Asturias Essay Essay

The concept of Celebrity and Fame are ones that affect relationships both positively and negatively. Fame refers to the state of being known by many people, and Celebrity is the noun for a famous person. The experiences and perspectives of celebrities who have gone through the process of Fame have all had their relationships affected by their status both positively and negatively – whether it is a celebrity’s relationship with corporations, the concept of Fame or their peers and rivals. This statement is supported by Brian Caswell’s novel _Asturias,_ Jay Z and Justin Timberlake’s song _Holy Grail,_ and Donna Rockwell’s article _’Fame is a Dangerous Drug: a phenomenal glimpse of celebrity†_ all showcase these arguments with textual evidence. In brief, textual evidence have been provided to establish the implications Fame present on a celebrity’s relationships. Corporate relationships with a celebrity are professional, but the effects of Fame on these relationships may force the bond to become personal. An example of a positive relationship between celebrities and a corporate figure is demonstrated through Asturias’ relationship with their manager, Max. This is exemplified through the use of comparison in Chapter 22, â€Å"These are people †¦ Kids. They’re not some ‘bottom line’ on a sales-report†. It outlines Max’s personal concern for the band – he overlooks the professional implications on the band’s/his career, worrying more about their well-being. On the contrary, the relationship between Asturias and Symonds, a distant but more powerful figure, is an example of a negative relationship between celebrities and corporate figures. For example, the use of objectification is expressed by Symonds in the same chapter, â€Å"They’re a product, for Christ’s sake! We made them, we can remake them.† This use of objectification takes away the Asturias’ human dignity and conveys Symonds’ negligence on the band’s well-being and emotional state, selfishly focusing on generating quick profit and securing his income and position on the ladder. In summary, the relationship between celebrities and corporations is a relationship that can either be based on nurturing and guiding said celebrity, or harshly exploiting/overworking them for high profits. Another factor that affects a relationship which is influenced by Fame is the  nature of Fame itself, and its connection with the celebrity. Fame has an influential nature that commonly consumes the celebrity ‘s identity; it requires attention at all times and occupies the subjects’ lifestyle, privacy and well-being – the thirst for fame can result in the subject being obsessive and wanting more, after having experienced the perks and benefits of becoming a celebrity. An example of how the implications of fame affect a person negatively is demonstrated through the use of rhetorical question, â€Å"Was he scared? Did he call out to me?† This use of rhetorical question was triggered by the event of Alex leaving Abuelito behind due to his priorities to the band, missing Abuelito’s peaceful demise – he was so caught up with his celebrity priorities that he didn’t even know how Abuelito passed away. In comparison, a positive opinion on this notion is stated through the use of motif, â€Å"The ride was every bit as exciting as they’d promised.† â€Å"The ride† is a motif found throughout the book, and refers to celebrity-hood – this statement expresses that despite the sacrifices in relationships, living famously is as exciting as it is perceived to be. This opinion can drive celebrities (or even non-celebrities) to work harder and be consistent, getting what they want constantly. The article strengthens this argument that albeit being aware of the negative implications of fame on its subject and their relationships, the subject still disregards these implications in order to keep pursuing the perks of Fame. This is exemplified through the use of figurative language, â€Å"the allure of wealth, †¦ keeps the famous person stuck in the perpetual need to keep their fame machine churning.† Through the use of figurative language, the author expresses the obsession of celebrities with fame, and how they tirelessly work through, neglecting their relationships on the way, their way to staying relevant. Therefore, these texts obviously overlook the negative aspect of fame, and focuses on the positive outcomes it may bring to its subject. Finally, through the use of a bridge, Justin Timberlake sings, â€Å"And you take the blade right out my heart, just so you can watch me bleed / And I still don’t know why, why I love you so much.† referring to his addiction with  being a celebrity – he overlooks the deeply negative impacts of Fame, and blindly craves for more which shows a celebrity’s obsessive relationship with Fame. Competition within the celebrity industry also affects relationships positively. These positive results a relationship gains from competition is exemplified through the use of colloquialism, â€Å"Enough sticks, it was time for carrot.† This use of colloquialism comes from working with donkeys, where sticks were used as force to get the donkey moving, whilst carrots were used as motivators to do the same thing: it’s basically referring to whether you use force or threats on someone to get them to do something or persuade and motivate them into doing something. In this case, it portrays Max’s security in his situation – he is so confident about negotiating with his competitor, Symonds, that he started with threatening him but knowing the man, he offered him a better deal that would get him fired meaning his liability would be taken away. Another example is presented in Holy Grail, where the use of personification is expressed, â€Å"Fuck the fame, keep cheating on me, what I do, I took her back.† This use of personification expresses the struggle with staying relevant as a celebrity as if it were an intimate relationship (when he says that Fame â€Å"cheats on him†, he is referring to whenever other celebrities get more attention than him as if Fame favoured them more). Initially a negative statement, he then goes on to say that he takes Fame back, which can be comprehended to mean that he is driven and motivated to success by his competition which makes it a positive statement as to say that he has gotten over the nature of fame, and learnt an effective way to cope with it. However, as celebrities become more immersed and competitive, they also become more jealous and greedy. This is best exemplified in Asturias through the use of the multiple narrators. The use of multiple narrators allows Tim to reflect, â€Å"Everyone shines in their own way, but one child shines brighter. In our â€Å"family†, that one was Alex. And I got to the stage where I couldn’t forgive him for it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Through this quote, it is clearly seen that Tim and Alex’s relationship was deteriorating because of Tim’s thirst for  attention and recognition: something only Fame had inflicted on him. Originally being a friendly person, his ego is slowly fed by his fans which made him envious of Alex’s vitality to the band. The article reinforces the negative effects of jealousy and greed through the use of metaphor, â€Å"I’ve been addicted to almost every substance known to man at one point or another, but the most addictive of them all was fame.† The metaphorical comparison between the concept of fame and illegal drugs suggest that fame evokes an unhealthy addiction within its subject – like how drugs detaches its user from their relationships and lifestyle and into addiction, fame does the same. Thus, these textual evidences outline the notion of fame detaching its subjects from their originally close relationships, through jealousy, thirst and greed. In conclusion, Fame is a concept that affects a celebrity’s relationship both positively and negatively – it merely depends on the situation the celebrity is in. The arguments of fame affecting corporate relationships, relationships with the actual concept of fame and relationships with peers and rivals during the pursuit of becoming famous are all provided with both the positive implications of these arguments, and the negative. These arguments are supported by Textual evidence from varying texts such as a novel, an audio text and an article. Overall, the textual evidence provided clearly demonstrate how Fame affects a celebrity’s relationships with their surroundings.

Recommendation letter for OJT Essay

MRS. MERCEDES B. RODIEL June 3, 2013 Head, Document Processing Unit Bureau of Internal Revenue Cabanatuan City Dear Mrs. Rodiel: Christian Greetings! Our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management requires student in Office Practicum to undergo a 240-hour On-the-Job Training outside the campus to expose and orient them to actual business practices. In this connection, may we recommend Ms. Kristine Rhonalyn Rodiel, BSBA Student to undergo training in your office, to enable her to complete the requirements in the subject. Rest assured that she is given the necessary orientation with respect to office protocol, such as keeping confidential information. We hope she will be assigned to do a job related to his field of concentration. Also, may we ask your good office to give the necessary certificate at the end of his training period, to attest the satisfactory completion of his office training. Thank you very much and more power. Very truly yours, DR. LUISA S. ZERRUDO Program Head, Business Administration Noted: DR. MARIA VICTORIA C. MONES Dean, College of Business and Accountancy MRS. MERCEDES B. RODIEL June 3, 2013 Head, Document Processing Unit Bureau of Internal Revenue Cabanatuan City Dear Mrs. Rodiel: Christian Greetings! Our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management requires student in Office Practicum to undergo a 240-hour On-the-Job Training outside the campus to expose and orient them to actual business practices. In this connection, may we recommend Ms. Roxanne P. Calderon, BSBA Student to undergo training in your office, to enable her to complete the requirements in the subject. Rest assured that she is given the necessary orientation with respect to office protocol, such as keeping confidential information. We hope she will be assigned to do a job related to his field of concentration. Also, may we ask your good office to give the necessary certificate at the end of his training period, to attest the satisfactory completion of his office training. Thank you very much and more power. Very truly yours, DR. LUISA S. ZERRUDO Program Head, Business Administration Noted: DR. MARIA VICTORIA C. MONES Dean, College of Business and Accountancy MRS. MERCEDES B. RODIEL June 3, 2013 Head, Document Processing Unit Bureau of Internal Revenue Cabanatuan City Dear Mrs. Rodiel: Christian Greetings! Our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management requires student in Office Practicum to undergo a 240-hour On-the-Job Training outside the campus to expose and orient them to actual business practices. In this connection, may we recommend Mr. Jan Paul  Valdoviezo, BSBA Student to undergo training in your office, to enable him to complete the requirements in the subject. Rest assured that he is given the necessary orientation with respect to office protocol, such as keeping confidential information. We hope he will be assigned to do a job related to his field of concentration. Also, may we ask your good office to give the necessary certificate at the end of his training period, to attest the satisfactory completion of his office training. Thank you very much and more power. Very truly yours, DR. LUISA S. ZERRUDO Program Head, Business Administration Noted: DR. MARIA VICTORIA C. MONES Dean, College of Business and Accountancy

