Rapid Language Learning 

I was struggling to figure out about what I should write. Although I am extremely opinionated and quite boastful of my own views there is always a slight confusion in my mind. It’s not that I have no views but there are just too many in my head for me to make a decision on which one would be best to talk about. Now, before I begin a ranting session about how it was hard for me to make a decision. Instead I will say the main reason I came to the decision of doing it about Language learning.  

Why should you care? 

This is exactly what I would have said to you a few years ago. I vividly remember when learning French and Spanish I honestly couldn’t care less. I was living in my whole world and was not in the slightest bit curious about other people’s lives, culture, how they lived and their purposes in life. Therefore, I didn’t care when learning French and Spanish which I intensely regret today. I wonder how fluent I would be if I did extra practice and how I missed my chance to become fluent in another language. 

See, I grew up in a trilingual household and spent my early years in a multi lingual country with many different languages all around me every day. See in Kenya which is where I’m originally from, everyone knows more than one language and it’s common for people to know more than 3 two. Maybe because I spent my early years there and moved to a country with largely one language I thought… I know more than the average here so it’s okay. I’m bilingual so, I’m doing okay. However, at least for me it became not okay. I started to really think about this when I made my first “true” friends. I call them true because I see those friends as friends whom I will always keep in touch with till I’m old. Anyways, those friends were all from several of backgrounds although they were all born in the UK. It was nice having friends from such diverse backgrounds but it also made me curious about their cultures as things they did at home sometimes varied from me. That was the first time I began to question English ignorance. By English ignorance I don’t mean British ignorance I mean the ignorance held by people who speak English as a first language.  

It made me question little things for example, when us English speakers go abroad and expect to find people who can speak English at our convenience, or how many European countries learn other European languages and know them fairly fluently and how most English speaking people probably only know “hello my name is …” It’s not really our fault though but it’s just sad to see English speakers lose out on this other world. When I started learning languages although I was already fluent in two it opened my eyes once again. It was like there was so much I didn’t know before. I regretted I didn’t start earlier. It may not be same for every person but for me it became a blessing and has now become one of my biggest interests. Even simple things like how others insult others in different languages and formal and informal forms of language that just made me so surprised. 

Anyways I’m drifting away from my point. Rapid Language Learning. If you are convinced I will help you through my own mistakes so you can avoid them in the future. There are a few simple things you need to know. 

1. 
   
   1.Don’t start a language if you aren’t interested in the culture – You won’t enjoy it trust me. A big part of language learning is having a goal. Watching the countries films and listening to their music, travelling there is a big part of language learning. Otherwise you’ll waste your time knowing this language you’ll never use in your life. 
   
   

2. 2.Try not to learn more than one at one time even if they are extremely different. You’ll find yourself mixing up words. Especially Spanish and Portuguese. 
   
   

3. 3.DON’T LEARN ROMANISATIONS- honestly I couldn’t say it enough. If you want to learn Romanisation then learn a European language. It may not seem like a problem at the start but later your pronunciation will be completely messed up. Especially in languages with very different character/writing systems. Not to mention how offensive it is also. Respect the languages you are learning 
   
   

4. 4.Take your time. Know every simple thing and understand how the language works before you move on. If you work too fast thinking you understand things such as grammar and pronunciation you are more bound to make mistakes. Grammar is never complicated if you are learning simple things like “I ate a potato” it starts to get complicated when you begin longer sentences “I ate a potato yesterday because I like and it was very good”. This is where things will get complicated and harder, slow down and understand how the grammar works first.
   
   

5. 5.Don’t give up. It will feel hard sometimes but think of how far you have come and continue. 
   
   

6. 6.This is probably the most important piece of advice. Forget about English when you are learning a language. Start as if you are a baby and don’t know anything. The rules that apply in English are most likely not going to work for the language you are about to learn. Also they may have more new rules. For examples some language don’t need you to use pronouns constantly so it may sound weird to use them. Whereas in English they are a necessity. E.g in English you have to say “she” went her. Whereas some languages you can remove the “she” as it’s often obvious by context. Don’t assume the rules that apply in English will be the same.  This also applies for languages with similar aspects such as Chinese and Korean. In Korean you learn characters that apply to each letter similar to English. You use them to make a word and sentence. This means if you know each character you can read anything without knowing what it means. Whereas in Chinese each character is unique to the word. This means you need to know every character to read it. 
   
