Distance Education

Do you have any plan to pursue your further education abroad? Will you need English for your career or your education? If so, you may wish to investigate your options for learning, or improving, your English skills.



The TOEFL Test: TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is a test used by many colleges, universities, government agencies and exchange and scholarship programs in the US, UK and Canada as a means of evaluating the language skills of a person whose first language is not English.

You can find TOEFL study guides easily online with other recommended resources listed. You may be able to access some of the sample tests and prepare with personal study. Or you may look for a class with an instructor to help you prepare for the test.



ESL Classes: ESL classes are a common means for students to learn English with group of classmates. These can be in the form of an evening class with various individuals attending or may be part of a college program during the day.



The course length and the topics covered will differ from country to country and school to school. Some summer programs are geared for international students to gain a basic grasp of the language before starting studies in English taught classes of the college or university.



Since the standards of passing a course, or the course material itself, will vary drastically, some students may feel that the language skills gained upon completing the course does not equip them to handle school work or social interactions adequately.



Some schools offer students and alternative of home-stay programs for students. Home-stay programs benefit the student by placing them for several weeks or months with a host family that speaks English. The student is then able to immerse him or herself in the culture and social speaking of the English country they are living in. There are also online ESL programs that may be suitable for distance education, especially if programs are not readily available in your area.



Private Tutors: Another popular method of learning English is with private tutors. The materials and methods used by ESL tutors will vary greatly and it is important to establish what material will be used and to feel comfortable with the tutor. Asking friends or other students for references can be helpful in finding a good tutor.



A combination of these English learning methods will be effective as well. You can take a summer course while staying with a home-stay host family and then arranging for private tutoring during the school year. Making an effort to use your new language skills regularly in social situations will improve your progress regardless of the program or course you are using.

AUSTIN, TX June 24, 2004 -โ€" In April, the President's U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy cited a "critical need" to protect ocean resources from exploitation and pollution. That's hardly news to Paul Ellis of Austin.



The 61-year-old grandfather and former U.S. Marine Corps pilot has been training for four-plus years โ€" more than 5,000 miles -- to swim Mexico's Yucatan Channel to raise public awareness of the perils facing the coral reefs and the world's "one ocean that goes by many names."



At 2 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2004, Ellis, founder and chairman of Austin Business College, will brave Caribbean waters in an attempt to swim the 35 miles from Cozumel Island to mainland Cancun. The environmentalist and sports enthusiast has dedicated himself to "inspiring millions of world citizens still uncommitted to get informed and to take action."



"The dream success of my mission would be for one million persons to join an organization dedicated to our common goals and to work in their communities and their civic and political circles on behalf of clean water issues," Ellis emphasized. "I don't care which of the organizations listed at my Web site, www.swim4thereef.com , they choose to support. Good work is being done. Whether you are a homemaker or a lawmaker, the need for individual involvement before it is too late is absolutely critical."



On May 8, to launch his present channel quest and in recognition of May being National Senior Citizens Month, he became the first person ever to swim from Miller Dam to Longhorn Dam on Austin's Town Lake. He completed the seven miles along the Colorado River in three hours and 35 minutes, about the same amount of time it took to convince the City Council to lift its long-standing, no-swimming ban on the lake for the attempt.



Ellis' courageous undertaking also is designed to recognize and support the organizations, foundations and citizens groups committed to preserving earth's life-giving eco-systems. "That includes the Mexican government for its major success in implementing a National Marine Park off the Island of Cozumel and protecting the Meso-American Reef system," he said.



Frigid Training, Fresh Support



The environmental crusader has been training up to seven hours a day in the chilly 68-degree waters of Austin's Barton Springs pool to make good his second attempt at crossing the channel.



In 2002, he was personally coached by former Mexican Olympic swimmer Josh Ilika, had a nutritionist and a phalanx of physicians. However, he was forced to cut short the endeavor after 11 grueling hours, due to severe changes in the currents. This time, Ellis has been given access to more than 20 years of studies and satellite images of the impulsive Yucatan currents.



The Vietnam veteran, a decorated medi-vac pilot, has already spent more than $30,000 in personal funds to take on the "dangerous enterprise" -- sharks, jellyfish, currents, winds, and even passing cruise ships and their dangerous wakes. The swim, 14 miles longer than an English Channel crossing, may take up to 15 hours. And lest one think he is foolhardy, Ellis is the first to declare, "I am not a daredevil. I'm an educator."



The swim, which will take him about 15 miles offshore in water that is 4,000 feet deep, is not sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), the worldwide, swimming sports governing organization. However, Ellis has self-imposed specific ground rules.



