Many people recently reflect Martin Luther King through the Barak Obama. People say King’s dream came true by an African American becoming a new president of America. Martin Luther King was authentic activist for civil right in USA. Especially, he tried to advocate African American’s civil rights for all his life.
King was born as a son of a minister on January 15 in 1929. Although Lincoln had liberated slaves through the Civil War victory, at that time, there existed a lot of racial discrimination in USA. For example, African American had to give up their seats to the white people in the bus, and even highly educated African American couldn’t have the rights to vote or serve on juries.
In 1954, King became a minister, and by this time, he was working as a member of organization for advancement of African American. At that time, a trigger happened in Montgomery, which became the starting point of civil right movement for African American. A Black female was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to white man. King led boycott to secure equal rights in the bus for 382 days. After all, he ended racial segregation on all Montgomery bus through the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. After that, his civil right movement continued.
During his activity, he faced hundreds of death threats and his house was bombed. However, he didn’t give up his work. Although he suffered from lots of violence, he continuously insisted nonviolence protest due to influence from Gandi. As a result, in 1964, he became the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial discrimination.
Besides the Nobel Peace Prize, he has influenced to American. He made a speech ‘I have a dream’. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” This address is recognized as one of the famous speeches in the 20th century. After he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, the third Monday in January is designated as American national holiday in memory of his birth. Although he was dead, his thought and dream are being remembered and coming true.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The courage of the Martin Luther King
Effective approach to learning English
Numerous people study English in the world and many people try to search for the most effective method in learning English. We can see in the internet that a lot of experts and individuals suggest their best ways to study English. I’d like to add another good ways as follows.
First, people should have clear purpose of studying English. According to their reason of studying, the direction of studying and textbook will be different. For example, people who prepare studying abroad should study the TOEFL, whereas people who want to learn practical English for using in company should study the TOEIC.
Second, repetitive practice and memorizing is essential. Even though many people used to select English textbooks, there aren’t so many people to study the textbook from start to finish. Advertising experts say that people should see advertisement at least three times for the advertisement to have an effect on the viewer. It is same to learn language. Learning a language basically require memorizing more than comprehension. Therefore, after memorizing useful expressions and vocabulary, practicing the expressions in the real life is helpful to enhance English ability in a short time.
Finally, comprehensive approach to the studying is important. Sometimes people used to have a prejudice that speaking is more important than any other things, so they only practice speaking. In my experience, that type of studying is very foolish. In studying English, everything such as speaking, listening, reading and writing is important. Reading provides people with various expressions and conversation source. Through writing, people can arrange their thoughts about some topics. People can double their English ability through speaking and listening due to cultural exchange. As a result, balancing each part in studying is necessary.
To learn English is difficult process. It needs a lot of effort and time. By following above ways, people could reduce trial and error in learning English.