Globalisation

Over the past decade, Globalisation has sparked one of the most extremely emotional debates. It has been the topic of various books and the cause of main demonstrations in Europe and North America.

Economists have used the phrase “Globalisation” since the 1980s while it was used in social sciences in the 1960s; however, its concepts did not become popular until the latter half of the 1980s and 1990s.(1) “Globalisation in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function together. This process is a combination of economic, technological, socio cultural and political forces.”(2)

Globalisation plays a key role and significant effects in our lives. Some analysts argue that Globalisation bring opportunity to our life. Globalisation is numerous and extremely beneficial for everyone in all countries. It has been the most successful prosperity and anti-poverty movement in modern history. On the other hand, some critics consider that Globalisation has significant harmful effect for our world and develop space between poor people and rich people. In addition, Globalisation has some huge effects in business marketing.

This essay will firstly summarise the main effect of Globalisation and secondly it will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Globalisation in relation to the subject of marketing.

Some of effects of Globalisation are very positive. Globalisation has given a new meaning to the saying; the world is quickly becoming an especially small place. Globalisation has been effect in different subjects such as economy, politics, social, cultural, environment, security and others. It has played a key role in the unique increase in prosperity in the last 50 years, which is now spreading from the United States and Europe to include many formerly poor countries in Asia, including China and India.(3) The main positive effects of globalisation are free trade and technological achievement. Trade has been the engine of globalisation, with world trade in manufactured supplies rising more than 100 times (from $95bn to $12 trillion) in the 50 years since 1955, much quicker than the overall growth of the world economy.(4)

Free trade leads to industrial development, as it develops human productivity, improves competition and opens national borders to overseas influences. As a result incomes are improved and there are more available jobs. Also, technological improvement involves developments in communications and in transport systems. These days, communication has become easier, more reasonably priced and faster than it was before. The advent of the Internet has extended people’s understanding, as it tender convenience to a wide variety of information.

Communication and travelling extend people’s horizon, reform their personality and guide to human progress. Cheap telephone service, email and computers, all of them are examples of globalisation. The result will be even greater universal flows of goods, services, money, technology, capital, people, ideas and information.

On the other hand Globalisation has had significant impacts in our world, with various effects. Effects of globalisation can be very harmful while they produce enormous differences between rich and poor, expand inequality and open the doors to different forms of discrimination. The benefits of globalisation are not universal. The rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorer. According to the UN (2004) "88 percent of the use of these modern technologies is in developed countries, which account for only 15 percent of world's population". This creates a digital divide (Norris, 2001) which further contributes to the already existing economical and social inequalities.

Also bad aspects of foreign cultures are affecting the local cultures through TV and the Internet. In addition, economic growth and thus industrial development harms the environment. More and more factories are built. As a result, fuel and chemical emissions are increased and more trees are cut down. It is obvious that these tactics have devastating consequences to the environment as water supplies decrease, acid rain rises and global warming has become one of the main problems worldwide.

Moving on to what extent globalisation has benefited on marketing. Globalisation has had significant effects on companies. In one side globalisation help companies to access to international market that it can help them to increase their income. However this effect is not equal between companies because strong multinational companies have more opportunity to access and success in international markets than small companies.

As a result, Local industries are being taken over by overseas multinationals companies.

Moreover, today's business environment has been called a "global village,” Forces businesses to compete on a global scale. This allows the market place to really work and gives consumers a better advantage. The consumer is the real winner because clients should not be forced to buy over priced goods from buyers when they can get the same quality for less. Now consumers can get the best products for the best prices.

Also, Globalisation has had important effects on employees. Workers have opportunity to work abroad and get a better job. However the weakening of protections for weaker nations by stronger industrialised powers has resulted in the exploitation of the people in those nations to become cheap labour. Due to the lack of protections, companies from powerful industrialized nations are able to offer workers enough salary to tempt them to carry on extremely long hours and dangerous working situations, though economists question if consenting workers in a competitive employers' market can be decried as "exploited".

Overall, it has already been noted that globalisation has both positive and negative effects. Free trade and technological achievement are the main positive effects of globalisation. However, benefits of globalisation are not universal; as a result it produces enormous differences between rich and poor people.

