Maria Arcentales portfolio by Perspectives: Yachay Tech English Language Program Level 6 Portfolios

Maria Belen Arcentales Yachay Tech University Language Program

My experience as an English speaker By Maria Arcentales English Language Program Yachay Tech University Level 6- 001 Teacher: Mark Alan Poese February 25, 2017 UrcuquĂ- Ecuador

CONTENTS 1.

REFLECTIVE LETTER

OPINION ESSAY

RESPONSE ESSAY

ARGUMENTANTIVE ESSAY

FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT

ESSAY

Maria Belen Arcentales Vera Yachay Tech University

February 23th, 2017

Dear Portfolio Reader,

I am Maria Belen Arcentales. I want to thank you for taking the time to read my English Portfolio. It is a collection of all my works that demonstrate how I have been progressing in my skills as an English learner at Yachay Tech University. In the next pages, I will present three essays and a research paper that reflect my feelings and emotions, as well as some scientific information. Therefore, I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. It is important to emphasize that the English program has been very important for my improvement as an English speaker. When I arrived at Yachay Tech University I almost did not understand anything that my English teacher was talking about because my learning at my high school was very basic. Nevertheless, with the passing of time, I was learning more things thanks to the help of my teachers and the assignments that I had to complete. Thus, now that I have finally finished Level 6 of English, I can say that I feel ready to start the fifth semester with all the subjects in the English language. At the beginning of level 6, I was afraid because I had to receive a lot of content in only one month. However, after much effort, I have managed to improve my level. In the writing part, I have learned to use transition words properly and formulate a good thesis statement of essays. The first writing assignment was an opinion essay, which was very useful because I could express all my thoughts, unlike in previous levels. However, I had a big problem with the APA format. Also, in the second essay, my worst problem was the references, that is, the same APA style weakness. However, with the help of my teacher and all the practice that I have had at this level, I consider that I have improved significantly at this point.

In addition, I have improved my skill in speaking in this course. In my first presentation, I had several errors in my pronunciation, but throughout the course I have been able to improve this weakness. One of the things that helped me most in this skill has been the warmup activity. That is to say, every day when we arrived at classes, the teacher asks us a reflective question, so we could express our ideas and improve our fluency. Also, it has been very useful to receive the feedback that the teacher gave me after each presentation, so I was aware of my mistakes. So, I consider that now I am able to understand my fifth-semester classes and even have a conversation with a foreign person Finally, this course has been a great help to me because I have not only learned to develop my English skills but also learned that although certain things seem difficult or impossible, I must continue. I know that I have many more things to learn and improve, so I pledge to continue practicing and reinforcing my second language. Thank you again for reading my portfolio. I hope you can see my English progress through it.

Sincerely,

Maria Belen Arcentales Vera

Running head: HOW MORALITY CHANGES IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

How Morality Changes in a Foreign Language María Belén Arcentales Yachay Tech

Author Note January, 2017 Crash Course L6-001

HOW MORALITY CHANGES IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

How Morality Changes in a Foreign Language. Have you ever thought that learning another language can change the way you think? All my life I had believed that the answer to that is no. I thought it could not change due morality is a matter of feelings and self- perception of life. However, after reading the article â&#x20AC;&#x153;How Morality Changes in a Foreign Languageâ&#x20AC;? (Sedivy, 2016), my beliefs and my way of thinking changed a lot. Definitely, this article has surprised me, because it shows real statistics and experiments that prove that people can react in distinct ways when the same question is asked in the native or foreign language.

After

a series of emotional and theological issues, I agreed with the author because his arguments show that with foreign languages people usually think of a utilitarian, relaxed and rational way. First of all, I am convinced that decision-making in a foreign language leads to a more useful result than with native language. In other words, as the author asserts, with a second language, the result will be less oriented to feelings and more to the rational side of things. In the article is stated that a good example of this is the tram dilemma. The number of people who would push one person on track to save five lives increases significantly when the question is asked in non-maternal language. So, the previous example shows that people prefer to take the risk of losing a person since, in the end, they would save more lives. That is, people opt for the "benefit" of things with a foreign language while that with native language morality would be more focused on not being guilty of the death of a person. Second of all, some people feel more relaxed when talking in a foreign language. The scientific article claims that the reason of this is that when we learn a language in an academic context, we do not develop the same emotional connotation that when we learn the native languages to be children. In my opinion, this is true because some

HOW MORALITY CHANGES IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

parents avoid talking about certain issues with their children even as they grow because they are considered taboos. On the other hand, when these topics are spoken in another language, the topics lack emotional meaning and are directed more to a scientific point of view. For example, a teen who had a child at age 15, every time she hears the word "pregnancy" she will surely remember her experience that will bring her bitter and good memories. However, to hear this word in another language will not have the same feelings, she will not feel the same emotions when she pronounces it. So, many topics can be spoken in a relaxed way in another language since they have no emotional load. Third of all, I consider that the author is right in affirming that learning a foreign language force to people to be more rational. This is because most people have preconceived ideas from other people.

