Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Competitive examination

The Spanish Electoral System

Spain holds several types of elections for different levels of government, each with its own set of rules and representation systems.

• Local Authorities: Elects city and town councillors.
• Autonomous Parliaments: Elects members for the regional governments.
• National Parliament (Cortes Generales): Elects members for the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.
• European Parliament: Elects Spain's representatives (MEPs).

Most elections, including those for the Congress, Autonomous Parliaments, and European Parliament, use a proportional representation system based on the D'Hondt method.

The Congress of Deputies: Proportional Representation

The Congress of Deputies has 350 members. The electoral district in Spain is the province,... Continue reading "Understanding Spain's Electoral System and D'Hondt Method" »

The Natural Approach

This method is based on the ideas and contributions of Tracy Terrell and Stephen Krashen.

Approach

Krashen and Terrell view communication as the primary function of language. The theory and research of learning are grounded on Krashen’s five core hypotheses:

• Acquisition/Learning Hypothesis
• Monitor Hypothesis
• Natural Order Hypothesis
• Input Hypothesis
• Affective Filter Hypothesis

Design

Regarding types of learning and teaching activities, there is a gradual progression.

Procedure

In all activities, the instructor maintains a constant flow of “comprehensible input,” using key vocabulary, appropriate gestures, context, repetition, and paraphrase to ensure the input is understood.

Suggestopedia

Suggestopedia is a specific set of learning... Continue reading "Natural Approach and Suggestopedia: Language Teaching Methods" »

The Notion of Communicative Competence

Before underlining the main instructional methods used for the acquisition and learning of a second language, it is necessary to tackle the main concept our legal framework refers to: communicative competence. Let us analyze it first.

Defining Communication and Competence

The idea of communicative competence is the result of a convergence between Chomsky's conceptions and sociolinguistic investigations into communication situations. Dell Hymes (1972) defines it as: "the shared knowledge of grammar rules and their rules of use." Widdowson notes that usage and use are not one and the same.

M. Canale and M. Swain (1980) mention a triple competence: grammatical, sociolinguistic, and strategic. D. Coste (1978)... Continue reading "Effective Communicative Competence Teaching Strategies" »

We can define pronunciation in two senses. First, it is used as part of a code of a particular language. Second, it is used to achieve meaning in contexts of use. In the phonological system of a language, we should distinguish between the segmental elements and the supra-segmental elements. The phonemes constitute the segmental elements of speech. In turn, stress, prominence, rhythm, and intonation are considered the supra-segmental elements.

Segmental Elements

Vowel System

There are 20 distinct vowel sounds that exist; 12 correspond to pure phonemes and 8 are related to two pure phonemes, the so-called diphthongs. There are three main descriptive criteria we call vowel parameters:

• Lip position
• Vertical tongue position
• Horizontal tongue position

Daniel... Continue reading "Phonological System of the English Language" »

Romanticism

Romanticism was a cultural and political movement that took place in both Germany and England. The great majority of critics and historians agree that the Romantic period began in 1798, when Wordsworth and Coleridge published Lyrical Ballads. This period would last until 1837, with the beginning of the Victorian Era. Romanticism arose as a reaction against the rationality of the Enlightenment and neoclassical precepts. Thus, this movement can be understood as a break with reason.

Romanticism in the Arts

Romanticism reached preponderance in all artistic facets. Although the name "romantic" has been given to people of those times, the word is anachronistic; in other words, these people did not consider themselves as Romantics. This term... Continue reading "Romanticism in Literature: Key Features and Influence" »

Poverty, Inequality, and Development

Item 14: Poverty, inequality, and development.

This section examines the nature and magnitude of the problem from the human dimension of development, focusing on cooperation and development aid.

The Human Dimension of Global Poverty

In the Third World, more than 130 countries strive to exercise their right to development. Beyond their own efforts, the economic system imposed on the world prevents progress. These nations lack access to markets and new technologies; they are handcuffed by a burdensome debt that has already been paid more than once. They are relegated to being dependent countries. The system makes them believe that their poverty is the result of their own mistakes.

In those countries, the poor and... Continue reading "Poverty, Inequality, and Global Development Challenges" »

bffcreate Command: Installation Image Creation

Purpose

Creates installation image files in Backup File Format (BFF).

Syntax

bffcreate [ -q ] [ -S ] [ -U ] [ -v ] [ -X ] [ -d Device ] [ -t SaveDir ] [ -w Directory ] [ -M Platform ] { [ -l | -L ] | -c [ -s LogFile ] | Package [Level ] ... | -f ListFile | all }

Description

The bffcreate command is used to generate installation image files in Backup File Format (BFF), essential for software installation operations on AIX systems.

This utility creates installation image files from specified installation media. It can also automatically generate images from hypertext sources, such as those found on operating system documentation CD-ROMs. The resulting BFF file is saved to the directory specified by the... Continue reading "bffcreate Command: Create AIX Installation Images in Backup Format" »

Understanding Criminal Complaints (Denuncia)

Definition of a Criminal Complaint

A criminal complaint (denuncia) is a declaration of knowledge made by an individual to an official body, informing them of a fact that constitutes a crime. It serves as a fundamental mechanism for public cooperation in anti-crime efforts, a duty imposed by the state.

Key Characteristics and Obligations

The obligation to report crimes is primarily due to Judicial Police officers, who integrate these reports into their investigative steps.

Who is Required to Report Public Offenses?

• Witnesses: Individuals who have directly observed the commission of a public offense.
• Professionals: Persons who, by reason of their employment, profession, or occupation, become aware of a public

Key Concepts in English Language Teaching

1. Language as Communication

Oral and written language. Factors that define a communicative situation: transmitter, receiver, function, and context.

2. Communication in the Foreign Language Classroom

Verbal and non-verbal communication. Extralinguistic strategies: non-verbal reactions to messages in different contexts.

3. Development of Linguistic Skills

Oral expression and comprehension, written expression and comprehension. Communicative competence in English.

4. Evaluating Foreign Language Knowledge

Evaluating foreign language knowledge as an instrument of communication between people. Interest in linguistic diversity through the knowledge of a new language and its culture.

5. The Cultural Framework of English

Criminología: ciencia empírica e interdisciplinaria

Criminología: ciencia empírica e interdisciplinaria que se ocupa del estudio del crimen, de la persona del infractor, la víctima y el control social del comportamiento delictivo. Trata de suministrar información válida y contrastada sobre la génesis, dinámica y variables principales del crimen, contemplado tanto como problema individual como problema social, así como sobre los programas de prevención eficaz del mismo, las técnicas de intervención positiva en el hombre delincuente y los diversos modelos o sistemas de respuesta al delito.

Por control social se entiende el conjunto de instituciones, estrategias y sanciones sociales que pretenden promover y garantizar el sometimiento... Continue reading "Criminología: Psicología, Psicoanálisis y Control Social del Delito" »