Thus, in a world beset by conflicts, globalisation would probably have a net negative impact. In opposition, in a cooperative world, globalisation would probably have a net positive impact. Therefore, Globalisation represents a major challenge and at the same times a unique opportunity in terms of the possibilities for conflict or cooperation. We should prepare a balance between globalisation and reviving national economies, national environmental, protection of workers and local cultures.

Reference:

1- Wikipedia , Globalisation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization (Access date 18 Jan 2009 )

2- Sheila L. Croucher. Globalization and Belonging: The Politics of Identity in a Changing World. Rowman & Littlefield. (2004). p.10

3- Schifferes,S. Globalisation shakes the world , http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6279679.stm (Access date 18 Jan 2009 )

4- Schifferes,S. Globalisation shakes the world , http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6279679.stm (Access date 18 Jan 2009 ) Total words: 1023( without reference)

Library resources for Globalisation research

I searched about Globalisation in the Internet and library and I can suggest this books and article about that.

Metranet

1-Measuring globalisation : activities of multinationals. Volume I, Manufacturing = Mesurer la mondialisation : activités des multinationales. Volume I, Secteur manufacturier
2-Globalisation and child welfare : some lessons from a cross-national study of children in out-of-home care / June Thoburn
3-Globalisation and industrial relations: information and consultation rights in some chemical TNCs / [by] Salvo Leonardi... [et al.]
4-Globalisation and business ethics / edited by Karl Homann, Peter Koslowski, Christoph Luetge
5-Globalisation and labour rights : the conflict between core labour rights and international economic law / Christine Kaufmann
6-The globalisation of executives and economics : lessons from Thailand / edited by John Walsh

Internet

advantages and disadvantages of globalisation

1-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization
2-http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/oct/31/globalisation.simonjeffery
3-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2007/globalisation/default.stm
4-http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-of-globalization.html
5-http://www.darkseptemberrain.com/ideas/advantages.htm

Overview of your subject area

Why is marketing important?
Marketing is important in building customer relationships as well as creating product awareness. Without an effective marketing strategy you stand to not gain customers or lose customers which equates to revenue loss and no growth. For a company to grow, marketing is the vehicle.
(Wiki Answers)

What is the most controversial issues are currently in marketing area?
Food and Beverage Marketing to Children and Youth

How marketing will develop over the next few years?
1-Global advertising expenditure will increase during the next few years
2- Jump in “New Media” Spending Expected Over the Next few Years
3- E-marketing increase sharply in next few years

Useful websites and books about marketing?

Website:
Web Resources for Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations

Books
International Marketing
1. Kotabe and Helson (2000) Global Marketing Management, Wiley.

2. Hollensen, S (2004) Global Marketing; Prentice Hall Europe.

Marketing Strategy

Indicative:
Bourgeois, L.J. III (1984) Strategic Management and Determinism, Academy of Management Review, Vol.9,No.4, pp.586-596.
Combe, I. A. (1999) Multiple Strategy Paradigms: An Integrational Framework, Journal of Marketing Management, 15, pp.341-359.
Marketing Communications
Key Text

de Pelsmacker, P., Geuens, M.& Van den Bergh, J., Marketing Communications, 2nd ed., Pearson, 2003
Brand Equity
The required book is:
Aaker, D Building Strong Brands, (see BSB on reading schedule) On order from Blackwell's Holloway Road.
Buyer Behaviour
1. Peter,J. and Olson,J. (2002) Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Strategy; 6th Ed., McGraw Hill.

2. Schiffman, L.G. and Kanuk,L.L. (2004) Consumer Bahaviour, International Edition, Prentice Hall 8th Ed.

Library and subject-based resources for your subject

This activity was very useful because I found very nice website related to my subject.Also we can find a lot of article that can be very useful for me.
BIZ/ED is very useful website for find out the articles related to our subjects
I have found this mind map about marketing that can be very useful .

View larger version of the mind map.

• Market Position
  • Market Niche?
  • Market Leader?
  • Market Follower?
  • Market Challenger?
    
    
• Market Objectives
  • National Growth
  • International Growth
  • Ethical Objectives
  • Market Share
  • Consumer Focus
  • Product Focus
  • Image
  • Social Responsibility
  • Revenue Maximisation
    
    
• Shareholder Value
• Overcome Competitors
• Which Segment?
  
  
  • Mass Markets
  • Multiple Segment
  • Single Segment
    
    
• Market Segments; See also: Which Segment?
  