Global Expansion Plan

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 22 November 2012 Datuk Steven Sim Chief executive officer and managing director Secret Recipe Cakes and Cafe Sdn Bhd Malaysia Dear Sir, FINAL REPORT SUBMISSION – EXPANSION PLAN TO VIETNAM MARKET Please find attached the reported requested by the Board. This report reveals an insight into the Vietnamese market and explains why this is a potential one to invest in. We hope that the information provided is useful in the decision-making with regard to further development of Secret Recipe in the future.If you need any farther clarification on the report, please do not hesitate to contact me, the team leader, at an email address: [email  protected] nottingham. edu. my Yours sincerely, Nguyen Huynh Bao Ngoc On behalf of the Global Strategy Team Table of Contents 1. Executive summary3 2. Introduction4 3. Methodology5 4. Findings and Discussion6 4. 1. Motives of internationalization6 4. 2. Justification of entering into Vietnam6 5. Conclusion13 6. Recommendation s:14 6. 1. Most appropriate strategy14 6. 2. Entry mode14 6. 3.Appropriate organization structure15 7. References16 1. Executive summary This report critically examines the possibility of Vietnam to be the next stop in Secret Recipe’s global expansion plan. Initially, the report highlights the current great achievements that Secret Recipe has been attaining from its very first internationalized activity. Employing the proper strategy and being favored by consumers all guarantee an auspicious future for the chain. Taking all of these merits, the company consecutively looks for new marketplaces with new resources.Simultaneously, findings have shown that Vietnam is an appealing market because of its potentials in a fast-growing economy and long-term profitability, as well as rich resources. Then, the country risk analysis and the country market and industry opportunities analysis were introduced to evaluate Vietnam’s benefits and drawbacks. The result is that there are ro oms for both of them. Therefore, so as to be successful, recommendations on appropriate entry mode, strategy and organization structure are specified.To be more detailed, the most suitable entry mode is master franchising via a joint venture because it brings about the positively high certainty in operating. As for strategy, it is an international one to ensure consistency in the menu and concept by taking control over the core competencies and leaving other decisions to foreign subsidiaries. Besides, the Worldwide Area Structure is vital in terms of managing the company’s global expansion as it enables local responsiveness and decentralized authority, which both matter for future growth.Finally, the main conclusion is that Vietnam is the right solution for the Board’s decision to expand overseas. Nonetheless, the management should cautiously take into account the recommendations so that Secret Recipe can win. 2. Introduction Secret Recipe has gained its popularity not only in Malaysia but also across the region. The great succeed stemmed from the ambience brought to customers and the high-quality food served at reasonable prices. The number of foreign outlets is now exceeding 40 and is expecting to increase.According to Welch and Luostarinen (1988), internationalization can be described as a process by which the level of involvement in overseas activities of a firm rises. Indeed, adding the number of overseas outlets up to 100 was part of the ambitious global expansion plan. Recently, the company has spent RM60 million to invest in 2 more new markets which are India and Cambodia (TheSundaily. com, 2011). Evangelista (1994) argues that the readiness to fund international activities proves that firms desires to move further.In the past 3 years, the company has witnessed an annual growth rate of 30% (Articlebase. com, 2011). Taking advantage of both the reputation and the growth pace, it is the right time to put one step further and seize the oppor tunities available in a new market to grow even larger. The Global Strategy Team, after doing research on several potential markets within the Asian area, strongly recommends Vietnam. In this report, the motives of internationalization of Secret Recipe will be disclosed, as well as the motives of choosing Vietnam as a new international market will also be revealed.And as for a smooth penetrating process, recommendations relating to the strategy to be implemented, to the entry mode to be executed, and to the organization structure to be formed will be offered. 3. Methodology The information and data given were collected from many government and organization websites, namely Datamonitor, Trading Economics, General Statistics Office of Vietnam, etc. Besides, a proportion of them were also taken from reliable online newspapers such as TheSundaily. com.In addition, knowledge from International Business books and journals was also introduced to help provide a better understanding. Neverth eless, due to the unavailability of official information about Secret Recipe performance, the analysis had to rely entirely on online newspapers and the CEO’s reported interviews. In addition, the focus of the report is mostly on the food sector, not the franchising one. It is due to the well-structured characteristic of the franchising that it promotes a simple way to interpret and analyze.By contrast, food is a subjective topic as it relates to personal opinion, thus there are limits on suggestions. 4. Findings and Discussion 4. 1. Motives of internationalization Secret Recipe is now among the fastest-growing restaurant chains both domestically and regionally. For the last 5 years, the growth rate has been an amazing double-digit figure (TheSundaily, 2011), accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of outlets. Currently, its outlets present in 8 Asian countries including China, Australia and Pakistan.In any market, there is always a positive reaction from the consumers. A proven fact is that Secret Recipe has been awarded with many titles such as â€Å"Best Cheesecake award†, â€Å"Malaysia’s best local restaurant chain†, â€Å"Indonesian's Best Restaurant Award†, â€Å"Singapore's Excellent Food Award†, â€Å"Best Restaurant Award – Philippines Talter†, etc. This is to say, Secret Recipe, after securing its stance in Malaysia, is continuously gaining customer awareness and fame throughout the region. As a result, Secret Recipe’s movement could be best explained using Eclectic paradigm (Dunning, 1980, 1981).Among the 3 advantage factors recognized by the Eclectic paradigm, the Ownership advantage appears to be most relevant to the context of Secret Recipe. As stated above, the company now possesses a valuable intangible asset which is good brand awareness. Besides, stated in the theory, one of the reasons behind the internationalization of a multinational firm is market seeking investment. In this particular case, Secret Recipe is to exploit new market (i. e. Vietnam) because of its prospects of market size and market growth (Dunning and Lundan, 2008) 4. 2. Justification of entering into Vietnam Vietnam risk analysis:Political risks Vietnam is famous for its political stability. This diminishes the insecurity and uncertainty of foreign investors deciding to invest in Vietnam. According to Worldwide Governance Indicators (2011), the Vietnamese political environment remains almost steady in the past 15 years. Figure 1 Source: Worldwide Governance Indicators (2011) Note: Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of countries worldwide that rank lower than the indicated country, so that higher values indicate better governance scores. The line graphs include margins of error shown as dashed lines, corresponding to 90% confidence intervals.Competitive risks Corruption level in Vietnam is reported to be one of the highest in the world. According to Transparency International, 2011’s score was 2. 9, which increased 0. 2 points compared to the year before. Indeed, in comparison to other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Thailand, Vietnam’s freedom from corruption index remains low (refer to figure 2). However, the formation of the Vietnam Anti-Corruption Initiative Program 2011 (VACI) supported by World Bank somehow saves the situation. Figure 2. Vietnam’s freedom from Corruption in comparison with Malaysia, Thailand and the World AverageSource: Heritage (2012) Operational risks Suppliers play an important role in deciding the quality. In any market, suppliers are abundant but not all of them can provide what Secret Recipe desires for a good menu. Therefore, an insightful search should be carried out before entering the market. Economic risks The inflation rate of Vietnam fluctuates wildly (refer to figure 3). This issue somehow imposes a concern, as the less wealthy class will be more conscious with eat-out whenever the rate is high, which eventually will negatively impact the foodservice sales. Figure 3 Source: TradingEconomis. om | General Statistics Office of Vietnam Vietnam market and industry opportunities: Market: In the World Bank’s 2011 Annual Report, Vietnam is perceived to reach a middle-income level country soon enough. The Vietnamese foodservice industry grew at a CAGR of 6% from 2005 to 2009. It is estimated that the growth rate would be at a CAGR of 4. 5% from 2010 to 2014 (Datamonitor, 2011). In recent years, the country has also witnessed a steady urbanization, with a rate of 3. 1% in 2010 (ReportLinker, 2012) accompanied by a sharp rise in population, implying an increasing demand for food.The rationale behind this is that as people move to big cities to work, they will have little time to prepare their own meals. Thus, eating out becomes an optimal choice. Also, according to that report by ReportLinker, there has been a surge in the number of households in Vietnamese econo my. Two types of households that contribute the most the industry are single member households and working couples as it fits into their fast-paced lifestyle. Furthermore, Vietnamese population is huge (87. 84 million in 2011) and young. Specifically, in 2010, the group 15-29 (i. e. argeting customer of Secret Recipe) appeared to be significantly larger than others. It is predicted that the group will be expanding in the next ten years, indicating a long-term growth for Secret Recipe in Vietnam food industry. Figure 4. Vietnam population by age and sex in 2010 Figure 5. Vietnam population by age and sex in 2020 Resources: Labor: Secret Recipe can be beneficial from a low-cost and huge workforce. According to General Statistics Office of Vietnam, 57. 2% of Vietnam’s population participated to labor market and 32. 5% of them had undergone or completed a vocational/professional training.It somehow guarantees skilled labor force availability. Raw materials: Basic ingredients are available here in Vietnam. However, only qualified suppliers worth the contracts otherwise they may ruin Secret Recipe’s image. Nonetheless, some of the flavors can be costly as they are imported goods with high prices. An approach to this problem could be buying in bulk and storing them for further process. Location: A number of shopping malls and superior residential areas are being built as a developing plan (Food services in Vietnam, Market Analysis, 2012). Therefore, Secret Recipe can easily reach to its customers.Apparently, however, rental price should be considered consciously. Competition: Porter’s Five Forces model, which consists of five elements, is used to give an overall picture of the food industry in Vietnam. Intensity of rivalry: Medium Currently, in terms of cheese cake, which is a core product of Secret Recipe, there are no direct competitors as none of the existing players emphasize their menu on that. Nonetheless, as for other Vietnamese dishes tha t will be developed later on, Secret Recipe should be aware that they have been being offered by domestic independents for years (Food Service profile, 2012).Their primary advantage is the understanding of the market, customers and their taste, which will take times for Secret Recipe to gain. Threats of new entrants: Medium to High Setting up a food business generally does not require high capital in comparison to other businesses. However, the procedure to ask for permission to do business in Vietnam needs good relationship with the authorities. Undoubtedly, food is a recession-free industry; hence business entities can earn profit eventually setting foot into this industry. Bargaining power of suppliers: LowAs mentioned, in order not to ruin Secret Recipe’s name, only reliable and qualified suppliers selected. Therefore, once the contract is signed between the two parties, it will be a long-term one and thus the switching cost would be relatively high, causing the suppliers ’ bargaining power to be low. Bargaining power of customers: High Vietnamese food consumers are offered with many choices. Currently, there are several cake brands operating in Vietnam such as Paris Baguette, Chewy Junior (Singapore brand), Tour le Jour (Korean brand).Besides, street vendors’ food is plentiful with many different taste and prices to choose from. Consequently, together with a favor in low switching cost, customers can easily go to another restaurant if they want to. Threats of substitutes: High Cakes are not that essential in a person’s daily life. Moreover, food in general in Vietnam is diversified and can be found on any street with a relatively reasonable price, mostly serve local cuisines to their largely native customers especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City.Thus, when it comes to hunger, people can choose from a wide range of them. 5. Conclusion To put it in a nutshell, the motives of internationalization of Secret Recipe can be be st enlightened applying Eclectic paradigm, particularly the Ownership advantage. At the moment, the company’s strategy is trying to spread its brand name beyond borders by constantly looking for new international markets and by bravely spending budget on them. Accordingly, one with great potentials would be worth the investment.All the findings and data have proved that Vietnam comes in the first place in the list of promising marketplaces due to its strongly growing economy, low-cost labor, and dynamic food market. Although entering into the country poses obstacles (e. g. intense competition, good authorities relationship) and economic threats (e. g. unstable inflation rate, high corruption rate), choosing the right strategy, the right means of going into it and building a suitable organization structure would foster an effective and efficient managing job. 6. Recommendations: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.Most appropriate strategy The most suitable strategy to be executed when ent ering Vietnam market is international strategy. There are two reasons for this choice. Firstly, the Secret Recipe’s menu on cheese cakes was originally developed by Malaysian chefs. People come to the restaurant mostly to enjoy the unique fine taste and the ambience there. Therefore, the R;D function should be in the home country so that the uniqueness making the brand name will always be the same. This happens to be parallel with the top management’s viewpoint in which the menu stays unchanged in any market.Secondly, the pressure for local responsiveness is low, not zero. Also, the most crucial characteristic of any organization is the willingness to develop products for foreign markets (Rosson and Ford, 1982). In fact, the success of Secret Recipe in foreign markets has its root in the willingness to include the popular dishes of the local food culture. Furthermore, Vietnamese consumers favor their traditional dishes such as Pho, spring rolls, etc. Thus, being able t o fruitfully offer them in the menu will certainly be an advantage. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 7. 2. Entry modeOviatt and McDougall (1994) advise that firms should use †alternative governance structures†, such as franchising, licensing. And together with the analyses about Vietnam risks and industry opportunities, the recommended entry mode for Secret Recipe is establishing a master franchise via a joint venture. The reasons are as follows. First of all, Secret Recipe is in the food industry where the best mean of doing business is franchising. Indeed, the company has achieved its regional prospect thanks to properly implementing that form. In other words, the management is experienced.Moreover, the franchising is now widely perceived and accepted by Vietnamese business entities and the government, making the process easier and less costly. Secondly, Secret Recipe is still on the progress of opening a foreign market, thus what matters the most to the management would be the development costs and risks. As a result, setting up a master franchise will somehow save the management from many problems as it is now the master franchisee’s job to select and train franchisees, select locations, etc. Also, the costs and risks will be shared with the local partner in a joint venture.Thirdly, there is always a need to reduce control challenges and to protect the brand name, as well as to benefit from a local partners’ knowledge of the host country’s competitive conditions, culture, language, political and business systems whenever expanding internationally. In this sense, a joint venture appears to be essential and practical. Besides, due to the complexity of Vietnamese market, a Vietnamese partner would be helpful in negotiating with the authorities, finding suppliers, recruiting personnel, etc. 7. 3. Appropriate organization structureIn terms of global expansion management, the recommendation structure goes to Worldwide Area Structure. The reason is that for farther development, Secret Recipe will obviously expand to other markets in different countries and territories around the world. Sooner or later, the management will have to deal with problems arising from dissimilarities in customers taste, operational issues, etc. Consequently, to save costs and efforts, it is necessary to have a decentralized bureaucracy, which can be built under a Worldwide Area structure.Plus, the structure facilitates local responsiveness, which is relatively crucial to a restaurant chain like Secret Recipe. On the other hand, the structure bears the threat of fragmentation of the organization. Hence, it needs close monitor and periodical review. [Words count: 2,254] 7. References A recipe for success (2011) [Online]. Available at http://top10malaysia. com/home/index. php/trail-blazing-companies/secret-recipe [Accessed 19th October 2012] B. M. Oviatt, P. P. McDougall (1994). ‘Toward a theory of international new ventures’.Jour nal of International Business Studies, 25 (1994), pp. 45–64 Corruption in Vietnam is serious, blatant, rampant (September 2012) [Online]. Available at http://tuoitrenews. vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/politics/corruption-in-vietnam-is-serious-blatant-rampant-1. 85998 [Accessed 12th November 2012] Dunning, H. J. , ; Lundan, M. S. (2008). Multinational Enterprises and The Global Economy. (2nd Edition). UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Foodservice in Vietnam to 2014 (July 2011) [Online]. Available at http://www. marketresearch. com/Datamonitor-v72/Foodservice-Vietnam-6446347/ Accessed 28th October 2012] F. U. Evangelista (1994). Export performance and its determinants: some empirical evidence from Australian manufacturing firms ,in: S. T. Cavusgil, C. T. Axmin (Eds. ), Advances in international marketing, vol. 6JAI Press, Greenwich, CT (1994), pp. 207–229 General Statistics office of Viet Nam [Online]. Available at http://www. gso. gov. vn/default_en. aspx? tabid=515;idmid=5;ItemID=10 6550 [Accessed 5th November 2012] Hill, C. W. L. (2012), International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, (9th ed. McGraw Hill, p434-439. L. S. Welch, R. K. Luostarinen (1988). ‘Internationalization: evolution of a concept’. Journal of General Management, 14 (2) (1988), pp. 34–55 P. J. Rosson, L. D. Ford (1982). ‘Manufacturer–overseas distributor relations and export performance’. Journal of International Business Studies, Fall (1982), pp. 57–72 Secret Recipe to invest RM60m on expansion (December 2011) [Online]. Available at http://www. thesundaily. my/news/243733 [Accessed 21st October 2012] Secret Recipe in Malaysia (July 2011) [Online]. Available at http://www. articlesbase. om/customer-service-articles/secret-recipe-in-malaysia-5066674. html [Accessed 22nd October 2012] Secret Recipe plans more foreign outlets (January 2008) [Online]. Available at http://biz. thestar. com. my/news/story. asp? file=%2F2008%2F1%2F24%2Fbus iness%2F20105989;sec=business [Accessed 22nd October 2012] Vietnam Anti-Corruption Initiative Program 2011 Awarded 34 Proposals to Minimize Corruption http://web. worldbank. org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/VIETNAMEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22793085~pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:387565,00. tml [Accessed 12th November 2012] Vietnamese foodservice: The future of food service in Viet Nam (October 2012) [Online]. Available at http://www. reportlinker. com/p01010818-summary/Vietnamese-Foodservice-The-Future-of-Foodservice-in-Vietnam-to. html [Accessed 5th November 2012] Vietnam Inflation rate http://www. tradingeconomics. com/vietnam/inflation-cpi [Accessed 11st November 2012] Vietnamese population pyramid for years [Online]. Available at http://www. nationmaster. com/country/vm-vietnam/Age_distribution [Accessed