He will not touch any of the three boats that will accompany him. His sons, Colin, Paul Matthew and Tres, will ride alongside him in a boat to help watch for menacing sharks and lightning, which will signal his exit from the water. He will then re-enter the water when it is safe at the exit point recorded by a mobile global positioning system (GPS).



"We live in a time in which every living system on earth is in decline, and that rate of decline is accelerating. We are losing our forests, fisheries, coral reefs, topsoil, water, biodiversity and climate stability. Our land, sea and air are being transformed from life-supporting systems into repositories for waste," Ellis opines. "We have lost more than 25% of the world's coral reefs. At the present rate of destruction, 60% of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by 2034."



"Really, there is just one ocean on this planet, but it goes by a lot of different names. Both it and the reefs form an amazing ecosystem that is the source and resource for all living organisms," he said. "The steps we take now may not have an impact for decades. The steps untaken, however, may well doom a major portion of our planet and an untold number of species."



Scientific Concern...Public Awareness



To reinforce the commitment to his cause, Ellis and friends hosted a free public showing of the IMAX film "Coral Reef Adventure" at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on June 17. About 260 persons attended and learned more about the swim and the role reefs play as the "canary in the mine shaft."



"I've been a sport diver for more than 30 years. Through my own dive mask I have seen the deterioration of the reefs for decades," Ellis told the audience. "It is why I decided to do something about it and why I'm asking others to join me."



Reef Check's Gregor Hodgson, an ecologist and professor at UCLA, said reef protection is important for the environment and science. He says coral reefs rank second only to rain forests for biodiversity and are a proven, valuable source for medical researchers. Chemical compounds found on reefs have been used to fight cancer and HIV, the virus that causes the AIDS disease.



"That's why we should take care of reefs," Hodgson said. "Everything is linked in these ecosystems. If we pull that particular link, it's likely to destabilize the entire earth function."



Ellis' saltwater quest and determination to enroll citizen-activists has caught the attention of local and national media. Ellis has been featured by the Associated Press; the Austin American-Statesman; "Touch of Grey", a syndicated, 50-station radio show; by Texas State Network (radio), and all five area television stations. Upcoming national coverage will appear in Fathoms Magazine, Rodale's Dive Magazine and on ESPN Radio News.



Ellis' confidence and compelling story has inspired the making of a documentary film that captures this compelling human spirit and environmental story. Brad Boyd, executive producer at Angel Productions in Lago Vista, Texas (angelproductions@earthlink.net) is working with researchers from Duke University, the University of Texas at Austin, the Oceanic Conservation Organization, the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation and a growing list of other worldwide, committed environmental organizations to supplement Ellis' story and to educate the public about the importance of the coral reef systems.



"Ellis is an extraordinary man attempting an extraordinary feat for an extraordinary cause. I only hope I am up to accurately capturing his bravado, intensity and devotion," Boyd said.



Mexican Officials Involved




In mid-June, Ellis and Boyd met with Robert Cudney, Director of the National Marine Park of Cozumel, which support the swim, including deployment of a patrol boat. Cudney will speak at the Swim4theReef "Celebrate Cozumel" International Reef Party surrounding the event.



Other officials "on board", include Raul Marrufo, Director-General of Economic Development and Tourism of Cozumel and (Mayor) Carlos Hernandez-Blanco, Presidente de Municipal of San Miguel del Cozumel.



Sergio Sandoval is the expert consulting on Yucatan currents and environmental elements, along with his daughter Betty, a record-holding distance swimmer who also is a team member. Sandoval was a friend, advisor and guide to the late Jacque Cousteau when his research vessel The Calypso visited Isla Cozumel waters.



Cozumel's Palancar Reef and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are the two largest living organisms on earth, a feat requiring 50 million to 60 million years to accomplish. The damage to the reefs has largely occurred during the past 100 years due to global warming, overfishing and pollution. Still, an estimated 300 million persons now rely on fish from the reefs for food.



"Whether I succeed in the swim or not, my invitation is clear: Be a part of history, join the fastest growing, most powerful movement in the world...to protect the living systems of our planet earth," Ellis said, adding "I wish I could deliver that message in every known language in the world. Get in the water! Get informed. Take Action. Tell others."



For more details, map of swim route, digital images of Ellis, project updates and sponsor information or ways you can get involved, go to www.swim4thereef.com .



