Method Section for Mei-Lan

 In this pilot study, the sample was 10 elderly persons from the local Chinese community, contacted trough thirds persons. Thus, it is not enough for a statistical analysis because the size of the sample is too little and also it was not selected according to a random procedure. The interviews were developed according to the methodology of “semi-structured” interview, i.e. a conversation which begins with a list of questions but is doing their own way between the researcher and the interviewed. The interviews were developed in Mandarin, Taiwanese, or English, according to the most comfortable language of the interviewed. In the same target, all the interviews were realized in a one-to-one situation, face-to-face. These conversations last about one hour each. This methodology was reviewed and approved by the Review Board.

"An Inconvenient Truth" and the Five Elements of an Argument

The documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” is a good example of the structure of an argument. In first place, the film points out warrants, i.e. general principles which can make stronger the relationship between claims and reasons. For instance, a warrant developed is the analogy with a frog, which did not jump out of a pot when the water is warming. Other warrants are the quotes which are not related to global warming, but appear as irrefutable truths.

The main claim in the movie is “the world climate is changing, become warming”. For this claim, the main reason is the emissions of CO2, which are called greenhouse gases, for their effect in the atmosphere. As evidences, he shows a lot of pictures, videos and charts with statistics about temperatures, glaciers, floods, and drought.

Finally, as responses to objections and counterarguments, Gore presents a meta-study which illustrated different approaches to global warming between researchers and media. While the academia strongly supports his point of view, in the press almost a half of articles are skeptics and refers climate change like a possibility, not a fact.

Two articles about second language learning in nonnative students

Le, Jiayong (2004).  Affective characteristics of American students studying Chinese in China: A study of heritage and non-heritage learners' beliefs and foreign language anxiety. Ph.D. dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin, United States -- Texas. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text.(Publication No. AAT 3150676).

Loewen, S., Shaofeng, L. I., Fei, F. E. I., Thompson, A. M. Y., Nakatsukasa, K. I. M. I., Seongmee, A. H. N., and Xiaoqing, C. H. E. N. (2009). Second language learners' beliefs about grammar instruction and error correction. The Modern Language Journal, 93(1):91-104.

Time managing and graduated students in U.S.

Going to the United States for do a graduated study is a great chance to learn new experiences, to broaden perspectives and to develop in multiples dimensions. According to data from the Institute of International Education in 2008/2009, 283,329 students came to the U.S. to study for a Master or a PhD. However, most of international students who comes to the U.S. find difficulties. One of the key challenges to solve is time management.

One of the most used solutions for this problem is to make a detailed weekly schedule. With this tool, each student can distribute their time according to their needs. Probably, if the student can follow their schedule, it could be a helpful solution for their time managing challenge.