Space Exploration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Space Exploration - Essay Example These are some of the flashy images that come to one's mind when thinking about space exploration. The government and NASA have conspired to brainwash the ordinary person with these images, with the aim of grossly exaggerating the budgetary allocations assigned to NASA in every financial year. The statement put across here is that success in space exploration can only be achieved through government funding by employing billions of dollars to fund NASA’s space exploration operations. This statement is a fraud that the government and NASA would have us believes to be the only strategy of achieving success in space exploration programs. NASA would have us believe that extravagant expenditures are the only way of reaching an advanced technological breakthrough in space exploration. However, this is not true, because space technology can be easily equated to an expensive toy, which is flashy and exciting while new but irrelevant and outdated once it has outlived its uses when newer and more exciting toys hit the market shelves. Although government funding is necessary in space exploration, it does not necessarily mean that the funding has to be stretched to billions of dollars begotten from the public coughers. Space exploration may be expensive, but this does not necessarily mean that NASA should ask for exorbitant finances from the government for their space operations. This is because expensive technology does not essentially translate to operation success, but rather a chance at innovation to develop simple, efficient, and cost friendly space technologies. NASA should not, therefore, employ the ‘sledgehammer’ approach to space technology, where they employ the sophisticated technology card to every challenge faced by the program. Instead, the government should provide limited funding, which is centered upon responsible spending and efficiency of space exploration technology. This is because of the rising need to instill the practice of respon sible spending on NASA to cut extravagant costs and ensure that the surplus is effectively utilized in the other sectors of the economy. Therefore, NASA’s illegitimate claim that success in space exploration can only be achieved through government funding by employing billions of dollars to fund its space exploration operations can be effortlessly disapproved. There is thus no justification to the extravagant funding offered by the government to NASA for its space exploration plan. Once, Socrates, the Greek philosopher, was seen by some of his good friends seated by the market observing as people did their shopping. His friends, curious as to why he was just seated by the market entrance, inquired what he was doing since he did not seem to be shopping for goods. In reply to this inquisition, Socrates just answered that he was observing all the unnecessary commodities that people buy (The Spiritual Scientist, 2011, p.1). Similarly, not all the space journeying machinery is obl igatory within the space exploration program. Some of the technology employed in space exploration may be easily categorized as mere luxuries for NASA to continue with space exploration. Moreover, commentators recently dubbed NASA’s space program as being too pricey in the current monetary calamity rocking the economy (Freeman, 2011, p.62). This is evident in this year’s NASA fiscal budget, which proposed to use $19,450 billion as its annual budget (NASA, 2011, pp.1-22).

