What I have learn

The most important thing that I have learn in the 2nd month is writing skill. It used to be very hard for me to write something and took very long time to finish. This month my writing skill improve a lot. I know how to write a good essay. How the introduction should be and how to write introduction to link to an outline.
My speaking is also improve. The seminar was very helpful for me to practise speaking and built my confident to talk in a group. I'm a very shy person. This activity push me to talk, to think and contribute. It also help outside the class. I have some English friends and when they discuss I usually quiet. From practice in the class I'm able to stop them and ask and follow the discussion.
Overall this month one thing that I really appreciate which I have learn is critical thinking. With critical thinking my idea develop and can participate more with other people.

The last seminar reflaction

The last siminar topic was about privacy case studies. I have prepared the answer for every questions that had given. My speaking skill improve more. I had chances to speak and I could argue my point more clearly. I also listened to other students opinion. Some of them have very good points. The language I used this time is still not very accurate. However, I think other people can understand what I was saying. Overall I think I did well with other people in my group.

What is privacy?

After read a lot of definition of privacy that have given on the website. Privacy is the right to protect a person's affairs. This include freedom from interruption, intrusion, embarrassment and accountability. Privacy is also related to anonymity and security.

Listen to an online lecture

Although I think that my listening skill is good but when I listen to a lecture, it is very difficult. I think this is because I have limited vocabularies.
One of the online lecture that I have listened was American dreams by professor Jonarthan Spence on www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2008/
This lecture was about crucial aspect of China attitude toward the west and relationship between China and the America over the 2 centuries. The professor gave a knowledge in history of relationship between China and America and Britain. He listed what happen from the past since 1784 until when China is the host of the Olympic game. The relationship between China and America started in 1784. It was the time that Chinese market became open. The Britain introduced the America to the China. In 1840, There was an opium war and the bible had translated into Chinese. Also, dictionary English-Chinese. In 1870, Chinese migration to Liverpool.
In 1950, it was a Koren war and Chinese against the America. Now, Tibet protest, earthquake and explore of China to the world.
I miss out a lot of the lecture. I have to work hard on vocabulary building because it will help me to know what they talking about. Listening is harder than reading because I cannot them to stop talking and find the words that i don't know on dictionary.

Writing paragraphs

I have studied how to write a paragraph on the Weblearn language resources. There were 4 topics on the site and each topic has exercises to practise. I completed some of the exercises which I think they are useful. The content was very helpful tfor me to write an essay paragraph. Also, it is very useful to do exercises after read the content. This help to understand more and be able to write a good paraghaph.
This is the link to the exercise.
http://weblearn.londonmet.ac.uk/webct/urw/lc4130011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

Vocabulary building / task 14

For this task I chose to do some exercises on Advanced Language Practice book by Michael Vince on Travel and Movement section.
1. Read text and decide which answer.
Most big cities were built long before the heyday of the private car. As result they rarely have enough space for moving traffic or parked vehicles, and long queue of 1........................ vehicles are a common sight. Indeed some cities end up being almost permanently 2...................... during the day. Those that have a relatively free 3.................... of the traffic at non-peak periods of the day do not escape either. the 4................... of early morning or early evening can easily see traffic brought to a 5.................. The effects of the exhaust 6................... on air pollution in cities has been well because of sheer 7...................... of other traffic, thus encouraging more commuters to abandon 8.................... transportation.

1. station
2. congested
3. flow
4. rust
5. standstill
6. fumes
7. volume
8. public

2. Match each person with one of the comments

1. I love wandering through the countryside along deserted footpathts. rambler
2. I'll bring you your drink in just a minute, madam. steward
3. I've been waiting all morning at this roundabout for someone to stop. hitchhiker
4. I was just walking down the street opposite the bank when I saw it happen. passer-by
5. I've spent the last half an hour looking for a spot. it's hopeless. driver
6. I'll ring the bell for you, love, when it's time to get off. conductor
7. The sign clearly says two hours only and you've been here all day. traffic warden
8. It's just impossible getting across the road here. We need a subway. predestrian
9. Do you think you could go a little more slowly, I'm a bit nervous. passenger
10. This train is late every morning. It has been for years. commuter

