EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 8 3/3

This is my last blog in my entire EAP 145 course in this term.  Actually, I have nothing to say in here because I am waiting for the final exam even I am not ready to that.  Last night I talked to my parents, and they said if I can't pass this time I just repeat it again, but I want to enter university in this year September, if I do it again, there will be more pressure for me because this is the last chance for this year.  Probably, I will take IELTS test darning next semester, and it may make me can't concentrate on my EAP works, so the major thing I will discuss with Amber on my interview that is for my situation, doing IELTS is better or continue to work on EAP is better.  Anyway, now I shouldn't think like that much because this final exam is coming, and I need to focus on it instead of worrying my future. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 8 2/3

I am going to change my residence at end of this month, but I haven't found a good place.  I want to find a place where near Metrotown center because I use to live in here, and here is very convenient for me to buy something.  The big problem which trouble me long time is I should find a homestay or live with friends.  Living in homestay I will meet many countries' people, and I have a chance to hear many different English accent as well as practice speaking.  If I live in apartment, I will have more freedom to do whatever I want.  I am still thinking, at this time EAP 145, having more freedom is  a good thing or bad thing.  I don't want to destract my attention by having some small things in my general life.  If I live in homestay, my homestay parents will help me more on general life.  Please give me some ideas.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 8 1/3

The eighth week has passed; however, my average score still just 51%.  I heard my friends said that Amber will promote students' average score, but I am still not sure if my score can be at least 60% or not.  Anyway, I have no idea with that average score, but the things I can do is to focus on my final test.  The final writing has very big proportion in entire grade; therefore, that is the most important thing which I must to deal with a prefect strategy.  Next week only remain 2 days for me, of course that is not enough, so this weekend I should find a way to improve my writing as fast as possible.  Doing some introduction paragraphs' writing and topic sentences' writing will be a good choose for me to practice. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 7 3/3

Eighth week will start tomorrow.  I think the time passes so fast because I don't have a good preparation for the finial test.  My average score only 50% percent; however, today I look over my engrade, there are many score teacher hasn't putted in such as presentation, IA, NAA so on.  I don't know if my average score could be higher or not.  As every students know, writing is the most difficult one; in order to cope this situation, I look many other students' essays on Internet and summarize a structure for body paragraphs.  Actually, I don't think I can pass this time, even if I am lucky, I still need to study in language until September because I don't think I can understand universities' classes.  OK, the thing I need to do is keep my mood smooth and do my best on the final exam; especially for essay, I don't think I can get 35/50, but if I can get 30/50 I will be very happy because I have hope for my next semester.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 7 2/3

If today's test is what the final test looks like, I think I would have chance to pass the course.  Except two Readings, other parts in the test are ok for me.  Talking about essay, this essay is not too difficult to find the points.  The points are very clear, and the two I choosed are come from two section.  One is electronic devices distract students' attention, another one is it also affects nearby students.  After the test, I asked my friends, and most of us are choosed same supporting points.  That means at least we have clear points and specific side to agree.  That is a good thing for me today; however, if talk about reading and listening.  There are lots of regrets there because actually I know I heard that information but just didn't catch it.  The time for reading 2 is not enough.  I have almost half page are blank.  That makes me have a bad mood while wirting essay.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 7 1/3

I gradually lose confidence about my English skill because I can't see any promotion from myself.  There still are many grammar mistakes in my writing, still many words I don't know its meaning, and still many unclear parts in my essay.  I can't figure out a way to pass this course, even if I pass this course, it just means I am lucky, I still can't understand the universities' classes.  I want to go to university on September; however, EAP 145 the last step I have trouble to finish it.  Tomorrow is the last practice test, and the feeling comes out from my heart is same when I was a EAP 140 student, I feel time pass so fast even I didn't do anything.  I feel nerious the last practice test because it is the last chance for me to get a feedback about my essay.  After this, I don't have any opportunity to write something and ask teacher to mark it.  The last practice test essay I will do it from basic way.  Focusing on specific parts these are thesis statement, topic sentences, and concluding sentences.  After this I am going to study how to use quotations properly and use it in my finall exam essay.  Hopely, it will be useful.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 6 3/3

