In the assignment 3, we should conduct a report consists of three interviews who has completed or is doing an internship to elicit their experiences. In addition, we were required to analyze responses from our interviewees and to make recommendations for future students. I collaborated with two students and accomplished the group work. All the participants are studying in The University of Melbourne. We reported their internship in different positions.
In this assignment, we firstly designed the interviewing questions related to interviewees’ personal conditions. Then we conducted the interview for twenty minutes based on designated questions. Finally, we integrated three interviews and analyzed the similarities and differences. One challenges which I met in the assignment is the comprehensive report of interviewees’ answers to questions. Interviewees did not give clear answers to the question. Therefore, it is difficult to report what they would like to convey. The one thing that I have learnt is to conduct a report based on interviews, the proper use of phases and vocabulary in the report. We worked as a group to accomplish this assignment. We separately interviewed three participants and wrote different parts of report. I should pay more attention to the proper use of grammar. The difference of this work between other two is cooperative work. we should collaborate with each other to accomplish it. From this assignment, I learnt how to conduct a report in systematic way and cooperate with others in report. In the next time, I will try to pay more attention to the grammar and clauses. Maintaining the appropriateness of paper.
The requirement of assignment 2 is to identify a job which I am interested in. it also requires me to write CV, cover letter and a response to job criteria. I found the job as an ESL teacher in an English institution. Therefore, by recalling previous educational and working experience, I summarized my personal profile and working experiences to compose the CV and cover letter. What’s more, I also write my personal Reponses to criteria based on my previous experience. I combine my personal experience with the requirements to complete to task.
I think one of the differences of this assignment with others can be explained that this assignment is more practical compared with others. it requires me to write CV, a cover letter and response to job criteria. I have learnt some professional skills about job application from this assignment. It can lay the foundation for my future job application. In addition, I should also use more professional expression compared with others assignments. The main challenge which I experience is the lack of relevant working experiences. Therefore, it is difficult for me to provide adequate evidence for criteria. This assignment really benefits me a lot, it lays the foundation for my future job application. What’s more, I also have learnt that I should enrich my personal working experiences. They are more important than how many certifications I have acquired.
This assignment helps me to make preparation for the future job. I should include specific examples for each of the criteria. What I should you do is to write a small ‘story’ about something I did, something I said or a problem I solved for each criterion. The more detail I can include, the better picture the potential employer will build up. It’s important for me to stand out among all candidates. What’s more, there still exists some grammatical errors which I should pay attention to. For the next time, I will try my best to include some detailed context in my assignment. It’ s necessary for me make some examples and small ‘stories’ to describe my personal ability. in addition, I will try to avoid as much grammatical errors as possible, because some small mistakes may cause big problems.
The requirement of assignment 1 is to write an opinion piece, I should demonstrate capabilities to analyze professional discourse/texts and adapt writing for different audiences and purposes I choose the topic ‘Is Chatting App works? The Effects of WeChat on English Learning’. The opinion piece mainly talks about the application of WeChat on English learning and questions the effectiveness of the application. Therefore, I have read lots of passage related to the application of WeChat on educational development. Then I introduce my personal opinions from two aspects. Firstly, WeChat can provide learners instant message anytime and anywhere, which brings learners’ great convenience for language learning. Secondly, the application of WeChat motivates learners to learn English with great interest. Students are more enthusiastic in English learning compared with traditional learning mode. I also include a case study conducted by Pan (2013), which proves that the positive aspects of WeChat in language learning.
Do chat apps work？The Effects of WeChat on English Learning
(Source:Techcrunch)
Do chat apps work？The Effects of WeChat on English Learning
Nowadays, technology has gradually infused into higher education system. 7.1 million of higher education students are taking online courses. (Babson Survey Research Group,2014). Which can indicate that online learning has been widespread in multiple aspects. The role of technology has experienced transformation for twice. The first is that the shift from computer software to LAN (Local Area Network). Secondly, the present Wi-Fi technology occupies an important place due to the rapid development of mobile devices. The survey conducted in 2014 presented that nearly a quarter of the world’s internet users are now using one particular chatting app on a daily routine. This app is called WeChat.
WeChat comes into people’ s insight in 2011 invented by Tencent Company, it can be regarded as an excellent and instant messaging application. While WeChat can be not only used as a kind of communicative tool but also be applied for a learning strategy in people’ daily life. WeChat works as a mobile app with mobile text and voice messaging communication service. The app can be available on several popular electronic devices such as Android, iPhone and so on. The supporting languages include Chinese, English and many languages all around the world. The supporting network conditions of wechat are on Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G networks. WeChat can process the communicative function through text messaging, hold-to-talk voice messaging, group chatting, photo/video sharing, location sharing. Some other advanced features that people can take photos with artistic filters. They can also place these beautiful moments into a photo album and share with other users (Liu, 2014).