   

7. 7.Practise speaking. You’ll feel awkward speaking if you are only writing how to write  
   
   

8. 8.Don’t feel embarrassed speaking and learning another language especially to native speakers. You learn from mistakes, it’s better to make them early and learn for life. 

The Images Of Sub-Saharan Africa

I don't blame people with their ignorance to Africa. How are people at fault when constantly reflected with the image of the poor starving African child I need of medicine or basic needs such as food or the American president who calls these countries "sh*t hole countries". See to be honest I moved to Europe Uk when I was around 8 and so I got to first hand experience the pure utter misrepresentation of Africa in the media and how disturbed people's perceptions are of not just the world but of sub-saharan Africa to be specific. It's truly crazy how far the perceptions have been destroyed that people don't even have an image of what Africa even truly is. The strangest thing is when people think of Asia they rarely think of it as a whole same with continents such as Europe. When you think of India you don't confuse it with China, despite their relatively close vicinity. This is not because they look different or have different cultures as countries in Africa have just as much variation whereas if I said Gambia and Senegal, I doubt you know anything relating to these countries. When you think of China although it may be a very disturbed image, you have an idea of what the culture is or what it looks like whereas if I say for example, Congo I doubt all you may know is the conflict it has.

This is not to hate on you but rather to make people think about how damaged their perceptions of certain countries are without their knowledge and how biased we actually are. Even though Africa is known as the most ethnically diverse continent people still prefer to group all countries into one small box. The realisation of these biases is extremely important because it shows how much media and representation affects our views on certain places. I remember when someone would make a snarky comment "oh Africa is poor and desolate" or "they walk around naked" I would say " no it isn't". Although I grew up in Africa for 8 long years. People who have never stepped a foot in an African country nor even have any relation to any African country or know its cultures they seem to believe they know a whole lot more about Africa, they believe they know more about my own continent, my own country although they know almost nothing about the individual countries and even what they cultures may look like. The image of Africa is so disturbed that people cancelled their trips to Tanzania and Kenya to go to European countries such as France and England during the ebola crisis when where the crisis happened was closer to France than Tanzania and Kenya. I mean "AFRICA IS THE SECOND BIGGEST CONTINENT". Actually "If you combine the USA, China, India, Europe and Japan - they all fit into the continent of Africa". Although, people still think everyone looks the same and acts the same and have the same cultures from the North, South to the West and East. It is crazy.

I'll take this opportunity to educate whoever whose reading this wth some ethnical and cultural facts so we can at least not say my positive views about Africa aren't misjudged. I will take this opportunity to reflect the Africa you don't see in the media. Firstly about the statistics 10 of some of the fastest growing economies are in Africa. These include, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Uganda, Siera Leone, Kenya and many more. Ivory Coast is outstanding in it's growth with 8.5% growth annually. Which is a lot although it doesn't sound like it as one of the countries with the highest GDP has a less growth. "China, despite experiencing a slowdown and an economic transition, was in 16th place with 6.5% expected growth".

Okay, since to not bore, I will also explain the difference ethnic and racial groups in Africa countries. The ethnicities in African countries can be grouped into many different groups. Here are some, Bantu, Arabs, Fulani, Khoisan, San, Oromo, Berbers and more.
Bantu people are used as a general label for around 300-600 ethnic groups around the continent who speak bantu languages. These languages are largely spoken is eastern south and central countries in Africa. Berbers are usually people who from the North of Africa. Commonly mistaken for "being white" although they are group of people who can have many different skin colours, facial features and more. They are typically mixed with any different people including arabs, sub-saharan africans and Europeans. Furthermore, Fulani or fula people are numbering around 20-25 millions of people who are traditionally believed to have roots in people from North Africa and the Middle East.

Stolen History

History is something largely important as African History has often being confused and lost and misjudged. For example the Great Zimbabwe which has an amazing structures built and a European observer denied it was actually built by Africans. Which now seems mad but it was used as an excuse to claim that country and culture for years. Furthermore, Egyptians which are often represented in films and media with white features and skin which is inaccurate to the actual Berber people and how they looked in the past. Furthermore, the little to no representation of the many different empires in African history, With the Mali Empire having a leader called Mansa Musa who was the richest man to ever lived and his tour to Mecca which caused inflation in many countries he travelled to and how many universities he created. Also the Ethiopian empires which were extremely powerful and long lasting. Also the trading histories of many African countries which had been trading with Arab countries and China for millions of years way before any European influence every even was reflected on the continent. 