  
  • Age
  • Religion
  • Gender
  • Income Level
  • Lifestyle
  • Ethnic Grouping
  • Social Class
  • Registrar General's Grouping
  • Institute of Practicioners in Advertising (IPA) Grouping
  • Geographical region
  • Family Circumstances
    
    
• Behaviouristic
• Market Structure
  
  
  • Highly Competitive?
  • Imperfect Competition?
  • Oligopoly?
  • Duopoly?
  • Monopoly?

subject exam paper search

This activity was very useful for me becaouse I could find out how will be the exam for my degree course.
I love that.Also I searched marketing strategy exam and found it.

MARKETING STRATEGY

EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER - SEMESTER 2, 2007/8

ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS ONLY

1. Discuss the functional perspective of strategy and its use in the
measurement of service quality. Highlight some of the advantages and
disadvantages of this approach to management (50% of marks)

2. Discuss differentiation in a hyper-competitive world and outline any
perspectives of strategy and associated management tools that that may
help in creating differentiation. (50% of marks)

3. You work for Sony Corp., and the CEO has asked for your views on
how the company so badly missed out on the market for digital music,
and how Apple did so well. You have no time to conduct market
research, so you have to fall back on the theoretical knowledge you
have acquired in studying Marketing Strategy. What memo would you
send him, knowing that it's likely to go to the board of directors, all of
whom have studied strategy, though perhaps many years ago? (50% of
marks)

4. Exploiting the experience curve can eliminate competitors from a
market. Explain . (50% of marks)

5. Discuss analysis of competition and the tools that you would use in this
analysis. Use a tool that you have discussed (implement it as a
consultant would) for a company that you know well. (50% of marks)

6. "The challenge in building learning organizations is fighting the
bureaucratization that often replaces experimentation with control and
routine." So says Hurley (2002) in his article 1 "Putting people back
into organizational learning". In a time when marketing budgets are
coming under pressure, make a case to your company's finance director
why your programme of ongoing research, with its interactive user
zone on your website and quarterly focus groups, should be kept in
place. (50% of marks)

Library resources for language learning

I went to library and I suggest some books for students that I think they are very useful also we can something to do for improve our English.

Listening

1- Listen to BBC4
2- Listen to academic business lecture in Internet

Speaking

1- Conversation class
2- More speak to English people
3- Listen to “Follow me” CD from BBC and practice

Reading

1- Read some books about Academic and business vocabulary such as : “Business vocabulary in use” and “Business English verb” and …
2- Read some business academic essay

Writing

1- Try to Write business essay
2- Try to learn more academic and business English word and use it in writing

Grammar

1- Read" Grammar in use" and have exercise there

Listening

we listened to an interview with CH Tung, which can be found here.

We used this to think about what had happened in our own countries in 2008 and what we predict might happen for the future.

Summary of what Tung believes are the main challenges facing the world in 2009 and what we can do to solve these.

Ch Tung consider that cross-border terror and nuclear propagation issues are major challenges in 2009.Also,they suppose we need to put aside the cold-war mentality and prepared and keen to contribute a enormous effort for resolve them.

Master of Marketing

Aims of the course

The course addresses the main concerns of marketing and highlights the significance of marketing in both large and small organisations, and also the importance of marketing for commercial and not-for-profit organisations.

Marketing takes place in a world of rapid change; it reflects these social and political changes as well as technological and economic trends. Marketing is taught here not as one more business function but as the key activity in helping firms to deliver a strong customer focus. This is the common element of today's successful companies.

The course will provide you with an understanding of the core marketing disciplines and introduce a range of issues of current importance to marketers. Marketing is practised all over the world and is relevant in business and government. Marketing is also in the front line of an organisation's attitude to social responsibility and corporate citizenship.

Course structure

When taken full-time, this is a one year course. Entry can be either in the first or second semester.

There are four core modules:

• International Marketing
• Marketing Communications
• Marketing Research
• Marketing Strategy

Optional modules include:

• Consumer Behaviour
• Contemporary Issues in Marketing
• Service Sector Marketing
• Brands

Bibliography

International Marketing
1. Kotabe and Helson (2000) Global Marketing Management, Wiley.

