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¶ … Con an Instructor

Teachers and instructors in schools, high schools, colleges, university, or other types of classes are usually the target of their students' attempt to cheat on them in one way or the other. There will always be students that will try to get ahead by using methods that are not allowed in the usual practice, hoping they will not get caught ant they will manage to cheat on their teachers, not realizing that they are only cheating on themselves.

The importance of the topic has determined many writers to write articles on the subject, analyzing diverse issues that related to the subject. One of these articles was published in TOPICS Online Magazine for Learners of English. The publication is an online space that offers English learners the opportunity to express themselves on subjects of interest for large audiences.

The article in case is entitled "Common Ways Students Cheat on Exams" and belongs to the Academic Dishonesty section of the magazine (Anotai, 2009). The author starts with a brief introduction to the subject, listing the reasons that stand behind some student's choice to cheat on their exams.

In the writer's view, these reasons include the fact that some students think that teachers are too hard on them, and they give their students a hard time with these exams or tests. They consider the problems and questions they receive in their tests are too difficult for them to solve. Students' explanation for this situation consists in the fact that teachers do not want for them to actually pass the tests.

This is a very interesting finding that the writer chooses to address in the article. This point-of-view may be very useful for teachers and instructors, also. This way, teachers are able to observe things from the student's point-of-view. This could clarify a series of misunderstandings between instructors and their students. It could even determine teachers to change their methods, by observing what is wrong in the relationship with their students.

The article continues with a detailed presentation of several cheating techniques that are currently preferred by students. Such techniques include: the long sleeved shirt method, desk notes, the buddy system.

The writer notices that each of these cheating techniques was developed for a specific type of test, or for specific subjects. For example, the long sleeved shirt method is mostly suitable in the cold season. Before the test, students write on their arms the information that they think is important. The arms are then covered by the long sleeves of the shirt. Afterwards, during the test, when the teacher is concentrating his attention someplace else, the student simply rolls up the sleeve and copies the information previously written on the arm.

The desk notes method is mostly suitable for tests that refer to exact sciences, like math, when formulas ad other types of information and data can be written on the desk before the test or the exam. The desk notes are covered by the exam sheets, which makes it difficult for teachers to observe such situations.

Another method described by the writer is represented by the buddy system. Although this is quite an old method, it is still highly popular among students. During the test or the exam in case, the student who intents to cheat sits next to, behind, or in front of a friend who has studied and is able to solve the questions and the problems in the test. After the buddy has solved his tests, he lets the other student to copy his answers.

The author concludes by stating that there are also other methods for cheating, and new methods are developed constantly. The cheating methods discovered by the teacher are obviously not good to be used anymore, which means that new methods must be developed.

However, the author also provides some advice for the students who usually cheat, or intent to cheat o their tests and exams. The advice is to study and to focus on these studies, so that students will not need to cheat anymore, as they will be able to solve themselves the problems and the questions in the test.

The article is easy to understand. However, it does not bring new information, it does not approach cheating techniques that may be more innovative, some of them even involve certain types of technology. The article does not raise important questions.

However, the author manages to provide a perspective from students' point-of-view, which can prove to be useful for teachers. Students also find useful advice in the article. The writer maintains neutral position in relation the subject.

2. Formula for happiness

For ages people have been trying to find some sort of formula for happiness, a formula that once applied is guaranteed to make people happy. Numerous books have been written on the subject, so-called gurus advertise themselves on TV, in newspapers, or on the Internet, guaranteeing that they hold the answer to such questions and promising that they can share the secrets that lead to happiness.

Also, a great number of articles have been written on the subject, proving the increased interest people have for this kind of subjects. Such and article was published in the Independent by Cecilia D'Felice as part of a guide for a modern lifestyle. The article is entitled How to be happy: A formula for happiness (D'Felice, 2007).

The article introduces readers into the subject by taking a look at the formula for happiness developed by the positive psychologist Martin Seligman. In his opinion, the formula for happiness is the following: H (happiness) = S (the biological set point for feeling happy) + C (life conditions in case) + V (the voluntary choices that each individual makes).

The article only refers to the conditions of life that each of us experiences. The writer intents to identify these conditions, to describe them in order to be better understood by everyone, and to find solutions that can improve these aspects of our lives, in order to increase our chances to happiness, in case Seligman's theory is correct.

The article is divided into distinct sections. Each of these sections refers to a certain step of the process described by the author as the process of becoming happier. The first section refers to peace and quiet. In the article, the author cites the works of specialized writers in the field. The findings presented in the article are based on the author's readings specialized books, studies, and surveys.

In this section the author describes the scenery that can help us achieve deeper relaxation, improving our living conditions, and, as a consequence, increasing our chances at being happy. The authors wants the readers to understand the importance of living in an atmosphere were less noise will makes a significant and positive difference.

The author also explains that such suitable conditions are not always possible, because of external factors that interfere. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a series of actions in order to improve the situation. The author provides advice on how to improve such situations.

The following section refers to relationships and how they affect us and the others. The author explains that relationships are the most important external factor that influences our happiness. We often feel unhappy because of certain negative situations that arise between us and someone else. The author lists the most important types of relationships and negative situations that are able to affect them and us, as a consequence.

Therefore, readers can easier identify such situations, they can analyze their own relationships, compare them to what they read in this article, and identify problems in their relationships. The author also gives advice on how to deal with such situations. In the writer's opinion, based on research, people confronting with such situations have various ways of responding to them. It is up to each individual to identify what is the most suitable method in their case and to apply it.

The author concludes with a section that refers to sharing ideas and thoughts. This is when the author invites the readers to play an active role in discovering the formula for happiness. They are invited to share facts and ideas that have proven to be successful at improving their well-being. This way, the author tries to establish a relationship between readers, people who do not even know each other, but that can help each other.

In other words, some people will feel useful for helping others, for providing significant information and support. The author wants to create a connection between the readers, in order for them to help and to support each other.

Although the article refers to certain scientific sources, it does not provide sufficient scientific support. This is why this article cannot be considered very useful in providing significant information on the subject in case. However, the author manages to give useful advice that can be taken into consideration by anyone, and not just by people in the pursuit of their happiness.

The article does not raise important questions. Also, it does not provide significant starting points for further research for the readers. The length of the article is in accordance with the little substance of the text.

3. Problems of a foreign student

Given the large number of foreign students applying for colleges and universities in the U.S., support for foreign students has become a necessity. Most of these students must deal with adjustment problems. The increased interest for this matter has determined writer Christine F. Meloni to prepare the article entitled "Adjustment Problems for Foreign Students in U.S. Colleges and Universities" for ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics (Meloni, 1986).

The article starts with a short introduction that consists in a brief description of the context in which the analysis presented in the article takes place. The article gets right to the point, by providing the results of certain studies that focused on determining the reasons for which foreign students face adjustment problems.

The author further lists these findings. The results of these studies include homesickness as the most important personal problem affecting foreign students, finances, housing, food, English language proficiency, understanding lectures, participation in class discussions, preparing all types of reports, making friends and other social problems that foreign students deal with.

The article further focuses on discussing that affect the adjustment of foreign students. These variables are identified as nationality, homesickness, concern for grades, academic issues, culture and language barriers, sex differences, marital status, and others.

Some of the foreign students participating in the survey experience only one of the listed problems, while others may experience several problems. From the article one may draw the conclusion that the degree of adjustment of foreign students is directly proportional with the cultural differences between the student in case and the U.S. culture.

Students that come from geographical areas that are very distant to the U.S., that come from a different religion that is not embraced by most Americans, students who were raised in a very different culture and lifestyle find it very difficult to adapt, or to even get along in the American system.