My son currently attends a private school which makes no attempt to support our child and has shown no special interest in him and has actively encouraged us to withdraw him from the school. The Ministry of Education has been helpful but claims that they are unable to actively intervene in the affairs of private schools. ... Thanks for giving a voice to parents who have children with special educational needs. Dr. Gary Chambers (İstanbul)Another Today’s Zaman reader wrote the following comments: “A comparative study of Turkish children and English children with dyslexia which was carried out a few years ago showed that Turkish children were ultimately more successful at overcoming their dyslexia. Ultimately what this requires is intensive teaching, but also, since Turkish spelling is phonetically based and presents fewer irregularities than English spelling, bilingual children with dyslexia are much more likely to succeed if they study in Turkish than in English. Low self-esteem is also very common in families who make it clear that their children have to be academically successful in order to gain their parents’ approval. It is a plague among young British women. It has nothing to do with being “held back” a year and everything to do with the parents’ response to that. From: Habace.
Dear Charlotte: I read your column, “Reaching for the moon” (Nov. 18, 2009). I want to share something with you. I have been in Holland as an exchange student for a week. My high school participates in this EU project every year. Our aim is to get to know European people and Dutch culture. I want to learn all I can about what the Dutch think. Most have said the main reason why EU countries don’t want Turkey to join is because of our economy. I reply to them pointing out that the economies of Poland and Romania are not much better. … I used to think that Turkey would one day be able to join the EU, but my hope is decreasing. Thank you for writing about this. From: Maide
Hi Charlotte: It is with anticipation and admiration, that my wife (Nurten) and I buy the paper to read your articles. We lived in Texas for 27 years and in California for 16 years and are now retired in southern Turkey. As a result, your articles resonate with us as though we could have written them. …Your recent article, “Kiss, shake hands or hug,” (Oct. 31) dealt with the swine flu. I don’t know if you are aware of the controversy surrounding this vaccine… The results are devastating for those who took this vaccine... There is also a lot of hype and propaganda about this flu in the attempt to get as many people as possible to take the vaccine. THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU MUST DO!! I was pleased to see that the prime minister, along with other members of the government, has stated that he will not take the vaccine. [The reader also adds that the best form of protection from this flu, as well as any other type of disease caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus is colloidal silver.] From: Peter
Dear Charlotte: We read Today’s Zaman four times a week … “Women merging on the front lines” naturally caught my attention this past Friday, Oct. 30. I wondered whether you were writing to correct, to counterbalance -- or to what? -- the article (not yours) of Wednesday Oct. 28 in Today’s Zaman which summarized the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. This puts Turkey in the 129th position out of 134 countries in terms of “dividing its resources and opportunities among its men and women.” … We in Adana might see things somewhat differently as life down here is probably tougher for ladies. … From: Pamela
Dear Pamela: Thank you for your comments. I always say to my foreign guests just because you have visited İstanbul (or Ankara) doesn’t mean you have experienced Turkey. Although situations vary within these cities; outside they can be very different.
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