European Law - Free Movement of Goods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European Law - Free Movement of Goods - Essay Example A book could be written about this subject listing and describing the players over the years and the changes. In terms of France, Guerlain has traditionally been Frances most distinguished competitor for Fragrantia, offering the famous fragrances LEau impà ©riale, Shalimar, LHeure bleue, Vol de Nuit and Mitsouko. â€Å"Guerlain was founded by Pierre Francois Pascal and, since opening their first perfumery in Paris in 1828, they have expanded to seven exclusive boutiques in Paris, with equally exclusive shops in Milan, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong1†. The new protectionist laws are poised to leave Fragrantia behind and give a favored market to Guerlain and Chanel, major competitors of the firm, each with a strong established base of customers who are willing to pay premium prices. Sales are different for various competitors in the perfume industry, with growth in some areas and losses and others. However, overall sales in France appear to be somewhat stronger than UK sales, based on the slump of UK perfume industry which Fragrantia has to deal with in the first place, when compared to the assertion that Frances perfume and cosmetics industry â€Å"recorded its 40th consecutive year of growth in 2006, with sales rising 5.7 percent compared with an average of 5.0 percent in the past 10 years2†. Forty years of constant sales growth is indeed impressive and is something that the UK market is not really achieving, in terms of sales growth comparisons. This is why Fragrantia needs to continue to tap into the strong French market, but unfortunately is being stymied by the new tax. Fragrantia’s discovering the reasons for this sustained sales growth in France may involve looking at variables such as free market motivation and effectiveness in relation to external and internal rewards, in terms of incentives as well as in terms of comparison with other types of variables such as national pride and

Analytical Project Southwest Airlines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Analytical Project Southwest Airlines - Essay Example The industry facilitates world trade, tourism, international investment, economic growth. It is also a centre of the globalization that is taking place in many of the industries. In the past decades, worldwide, travelling has been taken place for both leisure and business. Therefore, per year air travel has grown by 7%. Approximately, about 1.5 billion people are travelling through airlines worldwide (The Airline Industry, 2000). Type of business: The airline is considered to be the tertiary industry that offers its services to all the people, directly or indirectly. When tourism is promoted in the country, it is the airlines that improves the economy and in turn affect every member of the society (Southwest, 2011). Form the airlines industry, the paper discusses Southwest airlines in detail. Size: The total number of employees in the southwest airline is about 3500. In the year 2010, their net income was $ 459 million. Moreover, excluding the special items, their net income turns ou t as $550 million. Throughout the year on the airline, a total of 88 million people have travelled. The statistics report of 2010 shows that their operating revenue of the year 2010 was $12.1 billion (Southwest, 2011). Service provided: Southwest airline is considered as the United States’ most successful high frequency, low fare, and point to point carrier. Every day they offer more than 34000 flights coast to coast. This makes it one of the largest domestic passenger airlines of the states (Southwest, 2011). Market served: Southwest airline is the domestic airline; it flies to 37 states; 72 cities. They serve these cities by using 548 Boeing and 737 jets (Southwest, 2011). Summary of SWA’s Strategy Mission: The mission of Southwest Airline is â€Å"dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit.† The mission of the company is to provide their customer with the best qual ity that will force them to return to them more than once (Southwest Airlines, 2011). Organizational objectives: The objectives of the company are to efficiently deliver the basic services (Southwest Airlines, 2011). To achieve this goal they have divided this objective into a number of fundamental objectives. They want to provide their customers with safe, low price transportation with maximum convenience. Overall HR strategy: The HR strategy of the company is â€Å"recognizing that our people are the competitive advantage, we deliver the resources and services to prepare our people to be winners, to support the growth and profitability of the company, while preserving the values and special culture of Southwest Airlines† (Buller, 2006). Being a great place to work, the airlines is selective in hiring and looks out for the best employees that can satisfy the needs and wants of the company as well as the customers. Key strategies: The key strategy of the company includes bein g cost effective, so that they can capture greater number of customers. They are also specialized in short-haul flights to their customers. They tend to give their customers the best services in return of the price they pay. This strategy is considered to be their core strategy (Southwest

Impact of sexual abuse on children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Impact of sexual abuse on children - Essay Example It also establishes the effect of gender of the abused on the perpetration of sexual abuse (151). This study is important in psychology because it contributed to the expansion of the knowledge in the field and strengthened the theories on previous researches on the psychological effects sexual abuse has upon children and adolescents. The children have low regard on themselves or hostile and aggressive. Their behaviors manifest on both extremes. They are also afflicted with â€Å"negative developmental outcomes† such as depression, low self-esteem, anger, promiscuity, etc. (152). Sexual abuse affects the mental outlook of the abused towards themselves, other people, the institutions and society in general, especially for those who experienced it regularly or for a longer duration (152-153). Interview is a qualitative approach used in social sciences, but it is the primary research method utilized in gathering data for this study. However, the data gathered from the subjects wer e analyzed using quantitative parameters. Thus, it can be said that the research design used both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The quantitative approach is used to quantify the information gathered from the subjects (e.g. frequency of commission). Through interview, the trained interviewers asked the subjects the frequency of experiencing certain acts such as the number of times an adult has touched or kissed him or her sexually (162).

3 question for 2 case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

3 question for 2 - Case Study Example 21). Children Act 1989, section 47. The Act outlines the duty to enquire where there are grounds to believe that a child is being subjected to physical, emotional and sexual harm or neglect currently or in future. A89, section 44, local authorities or other concerned individuals to follow a court procedure to remove a child who is in immediate danger It stipulates that the child should remain in a safe place or access to a child is authorized where it is unreasonably denied. If Jamie is prone to immediate danger while living in Tim’s house, an Emergency Protection Order could be applied. This would take at least 8 days giving the local authority time to assess the situation and decide on how to protect Jamie. They may put him under foster care. Children Act 1989, Schedule 2 outlines the powers of local authorities to provide assistance in areas of finance, counselling and other services that might cut down on the effect of disability in a household. The Children Act 1989 contains an important principle of partnership. This means that social service providers must work in conjunction with the families to protect the child and closely with other institutions like schools. Family Law Act 1996, section 42 which provides for a re non-molestation order. Breach of this order is an offence. It also covers domestic violence protection and orders between sections 24 and 30 of the Crime and Security Act. This is relevant for Rose’s protection. She might seek a non-molestation order against Tim to stop him from assaulting her. Tim would be arrested if he breaches the order (Harris-Short, Miles, 2011, p. 257). Rose is being harassed by Tim and this brings up fear of violence. If Tim is charged he might be ordered to stay away from Rose and breach of this order would lead to arrest (Great Britain, 2014, p. 159). The Act Data Protection of 1998 and data protection principles,

Globally Optimized Operations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Globally Optimized Operations - Research Paper Example Nonetheless, all parties logistically involved in optimized operations must ensure they work together for the success of the supply chain. Secondly, a wise investment in IT also spearheads a successful achievement of chain supply logistics. Variety of quantity chain supply practices are available, though lack informational values. Supply chain to some extent can be ineffective if companies do not embark on a selective mode of IT solution that best suits their specified supply chain requirements. It is preferably important to ensure that all budget considerations, logistical operational goals and other relevant optimal operations factors are put in place. These factors are predominantly the most effective tools for regaining control over operation procedures and proving supply chain customers with visibility and service. This research paper explains the globally optimized operations. Globally optimized operations analytically must provide clear and conscious information. Logistically, using a single automated database ensures that trading partners can fasten their communication variables in a language compatible with other companies. The communication aspect of globally optimized operations ensures that the logistical companies easily identifies themselves with common and key performance indicators that provide superimposed levels of integration for the shared processes and systems in the global corporation system. Ideally, keeping the staff’s skills up to date may also act as a rationally globally operationalized operations element. The IT department of the optimized operation or the technology resource should have an overwhelmingly quality-assured process (Bomze, 2007). Quality assurance in the globally optimized operations ensures all the skills are current and moves in a forward direction, which is in line with all the logistical operations. The docum entation of the optimized operations and learning resources must be put in

Observation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Observation - Research Paper Example The attendant worked as a front desk agent at the hotel where she had the mandate of conducting various duties like checking the rooms’ occupancy during their late shift. Indeed, the attendant checked in guests, took their reservations, and checked them out. She welcomed the guests in a very courteous and accommodating manner by introducing herself first and answering all the questions asked by the guests about the hotel services. The hotel recorded only four bookings in a span of two hours starting 11 PM up to 1:00 AM. The attendant seemed very informed about the hotels facilities, amenities, layout and the surrounding environment as well as their loyal customers. We noted that the attendant had a set of questions, which she asked every guest. The questions included the size of the room preferred by the guest, the duration that the guest intends to stay at the hotel and the type of the bed preferred. The information was then recorded into the system and a receipt of payment was issued to the guests. Finally, the reception attendant thanked the guests and encouraged them to feel free to ask for any form of assistance. The front desk is spacious enough and hence there is no congestion when the guests are checking in. The attendant served the guests on a first come first served basis. The attendant was in a uniform and hence the guests could differentiate them from the other people. She welcomed and acknowledged all guests with the Fairfield Inn culture of efficient guest service. She engaged each guest and listened to his or her requests attentively. We observed that the attendant were very courteous, accommodating and fast. The attendant escorted the guests and introduced small talks, which included some questions like how were his trip, whether he has been to California again, and the most beautiful things about California. On arriving at the suite, the attendant opened the door, took in the luggage,

