A selection of visitors letters are published below. From December, we will be looking at some of the Personal Problems that have come into our postbag. Thank you for your suggestions and contributions, particularly your comments regarding the layout of this website. We pay close attention to your views. If you have something to say, e-mail: enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com . Write 'Letters' in the subject box.
Scientists answer Guardian readers' toughest energy questions guardian.co.uk
Nine of the world's top energy scientists answer your questions on topics from peak oil to nuclear fusion
1. Could we support our current western lifestyle with only "renewable" energy? Asked by Jim Burks
José Goldemberg answers: Presently "renewable"
energy accounts for approximately 10% of the energy consumed in Europe.
The impressive growth of energy produce from windmills, biomass and
other renewables indicates that renewables as a whole could account for
"circa" 50% of all energy consumed by 2050.
The present western lifestyle requires the energy equivalent of
three tonnes of petroleum per year. Improving the efficiency of energy
use (with more efficient automobiles, refrigerators and other end-use
appliances as well as better home insulation) could reduce that amount
by at least 30%. As is well known considerable efficiency gains have
already been achieved in the OECD countries since 1973. Present energy
consumption would be 50% higher than it is actually without them. That
reduction could give renewables a better chance to replace fossil fuels.
2. Do you agree with the US Joint Forces Command (JFC) that spare capacity in global oil production may very well disappear in 2012 and a shortfall of 10m barrels per day develop by 2015? NoSurrenderMonkey (and others)
Clement Bowman: The word 'may' in the question,
and the multiple use of the word "could" in the energy summary
statement of the US JFC document, obliges one to accept the possibility
that "yes it could". However, I believe that it is highly unlikely that
there will be significant oil shortages over the next few decades. Once
there is a perceived gap, forces come into play that cause the gap to
be filled.
Here are some of the likely forces. Even modest increases in oil
prices will convert unproven resources into recoverable reserves.
Action on energy efficiency has finally taken hold in response to the
need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. New pipelines are under
construction or planned in North America that will bring crude oil to
refineries that have unused capacity. The enormous quantities of shale gas
that have been discovered will provide part of the energy mix. The
Canadian oil sands are just starting to ramp up with new more
environmentally acceptable insitu recovery technology. China and India
will use a combination of more efficient coal technology, nuclear
energy and renewables to help meet their accelerating demand for
energy. When I entered the oil industry in the 1960s, the conventional
wisdom was that there was only 10 years of oil supply left. Predictions
have a habit of failing.
3. The world's population is due to rise to 9 billion people. Can the planet supply the energy needed to achieve that end? ken brookes
Tom Blees: Widespread predictions that energy
demand will double by mid-century to meet the needs of an expected 9-10
billion humans are, I believe, too conservative. Billions of people
rely on now-shrinking glaciers for much of their water supply, with
many areas of the world already lacking adequate water. Increasing
human numbers by 50% means that we will have to provide most of the
water for some billions of people primarily with desalination, an
energy-intensive process. Add to that the fact that the majority of
people in the world today use a fraction of the energy used by those in
developed countries, and one could easily anticipate at least a
tripling of demand in developing countries as they strive strive to
improve their standard of living.
In the book Prescription for the Planet, I explained how a
doubling of energy supply could easily be accomplished by 2050 at a
rate of deployment even less ambitious than the French employed as they
converted to nuclear power in the 1970s and 80s. Given the ability to
factory-produce fast reactors of the type described here, a concerted
global effort to meet mid-century energy demands should be quite within
reach. The fuel is already available and - for all intents and purposes
- virtually free
.
4. I'm 25 years old. What's your best case scenario for the world's
energy supply mix when I'm 75? What's your worst case scenario? And
where you you think we'll actually be? Ian Bullock
Tom Blees: While there's widespread agreement
that fossil fuels must eventually be abandoned, there seems to be no
consensus on which technologies can be expected to take their place.
The contenders already available run the gamut from some of the most
diffuse energy sources (wind, sunlight) to the most energy-dense. While
nearly all of the latter systems currently in use consist of
light-water nuclear reactors, fast reactors can extract well over 100
times more energy from uranium, and are seen by most nuclear
prognosticators as being the inevitable successors to light-water
reactors and the solution to the looming global energy crisis.
