I have had a hard time struggling with the course called General Paper. It requires students to think deeply and critically, and to keep in touch with latest news. Being a science student for 17years, I have been used to ignore newspaper and to just concentrate on my chemistry, physics and mathmatics. I have no idea about how to acquire these skills. I tried to read widely but I found myself ending with searching the vocabulary. The more I want to get from the text the more I forgot. I felt that I was stucked. The result for GP is not good just as expected.
Though by now I still have not figured out a way to study English, I at least know that I cannot memorize the words without relating them to the text. I should go through the article first and then go into details like unfamiliar words. I need to be consistently up-to-date with events that happen around the world. I will try to read broadly not aiming at gaining ideas but enriching myself. Otherwise reading becomes too unglamorous and utilitarian.
ReplyDeleteLearning from past experience is harsh but also the most productive one and also thank you for sharing something personal like this to us. The content is very clear and the reflection is very complete. Good work!
I am glad to hear that you finally find your own way to study English. Actually, i am also struggling with English.I know that no pain, no gain. Hope we can improve our English together. Fighting!
ReplyDeleteI can see that you have learnt much from your past experiences in studying English. I believe that if you continue to work hard with the help of Prof Misty, you will be able to improve and achieve good results! Perhaps, by developing your interest in reading, you may then enjoy the learning process and gain more from it. Lets work hard together!(:
ReplyDeleteYou are great in encouraging each other to learn English. I will certainly my best to help you to improve your English in the next 10 weeks. Getting feedback is a critical part of learning, so make sure you ask questions when in doubt.
ReplyDeleteContent: You developed your experience in learning the GP module well, and this led to what you felt what your weakness may be. You were right--remembering vocabulary is not necessarily the best way to learn English. Instead, you should learn fewer words, but in more depth by exploring how the words are used in real writing.
ReplyDeleteGood job! Keep up the good work.
Organisation: This is a reasonably well-structured piece of writing. You began with the concept of the general paper and highlighted the problems you had with it and what you did instead. You then discussed what you feel you may need to do to improve English. However, consider improving on this by the ending. You ended with a description on reading strategies without referring to the main topic of the writing--weakness in completing the GP paper.
Language:
1. Think about your expression: 'I have been used to ignore newspaper'.
'I have been used to' = habit. You used this phrase to express you did not read the newspaper and just focused on the core subjects, correct?
Think about the difference between 'I have been used to' and 'I used to'. 'Have been' is present perfect tense and 'used to' is simple past tense. Let me challenge you: Find out when you should use present perfect and simple past tenses.
2. Spelling: mathmatics.
3. Stucked: Think about this: stick vs stuck vs stucked? Why is 'stucked' wrong?
4. I have no idea about how to acquire these skills. What does 'these' refer to? Why do you think it may be incorrect to use here?
5. Tense error: The more I want to get from the text the more I forgot.