So, if we ask for something in the native

language, it is most likely that the person will respond based on the opinions and thoughts from other people. Conversely, when asked in a foreign language, people are forced to think more before each decision. In addition, they will put their thoughts and ideas before anything else. To conclude, this article struck me because I did not know that when speaking new languages we lack emotional attachments. Consequently, our ideas will focus more on the search for own well-being although it does not always mean that it benefits everyone. In addition, it was important for me to know that although people are susceptible to being influenced by old memories of our childhood or by opinions of others when we are questioned in the native language, does not mean that it is so in a foreign language. Also, I was surprised to know that another result of talking in a foreign language is to find more rational solutions to problems. So, although my opinion was different before the reading, now I am totally convinced that the language strongly influences our morals.

HOW MORALITY CHANGES IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE References Sedivy, J.(2016) How Morality Changes in a Foreign Language

Running head: WHY SELF-EDUCATED LEARNERS COME UP SHORT

Why Self-Educated Learners Come Up Short Maria Arcentales Yachay Tech University

Author Note February, 2017 Crash Course L6-001

WHY SELF-EDUCATED LEARNERS COME UP SHORT

Response to “Why Self-Educated Learners Come Up Short” Have you ever questioned your education or training? Do you think formal education is better than self-education? Definitely, this is one of the most controversial issues in the educational field. In the article “Why Self-Educated Learners Come Up Short” (Young, 2010), as the title indicates, the author is against a student training based only on self-education. In fact, he claims that it is good that people learn by ourselves, but it is a big problem trying to replace a formal education with self-education. I agree with the author in several ways, among these are the importance of a degree and the need for logical curriculum content. However, I disagree with him because he does not refer to all the problems that are triggered by lack of experience even after taking a degree. First, the author claims that reading a couple self-help books per year is not the same as getting a degree. Additionally, Young implies that it is important that each person wants to learn and discover new things for themselves because there are many things that are not taught in a classroom, but this cannot replace formal education. I strongly agree with the author that the world has become so competitive because the demand for employment is much higher than supply. That is, there are a lot of young people who have not been able to get a job. Consequently, it is necessary to obtain a degree that certifies our knowledge. On the other hand, it is true that a professional title does not guarantee a good job and a good salary. However, this degree is an important step for a successful career because in most jobs this will be the first requirement, and this will allow us to compete for a job vacancy. In other words, obtaining a degree is important in today’s world because it allows us to face the challenges of the future.

WHY SELF-EDUCATED LEARNERS COME UP SHORT

Second, according to Young, a self- education is so hard because it is necessary to have an organized curriculum. The author explains that developing a curriculum and accomplishments it is not an easy task. I agree with Young because these study plans are designed by experts and scientists in universities, people who know how should to start and finish the order of topics. For example, ever since we were children, we have followed a determined order. First, we learn to talk, to write, to read and consequently we learn to perform mathematical operations and so on. Also, when we fail, the professors teach us one more time. Thus, how can a person prepare a plan if he/she just begins to know the subject? How can we go ahead with the study plan if we do not understand some subject? Going to college does not just mean sitting in a classroom; it's also having tutors to help us meet our goals. Third, Young talks about the benefits of formal education, but at no point does he mention the problems caused by lack of experience just by focusing on going to university. That is, we cannot pretend that by simply getting a degree we will have the world in our hands. It is necessary that during our university development we seek methodologies to gain experience and know people involved in the world of the career that we choose. For this reason, Jim Rohn, an author, speaker and business lecturer quotes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Formal education will make you a living self-education will make you a fortuneâ&#x20AC;? (2001). With this phrase, the author makes explains that it can become great also through the experience gained during self-education. Therefore, I believe that in order to have a complete development it is important to achieve both ways of preparation because in these two ways we develop different skills. Finally, in this article, Young compares the benefits and problems of selfeducation and formal education. However, he also mentions that it should not be

WHY SELF-EDUCATED LEARNERS COME UP SHORT

confused to learn different things and subjects with complete knowledge acquisition through formal education. Also, he shows some examples in which it proves that it is very difficult to have a self-education of quality. Like the author, I think that in order to be competent it is necessary to have a title. In addition, the university is necessary since there is certain syllabus that will help us to maintain organized learning. However, it is also necessary to develop skills for ourselves, to look for resources and methods of learning, and to put into practice what has been learned. With all of the above, I believe that the best way to achieve an effective and complete education is by merging selfeducation and formal education. In this way, people will be able to face and solve problems in different aspects of life.