All of the energy a person in a developed country today can be
expected to use in a lifetime - for electricity, transportation,
heating and cooling, and the energy that goes into producing all that
they will consume - could be supplied by a single piece of depleted
uranium the size of half a ping-pong ball. Despite all the controversy
over competing technologies today, this amazing fact - plus the fact
that it can supply all that energy safely and without harm to the
environment - should eventually carry the day, leaving other energy
sources as bit players on the world stage.
5. Is energy storage - ie battery technology - one of the biggest
things holding back renewables and widespread energy efficiency? Look
at the intermittancy of wind power,
the requirements of a "smart grid city", electric cards etc - surely
decent energy storage could transform the economics of these
industries. And when might/how the problem be solved? Mago Salas (and others)
Alvin Trivelpiece: An excellent source of technical information regarding batteries is the Wikipedia site.
Even so, it does not answer the implicit theme of the
question. Namely, why not large-scale energy storage in batteries to
capture energy from intermittent sources such as wind or solar for use
at times when the energy is required by a consumer?
The use of batteries for energy storage is a matter of the
application and its need for a source of energy. Standard small
batteries for toys and other convenience devices such as flashlights
are examples where the cost per kilowatt-hour is irrelevant. The
consumer pays the asking price and discards them without additional
cost. Some solar applications using battery storage make great sense.
Remote applications in the middle of desert where the cost of
transmission lines is greater than the cost of a solar panel with some
battery storage system. Same reasoning applies for spacecraft
applications.
For other applications, the three laws of thermodynamics and the
rules of economics must be taken into account. A simplified version of
thermodynamics is: (1) You can't win, (2) You can't even break even,
and (3) You can't get out of the game.
This means that you have to take all costs from cradle to grave
into account and see if you make money selling the energy at
competitive price. If you can do this without any subsidy, then you
don't have a sustainable situation.
Unfortunately, when this is done for batteries, with all factors
taken into account, it doesn't seem to come out favorably. That is,
taking into account the cost of the raw materials including whatever
environmental remediation might be needed, the transport of these
materials to the location where fabrication takes place, cost of
fabrication and distribution, the cost of disposing of the batteries,
including the cost of maintenance during their useful life, etc.
Any energy storage or distribution scheme that doesn't make net
energy, without subsidies, is not likely to be sustainable. Subsidies
are a good way to get some products developed and deployed, but at some
point it is usually assumed that the subsidy can eventually be
eliminated, or justified on some non-economic basis.
6. How far away is nuclear fusion? Is it a realistic goal? Mischa Hewitt (and others)
Robert Aymar: There is a popular view that fusion
energy has been just over the horizon for decades and it has failed to
deliver. This is false.
Fusion has always been a long-term project; scientific progress in
magnetic confinement of plasmas has been impressive and quantitative
performances, achieved in the successive experiments, have from 1975
done better than the well known Moore's law of digital technologies.
On this ground, seven among the largest countries in the world (
China, Europe, India, Japan, Russia, South-Korea, US) have decided on
the strategy to pursue the development of fusion through international
collaboration and are building together the large facility, called
"ITER", the first burning plasma to produce after 2025 half a gigawatt
of fusion power.
This device , a physics experiment and an experimental reactor,
should demonstrate the scientific feasibility of fusion as an energy
source; it should validate and optimise the parameters and develop the
technologies for the following strategical step, an electricity
generating demonstration reactor to evaluate economics of fusion,
before a commercial power reactor can be designed. Each of these steps
requires around 40 years for its design, construction and enough
operation time to capitalise on its results. Unless there is an urgency
to provide a faster track (and pay for more risk), it is unreasonable
to assume a sensible amount of fusion generated electricity in the grid
before the middle of this century.
The need for new energy
sources by the end of the century is undisputed. Besides coal burning
plants, with total sequestration of the CO2 produced, large electrical
power plants will possibly rely only on nuclear fission or fusion.
Magnetic fusion has many appealing features (unlimited fuel reserve,
safety and environmental characteristics), and from present analysis,
its potential for energy generation is real and ITER will bring an
experimental confirmation.
7. Why has tidal energy not been employed on a large scale (similar
to hydro) anywhere in the world ? Is it down to cost or lack of
efficiency? The Doc (and others)
Klaus Riedle: Tidal power differs from other
renewable sources, in that it offers predictable though still
intermittent power with decent power densities at certain preferred
locations like estuaries or tide channels. One of the main barriers to
large scale use is the cost of the back-up needed due to the
intermittency.
