Synchronized Chaos’ Second February Issue: Sound and Fury, Signifying Everything

Old stylized drawing of a medieval man in a tunic with a sash and shield and a hat with feathers and striped shoes. Pastel yellow, blue, and white.
By M. and B. Skelt (publishers) – Folger Shakespeare Library Digital Image Collection http://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/r8t2ob, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40908149
According to Shakespeare's Macbeth, 
Life "is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

First, some announcements: In February, on Saturday the 28th at 2pm, Synchronized Chaos Magazine partners with the Hayward Lit Hop to co-host the Hayward Coffee Hop.

Join with us to hear poems and sample the wares of four different local coffee shops in downtown Hayward, California (Zocalo’s, Snappy’s, Concha Dreams, and the Old City Roastery). Advance tickets required, reserve your spot here.

Green frog with black spots drinking from a steaming white mug of coffee.

In March we will have a presence at the Association of Writing Programs conference in Baltimore which will include a free public offsite reading at Urban Reads on Friday, March 6th at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend!

So far the lineup for our reading, the Audible Browsing Experience, includes Elwin Cotman, Katrina Byrd, Terry Tierney, Terena Bell, Shakespeare Okuni, and our editor, Cristina Deptula. If there’s time, an open mic will follow.

Front door of a bookstore with glass windows and bronze text and symbols painted on the window.
Urban Reads Bookstore

Poet Marin Angel, of Finland and Bulgaria, is forming a new, vast, international poetry society, the Poetic Political Party for Transparency, that will publish books and which seeks editors and writers.

Published poet and contributor Tao Yucheng is still hosting a poetry contest, open to all readers of Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Synchronized Chaos Poetry Contest: We seek short, powerful, imaginative, and strange poetry. While we welcome all forms of free verse and subject matter, we prefer concise work that makes an impact.

Guidelines: Submit up to five poems per person to taoyucheng921129@proton.me. Each poem should not exceed one page (ideally half a page or less). All styles and themes welcome. Deadline for submissions will be in early March.

Prizes: First Place: $50 Second Place: $10, payable via online transfer. One Honorable Mention. Selected finalists will be published in Synchronized Chaos Magazine.

Brian Barbeito's poetry collection's cover. Heart carved from metal tied with a string onto what looks like a blue canvas tarp.
Screenshot

We’re also announcing the release of contributor Brian Barbeito’s new book The Book of Love and Mourning.


From Brian: These prose poems and photos are a journey that celebrate memory and colour and the near and far. Please travel along and explore both the written word and the visual narrative. The content will include but not be limited to, forest trails, meadows and skies, grasshoppers and wild clovers, electric light, and various seasons. And at times we will dream, reminisce, and wonder about the world, its form, content, and continual movement. 

The Book of Love and Mourning can be ordered here.

Now, for February’s second issue! This issue, Sound and Fury, Signifying Everything, as opposed to Macbeth’s feelings of meaninglessness, points to the importance of individual people and relationships, to ordinary settings and personal life stories.

Stylized painting of a ship with big white sails lurching in a storm. Clouds in the sky, big waves.
Image c/o Omar Sahel

Dmitriy Kogan asserts the value of ordinary words from understandable poets. Mykyta Ryzhykh’s micropoems hit on different nerves: money, guilt, tradition, speech, silence. Christopher Bernard’s first installment of Senor Despair explores the search for hope and meaning in a complex world.

Terry Trowbridge’s speakers inhabit and listen to time, rather than shouting their existences into the world. Mahbub Alam’s speaker slowly awakens from a deep sleep. On the other hand, Aurelia Preskill’s speaker desires to fully inhabit her universe and her own body. Michael Todd Steffen’s pieces concern observation: seeing our world, and the instability of what we see. Janaea Rose Lyn takes us on a poetic journey from grief to cognition to embodiment and, finally, to translucence. Taro Aizu finds gentle peace in everyday blessings and beauty. Jumanazarova Mohlaroyim Islombek qizi explicates the deep and stormy inner world behind Said Ahmad’s ironically titled novel Silence. Timothee Bordenave explores the emotional territory of pleasure, escape, rebirth, and devotion.

