I believe that I experience all kinds of hardships in my English learning journey.
I am from a small city in the Northeastern China, where the education standard is generally lower than other areas. I was pushed to start to study English only when I was in my secondary school. Before that, my English standard is just saying 'yes' 'no' 'Good morning!' 'What's your name?'.In my secondary school in China, I studied to get high marks during the exams, but the paper was very easy,most likely the same level as the primary one in Singapore.
I think my English learning journey really started when I came to Singapore. I had to learn how to communicate with people in English instead my mother tongue,Mandarin. Through years of studying this language, I improved a lot, however, there is still a huge gap between me and the classmates around.
My major is applied math. No only because math is my interest, but also I believe math needs less English. The combination of numbers and operation notations is the language of math，but I believe I still need to study English since I need English to communicate with people, which will be essential for me in studying and working in the future. After all, math notations cannot represent everything.
Being involved in this ES1102 class, I wound like to learn English from tutor and classmates. I hope I can improve on my pronunciation, accent, grammar and most importantly writing. Hopefully, after this course, I could become fond of English.
Thank you, Zeyu, for this heart-felt, insightful and open reflection. It is interesting when you explain how your perspective is now broad enough that you can compare the approach to English study that one can have not just in your native China but also here in Singapore. How rich that is, to be not just bi-cultural, but multicultural!
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your willingness to embrace change, as evidenced by your expressed realization that your future study and work will be enhanced if you can communicate more fully in English.
Best wishes for a good term!
Hi Zeyu,
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed interesting to read something that most students in class do not experience. There are a few mistakes which you can rectify.
For your fourth paragraph. The word applied math should be capitalized as it is a title and also math should be spelled out in full, Mathematics. The second sentence is also too long. It should be made into two sentences. For eg. The combination of numbers and operation notations ARE the language of mathematics. I still have to study English as it is required for communicating with people in the future.
For the last paragraph, there is some mistakes too. Eg. I Would like to learn English from.... Another mistake is Hopefully, after this course, i Can become fond of English.
Zeyu, you can definitely improve!! Let's work hard together!!
Regards Jun Hao.