Tidal range technologies make use of large tide differences by
blocking off an estuary or forming a tidal lagoon and using a
conventional water turbine in the dam to generate power from the tides
going in and out, much like in a river. A large plant in Brittany, La
Rance, has been operating successfully since 1966. Specific cost can be
taken from planned projects on the Severn, which have an estimated
120-year lifespan, with commercial discount rates to €0.1-0.2/kWh
stated by the UK Sustainable Development Commission [Last month, the UK government scrapped the Severn barrage tidal project
on financial grounds]. Environmental concerns, related to whether the
barrage causes harm to the estuary, will be a significant obstacle to
their implementation.
Slowly rotating, large axial turbines make use of tide stream
velocities above 1 metre per second. Like offshore windmills, such
turbines are fixed to the seabed or even to masts, to be lifted out of
the water for maintenance. Several prototypes have being tested in
recent years; some projects around the UK are under planning. Little
information so far is available about generating cost; a UK Carbon
Trust study gives a range of €0.12-0.18/kWh. Environmental concerns and
the impact on fishing and sea transport have to be addressed, as for
offshore windfarms.
As with the other renewables, public support for tidal power
should go into further development and testing of prototypes allowing
them to find their niche in the market, rather than continuously
subsidising power generation.
8. What are the barriers in getting our reliance on oil and petrol transferred over to electricity/hydrogen? Matt Flynn
Marta Bonifert: Fossil fuel reserves - like oil,
petrol and coal - have been depleted quite rapidly in the recent years.
This fact and the need to reduce the green house gas emissions of
anthropogenic origin (global climate change) drive the business and the
governmental sector to utilise renewable energy resources on a much
wider scale. The transfer is not easy – there are technical, political
and last but not least economical barriers. The efficiency of the new
technologies has to be improved, there is a need for moderating the
costs and legislation should support these new energy resources.
Further more we cannot forget that oil is not only an energy resource
but we use it in various forms – even in the human heart as artificial
plastic valve – when needed.
So it is a very complex question which has implication on the
economy, the environment and the society at the same time. Electricity
and hydrogen will most probably be used at larger increasing extent
substituting traditional energy carriers but again the question is
their resources: whether they will be produced from fossil or renewable.
But there is a much easier and available solution which
immediately helps to combat climate change: energy saving and energy
efficiency. Changing our way of life, taking actions perceived as
difficult however with a simple move – eg switching off the lights when
they are not needed – we together can do a lot for the environment and
the future generation.
9. Is it really possible to justify the legacy of nuclear waste for
countless generations while we continue to waste electricity so
carelessly, on things like flashy advertising and keeping buildings lit
at night? Surely this should only be considered as a very last resort,
when we have finally given up all such inessential useage of energy? greghaddock (and others)
Pius N'gwandu: Something must be done now. We
cannot afford to add to our plight the luxury of the proliferation of
nuclear waste. Yet the evidence of the threat from nuclear waste does
not show that it comes from the generation of nuclear energy. The
threat rather comes from the stockpile of the arsenal of nuclear
weapons accummulated by nations with such weapons. Moreover the data on
the utilisation of World Energy Resources nuclear energy accounts for
only 16%.
With the development of nuclear science and advances
in nuclear reactor technology and the international jurisprudence
developed by the IAEA safeguards and safety measures have been
developed for the peaceful use of nuclear power. In Africa we we have
substantial uranium resources which are being mined and exported by
large transnational corporations.
Yet Africa suffers chronic
shortages of energy which factor is a serious constraint to her
development. International cooperation through the IAEA could reduce
the danger for nuclear proliferation and dumping of nuclear waste by
offering the latest technology in mining and mangement of thentire
nuclear fuel cycle. Depleted uranium could be used to produce clean and
safe energy
Other
uses of nuclear technology would include nuclear medicine, eradication
of pests and vectors such as mosquitoes and tsetse flies which spread
diseases such as malaria and tripanosomiasis (SIT).
With the
ominous prospects of mutual terror and extermination nations have no
other rational choice but to learn fast to cooperate for the survival
of the human species. Time is running out. We must move away from the
self inflicted fear of nuclear energy. Let us combine knowledge,
technology and the collective will to survive. Fifty years after
President Eisenhower's speech on "atoms for peace", we must build the
will to tame these atoms for peace, development and development.
