Wednesday, March 22, 2017

21st February International Mother Language Day

PLS BBC School Reporters prepared and presented about the importance of mother language in the school assemblies.
Here is the clip we have prepared to show students that many of our staff and students speak different mother language.

https://twitter.com/Plfcealstudents/status/831830180922548224

And here is the presentation:


Why do you think to be able to speak your Mother Language important?
Talk to the person next to you for
1 minute.



International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. First announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.

Why International Mother Language Day?
Linguistic and cultural diversity represent universal values that strengthen the unity and cohesion of societies. The recognition of the importance of linguistic diversity led to UNESCO’s decision to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

What does it celebrate?

International Mother Language Day’s objective is to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education, and to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

History of International Mother Tongue Day

International Mother Language Day originated as the international recognition of Language Movement Day, which has been commemorated in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) since 1952, when a number of Dhaka university students were killed by the Pakistani police and army in Dhaka during the Bengali Language Movement. To remember them there is a monument named Language Martyr’s Monument (Shahid Minar) in Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Every year more than a million people give flowers there. This is a big event in Bangladesh. Many foreigners visit Bangladesh just to experience the way of Bangladeshi people give respect to those brave hearts. In every district of Bangladesh has a Language Martyr’s Monument, where local people give flower to remember those brave hearts.

What do people do? 

In Bangladesh, February 21 is the anniversary of a pivotal day in the country's history. People lay flowers at a Shahid Minar (martyr's monument). They also: purchase glass bangles for themselves or female relatives; eat a festive meal and organize parties; and award prizes or host literary competitions. It is a time to celebrate Bangladesh’s culture and the Bengali language.

Let’s read some poems: You can read them either in their original language or in English.


Memleket İsterim
I Want a Country
Memleket isterim
Gök mavi, dal yeşil, tarla sarı olsun;
Kuşların çiçeklerin diyarı olsun.

Memleket isterim
Ne
başta dert, ne gönülde hasret olsun;
Kardeş kavgasına bir nihayet olsun.

Memleket isterim
Ne
zengin fakir, ne sen ben farkı olsun;
Kış günü herkesin evi barkı olsun.

Memleket isterim
Yaşamak, sevmek gibi gönülden olsun;
Olursa bir şikayet ölümden olsun.

Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı
   
 
I want a country
let the sky be blue, the bough green, the cornfield yellow
let it be a land of birds and flowers

I want a country
let there be no pain in the head, no yearning in the heart
let there be an end to brothers' quarrels

I want a country
let there be no rich and poor, no you and me
on winter days let everyone have
hose and home

I want a country
let living be like loving
from the heart
if there must be complaint, let it be of death

translated by Bernard Lewis

 Thank you for listening and participating!
Give yourselves a round of applause…
From BBC School Reporters

 
 

Thursday, January 12, 2017

25th November International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

PLS BBC School Reporters prepared PP presentation and a display during lunchtime to raise awareness about the issue. They also interviewed some students and teachers. 
Here is the PPP:

25 November- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence against women: 

  • is a human rights violation;
  • it is also a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women;
  • impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security;
  • is not inevitable. 


Facts:
Globally:
›Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data.
›In the UK:
›45% of women have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking;
›at least 80,000 women suffer rape every year;›around 85% of forced marriage victims are women. 
At least one in three women (globally) is beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused by an intimate partner in the course of her lifetime.

How can you help?
Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence;
Raise children to respect others: Teach children to treat others as they would like to be treated;
Volunteer in youth programs: Become a mentor. Get involved in programs that teach young people to solve problems without violence. Get involved with programs that teach teens about healthy relationships;
Become an activist: Participate in an anti-violence events; 
Lead by example: Work to create a culture that rejects violence as a way to deal with problems. Speak up against messages that say violence or mistreating women is okay.

Violence against women: Continues to be a global pandemic and Prevention is possible and essential.

Sources:
Walby, S. & Allen, J. (2004) Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office. London.
Forced Marriage: A Wrong not a Right, Home Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 2005
›Unifem (2003) Not a minute more: Ending Violence Against Women. United Nations Development Fund for Women. New York. http://www.un.org/women/endviolence/docs/VAW.pdf
› Walby, S. & Allen, J. (2004) Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office. London.
›  Unifem (2003) Not a minute more: Ending Violence Against Women. United Nations Development Fund for Women. New York. http://www.un.org/women/endviolence/docs/VAW.pdf















Tuesday, June 28, 2016

PLS BBC School Reporters' Refugee Week Presentation 2016


Who is a refugee?
 
 
A refugee is a person who is outside of their country of citizenship because they are scared of persecution. Persecution can be on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion and is unable to obtain sanctuary from their home or country.
 
 
 
Why do people become refugees?
· Wars

· Natural disasters

· Abuse or mistreatment

· Economic reasons

· Famine/poverty
 
How many refugees are there in the world?
Number of forcibly displaced worldwide: 59.5 million
During the year, conflict and persecution forced an average of 42,500 people per day to leave their homes and seek protection elsewhere, either within the borders of their countries or in other countries.
Last year, 51% of refugees were under 18 years old. This is the highest figure for child refugees in more than a decade.
 
 
How are refugees treated around the world?
Groups including the UN refugee agency UNHCR and Amnesty International have urged nations to stop treating vulnerable men, women and children like criminals.
“More refugees need such protection than ever before”, a spoke’s person for the UNHCR said last week. “We need to treat all human beings with respect and dignity. We need to ensure that the human rights of migrants are respected.”
More than 4000 people have died in desperate effort to reach the EU so far this year, but this is what awaits them when they arrive: finger printing, numbering, detention and police.
How can we help the refugees in the UK?
· The best way to help refugees is to donate cash to humanitarian organisations or charities. Cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to vulnerable people.
· Volunteer to help refugees
 
· Donate clothes / books / toys etc
 
· Offer a free room in your house
· Offer a property that could be used to house refugees
 
· If you are a professional you could help refugees integrate on arrival in the UK
 
· If you have a business and offer an idea that could help
 
· Foster a child
· Local authority or school can look for additional training to help build the emotional resilience of children in government’s care. 
  Famous refugees
Gloria Estefan- Cuban-American
                                                                                          Albert Einstein- German- American
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Omid Djalili - Iranian- British                                                                                           
                                               Rita Ora- Kosovon- British
Ever wonder how a child feels when forced to flee home? Leaving behind your loved ones and prized possessions is a traumatic separation. Here are some clips telling the stories of these refugee children:
 
                                                    
       
       
  
  
                          
  
  
 

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Refugee Week 2016

PLS BBC School News  Reporters presented in the school assemblies to celebrate The Refugee Week and raise awareness about refugees.


















PLS EAL Department also organised Refugee Week workshop. Students designed posters, leaflets and welcome cards.

Here are some photos from the event....