Captain Corellis Mandolin Essay Example for Free

Captain Corellis Mandolin Essay Carlo asserts War is a wonderful thing, in movies and in books. By close reference to the novel, explore how war shows people at their worst and their best. The novel Captain Corellis Mandolin, written by Louis De Bernieres in 1994, explores humanity; we sigh at their suffering as they are ripped apart and forever changed by war.1 The quotation in the title is spoken by Carlo quite early on in the novel, at the end of chapter 15, titled LOmosessuale (4). He is referring to the idea that war is repeatedly shown to be patriotic, heroic, and indeed wonderful especially in film and literature. However, from Carlos experiences in Albania, he knows the true reality of war, as he has seen and experienced the suffering. We can trace Carlos progression of thought through his personal chapters; all entitled LOmosessuale. He begins saying, How wonderful it was to be at this war(p.119) We hear him describe crossing the foreign border as exhilarating, and he and his comrades view themselves as the new legionaries of the new empire that would last ten thousand years.(p.119) This was his view at the very beginning of war, before he had really experienced any suffering. As he is yet to encounter any conflict, it is likely he has been influenced by the propaganda at the time, organised by the Italian leader, Mussolini. The next quotation is said slightly further on during Carlos experience, How wonderful it was to be at war, until the weather turned against us.(p.120) It is here that we begin to hear of some of the suffering that Carlo and his comrades had to endure, such as we were ten thousand men soaked to the bone(p.120). The real tragedy of war is death, and Carlo has had direct experience of this. He says, War is wonderful until someone is killed(p.122). This is when De Bernieres chooses to use graphic images to show the suffering that Carlo and his comrades endure. I realised that I was covered with gory scraps of human flesh that were freezing fast to my uniform(p.122). Finally, Carlo says the quotation in the title, War is a wonderful thing, in movies and in books on page 124. It is here that Carlo has realised the actuality of war, and can see that this idealised version is fictitious and can only be seen in movie and in books. War scorches a trail through all of their lives. What seems, at the beginning of the novel, like a game, a challenge to manhood, a matter of honour, an occasion for political satire, becomes an appalling reality.2 Carlo asserts that war is shown to be wonderful in movies and in books. However, De Bernieres does not follow this trend, and shows the war for what it is. De Bernieres characters starve and die slowly with their entrails hanging out; he depicts the horror that they have to endure to fight for their country, and the suffering that they are put through. In Albania, Carlo says It was as though a portion of my mind has disappeared, or as though my soul had diminished to a tiny point of grey light(p.138). De Bernieres also shows the gore and bloodshed caused by the war, when he describes the death of Francesco. In chapter 19, LOmosessuale (6), De Bernieres uses Carlos narrative to tell the reader the true details of Francescos death, and then the sanitised version for his mother. As well as this showing Carlos considerate nature, it also confirms that many people did view the war in a very different light from its reality, including Francescos mother. He died on a fine day, Signora, with the sun shining and the birds singing. (He died on a day when the snow was melting and when, beneath that carapace, there were emerging a thousand corpses, knapsacks, rusted riffles, water bottles, illegible unfinished letters drenched in blood) (p.148). Corelli wrote the novel, after falling in love with the Island of Cephallonia, and wanting to inform readers about what happened to this Island during World War II. For this reason, he has depicted a very real and veritable account of atrocities that occurred during the Second World War. Everyone is shot, without regard for rank or role, even the medics and the chaplains.3 However, in the film adaptation of Captain Corellis Mandolin, directed by John Madden, war is viewed in a very different light. De Bernieres has said of the film The problem is that film-makers take out all your good ideas and replace them with a load of stupid ones.4 The depiction of war in the film is very different and many scenes seem to have been watered down5, in order to appeal to far wider audience. The movie has been widely criticised, after changing the story line drastically from a tragic story of the destruction and consequences of war, to a love story between Corelli and Pelagia. Where de Bernià ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½res book makes it clear from the start that war is unforgivingly ugly, for a long time the films only hint of this is a glimpse of Mandrass battle-scarred feet.6 Although much of De Bernieres novel depicts the horror of war, some of the consequences of war are indeed wonderful. Corelli and Pelagia would have never found love without the intervention of war in their lives, and although ultimately war destroys their love, the moments spent together made the war endurable. The prefatory poem at the beginning on the novel shows Louis De Bernieres hinting, even before the novel has begun, that war will be an important theme throughout. The Soldier by Humbert Wolfe describes the waste of war, and the loss of lives and of youth. Links are evident between this poem and Captain Corellis mandolin as they both explore the way in which war has an effect on different people. The presence of war on the Island of Cephallonia has various effects on different characters and can expose peoples flaws and merits. An excellent example of this is the contrast shown between Mandras and Antonio Corelli. Corelli has been drawn into a war that he really has no heart for. You mean youre a soldier by mistake? (p. 206, Pelagia). He has no desires to be a soldier and his character is often seen as anti-military. When giving punishments he does not follow the rules that are expected of him, To everyones surprise the captain pointed his pistol straight into the face of one of the culprits(p.324). However, although he had no intention of doing so, Corelli proves to be an excellent comrade and shows morality throughout the war. This is my morality, I make myself imagine that it is personal(p.351). This is greatly contrasted with the character of Mandras. He has very high expectations about the life of a soldier and feels he has to prove himself to Pelagia and the rest of the Island. He resents those who know more than him, yet does not want to prove himself intellectually, as he believes no man is a man until he has been a soldier(p.80) Carlos assertion that war is wonderful in movies and in books reflects a idealised view of the war. However, Mandras believes that this view was the reality of war and he felt that becoming a soldier would make him more worthy as a man. Ill come back and everyone will say, Thats Mandras, who fought in the war. We owe everything to people like him. He is indoctrinated by what is expected of him, and is predicted to conform. However high Mandras expectations were, the war does not elevate him, it brings him down. During his experiences in war he saw others abuse their power, and now feels he has a right to do the same, The war de-humanises him, and instead of changing him for the better it changes him for the worse. The war in Cephallonia showed the best and the worst in people. In Antonio Corellis case it displays his merits as he has the opportunity to exercise his humanity in the treatment of others. From the beginning of the novel, Corelli is represented as a laid-back, light-hearted leader. Although he has a great talent as a leader, he is very modest and introduces Carlo as one of our heroes, He has a hundred medals for saving life and none for taking it(p.202). He proves himself as an excellent comrade and Captain by being faithful to his men until the very end. There is no honour in this war, but I have to be with my boys(p.392). His introduction of La Scala also shows good comradeship, as it is a humorous and practical solution to having to use communal toilets. This is also a crucial element of the novel, as before they go to join the shooting line up, they sing to maintain their composure. He also shows his forgiving nature when he chooses to forgive Gunter for what he has done. I forgive you. If I do not, who will?(p.397). He says of himself I am not a natural parasite(p.305) and this is seen clearly when he avoids any confrontation with Pelagia. He is uncomfortable about living with Pelagia and her father Tonight I shall sleep in the yard and tomorrow I shall request alternative accommodation(p.204). Corellis fondness for animals is De Bernieres way of showing positive traits in a character. The fact that Corelli is so attached to Psipsina shows that he is an admirable man and the reader feel connected to him. The captain had some engaging traits. He tied a cork to a piece of string, and sprinted about the house with Psipsina in hot pursuitand if the animal happened to be sitting on a piece of music, he would go away and fetch another sheet rather than disturb her(p.250) Corelli also shows fondness for children in his relationship with Lemoni. Although there is a language barrier, the two are able to communicate on a different level, and are able to enjoy each others company. The child was whooping and laughing, and it appeared that what was transpiring was a lesson in Italian. Bella fanciulla, the captain was saying. He was waiting for Lemoni to repeat it. Bla fanshla, she giggled. (p. 211) He also appears to have a very different attitude than other soldiers, when he arrives in Cephallonia with his mandolin strapped to his back, and not a gun, as you would expect from a soldier. The mandolin that was called Antonia because it was the other half of himself. This love for music is another engaging trait that the captain has, and is one of the reasons Pelagia falls in love with him. We also see this originality to his character when Gunter Weber, a german soldier, introduces himself. Weber says Heil Hitler, yet Corelli says Heil Puccini, showing he has a very different attitude to the war, and will not be led by anyone. This again shows his love for classical music, as Puccini was a great composer, whom Corelli was an admirer of. His relationship with Pelagia is clearly one of great love and admiration, however it also contains sexual desires, which are never consummated. Such slender fingers, such pink nails. He imagined them engaged upon amorous and nocturnal things, and realised that he was disturbing Psipsina.(p.259, Corelli) This shows ongoing respect for Pelagia and her father, and also shows Corellis caring and considerate temperament. In contrast to Corelli, the character Mandras is brutalised by war. He believes that war will change him for the better, yet it changes him for the worse. He becomes a victim of propaganda and a victim of his insecurities. Before he leaves for war he tells Pelagia Im a Greeknot a Fascist(p.214) War changes him for the worse as he is very easily led and allows others to influence him. This may have had a positive effect on Mandras if he had chosen Iannis to guide him, yet he chooses Hector, the leader of a branch of the ELAS. Joining this group causes him to abandon his personal values, and this is seen when he whips the old man. Mandras did not even notice that the man had stopped moving, had stopped screaming and whining(p.233). He manages to blank out the emotions that he should be feeling, and begins to enjoy the power he holds over this old man. If you didnt think about what it was, it sounded weirdly beautiful(p.234) After returning from the war, he becomes much more manipulative, especially towards Pelagia and Drosoula. Mandras had begun his exile into inaccessibility by dramatising the idea of death(p.180). Pelagia was convinced that he was doing it on purpose as an act of vengeance or punishment.(p.180). This shows a very cruel side to Mandras that we have never seen before, and it clearly takes the war to bring out this negative side of his character. He has clearly been indoctrinated by the propaganda of the war, and this is seen in chapter 63, when he recites communist slogans. The party is never wrong. Whoever is not with us is against us(p.447) He does not seem to be questioning what he has been told, he just repeats it. He has experienced others abusing their power during his time with the ELAS and now sees this as an approved way of behaving. De Bernià ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½res explores power and its abuse7 He insults and belittles Pelagia after he returns from fighting and tortures her further, even though he should see that she has suffered enough during the war. De Bernieres shows a side to Mandras that readers have never seen before. He represents him as evil and sadistic, and we see Mandras refer to Pelagia as a slut. His morals have disintegrated following his fighting with the ELAS, and feels that he can do whatever he wants. This is due to the fact that the ELAS would make up their own rules for their comrades to follow. The war de-humanises Mandras and he represents the damage that can be inflicted by extreme politics. In Mandras death, De Bernieres wants readers to feel pity for him, as it is clear the communist party has seriously indoctrinated him. He dies as a victim of the war, and a desire to prove himself worthy, and this also evokes compassion in the reader Carlo is a character in the novel who shows how war can bring out the best in people. He is a very honourable character, and has to live with the secret that he is homosexual. He puts aside his desire for Corelli in order to help the romance between Pelagia and Corelli develop. I have loved you with the same surprise and gratitude that I see in your own eyes when you are with Pelagia(p.384). He shows true bravery in front of the firing squad when stepping in front of Corelli to save his life. Antonio Corellihad found in front of him the titanic bulk of Carlo Guercio(p.399). De Bernieres uses Carlos narrative in the chapters entitled LOmosessuale, and this allows the readers to sympathise further with the silent suffering that Carlo has to endure during the war. His writings are eloquently written and his language is poetic and beautiful, showing the gentle side to his character. He died on a fine day, Signora, with the sun shining and the birds singing.(P.148, Carlo) Father Arsenios was saved by the war(p.292). De Bernieres absolves Arsenios after the war and liberates him from his former self. However, the characters perceive him as a mad man and cannot see that war has brought about his finest hour. He is referred to as the crazy priest yet he feels he is a saviour and it is probable that, had he lived, Arsenios might have become a saint(p.295). De Bernieres chooses to depict war in a graphic and realistic light in his novel, Captain Corellis Mandolin. Although in many films or books war is shown to be wonderful, this idealised version is proved wrong in De Bernieres novel, as he shows the suffering that the soldiers were forced to endure. He shows that the war has different effects on different people, and it can expose their faults or their merits. Mandras is forever changed by the war, as he returns indoctrinated by the communist party. His death proves that his natural environment is the sea, where he can be accepted and does not have to prove himself. In contrast Corellis merits are shown to be more prominent as the war develops, and also as his love for Pelagia develops. The reader is drawn to the character of Corelli, even though he is an occupying soldier, as he shows compassion, kindness and respect during his time in Cephallonia.

