Before
attending the ES1102 classes, I thought that the lessons will be similar to the General
Paper class I had in Junior College or the English classes in my secondary
school days. To my pleasant surprise, the ES1102 classes are not that dry and
boring, and they are also useful and helpful to improve my English language and other
writing skills.
I have learnt new
knowledge and relearnt what I thought I already know. One example will be the usage
of “had” (past participle tense). I have now realized that we cannot use “had” too
loosely and the presence or the absence of “had” will make a huge difference to
the entire sentence.
Other than
English language and grammar issues, I have picked up new knowledge from Brad and my fellow
peers in A5. Brad initiated this interesting way to allow us to learn from one
another’s mistakes and merits, the online peer evaluation. Peer evaluation is
not a new thing in my secondary and JC days. However, such activity really
benefits me in various ways.
Peer
evaluation requires us to post our writings, which include reflection, Reader
Response and essay, on our blogs and our peers will comment on these blogs. As
a commenter, I have learnt to look at the same issue from new perspectives. My peers
always propose new ideas and viewpoints that I have never thought of. Together with the
comments I received from my peers, I realized that it is inevitable that everyone
as all of us have different experience and prior knowledge (or prejudice).
Thus, each of us will take different stands when we are discussing the same
issue. Hence, the most challenging part of the writings is not so much about
our English skills, but our skills to perfect our argument to convince
our readers to believe and take our stands. Although English skills are needed
to propose the most persuasive phrases, the critical thinking skills are more
crucial to propose feasible and sound arguments that others will be persuaded
and convinced.
Also, the
constructive criticisms we received from our peers teach us important lessons
too. These comments help us to realize our shortcomings in terms of our English
language and the weak arguments we have. When we accept these remarks humbly to
review and reflect our mistakes, we can learn much more knowledge that
textbooks are unable to teach us. Furthermore, I have received encouraging comments from
my fellow peers that motivate me to continue my difficult journey in learning
English. For instance, some of my peers have helped me to correct my grammar
mistakes or suggested other alternative phrasings for my later drafts. Thus, I would be more careful with my writings so that I could minimize my grammar mistakes. Other
than the academic skills that we learn from these lessons and evaluations, I will a better understanding of my peers too. From the writing style and
content that they posted on their blogs, we are able to ‘interact’ even after classes.
The use of digital technology enables me to reach out to my peers more easily. Since such indirect communication
is a more common mode of networking in today’s digital world, the
online peer evaluation is a simple yet interesting way that we enjoy while we evaluate our
peers' writings.
Overall, I
am glad that I have chosen to take this module in my first year as these skills
I have picked up from the short 12 weeks will be beneficial to my future academic
writings. The critical thinking skills have been useful to consolidate the ideas
for my Chinese Language term paper. Before taking this ES1102 module, I have
trouble organizing my ideas. However, from the feedbacks that I receive from my
peers and Brad, I learn how to organize my writings in a more systematic manner
so that my readers will be able to understand my argument. Although my Chinese
language term paper requires me to write on a different topic and
even with a different language, the skills I obtained from the ES1102 classes are
helpful in my organization and critical thinking. These skills have definitely
benefitted my English writing skills, and sharpened my critical thinking and
reflection skills that are needed in every subject and module.
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