J.J. Campbell depicts the debris of soul damage from a long and weary life, but continues living, as he has little choice. Mahbub Alam evokes the solemn weariness of insomnia in an elegant poem. Taylor Dibbert reflects on turning points in a relationship that went south. John Edward Culp’s work quietly dares without becoming showy, as a person eases into the risk of loving and being loved. Kalipada Ghosh celebrates a gentle and inspiring love. Dr. Fernando Martinez Alderete presents the comfort and care of a steady, long-term love. Lan Xin’s love poetry carries a spiritual bent, drawing on metaphors of angels and ancient Chinese temples. Cai Zhenyuan ties love into universal compassion and making moral choices.

Alexa Grospe speaks to the visceral pain of someone struggling to be seen and loved in their ordinary humanness. Jacques Fleury advises readers to become comfortable and at home in their own identities and bodies. Eva Lianou Petropoulou reminds humans not to lose sight of our hearts and creativity in the age of artificial intelligence.

Bill Tope and Doug Hawley contribute a co-written bleak, funny, and tender short story that highlights the humanity not only of disabled people, but all those who age and change with time. Noah Berlatsky comments with humor on physical aging. Dilafro’z Sultanova aspires to health and wellness in her advertising jingle to the Central Asian health drink Beleever. Diyora Abduolimova and Jurayeva Aziza Rakhmatovna discusses the importance of and methods for inclusive education for children with disabilities.

Closeup of a tree's wooden rings.
Image c/o Petr Kratochvil

Shoshana Vegh speaks to a mythical love that endures through time. Mesfakus Salahin promises his commitment to his loved one throughout his life journey. Jamal Garougar affirms a quiet, humble love. Mandy Pistikou’s poetry outlines a romantic relationship that grows and deepens with time. Sabo Jurayeva urges people to marry for the right reasons, building strong families on love and commitment rather than infatuation.

Iroda Abdusamiyeva pays tribute to her kind, tenderhearted mother as Ibodimova Lobar Muzzafar qizi mourns the loss of her loving mother. Eshmatova Charos offers her love and respect to her mother through a prayer. Akramova Sarvinoz pays tribute to the love and strength of her parents. Dildorakhon Tursunboyeva tenderly expresses her love for her dear mother.

Jerrice J. Baptiste’s colorful artwork celebrates the joy of female friendship and sisterhood. Graciela Noemi Villaverde highlights the transformative power of both friendship and love. Sayani Mukherjee explores interpersonal love through the lenses of memory, religion, myth, and culture. Hanaan Abdelkader Ashour honors the love she shared with those who are departed and feels their continued presence.

Safarqulova Iroda and Maja Milojkovic celebrates the beauty of their heritages and mother tongues. Abdusaidova Jasmina expresses her pure joy and pride in her Uzbek homeland. Isaac Dominion Aju’s personal essay describes his journey towards accepting, creating, and claiming his identity as a Black African man. Normuminova Charos Shamshoshodovna looks deep in her heart and soul to find the meaning of “homeland.”

Halilova Rukshona Abdufattohovna honors the scientific and philosophical legacy of ancient scholar Abu Nasr al-Farabi. Sevara Jo’raqulova highlights the love for Uzbek heritage, nature, and culture in Alexander Faynberg’s poetry.

Orange Volkswagen bus with peace signs painted onto its side and lots of succulent plants in little pots next to it.
Image c/o Rheo Gauthier

Duane Vorhees also addresses nature as a theme, speaking to spring’s regrowth in a natural, unsentimental way. Aziza Xazamova shares fun and colorful winter memories. Christina Chin celebrates the clear, pure beauty of winter. Ananya S. Guha’s poetry speaks to natural cycles and resilience, places that keep a hold on people even after they leave. Yongbo Ma constructs an interior landscape built through a variety of objects, places and natural creatures: rocks, tadpoles, frogs, a person’s hometown.

Brian Michael Barbeito’s nature-based prose is quietly luminous, reflective, and tender, reminding us to see the grace in the everyday. Soumen Roy compares the ebbs and flows of relationships to waves at sea. Dr. Jernail S. Anand’s essay highlights the cosmic and natural power balances of the universe.