African americans and Native americans Essay Example for Free

African americans and Native americans Essay African Americans and American Indians or Native Americans are two of the major subordinate groups in America today. They face many forms of oppression from the dominant group and have many things in common when it comes to this oppression. I would like to focus on five specific types of oppression they face: stigmatization, segregation, ethnocentrism, prejudice, and discrimination. African Americans are facing stigmatization far less these days, but if one looks back a half-century, they will find countless examples. Stigmatization can include the de-humanization, labeling, characterizing, and degrading of a group. During slavery, blacks were stigmatized into the happy and carefree characters Mammy and Sambo. This was done to show that slavery was good and blacks probably wouldnt be able to function in free society. When slaves were freed, blacks were painted as savages that could not be trusted to live normally. Caricatures of blacks with exaggerated features and portraits of the characters Sambo and Mammy still exist today. For Native Americans, stigmatization is far worse. Countless sports teams have a Native American as their mascot, some having very derogatory names such as the Washington Redskins. Indians were also portrayed as evil in countless western movies and as ruthless savages in others. These stigmatizations make Indians seem more like fantasy characters than real people. Many people do not realize that these stigmatizations are very hurtful and detrimental to society. Segregation, the separation of two or more groups based on physical characteristics, is another issue that still plagues African Americans and Native Americans. From the moment Europeans set foot on what is now America, they have been forcing Indians farther and farther west. The American government created reservations for the Indians so that they could have the valuable resources that they needed. Treaties were signed and broken, and the Indians moved farther along the Trail of Tears. Reservations still exist today and for the most part Native Americans have are not integrated into American society. Most would like to think that after the Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, segregation no longer exists for African Americans. Sure its not like we still have separate drinking fountains, but by and large blacks and whites are separate. In all major cities large housing projects have been created for low-income persons. The vast majority of the people living there are black. Most inner city schools are almost entirely made up of minorities. Legal segregation is no longer a problem anymore, but social segregation is still a major problem in society today and something needs to be done. Ethnocentrism is the feeling by one group that they are superior to another based on ethnic background. Native Americans have always been the victims of this. They were forced to leave their homeland by the superior Europeans and thought not good enough to live among them. Native Americans still live mostly separate and many people still degrade them and think of them as inferior both mentally and physically. Most people have not been exposed to them yet judge them anyways. This is very sad and disturbing. African Americans were thought of as the lowest, stupidest, least civilized people on earth. The whites thought they were far superior and showed this by literally stealing African Americans from their homeland of Africa and forcing to into slave labor. Even after slavery, white supremacy groups such as the KKK still exist and continue to be a proponent for the inferiority of African Americans. Many think of blacks as being less far less intelligent and civilized even today. Prejudice and discrimination are two of the biggest problems facing African and Native Americans today, and the two go hand in hand. Prejudice involves negative attitudes towards ethnic groups, which can include beliefs, thoughts, and stereotypes. Discrimination is taking action on these prejudices by denying certain rights and opportunities to these groups. Prejudice leads to discrimination of these groups. African Americans as well as Native Americans are discriminated against in employment opportunities, housing options, public school resources, and countless other ways. They are  discriminated against because of these prejudices and stereotypes.For example, say a black man walks into a store with his white friend. The employees of the store are more likely to offer service to the white man and will probably follow the black man to make sure he is not shoplifting. The prejudice views they hold cause them to discriminate against the black man. These problems are very real even today and unless society as a whole addresses them and ways to stop them, they will continue to destroy the fabric of our country.

