Existentialism

1-Existentialists and Education

Existentialism or existentialism school is the most important philosophical school that existed in the twentieth century. Existentialist- appear in early Buddhist and Christian writings

The philosophy of existentialism focuses on the importance of liberty,freedom and the ability  of humans to decide and choose.Accroding to Van Klumurys,: education guide human to their own rights and value.

(Mozaffari1 & Jahanian, 2016)

Four philosopher are the founders of Existentialism:

1-Soren Kierkegaard, Danish (1813-1855)

Kierkegaard is named as existentialism father.  He said “:Human exitence is always individual in character,never social:Also he said that human grow up,make choices ,suffer,experience intense feeling and faces god as individual.The point is that each person is responsible for his or her actions and choices in life

2-Martin Hadgr-German (1889-1976) “

He Said that:Every man is born as many men and dies as  a single one.He focuses on individualization.

3-Albert Camus

He is French and Algerian .He opposed systematic philosophy,

4. Jean-Paul Sartre, French (1905-1980)

He is the best philosopher in twentieth century,.He said that existence occurs before essence or nature.He said:man first exists without purpose or definition, finds himself in the world and only then as a reaction of experience defines the meaning of life,

Accroding  to him,each individual is responsible for every decision.

Plato stresses on mental state more than existence .However, existentialism pays more attention to existence. Existentialism gives special importance to the life and experiences of the person and " (Mozaffari1 & Jahanian, 2016)

Existenialism aims to find answers for the following questions:Why I am here?What is my purpose?What is my essence?Why do I exist?

Existenialist means to stand out, and to become .

Essence means :nature, or meaning, or purpose,

.Existenialit believes that every individula is unique.Human have free will to survive in life..Human existence is the starting point of thinking. (Teneza-Sagabaen, 2014)

Human freedom means freedom to choose. freedom of choice involves :risk,commitment and resonsibility. Existence precedes essence,At birth human exist then create his nature through his choices. As Sartre put it: "At first Man is nothing. Only afterward will he be something, and he himself will have made what he will be. Existenialism  is about:commitiment,uniqueness of the individual,personal concern,concretenss of experience, freedom,personal dignity, and efforts.

Factors that affect the freedom of choice:

Influcence of the family,peers, religion,culture,society, and finance.Also the effects of sex,education,health, and psychological trait .

Aims of education (Teneza-Sagabaen, 2014)

To help students understand themselves as unique individuals who are responsible for their action.

To make the students reliable to themselves

Curriculum

Curriculum in existentialism included subjects that are directly related to real life. It also includes human sciences; such as history, literature, language, math, science, etc.

There is a major stress on training or practicing

Also the Student are given wide variety of freedom and choices to choose from.Humanities help the student to release the students’creativity and self esteem..The curriculum is  composed of drama,arts,literature and philosophy.

Methods of education

The focus is on individual. There should be  a focus on dialogue and debates.Also Arts that help to foster the creativity of the students.

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Role of teacher: (Mozaffari1 & Jahanian, 2016)

The teacher is a guider. The teacher should expose the students to different experiences so they can find their essence of life.. In addition the teacher should provide her students with a wide varieties of choices to choose..The teacher should be honest with the students.The teacher is expected to assist the student to be responsible for their own decisions.  . (Ginny, 2012) Existentialist teacher should encourage the learner to actively participate in the class. It is recommended to use Socratic dialogue to encourage the students to express their minds.It is suggested to allow the students to use technology in the class.

 (Mozaffari1 & Jahanian, 2016)

Role of the students:to find the meaning of life through discovering. Also through choosing decision and being responsible.

References:

Teneza-Sagabaen, I. B.-O. (2014, 7 24). Exiatenialism Philosophy of Education. Retrieved from In SlideShare: https://www.slideshare.net/iansagabaen28/philosophy-of-education-existentialism

Mozaffari1, M., & Jahanian, R. (2016). Identifying Existentialist Philosophy of Education. International Academic Institute for Science and Technology, 18-28.