G’afforova Hadichaxon Abduhamid qizi also writes from a wide perspective, addressing the importance of addressing air pollution on systemic as well as individual levels. Jalolova Charos weighs various sustainable design models for our world’s growing cities. Mamatraimova Khadicha Eshali qizi discusses toponymy, the science of naming places and landforms, in a certain area of Uzbekistan. Dildora Xo’jyozova appreciates Uzbekistan’s rich and multilayered history and culture. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva celebrates the literary legacy of Uzbek writer and social theorist Chol’pon.

Egamberdiyeva Diloromxon highlights the importance of Uzbeks’ understanding their nation’s constitution. Jumayev Sanjar Ilyos ogli also explores the wisdom and importance of the Uzbek constitution in shaping the country. Bai Gengsheng’s poetry, translated by Lan Xin, highlights the enduring power of fortitude and wisdom in China’s cultural heritage. Zubayda Tursunboyeva illuminates themes in Uzbek poetess Zulfiya’s work: love, family, patriotism, and peace. Shermamatova Kamola Azizbek qizi discusses ways to incorporate epic world literature into the classroom.

Razzokova Feruza’s essay discusses how language and culture influence emotional expression. Mahmudjonova Rushonabonu outlines the global importance of the English language. Qobiljonova Hurixon compares advantages of blended and traditional education for those learning English as a second language. Sultonova Shahlo Baxtiyor qizi discusses ways to overcome cognitive and psychological barriers to language learning. Nazarova Gulbaxor Azimjon qizi discusses the impact of bilingualism on personality.

Stylized image of pink, orange, yellow, and blue people facing each other with thought bubbles over their heads.
Image c/o Nicky Pe

Sultonmurodova Aqida identifies and offers solutions to problems students face with learning foreign languages. Shodiqulova Dilorom Niymatulla qizi highlights the value of teachers’ classroom preparation and evaluation tasks in helping students learn languages and other subjects. Mahamqulova Ruhshona Rustam qizi discusses the cultural and psychological benefits of joint educational programs, where a student may receive academic credit from institutions in different countries. Mominova Nozimakhon highlights the many ways education benefits society at large.

Xolmurotova Gulzoda outlines roles of digital platforms in language learning. Jumanazarova Nafisa discusses roles for artificial intelligence in learning English. Mamatova Mahbuba Abdulboqi qizi addresses the proper pedagogical conditions for using project-based technology in teaching literature. To’g’ilova Dinora shows how mobile apps can help students learn the Korean language. Abduhamidova Nihola shares methodological foundations for multimedia tools in language lessons. Madinaxon Tu’ychiyeva explores the efficacy of digitally based learning. Olimova Marjona Ubaydullayevna discusses how artificial intelligence can help with language learning.

To’laganova Muxlisa G’ulomovna discusses the role of artificial intelligence in teaching critical thinking skills. Ne’matullayeva Mukhlisa Sherali kizi outlines ways college professors can encourage students to develop their critical thinking skills. Zamira Moldiyeva Bahodirovna highlights the importance of teaching critical thinking skills in higher education.

Erkinov Dilmurod Adham o’g’li points out linguistic conventions in scientific writing. Azamova Kumushoy Akramjon qizi highlights the role of scientific research in modern society. Bafoyev Mirzabek Mirvohidovich reflects on how medical diagnostics has advanced and become more refined with time.

Saida Turdiboyeva reflects on how artificial intelligence is changing our lives. Azimov Mirsaid Salimovich highlights the growing importance of computer code in global infrastructure. Nematova Zarina Ochilboyevna points to the emerging trend of digitization in the labor market. Toshbekova Nozima offers suggestions to address youth unemployment. Abdiyeva Mahbuba Rahmiddinova advocates for increased attention to women’s entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic development and empowerment. Zarina Yorboboyeva discusses ways to improve strategic management in business enterprises in Central Asia. Shonazarov Shohjaxon outlines advantages and disadvantages of modern consumer credit.

Image of a white robot with yellow eyes holding a white card.
Image c/o Gerd Altmann

J.K. Durick’s pieces speak to automation and modern life, the slow erasure of the self. Bozorboyeva Nasiba Ergashboy qizi urges wisdom and foresight in the development and rollout of artificial intelligence technology. Mo’minova Rukhshona highlights how science should not be separated from ethics.

Gaurav Ojha encourages revolutionaries and activists to keep up their spirit and idealism. Norman J. Olson’s drawing conveys the current atmosphere of Minneapolis. Patricia Doyne highlights inconsistencies in American public policy regarding firearms and cultural violence. Kujtim Hajdari laments the destruction and sorrow war causes.