FOR INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS OR SPONSORSHIPS:

Preston F. Kirk, APR, The Chrisman Group, Austin TX, 830-693-4447; kirk@281.com,

Jacque Chrisman, Principal, 512-345-8969; jchrisman@chrismangroup.com

The territory of Latin America has experienced a big economical growth and development during the 90s of the last century. It seemed that difficulties were overcome and new stage of development was achieved. The crisis of the 80s was left behind and new perspective and horizons of development in the economical, political and social field appeared for countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. But the euphoria and happiness caused by the rapid success and major changes was changed to new depression nowadays. And though the crises in not as deep as it used to be in the last century and steps to progress were made, problems the countries from Venezuela through Peru to Argentina face today are essential and it's evident that brave and courageous expectations for rapid changes and "economical wonder" will not come true.
Political leaders and governors of the Latin American countries proclaim the ideas of economical growth, reduced poverty, social equality, opportunities for personal development, business development and the equality between the representatives of the different classes. These are the things ordinary people who choose their governess seek also. So, sounds like both - ordinary people and their governors seek for the same thing. But still this doesn't happen or even if it does, the changes are too slow and the short periods of progress are interrupted by the long periods of stagnation. There were made a lot of researches to find the possible reasons of such a situation and possible ways of solutions. A lot of scholars from different fields share same point of view. They all state that educational systems of the countries and educational traditions formed through the centuries have a very big influence on the economical, political and social life of the countries.
Changes which take place in these countries occur in the historical and cultural context where education was never considered to be essential and important part of the system. In the past countries of Latin America and the Caribbean were dominated by the small groups of educated elite and the rest of the population didn't get any education at all. Hieratical and highly stratified society was closed for the outer influences and very slow to change. This is how Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz describes the difference in the structure of societies and ways of thinking of Latin America and the US: "To cross the border between is to change civilizations. Americans are the children of the Reformation, and their origins are those of the modern world; we Mexicans are the children of the Spanish empire, the champion of the Counterreformation, a movement that opposed the new modernity and failed."
It's common truth that universal high-quality basic education prepares people to take responsibilities for their lives, makes them creative, independent individuals who make a health and developed society. "As education develops, poverty and inequality will be over-come," states Enrique Iglesias, the President of the Inter-American Development Bank.
The historical development and cultural traditions of Latin American and the Caribbean countries have left the prophesy which created the problems in the education modern society has to deal with now. And though a big effort during several last years was made to overcome them, these problems are still topical. These problems include the lack of trained and qualified teachers (poor salary teachers get for their job can be one of the roots of the problem), lack of monitoring of teaching and programs, problems with distanced learning using such modern educational techniques as Internet. Cube looks like a very nice exception among the countries of Latin America which faces a lot of problems in the sphere of education. A lot of research was made to find out the reason of such a difference and finally it was proved that such a good state of the educational system was created by the higher number of good teachers. Also Cuban teachers are often evaluated, and those who fall behind are sent back for refresher courses.
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Tips to good proofreading and editing?

Learning to effectively proofread and edit is a specialised field and it is important to have a good understanding of the industry and be able to apply acquired skills in a theoretical and practical manner. Lifestyle Learning Direct, one of the Gold Coast's premier online learning and correspondence course providers has some important tips to being a good proofreader or editor. To be a good proofreader or editor you need to:

1. Differentiate between the different editorial, proofreading and typesetting roles in the publishing industry.

2. Be able to identify common spelling, punctuation, grammatical and layout errors in printed text.

3. Be proficient in applying and understanding the functions of the various parts of speech, such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives.

4. Demonstrate the correct use of Australian industry-recognised editing and proofreading symbols.

5. Have an understanding of computer applications within the publishing industry.

6. Have a more comprehensive knowledge of the written application of numerals, abbreviations, capitalisation, italics, etc.

7. Understand the importance of checking facts contained in written text.

8. Have a more competent knowledge of all theoretical and practical aspects of copy editing and proofreading.

9. Be proficient in spelling, grammar, punctuation and the application of editing symbols

How can you become better at Proofreading and Editing?

To gain professional proofreading and editing skills it is best to undertake a professional course that teaches you essential skills. Lifestyle Learning Direct is a leader in the provision of Professional Editing & Proofreading distance education online courses which aim to give students a broad knowledge of the industry competency in both the theoretical and practical application of this knowledge.

With comprehensive coverage of the necessary components of good English, such as spelling, punctuation, syntax and grammar, the student will develop the ability to recognise and correct all manner of spelling, punctuation, grammatical and typesetting errors. Courses available will benefit anyone who is interested in writing as a career, to supplement a career that involves writing things such as reports, publicity blurbs, news articles, marketing material, and so on and to undertake professional editing and proofreading as a career.

