Reader response

Traditions and cultures are slowly being eroded away as globalization impacts developing countries negatively. In the article “Assessing Globalization’, Kohut and Wike (2008) explored several benefits and drawbacks of globalization, especially in terms of trade and integration. While globalization has brought about significant economic growth in developing countries, it has negative consequences in terms of cultures, environment and society.

            Focusing on the cultural aspect, globalization has caused the loss of traditional cultures and ways of living. This can be seen clearly in today’s society, where many young people are strongly influenced by foreign cultures, especially the American, and are unaware of their traditions. Many people in different countries are actively protecting their own cultures against foreign influences. Based on a survey done with 37 countries, it was found that half of the people agreed that the widespread of American culture and ideas would have an adverse impact on their own countries.  

Based on personal experiences, many people are engaged in American TV series and are adopting American's way of living. Many of my friends, including myself, are losing touch with our own traditions and cultures over the years. We only have little knowledge of our traditions, such as the dates and practices of certain important events.

Therefore, the widespread of American culture and ideas have negatively impacted other countries, causing the loss of several traditions. It is hence important to ensure that these traditions and practices will not be eroded and will be passed on to the next generation. 

Summary (final)

Globalization has several benefits and drawbacks that affect different countries. Some countries are embracing globalization as it brings about many benefits, while some are pessimistic about the negative impacts. Globalization has led to economic development around the world, mainly through international trade and multinational corporations. International trade has helped to boost the economic growth in several developing countries and it provides a variety of cheap products to the consumers in the developed countries. 

However, globalization also has its negative impacts. Globalization might not benefit everyone in the same way and the gaps between the rich and the poor continues to widen. Environmental problems such as global warming are significantly increasing and many economically driven countries are putting the environment as a priority. Furthermore, people are worried about the loss of cultures and traditions due to the widespread of American culture and ideas. People are also actively moving across borders to look for better education and jobs, which causes immigration anxieties among the citizens and they requested for tighter restrictions on immigration. Therefore, even though globalization has led to positive economic development, the social, environmental and cultural aspects are being affected negatively. 

Summary

Globalization has several benefits and drawbacks that affect different countries. Some countries are embracing globalization as they believe that it will bring about many benefits, while some are pessimistic about the negative impacts. In this essay, the positive development of economic growth and several drawbacks, namely the impact on economy, social, environment, cultures and integration will be discussed. 

Firstly, globalization has led to economic development around the world and one key component is international trades. It has helped to boost the economic growth in several developing countries such as Africa, where over 80% of the Africans surveyed have agreed that trade has a impacted their country positively. Furthermore, international trades have also provided a cheap variety of products to the consumers in the developed countries. Besides international trades, multinational corporations are also welcomed, especially in poorer nations around the world. However, for the wealthy nations such as America, surveys have shown that more and more Americans believe that trade is not exactly good. Therefore, globalization has mostly influenced the poorer countries positively as it helps them to develop economically.  

Besides economic impact of globalization, many developed countries are increasingly worried about the negative social impact. The economic growth through globalization might not benefit everyone in the same way. In many countries such as China and Indonesia, the widening gap between the rich and the poor is becoming a critical issue. Many have urged the government to play a part and take care of the less fortunate ones in the society who are incapable of helping themselves. Hence, one of the drawbacks of globalization is such that some people might not benefit and would still be lacking behind others.

Furthermore, globalization has led to negative impact on the environment. Global warming is one of the negative results of globalization. Such environmental problems are increasing significantly and causing danger to the world. Many economically driven countries have also come together and show concern regarding this issue, stating that they are willing to sacrifice economic growth for a better environment. Therefore, most countries agree that saving the environment is a crucial issue and should be the priority.

Based on a survey done in 2007, many people are also worried that their culture and traditions would be lost due to the effects of globalization. The widespread of American culture and ideas, such as American movies and music, has led to the loss of many other cultures around the world. Hence, people are actively protecting their cultures against American’s influences.

Lastly, globalization has also led an increased in people moving across borders to different countries. People are leaving their own countries, primarily due to financial reasons, to look for better education and jobs that pay higher. This has caused immigration anxieties among the citizens as many believe that immigrants does not benefit their countries, and therefore want tighter restrictions on immigration. This has also caused many citizens to be unsatisfied and pessimistic about the countries’ future.

In conclusion, globalization has indeed impacted several developing countries positively in terms of their economy. However, there are also several drawbacks of globalization that can’t be ignored. Negative effects on social and environment are some of the important issues that the world needs to work on, if not, situations would go downhill. Therefore, depending on the country, globalization can have benefits and drawbacks.

Week 4: Summary on 'Scary Oil'

The global economy today faced several challenges, and one of the most challenging issues is the increase of oil prices, with its highest price at $125/barrel. The main reason of the rise is fear, as tension between Israel and Iran continues. The global recessions before 2008 were a result of geopolitical shock in the Middle East and the recent one, caused by financial crisis, also led to the increase in oil prices. Iran could response by raising the tension in the Gulf and latest attacks on Israeli embassies around the world appear to be a strategy to prevent Iran from creating nuclear weapons. However if this attempt is unsuccessful, the US and Israel would work together, using military force, to stop Iran. Such use of military force would cause a military conflict and that would likely cause a global growth slowdown and raise the oil prices even higher. 

EDITED//

The global economy today face several challenges, and one of the most challenging issues is the increase of oil prices, with its highest price at $125/barrel. The main reason to the rise is due to fear, as tension between Israel and Iran continues. The global recessions before 2008 were a result of geopolitical shock in the Middle East and the recent one, caused by a financial crisis, also led to the increase in oil prices. Iran could response by raising the tension in the Gulf and the latest attacks on Israeli embassies around the world appear to be a strategy to prevent Iran from creating nuclear weapons. However if this attempt is unsuccessful, the US and Israel will work together, using military force, to stop Iran. Such use of military force would cause a military conflict and that would likely cause a global growth slowdown and raise the oil prices even higher. 

Week 4 Tutorial (paraphrasing/summarizing)

Paraphrasing practice: 
Throughout the Roman Empire, Latin was an international language as it was more powerful.

Summarizing practice: 
A language can become a global language as powerful speakers are using it, not because of the number of people who speaks it.

Summarising Information Selectively Practice: 

Students who use Facebook suffered poorer grades in school due to the long hours spent online. 

"My English Language Learning Journey”

Write an analytically reflective post of 150-200 words on “My English Language Learning Journey”, “Living in a Globalized World: The Importance of English for Me” or an instructor-approved alternative. 

The first important point in my learning journey would be learning how to speak. Since I was young, my parents have been actively introducing new words and vocabulary for me to learn. I believe that language is not just about reading and writing, but also speaking and listening. Being able to speak and listen well is important as it shows that what is communicated is understandable. Therefore I feel that being able to speak fluently helps me to learn the language better.

The second important point in my learning journey would be learning how to spell words. In primary school days, English spelling was especially difficult for me as I speak mandarin at home mostly. However, being able to get a ‘pass’ or close to ‘full-marks” were the motivating factors. During the learning process, I also got to learn new words and understand their meanings. Hence, I feel that learning how to spell is also extremely important in order to fully understand the language.

The third important point would be writing academic essays. When I first went to Polytechnic, I thought that essays were similar to what we called ‘compositions’. Needless to say, I did badly in my first academic essay and I was confused about the differences. Thankfully, my lecturers were helpful and they helped me improve a lot. The skills of writing academic essays are important as it will help greatly in my university education and work in the future. Therefore, I believe that such skills acquired are useful even after I have completed my education.