10. What exactly is the carbon footprint of nuclear power (including uranium refining)? Dr Tim (and others)
We are awaiting an answer from the panel on this question, and hope to update this article later
20 signs that you should end it
Has your relationship run its course? Here's how to tell Problems
with relationships are a regular feature in our post-bag. This advice
appeared in the advice column of a leading UK newspaper recently, and
is reproduced here in full.
Like hot summers, often look better from a distance. Just as you forget
how draining a muggy day can feel, you also forget how soul-destroying
and lonely a relationship can feel when it's not going well.
“So
just end it,” right? It's never as simple as that. Most of us have
experienced that dilemma of not knowing whether to walk away from a
relationship. You think that you're being too picky, you worry that
no-one else will love you this much, you don't want to hurt someone you
care about, you fear regretting it and not being able to win them back.
You've stayed in relationships for those reasons, right? Yep, so have
we.
But these alone aren't good enough reasons to stay in a
relationship that isn't working. Ending a relationship can be
heartbreaking, even if you're dying to get away. The blissful future
that you'd imagined when you first got together is now not going to
happen. Thing is, is you're unhappy, that blissful future wasn't going
to happen anyway.
If
you’re experiencing a few of these 20 signs regularly, it may be time
to move on. It will be difficult, but ultimately it'll be the right
thing for you both. Life is too short (and your partner's life is too
short) to waste valuable years on a pairing that's going nowhere.
1. You’re always craving time alone
It’d
be weird and needy to want your partner by your side every minute of
every day. It’s normal to look forward to some time alone. But if
you’re craving me-time and wish that he or she wasn’t around, it's
clear that your relationship is giving you more frustration than joy.
2. You don’t go out together any more
Even
if you’re living together, you should never stop going on dates
together. A successful relationship is based on more than sex and
silently watching the telly together.
3. You prefer seeing your friends to seeing your partner
A
good relationship involves socialising with and without your other
half. Not wishing that you lived with your housemates again rather than
your lover.
4. You’ve stopped having sex
Sex
drive can dip for many reasons, including stress or medication. But if
you just stop fancying your partner, and sex becomes a chore or stops
altogether, listen to your alarm bells.
5. You’ve stopped touching each other
Touching
isn’t just about sex, it’s about affection and togetherness. Casual
touching, hugging and holding hands are the signs of a healthy
relationship with two people who still fancy each other. If you flinch
when he or she brushes against you, it really is time to get out.
6. You’ve stopped kissing
Passionate
kissing is emotionally more intimate than sex, so it’s often the first
thing to go when two people start drifting apart. If you want to kiss
each other but just haven’t got round to it for a while, pucker up. If
you don't enjoy it, see above.
7. They no longer make you laugh
Their
witty lines once made tea came out of your nose. These days you just
wish they’d shut up. Why are you still with them, pray tell?
8. You don’t chat
Chatting
– about trivia, what’s in the news or what happened at work – is the
bedrock of a good relationship. When you stop talking to each other
about the little things, it’s a sign that you don’t see each other as
friends any more.
9. You’re always nit-picking
If
you’re constantly bothered by their coffee-slurping, their taste in
pants and everything they do, you’re not in love, you're in a constant
state of “argh”. That's not trivial: it's the kind of everyday stress
that can damage your health.
10. They're always nit-picking
If
your partner seems constantly irritated by you, it suggests that
they're not happy or even comfortable around you. They may be wanting
out, but haven’t the courage to bring up the subject. If he or she
makes you feel that you can’t do anything right, do you really want to
be around this person?
11. You do all the chores
Every
long-term couple has disagreements about housework and other chores,
but the squabbles usually end in vague equality or compromise. If your
partner treats you like a doormat, show them the door.
12. You don’t care about your appearance
Love
doesn’t mean letting yourself go. If you no longer care about whether
he or she fancies you or not, it spells trouble for your sex life – and
your relationship.
13.
Red letter days are forgotten
Anniversaries,
Valentine’s Day and so on may seem trivial, but a loving couple will
acknowledge them in some way, even if it’s with a scribbled note saying
“V-Day is rubbish, let’s spend it in bed.” Once you forget each other’s
birthdays, your relationship is so far past its sell-by date that even
a dog wouldn't eat it.
14. You’re doing all the giving (or all the getting)
Most
relationships go through stages where one person is more emotionally
and sexually generous than the other, but the imbalance should not be
more or less permanent. Parasites don’t make good partners.