For more information in relation to available editing and proofreading courses please contact Lifestyle Learning Direct

The need for you to find and attend a good distance education school cannot be  overemphasized. The reason is because of the perception of  numerous employers out there about certificates obtained by graduates. These employers will only employ you if you have the right certificate. So, if you attended one of the  numerous diploma mills out there, you should not expect the employers to respect your certificate and employ you.

This is why it is very  essential for you to attend only accredited schools. The certificates and programs of these schools are well respected by employers and they often prefer graduates of these institutions.  Make Certain that you check the accreditation status of the school with the appropriate accrediting agencies.

Attending a distance education school is highly  recommended if you are unable to pay for a traditional school.  Furthermore, it is good for you if you have to keep a job and family at the same time. This means that you don't have to leave your job. The class work and assignments can be completed at your own pace.  Furthermore, you can complete the program anytime and anywhere you want.

While it is good news to know that there are  numerous institutions out there offering distance education, I urge you to look before you leap. Many of them often send unsolicited mails to  individuals all over the world. This is wrong. Good and reliable schools don't do such thing. You are only sent mails if you request for more information on the school and its programs. So,  stay away from schools you come across in your mailbox. They are not accredited by relevant authority. You can get useful information from  individuals online in forums. They will give you helpful information on the genuine schools as well as the schools you should  stay away from like a plague.

Choosing the best one out of the many distance education universities out there is  usually a major problem. There are so many of them and they all claim to offer you the best form of education in the comfort of your room or office. But if you take note of the following  guidelines in this  piece of writing, you will not have problem determining which university to attend.

 To begin with, the most  indispensable thing to watch out for is the accreditation of the university. You can not joke with this factor if you don't want to waste your time and hard earned money. Never let them deceive you that they are accredited. You need to check it out with the relevant accrediting agencies. In fact, I  advise you to start your search from there. That will narrow down your search and make it easy for you to choose. Not only must the university be accredited,  ensure that the course or program you are enrolling for is also accredited. An accredited school with an accredited course or program will give you the best education you ever want.

 Furthermore,  ensure you look critically at the staff of the school. Genuine universities will certainly let you have some vital information about your prospective teachers or lecturers. You need to know if they have the required qualification to handle the course you are enrolling for.  Furthermore,  ensure you go through the course you're enrolling for. Are you sure the program will make you what you wanted at the end?

The need to attend a highly reputable distance education university cannot be overemphasized. There are many of them out there. It is highly  advisable that you hang out in education forum on the web in order to know these universities. Ask questions from members and they can tell you what they know about the university you're considering. This will help you  evade all those diploma mills on the web.

It is highly  advisable that you  evade universities that offer you degree or diploma for doing nothing. Don't be deceived by their gimmicks that you don't have the time to wait for one or two years before you can get the certificate. It's true you want the certificate fast, but a good certificate cannot come easy that way. All the certificates being awarded by these fake universities will not do your career any good. So,  evade them.

It is  well known that once you stop  studying, you will stop growing intellectually.  Consequently, it means that it is very feasible to  get hold of any form of education you want in any field once you are determined. All you have to do is to look for a good and reliable distance education university.

There are many institutions of learning out there that are informed of the needs of  human beings like you.  Consequently, they designed the program to accommodate your busy schedule. You get to attend and do all the class works in the comfort of your room.  Consequently, the cost of transiting and accommodation is therefore saved. While it is good news that there are many institutions out there offering distance education, it also creates another problem. many  human beings don't know what to look for when  hunting for the right university. This  piece of writing will show you some of them.

One of the things you must look at and never  forget is the accreditation status of the university. You must  make certain that you attend an accredited institution as most employers out there don't accept the certificate of just any institution. They are informed of the diploma mills on the  Web. So, check with the relevant accrediting bodies whether the university you want to attend is fully accredited.  Additionally, you must  make certain that the course or program you are enrolling for is accredited.

Another thing you must watch out for is the ease of the technology. While a basic knowledge of the computer and the world wide web is a requirement by most universities, the technology employed must be one that you can quickly grasp. You should be able to get hold of it within minutes.  Additionally, you need to know how frequent the institution's website is updated.

Getting a distance education university is not that  hard. Simply enter the term into a search engine and you will be presented with lots of them. Some are  recognized than others.  Additionally, some are  expensive than others. But you must bear in mind the  advice in this  piece of writing before making your final choice.