English 2

Assignment 1
For our first assignment, we have to choose a tool to observe. We are to explore the object by using our 5 senses eg. touch, hear, smell, taste, see. By doing so, we then need to write a one and a half page descriptive essay about what we have experienced. The purpose of this assignment is to help us to understand how our descriptive writing can improve as we deepen our capacity to observe.

Assignment 2
For our second assignment, we are to select a movie genre, either romantic comedy or animation. We then need to select two movies from either one of the genres and write a 600-1000 word compare or contrast essay between the two movies. The purpose of this assignment is to communicate the relevant ideas in clear, logical and appropriate academic English.

Assignment 3
For our third assignment, in groups of 3 or 4, each group is given a debate topic where for every topic there is a "for" and "against". We then have to come up with a debate according to our topic. The purpose of this assignment is to test the ability of students to work in groups and debate effectively. This is so that we can apply the principles of communication and behaviour in analysing interaction with others, both at individual and at group levels. This also helps gives us the ability to analyse and respond to various issues including handling conflict.

Assignment 4
For our fourth assignment, in groups of 4 or 5, we are to select a business to interview. We have to then interview 3 companies doing the same business. Upon interviewing of these companies, we then have to write up a report as well as prepare a power point presentation to present in class. The purpose of this assignment is to enhance our ability to work as a group and also our interpersonal skills as we interview the companies.

                                                 



Reflection
Overall I have to admit that I actually enjoy learning this module. There may be times where I struggle in doing and completing several assignments. However, the benefits of learning this module is far greater and it has helped me gain certain attributes such as teamwork, self-confidence and responsibility. No matter what the assignment given, upon completion, I always receive a feeling of relieve and satisfaction. All in all, in this module I have learned that it isn't all about doing assignments and studying but the experience that goes together with it.

Social Psychology

Journals
Over the weeks of lecture, we need to make a reflection on what we have learned from the several lectures that were taught in class.

Psychology Project

The purpose of this project is to conduct a research or survey on any topic that is related to social psychology. In our group of 4 members, we have chose the topic on breakups. By doing so, we constructed a questionnaire to carry out our survey.

After the carrying out the survey, we had to analyse the data collected and write a report to support that data.




After that, we also need to present our report in form of power point slides in class.

Powerpoint Presentation

 


Reflection
Social Psychology I feel is somewhat quite practical in everyday life, from first impressions to attractiveness and closeness in relationship. On the other hand, it also shows how people respond to a certain situation or scenario. However despite the practicality of this module, I still feel that this module is just a minor subject to fulfill the credit hours requirements. Even so, I really enjoy the lectures that have been carried out throughout the semester because the things that are taught, I can easily related to and it is easy to understand. What can I say, psychologists are always good at giving presentations or lectures for this matter.

Effective Public Communication

Photo Blog

For this assignment, we are to choose a location around Malaysia and take photos of the architecture, culture and food of the selected location. We have chose Singapore as our location and it is an exception as it is situated right beside Malaysia. We then need to record our findings in our blog.

Introduction

- The place name "Singapore" is derived from Singa-pura ("City of the Lion"), a commonly used term since the 14th century.
 - The main cultural traditions are Malay, Indian, Chinese and British. Singapore lies at the tip of the Malay peninsula. 
- It borders Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. 
- Everything is well connected by MRT. 
- Singapore is a green city but it has a very groomed greenness, there are only two small national parks. 
- Manufactoring is the most important in economic factor, mainly for exports.

Culture

SINGAPORE CULTURE

Singapore Chinatown

Singapore's Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultures elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population.

Little India

Little India is an ethnic neighbourhood found in Singapore that has Tamil culture elements and aspects of other cultures. Little India is commonly known as Tekka in the local Tamil community. It was a places that tourists will normally go because of its cultural is well preserved.

Singapore Tiger balm garden

As known as "Haw Par Villa" is a theme park located along Pasir Panjang Road, SIngapore.The park contains over 1,000 statues and 150 giant dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese mythology, folklore, legends, history, and illustrations of various aspects of Confucianism. 

Vanishing Trade (Cobbler, Roadside Barber) 

                                          

Vanishing Trade is one of the tradition in Singapore. Vanishing trade includes roadside cobbler and barber. Probably done by quite old uncle. It is very interesting as you can see them doing it live and also at a cheaper price. Businessman or workers in suits are willing to sit on a stool at the side and wait for the uncles to finish repairing. 

Architecture

SINGAPORE ARCHITECTURE

Singapore Icon Merlion

The Iconic statue of Singapore. The Merlion is a mathical creature with a head of lion and the body of fish. The name "Merlion" is the combination of "mer" meaning of sea and lion as known as sealion.

Louis Vuitton Island Maison

The Louis Vuitton Island Maison is a one of a kind concept for the luxury brand and will feature nautical inspired  interiors exclusively designed by internationally acclaimed and award winning architect Peter Marino.

Esplanade

The Esplanade is a waterfront location just north of the mouth of the Singapore River in downtown Singapore. It is basically surrounded by the Esplanade Park, it is also a major performance arts venue.

Marina Bay Sand

Marina Bay Sands is an Integrated Resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$ 8 billion. The resort is designed by Moshe Safdie, who says it was initially inspired by card decks.