Altogether, I care more about africans see themselves than how other countries see us. Us these selfish and cruel views we have towards Africa will not improve anything in the continent. Yes, it does have its problems but the answers have never been aid and giving random money to random money it is the history that china realised and created trading deals with the countries which have began rising Africa as a continent. If you give money to one child in one country it may help them escape death and heal their wounds but in the long run all it does is still leave the child to a life of poverty. We all need LONG-TERM solutions, LONG-TERM deals, My country in Kenya dealt with a deal of a loan with china and was able to built its first high-speed train which has not only imporved it's image but also has meant that business can increase throughout the whole country as before only sending something from one side of the country to other took hours and now a trip from Nairobi the city to Mombasa the second city takes only around 4 hours. These solutions make big changes, that offer solutions change, infrastructure and more. Also further improving comfort for African people and business throughout the country.

Here are some photos of sub-Saharan African creations:

These include countries such as (in order): Mali, Zimbabwe, Created by the Nubians, rest is east Africa trading stations and more: Kilwa Kisiwani and finally Ghana 

Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Review 

Except from the over complicated story line everything about this show was pure magic. Honestly, still one of the best shows period that I’ve ever seen. The plot, the background original sound tracks the filming the outfits. Everything was honestly amazing. There were some downsides but I’ll start with the positives. The storyline started with a young girl called Hae soo whom lived in this time and she jumped into a lake to save a drowning kid then she was about to die but right as she was about to die she had a reincarnation or body swap with a girl in around 198 to 1392 which was Goryeo Dynasty which isn’t fully specified the exact time but seemingly appears to be towards the end of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Ok, now let’s get to the good stuff. There were so many amazing aspects represented in the whole story line and it really aligns well with the actual history except from the Hae Soo part, obviously. It’s very interesting how the story is presented. The life of Hae Soo when she goes to the past is full of happiness sadness and all these many emotions. The brutality and violence of the time is also presented in the Lead male Gwangjong who in the future Hae Soo is aware of an image that he is a brutal king who killed all his brothers. Hae Soo is built with fear throughout on who is Gwangjong and the excitement is kept throughout, which keeps the audience quite excited and joyful for the ending.

The interest is kept as Hae Soo falls for the real girls’ aunt who is ill and is likely to die soon. Later on she falls for Gwangjong who initially scary however her aunt’s husband is a scarier person is some aspects as he abandons Hae Soo later. It’s strange as the writers presented him as the main male lead throughout the start and the sadness in the audience was reflected when he betrayed Hae Soo later on. This added a lot interest as he appeared as a pure character throughout but it turns out he wasn’t in the end. There are many other aspects that kept the reader glued to their computer screen. For example this was through the deaths of some of the characters; I know sadistic right, this included a court lady who became a mother figure to Hae Soo. She was first a mean and tough character but her flawless character development showed that she just knew that just knew the horrible time they were in, they lived in a world where you had to be tough to live well otherwise you would be left with just pain. One of the most pivotal moments when she took her life for Hae Soo. As she got killed I’m going to tell you know that every single person cried a river when they saw that scene. Another scene that makes everyone in tears was quite close to the start when Hae Soo’s aunt died of cancer. The scene was extremely powerful and well executed as it was just her husband (yes the one who abandoned hae soo later on) and Hae Soo walked in snow as he was carrying her and after a while she died as she died the most beautiful music played and her hand fell. That scene will haunt me for life.

The final character development I will talk about is the main “evil character” who was the cause of all evil and wanted to marry his half-sister (yes I’m ware that’s weird but at the time it was normal) the craziest moment is when he became king and as he was slowly dying the audience realised he just wanted his mother’s love the whole time. The idea was represented as it gave the audience a sense of pity for such an evil character. Altogether this show was crazy there were some horrible moments, so much death, some happiness but it all brought it together to create a masterpiece of a show that I will honestly, never forget.