Phonology

Cambridge dictionary defines Phonology as: “the study of the pattern of speech sounds and the study of sounds in particular language or in languages generally” ( (Meaning of phonology in English).Phonology means how the sounds of a certain language, are organized to form words. (Shalabi, 2017)

Having perfect Pronunciation is the most important skill in communication. (Karakas, 2011) . Teachers ,educators and phoneticians learns phonology to help the speakers master perfect pronunciation of the sounds .Phonology helps  to identify the difficulty in learning the sounds of other languages.  (Susanto A. , 2012)

Learning English can be frustrating for ESL and EFL learners because they face difficulty to pronounce new sounds while teaching (Hudson, 2016)  .Moreover, the influence of the native language which sometimes hinders the foreign learners to master the pronunciation of sounds in the target language. (Gashaw, 2015)

Most EFL, ESL and even the native speakers struggle to pronounce the voiced and the voiceless interdental fricative (/ð/) /θ/ sounds where the tip of the tongue is placed between the lips (PESCE) , (Gashaw, Perceptions of English Segmental Phonemes by Ethiopian EFL, 2017)

Telegraph news mentioned that by 2066 the /th/sound will disappear in UK because foreigners are having hard time learning to master this sound perfectly. (Knapton, 2016)

Many foreigners substitute these sounds (/ð/) /θ/) with the nearest sound in their language (Subandowo).The process of substitution in phonology is called reverse lisp (Hancock, 2017)

In general, the voiceless dental fricative ‘doesn’t require the vibration of the vocal cords when we produce it .Many foreigners substitute /θ/ with: /s/, /t/, /f/, /b/, while the/ð/ is voiced dental fricative which requires the vibration of the vocal cords. Foreigners substitute the voiced /th/ with: /z/, /d/, /f/ (speaking, 2012)
References:

Hancock, M. (2017, 11 28). Replacing ‘th’: The reverse lisp. Retrieved 4 2019, 29, from Cambridge University Press: http://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2017/11/28/replacing-th-the-reverse-lisp/

How to Pronounce the TH Sound in English. (n.d.). Retrieved from Yes school: https://www.yes-school.de/how-pronounce-th-sound-english

Hudson, J. (2016, 11 26). Retrieved 4 29, 2019, from TH – the Tooth Sounds: https://pronunciationstudio.com/th-tooth-sounds/

Karakas, A. (2011, 5 7). The Teaching of [θ] and [ð] Sounds in English. Retrieved 4 2019, 29, from Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/1753895/The_Teaching_of_θ_and_ð_Sounds_in_English

Knapton, S. (2016, 9 29). Th' sound to vanish from English language by 2066 because of multiculturalism, say linguist. Retrieved from Telegraph news: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/09/28/th-sound-to-vanish-from-english-language-by-2066-because-of-mult/

linguistic for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://linguisticsforteachersofells.weebly.com/

Meaning of phonology in English. (n.d.). Retrieved 4 2019, 29, from Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.Cambridge.org/dictionary/english/phonology

PESCE, C. (n.d.). Worst Pronunciation Mistakes ESL Students Make Around the World. Retrieved from Busy Teacher: https://busyteacher.org/14846-7-worst-pronunciation-mistakes-esl-students-make.html

Saidi, A. (n.d.). The Importance of Phonetics and Phonology in the Teaching of Pronunciation. Retrieved from Academia.edu: https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/38871415/The_Importance_of_Phonetics___Phonology_in_the_Teaching_of_Pronunciation.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1556533938&Signature=RNIx1tNZ3UJiS0ObCsGqj5Mkszg%3D&response-content-disposit

Shalabi, M. M. (2017, 5 15). Think, Tink or Sink, the Phonological Awareness of English Voiceless Interdental Fricative [θ] and [ð] Among Chinese, Arab and Pakistani Learners of English. Retrieved 4 2019, 29, from .American Journal of Education and Information Technology: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajeit doi: 10.11648/j.ajeit.20170101.12

speaking, C. (2012). Be Distinct: The Voiced and Voiceless /th/. Retrieved 4 29, 2019, from Clearly speaking: http://clearly-speaking.com/pdf/th-sound.pdf

Susanto, A. (2012). THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH PHONOLOGY FOR ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL) TEACHERS. Retrieved 4 29, 2019, from Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/5923389/THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_ENGLISH_PHONOLOGY

Sex Education

“What?”; “shut up”, “NO way”; “How do you dare to talk about sex”; Sex is taboo”. That’s how the half of the world’s population react when they hear about teaching sex in schools.Sex is considered to be controversial topic; especially in the eastern culture, which is totally governed by religious doctrines and old traditions. Sex is one of the most famous taboos in many cultures. Many people get embarrassed when they hear about sex because it is affiliated to the genital parts of the body. However, sex is vital for the maintenance of life (L., 2017); therefore, sex education should be taught in schools as a normal topic.