The Motivation Towards Learning English

The Motivation Towards Learning English English language is a required school subject in the Malaysian schools. Students experience 11 years of schooling prior to entering the upper educational institutions. Students in secondary schools spend five 40 minutes English periods per week. Regardless of the shift from the conventional teaching methods to communicative language teaching, most English language classrooms continue to be places to commit textbooks to memory rather than practice communication and English is still to be treated as a school subject that needs to be mastered and tested rather than a tool for communication. Students in Malaysia cannot get a degree from the institutions of higher education without passing the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). So, triumph in learning English might determine ones growing mobility and prospect. It is significant in mentioning that regardless of the great labors and pains being put forth in Malaysian secondary schools to educate English, one can barely encounter fluent and confident school graduates. Disadvantage in listening and speaking skills are obviously noticed since teachers are required to teach students in an approach which is directed to achieve the requirements of the exams (extensive vocabulary and grammatical rules). For the reason that the General Secondary Exam is not directed in the direction of the speaking and listening skills of students, the teachers of English discover themselves dispassionate in preparing their students for things which will never be tested in exams. Regrettably, loads of students in Malaysian secondary schools have an aversion to learning English and therefore they be present at the English training to pass the compulsory exams. Consequently, from my concise experience in the teaching turf, I found out that the majority of students hav e passive and inert attitudes in the direction of learning English because of the prior experiences, that English is tough to become skilled at and it is observed that students in the present school systems are feeling hopeless and vulnerable because they lack the skills needed to facilitate them build up motivation. The word motivation appears to be simple, straightforward and easy but its so complicated to describe. It seems to have been impracticable for theorists to reach agreement on a particular definition. Martin Covington (1998:1) states that motivation, like the notion of gravity, is easier to express in terms of its superficial, observable effects than it is to define. Certainly, this has not stopped people from trying it. A a small number of definitions were found for the duration of the research process. According to the Macmillans dictionary (1979), to motivate means to provide with a motive; move to effort or action. Gardner (1985) said that motivation is related to four aspects, which are the goal, effort, desire to attain the goal, and a favorable attitude toward the activity. Motivation is defined as the momentum and force to generate and maintain intentions and objective seeking acts (Ames Ames, 1989). Oxford and Shearin (1994) defined motivation as a craving to achieve a goal combined with the energy to work toward that goal. Keller (1983) states that motivation is the degree of the choices people make and the degree of effort they will put forth. Moreover, when we comprehend or take notice of the word motivation, many words and expressions are triggered in our minds, words like aim, aspiration, motivation, effort, purpose, vigor, perseverance, accomplish, encourage, and reward. Indeed, motivational issues consume a great part of our daily life. When we have a discussion about likes and dislikes, interests, or wishes we are in fact concerning ourselves with the most important motivational determinants of human. When we grumble and whine about stretched working hours, deprived salaries, rough colleagues, or instead when we are pleased by the acknowledgment of our achievements, promotions and munificent incentives, we are addressing issues at the core of the motivational psychology. 1.1 Background of the Problem Kanfer (1998:12) explains that motivation is psychological mechanisms governing the direction, intensity, and persistence of actions not due solely to individual differences in ability or to overwhelming environmental demands that coerce or force action. In short, the concept of motivation is very much part of our everyday personal and professional life and few would ignore its importance in human affairs in general. Dornyei (2001:1). In fact learning and teaching English as a second/foreign language is no exemption or exclusion in this aspect. When we think of how to persuade and give confidence to slow learners to work harder, how to produce an attractive and eye-catching learning ambiance or how to recompense the hard-working students we deal with motivation without a doubt. Since motivation is one of the most noteworthy factors in language learning, it is not easy for the low motivated students to learn English as a foreign language. Dornyei (1994) obviously explains that motivation is one of the main determinants of second/foreign language learning. Amusingly, motivation is perceived by Dornyei (2001) as recurring, going up and down, affecting language accomplishment and being affected by it. He also claimed that a demotivated person is someone who initially has had motivation to accomplish an objective or to involve in an activity and has lost the motivation to do so because of unenthusiastic external factors which related to the surroundings in which learning takes place for instance the classroom and school. Nikolov (1999, in Dornyei, 2001) found that the most essential demotivating factors for all the age groups were related to the learning situations such as materials, the teacher or teaching techniques and he added further that these factors had great consequence on language acquisition and accomplishment. Therefore, understanding the students aspiration and motivation for learning English in addition to the demotivating factors assist the teachers, educational policy makers and curriculum planners to develop the students proficiency. 1.2 Problem Statement Motivational factors have an effect on students proficiency and advancement in learning English. Many studies (Krusdenier, 1985, Dornyei, 1994) have established that measures of proficiency in the second/foreign language are related to motivational distinctiveness of students. In this respect, Corria (1999) claims that a full understanding of students motivation is necessary to make the most of the English language results and positive outcomes. To put emphasis on the significance of discovering the students needs, he cites an example of students at the school of nursing in Holguin who rejected learning English because they did not find any relation between English and their own livelihood and learning some unrelated, irrelevant and distasteful material that wouldnt satisfy their needs. Purpose of the Study The research is designed based on one purpose which is: to investigate the motivational factors in learning English among lower secondary school students 1.4 Research Questions The following research question is considered in the study: Are the students motivated integratively or instrumentally in learning English? 1.5 Significance of the Study Realizing and comprehending the essential responsibility of motivation in learning English, in addition to the aspiration of school administrations and teachers to discern what affects the students motivation towards learning English and the lack of studies about motivation in Malaysian secondary schools forced me to bear this survey. Consequently, the main objective of this study is to distinguish the factors affecting Malaysian students motivation in the direction of learning English as a foreign language. It also focuses at exploring the students integrative and instrumental motivation for learning English. The study will first and foremost give information on motivation toward learning Second Language through literature review in two significant and pertinent areas: integrative (positive attitudes toward the target language group and a enthusiasm to assimilate into the target language community) and instrumental (practical reasons for learning a language, such as to achieve social recognition or to get a better job) motivation and factors influencing the motivation of L2 learners. 1.6 Limitations of the Study The study is being conducted at one school, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The results of the study may again be limited in generalizability to a larger population because a convenience sample was being used, and because random assignment is not employed in the research design. Chapter 2 Literature Review To improve the understanding of students motivation in learning English as a foreign language; it is useful to analyze and focus the literature in two relevant areas: Integrative and Instrumental motivation, and also the factors affecting the students motivation as they are major determinants for language acquisition and achievement. 2.1 Sources of Motivation Without knowing where the roots of motivation lie, how can teachers water those roots? Oxford Shearin (1994: 15). Fisher, (1990) points to three major sources of motivation in learning, which is the learners natural interest (intrinsic satisfaction), the teacher/employment and etcetera (extrinsic reward), and success in the task (combining satisfaction and reward). Intrinsic motivation is mainly about acts or behavior performed to experience enjoyment or fulfilling ones inquisitiveness, while, extrinsic motivation relates to the behavior and actions to obtain a little extrinsic reward (e.g. -good grades, employment) or to avoid punishment and it can function as a temporary source of motivation for a demotivated learner. Ryan Dec (2000) reveals that intrinsic motivation is the most vital kind and it is defined as the yearning to engage in an activity for its innate satisfaction rather than for some divisible consequences. To encourage intrinsic motivation, many characteristics as challenge, control, inquisitiveness and desire should be vacant to reflect the learners enthusiasm to learn (Lepper Hodell, 1989). Small (1997) stated that intrinsically motivated learners habitually demonstrate intellectual curiosity, regard learning as enjoyable and keep on in quest of knowledge even after the formal classes and this is the major goal of education. The lack of intrinsic motivation among the learners not only discourages them, but it also upsets the teachers who are the keystone of the educational practice. Luce (2002:1) explained that over the years I have watched them (teachers) collapse, falling hard into vinyl seats of the faculty bun, heard them grunt the oh. hell and damn that come from the experience of working with students who wouldnt learn. I have listened to the sighs of frustration and then the discussion of the fact that students are largely unmotivated, unwilling slugs taking up my time and best performances. Littlejohn (2001) think that not many students have a sense of intrinsic satisfaction. Some teachers strive to affect positively the pupils sense of intrinsic satisfaction by means of games or puzzles. This has momentary impact. So, natural interest of the learners is undependable to produce constant motivation in language learning. Vroom (1995) originated the Expectancy theory in which motivation is almost certainly to take place when learning is significant to the learner (valence), the endeavor to learn will be practical and useful to the learner (instrumentality) and the learners effort and hard work will be rewarded by the learners expected result (expectancy). Realizing these facts, many teachers choose to prefer the extrinsic reward and the extrinsic punishment. In the classrooms, teachers may reward good students with good marks or flattering words or penalize other students with low marks. Therefore, the reward system itself can be exasperating and demotivating for the weaker students. The third source of motivation is the most important and crucial one. For the weak and failing students, we, as teachers have to develop their sense of success and a feeling that they can do something, rather than a feeling that they cant. (Littlejohn, 2001:4) 2.1 Motivation and Attitudes in Second Language learning Numerous theorists and researchers have discovered that it is vital to take a look at the construct of motivation not as a single entity but as a multi-factorial one. In relation to the learner attitudes toward the target language, it was indicated by Gardners results (1959, 1983, 1985) that Second Language learners with positive attitudes towards the speakers and culture were more thriving in learning the language than those who had negative attitudes. Gardner (1983) argued that, because language is the fundamental part of culture, the learning of a second language is dependent upon the learners eagerness to recognize with the culture of the target language and to fit in aspects of the target- language culture, including linguistic repertoire into his or her own behavior. In addition, Fasold (1984) stressed the function of learners attitudes in language growth or perish and he stated that the notion of language attitudes not only includes attitudes towards speakers of a particular language, but it as well includes all kinds of behavior relating to language to be treated. Captivatingly, achievement in learning Second Language for the most part depends on the social relation among the First and Second Language communities. Wong-Fillmore (1991) suggested that accomplishment in learning a second language is dependent on the presence of the following conditions: (a) motivated students who realize they need to learn the target language, (b) target-language speakers who support the second- language learners, and (c) frequent social contad between target-language speakers and learners. Regarding the outcome of learning a foreign language ones own culture, Kramsch (1995) writes about how language plays an imperative function not only in the building of culture but also in the surfacing and emergence of cultural change. Kramsch (1995: 85) also claimed that social change occurs slowly, but inevitably at the edges of dominant cultures. This is true also of the change that we might want to bring about by teaching people how to use somebody elses linguistic code in somebody elses cultural context. Educating members of one society how to talk and how to behave in the context of another community potentially changes the social and cultural equation of both communities, by ingeniously diversifying mainstream cultures. The intensity of the relationship between students own cultural background and the background anticipated by the target community culture usually affects their attitudes and motivation toward learning Second Language. Lambert (1990) differentiated between two types of bilingualism: additive and subtractive. In additive bilingualism, the Second Language learners believe that by learning a new language, something new to their knowledge and experience is added without taking anything away from what they already know. But, in subtractive case, the learners feel that learning Second Language threatens what they already achieve for themselves. So, it can be said that additive circumstances lead to successful Second Language learning and integrativeness. Obeidat (2005) conducted a study to inspect Malaysian students attitudes who were studying in Jordan Universities, toward learning Arabic as a foreign language. He concluded that the students were integratively motivated and their integrative orientations could be credited to the shared belief in Islam which made them prone to expand their scope and construct up their character in the course of learning Arabic. Besides, attitudes of the foreign language learners may be affected by the apprehension that participation with the target language group may effect in estrangement from ones own group. For example, opinions that English is in rivalry with Arabic, may have a negative affect on attainment of English in the Arab World. Pennycook (1994:204-10) stated that that whether or not tension exists between Western and Islamic knowledge , there is a strong feeling that English is linked to forms of culture that threaten an Islamic way of life. Consequently, an analysis into learners attitudes is a technique by which language teachers, education planners, syllabus designers and researchers can boost better insight into the language teaching and learning process. 