3. Complete the text

Dear Sir or Madum,

I travelled last week on a Transworld Airbus from London Gatwick to Copenhagen. This was the outward journey of a holiday in Denmark, a package tour arranged through a company called 'sunset' My flight was due to leave at 8.20 am on Tuesday 25th November, but did not in fact leave untill 20.30, a delay of more than eight hours. The reason give was that vital maintanance work had to be carried out. although all passengers were given a free meal, no other offer of assistance was given. Such a long delay is totally unacceptable, and i feel justified in the circumstances in requesting some from of financial compensation. I have written to the tour operator, who denied responsibility and advised me to write to you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Your faithfully,

New vocabulary

stationary

conductor

commuter

traffic warden

hitchhiker

rambler

Understand plagiarism (Task 10)

I understand that plagiarism is to copy some one word to be your own. This task help me to know more about plagiarism a lot more. Actually plagiarism is not only the word that you have taken to be your own but it also include the idea, data and image. I did't know this before and when I did the exercise which is to choose which writing is plagiarism I did most of them wrong.
In my openion it is very hard to avoid plagiarism because if you take an idea from someone it is also considered plagiarism. When we study we take an idea from the book and some data as well. The Library Suvice 'Understanding Plagiarism' Tutorial suggested the way to aviod plagiarism is to give source's reference and put the quatation mark for the sentense that had taken.
It is very useful to learn this. After this I will have take the reference every time when I take note from books, journals or webside. Also, every time when writing I have to understand the source and write in my own words.

Surveillance seminar refection

This seminar topic was more difficult for me compare to the last one. The vocabulary used in this topic was very specific. I did prepare my self for the seminar by reading many articles related to the topic. Also, I'm sure that all my group member have prepared very well for today as well. When it came to the discussion it was very hard for me to contribute. Everybody have strongly argument. I could not interrupt when someone is talking. I think I didn't speak enough this time. I'm not sure why? Was it because I didn't have a chance to talk or was it because I did't push my self hard to argue. I realised that, it is so tired to argue with someone. I will practise on this more. Today I didn't care if my language I used accurate or not. I just wanted to talk. I was looking for the gap that I could add something so I can contribute.
Thank you Helen for the suggestion on the media seminar. I have keep you suggestion in mind and try to practise them. I absolutely agree with you that the more I practise the better I will be.

Extra for crime seminar

There are many technology to deal with crime.

1. CCTV ( Close Circuit TV) The CCTV is use to monitor shoplifters, vandals,thugs and also watching ordinary people at the same time. CCTV helpful in term of face recognition and look for criminal suspects.
2. Automatic number plate recognition. This is a camera that could recognises the registration plate on suspect vehicles
3. Mobile phone. Police can find some evident via the suspect mobile phone such as call to and from.
4. Credit card transaction. Every time we buy something with credit or debit card the firm know where we are and what we buy. The credit card help to response to the fraud quickly as each person have spending pattern. When an unusual pattern e.g spend large amount of money in foreign country, it quickly identify that cloning or theft has taken place.
5. Oyster card. It record data on the card. The person who go to the tube station should be matching to the one one CCTV tube.

I think all these technology are very helpful for police to resolve crime. They also create the safety feeling for people. However, It might have high cost to install the technology. Perhaps, the cost of installing the system is higher than the cost of the damage.

Prepare idea for crime seminar

To prepare myself for the crime fighting seminar I have red some articles on the links that suggested on the red book.
Fri st article was on BBC website 'Home secretary hails CCTV usage'
It was a report by Jacqui Smith, the home secretary. She said that The use of CCTV and neighbourhood wardens led to a fall in robberies and burglaries.
The second article was about DNA
There was an argument between Home Office and GeneWatch on the DNA database.
Generally, GeneWatch doesn't agree to use DNA record.