2. Hollensen, S (2004) Global Marketing; Prentice Hall Europe.

Marketing Strategy

Indicative:
Bourgeois, L.J. III (1984) Strategic Management and Determinism, Academy of Management Review, Vol.9,No.4, pp.586-596.
Combe, I. A. (1999) Multiple Strategy Paradigms: An Integrational Framework, Journal of Marketing Management, 15, pp.341-359.

Marketing Communications

Key Text

de Pelsmacker, P., Geuens, M.& Van den Bergh, J., Marketing Communications, 2nd ed., Pearson, 2003

Brand Equity

The required book is:
Aaker, D Building Strong Brands, (see BSB on reading schedule) On order from Blackwell's Holloway Road.

Buyer Behaviour

1. Peter,J. and Olson,J. (2002) Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Strategy; 6th Ed., McGraw Hill.

2. Schiffman, L.G. and Kanuk,L.L. (2004) Consumer Bahaviour, International Edition, Prentice Hall 8th Ed.

surveillance society

Introduction

In recent years, there has been an increasing use of science and technology to fight crime in all over the world. Many countries has been using several type of method to protect the crime such as; Monitoring, Database (Including DNA databases), Biometrics, Fingerprint. This skill is modifying itself day after day by science and technology. Ours everyday life is covered with observation encounters such as CCTV, security tags, DNA records etc. It’s mean we live in a surveillance society. Technology is central to surveillance. Surveillance is a key feature of modern life, upon which we depend.

Recently there is a strong argue that how much we need a surveillance society? Some people think for safety society we need it and most government believe that they should use surveillance society more and more. It is widely believed that modern equipment has a massive effect to recognize the victims.

On the other hand, some people consider that that is conflicting with freedom .It means the death of democracy and freedom. Many people are really not convenient with the fact that they are filmed constantly wherever they go, whatever they do. Many people argue that the surveillance tools are a threat to our personal freedom. Also recent research has suggested that this careful and close observation technology moreover could damage individual privacy.(Foster,2007)
On one side, some have argued that life would be more inconvenient and less secure while aware of being tracked and monitored at all times with new and improved over protectionist system.(Weber,2008)

Can it be argued that technology will keep society safe and stable?
Do you feel more safety in the surveillance society?

This essay will try giving an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of a surveillance society.

Paragraph 1:

the main advantage of a surveillance society (it has helped in major crime investigations, including murder and terrorist cases, help police to catch criminal more quickly)

Paragraph 2:

The second advantage of a surveillance society (Reducing crime and making the fear of crime diminish to almost nothing People feel free from worry knowing that there is a camera to prevent muggers.)

Paragraph 3:

On the other hand, in the surveillance society, we will feel not very comfortable. We must pay more attention on our behavior. Some people believe that they are tracked by someone, if they find a camera is looking at them. A number of people agree that surveillance has interrupted their normal life in the society. For instance, there are up to 4.2m CCTV cameras in Britain (1) - about one for every 14 people (2). A person could be caught on CCTV cameras 300 times in a day (3).In addition, It predicts that by 2016 shoppers could be scanned as they enter stores, schools could bring in cards allowing parents to monitor what their children eat, and jobs may be refused to applicants who are seen as a health risk(5).

Paragraph 4:

Second disadvantages of a surveillance society (spend too much money however low result. for example Billions of pounds spent on Britain’s 4.2 million closed-circuit television cameras although only 3 per cent of street robberies in London were solved using CCTV(4) )

Conclusion:

The argument of both side are strong (We need to be a balance between surveillance society and respecting the citizen's rights and personal privacy.)

Reference:

1- BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6108496.stm
Accessed 2 November 2006

2- Daily mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-564240/Billions-spent-CCTV-failed-cut-crime-led-utter-fiasco-says-Scotland-Yard-surveillance-chief.html
Accessed 6 May 2008.

3- BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6108496.stm
Accessed 2 November 2006

4- Times online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3877670.ece
Accessed 6 May 2008.

5- BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6108496.stm
Accessed 2 November 2006

Speaking

We had a conversation class last week. The subject was "censorship"
We watched a music video from Katy Perry and we discussed about this music and censorship.




Do I need a censorship?
Do we agree or not?
Who's responsible about that?

Business Vocabulary (MARKETING-SALES )

MARKETING-SALES Vocabulary

After-sales service
Service that continues after the sale of a product (maintenance, etc.).

Agent
Person or company that acts for another and provides a specified
service.