Mauro Montacchiesi highlights themes of moral and psychological choices in the here and now in Dr. Jernail Singh’s book Beyond Heaven, Beyond Hell. James Tian excoriates religion enforced through fear and moral blackmail. Mohammad Sedigh Haghighi reminds us that meaning cannot be outsourced, we are all tasked with a long and personal quest to find what matters.

Angelina Muniz Huberman reviews Beatriz Saavedra Gastelum’s new book Alfonso Reyes: Cartography of the Spirit and the Word, which dramatizes estrangement and exile. Shammah Jeddypaul’s piece evokes the dislocation of trauma through a narrator whose situation we gradually begin to grasp. David Kokoette’s raw, furious, and wounded poetry looks at systemic and personal violation and invasion.

Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal’s work probes spaces where meaning becomes unreliable and sensory overload collapses into numbness. Grzegorz Wroblewski’s asemic scrawls reflect intuitive thought maps or emotional streams of consciousness. Mark Young’s pieces feel geometric, like a meditation on latency. Rus Khomutoff contributes a chant, a waking dream, a data-streamed prayer. Poet Yongbo Ma interviews writer Jeffrey Cyphers Wright about his fun, freeflowing, and experimental poetry craft.

Image of purple light and paint patterns on a black background.
Image c/o Piotr Siedlecki

Ruziyeva Nigina Sanat kizi delves into the moral and spiritual aspects of O’tkir Hoshimov’s work. Jakhongir Nomozov interviews Azerbaijani poet, translator, and journalist Aysel Khanlargizi Safarli on beauty, meaning, and spiritual understanding in her work.

Sevinch Botirjonova explicates the power of words in an increasingly connected world. Stephen Jarrell Williams speaks to memory, faith, and history. Nozima Gofurova highlights the thoughtful literary criticism of Ozod Sharafiddinov and how he examined literature as a force to mold and inspire society as well as elegant entertainment. Jumayev Sanjar Ilyos ogli celebrates the many roles of Uzbekistan’s young people in shaping the country’s future.

Dustmurodova Marjona Doniyorovna illuminates the value of lifelong learning as Türkan Ergör urges us to forget past sorrows and grudges and Opeyemi Oluwayomi asserts his steady belief in the value and beauty of tomorrow.

We hope that this issue helps you keep growing, thinking, and believing in our shared future.

Poetry from Aziza Xazanova

Young Central Asian woman with her dark hair up in a bun, an embroidered headband, and a black coat, white collared shirt, and yellow tie.

Winter Memories

Once again returns that bitter cold,

That frosty air, that winter old.

Yet in our hearts still burns the glow—

Warm love, the breath of long ago.

On sleds we’d glide, on ice we’d slide,

Slowly toward the school we’d stride.

We’d break the icicles from the eaves,

Eat them like ice-cream winter weaves.

Now we’ve grown, the years have flown,

No longer rushing schoolward, known.

No more mischief, no wild run,

Nor slipping on the ice for fun…

Xasanova Aziza Kumushbek qizi student at Tashkent economics and pedogogy university 

Mauro Montacchiesi reviews Dr. Jernail S. Anand’s book Beyond Heaven, Beyond Hell

Older South Asian man in a pink turban and coat and tie standing and reading from a large open book.

Critical Reading of Beyond Heaven Beyond Hell 

By Jernail Singh Anand

(Critical Reading by Mauro Montacchiesi)

*

Dr. Jernail Singh's book cover for Beyond Heaven, Beyond Hell. Whole host of nondescript white winged angels standing in sunlight with clouds above them.

Beyond Heaven Beyond Hell is not JUST an epic poem: beyond that, it’s a philosophical inquisition staged as verse play, where divinity and humanity alike are compelled to give testimony, along with technology and conscience. Anand builds a cheeky metaphysical architecture where Heaven and Hell are no longer places you go, but states of being, and Earth is the fiercely contested reach between them. The epic posits an extreme thesis: Modern man’s moral crisis surpassed the traditional eschatology, requiring other ethical tools — judiciousness with AI, say — to read the ledger of handiwork.

At the heart of the work lies a brutal dichotomy: good is punished, evil prospers and divine justice seems slow, opaque, even corrupt. Such tension constitutes the dramatic engine of the poem.