Watch a TV dicussion show (task6)

I watched a BBC Question Time today.
There were 3 topics on the programme. Firstly, the guests were questioned about democratic society and BNP. Then, changed the topic to pirate, kidnapping and hijacking . And finally, They changed the topic again to discuss on the economy topic involved in tax cut .
On the first topic I don't have any idea what they talked about. I don't know what is BNP. However, It seemed to me that some people agree with it and some people don't. Second topic the was about pirate. I think it was according to the news that the oil ship had been hijacked. They suggested that the ship should provide the security guards. The last topic was about economy. They argued about the tax cut. The tax cut will help the recession which is the situation of the economic at the moment. By cutting tax, people will spend more and the economic will boost up again. However, one of the guests said it might not benefit in all group for example, pensioners. In my opinion, I don't think that cutting tax people will spend more. I think people spend more when they feel safe. If they know they will earn money and have a job they will spend more. The good way to boost up the economy is to increase the employment.

writing using vocaburaly and linking words that have learn

Media vocabularies
A lot of people read broadsheets while they are travelling. Quality broadsheets inform current affairs and don't have a lot of advertising. The other type of press is tabloids which usually show about the celebrities and paparazzi. Both types of press have their own readership. In London almost people travelling by tube read Metro although the quality is not so good. However, There are some articles that write by good journalists especially in the travel section.

Linking words
Although the media influence the aggressive behavior, there is no stricter censorship that imposed by government.
The television is a good entertainment. Moreover, it informed and educated people.
There are many current affairs that going on in the world today. However, they might not have any effect with your life.
Actors and actresses are have less skills. However, they get high pay.
Although television shows the unreality, people like it.

Seminar reflection / task 17

The learning activity that I have done in the class today was a seminar in media. I had prepared very well for this seminar. I tried to answer all the questions on page 24 before going to the seminar which helped me a lot to contribute to the topic. During the seminar I have chance to speak and mostly I agreed with other students in the group. I think I'm also a good listener. However, sometimes I could not catch with some sentense. This is because I don't know the words that they used. My argument was not very clear because it was very hard for me to express my point. I was worry to use the wrong grammar and the language that I used was not very accurate. However, I like to give example to make it more clear in whant I'm talking about and willing to explain more if they still don't understand. Overall, I worked well with the other people in my group.

more preparing for media seminar

For media seminar that coming up tomorrow I decided to read more article to prepare for that. One of article that I have red was from the link suggestion in Jimselfstudy blog
"Media and Violence Study"
The article claim that TV dominant role in the lives of young people. The students who attend school and live in electrified urban or rural areas have regular access to TV and watch it for an average of 3 hours a day. This means that they have less spent time with other activity such as doing homework, being with friend and reading. TV is the most powerful source of information and entertainment. Primary causes for aggressive behavior in children are be found in their family environment and social and economic conditions in which they are raised. Media also play major role in the development of cultural orientation, world views and benefits. Media can contribute to aggressive culture.

Media in my country

Thailand is a democracy country where the media has freedom of their work. Television has 5 terrestrial channels. Every channel programmes are quite similar and show the same type of show in the same time. For example, at 6 pm. every channel shows news then 8 pm. shows drama. It seems to be a lot of competition between channels. Thailand's television also has control from the government. They often censor the violence scene and not allow to swear. It also has a sign of recommendation of the programme to advise if the programme is suitable for children or not. There are other types of media in Thailand such as press, internet and radio. The internet in Thailand is not very popular at the moment because the speed is very slow. The number of people who have computer in Thailand are far less than in the UK. Morover, a lot of people in Thailand don't know what is internet and cannot use computer. However, the number of people who buy a computer and internet connection are increasing.

Library and supject based (task8)

After I finish the Pre-sessional English I will continue study in Tourism Management.
I went on the Metranet, Library services to find useful links to web based sources linked to my subject area.
The links that I found which will help me a lot to get more information in tourism area are:
1. http://www.unwto.org/index.php
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO)
It publishs tourism statistics and also has links to national tourism orgamisation.
2. http://www.wttc.org/
The World travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
This website publish a series of country reports, Tourism news and tourism researchs.
3. http://www.abta.com/home
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
ABTAnet has detail of ABTA2300 members UK travel agents and tour operators. Moreover, it give information on the destinations they feature.