2.2 Integrative and Instrumental Motivation Motivation and needs are strongly related. On one hand, motivation is perceived as the realization of needs, and on the other, human needs function as drives or incentives which shift one to a particular action. The best well-known theory of human needs is Maslows (1970) hierarchy of need. Maslow put together a fivefold hierarchy of human needs which begins with biological needs and advance upward to psychological ones: physiological needs, as well as the need for food and water; the need for safety; social needs, as well as belongingness and love; esteem needs, e.g. the feelings of self-respect and positive acknowledgment from others; and self-actualization, which means the need for a sense of self-fulfillment. In relation to the foreign or second language learning, the need for safety indicates that the Second Language learner needs to be protected that learning the target language and culture doesnt affect negatively his/her own culture or language. Furthermore, openness in general and learning languages in particular needs a secure and an unstressful atmosphere to facilitate language acquisition. Admiration and social needs also indicate that the learner needs to be a educated person who is capable to communicate and assimilate with others by learning their language. Failure to suit students needs is prone to hamper their risk-taking and motivation. Psychologically self-doubting Second Language learners can be awfully anxious (Macintyre Gardner, 1991) and if this happens, Second Language learners relapse in their needs, motivation, and achievement in the classroom. Motivation for learning a second/foreign language is defined as the learners point of reference with regard to the objective of learning a second language. (Crookes Schmidt 1991). To investigate and realize the effect of motivation on second language acquisition, the two basic types of motivation (integrative and instrumental) should be identified. Integrative motivation is characterized by the learners optimistic and positive attitudes towards the target language society and the aspiration to join together into the target language society. Instrumental motivation contains the purpose of gaining some social or economic incentive through Second Language achievement, consequently, referring to a more functional reason for language learning (Gardner Lambert, 1972). To evaluate a variety of individual differences variables based on socio-educational model, Gardner developed the Attitude and Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) which consists of these five categories: integrativeness, instrumental motivation, motivation, anxiety and attitudes toward learning situations. Gardners model has been used in many motivational studies (e.g. Tremblay Gardner, 1995, Masgoret, 2001). It is acceptable to say that Gardners model place too much stress on the integrativeness and the responsibility of learners attitudes towards L2 group in learning the second language. Regardless of the fact that both kinds of motivation are crucial fundamentals of success in learning the second/foreign language, much debate and disagreement among researchers and educators have been happening about which kind of motivation is more important for the second language learners. Lambert (1974) perceived integrative motivation as being of more importance in formal leaning environment than the instrumental one and it was a more influential forecaster of linguistic accomplishment. Falk (1978) agreed with Lamberts allegation by pointing out that students who are most thriving when learning a target language are those who fond of the people that speak the language, have a high regard for their culture and have a longing to become familiar with the society in which the language is used. On the other hand, Lukmani (1972) found that an instrumental motivation was further significant than an integrative one among the non-Westernized Students of Second Language (English) in Bombay, India. Dornyei (1990) opposed Gardner by claiming that instrumental motivation and the learners need for accomplishment are more essential than the integrative motivation. Brown (2000) stated that second language learners hardly ever select one form of motivation when learning a second language, but rather a mixture of them and he cites the example of the international students in the United States. However, in response to calls for the implementation of a wider image of motivation, Tremblay Gardner (1995) included other motivational variables into the socio- educational model and they acknowledged that other factors as instrumental orientation, attitudes toward the teacher and the course, learning strategies and self confidence might contribute to motivation. In relation to the Malaysian circumstances, second language learners might conserve their identity by instinctively selecting to be motivated instrumentally. Desire related to integrative motivation might affect their Malaysian identity and the dread of identifying with English (Western) culture and values may be related to the colony or to the latest American campaign against some countries in the area. In sense of review of the literature available in the area of students motivation for learning foreign languages, loads of studies try hard to investigate the learners integrative and instrumental motivation. Oller et al (1997) studied educated Chinese speaking ESL students and he realizes that those who perceive Americans as helpful, sincere and friendly perform better in a cloze test of English as a second language. Man-Fat (2004) have the same opinion with Oller when he explored the motivation of English language learners in Hong Kong (grade10) and his study reported the noteworth y association between integrative motivation and language proficiency. Conversely, instrumental motivation was found more important in some situations particularly where there appears to be modest amount of desire to assimilate. Fu Lee (1980) found out that Chinese students in Hong Kong were instrumentally motivated and Second Language linguistic achievements correlated more with instrumental motivation. Dornyeis study (1996) of Hungarian secondary school learners of English exposed that instrumental motivation is a innermost element of motivation where comparatively down-to-earth benefits are actually reachable for the learners. He also claimed that foreign language learning in a classroom doesnt involve attitudes towards the Second Language community because learners have little or no contact with members of Second Language group. In brief, as it is understood from the above discussion, the researchers and educators havent resolute on what the most important kind of motivation a second/foreign language learner should have. The 1970s studies (Gardner, 1972, 1979, Lambert, 1974) have shown that integrative motivation is more important for success in Second Language acquisition and instrumental motivation did not seem to relate to successful language learning. However, the following studies (Gardner McIntyre, 1991, Dornyei 1994, Oxford, 1994) discovered that integrative motivation may not be the strongest forecaster for language learning and the issue of motivation may not be as straightforward as integrative-instrumental dichotomy. They recommended that other mechanism such as aspiration for knowledge need for accomplishment, intellectual inspiration and personal challenge can also play important roles n second language learning. 2.3 Factors Demotivating Foreign Language Learning The similarities of concern between most foreign language classrooms where the language in question is a compulsory school subject, is the problem of demotivation. Nevertheless, the disadvantage of English language learners in general has been attributed to an assortment of factors such as teaching methodology, lack of the target language environment and the learners demotivation (Mukkatash, 1983, Zughoti,1987). For that reason, it is vital for the teachers at least to be conscious of the possible factors that may be disturbing their students motivation. With those factors in mind, they may be able to build up strategies to help unravel the problems that take place relating to students motivation and aspiration to learn English as a foreign language. A great deal of research has been conducted on language learning motivation but a lesser amount of research is being done on the demotivating factors in learning the second language and a few studies have addressed them. Dornyei Otto (1998) dont distinguish motivation or demotivation as a stationary occurrence. In contrast, they are considered as dynamic, increasing and declining, affecting language accomplishment and being affected by the neighboring learning environment. The demotivated learner is defined by Dornyei as the one who is originally motivated and lost his/her motivation because of negative outer factors. Some studies have shown relatedness between demotivation and the learning environment such as classroom environment, teaching methods and curriculum (Gardner, 1985, Skehan, 1991, Sivan, 1986). Gorham Christophel (1992) examined the factors that students identify as motivators/demotivators in college classes in West Virginia University. The study compared students perception of the demotivating and motivating factors. As to demotivating factors, the factors related to teachers behavior were the most common, 43%, those under limited control of the teacher were second in occurrence (e.g. assessment and choice of text books), 36%, and only 21% related to contextual factors over which the teacher has little control. In terms of the data as a whole, the teacher behavior contributed in the same way to both motivation and demotivation. However, the researchers concluded that motivation is seeming as a student-owned state, while lack of motivation is perceived as a teacher-owned problem. Chambers (1993) (in Dornyei, 2001) explored demotivation in language learning in four schools n the UK. The study was done on the school students and their teachers. Students placed most responsibility on teachers and learning materials. The teachers claimed that the students motivation caused by psychological, social and attitudinal reasons. Generally, most studies conducted in the ground of motivation and demotivation as its backside found out that the personality of the teacher, teaching methods, learning context in addition to the learners attitude toward Second Language could play a fundamental role in the students motivation or demotivation on the road to learning languages. Chapter 3 Research Design Introduction This survey is a quantitative type of research which involves the use of questionnaire. Quantitative studies emphasize the measurement and analysis of causal relationships between variables, not processes. In a quantitative research, questionnaires, and computers are used as data collection methods. The data collected is numerical and statistical. The general objective of the researcher is to observe but does not actively participate. Research design is also structured and well-tested. 3.1 Participants Participants consisted of 30 Form 2 students in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pekula Jaya located in Tikam Batu, Kedah. The socioeconomic status of the school and the area that the school served was largely middle class, and students were primarily Malays. The instruments were administered in the classroom during two periods of English lesson. During the session, students were asked to complete the questionnaire. Directions and individual items were read aloud by the administrator. 3.2 Instruments For the purpose of obtaining data on what negatively affects their English learning motivation, I conducted this study by using a questionnaire (see appendix). The questionnaire was adapted from Gardners (1985) AMTB to measure the students integrative/instrumental motivation in learning English. This part of the questionnaire contains 8 items reflecting the integrative/instrumental motivation and a five- point Likert Scale which ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agrees was being used in this survey. The integrative motivation scale includes four types of items to investigate how well the learners learn English with an authentic enthusiasm to absorb with the target language, culture, community, their manner of life and literature; this would show their Integrativeness in the direction of the target language. However the instrumental motivation scale includes four items aiming at measuring the respondents functional reasons for studying English. 3.3 Procedures At the very beginning of the study, permission was gained from the principal of the targeted schools who showed a willingness to collaborate in this study. To guarantee a positive participation, the subjects were informed that their answers would be confidential and they were not required to write or give their names at any stage of the study. The questionnaire was administered by the researcher and 40 students participated in completing the questionnaire during their English class. The students were assured that the main objective of the researcher was to find out why they like to study English and what makes them sometimes dislike the English classes. Moreover, the students were told that their answers and opinions would not affect their grades or their teachers impression and their participation in the survey would help teachers to understand their desires and problems. Students were encouraged to ask questions at any time during the process. The survey was administered to the students in a classroom environment. Prior to the survey, the participants were assured of anonymity and confidentiality. Then, they were a brief explanation to facilitate the administration, and were asked to respond to the questionnaire items as spontaneously as possible. The students were asked to tick the answer wherever seemed necessary. The participants took approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete the questionnaire, although there was no time limit. Upon completion of the administration, the participants were offered some refreshments for their participation