Figures such as God, Dharmaraja, Chitragupta, Narad, Craza (the techno-king), and Robertica (the sentient machine) are not ornamental allegorical figures; they are dialectical catalysts through which Anand examines power, obligation and crimes against clear conscience. “ICU of AI” is most striking: a chillingly modern purgatory where conscience is scanned, intention weighed and punishment optimized. Here, speed replaces mercy, efficiency takes the place of mystery — and even the gods get nervous. So be it, kind of: progress goes both ways.

The epic is an artificial form that combines scriptural cadences, dramatic dialogue, chorus and philosophical treatise. The prose is deliberately plain-spoken — sometimes plain-old spoken to the point of bluntness — forgoing florid beauty in service of moral clarity. Such refrains as “Language has been used on an enormous humanity scale to delude the masses” are not poetic metaphors but moral axioms. The power of the epic lies in repetition, accumulation, relentless questioning: Why do people pray yet not act? How is it that the leaders are well and the good are ill? 

How fear triumphs when wisdom loses. Anand refuses such easy comforts; he insists on responsibility.

But a corner is turned when the poet finds himself brought before God, while still alive.

The epic’s social critique is just as unsparing. Religious heads, power brokers and the socalled “Club of the Wise” are revealed as empty holders of delegated authority. Shrines are turned into stages, rituals become form without meaning and wisdom the mask for greed.

When catastrophe at last rouses humanity’s fear, the poem compels its bitterest irony: terror restores faith where conscience had failed. What teaching failed to accomplish, thunder does. That is the verdict, as chilling as it is unforgettable.

Ultimately, Beyond Heaven Beyond Hell claims that there is nothing to look for in Heaven or Hell— both places are already instantiated in human behavior. The epic is a moral seismograph of our times: technologically advanced, ethically beggared — theatrically devout, spiritually adrift. Anand writes with prophetic urgency, not to entertain or please, but to warn. You do not close this book comforted; you close it implicated.

Essay from Dildora Xo’jyozova

Young Central Asian woman with long dark hair up in a bun and a yellow and red and blue and green jacket over a white collared top.

Uzbekistan’s Culture: A Journey Through History and Modernity

Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia, boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends ancient traditions with contemporary life. Its culture has been shaped over millennia by various civilizations, trade routes, and peoples, making it a unique mosaic of art, music, architecture, and literature. From the era of the Silk Road to modern times, Uzbekistan has been a crossroads of ideas, religions, and artistic expression, giving rise to a deeply layered cultural identity.

The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva stand as timeless symbols of Uzbekistan’s cultural richness. These cities, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites, are home to magnificent mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, and palaces. Their intricate tile work, carvings, and decorative patterns reflect centuries of craftsmanship and artistic excellence. For example, the Registan in Samarkand, with its grand madrasa ensembles, showcases the architectural genius of the Timurid era. Similarly, Bukhara’s Ark Fortress and Kalon Minaret highlight the city’s historical significance as a center of learning and trade. These historical monuments not only tell stories of the past but also inspire modern architectural projects, blending classical designs with contemporary creativity.

Music and Performing Arts

Music is an integral part of Uzbek culture. Traditional forms such as Shashmaqam, a classical Central Asian music style, continue to be performed at cultural events and celebrations. Instruments like the dutar, tanbur, and doira carry the soul of Uzbek music, providing rhythms for both ceremonies and festive gatherings. Dance also plays a significant role, from ceremonial dances performed at weddings to lively performances at cultural festivals, expressing the joy, emotions, and identity of the Uzbek people.

Folklore and oral storytelling, often accompanied by music, preserve the values and wisdom of past generations, ensuring that cultural knowledge is passed down to youth. Uzbek literature has a rich history, with poets such as Alisher Navoi leaving a lasting legacy. Navoi’s works, written in Chagatai Turkish, are celebrated for their depth, wisdom, and lyrical beauty, addressing themes of love, morality, and human values. Modern Uzbek writers continue this tradition, addressing contemporary social issues while preserving national identity through their literary works. Language serves as a key carrier of culture, connecting generations and fostering a sense of unity. Uzbek proverbs, sayings, and oral poetry, still widely used, reflect the philosophical and moral outlook of the nation, linking everyday life to historical roots.