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is a neighbourhood  in Singapore located north of the Singapore river, in the urban planning areas of Kallang and Rochor. Prior to colonisation by the British in 1819, the area was home to the Malay aristocracy of Singapore. It became prominent and popular after the signing of a treaty between the British East India Company, Sultan Hussein Shahof Johor for the company to set up a trading port in Singapore under treaty.

The Armenian Church

Built in 1835, The Armenian Church on Hill Street is the oldest Christian church in Singapore. Designed by Irish architecture George Coleman, The church is regarded as Coleman's masterpiece and is dedicated to St Gregory The illuminator, the first Armenian monk.

Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel practically sums up SIngapore's vibrant colonial history. Named after SIngapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles and originally the residence of an Arab trader, Mohammed Alsagoff, the building later become part of an enterprise of colonial lodgings belonging to the well-know Sarkies Brothers.

                                  

                                

                                                          Lotus Building (ArtScience museum) 

Lotus Building is an ArtScience museum at Marina Bay Sand, which is the world's first ArtScience museum. This unique lotus building is designed by Moshe Safdie. There are a lot of major exhibitions being held here to attract tourists' attention.

                               

         The Float at Marina Bay Sand

The Float can bear up to 1070 tonnes, which is equivalent to 9000 people. The stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people. This stadium can be used as a football pitch, a place to perform, especially water performance and a lot more. Not only that, this stadium is the place where Singaporeans celebrate national day.

Food

Singapore food

Chilli Crab

Think about  Singapore food then first we must talk about  Chilli Crab. Chilli Crab is a seafood dish popular in Singapore, it is listed at number 35 on World's most delicious foods complied by CNN in 2011. Normally Mud crabs are used and are stir-fried in a semi thick, sweet and savory tomato and chilli based sauce. 

Black Pepper Crab

Other than the chilli crab, black pepper crab is consider most popular way that crab is served in Singapore. Is is made with hard-shell crabs, and fried with black pepper. Compare to chilli crab, the black pepper crab is less heavy due to the absence of the tomato chilli sauce. Because of the its drier and fragrant pepperish nature it was also liked by many locals and the foreign tourists.

Bak Kut Teh

The Bak Kut Teh is a Chinese dish popularly served in Singapore and Malaysia. The name "Bak Kut Teh" literally translate as "meat bones tea". It consists of meaty port ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices. Bak Kut Teh is normally eaten together with rice or noodles. Singapore Bak Kut Teh can be categorized in three types first is Teochew style which light in colour but uses more pepper and garlic  in the soup. The second one is Hokkien style, which is saltier and heavier uses more soy sauce  resulting in a darker soup. The third one is Cantonese style, with soup drinking culture it uses more medicinal herbs to create a strong favoured soup.

                                

Hainanese Chicken Rice

It's everywhere. Hainanese Chicken Rice is a dish of Chinese origin. It was listed as number 45 out of 50 most delicious food by CNN in 2011.

                             

Char Kuey Teow

It is almost impossible to stop Singaporeans from indulging Char Kuey Teow, the high-fat hawker food. The best Char Kuey Teow should come with the breath of wok.

 

Aims and accomplishments

The intended learning outcome for this project would be working as a group to complete this assignment at the same time to observe our surroundings and environments.

Penang Trip Assignment

Aims and accomplishments

The intended learning outcome of this assignment is to learn interpersonal communication skills. It is practiced both in group discussion to share our ideas and thoughts as well as when interviewing the business to ask the right questions and clear questions.

Some of the attitudes are cooperative and perseverance. Cooperative towards group members is very important because we needed to get together and discuss on what roles to play when we do interview the businesses. It is also important that group members should try not to miss any meeting so that everyone would be well informed.

At the end of the semester, I have learned to communicate better with my group members in a way that I feel like I’m doing my part in the group and contributing to the assignment.

Reflection

Having completed this module I see that I have learned to communicate more effectively in a group by sharing my ideas. However, I feel that I am still not yet to the standard of public speaking. I realise that my weakness is that I cannot speak very well when I am presenting to an audience. I think that the oral presentation has been proved more effective because it has taught me to be more confident in sharing my points. The areas that can be improved would involve mixing around more with people so that I would be more open to people’s preference and ultimately making myself more confident to speak up. 


B)

           The blog is a form of social media where people can share information and life experiences with others. Blogging can also be categorized as a form of journaling as we go through everyday life. Hence the reason why we are doing this is most probably to record our progress throughout the semester and reflect upon what we have done and accomplished.

Since our blog can be seen by everyone around the world we will not tend to write it simply but instead, write it carefully and appropriately. Also by blogging, we are letting others know of what we have done in the semester in turn, it is a form of self-improvement where others can comment on what we have done wrong and what can be improved on.

Lastly, blogging is much preferred because since it is available online, it will be easily access and assess by the lecturers as well as everyone else.

Oral presentation is basically just letting the audience know what we have found out about a topic or research. It is also a form of recording what we have done in our assignment. The reason to record is to show prove that we have done our work and also to reflect on what we have done.

By giving and oral presentation we also get to enhance our speaking and presenting skills which again be a form of self-improvement in doing so we can gain our confidence as well.

Presentations are also a form of communication where it helps the presenter to connect with the audience and through that we can have mutual understanding of one another.