15. You’ve stopped liking yourself
A
lover is not supposed to make you feel unloved, unattractive and unable
to be yourself. If yours does, get out and stop letting them sap your
spirit.
16. Your friends think they're bad for
you
Your
friends know you best, and they’ll say what they think if it’s for your
benefit. If they think your partner is no good, listen. They’ll be
there for you when he or she isn’t.
17. You compare them with other men or women
It’s natural to find other people attractive, but not to compare your lover unfavourably with every person who catches your eye.
18. You look up your exes
It’s
fine to be friends with exes, and it shows maturity. But if you seek
out and flirt with an ex, then you arrange to meet up with them, and
find yourself wondering “what if…?”, your current relationship is
doomed.
19. You wish they'd change
Once
the rose-tinted early months have passed, mismatched personalities
become more obvious. You can’t change your partner into someone better
suited to you. Instead, find someone who’s already your perfect match.
20. You say “I love you” but don’t mean it
Do
you feel a little knot of guilt whenever you say it, as though you’re
lying? Do you only say it to make them shut up and go away? Then stop
saying it, and start spending more time with someone you really love –
starting with yourself.
LXP - (Qingdao, Shandong Province) I am a student from Hubei province where my older brother now runs the family farm, where my little brother and sister are at home with my mother. My grandfather died last October, and my father died after the Spring Festival. We used to be such a happy family, but now I don't know whether to continue my studies, or return home. I feel confused, angry, loney and isolated. What can I do? LXP, I understand your feelings. Although you probably are not aware of it, you are going through the grieving process. It affects people in similar ways, but not always at the same time or in the same order of events. It can also last much longer than people realise - perhaps as much as two years.
It is bad enough to lose one family member of friend who is close to you. To lose two in a short time, is a double blow and shock. Obviously it affects family relationships and your deepest personal, private feelings. They usually include, shock at the sudden loss of a loved one, a sense of longing for someone who is no longer there for you or your family, lonliness, isolation, anger - and even hatred that someone who said they will love you forever has suddenly gone, and left you with problems that you could have well done without.
'Time is a great healer', they say. And it's true, however bad things may feel. You need to be able to give your family help and support when you can. You also need to share your feelings with others - certainly your older brother and perhaps a close friend who is distanced from your family. In time, your roller-coaster emotions will subside. Pleasant memories of you grandfather and father will return, and your life will be normal.
Your best support probably lays in trying to focus on your studies and aiming for a financial rewarding career. You may be able to help at home during vacations, or you may need to find vacation employment to cope with family finances, including the fees you need for study. There are many ways to do this, and there should be support or advice centres at or near your college / university. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
LJP - (Shanghai) England is a multi-national country. How many languages are spoken? Hello LJP - There are no official statistics giving a detailed breakdown of how many people in the UK have English as their second language. But a survey of 850,000 students in London schools carried out by Education Authorities in 1998-99 discovered that more than 300 different languages were spoken by London schoolchildren.
In 2001 the Department of Education commissioned a report looking at the needs of children whose first language is not English, focusing on barriers to employment, education and training. It reported; 'There are no reliable data on the number of people living in Great Britain whose first language is not English. This causes serious problems with the planning and delivery of education and training provision...At least 3 million people in the UK were born in countries where English is not the national language.
The Office of National Statistics has now recognised the demand for information on the linguistic diversity of the UK. In April 2008, it announced that a language question will be included in the 2011 census.
In 2003, the Central Office of Information was commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions to outline the key ethnic minority languages. They were found to be: 1.Bengali, 2. Punjabi, 3. Gujarati, 4. Urdu, 5. Arabic, 6. Chinese (Cantonese), 7.Somali, 8. French, 9. Polish and 10. Tamil.Answer from Stephen Robinson, London.
LF (Beijing) Your work has been with students, Government projects and private business. Private companies probably pay more money and are more profitabable. Is that where you prefer to work? Hi LF. It is true that private companies pay more, about 3 times that of government enterprises. The main area of interest with our work is clearly defined elsewhere, and the reasons that drive us.
It is important for us to be able to provide help and assistance wherever it is needed, as long as it is within the law. To fund our projects and initiatives, we need to be able to raise money to pay the bills. Private work for companies which have aspirations of trading internationally, are just one of several sources of income.
It is satisfying to see students and businesses improve their situation and that of their friends, employees, and so on. However, our favourite actvity is to be 'on the road', with live presentations to large audiences of students. It is exciting and invigorating, but tiring. The latest presentation for students is 'Enjoying English ~ The Experience'. Contactus for information.