Traditional Crafts and Visual Arts

Uzbekistan is renowned for its traditional crafts. Silk weaving, pottery, embroidery, and miniature painting are not only artistic expressions but also symbols of cultural identity. The city of Margilan, for instance, is famous for its silk production, while Rishtan is known for its unique ceramics, with blue-and-white patterns that have been perfected over centuries. These crafts are often passed down through families, keeping ancient techniques alive while allowing room for modern innovation. Visual arts, including calligraphy and miniature painting, remain an important medium for storytelling and spiritual expression.

Modern Culture and Creativity

Uzbek culture is not limited to history; it thrives in modern creative expressions. Contemporary Uzbek cinema, theater, visual arts, and music are gaining international recognition. Young artists bring innovation to traditional forms, merging heritage with new ideas. Cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and international collaborations highlight Uzbekistan’s commitment to both preserving and evolving its cultural identity. The fusion of modern design with traditional patterns can be seen in fashion, architecture, and media, reflecting a dynamic and evolving cultural scene.

Tourism plays a vital role in promoting Uzbek culture globally. Visitors to Uzbekistan can experience ancient Silk Road cities, vibrant bazaars, and unique handicrafts firsthand. Traditional cuisine, such as plov, samsa, and shurpa, also provides a window into daily life and cultural practices. Cultural experiences, such as attending a Navruz festival or listening to live Shashmaqam performances, allow travelers to immerse themselves in Uzbekistan’s heritage. These experiences help the world understand Uzbekistan’s historical significance and contemporary vitality, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and exchange. Uzbekistan’s culture represents a remarkable blend of history and modernity. It preserves ancient traditions while embracing creativity and innovation. Every citizen is a custodian of this heritage, contributing to its ongoing story. Through its art, music, literature, architecture, and culinary traditions, Uzbekistan continues to share its rich culture with the world, bridging the past and the future. By valuing its history and supporting modern creativity, Uzbekistan ensures that its cultural identity remains vibrant and relevant for generations to come.

Xoʻjyozova Dildora, Uzbekistan 

Essay from Saida Turdiboyeva Obid qizi

Young Central Asian woman with long dark curly hair, a black purse, light colored jacket over a white tee shirt.

How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Our Lives

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from being a futuristic concept to a significant part of our daily lives. Nowadays, AI impacts many aspects of how we live, work, and communicate. From smartphones to healthcare, AI technologies are shaping the modern world in ways that were once unimaginable. This essay dedicates the impact of AI on daily life, education, work, and society, providing both its benefits and challenges.

In our everyday life, AI is everywhere. Smart assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant help people manage tasks quickly and efficiently. They can set reminders, answer questions, or even control home devices. Online services, such as recommendation systems on Netflix or YouTube, use AI to predict what we might like, making entertainment more personal. AI also improves communication through real-time translation apps, allowing people from different countries to understand each other easily. These technologies save time, increase productivity, and make life more convenient for millions of people worldwide.

AI is also transforming education and work. In schools and universities, AI-powered platforms provide personalized learning experiences. Students can receive guidance based on their strengths and weaknesses, making studying more effective. For instance, AI tutors can help students practice languages, solve math problems, or prepare for exams. In the workplace, AI assists in automating repetitive tasks, analyzing data, and supporting decision-making. Businesses use AI to improve customer service, optimize production, and predict market trends. These applications not only save time but also allow professionals to focus on more creative and strategic tasks.

On the one hand, AI also has some challenges. One major concern is the potential loss of jobs. Automation may replace certain roles, especially in industries that rely on routine work. Another issue is privacy and security. AI systems often collect large amounts of personal data, raising questions about how this information is used and protected. Additionally, there is the risk of bias in AI algorithms, which can lead to unfair decisions in areas like hiring or lending. These challenges show that while AI offers great opportunities, society must carefully manage its development and use.

 In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live, learn, and work. Its influence is visible in everyday tasks, educational tools, and professional environments. While AI brings numerous benefits, it also requires responsible management to prevent negative consequences. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential to balance innovation with ethics and security. The future of AI is promising, but it also depends on how we, as a society, choose to use it. Will AI help us achieve more, or will it create new challenges? The answer will shape the coming decades.