English Language Blog

Moving School 

Moving to Doncaster has been a wild rollercoaster of a trip. It’s a strange emotion to be in a place far away from where you’ve spent a lot of your life. Apart from the random pronunciation confusion I would say that I’ve pretty much integrated myself quite well into this very earthy, “farmey” and “businessy” town. Everything except the school meals is okay, I guess. I was quite baffled and shocked looking at the school meals or rather shocked at the lack of it. The school meal is very snack-based in comparison to Reading school meals. There was sausage rolls, meat pastas, meat buns, meat, meat, meat!! If you still can’t see the similarity, there is basically a lot of meat. Which is quite funny? I used to think there weren’t enough options in my old school but now I kind of miss it. My canteen was huge with meals prepared everyday and different meals made from breakfast to lunch. There was a variety of pastas and even vegetarian sausages. There was a beautiful salad bar and pastries with a variety of options to put inside them. It was refreshing to see that there were options for halal meat there were vegetarian options and so much variety. In comparison, it doesn’t compare.  

I guess they want to support the farming industry or maybe something else. I just wish they had more variety. Another factor is my old school had a 6th form area with microwaves and sinks and kettles. This was an amazing addition as it meant they didn’t have to buy teas and coffees. They could also heat up their home brought food and ramen packets. That was an amazing addition. I’m not complaining, I promise. I don’t hate this school and I am fully aware how lucky I was in my old school but of course there will be bits and pieces I will miss whenever I think about my old school and that’s okay because I can always just move on because situations in life are there to challenge you and make you experience something new and I know that every situation in life is there to help you grow. 

The most shocking thing which I’m not quite used to yet is the difference in diversity. In reading everywhere is diverse. There are people from everywhere from Europeans from the west to the east even from the North. There are people of colour from corner to corner all speaking different languages eating different foods and speaking different languages. In my friendship group alone we had Europeans, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian and Kenyan all together speaking English being born in the United Kingdom. Except from me, of course. Whereas, Doncaster is extremely opposite. Doncaster is the least diverse place I’ve ever lived in my life. I guess I was just used to leaving in a place where there are different people everywhere. Even in Kenya there are different ethnicities and races ranging from Somali’s to Indians to Bantu and many other racial and ethnic groups. So I’ve always been to a diverse area. 

Redemption

one thing I have learnt in my life is that a goal is only accomplished by the actions that you take during the journey.

I don't get Hate

Why are people so horrible We all judge others for their way of life when in reality the best part of being human is how different we all are to each other The variety of beliefs and culture Us humans are complicated beings and it should not be unusual for us to like different things and not be the same i love us being different

Luxury & Necessity

why is there mass production on meat which destroys the planet because (global warming) okay, when it's not really important and most animals end up in the bin. Whereas some people can barely get a meal in days. I find waste the most annoying thing. Recently i've taken action myself, i try my best to recycle and also i don't buy food if i'm not going to eat it all. Not to mention most of my old clothes are given to charities, resold or recycled. It's not enough but it's an action. I hope everyone will try to do it too as a new start to 2016. We all have the luxury to eat everyday in fact 3 meals while some people rarely eat especially since a lot of them are little children and toddlers even babies at a very important stage of their development. Please try to not waste while others rarely eat. You don't know how lucky you are to be born in the country and the family you are in. It won't hurt to recycle. It won't hurt to resell or give your old clothes you will throw away to charities. Less than 3% of water is usable on the earth and most of it is in developed countries which is crazy since most people in developing countries find water as a luxury even though it's needed for life. It's crazy how all of us do silly things like accidentally leave the tap running when that water can be given to children with nothing. 1 in 10 people lack access to safe water and it honestly makes me sad. Since i was a baby i have never stayed a day without showering or drinking water while some have never had that. I haven't written this to make you feel guilty or to make you sad or change your mind about what kind of person you are going to be, i can't do anything about this. However i can speak my mind and try to change your mind. Together we can all make a difference and help, we could do so much. I can ramble and ramble about how we need to do this and that and what we need to change but in the end you can do whatever the hell you want to do and you can choose to read 3 lines of this paragraph and ignore. I'm not saying i'm the best at this but we can all just try even with little things at the comfort at our own home. A real hero doesn't have to be someone who goes to rural africa and gives water to children because they want publicity a real hero feels in their hearts that there is something wrong when in 2016 children are dying from malnutrition and has the guts to speak out and change their way of life for the future of those few children who get ignore everyday even when they are in pain.