English has always been my Achilles’ heel as it is a subject I can never do well in. This is largely due to the fact that I have never really enjoyed attending English lesson in primary school and thus I have never listened to what my teacher has to say about the language. This has inevitably led to my poor grasp of English, and I find it a pity because I am starting to appreciate the art of mastering this subject so as to fluently express my ideas and thoughts.
I remember back in primary school, grammar practices used to be a series of guess and check. Doing my English homework was a breeze as compared to Mathematics and Science homework because I have never really understood what I was doing. As I proceed to secondary school, the lack of vocabulary skills has made writing narrative essays a nightmare for me. I do not read books anymore after Primary 4, and thus, I have zero clues as to how to write an impressive story. I thought expository essays would be so much better as it requires factual knowledge, but I have never been so wrong. My mediocre skills in expressing myself coupled with many grammar mistakes made my essays really hard to read for my teacher. As I advanced in to tertiary education, this lack of skills to properly express myself made it difficult to do well in school. Even though I knew I understood the concept and I have the necessary content, I can never write a proper essay in FASS, as my English will always be my downfall.
I admire those people with a flair for English. They have the ability to skilfully pen down their thoughts and make English look like an art. I really regret not putting in effort to learn this language and I really hope that with hard work and determination, I will be able to be like these people one day.
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Hi Wei Ting!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post as I find myself in a similar situation as you. I too, has stopped reading after primary school which resulted in my lack in vocabulary and grammar expressions.
Nevertheless, I think that this piece is well-organised because you discussed your experiences in a chronological order from primary school, secondary then tertiary. This engages the reader naturally which allows the individual to relate to his or her english learning journey.
Fret not, I am confident that you will be able to advance into the language with more practice especially with the help of Mr Blackstone as well as your peers. Let's do this together!
Hi Zimin!
DeleteThank you for your comment! (: It means a lot to me when you said it is well-organised because I have really bad sentence structures and usually my essays are confusing to read.
Yes let's do this together! (:
Hi Wei Ting! I can understand how you feel about vocabulary and writing. I faced and is still facing similar problems in writing. Your story is well-organised and I had no problems in trying to understand your English language journey. Your grammar mistakes are also minimal. I really hope that all of us can leave this course with useful writing skills that can boost our confidence in writing! All the best!:)
ReplyDeleteHi Hazwani!
DeleteThank you for taking time to read my essay! (:
Also, thank you for telling me your thoughts about the essay and reassuring me that you understood what I am trying to say because one of my biggest fear in writing is not being able to convey my thoughts properly. Thus, this really means a lot to me! (:
Yes, I hope we can all get better in writing after the course! All the best to you too!
I completely share your sentiments on English during schooling years and the lack of mastery over English to express ourselves more colourfully!
ReplyDeleteLet's work hard together and conquer English!
Hi Guo Xiong!
DeleteYes! Let's work hard together and may we be able to write better after the course! (:
Hello Weiting!
ReplyDeleteI believe that most of us have a similar experience. In primary school, i was one who did not understand the real importance of English in primary school. The importance of English really hit me when i was in JC, when i started to struggle for GP. Likewise, i really admire those who can write well.
Your essay was well constructed and i really enjoyed reading it. If i were to pick up some flaws, i felt that some sentences were a little long and i am not sure if certain sentence like " I do not read books anymore after Primary 4, and thus, I have zero clues as to how to write an impressive story." Not particularly comfortable with the use of " as to how to write an impressive story". I would have written as "on how to write an impressive story". Just a personal thought:)
I believe that we will all be able to write better after this course, especially us being in FASS. With the ability to write better, we will even be able to get better grades for our modules:)
Hi Shaun!
DeleteThank you for taking time to read my post! (:
Yes I do agree that my sentences are really long; many of my friends have been telling me that! It is a bad habit and I do hope I can change this by the end of the course! Also, thank you for pointing out the awkward sentences! (:
Let's all work hard together!
Hey WT!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that we have similar experiences with the language. (>:
What is really frustrating is that I have to keep rewriting a sentence because it always sounds awkward and weird. Expression, sentence structures e.t.c. It will be so wonderful if we are able to write down sentences naturally and fluently.
Don't worry! We'll work hard and reap the rewards!
Hi Chuye!
DeleteI understand how you feel! Don't worry, we will improve after this semester! (:
Thank you, Wei Ting, for this detailed, honest reflection. Your short essay is well developed and illustrative of why studying English has been a pain to you. You also have garnered lots of supportive feedback from classmates. What seems to resonate with them is your sense that the journey has been futile. I think you can turn that experience around though, especially since you do in fact have a solid Engish foundation to build upon. When I note the errors in this passage, I see very few. They are just repeated too often.
ReplyDelete1) This is largely due to the fact that I have never really enjoyed attending English lesson in primary school and thus I have never listened to what my teacher has to say about the language. > (verb tense) You were in primary school in the past, right?
2) Mathematics and Science > (capitalization)
3) There are verb tense problems in the first two paragraphs….
Let's work on you becoming a better editor of your work, and on shifting your attitude. Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
Hi Brad!
DeleteThank you for your comment, I really appreciate it! I still find myself facing a lot of problems with grammar and expressing myself, especially so when I re-read this mini essay again. I hope I can improve on this area. ):
Yes, thank you once again! All of us will work hard to improve our English this semester!