The application of WeChat for English learning has become a hot topic for language learning research for recent years. Some people hold the opinion that WeChat can facilitate English learners’ learning process. While others disapprove this idea. From my perspective, I strongly agree that WeChat can positively support my English learning.
Firstly, WeChat can provide instant message for users anytime and anywhere. I can be exposed to a virtual English environment where I could be encouraged to communicate in English as thoroughly as possible. Teachers can send voice recording, learning videos, learning files through WeChat for me. I can read, watch and learn the material if I am free. Meanwhile, I can listen and watch the video voice recording in the intermittent time. This kind of immersion can help me to practice my English and gradually enhance their English proficiency.
Secondly, as a kind of new-style learning method, WeChat greatly attract my interest in language learning. Traditional class-teaching mode can’t arouse my personal enthusiasm of English learning due to the fixed teaching and learning pattern. The mobility and convenience of WeChat greatly improves my learning proficiency. For instance, I can send my voice to instructor for spoken practice and texting for writing work. My teacher sends lots of voice recordings and relevant question through WeChat. I can also effectively interact with peers and tutors with text and voice messages.
Thirdly, with the assistance of WeChat, my English learning has achieved significant enhancement. Under the influence of enhancement, my English learning is nurtured with a strong sense of confidence. My confidence in writing and speaking English has been significantly improved. I am more confidant to communicate with native English speakers and write some academic papers.
There is a case conducted by Pan (2013), which can also prove that positive aspects of WeChat on English learners’ behaviors. Pan selected six students from Suzhou Science and Technology Institute, the teacher instructed an interactive learning process in class and asked learners to have interaction with other learners. The whole learning process was controlled by a smart phone. The teacher sent the learning content needed through WeChat. The result of study showed that learners can express more concretely and detailed through the application of WeChat. They can acquire more instant and comprehensive information needed in the class. The convenience and efficiency of WeChat can be beneficially influenced English learners’ oral performance.
While there still exist some controversy for the application of mobile devices in the classroom. Stockwell (2008) found that students in the study are often use mobile devices for some entertaining activities such as watching videos or chatting with others. He thinks that students’ inaccurate use of mobile phones for language learning can be explained by the lack of proper guidance and management from instructors. Thus, I suggest that instructors ought to implement a research to investigate how to effectively use mobile devices in their class. Meanwhile, teachers should arouse learners’ awareness of the benefits which can be brought from WeChat and assist learners to properly use WeChat in the class.
The effect of WeChat on language learning can not only bring benefit for learners but also some limitations. For the positive aspects, learners can effectively present the learning contents in an interactive mode. Mobile devices can provide instant technical support. The implementation of mobile devices can enable the students to be exposed greatly to the target content and increase their interaction with these learning content. In other words, the portability of WeChat can help learners to access language learning in their preferred time and place. While there are some limitations of WeChat applications. Learners cannot totally focus on the learning activities. They may be attracted by mobile devices’ entertaining function. They may use mobile devices to chat or watch some videos. These activities cannot help them to completely concentrate on language learning.
The application of WeChat in the classroom can not only benefit students’ study but also bring some negative aspects. Thus, we should implement the application of WeChat in proper ways.
Deng Pan. (2013). A Study on the Suitability of Micro-Leaning Community in English Mobile-learning. Journal of Hubei University of Science and Technology, 33(9), 103-105.
Liu, Z. (2014). A study on the application of WeChat in ESP training. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4(12), 2549-2554.
Stockwell, G. (2008). Investigating learner preparedness for and usage patterns of mobile learning. ReCALL, 20(3), 253-270.
Reflection
The reason why I choose this topic are following: First, the innovation of technology has gradually immersed in different aspects of our life. Language learning can be an indispensable aspect for learners. Second, most studies have indicated that traditional teaching method can’t arouse language learners’ enthusiasm for language learning. Third, the influence of WeChat is not only confined in China but more and more foreign countries all over the world. The difference of this assignment with others is that I should not conduct the opinion piece with too much academic expressions. The audience of opinion pieces are mainly ordinary people. Some of them may not accept much advanced education. Therefore, I should express my persona opinions in an understandable way. The main challenge in this assignment is the expression. I have written multiple papers which are academic essays. Therefore, it’ s difficult for me to change the written style into conventional ways. What I have learnt in assignment 1 is that how to structure an opinion piece. This topic is a valuable topic for us to discuss, because the consistency of educational innovation is happening around the world. We can’t stagnate in the traditional teaching method. WeChat, as a communicative tool, can do a favor in people’ life from various aspects.
E-portfolio 