Sun Allergy, a Major Inconvenience in Daily Life

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. invader [in-VEY-der] (n.) – a person or thing that enters a place by force in order to do harm

Example:  Body invaders, such as viruses, may cause fever.

2. outgrow [out-GROH] (v.) – to lose something (like a trait, behavior or condition) as a person grows older

Example: Laura outgrew asthma when she got older.

3. susceptible [suh-SEP-tuh-buh l] (adj.) – likely to be affected or harmed

Example: Stress makes people susceptible to colds and other illnesses.

4. slather [SLATH-er] (v.) – to apply or spread in great amount

Example: The woman slathered lotion on her body to prevent her skin from becoming dry and itchy.

5. wear off [wair awf, of] (phrasal v.) – to slowly disappear or decrease

Example: George began sneezing again after the effect of the drug wore off.

Article
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An allergy to the sun, called polymorphous light eruption or PMLE, reportedly affects 5% to 20% of the world's population. People with PMLE develop itchy red bumps and blisters on their skin and may even have a headache when exposed to the sun. This allergy arises when the body's immune system releases antibodies as the skin treats sunlight as an invader. Usually, people who got PMLE when they were young outgrow the sickness through increased sun exposure. However, those who got the sickness later on are likely to have it for the rest of their lives. Women are also more susceptible to PMLE than men, and the condition can sometimes be hereditary. Dr. Chris Adigun, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, pointed out that skin color has nothing to do with sun allergies. Any person and not only those with light skin can have PMLE. Although its symptoms are rarely serious and disappear within hours, PMLE is a big inconvenience to people who suffer from it. Chelsey Madore, a makeup artist from California, said she has to change her lifestyle because of her sun allergy. She always has to be careful even with ordinary activities like walking through the park. According to Dr. Adigun, the best defense against PMLE is prevention. The dermatologist advised people with sun allergy to slather on sunscreen lotion with zinc oxide or titanium [tahy-TEY-nee-uh m] oxide. Dr. Adigun also stressed the importance of clothing, which unlike lotion, won't wear off.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What do you think would be the worst thing to be allergic to? Please explain your answer.

·         In your opinion, what is the best way to prevent or treat allergies?

Discussion B

·         Do you agree or disagree with the saying “Prevention is better than cure?” Why or why not?

·         How can we prevent ourselves from getting sick?

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Teacher Uses Art to Make Classes Interesting

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. come up with [kuhm uhp] (v. phrase) – to discover or think of an idea

Example: The student came up with the solution after reading some textbooks.

2. stimulating [stim-yuh-ley-ting] (adj.) – encouraging or inspiring

Example: The stimulating environment helped the students feel lively during class.

3. ambiance [am-bee-uh ns] (n.) – the mood or atmosphere in a specific place

Example: Colorful chairs and tables create a happy and lively ambiance in the restaurant.

4. stand out [stand-out] (v. phrase) – to be obvious or noticeable

Example: The woman’s colorful dress stands out in the crowd.

5. critical thinking [KRIT-i-kuh l THING-king] (n.) – the ability to think logically or in an organized manner

Example: Professors teach critical thinking to aid students solve problems.

Article
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A French high school teacher in Maryland, USA came up with an artistic way to make learning more interesting and fun for students. Ryan Martinez, who teaches at Walter Johnson High School, said that the classroom mirrors the teaching style of an educator. So, he used his artistic skills and painted the ceiling tiles of his classroom to make a stimulating atmosphere and to encourage his students to have fun while learning. This creative project started a year ago when Martinez brought home a tile and painted it with blue. After installing the blue tile, the students saw it immediately as it stood out from the rest of the white tiles. Every weekend, Martinez spends 10 hours to paint other ceiling tiles of his classroom. But aside from his classroom, he also paints for other parts of the school, such as the math classroom. Martinez’s co-teacher Maggie Mesorly believes that colors can boost the students’ critical thinking and creativity in problem solving. Martinez also encourages students to help paint ceiling tiles during their break so they can feel more involved. According to some students, painting boosts their confidence and gives them new fun experiences. The French teacher also goes to Inwood House, a nursing home for adults with disabilities, to brighten up their ceilings, which in turn lightens up their rooms’ ambiance. Inwood House manager Meg Marshall commented that seeing the artworks on the ceiling make the residents feel much better.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         If you were Martinez’s student, would you like his teaching style of using art in class? Why or why not?

·         What do you think is the most effective way of teaching?

Discussion B

·         Aside from art, how else can teachers make their lessons interesting and fun for their students?

·         How do you think students can help themselves become more eager and interested in studying?

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Yahoo Hires 17-Year-Old Programmer

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. incorporate [in-KAWR-puh-reyt] (v.) – to include in something that already exists

Example: The manager incorporated the new policies in the SOPs of the office.

2. summarize [SUHM-uh-rahyz] (v.) – to say or express in a brief and short manner

Example: Her boss asked Riza to summarize the five-page report into two pages.

           

3. showcase [SHOH-keys] (v.) – to present or display in a positive manner

Example: The blog gives the businessman an opportunity to showcase his products.

4. shareholder [SHAIR-hohl-der]  (n.) – a person with shares in a company or any property

Example: Shareholders get a percentage of the company’s profit.

5. hesitation [hez-i-TEY-shuh n] (n.) – a pause because of doubt or fear

Example: Poorly written advertisements caused the buyer’s hesitation.

