Final Reflection on Learning

  Elbert Hubbard has said that “Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed - there's so little competition.” The class es2007s I studied in NUS is a unforgettable class. 

  Although this module don’t have an final exam, but I felt difficult during the module.  To prove our communication ability, we have there presentation and teacher gave us some class about current and coherent writing and speaking. It also taught me how to communication with others in English. 

  My fist time to presentation in English give me a bad memory. I do not know what to say, so what I can do I is only to read from my Ipad. But in the next time, I can tell them what I think without any reference. However, I have some problem in eye contact. We also had a simulate job interview. It is an exciting time to be an interviewer or interviewee or observer. The last time, I feel I have made great progress.

  I also learn how to cooperate with other. Our class are divided into many groups to finish a project. Our subject is Carpooling in Singapore. My groupmates help me a lot.

  I know that the goal of effective communication skills should be mutual understanding and finding a solution that pleases both parties, not ‘winning’ the argument or ‘being right’.

From the presentations, I gained lots of knowledge which was nevermentioned in class. I improve my poor English from this module beyound my imagination!

Reflection on Team-based Research Project Proposal

In the class ES2007s, we have a team-based project about improving the environment in Singapore. We improved our ability in communication and fluent speaking of English language. Teamwork provides a chance to cooperate with workmate, it will make a friendly and enjoyable work environment.

Sometimes,transport in Singapore is really bad. As Carpooling with neighbours or workmates has become popular in Singapore, we start our project about carpooling . Given below are some advantages and disadvantages of carpooling. One advantage of carpooling is that it can lower our ecological footprint because we're reducing air pollution.  Another advantage is that carpooling can be fun because you can chat with your workmates or neighbours.  However, a disadvantage of carpooling is getting up early so you can be on time when the driver picks you up.  Another disadvantage is the confusion and frustration of who will pay for the gas.

With the help of the team, these problems can be solved easily and quickly, which could improve work efficiency. My part is to give a survey, and research people about carpooling. After doing these questions, the informant knowed the importance about carpooling and we get the information how to inspire people to carpool and how to improve the privilege.

Team Spirit is of High Importance. During the group meeting, I make mistakes all of which are valuable lessons to be learned. I have difficults in this project because my English is not so good. Thanks to my groupmates , they have done melots of favors.

The chance is very valuable. This class not only taught me the language knowledge, and also give me some life reason.

Evalutating Intercultural Behaviour

     With China’s opening up, intercultural communication has become more and more frequent between Chinese and foreigners. A good command of at least one foreign language has increasingly been an essential skill for us. People, especially the youths, pay much more attention to foreign language acquisition than Chinese study. I was lucky enough to get the chance to study in Singapore, a country with a multi-cultural. 

     Singapore is a clean country with different tropical plants. Local people is friendly and life in Singapore is comfortable. But there also have some intercultual conflict with some students from different country. 

     One day, I had lunch with my friend Cathelin come from U.S.A.. We talked about what should we  dress next week in a party.  We took out the pictures of our dress. Both of us praise others’ dress. She replied “ Thank you”. That is so strange I think. But when she heared my replied ”No, when I dress it, I look so fat”. She thought this reply is strange too, and her face become confused. After that I searched for the reason from the Internet, and I got the answer. 

     China is a very troditional country in a various aspects. The Chinese are always pay attention to modest in communication with people, "belcher own statue of people", take it as a virtue. When others praise us, we tend to be say ourself in bad aspect, to show modesty and polite. This is particularly prominent in the call, for example, in the introduction to others will introduced his wife: "this is Jiannei( this word means his wife’s position in society is low)!" Son with the phrase "Quanzi( this word means his son is like a dog )", refer to themselves as "Biren" and so on. But it is different in call someone, and they put words extraordinary splendour. They see this as a kind of polite, a kind of etiquette, and they are forever under someone else. Especially when complimented or praise, the Chinese people always like to put in this sentence: "I can see where is good, you flatter me! No no!"

     On the contrary, the western countries have no such cultural habits, when they praised, there will always be very happy to have a chance to say "Thank you" to accept compliments from others. Maybe some Chinese first contact will think this is a kind of narcissism or something! It seems that Westerners’ calling expression habits is different with Chinese. On the contrary, they think: the more close, the more accustomed to a first-name basis. In the U.S.A. , grandson can call his grandpa using his grandpa’s name.  The distance between the two are closer than through this activity. In Chinese eyes, it is a great disrespect, is a thing that our parent should punish us. 