WHY SELF-EDUCATED LEARNERS COME UP SHORT

References Ossola, A. (2014) Scientists Are More Creative Than You Might Imagine. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/11/thecreative-scientist/382633/ Rohn, J. (2003) The Art of Exceptional Living. Young, S. (2010) Why Self-Educated Learners Often Come Up Short

Maria Belen Arcentales Vera Yachay Tech University

February 23th, 2017

Dear Portfolio Reader,

Sincerely,

Maria Belen Arcentales Vera

Running Head: GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

Graphene, the Material that will Revolutionize the Future María Belén Arcentales Yachay Tech

Author Note February, 2017 Crash Course L6-001

2 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

Abstract Graphene has become a controversial subject in the scientific field because it has extraordinary properties that certify a great impact on the development of the world. The purpose of this paper is to disclose the incredible properties, characteristics and applications of this innovative material that will revolutionize the world of technology. Also, this paper will show the different scientific points of view and reactions to certain disadvantages of graphene. Keywords: graphene, carbon, technology.

3 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

Graphene, the Material that will Revolutionize the Future Have you ever imagined reading the news of the day reflected in your cup of coffee? Nowadays, great scientific and technological advances have completely changed the world view, optimizing time, facilitating communication, improving the performance of things and so on. However, there is still a great world to decipher. Therefore, scientists have proposed that in the not too distant future, a "miracle material" known as graphene will revolutionize the world through superior development. Graphene is a two-dimensional material made up of carbon atoms, covalently bonded together. Also, according to Geim (2009) graphene presents a structure of atoms arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern, allowing it to be the thinnest and known material in the universe. Consequently, graphene research is paramount importance and utility for the improvement of the world because it presents several properties such as: electronic, mechanical, optical and thermal that will allow to develop incredible applications. First of all, graphene has many electronic properties because its structural flexibility. Graphene has been defined as a polyclinic aromatic hydrocarbon, infinitely alternating with rings of only 6 carbon atoms. The main properties of graphene are: it is zero-overlap semimetal with high electrical conductivity. In other words, electrons can travel through the graphene sheet as if they had no mass, even though that velocity is one-hundredth of the speed of light. Also, graphene has a high mechanical strength and it has a thickness of 4.9 angstrom i.e.4,9 *10^-8 cm. Consequently, all these mechanical properties mentioned above allows it to be useful for multiple technological applications, mainly in terms of integrated circuits. Several electronic companies have demonstrated their interest in graphene to develop new devices and touch screens. Among companies interested in graphene are Samsung Advanced Institute of

4 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

Technology and the core R&D incubator for Samsung Electronics that have developed a new transistor structure utilizing graphene (Science Journal, 2016.) Their challenge is to develop devices that have plastic touch screens instead of glass. So, these technological tools would be lighter and more flexible. Also, cell phones could be as thin as a sheet of paper. Another useful application is the creation of solar plates made with graphene. In the future it is proposed to have backpacks with solar panels capable of charging laptops. Definitely, graphene is a material with interesting properties and a promising future in the electronics industry. Second, graphene is a material with unique mechanical properties. Until recently, diamond, a carbon allotrope, was considered as the hardest material with a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. However, according to Jaffrey Kysar and James Hone (2004), professors of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, graphene outperforms diamond hardness and is 200 times more resistant to breakage than steel. The research consisted of making holes of one micrometer wide on a sheet of silicon, and in each of the holes a sample of graphene was introduced. Graphene could be broken only with a sharp instrument made of diamond thus demonstrating the power of graphene. In addition, according to latest research, the hardness of graphene is of great importance mainly in the field of nanotechnology, since it can withstand great pressures without deforming. For example, a sheet of carbon is able to resist the weight of very heavy elements like gold without suffering any change. Thus, graphene facilitates the creation of new miniaturized electronic devices. Furthermore, graphene can be used along with other materials such as plastic to make compounds that can replace certain metals, especially in the automotive industries because there are a lot of harmful metals to the environment. In addition, some research argues that graphene could replace