One of the academic article from WTO web is Rapid slowdown of international tourism growth
http://unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/barometer/UNWTO_Barom08_3_en_Excerpt.pdf
The article gives overview of key trend, tourism data in 2008 and forcast for2009.
This article is quite a long article and give information about the number of international tourist arrival. From looking at the number we can see the trends of tourism. It shows the fact that what is happenning with the industry at the moment.

Preparing for Media Seminar

To prepare my self for the media seminar I have red the articles that have been suggested in the student booklet.
I red Common Stereotypes of Men in Media and Media Portrayals of Girls and women.
These articles tell about how the media show the stereotypes of male and female.
In conclude, It is appear in magazine and TV that Men should be adoration of women, aggressive, strong, silent and powerful. women should be white and desperately thin.
The other article that I found which related to media is New Technologies.
This article claims that by 2012 UK tv signal will be 100% digital.

Plan for Nov self-study

Self -study helps to improve my English a lot. This is because it gives a chance for me to think and practise writting in English which I think it is my weakest area.
For this mount self-study I would like to do some of the self-study tasks that have given in the student booklet. I'm interested in task4,6,8,9,11,14 and 17.
Also, last mount I had advice from the teacher that I should do more reading and summerise what I have red. I will have to read more in order to improve reading and writing skills.

Diagnostic Language Test

I have completed the diagnostic language test. The areas that I found it difficult are word meaning and verb pattern.
To improve the word meaning area I search for the word meaning exercise. I found a very good website to practise on this area.
http://www.english-zone.com/vocab/vic01.html
This exercise is very useful for me. It guild you how to guess words that you don't know. I think to guess the words from the content is very important because I don't know every word in English and it is take time to look at them in dictionary. Also, to do this exercise helping you to learn new vocabularies.

Examples of the exercise.

1.My absent-minded teacher loses his keys, his book and his chalk almost every day!
What does it mean to be absent-minded?
A) be hateful
B) not pay attention
C) be intelligent
D) not like someone

2.The thought of eating a rat is abhorrent to most people.
What does abhorrent probably mean?
A) fun, lively
B) horrible, repugnant
C) delicious, tasty
D) sweet, sugary

Practise by using some of the words from the exercise

• Some people think that Thai people eat dog meet. I'm Thai and I think eating dog is abhorrent.
• When I speaking English, my voice is almost inaudible.
• There is abundent of rice in Thailand

Social programme

One of the places that very interesting in London is London Borough Market. This market is for people who love food. It located near London Bridge station. The market set like an old style market where the farmer take their own produce to sell to the local people. This market specialise in fresh organic food. You can find organic vegetable, organic fruit and organic meet. There are also cooked food such as German hotdog, Spanish salami wrap, Cheese, olive, cake, etc. Another interesting of this market is they sell exotic food such as rabbit meet, wild mushroom, Asian vegetable and fruit. As you see from the example of the food, you can see that there are food from vary countries. However, you might find the price of the food is a little bit expensive. Perhaps, because it is organic. The organic food seem to be more expensive than normal food. The market open on Friday and Saturday, from 10.00 am. to around 5.00 pm.

conversation club

I attended conversation club today. The discussion was about leisure central.
Leisure central is a place that people doing their leisure activities such as swimming, dancing, badminton, etc.
Normally, leisure central is a public place. Government grant to set it up.
We also discussed "if we want to put 2 facilities in our leisure central what will we put". My group had chosen to put a dance floor and a football field because we had government to subsidise the cost and it would be attract young people to spend their free time here.
In my hometown there is no leisure central but there is a sport complex.

useful vocabulary
- high quality system

Practise on listening

Last night I listened a discussion on bbc radio4.
The discussion was about who will be the next American president.
They said that Obama would win because the public like him and the poll indicated that he had higher vote than Palin and Mc Cane
They also mentioned about racing. It seem that American people was less race than in UK. They said that the middle class black people were treated better in USA.

