2010 m. gegužės 18 d., antradienis


"If you find yourself saying 'But I can't speak English...', try adding the word '...yet' - Jane Revell & Susan Norman.
This semester we did learn a lot, we wrote summaries, listened to some recordings, we spoke... And now we need to evaluate ourselves.
Summary writing. I think it was not the hardest task until you give up some of you free time and get down to it. So, if I concentrate and do the task carefully I am happy with my results. However if I fail do the task in appropriate way, some mistakes occur, like spelling, grammar or the main structure of summary.
Listening. Before entering university I was pleased with my listening results. However now I am not that happy. Also I am not that happy about my dictation results, because I do a lot of small mistakes, like grammar or capital letters. So now I see that there is a long way to go until my listening skills will be as good as I want them to be.
Power point presentation. I think this is one of the most interesting parts. Because you not only have to read a new module or some other material, but you also have to think how to present that information that if would be interesting and not too complicated. And of course you get to take a closer look to one or another theme. I think my presentation wasn‘t as good as others students, but I am pretty happy about it.
Speaking. We had two types of speaking, speaking in class without preparation and short talks. Speaking has never been an issue to me. Of course I make grammar mistakes or pronunciation, but speaking still gives me a great pleasure. So I think this is the part where I can improve the most, because we spent a lot of time speaking.
And to my mind the most important things in our studies was MOODLE and ESP tests.
I found Moodle tests just average, I mean, not too difficult and not to easy. If you want to get a good mark you must spent your time doing it. It was my first time doing some kind of tests at home with a computer so I had a pretty good motivation to do my best, however I did not always succeeded. Because for me it is pretty hard to remember exactly the same word that was written in the text.
And finally, ESP tests. They were not that hard as I expected them to be. I think that the best part is that you don‘t need to learn definition by heart, the most important thing is to understand them and everything will be all-right. Until now I am happy with my ESP results, and I hope I can keep up with it.
To sum-up, I had and hard and pleasant times this semester learning English, but it only gives me more motivation to learn and not to give up.

Quote references:
http://www3.telus.net/linguisticsissues/quotes.HTM
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_251/1206474041drOcLv.jpg

2010 m. gegužės 2 d., sekmadienis

Laughter


Laughter is an audible expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It helps people clarify their intention. Laughter is also used as a signal for being part of a group.
There are different kinds of laughter:

• Etiquette laughter- this laughter usually starts with a smile and then develops. Laughter is good for communication; people rely on it in as a means to get along with others.
• Pigeon laughter- it is laughing without opening your mouth and producing pigeon like sounds.
• Soundless laughter- this type of laughter is used in yoga or therapy. Just smile and let the belly push the air in and out.
• Nervous laughter- this laughter is considered to be a fake laughter. And it is used when people feel nervous.
• Belly laughter- it is called most honest type. It can even make the pain go away.

Laughter also can be sorted by the emotions we feel.
• Snorting- shows disapproval.
• Sniggering- insensitive, immature
• Cackling- laud.
• Chuckling- kind laughter.
• Belly-laughter- open and honest.

Also laughter has a lot of benefits, like Laughter dissolves distressing emotions and helps you relax and sometimes even helps to see the situation in more realistic way.
However there are few drawbacks of laughter, as I said is can clarify the intention, but in the same time it cam mislead other person if laughter is fake. Also laughing at the wrong time can make you feel uncomfortable.
All in all, laughter is part of our everyday life and as it is said, „ If you laugh you will live longer“.

References:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200011/the-science-laughter
picture:
http://www.rd.ca/cms/images/image/LaughterClub_291_20080402-155719.jpg