     Due to the differences between Chinese and western culture, we think the west is confident, and they just say what they really think in their mind; When westerners heard Chinese deny their achievement or even put you off as worthless when they hear the praise, will feel very surprised, think Chinese people don't honest.

    When some intercultural misunderstanding appears, it often make many jokes,appears circumstances which made people embarrassed.This seriously affected both two sides to associate succeed and the friendship between nations.Therefore,we are necessary to discover its deep-level reason and take some certain measures to develop the intercultural communication ability.Avoids the cultural conflict,let the social communication becoming more free and relaxed between nation and nation,and then ,becoming an enjoyment everyone wants instead of frighten or fear.Let the world become a big family through the fluence communicating!

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

  Conflict is part of our everyday life. Whne conflict arises in your personal lives and relationships it can be very hard to deal with. I think the best way to avoid conflict is being a good listener instead of a speaker. 

   But first ,you should be able to face the problem 

   My friend said it seemed I rarely had conflict with other persons, which is not true,actually. I also want to tell you an event that has happened to me.

   Last year I joined a club in my school. The leader gave us some difficult tasks. I worked really hard and put all time into it. Finally, the leader checked our outcomes and after that we had a meeting to show them our projects. Suddenly , a strange student shoutded and pointed to me , “Look what she did! Terrible !” Everyone in the meeting stared at me. I felt I was hurt by many bullets from there prying eyes. I was so embarrassed that I rushed to my dormitory. When my friends found me,I almost cried. They placated me. 

  After a period of time, I met this man again. The terrible memory suddenly rushed into my head. I was too angry to say a word and wanted to escape. He saw me and said “ You profession is computer science, but my major is about Aerospace. Do you know what the meaning is ? It...” He paused because I run away again.

   Unfortunately, we were in the same group to plan of promotional activities. I think 
I was out of luck. I just told him what he need to do . He never mentioned the bad memories. However, we win the first praise beyond my calculation. 

   After that someone told me he was just pride of his major, and he only wanted to prove that he was the best. I realized I should talk to him or listen my friends idea at that time. Maybe he wanted to apologize to me but I did not give him the chance. I prefer to run away rather than face it. Due to my timid character , I miss many chance to solve the problem. I think I can avoid trouble things, but at last I must settle a matter .

   Different people have different personalities.We should not ask everybody to be the person we like. What we should do is to admit the people around you. I have seen a well-known saying in “Zhenhuanzhuan” :  “No one need to do anything for you in duty, but whether you can tolerate others is your own business. ” I should think in other people’s position and listen what they really want to say.

   Life put many things on our shoulder , making we feel heavy. We usually feel tried and sometimes out of motion. God give us two bag ,.One filed our advantages hangs on the nek in the front, the other is others advantages in the back. We used to see our advantages not others. We always express our own things ,did not notice the feeling around us. I think it is the reasons why we have interpersonal conflict.

   Now I understand why listening is more important than saying. When I am dealing with a conflict, I will bite my tongue rather than say something harsh in the heat of the moment. There is an old adage , if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Sometimes, during an argument is not the right time to try to make your point. I will be willing to listen and let my partner express his feelings to me. You cannot change the way that a person feels but you can acknowledge her feelings and try to understand them. Futhermore, do not overreact to an already volatile situation, particularly when your partner may be seeking a confrontation . Do not fall into negative behaviors. Keep a cool head and think things out before reacting. Ask yourself if it is worth the fight. Don't react in a way that you will have to apologize for later.  It will not always be easy and not always be possible to avoid all conflicts. You can, however, minimize the damage when difficult situations arise. 

    Good listening skills are vital to healthy relationships. When you're resolving a conflict, good listening skills can be a lifeline to peace. Learn how to be a truly supportive listener, and you may find yourself surrounded by others who are able to do the same. 

Hello everybody

Hi,I am Li yixin.
 I am an exchange student from China. I will study in the NUS for one semester.
 I would love to choose this module ES2007S to improve my English.
I feel excited to be one of your guys.^_^