Reflections on the English course

Time flies. Our English course is coming to the end. In the next two weeks, which are also the last two weeks of the English course in CELC, we are going to have a Variety Show, a Research Report Presentation and a Post-test. So the coming two weeks may be the busiest two weeks we have ever had during the whole English course. As to the English course, somebody like it while somebody do not. I do not want to make a comment on that. All I want is just to express some opinions of mine about the past five months we have spent in CELC.

First of all, I have to say that the English course as well as the Bridging course is very helpful and necessary. For us Chinese students who knew little about Singapore before, such courses give us opportunities to get in touch with Singaporeans and help us a lot to adapt to the new environment as well as the teaching style. Moreover, with the assistance from our tutors, our English has improved. Now, some of us can understand the local Singaporeans without much effort when we are chatting with them. This is extremely important for us, especially when we become formal students of NUS and have to attend lectures. In addition, we also learn much Singapore culture during the lessons by the way. It should help us to know better of Singapore. Thus, I am very grateful for the courses provided by the MOE and NUS.

However, there is also something not so satisfying. The one I want to mention is that our English has not improved enough. The obstacle of communication between the native English speakers and us is still very distinct and large. That is mainly because when we finish our eight hours lessons, we immerse ourselves into a group of Chinese students immediately. Or actually, we are always amongst our Chinese students. And we always communicate with our Chinese friends in Mandarin instinctively. As what I have already mentioned in one of the lessons at the very beginning of the English course, in my view, the key purpose of this course is for us to build the ability that we can think in or at least partly in English after the five months study. But obviously, this goal cannot be reached when the course finishes.

My suggestion is that we should be given opportunities that we can communicate with local students freely as many as possible. Instead of sitting in classroom all day long, it is better for us to take part in activities and approach to the local students. I know that may sound not practical since some of the students do not have that strong self-discipline, and the only thing they may do is just staying at hostel and playing video games. Nevertheless, I still believe that we can find a balance point at which the students can both join the activities and study under the charge of the tutors.

So as a conclusion, in retrospect, I appreciate the help I gained and I am happy with the improvement I have made in the past five months. It is unavoidable that there are things to be improved; yet, I still hope and believe sincerely that the English course will go on well and more Chinese students will benefit from it.




Jiang Xiaoning (Arthur)
May 21, 2009