I need some motivation for my English study, and I am also wonder do I still have chance to pass EAP 145 course because I only get 50% average score.  I hear my friends said if you can get 35/50 on final exam esssay writing, even if you only have 50% average score you still can pass EAP 145.  I don't know it is ture or not; however, the only thing I can do is to have more effort.  Now is week 7, but I think the highest score I have got until now is 30/50 which is not enough for pass 145 course.  I don't know what should I do now can make my work become more effective; however, the work I am going to do is to fing some model on internet and look how other people write arguementive essay and study from them.  I think this is the most fast way to improve my essay writing.  Another thing is my hand writing.  Amber has said many times my hand writing has big problems which may confuse marker.  Next job is focus on my hand writing and make it easily understand for other people.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 6 2/3

Life usually face some challenges, and people must be brave to try their best.  This is my last essay for this entire EAP 145 course; however, I write 3 different style in three body paragraphs.  First body paragraph I use two citations and explain each of them, and second body paragraph I use one citation, but I put more explaination on this prargraph.  The last body paragraph I consider the TV monitors from environmental problems which is a difficult aspect for people to think about.  My entire essay is noy like what I usually write because I frequently follow the structure which Chris gave to me.  I am willing to try some things now in my essay, so actually I have very high expectation for this essay. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 6 1/3

People never know what going to happen in later life.  This situation describes me now is very suitable because I don't know what my furture will look like.  EAP 145 is a real challenge for me.  Especially in writing, I have no idea to write a essay like 35/50.  This course had started 6 weeks and in this 6 weeks, the highest score I have got is 30/50.  The problem is I don't know why I can get 30/50 at that time.  I don't know the difference with other essay which I wrote before, so I don't know where can I improve.  Time goes by very fast, and the time for me now only 3 weeks. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 5 3/3

Only three weeks left.  I really want to pass this course then come back China relax for few months.  If I take this course again, the end time of my English study time will become August; therefore, I have no time to relax, and I will start new semester suddenly.  Probably, I don't even have enough preparation to face the new formal term.  Looking at my average score, now just 49 precent.  Although my average has been imporving, but I still think I don't have enough confidence to fact final test.  Especially in writing, the most difficult one for all the students.  Actually, I have no idea how it can be improved.  I just can try my best everytime.  What I really want is teacher can give us a model like Chris; therefore, we can know the direction of our essay and do better job.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 5 2/3

Today we did our second practice test, and everything is fine except writing.  Taking about writing, the first thing I am going to say is writing topic.  I don't really understand that essay question actually.  The question is "do video game cause addition and aggressive behaviors in young people", but the three materials are talk about more on the video games' negative effects, and it not focus on why or how it causes addition and aggressive behavior.  In other words, these materials have already given readers that video game cause addiction and aggressive behaviors but didn't say any others.  The only thing I know is video games cause this concequences; however, I can't figure out why.  Readings have huge lengths are talk about social problems and health problems.  In fact, these problems are authentic, but these are very difficult to relate with this essay question; especially for arguementive essay.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 5 1/3

What is hopeless?  Hopeless is after four weeks courses, there are still no reasonable stuation can make me pass this course.  After first essay, I recognize I did poorly in my thesis statement.  What I lack in here is not only garmmar mistakes, but also usually unclear for others to understand.  Getting 35/50 is very difficult for me so far. Pervious students tell me practice more on writing.  Always write again after teacher mark it, and I am trying to do that.  People's score usually equal how much time did they spend.  They time is not means how much did I cost on my essay, it means how much attention I put on improving my writing skill.  Writing is the most difficult section in English study, so I should focus more.  Working hard for the better life in next month.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 4 3/3

The miserable week has already passed.  Lots of works pile up in one day because last Monday was holiday and last Tuesday I was sick.  Five days works but only three days time for me to finish them.  Here I really want to talk about my presentation and my essay.  Frist, presentation I had prepared long time.  I searched on the internet and find many data to support my presentation; unfortunately, when I standed on the platform, I almost forget everything which I prepared before.  I took some notes to help me, but I can't even use them because nervous.  Talking to my essay, I think I did much better than before.  Teacher said a clear thesus statement is very significant but last time I did poorly on this part; however, this time I consider my thesis statements many times, and I rewrite that many times, finally, I can make sure teacher can understand my points easily.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 4 2/3

