This
virtual and tranquil pond has become an outlet to bring forward some things
which might otherwise not find a ready space in this collection of ramblings. A
collection which has been interrupted of late (once again…) due to what has unexpectedly
become a major undertaking for me, as far as time and “space” is concerned.
Time, because it has mushroomed and taken up most of my available time and “space”
because the ever-diminishing working space left in my gray cells has been
occupied with this. Of course, I refer to the English Now venture and its
offspring, English To Go. The reception to this ESL (English as Second
Language) tutorial school and its methodology has been very well accepted and
we now have students locally and in another four countries (via Internet) and
it looks to continue to grow.
One observation
which has come from this increased contact with students, with the usual banter
and conversation this brings about, is how little do most people (and here I must include US citizens, not just
immigrants) understand about this country, its reason for being and its
place in history. The US has been called the “Greatest Democratic Experiment”
in the history of modern government. The rules that govern our country and its
leaders (or, at least, should) stem
from a document which was brought forward as the result of the gathering of
some of the most brilliant minds of the times and, I dare say, of all modern
times.
The
Constitution spawned a government the likes of which were not known in those
moments. These were times in which most controlling bodies were handed down by
way of nobility, ancestry and heraldic emblems; the kings, queens, dukes,
counts, etc. having say and sway over property and life of all subjects.
And here
came a proposal which, in its first opening words, embodied the core concept of true democracy with a profound simplicity that had never been matched before, or
since: “We, The People…” How simple; how incredibly profound.
It is for
this reason that in all my ESL classes there is a general explanation of the
constitution and readings about the primary amendments. I believe that if
someone is studying the language because he or she is planning to live in this
country, this is required knowledge. It is also my belief that if a person
actually reads the constitution’s original articles, that person will come out
of this encounter with a new understanding of what makes this country different
than others; there will be a feeling of awe regarding the incredible thoughts
that went into this document, considering that those who created it were at the time, for the most part,
members of a well to do class. They created a document which went against all
the acceptable norms to those who were in then existing governments.
What can
be accomplished when the mind is put to work, can be incredible.
Just
rambling thoughts on a cloudy, rainy day… half winter, half spring. But, since
it is getting cold here by shores of the pond, I guess I will pack my things
and go home
Be Well … Be Back!!!
Final
Notes:
· Pray for those who are fighting an illness
which may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
· Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
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