B2B e-commerce Business to business e-commerce :
use of commercial networks, online
product catalogues and other online resources to obtain better prices and
reach new customers.

B2C e-commerce Business to consumer e-commerce :
online sale of goods and services directly to consumers.

Benchmarking
Comparing one's products to those of competitors in order to improve
quality and performance.

Buyer
1) Any person who makes a purchase.
2) A person employed to choose and buy stock for a company.

Cash refund offer
Offer to pay back part of the purchase price of a product to customers
who send a "proof of purchase" to the manufacturer.

Chain store
Two or more shops or outlets that have the same owner and sell similar
lines of merchandise.

Client
A person who buys services or advice from a lawyer, an accountant or
other professional.

Close
Finalise a deal or sale.

Convenience store
Small shop located near a residential area that opens long hours,
seven days a week.

Customer
A person who buys something from a shop or business.

Coupon
Certificate that gives customers a saving when they purchase
a specific product.

Deal
A business transaction.

Department store
A large shop or store that carries a wide variety of product lines.

Direct investment
Entering a foreign market by setting up assembly or manufacturing
facilities in that country.

Discount
A reduction in price.

E-commerce
Buying and selling by electronic means, primarily on the Internet.

E-marketing
Promotion of products and services over the Internet.

Extranet
A network that connects a company with its suppliers and distributors.
Follow-up To maintain contact after the sale to ensure customer satisfaction.


Franchise
Association between a manufacturer or wholesaler (franchiser) and an
independent business person (franchisee) who buys the right to own
and operate a unit in the franchise system.

Guarantee
A promise that a product will be repaired or replaced if faulty.

Intranet
A network that connects people within a company to each other.

Joint Venture
A way of entering a foreign market by joining with a foreign company to
manufacture or market a product or service.

Market leader
The company with the largest market share in an industry.

Mark up
The percentage of the price of a product added to cost to reach a selling
price.

Opinion leader Person within a reference who, because of competence, knowledge, or
other characteristics, exerts influence on others.

Packaging
Designing and producing the container or wrapper for a product.

Product
Anything that can be offered on the market, usually for sale.

Product line
A group of products that are closely related.
Prospect A potential customer.

Representative
A sales representative is a person who represents and sells for a company.
Retail To sell in small quantities, as in a shop, directly to the consumers.

Shopping centre
Group of shops or retail businesses developed and managed as a unit.
Telephone marketing Using the telephone to sell directly to customers.

Trade fair
An exhibition at which companies in a specific industry can show or
demonstrate their products

Viral marketing
The Internet version of word-of-mouth marketing - email messages that
customers pass on to friends.

Wholesale
To sell goods and services to those buying for resale (e.g. a shop)
or for business use.

Linking Words

I found very intresting website that we can find about linking words

Listing * above all * last but not least * mark the end of an ascending order * first and foremost * mark the beginning of a descending order * first and most importantly

Enumeration
* first, furthermore, ..., finally * the first, the second, the third ... * first(ly), second(ly), third(ly), ... * to begin/start with, in the second place, moreover, to conclude

Addition * above all * in addition * additionally * moreover * not only ... but also ... * also * as well (as) * obviously * besides * particularly * especially * specifically * further * furthermore too * what is more

Comparison * both ... and ... likewise * correspondingly * similarly * equally * now * regarding * turning to * with respect/regard to * as for * as to * altogether then * hence therefore * in brief thus Conclusion * in conclusion * to conclude * in short * to sum up * overall * to summarise

Examples * for example * for instance * such as * to illustrate * as an illustration * to demonstrate

Consequence * accordingly * as a result * as a consequence * so that * because of * the consequence is * consequently * the result is * for this/that reason * then * hence * therefore * in order that * thus Contrast * conversely * in comparison * in fact * in reality * instead * on the contrary * on the other hand * then Concession * admittedly * in spite of * after all * all the same * nevertheless * although * no doubt * although this may be true * nonetheless * at the same time * notwithstanding *besides *only * despite * under certain circumstances * even if/though *up to a point * even so * while * however * yet

How to Write an Essay: 10 Easy Steps

I found a very nice article about essay writing that can be very helpful for me and other students. Brief Overview of the 10 Essay Writing Steps

1. Research:
Begin the essay writing process by researching your topic, making yourself an expert. Utilize the internet, the academic databases, and the library. Take notes and immerse yourself in the words of great thinkers.

