Final Reflection on Learning

13 weeks have past and we have come to the end of our semester. In these 13 weeks, I have learnt many important and useful skills throughout this ES2007s course. I would say that it is definitely a module worth taking in NUS since it exposes and prepares undergraduates like us for the future working world. Besides that, this course is unique from other modules in a way that the learning process is unlike the usual lecture hall scene, where we were allowed the opportunity to engage and interact.

The most important skill I have learnt in this course is the presentation skills. The peer teachings and oral presentations experienced in this course have allowed me to improve my presentation skills greatly. For example, looking out for non-verbal cues in the audience when presenting is a way to see that the audience understands the material presented, whether there is a need to repeat or emphasize the content again.  The use of persuasive language in oral presentations to capture the audience attention was something I find it very useful (presenting statistics and the use of repetition). Previously, presentations are something that I will not look forward to because it requires a lot of confidence and good communication skills, skills which I do not possess in the past. Now, presentations are no longer something that I would whine about. Besides, the accomplished feeling after each presentation is actually rather pleasing.

For the mock job interviews, I felt that it was a very good experience for all of us. Even though I did not perform well during the interview, it actually allowed me to see how i would fare if that was indeed a real job interview. More practice was definitely needed for me in preparation for further job interviews. I also liked how everyone of us was able to take on the roles of an interviewer, interviewee and also the observer. As an interviewer, I was able to experience how it is like to interview other people and it was interesting to note the responses given by the interviewees. As an interviewer, I was able to experience the type of questions employers might ask and what responses they were looking for. As an observer, I was able to learn some of the techniques that are useful (for example finding the unique self that differentiates me from other people) and also some of the common mistakes seen in an interview (crossing legs and fidgeting).

Even though this course might have ended, I believe the process of learning and improving our communication skills must continue. In this competitive world, possessing good communication skills (such as being emotionally intelligent, respecting the difference cultural difference, understanding the non-verbal communications, and the use of persuasive language) would definitely put you in better advantage when working with other people. With that, I would like to thank my tutor Madam Fazilah and also my fellow peers who have provided useful feedback for me to improve myself. It was indeed a good experience.

Reflection on Team-based Project Proposal

Everyone would probably be required to draft at least a project proposal when we go out to work some day. It is a formal written report where it allows the expression of ideas to other people.

For my group, overall our preparation for this proposal was quite smooth with no major disagreements among the group-mates. For the proposal, we were told to identify a problem in Singapore and provide solutions to the main problem. We quickly narrowed down to two topics: Biodiversity and Arts & Culture, both of which we felt that Singapore was not doing very well. Because our group had more knowledge about biodiversity in Singapore due to the relevant modules we took in NUS, we immediately chose the topic on biodiversity and more specifically the public's low awareness of biodiversity loss. After the first meeting, we decided to split the work into different parts and collate our parts together for edits for our subsequent meetings. We felt that this is an efficient way of drafting out our proposal rather than us having to meet many times and work on only one part during each meeting. I personally completed my part of the proposal rather early since I do not have the habit of doing work at the last minute. I was glad I finished early due to the many piling assignments I have for other modules. 

While preparing our slides for oral presentation, similarly the work was divided into few sections and allocated to everyone. I was in-charge of delivering the introduction to the problem and thus I decided to use content I have learnt from the oral presentation class such as presenting both world and local statistics in our introduction to grab the attention our audience and also to use repetition to reiterate our problem. Preparing our scripts for the oral presentation was slightly tricky, because it was quite tough to phrase in a way that is very persuading. Nevertheless, with planning and discussion with our fellow group-mates, we were able to plan our delivery speeches well and hoped that we would be able to deliver it well during our actual presentation.

On the day of the presentation, everyone was nervous as usual but knowing that this would be our final chance to present ourselves in front of our peers and tutor, we were quite motivated to do our best. I was glad that everything went on quite smoothly during the presentation and the audience understood our proposal well. Comments by the tutor during the peer teaching presentation greatly help me in preparing for this oral presentation. I did project my voice louder and hand gestures definitely benefits me in terms of delivery even though there were several instances of stammering. Overall I felt that I had done well up to my personal expectations. 