5 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

silicon. That is to say, the amazing mechanical properties of the graphene allow a wide field of application of this material. Third, graphene is a material that will revolutionize the world of optical communications because it allows the development of portable optoelectronic devices. According to research by scientists at the University of Berkeley (2013), it is possible to make a device from graphene, capable of allowing or not the passage of light, ie create an optical modulator. Also, graphene can provide a viable solution for photo detection of silicon at the wavelengths of communications (Graphene Flagship researchers 2016). Therefore, the magnetic and electronic properties make graphene an extra-ordinary material for plasmonic metamaterials. A plasmonic material is used to exploit the surface plasmon and of this mania to attain optical properties that do not appear to exist. Consequently, plasmons can alter the properties of graphene so that graphene is used for applications that require very fast and efficient as the photovoltaic effect. Fourth, graphene is an excellent thermal duct. The study of this material is of great importance because although it possesses a composition similar to other carbon alloys such as nanotubes, graphite or diamond, graphene has the highest value of thermal conductivity. Also, the thermal conductivity of graphene is isotropic, ie it is the same in all directions. This phenomenon responds to the presence of elastic waves that propagate in the graphene network, also known as phonons. Several researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK), Emerson Ltd. (UK), the Institute of Photonic Sciences (Spain), Nokia (UK) and the University of Ioannina have developed a graphene-based pyroelectric bolometer. That is an instrument that measures the total amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object. The novelty of the creation of this instrument from graphene is that it can detect infrared radiation by measuring tiny temperature changes with an ultra-high level of accuracy (Nature Communications,

6 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

2017) Therefore, graphene is a potential tool for the new technological age, because although the thermal conductivity is very low in most materials, this material is the exception. On the other hand, some research have shown that graphene has certain toxic properties both for the health of humans and for the environment. According to Brown Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s researchers (2016), graphene has sharp edges that can perform cell membranes. Also, being such a thin material, graphene "can be ingested during the manufacturing process, during the life cycle of a product, or through other environmental channels involuntarily." (Dvorsky, 2013.) Consequently, graphene could enter the interior of the cell and disrupt normal functions. In addition, a research realized by the Bourns College of Engineering of the University of California in Riverside says graphene has harmful effects on the environment. This study contrasts the behavior of graphene in groundwater and surface water. Graphene nanoparticles tend to disappear in underground areas since there is not much evidence of organic material whereas in surface waters, these nanoparticles remain stable and tend to be very mobile which could cause damage to ecosystem. Accordingly, while the majority of scientists ensure a total success in the applications of graphene, both in the development of solar panels, electronic devices, and even in biomedicine, there are others who think that they should be extremely cautious in its use. However, referring to the alleged damages related to health, it should be noted that the most of research on graphene, are not directly related to their use to improve or modify the biomedical field. That is, it does not have a direct relation with the health of the human being. Also, if from the scientific point of view is considered benefits vs costs of graphene, the advantages that this material offers exceed the slight disadvantages of graphene. The solution should not be to stop the research of the

7 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

graphene for the damages that this possibly can cause. On the contrary, new research should be implemented to find viable solutions to possible toxic problems and to take advantage of the all benefits that graphene offers. Finally, graphene is a material composed of pure carbon. However, it differs from the other elements or carbon allotropes by their wonderful qualities. Also, graphene is the most singular material as it is the hardest known elements on earth. Graphene is a material that presents a number of interesting properties, since it can be used in a wide range of purposes. One of the areas of research on graphene is electronica, since this material is the largest electrical conductor, meaning that electrons travel freely regardless of mass. So, graphene can be used in flexible electronics, that is, in the creation of flexible touch screens. Also, this material presents several mechanical properties as its resistance through which incredible results can be obtained in the development of increasingly smaller devices. Besides, the optical properties allow that graphene can allow or not the passage of light. Moreover, the study of the thermal conductivity of graphene is of great importance because it is possible to create instruments to measure the amount of electromagnetic radiation. With all of the above and as Ping Sheng, a professor of nanoscience at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said "graphene has great potential, especially in industrial applications for optical and electronic devices" (2014). In other words, graphene has been an impressive discovery since it is a useful tool in most areas. Also, this material provides greater stability so it is predicted that it may end up replacing several elements of what we know today.

8 GRAPHENE, THE MATERIAL THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE

References Brody, H. “Graphene,” Nature Outlook, Supplemen tto Nature, March 15, 2012, 483 (7389), March 15, 2012, Supplement pp S29–S44: http://www.nature.com/nature/-outlook/graphene/ Geim

(2009),

Graphene:

Status

and

Prospects.

Retrieved

from

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/324/5934/1530?variant=fulltext&sso=1&sso_redirect_count=1&oauth-code=7c20c0fe-03c4-4873-a52e4521aba39182 MIT Technology(2017) Review from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/410479/strongest-material-ever-tested/ Nobel Prize (2017) Retrieved from https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2010/press.html Voldman Steven (2013), Electrical Overstress (EOS): Devices, Circuits and Systems.

Thank you for reading my portfolio. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Respectfully yours,

Maria Arcentales