine three weeks by sea! Actually, the crew on the ship wasn’t pleasant, our cabin and bunks were not comfortable but I liked spending time on deck. Before we could go to New York we had to pass through health and legal inspections at Ellis Island in order to convinced American officials that we were healthy enough to earn a living. Inspectors examined our eyes, heads and the rest of our bodies. We were healthy. I didn’t even dream about luxury hotel because all immigrants lived in tenement apartment buildings. We are living on the most crowded street in the Lower East Side. At first, it was a bit of a culture shock but now I got used to living here.      

   

I would like to tell you about my job in America. My father brings work home to earn extra money every day. I don’t have any time to laze around because all of us do their bit. We can do everything: sew clothes, make artificial flowers, launder and many other things. To tell the truth, I have a great desire to study but it might be a financial sacrifice for our family. Once a week I have an opportunity to go for a wander or spent time with children playing stickball for fun.  In such a way I kill two birds with one stone spending my free time interesting and economizing family budget. A lot of my friends have Victrola and can listen to the records of music and stories. I also would like to have one but my father says that we should put aside money.
   I get up early in the morning in order to help my mother cook different meals. Sometimes, it can be a lot of labor and I have to work at a hot stove but people are happy when they eat my dishes.        
 

The most wonderful news! Yesterday my parents bought me a bed and mattress for my saved pocket money. Sleeping on the chair was the biggest pet hate. Finally, I can use bedding which I brought with me from Italy. Victoria, sorry, my mother is calling me. She bought Bumuelos for me J I have to hurry.

Tell me about your brothers and mother. How are they? I’m looking forward to your answer.       
   
Best wishes,        
Rosalia Pellegrino

News travels fast

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Konstantin Meladze

There are a lot of different discussions about education nowadays. Some people think that acquiring knowledge is not as easy as ABC because this process requires burning the midnight oil, being a bookworm or an eager beaver, cramming or brushing up on something. The other ones find it better to play truant, be a copycat and never have their nose in a book. At any rate, speaking about all these facts we mean school.

It’s common knowledge that modern technologies which help students always to keep up with the latest methods of studying are developing extremely fast. Nowadays it is possible to pass a test with flying colours without even cracking a book, only surfing in the Internet. If you missed a lot of classes for some reason, it’s not difficult to catch up and get full marks because you can always stay in contact with your teacher over the Internet and find there all necessary information.

Listening to the speeches of Sugata Mitra and Sir Ken Robinson I found some ideas which are impossible to agree with. They inspired me to express my own point of view.  

To begin with, opinions are divided as to whether it is important to attend school or not, but it’s my firm conviction that students should do this. A lot of people take the view that schools as we know them are obsolete but they haven’t yet grasp the importance of studying in schools among children, not in front of the computer screens. I honestly think that teachers are always ready to help gifted children develop their mental agility, explain set of material, give feedbacks and learn through practice along with students. They stimulate, provoke and engage. It is also important to mention that studying at school children find friends and combine education with communication. They have practice in making conversations with people developing their speaking skills. Those who do on-line course will have some problems in communication in their future. On the whole, I don’t think that learning happens by itself, because in any case children need a teacher. Even a lot of on-line sites offer the help of teachers giving their phone numbers or e-mails. Self-organized learning is a good thing but it’s a foregone conclusion that students achieve the highest results only when someone guides them and give the perfect example.        

Secondly, I totally agree with Ken Robinson who says that teachers are the lifeblood of the success of schools. They have to do their best in order to encourage children to receive education and not goof off or drop out of school. It is also their responsibility to create new interesting tasks for students who have a thirst for knowledge in order to improve their skills. They always should bear in mind that those who are quick learners mustn’t be teacher’s pets but have the same rights as others. It is said that curiosity is the engine of achievement. Children have a lot of questions and need to receive answers. Teachers are the people who should give these answers.

Finally, I think that the process of studying should be creative. It is important to recognize the individuality of each student and make their studying more useful and stimulating. Teachers should allow children to take the initiative more often and don’t forbid them to think in their own way or express their own ideas. In fact, if the student really wants to get to know something he or she will do it in any case. Just give them the opportunity!

By and large, a good education is the greatest gift you can give yourself or anyone else. I mean if you want to make the grade you should put as many efforts as possible and teachers will help you.