Practise on Grammar

Reported speech
Change of the tense
Present simple --------------- Past simple
Present progessive ------------ Past progressive
Present perfect---------------- Past perfect
Past progessive---------------- Past perfect progessive
Will---------------------------- Would
Can---------------------------- Could
One tense further back

Words showing contrast

1. however
2. whereas
3. In contrast
4. converely
5. while

preparing for futher study

After Pre-sessional English I'm going to study MA in International Tourism Management.
The first module is Tourism Marketing. The course leader will be Denise Cole.
The books that I should read to prepare myself for this module are :
1. Successful in Tourism Management by Kogan Page
2. Marketing in Travel and Tourism by Butterworth Heinemann
3. Destination branding: creating the unique destination proposition by Butterworth-Heinemann.

phrasal verb and words from background reading

1. benchmarking = the process of comparingis the cost, time or quality of what one organization does against what another organization does. The result is often a business case for making changes in order to make improvements.
2. priority = to be treated as more important than someone or something else.
3. allumni = formal student of a school, college or university
4. eligible = legally allowed to do or recieve something
5. sufficient = enough for a particular need or purpose
6. sustaintially = to continue something over a long period
7. correlation = a relationship in which two things happen together and may have and effect of each other
8. hardship = a difficult situation, such as lack of money or food, which causes great suffering
9. draw up = to form and write a plan or and agreement
10. draw on = to use something : writter have to draw on their imagination and experience

Collocation

Collocation is the words that combine with each other

Collocation with research are such as

• research report
• research funding
• research method
• research institute
• research project

Collocation with purpose

• studying purpose
• environmental purpose
• travelling purpose
• multi purpose
• product purpose

Summarise how to form questions

1. Yes/no questions

1.1 Question with the answer yes or no are form with an auxiliary verb + subject + main verb.

The auxiliary can be do, be, have or a modal verb like can, will, would.

For example,
A: Do you like London?
B: Yes, I do./No, I don't

A: Will you go to the party tonight?
B: Yes, I will/No, I won't

A: Did you get the mail from me yesterday?
B: yes, I did/ No I didn't

1.2 The main verb be comes before the subject in a question.

For example,
Are you ready?
Was it a beautiful garden?

2.Question word
2.1 Questdion words are : What, When,where,which,who,whose,why and how.

2.2 After the question word we use the same structure as yes/no question : auxiliary verb+ subject +main verb

For example,
What do you usually have for breakfast?
When will you be break?

3.Question phrases
3.1 We offen use what and which with a noun:

For example,
What food do you like?
What subject are you good at?

Which is more usual with people and organisations, and when there is a limited number of possible answer:

For example,

Which way is it?

Which customer service representative were you speaking to?

3.2 We can use which of or which one

For example,

Which of the proposals did you accept?

Which one did you accept?

3.3 We can make phrases with how : how many, how much, how often, how old, how far

How often do you get drunk?

4. Question words as the subject

4.1 Sometime the question word is the subject of the sentence:

For example

Who did you meet in Argentina?

Analyse my language abilities and needs

My current abilities in English.

Very good---------------------------------------> very week

Speaking -----------x

Writing --------------------------------x

Reading----------------------- x

Listening----------- x

Prononciation -----------------x

Grammar -----------------------------x

Vocabulary ----------------------------x

Academic skills ------------------------x

The chart above shows my English abitities. My strongest ability is Listening. However, I find it difficult to listening to academic speech. Also I don't know a lot of vocabularies. My weakest area is academic skills and writing. It take me a long time to write something and I alway make mistakes with grammar and spelling.
To improve my weakest area I shoud practise more on writing and read more academic articles to learn more vocaburaries and how the articles are structured. Also try to keep time when I'm writing.

Hello

Hello everyone,

Welcome to my blog. This is the first week in London Metropolitan University. I enjoy studying here and I try to push my self to study as much as I can.