LP (Beijing)You have a good section of some of English history www.enjoyingenglish2008.org , which is very interesting, but not much about China. Can you change this? To non-Chinese, the History of China during The Revolution, is complex and confusing. Often judgements are made based on mis-conceptions, mis-understanding and ignorance of the situation in China under the Emperors. This is especially because over it's history, China has been closed to the west.
We have changed this with the addition of 'China 1911 - 1979' . We have attempted to make China's recent historical development more comprehensible by presenting a summary of some of the key figures and historical events. Hundreds of links allow visitors to explore aspects in more detail. With reference to Chairman Mao's leadership, Chinese people say, somewhat philosophically, that he was, ' 70 percent right...30 percent wrong.' I'll leave it at that and let you be the judge. Alan Cooper. March, 2009.
LWD (Anhui Province) My colleagues and I were amazed to read your plans on 'An Over-view' with The Red Dragon International Partnership. Do you have plans to help in my province, and how long do you think it will be before there are developments? Our likely launch point is expected to be in Henan Province, 100km or so from Xinyang, as that is where we have supportive contacts. However, nearby Anhui is another possibility, and like many rural areas in China, is in a similar position economically.
As for the time-scale, it depends on the reaction and commitment from Education Authorities locally, in Beijing and London. Although London is primarily concerned with reltionships and co-operation between universities in the two countries, we hope that they will prepare the groundwork for discussions between Red Dragon and the Central Government in Beijing.
If agreement is reached, and a Pilot Scheme (Trial) is successful, we would expect the scheme to be expanded in two years time; i.e. 2011-2012, with a period of negotiation and preparation during May / June, 2011. Thanks for your comments... we will let you know.
DXD (Gansu Province) I am studying Geography at ??? teachers university, but would like to conider a career in Conservation. Can you help me find more information please. First, thanks for your message. Environmental & Conservation issues are becoming more important in the world. I suggest that you make job-searches through some of the sites that you'll find on STUDENT LIFE 1, or contact your local / provincial Environment Agency for information.
Secondly, other students have made similar remarks. We have added a 'Conservation' section to the ENVIRONMENT page. It give an indication of the type of issues Conservationists face in the UK, Europe and United States. The topic is so vast, our information is by no means exhaustive, but we will attend to updating it regularly. Keep in touch.
SC (Guandong Province) I have met a boy on the Internet and we have fallen in love. We have been chatting for several months, since I returned to college last September. But we live a long way apart - I am in the south and he is a long way away in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. What can we do to complete our happiness? The Internet is useful for many things; finding information, study, broadening your horizons and making friends through Chat rooms, but 'falling in love', I don't think so.
Think for a minute and look at things in perspective and reality. You presumably have never met this boy. How well do you think you know him? Is he telling you the truth - or for that matter, are you? Whatever you may think, it is likely that you know very little about 'the real boy', although I don't doubt you feel pleased that he has paid you some attention.
I am not suggesting that Internet friendships are necessarily bad, but in the majority of cases, they are simply that - just friendships. It is very difficult to maintain contact or relationships with friends over a long distance and without physical meetings. You also have to be aware of the unpleasant fact that here are sometimes people working the Internet who have wrongful, illegal or subversive intentions.
I draw your attention to Advice on Using the Internet on EdWebs, and the story at the bottom of this page, which is causing concern in the UK and that we have published as 'A Warning'. This is probably not the advice you would hae hoped to receive, but I make no apologies. Forget 'Love on the Net'; keep chatting and making friends, but when you are looking for love, be more realistic and look closer to home. It may not happen overnight, and probably not the first time round ~ but it will happen, one day.
XC (Taiwan), LX (Tibet) & others recently I/We are surprised that there is little on your website about the current situation in...sic my country. It would be better if you reported the situation as it exists here. Thank you all for your comments. First, we are not a news reporting agency. Our aims are to provide students with access to resources which will help their studies, promote international understanding, and harmonious relationships. News items on World News, Changing China, China Today and Focus pages are, we think, of general interest to students in and outside China, and have relevance to those considering travel or study abroad.
Second, it is extremely difficult to find information of general news from Agencies which is accurate, or not politically bias. Even the BBC is guilty of this kind of reporting in some of its reporting on China and other countries.
