A drop in the ocean: Active Ageing

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to a friend who keeps using his age as an excuse for turning into a bit less active man than he could be.

I have found the definition of active ageing on the website of WHO. If you're interested, visit their website.

What is "active ageing"?

 Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It applies to both individuals and population groups. 

Active ageing allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need.

The word “active” refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labour force. Older people who retire from work, ill or live with disabilities can remain active contributors to their families, peers, communities and nations. Active ageing aims to extend healthy life expectancy and quality of life for all people as they age. 

“Health” refers to physical, mental and social well being as expressed in the WHO definition of health. Maintaining autonomy and independence for the older people is a key goal in the policy framework for active ageing. 

Ageing takes place within the context of friends, work associates, neighbours and family members. This is why interdependence as well as intergenerational solidarity are important tenets of active ageing.

Did you get the message? It doesn't matter how old you are, do not fail to realize your potential for physical, social, and mental well-being. 

If you have time to practise, try to translate the highlighted words or write your own sentences with them. I'm looking forward to your comments.

I hope you all have found it instructive regardless of feeling young or old.

WALK in English

Spread the word: WITH EVERY FIBRE OF MY BEING

I met this expression in a TED talk (at the very end) and somehow I fell in love with it immediately. 

Here is a quote from the movie Moulin Rouge. Can you find out the meaning of with every fibre your being?

"Christian, you may see me only as a drunken, vice-ridden gnome whose friends are just pimps and girls from the brothels. But I know about art and love, if only because I long for it with every fibre of my being."

Macmillan dictionary says the following:
used for saying that a feeling is very strong

He hated her with every fiber of his being.


In a much better case you love someone with every fibre of your being. By the way, have you seen Moulin Rouge? 

Keep WALKing.

A drop in the ocean: Desert Rose

There is an evergreen song that I’ll always love. I’m sure all of you know this masterpiece but have you ever paid attention to the lyrics? It’s so nicely put that it’s worth having a look at.

First read the lyrics and check the unknown words. Then start the video and follow the song line by line.

[Cheb Mami Introduction (Algerian Arabic):]
Hadaee mada tawila
Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti
Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti
Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti
[English:]
Oh night oh night
It has been a long time
And I am looking for myself and my loved one
And I am looking for myself and my loved one
And I am looking for myself and my loved one

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

And as she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realize that nothing's as it seems

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes
This rare perfume is the sweet intoxication of her love

[Cheb Mami (Algerian Arabic):]
Aman aman aman
Omry feek antia
Ma ghair antia
Ma ghair antia
[English:]
Aman aman aman
My life is for you
And no one other than you
And no one other than you

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower
This rare perfume, is the sweet intoxication of the fall

[Cheb Mami (Algerian Arabic):]
Ya lili ah ya leel
[English:]
Oh night oh night

from www.azlyrics.com

Has this exercise changed your attitude to this song? At least a bit?

WALK Program – Haladjunk az angollal?

Spread the word: TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT

Have you ever been told that you and another person are in the same boat? Have you ever met this English expression?

"It's not surprising any more to me that I am struggling to find work, because everybody is in the same boat."

from BBC

"This definition of social glue does not necessarily include trust, liking, or mutual respect. Those may come later once the feeling of connection and the sense of being in the same boat has been established."

from Creating Social Glue in the Community

WALK Program - Haladjunk az angollal!

Laugh a minute: How to hug

Did you hear about the blonde that went to library and checked out a book called 'How to hug'? Got back to the dorm and found out it was volume seven of the encyclopaedia.

from verynicejoke.com


Did you get it? :)

WALK in English again.

Laugh a minute: The government

The government claims it's following the will of the people. I didn't even know we'd died!



will (1):  what somebody wants to happen in a particular situation


will (2): a legal document that says what is to happen to somebody's money and property after they die

WALK Program - Haladjunk az angollal!

A drop in the ocean: Changing education paradigms 1.

Hi,
I’m back again. This time we’re going to deal with a presentation on the underlying concepts of education systems by Ken Robinson. I’ve chosen this video not only because I’m fond of him and his work but I reckon that his thoughts and sense of humour can teach me and you a lesson.


The video takes around eleven minutes. Today I would like you to cope with the first 3 and a half minutes (until 3.35).In order to raise your capacity to catch the message I’ve created some warming up and after listening activities.


I.) Match the words and phrases with their definitions.
to alienate sy from sg
to anticipate
compulsory
the Enlightenment
imperative
to object to sg
to square the circle

1. to see what might happen in the future and take action to prepare for it
2. to find a good solution to a problem when that seems impossible, especially because the people involved have very different needs or opinions about it
3. to say that you disagree with, disapprove of or oppose something
4. to make somebody feel that they do not belong in a particular group
5. a thing that is very important and needs immediate attention or action
6. the period in the 18th century when many writers and scientists began to argue that science and reason were more important than religion and tradition
7. that must be done because of a law or a rule

Definitions are taken from Oxford Dictionary.


Don't worry if you couldn't match all, try it again after watching the video.

II.) Try to explain these expressions with your own words:
cultural identity
to raise/ lower standards
Industrial Revolution
public education


And here is the video.

Do you like it?

III.) Find the following words in the presentation:

revolutionary, street kids, to take your place in, to benefit from

WALK in English, again.