I can't imagine how busy I will be tonight.  One presentation and one essay I must finish them tonight because Monday and Tuesday I was so happy, and I didn't do anything; therefore, the sad result generate absolutely.  I think the dead line for our essay is Friday midnight, so tonight I can't focus on my presentation more and just look though souces to find some point.  Another reason why I can pay more attention to my presentation is my previous presentation topic is same with this essay, so I can use the points which I used before.  One main thing I conclude from this event is I won't do this again.  Putting all my homwork together and this day will become very busy, and it's not good for my homework quality and my personal feeling.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 4 1/3

Today I got my first essay score, and it is amazing.  I have never gotten a essay score like this low.  The full score is 50, and I only got 15.  I really don't understand how it possible.  I know the exactly how teacher mark essay, and I got three 35/50 in EAP 140, so I think at least in answer question part and organization section I can get 30.  I don't think compare and contrast essay have huge differences with arguementive essay.  I don't want to complain something because this score not means teacher don't like me; otherwise, obviously, I have something wrong in my essay.  I can't see my essay until now.  I hear my friends say teacher will give back essay to us tomorrow.  The only thing I can do is focusing on correcting my mistakes and rewriting my bad paragraphs then give teacher mark again. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 3 3/3

Long holiday for me is not really can make me relax because it changes my body clock.  On holiday I usually weak up at 11:30, and it is totally different from weekdays.  In recent days, the weather is extremely good, and I even give up to play basketball in indoor court.  I think the summer is coming now is the best time for camping.  I don't want to stay at home all the time and face my computer all the time.  I want to enjoy outside, the trees, the fresh air, and the blue sky.  I went three times to basketball court in 4 days, even if it makes my body feel tired, but I still feel very happy.  Today is the last day for my holiday, I should do something which make me ready to come back to class.  Staying at home, and do some homeworks for next week is a good choice because next week only have 4 days, so it will be a busy week.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 3 2/3

I am so sad today because I used out my money last night.  I love basketball so much, and I bought around 500 dollar basketball gear like  basketball shoes and coat.  I was wondering if it is worthwhile, but I really like that shoes which name James 10.  The funny thing is while I was going to Champs I was thinking don't think too much after I arrive there because if I think too much in there, I probably will think buy this expensive shoes is not worthwhile.  Actually I know if a shoes is putted a famous start's tag, it will enhance its price much higher, but I still want to buy it.  Taking about basketball I usually appear very crazy, so sometime I can't control myself to buy something.  Money spend on sport gear like water pass in the river.  It never stop.  I should find some ways to control myself.  Anyway,let's go to play basketball this afternoon and try my new shoes. 

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 3 1/3

A new week starts today, and I am wondering how can I plan this week because this week only have four days, but people still have lots of works to do.  Essay1, presentation, and general works drive me crazy, and I must finish all of them before Friday.  Except planing these works, I also need to consider my holiday.  Actually it isn't a holiday because I think before I get into university, I have no holiday.  Even if school physically give holiday, I couldn't feel relaxed.  I plan to finish NAA and IA before Tuesday and during this two days write outline for my essay.  Wednesday is a entire day for me to finish essay in electric version.  This week I am sure will be a busy week for students.  Especially for some people who couldn't manage their time properly; however, I don't want to be one of them.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 2 3/3

Today we have a party in Stenly Park for my friends who had already passed EAP 145.  They will come back China in next week.  On the one hand I feel very happy for them.  On the other hand, I am start to worry about myself.  After two months, where will I be?  I am going to repeat 145 or go Ualberta?  My English is very bad since I was a middle school student.  Everytime after test my other sujects's score are much higher than English; however, I passed 140 even if I used two times, but I still think as long as I work hard, I can pass 145 in one time.  I want to go to university in this year September, so I only can fail one time in 145.  I don't want to wait second time because if I rely on second time my attitude will become nervous.  I asked my friends what is the most important part in this course, and they said is writing.  I think I will focus more on this part.  Even if I don't have huge vocabulary, I can use what I know to express my meaning.  The third week will start tomorrow.  Reminding myself work hard.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 2 2/3