Article
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Yahoo has recently included a British high school student among its new employees after it bought the young programmer’s mobile app for $30 million. At 17, Nick D’Aloisio will start working with Yahoo to incorporate his app called Summly to the company’s selection of mobile apps. Nick still has a year and a half left for high school but is planning to make arrangements to take exams instead of taking classes. He is set to work at the Yahoo office in London, following the company’s ‘no telecommuting policy’. Summly is a mobile app that summarizes and simplifies web stories for mobile readers. Nick developed the app when he was only fifteen. The app came into reality through the funds provided by investors, such as Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, Wendi Murdoch, Ashton Kutcher, and Yoko Ono, who all later became shareholders of Summly. Nick and his team launched Summly in November last year. After only a month, Yahoo and other companies has already started trying to acquire the app. Brian Wong, founder of a mobile rewards company called Kiip, said that Nick's success can be attributed to Nick’s ability to showcase his vision for Summly without hesitations or doubts. In an interview, Nick said that his age was indeed an advantage, but so was the strength of his idea. He eagerly expressed optimism for his app, saying that people should not underestimate how powerful the app can become and how much opportunity the app can get from Yahoo.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Would you be willing to buy an app like Summly? Why or why not?

·         If you owned a start-up company like Summly, would you try to expand it or sell it to a bigger company? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         Do you think teenagers nowadays are more innovative? Please explain your answer.

·         How would you support a child who shows an interest in business? Please explain your answer.

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FIFA to Level Up Fight Against Discrimination

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. step up [STEP-uhp] (v. phrase) – to increase the efforts in an activity

Example:  The young athlete needs to step up her training to win the finals.

2. racism [REY-siz-uh m] (n.) – the belief that another race is lesser than one’s own race

Example: African-Americans have been the victims of racism in the USs.

3. discrimination [dih-skrim-uh-NEY-shuh n] (n.) – the act of treating a person or a group of people unfairly and differently

Example:   Women should be allowed to play sports to prevent discrimination.

4. walk out [WAWK-out] (v. phrase) – to leave an event or a situation unexpectedly to show one’s protest

Example: I walked out of the room after my classmates threw hurtful words at me.

5. wake-up call [WEYK-uhp kawl] (n. phrase) – anything that informs people about an issue or warns people against danger

Example: The team’s loss in the championship is a wake-up call. .

Article
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FIFA, in partnership with United Nations and top soccer players, is stepping up its fight against racism inside the soccer industry. Issues on racism were highlighted when Kevin-Prince Boateng, a player from AC Milan, walked out of a match against Pro Patria last January when the crowd insulted and threw racist words at him. Boateng is an ex-Ghana national and is one of the players that FIFA enlisted to help stop racism in soccer games. The soccer player met with FIFA president Sepp Blatter to talk about both their views on the issue. According to Blatter’s speech on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the FIFA supports Boateng when the player walked out on the game to make a stand against discrimination. Boateng’s action served as a wake-up call that discrimination remains a big problem today. As a result, Blatter encourages other top soccer players to promote the anti-discrimination campaign. Boateng said that players should have no need to leave a game just because of racial abuse. He hopes that authorities would exert more effort to solve this issue. Aside from Boateng’s experience, other discrimination cases also happened last year. UEFA, the European soccer association, charged several soccer teams for racially abusing some athletes. Among these teams were Inter Milan, Lazio, Serbia, and Chelsea.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Why do you think racial discrimination remains a problem today?

·         How can we fight against racial discrimination?

Discussion B

·         Who are the common victims of discrimination? Why do you think so?

·         Why do you think some people discriminate against other people?

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YouTube Opens Film Studios to Improve its Videos

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. state-of-the-art [STEYT of thee ahrt] (adj.) – latest and most advanced

Example: Sci-fi movies use state-of-the-art cameras.

2. high definition [hahy def-uh-NISH-uh n ] (adj.) – having a very high video resolution

Example: Watching the movie in high definition allowed me to see even the small details in every scene.

3. learn the ropes [LURN thuh rohps] (idiom) – to learn how to do a specific job

Example: My film teacher helped me learn the ropes in making movies.  

4. viewership [VYOO-er-ship] (n.) – the audience of a television show or a movie

Example: The viewership of our show increased after we used new and more advanced video cameras.

5. transition [tran-SISH-uh n] (v.) – to move from one stage or position to another

Example: More filmmakers are now transitioning to high definition cameras due the audience demand

Article
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YouTube has opened its own video production studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo to improve the quality of uploaded videos. These studios will allow video makers to use state-of-the-art equipment, high-definition cameras, and professional editing programs for free. Lectures will also be available to help new video makers learn the ropes of filmmaking. However, filmmakers and video creators need to pass a selection process before they can use the studios. Google, the parent company of YouTube, hopes that these studios will help improve the quality of videos on the website and further increase viewership. This move comes at a time when more people, especially the youth, are using the internet as their main source of entertainment. According to Jimmy Wong, an actor in an online show, younger audience prefers internet sources like YouTube over television because they want instant access to videos whenever and wherever they want. In fact, viewers aged 35 and below are often seeking entertainment in YouTube. Even film makers are now transitioning to online videos so they can promote their shows to fans. Danelle Assanelli, an avid YouTube fan, says YouTube allows her to comment on shows and provide input to the video makers. Personal interaction is not usually possible in traditional television. Furthermore, Malik Ducard, content and partnership director of YouTube, said that YouTube gives chances not only to recognized filmmakers but also to new and rising video creators.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you prefer online video sites like YouTube over traditional media like TV? Why or why not?

·         What makes online entertainment so appealing to younger people?

Discussion B

·         Do you think YouTube can replace TV? Why do you think so?

·         What do you think are the disadvantages of using the Internet as a main source of entertainment and information?

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