2. Analysis:
Now that you have a good knowledge base, start analyzing the arguments of the essays you're reading. Clearly define the claims, write out the reasons, the evidence. Look for weaknesses of logic, and also strengths. Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others.

3. Brainstorming:
Your essay will require insight of your own, genuine essay-writing brilliance. Ask yourself a dozen questions and answer them. Meditate with a pen in your hand. Take walks and think and think until you come up with original insights to write about.

4. Thesis:
Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. It's practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear thesis.

5. Outline:
Sketch out your essay before straightway writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essay's order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified.

6. Introduction:
Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the reader's attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument. (Note: The title and first paragraph are probably the most important elements in your essay. This is an essay-writing point that doesn't always sink in within the context of the classroom. In the first paragraph you either hook the reader's interest or lose it. Of course your teacher, who's getting paid to teach you how to write an essay, will read the essay you've written regardless, but in the real world, readers make up their minds about whether or not to read your essay by glancing at the title alone.)

7. Paragraphs:
Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay.

8. Conclusion:
Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her know exactly what.

9. MLA Style:
Format your essay according to the correct guidelines for citation. All borrowed ideas and quotations should be correctly cited in the body of your text, followed up with a Works Cited (references) page listing the details of your sources.

10. Language:
You're not done writing your essay until you've polished your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incoporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality, giving it a level-headed tone, and making other intuitive edits. Proofread until it reads just how you want it to sound. Writing an essay can be tedious, but you don't want to bungle the hours of conceptual work you've put into writing your essay by leaving a few slippy misppallings and pourly wordedd phrazies..

Reference:
http://www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/

Listening (Eurozone in its first ever recession)

I listened about recession in Europe.it was interesting article from BBC.

Eurozone in its first ever recession

The figures from Italy show that Europe's fourth largest economy is now officially in recession after two consecutive quarters of negative growth.

The Italian economy shrank by half a percent in the third quarter, after posting a nought point three percent fall in the previous quarter.

The Spanish government also reported its first negative growth in fifteen years. But France bucked the trend of gloomy news today: they defied economic forecasts and narrowly escaped recession by announcing minimal growth for the period between July and September.

Greg Morsbach, BBC

Pronunciation (Self Study)

I had some pronunciation practice from BBC website.I recommend this website for English learning and also for pronunciation.I learnt about Connected Speech
What is connected speech?
When we speak naturally we do not pronounce a word, stop, then say the next word in the sentence. Fluent speech flows with a rhythm and the words bump into each other.

To make speech flow smoothly the way we pronounce the end and beginning of some words can change depending on the sounds at the beginning and end of those words. These changes are described as features of connected speech.

Sounds link
Linking is a way of joining the pronunciation of two words so that they are easy to say and flow together smoothly. In English there are different ways that this happens.

Consonant to vowel linking - when the first word ends with a consonant sound and the second word begins with a vowel sound.

Vowel to vowel linking - when certain vowels come next to each other an extra sound is added to make the link smooth.

Linking 'r'
In standard British English (RP) the letter 'r' after a vowel sound at the end of word is often not pronounced. However, when the following word begins with a vowel the /r/ sound is pronounced to make a smooth link.

Sounds disappear
When the sounds /t/ or /d/ occur between two consonant sounds, they will often disappear completely from the pronunciation

Sounds join together
When a word ends in a consonant sound and the following word begins with the same consonant sound, we don't pronounce two sounds - both sounds are pronounced together as one

Sounds change
When a word ends in a consonant sound and the following word begins with a consonant sound, depending on the particular sounds, the last sound of the first word or both the last sound and the first sound of the next word can change

London eye

I went to "London eye".It was fantastic experience ,however it was expensive. I tried to find out about "London eye"

History of "London eye"

Since opening in March 2000 The London Eye has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain. The London Eye is the UK’s most popular paid for visitor attraction, visited by over 3.5 million people a year. A breathtaking feat of design and engineering, passengers in the London Eye's capsules can see up to 40 kilometres in all directions. The London Eye is the vision of David Marks and Julia Barfield, a husband and wife architect team. The wheel design was used as a metaphor for the end of the 20Th century, and time turning into the new millennium. Back in 2000, the London Eye was known as the Millennium Wheel. At that time, British Airways was the main sponsor, and up until November 2005 they were joint shareholders with Marks Barfield Architects and The Tussauds Group. British Airways also privately funded the London Eye project from the early stages of conception.