Today is Chris's birthday.  There are lots of students in second floor celebrate his birthday.  I don't like the place where is very crowded, so I just send email to him.  Actually, Chris is a person who I really respect because I have been in his class four months and he gave me interesting classes and many knowledge.  Amber is the person who teache me 145 now.  I write this blog is for apologizing to her because I forget her birthday.  In China we have a slang which mean if someone be your teacher even if only one day, his position will like your father in your entire life.  Actually, amber have more closer relationship with me because before I take EAP course I was in her PM1 class, so we know each other before I know Chris.  I just want to say sorry to her because I even didn't sent e-mail to her to celebrate her birthday.  This is my bad feature which follow me long time, I usually regrad to do something such as this time.  I need to treasure present time and only put pass time in my memory.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 2 1/3

Today is a hard day to get up to school.  I don't know why I frequently feel tired every Monday, but I clearly know it relates my activities on the weekend.  Every weekend I have a lot of plans; for example, go restaurant with friends, watch movies, play basketball.  These activities make me feel tired, even if I have two days to relax; however, I don't know how can I change because I have no time to do my personal things from Monday to Friday.  Every weekend is the only time I can do something to help myself.  Anyway, I am going to change my schedule from Monday to Friday.  New schedule will be created for me to get more time to study and relax, but I really don't know if it is healthy or not.  From this week every Monday to Friday study after school, I will go to bed first and sleep around 2-3 hours then get up to study more.  I think it will better for my 145 course life.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 1 3/3

My group got the highest score in summary writing activity.  It makes me very happy because my works were accepted by other group; however, the summary writing is still a difficult point for me.  The reason of that is I am still in getting experience phase, and the experience that I summarized is writing main points.  After finish main points writing, I just need to expand all the main points by giving descriptions and summarizing facts.  The big problem still is my grammar. Grammar mistakes are frequently appear in my any different work.  I usually receive the same comment from different teacher which is "good idea, good format, and bad grammar."  Actually, I don't have enough opportunities to get touch with grammar practices; therefore, many grammar knowledge are forgotten.  Only several ways can help me with my grammar that are studying by myself or getting more speaking experience.  Perfect grammar skill benefits every writing in my English study life; therefore, improve my grammar skill is the thing I must to do.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 1 2/3

This is the fist time for me get touch with argumentative essay, and teacher showed us a pretty long essay example makes me feel more confused.  Especially in body paragraphs, everything drive me crazy because everything is different from what Chris taught us; for example, the citations must follow every support ideas, but Amber said we can just write 4 citations, even if there are six facts.  I am still thinking that, but I think teacher hasn't finished teaching this type essay; therefore, more things will come in later classes, and new things probably make me feel better.  The successful thing I did in class is I understood how to write examples.  I wrote four similar facts for one support because I didn't know what these examples should be.  Teacher gave back to me, and I fixed my examples; finally, teacher said my understanding is right; however, she just said my comprehension is right, so I still need to improve my examples.  As for thesis statement, I will look at the three links which Amber shared with us and the power-point document to make thesis statement writing become better.

EAP 145 - YANG, Fan - Week 1 1/3

The first of EAP 145 class unlike EAP 140, everything makes me feel more relaxed; However, there are lots of things were introduced in the class.  The big problem is our homework.  The homework are very clear in the word document, and it contains five sections, but I don't know what the homework exactly need to look like; for instance, the formatting, the content, the structure.  This is the only same feeling I have when the EAP 140 started.  Teacher gave us a few minutes to try our NAA, and it made feel more confused.  The five "W" questions and a "H" question can't always be answered but even if teacher mentioned that, I still don't know what specific things I need to do.  If there is no answer for the question what should I do? Remaining an blank in there or writing "no answer“ there?  You know after Chris's class, everything is given the best way to finish.  There are lots of questions in my mind, but I think after a few days everything will become more clear.