Sex education in the educational curriculum covers all the sexual aspects of the human body like pregnancy, usage of contraception, anatomy, abortion, puberty, sexual diseases, birth control, and many other topics.  (Bridges & Hauser, 2014)

During puberty, teens are exposed to deal with a variety of sexual, emotional, and psychological changes, which affect their life .Sexual developments starts at this stage of teens’ life. Teens become more interested to learn about different sexual aspects. In addition; they start showing affection to the opposite gender.  (Sexual Attraction and Orienation, 2015)                                                                          The risk of having sexual affairs and unintended pregnancy increases at this level because teens don’t have enough background information about sex. (Tulloch & Kaufman, 2013)

Talking about sex education in school is really significant because it holds many advantages for the pupils and the community as well.

Based on the proceeding, sex education should be taught in schools due to:                           
First, sex education leads to healthy life. Having unprotected sex can increase the transmission of HIV disease (Kibry, 2018). According to University of California, 25% of the HIV patients In the United State of America had HIV when they were teenager due to their early sexual activity. Sex education can increase the use of condoms and contraception by 40% which reduce the rate of unprotected sex by 60%.Also, it decreases the rate of unintended pregnancy (Reducing Teenage Pregrancy, 2013) .The U.S teen birth declined from 62%to 41% between 1999 and 2004 due to the use of contraception and condoms (Comprehensive Sex Education:Research and Results, 2009). Condoms abstains the transmission of any sexual infection by 98%.  (Condom Efectiveness)

In addition, it helps the pupils to know and understand their body through teaching them about puberty. During puberty, the adolescent exposes to a variety of physical, sexual and emotional changes. At this stage, teens may have intense anxiety; they don’t what’s happening to their body.Sex education can provide the students with scientific explanations of all the changes which prepares them to have a healthy life.

However, many people believe that sex education encourages teens to have early sexual activity; thus increases the rate of unintended pregnancy (Ten Good Reasons to Oppose Public School Sex Education, 2001). A study was conducted by the National Campaign to End Teen and Unplanned pregnancy; found that sexual programs delay the teens’ sexual intercourse by 40%. In addition, Sex education encourages the teens to abstain from having early sexual activity at a younger age.

Second, it increases the quality of learning. According to a study done by United Nations Population Funds, sex education arouses students’ intellectual and critical thinking; through giving the pupils chances for  discussions and sharing different points of view; hence, it stimulates their self-esteem and self-confidence .Also, according to Dr.Ali Khawaleda, a Jordanian writer, teens intend to grab information about sex from their friends or from the media. Some of this information is wrong .Sex education provides the students with adequate and accurate information about sexual life, human rights and gender equality (الخوالدة، 2014).                                                                                           Nethertheless, sex education fosters students’ academic achievements. A recent study conducted by advocated for youth, shows that healthy sexual programs in school help the students to succeed. Students’ health and success are linked together.Sex education teaches the students how to be healthy, that’s why it affects positively on their academic achievements. (Emily Bridges, 2010)

However, many people think that sex education is embarrassing topic to discuss .Students and teachers might feel discomfort (Pound, 2016).That might be true, but in education there is nothing to be embarrassed about. School is the only place where the students can develop their intellectual thinking. The main purpose of teaching sex education in school is to teach the students how to avoid sexual risks. No one can deny that sex is important in peoples’ life. That’s why students should have background information about sex.

Thirdly, sex education in schools reduces sexual violence. According to the University of Colorado, effective sexual education programs help to reduce sexual issues like rape, sexual harassments, and sexual assaults (A Focus on Human Rights and Gender, 2014).  Sexual awareness can prepare the students to speak up if they were abused by offender (Self esteem,health,and comprehensive sex education, 2017). In addition,          it introduces the students to a wide range of human rights laws which help them combat any sexual violence; thus; it empowers them in case they are sexually abused. (L.Raitz, 2015)                                                            

What is the appropriate age for sex education in school?