Third, we have undertakings not to promote political or religious activity, beyond explanation of different systems and festivals. Our opinion and practice is one of...'If in doubt...leave it out.' Sorry if that doesn't satisfy you, but it is the way it has to be in accordance with our Mission Statement, Aims & Objectives.
WL (Shandong) I am a filial son, and love my parents, but I am worried that my education interferes with my traditional duties. What should I do? This is a very common question WL, and is one which is the result of changing opportunities and expectations as economies grow and countries develop. Traditionally in China, just as it was when I was a boy in England, children had obligations to take care of their parents as they became older, and less able to look after themselves. It is a problem too, that becomes more serious as age expectancy becomes longer. There are several points to consider.
Your parents made a decision to give you the opportunity to attend college - something they would never have been able to do in their wildest dreams when they were young. Parents usually want the best opportunities for their children so, therefore, I think it follows that your first obligation is to strive towards your own goals, which are also theirs.
You will have to look at where the best opportuniities are for your own future; a town or city far away probably. It doesn't mean that you abandon your responsibilities, but the 'management' of parents in old age, will necessarily change. The government is making preparations to better care for an aging population, in terms of care and social benifits. It's a daunting problem. Sometimes, other family members have to accept responsibilities which would normally have been borne by others. It may even be necessary for the family to have to pay others in the community to assist with parental problems. A more commnity based care system, which probably already exists in most districts and villages.
Two facts are certain. 1 - circumstances change, and solutions have to be found. 2 - it is unreasonable to expect parents to leave their roots, where they have worked, lived their lives and have friends and family, to move to a strange and unfamiliar environment in a city far away.
LFZ (Henan) I am a sophamore at ???university and really like a boy in my class. My parents have made great sacrifices for me to be able to study at university, and would be angry if they knew I had a boyfriend. Should I ignore my feelings and devote my time to study, or should I make my feelings known to him? Boyfriend / girlfriend relationships have changed even in the few years I have been in China. This is probably due to a shift from Traditional and Cultural thoughts to influence which have been absorbed from western cultures.
When I first came to China in 2000, it was rare to see boys and girl holding hands or kissing in the street or parks. I remember hearing comments such as...'She has no face' - although I can't see why all the blame should be put on the girl. Thoughts of sleeping together were taboo (sacred or banned).
Your parents were young once, and undoubtedly had similar feelings, although their situation was different. They probably know already that you have an attaction for a boy. They will notice changes in your dress, behaviour or attitude when he is mentioned, and such like.
It is a question of balance. You can have a deeper friendship, if that happens. When cupid's arrow strikes, our world sometimes turns upside down. Choose activties where you can intergrate with your friends through study, sports, interests and other activities.Don't neglect your studies or career goals. Don't ignore your class or dormitory mates, and be mindful of your parents feelings. By that I mean that you should avoid confrontation with your parents on your frienship, until the time is right. It would only cause upsets. So, go for it and enjoy yourselves, but be prepared for disappointments.
LK (Guiyang, Guizhau Province) I have a terrible secret. I am 21 years old, at a university thousands of km away from home. My family have traditional values. Although I am healthy, active and doing well in my studies, my personal relationships are confused. I have frienships with girls, but my best friend is a boy a year older than me, and we are very close. I am terrified that my parents will find out that I am gay. I think they will disown me. Hi LK... disown you they will certainly not, because you are their son. There is a blood-bond, which means that whatever problems are thrown at families, solutions and acceptance of situations will be found. I think that I am right in saying that China is one of the few countries in the world where gay relationships have never been illegal.
I read recently, that during the wars before 1949, men to men relationships in the Army were common. They were not necessarily approved of, but largely ignored. It is also a fact that 1 in 4 men feel some kind of attraction to other men at some time durng their lives, for different reasons.
In Europe, gay relationships are as acceptable as hetero-sexual ones. It is not the same in some states in the US. It is very likely that your parents already suspect you have deep affection for another boy. Parents and their children seem to have a sixth sense, where personal worries are concerned.
The best advice is that if your relationship is mutually loving and caring, which is trusting, dignified and respectful; there is no reason why it should not continue. Your friends will accept you for what you are like as a person - not your sexuality. The important point is, that your frienship and actions should not cause embarrassment or harm to others. Your relationship is a personal, and private matter.