I felt that teamwork and empathy was played well in this group. Everyone had the chance to voice out their ideas and opinions during our project meetings and every opinion was taken into consideration. I have learnt that it is very important to welcome other people's ideas and not only restricting ourselves to a certain idea. Accepting others opinions actually helps a lot during the planning process. There wasn't any major conflicting ideas and I have to admit, it was pleasant experience working with this group. 

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

Learning and understanding other cultures' behaviour is important due to the phenomenon of globalization. Everywhere around the world, people are constantly travelling around, and interacting with people across the globe through the advances in telecommunication. Below is a story of my personal experience about intercultural behaviour when I went to France three years back.

 

I was walking along the street of Paris with my family when we chanced upon this souvenir shop that sold rather unique sculptures and art pieces. Intrigued by one of the miniature table sculptures, I went up to the salesperson to enquire about the price. Not knowing a single of word of French except bonjour (which means good day), I tried to communicate with her in English since I had the mindset that people in France knew the English language and that it was a souvenir shop, she should be able to communicate English (being the universal language) to her foreign customers. But to my surprise, I got a reply in French which of course I didn't understand. I tried to ask if she knew how to speak English but I still got a reply in French. So just when I was about to turn away, a local middle-aged lady went up to me and answered my question in English! But before I could thank her, she turned to the salesperson and said something in French. It sounded as if she was talking about me based on how I interpreted her non-verbal actions. Finally when I had the chance to thank her for helping me to translate, she then told me that most of the people in this country do not speak the English language even if they know the language. Many will feel irritated if foreigners speak to them in English as French is their lingua franca. With this sudden realization, I ended the conversation with her for fear of irritating her.

It made me ponder why the local people there do not wish to speak the English language. I came to know that they are actually very proud of their language, culture and country. They would require foreigners to show respect to their language by trying to communicate with them in French when in their country, even if its just basic French.

So to give everybody a tip when going to France, try to learn a few basic French phrases like Bonjour Monsieur, parlez-vous anglais? which means Hello, do you speak English? When making an effort to speak their language, they will then be willing to communicate with you. So here is a website which I thought would be useful for those who want to learn some basic French or German language: http://www.uwosh.edu/home_pages/faculty_staff/minniear/pages/LanguageAids.pdf. Have fun learning! Hahas :)

Solving Interpersonal Conflicts

Interpersonal conflicts are inevitable and they happen when people have disagreements with ideas. It can also be an outcome of a lack of good communication skills. Here is a scenario to consider:

Amy and Jansen are a very close couple who have been together for 4 years. They have just graduated from university and Jansen had started working in a well-known finance company whereas Amy was still unemployed. Even though Jansen was a newly employed staff in the company, they did not spare him from the number of projects he was assigned to.

Amy felt neglected after watching Jansen burying his head in front of his computer day and night for several weeks without sparing some time from work for her. She compared with other couples around her who also have busy schedules but could still make time for each other but not Jansen. She also felt that the necessity for him to take a break to prevent his body from overworking. With this thought, Amy finally proposed a plan to Jansen about having a short weekend getaway to Bali. Jansen, frustrated, replied that he currently does not have the extra time for even a short trip since the deadlines are nearing. He also stressed to Amy about the importance of giving a good impression to his superior since he was a newly employed staff.

Despite several attempts to convince Jansen to accept her idea, he only got more irritated by her. Amy decided to take a break from this relationship because she did not felt the need to be with someone who could not be there for her.

Would this really be the end of their 4-year relationship or was there something Jansen could have done in terms of giving Amy a better reply?

First Blog Post!

Hello everyone! This is my first blog post ever in my life (LOL).
Great to know many new classmates during our first lesson together.
Lets all work hard to improve our communication skills and play hard (of course) for the semester ahead :)