Some researchers believed that sex education in school should starts at age ten where they can learn about puberty .At age eleven and twelve, the pupils should know about sexual issues like rape, sexual assault. At age thirteen and fourteen the teens are supposed to know more about abortion and birth control. However, at elementary age, the pupils should take a basic anatomy lesson which prepares them to know about the genital parts of the body. (Sex Ed Classes Should Start As Early As Age 10,Researchers Recommend, 2014)

As a summary, learning is power. The students have the right to know about everything; especially sex education.Sex education doesn’t teach the student how to practice sex; in contrary, it provides the pupils with scientific explanation of the physical changes that occur in their body at a certain age. In addition it teaches them how to embrace themselves, and defends their own rights (Serenko, 2014).Furthermore, it arouses their critical thinking, and it enhances their academic achievements as well.

                         

 

References:

A Focus on Human Rights and Gender. (2014). Retrieved 12 23, 2017, from UNFPA Operational Guidance for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/UNFPA_OperationalGuidance_WEB3.pfd

Bridges, E., & Hauser, D. (2014, May). Sexuality Education. Retrieved 1 6, 2018, from Advocates for Youth: www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/2390-sexuality-education

Building a Foundation for Sexual Health is a K-12 Endeavor. (2016, June). Retrieved 1 3, 2018, from Future of Sex Education: www.futureofsexed.org/buildingfoundation.html

Comprehensive Sex Education:Research and Results. (2009, September). Retrieved 1 6, 2018, from Advocates for Youth.

Condom Efectiveness. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 4, 2018, from Aids Chicago: https://www.aidschicago.org/resources/legacy/condoms/ltoyw_facts.pdf

Emily Bridges, S. A. (2010, August). Comprehensive Sex Education and Acadamic Success. Retrieved 12 6, 2017, from Advocates for Youth: www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/1745-comprehensive-sex-education-and-acadamic-success

Kibry, D. (2018). HIV Transmission and Prevention in Adolescents. Retrieved 1 1, 2018, from HIV Insite: hiviinsite.ucsf.edu/inSite?page=kb-07-04-03

L., G. (2017). Why Sex Education is Important? Retrieved 12 6, 2017, from Stay teen: stayteen.org/sex-ed/article/why-sex-education-important

L.Raitz, K. (2015). Youth Empowerment in Sex Education. Boulder: University of Colorado.

McKeon, B. (2006). Effective Sex Education. Retrieved 12 23, 2017, from Adtevocates for Youth: www.advocatesforyouth.org/component/content/article/450-effective-sex-education#references

Pound, P. (2016, January 2016). What do young people think about their school-based sex and relationship education? p. 43.

Reducing Teenage Pregrancy. (2013, July). Retrieved 12 29, 2017, from Planned Parenthood Federation of America: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/6813/9611/7632/Reducing_Teen_Pregnancy.pdf

Sexual Attraction and Orienation. (2015, 10). Retrieved from Teens Health: kidshealth.org/en/teens/sexual-orientation.html#

Sex Ed Classes Should Start As Early As Age 10,Researchers Recommend. (2014, August 5). Retrieved 1 1, 2018, from Think Progress: https://thinkprogress.org/sex-ed-classes-should-as-early-as-age-10-reserachers-recommend-6126894c226c/

Self esteem,health,and comprehensive sex education. (2017, September 1). Retrieved 12 6, 2017, from Expat Health: https://expathealth.org/features/self-esteem-health-and-comprehensive-sex-education/

Serenko, A. (2014, March 30). Sex Ed:Barriers and Benefits. Retrieved 12 23, 2017, from Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/sex-ed-barriers-and-benefits/

Ten Good Reasons to Oppose Public School Sex Education. (2001). Retrieved December 7, 2017, from Catholic Parents: https://www.catholicparents.org/ten-good-reasons-oppose-public-school-sex-education/

Tulloch, T., & Kaufman, M. (2013, January). Adolescent Sexuality. Aap News and Journals Gateway, 34(1).

الخوالدة, ع. (2014). التربية الجنسية في المدرسة:اهميتها وضرورتها. In ع. الخوالدة, عمون.