My name is Saida Turdiboyeva Obid qizi, and I am a second-year student at the University of World Languages in Uzbekistan, majoring in English Philology. I am passionate about reading, writing, and exploring new ideas, especially in technology and education. I enjoy writing essays and articles that reflect my perspective on current trends, such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence on daily life.

Essay from Sultonmurodova Aqida

SOLVING PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL STUDENTS’ LEARNING OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE THROUGH MODERN METHODS

Author: Sultonmurodova Aqida

Email: aqidasultonmurodova@gmail.com

ORCID: 0009-0001-0750-7010

University: National university of Uzbekistan

Field: Foreign language and literature

Annotatsiya: Mazkur maqola maktab o’quvchilarida chet tilini o’rganish bilan bog’liq bo’lgan muammolarni zamonaviy usullar orqali hal etishga qaratilgan. Tadqiqotning maqsadi chet tilini o’rganayotgan yoshlar duch keladigan muammolarni aniqlash va ularga yechim topishdir. Tadqiqot jarayonida kuzatuv, tahlil, qiyosiy va tajriba metodlaridan foydalanildi. Tadqiqot natijasida til o’rganuvchi yoshlardagi muammolar o’rganilib, tahlil qilindi va kerakli yechimlar taqdim etildi.

Kalit so’zlar: xorijiy til, metod, kommunikatsiya, an’anaviy usul, zamonaviy usul, ta’lim sifati.

Abstract: This article is aimed at solving the problems related to learning a foreign language among schoolchildren through modern methods. The purpose of the study is to identify the problems faced by young people learning a foreign language and find solutions to them. Observational, analytical, comparative and experimental methods were used in the research process. As a result of the research, the problems of young language learners were studied, analyzed and necessary solutions were presented.

Keywords: foreign language, method, communication, traditional way, modern way, quality of education.

Аннотация: Данная статья направлена на решение проблем, связанных с изучением иностранного языка школьниками современными методами. Цель исследования – выявить проблемы, с которыми сталкивается молодежь, изучающая иностранный язык, и найти пути их решения. В процессе исследования использовались наблюдательные, аналитические, сравнительные и экспериментальные методы. В результате исследования были изучены, проанализированы проблемы молодых людей, изучающих язык, и предложены необходимые решения.

Ключевые слова: иностранный язык, метод, коммуникация, традиционный метод, современный метод, качество образования.

Introduction: In the 21st century, learning foreign languages has become one of the most important factors of global and local development. Today, knowledge of foreign languages is of incomparable importance for personal and professional development, expanding international cooperation, and increasing competitiveness. Learning a foreign language not only creates opportunities for communication but also opens up new opportunities in the fields of education, science, tourism, information technology, and culture. Also, knowing foreign languages broadens a person’s worldview and helps to understand different cultures and values. Therefore, attention to learning foreign languages is closely related to the intellectual potential and future development of society.

Although learning foreign languages is interesting, this process is not easy, especially for children of today it is considered quite laborious. Just as learning foreign languages is relevant at any time, ways to overcome difficulties in this process are as relevant as ever. This article identifies some of the problems and difficulties that school-age children face in learning a language and provides necessary recommendations for solving them. These recommendations will help young language learners learn the language easier and faster, and language teachers will work more efficiently with less effort.

Research methodology

This study was conducted among 100 randomly selected schoolchildren from within the school, aged 10-18 years, who differ in age and gender. 

Among 20 students aged 10-12, their activity and development of speaking competencies were directly observed during the lesson, based on the experimental method. 

During the lesson with 30 children aged 10-15, traditional methods and modern interactive games were used, and the results were compared using the comparative method.

An anonymous survey was conducted among 50 students aged 10-18 using a questionnaire to determine their interest in learning the language and what hinders them.

The results of the study were analyzed using SPSS 26 software.

Literature review

 Research in this area divides the obstacles encountered by students into two main groups: psychological – fear, low motivation – and methodological – outdated approaches.

Richards and T. Scholars such as Rodgers argue that the communicative methodology of language teaching is the most effective tool in overcoming the “language barrier” in students. They believe that the key to success is for the student, not the teacher, to be at the center of the lesson. Studies show that language acquisition rates increase significantly when teacher talk decreases and student talk increases to 70-80% during class.

The analysis of the literature shows that the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills remains a major problem in school education.

