East and West Learning Club Special Meeting
Minutes by Fiona W.
Time: Sunday, March 26, 2017
Participants: YingZi, Wendy, Lena, Mato, Yang, Steve, Mona, Agnes, Eric, Fiona
March 26, 2017
We started off this session with each participant doing a brief self introduction about themselves. After the introductions, we did the 1-2 minute presentations.The presentations first started off with me introducing a book named “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. Eric talked about something that happened in school when he corrected a teacher and got an extra 2% for everyone in his class (everyone was very thankful towards him).Agnes then talked about a very interesting book called “The False Prince” by Jennifer A. Nelson, and how she recommends it to us. YingZi expressed how she was delighted to have friends from another culture to come to her house so she can learn more English and more about their culture. Lena told us about how her English is not very great, and that she is sometimes very frustrated about that fact, which resulted in her working very hard to improve, along with taking care of her daughter. Mata talked about how she founded an organization that helps legally blind people, because of the fact that she too, was blind. Mona voiced out her opinion of how she believes that in modern Canada, we aren’t as formal as we were. For example: When introducing, we would normally each exchange a “Hi” and sometimes shake hands. However, going to an interview with your potential boss is a completely different matter. Mona’s discussion quickly lead to the fact of littering and everyday manners and how it’s easy to develop them through influence from a variety of different individuals (family, friends, co-workers, etc.). It was also recognized that different parents’ ways of teaching manners may vary based on their history, their social status, culture, and the country that they originated from. We recognized that it’s very to take the initiative within your community to build up influence.The conversation then reached to the topic of newcomers in Canada. Some newcomers may not get opportunities as Canadian born. Yang made a point of how language is a huge barrier of communication. Steve mentioned how people form cliques based on culture, and how it’s drastically affecting their “ability to learn English” quickly.
For the first question, (about why it was impolite to use smartphones and devices in washrooms) Mato said it was very impolite because of sanitary reasons and that it was a wrong time to use it. Steve added on by saying that you can find a better place than the restroom to connect through text or call. We also agreed that it could also be very unsafe because it’s uncomfortable to know that you’re in a washroom with a cell phone, what if you take pictures? The second question asked us what the questioner should do when her 9-year old child is treated unfairly by their teacher. Mona, as a primary school teacher teaching french and Phys. Ed, said that it was a good idea to ask why first. Then if the bad treatment continued, the concerned parent should have a talk with the principal by “starting off strong”. Question three focuses on introductions. Mata pointed out that when talking to a blind individual, you must state your name instead of saying “Hey! Remember me?” Greetings and introductions before were much more formal than modern day greetings and introductions. The fourth question asks whether or not you should stick to one person when you’re feeling romantic attractions towards someone. We agreed that decision depends on the person in question’s family choice. Question five was the last question before the session was over. The question was how to politely interrupt someone when they were talking. We believe that it’s best if you start strong and participate in the beginning. It is also a good idea for you to raise your hand and draw attention to yourself from the person whose controlling the meeting. After the fifth question, we wished everyone goodbye, and the session was over.