LP (Shaanxi) My classmates find your website very informative and interesting. The new format is clearer and easier to use. On the old website (.com), there was a Discussion Forum. Are you having a Chat room in the future? Thanks for you message. This is the first we have received that refers to visitors who used the old website. Discussion Forum? Chat room? - I'm afraid not. We have legal and moral resonsibilities to protect our student's interests and well-being, especially as we now receive a small number of younger visitors. To be able to do that, we need to be have tightly control what is accessible to visitors and what isn't. There are however, many readily available facilities from QQ to YOU TUBE and My Space, which arein a better position to offer the things you may need. Do I have QQ? - No! I'm afraid I don't have time, but we look forward to receiving students comments and opinions.
ZG (Hefei - Anhui Province) Your website is very interesting. Information on the Sudent and Enjoying English pages are very helpful. There is lots I didn't know on the Culture pages, and it is very funny. Ha. ha. Thank you ZG. Your comments are encouraging. We hope to be able to continue to offer help, advice and useful sources of information. We also hope that 'Enjoying English - Problems Solved' will be published in English / Chinese by the summer of 2009 as a dual language publication.
LX (Deyang - Sichuan Province) My classmates and I visit EE2008 every weekend to see what you have updated. EdWebs and WWW have some useful links which have been helpful with our studies. Excellent news LX. That's exactly what we hope to hear. Spread the word and keep us informed. Why don't you become a Correspondent? Regards AC.
Amber (Sichuan Province) Hello Alan. You still make me laugh, and I can imagine you and your Team with students as I read your work online. I remember when we worked together in 2003 / 4, you used to say either, 'I know everything!' or sometimes, 'I know nothing. I'm only a peasant teacher!' Good luck with your projects and adventures. Thanks Amber. Very memorable experiences and great fun with wonderfully motivated students. We'll try to get down during the summer with our new presentation, 'Enjoying English - The Experience'. We need a rehearsal!
Abdulah MH (Saudi Arabia) Alan. Since you taught me during the summer at EF in Hastings, I have found many things on your website very interesting. How can I find out more to improve my level of English? AMH, there is not 'quick fix' answer. As a complimentary addition to your college work, you should search resources available to you as and when you have spare time, being sure that you don't harm your educational study in school. We have some pretty sound advice on our English and Student Life pages. Much more help has been prepared, but is in storage in China until it can be accessed when I return in February 2009. In the meantime, use the links and resources on Ed Webs and WWW pages, looking for something that interests you and satisfies areas of study where you think you need help. If you discover other resources which we have missed, or need specific help, please contact us again.
XP (Shijiazhuang) Alan, when are you returning to China, and why is it taking so long to answer letters?Apologies - pressure of time and the amount of work anaswers the second part of your question. Plans are in place for me to return to China after the Spring Festival, mid/late February, 2009. Many aspects have to be considered, such as taking into account my mother's health and welfare, as she is apporoaching 90 years old. We also need to examine carefully how best to run the business, making the best use of Tax incentives from the British Government to be able to increase our help to schools in rural China. It's a long and time-consuming process.
LL (Tianjin) Why are so many people, particularly foreigners, interested in helping Chinese students? People on The Team are mostly professional people who have been associated with my work in China in one way or another. Older foreigners like myself, have enjoyed working with Chinese students over many years. We have respect for the Chinese people, their Culture and Traditions. It's a way of utilising our skills and experience for the benefit of students worldwide, apart from actually teaching. Similarly with younger Chinese people on The Team - it offers a way of helping the future development of their country... a kind of repayment for the opportunities that have been available to them through their experience of further education. 'Guanshi' in reverse, just about sums it up!
ZXF. (Henan) Why should foreign companies be interested in supporting 'Enjoying English'? This relates directly to methods of fund-raising* and commercial exposure in China, which is the fastest developing country in the world.** Our site is visited by an increasing number of people daily. There are potentially more than 15million student visitors in China alone, engaged in college or university education The market potential in everything from toothpaste, washing powder, clothing, sportswear to automobiles is enormous. Their sponsorship of our website brings their products and a wealth of information to our visitors at the 'click of a button'. Our rates are very attractive for long-term sponsorship, and maintainence by us is very cost-effective, allowing us more time and money to concentrate on our objectives.
* I have been a Member of the Institute of Charity fundraising Managers since 1988. ** Although the world is in an economic depression, China's development is still reasonably strong. see China Today and UK Today
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What will be the energy mix in 50 years' time? Photograph: Cosmo Condina/Rex Features