Research results and discussion 

the data collected as part of the study was statistically analyzed using the SPSS 26 program.

The speech activity of 20 students, observed on the basis of the experimental method, increased dynamically during the course of the lesson. According to the results of the observation:

85% of the students showed high verbal activity during the interactive stages of the lesson.

It was found that the level of formation of speech competencies increased by 22% at the final stage compared to the beginning of the lesson (p < 0.05). The effectiveness of the experiential method based on direct communication was confirmed in children of this age.

A comparative analysis of 30 students showed that modern interactive games are superior to traditional teaching methods:

When interactive games were applied: the student’s subject acquisition coefficient was 0.84.

In the traditional method: this indicator turned out to be 0.62.

The test results, conducted through SPSS, showed that interactive games increase students’ motivation to learn by 1.4 times.

The results of an anonymous survey of 50 students revealed the following key issues:

Interest level: 72% of respondents expressed a high interest in learning foreign languages.

Obstacles:

40% – Lack of a speech communication environment (linguistic barrier).

35% – Complexity of grammatical rules and boring textbooks.

25% – Psychological timidity and fear of making mistakes.

SPSS 26 analysis showed that as students get older (15-18 years old), their interest in learning a language stabilizes, but psychological barriers increase. On the contrary, it was statistically proven that it is easier to correct speech competencies in younger students (10-12 years old) through interactive methods (R² = 0.76).

Today, schoolchildren face a number of problems in learning a foreign language. Among other things, low motivation for language learning in students, insufficient vocabulary, complexity of grammatical rules, lack of practical training for the development of oral speech, as well as the predominance of traditional teaching methods are the main causes of these problems.

Traditional methods focus mainly on memorizing rules and translating, which does not sufficiently develop students’ independent thinking and free communication skills. As a result, students become hesitant to speak in a foreign language and develop a lack of self-confidence.

Modern teaching methods play a special role in overcoming these problems. In particular, the use of the communicative approach, interactive methods, information and communication technologies, role-playing games, debates, multimedia tools, mobile applications, and online platforms increases students’ interest in the lesson. Such methods make students active participants in the learning process and allow them to use the language in real-life situations.

Also, modern methods serve to complex development of students ‘ listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills. As a result, the process of learning a foreign language will be effective and interesting.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, it is important to use modern methods to solve problems in learning a foreign language among schoolchildren. Such methods increase students’ interest in the language, develop their communicative competence, and help them think independently and freely.

Therefore, the use of modern pedagogical technologies along with traditional methods in the process of teaching a foreign language, support for innovative approaches of teachers, and the organization of lessons in an interactive form are important factors in improving the quality of education.

References

  1.  J.C. Richards and T.S. Rodgers, “Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching”, Cambridge university press, 2014
  2.  G.D. Borich, “Effective Teaching Methods”, Pearson, 2013
  3.  P.C. Brown “The Science of Successful Learning”, Harvard university press, 2014
  4.  D. Lemov “Teach Like a Champion” 3.0, Jossey-Bass, 2021
  5.  Sh.K.Shayakubov va R.X.Ayupov, “Interfaol ta’lim usullari”, Tashkent, 2012
  6.  N.N.Azizxo’jayeva, “Pedagogik texnologiyalar va pedagogik mahorat”, Tashkent, 2006

Poetry from Ibodimova Lobar Muzaffar qizi

Young Central Asian woman with shoulder length dark hair, reading glasses, a gray coat and white sweater.

Ibodimova Lobar Muzaffar qizi
Student of Group 24_16
Department of Uzbek Language and Literature
Faculty of Philology and Social Sciences
Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute

Missing You

Missing you,
Why do my tears rush like rain?
In the embrace of the night, my heart is washed with longing.
Dear mother, I miss you,
Mother, I miss you so much.

I feel your value in every moment of my life.
Laugh, mother, so the world may smile,
So your longing daughter may know her worth.
Calling you my kind one who prays for my success,
I cried, mother, missing you.

When I laughed, you laughed with me,
When I cried, you cried as well.
When I fell, you lifted me up, praying for my happiness.
You who always cherished me, calling me “my daughter”,
Stay healthy forever, my dear mother Feruza.

I would tear down the world just to come to you,
To come and hold you tight, to shower you with kisses.
You have always been the one I needed, mother.