Awards

The London Eye has won over 75 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement since opening in March 2000.

2007
TripAdvisor.com - Best Attraction in Europe
Coach Tourism Awards - UK’s Attraction of the Year

2006
Visit London - 'Best Day out for Londoner's' People's Choice award
The British Travel Awards 2006 – Best attraction
Enjoy England awards - Best Tourism Experience
Platinum Access Award - Scope

2005
Best Art Direction for Advertising Communications Award
Visit London - 'Tour London' award
Visit London - 'Best Day out for Londoner's' People's Choice award

2004
The World Travel Awards - Word’s leading attraction
The Best Art Direction for Advertising Communications award 2004

2003
Visit Britain, Excellence in England - Tourism Website of the Year
Visit London – Tourism website of the year
The 2003 Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation

2002
London Tourism Awards - BBC London People's Choice Award

2001
Design and Architecture Design Awards - Most Outstanding Environmental
London Tourism Awards - BBC London People's Choice Award
Marketing Effectiveness Awards - New Product of the Year
Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards - Innovation
Travellers' Choice Awards - Best Millennium Attraction.

2000 Leisure Property Forum Awards - Best Innovative Concept London Tourism Awards - BBC London People's Choice Award

Analyse of my own language abilities and needs

Speaking

My average is about = 65 out of 100
Very weak 0 __________________x____________100 Very good

Writing

My average is about = 55 out of 100
Very weak 0 ______________x________________100 Very good


Reading

My average is about = 50 out of 100
Very weak 0 ______________x________________100 Very good


Listening

My average is about = 65 out of 100
Very weak 0 __________________x____________100 Very good


Pronunciation

My average is about = 60 out of 100
Very weak 0 ________________x______________100 Very good


Grammar

My average is about = 65 out of 100
Very weak 0 __________________x____________100 Very good


Vocabulary

My average is about = 60 out of 100
Very weak 0 _________________x_____________100 Very good


Academic Skills

My average is about = 60 out of 100
Very weak 0 _________________x_____________100 Very good

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This month I will try to improve my academic skills particulary in writing and speaking.
I think my strongest skill is speaking and my weakest skills are writing and reading.
I want to study MBA this February as a result I need to improve my academic skills as soon as.
I made a plan for improve my academic skills

Listening

1- Listen to BBC4
2- Listen to academic business lecture in Internet

Speaking

1- Conversation class
2- More speak to English people
3- Listen to “Follow me” CD from BBC and practice

Reading

1- Read some books about Academic and business vocabulary such as : “Business vocabulary in use” and “Business English verb” and …
2- Read some business academic essay

Writing

1- Try to Write business essay
2- Try to learn more academic and business English word and use it in writing

Grammar

1- Read Grammar in use and have exercise there

Television is in no way a true mirror of society

Introduction

Over the last 50 years television has played a key role in society. Since the late 1930s, the television set has become a common communications receiver in homes, businesses and institutions, particularly as a source of entertainment and news.
It has been designed to satisfy the needs and demand for all kinds of information, education and inspiration, today and tomorrow, for persons of all ages and all races throughout the world. Undoubtly, Television has a significant influence in our life. Moreover it can be positive or negative effect in our culture.

Television (TV) is a widely used telecommunication medium for sending (broadcasting) and receiving moving images, but do those images reflect the reality and do they present the mirror of the society?

Recently an arguable issue has arrived from the viewers of TV. Some of them think “Television is no way a true mirror of society”.
On the other hand, some people believe that we don’t need to have mirrored of society in whole the TV programs however; there are some TV programs that show the truth of our life.
This essay will try to answer the question of whether television is no way a true mirror of society or not.

Paragraph 1:

the main reason why the Television isn’t reality (more violence – more imbalance between men and women)

Paragraph 2:

The second reason why the Television isn’t reality (censorship by government and sponsorship)

Paragraph 3:

The third reason why the Television isn’t reality (Base in Advertising and most entertainment programs is not reality)

Paragraph 4:
Reality in some TV programs (reports, news and education programs but sometimes limit by sponsors and government)

Conclusion:

Agree with the statement however there are some programs that it is reflection of society. (Some report and programs)

References
1- Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television
Accessed 27 November 2008