An important experience in my life
201301918 HaJin Ahn (EIT)
What is the first thing you do after going back home and sitting on your sofa to have some rest? Many people would answer they instantly turn on TV. I have also done the same thing, perhaps much more than most of other people. TV has always been with me throughout my life I have had so far and this, a seemingly commonplace event, was critical for my development.
I remember I began watching TV for the first time when I was seven. Unlike other kindergarten students, I enjoyed watching dramas just my mom did. It was the source of my knowledge. I learned about human relationship and the society through them. At that early age, I realized the importance of building network with other people by watching dramas depicting real life. Among all of them, a drama called "A Cheerful Girl's success story" was the most impressive one. It was a romantic comedy about a poor girl finally becoming a hotshot designer by always being kind to other people and going through jealously of others by getting help from those she helped. After watching it, I recognized how much it is important to develop interpersonal skills which are beneficial for one's success.
After entering elementary school, my taste in TV programs had changed a lot. As I was a very timid and shy girl, it was pretty hard for me to talk to other classmates first, especially in the beginning of every year. When listening to what other students were talking, I realized they were interested in all the cartoons and animation. In order to join in other classmates' conversation, watching cartoons were inevitable. Only by knowing all the characters and the plots of "Pocket Monster", one of children's favorite animations, I was able to say something to my friends and not to feel left out. . At that period, watching TV became one of my ways to lead conversation among friends.
Even in my middle school years, I couldn't stop watching TV. This time, I watched it for a different reason. The biggest difficulty I faced during my studying abroad in China was, of course, its language. Even though I went to school every day, learning formal expressions was not easy at all. Many Chinese said I spoke good Chinese but all of expressions I used were too colloquial to use in formal settings. After getting a B in a writing assignment, I was truly shocked and cried as soon as coming back home. In order to forget about it, I turned on TV and watched Chinese programs. At that moment, an idea crossed my head. Every country has news media and there all the anchors and reporters use official expressions. From that day, I spent two hours a day to watch Chinese news, wrote down advanced vocabulary, and memorized them every day. At first, it took more than an hour to memorize it, but later on, I could understand most of the news without even looking up the words in dictionary.
In 2012, I came to Korea for preparing entrance exam for Korean universities. Compared to students who had been studying in Korea, I had little knowledge on almost every field except for English and Chinese. However, to write an entrance essay and have interviews, catching up what other students had already learned was necessary. Even for that problem, TV was the perfect solution. There was an education channel in Korea called EBS. Well-made documentaries and experiments on various fields, including history, economy, and psychology were aired every day. They were mostly based on the information students learned in Korean high school. Within a year, I could at least have a general idea on what Korean students learn in school for university. It is hard to say that I got accepted to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies just because those EBS programs. But the advanced knowledge on different areas I earned did actually help me build arguments in the essay examination.
Many people say TV is disturbing to students and spending time on watching it is something that only a hopeless fellow would do. My parents always told me the same thing. However, almost everything I watched on TV has raised my awareness on society by giving information on interpersonal relationship and various subjects related to my academic career.
To HaJin Ahn
ReplyDeleteFrom Kwon Hye-ji
Assignment#2 first draft
What I like about this piece of writing is the way you describe how you used TV for various purposes as you grew up. I could easily follow you steps. Your main point seems that you've gotten a lot of information from TV so you think watching TV can be very helpful. As I read your essay, the lines saying that in order to join in other classmates' conversation, watching cartoons were inevitable struck me as powerful. Because I did same thing. It is quite prevailing phenomenon so I can imagine the situation more easily. That is true some TVprogrammes are very educational such as news. On the other hand, I feel sad that people get used to being closer with TV than friends.Some lines aren't clear to me. For example, you said you learned about human relationship and the society through TV when you were seven years old. I cannot imagine what kind of human relationship a seven years old girl understood from TV dramas. If you specified the relationship
more, I could understand this part more easily. Also, I believe you would make the biggest improvement in your essay by writing stronger concluding paragraph.
Thank you.
To HaJin Ahn From Haesook Yoon Assignment #2
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this piece of writing is that you explained in detail how TV's role changed as you grew up. Your main point seems to be how you used TV for various reason and not regret about it eventhough you've heard many others saying watching TV is useless. I like your phrase 'commonplace event'. Because it seems to be neutral and somewhat between formal and unformal. Also, I've never used it before. I think it's a great expression to describe such things that commonly happen. I think if you used commas more it'd be more easier to read in some sentences like 'But the advanced knowledge on different areas I earned did actually help me build arguments in the essay examination.' In addition, if the conclusion was more stronger it'd leave more impression to readers.
However, I really love to read your writings. They are easy to read, understand and always interesting!
Good night and see you in class!
To Hajin Ahn
ReplyDeleteFrom Jihoon Yoo
Assignment #2 oral peer response
a. I think you giving some examples of TV programs that you saw in order to gain something, whether it was to get information to talk with your friends or for college examination, was a great help in making your story more realistic.
b. At the beginning when you were talking about a TV drama you saw with your mother, I could not see a close connection to the drama and what you recognized from that experience. Therefore I think you will need to explain more in detail how that drama developed you, and in general what effects were given to you by watching TV at that age.
c. Your introduction was OK, but I think it would have been better if you created some dynamic sentences like “Many people would answer things like sleeping or eating some snacks. But, for me, I rather turn on TV.” Other than that, it was eye-catching and nice!
d. The basic verb tense throughout the whole essay is past tense. It was an appropriate verb tense to use, but I think as for the conclusion you could use present tense to diverge from talking about the past, and start talking about your emotions or feelings towards TV in general.
e. I think you should focus more on one or two incidents that happened to you regarding TV! I think that will make your story more interesting!
Final draft
ReplyDeleteTV, my old friend
Hajin Ahn
201301918 (EIT)
What is the first thing you do after going back home and sitting on your sofa to have some rest? Many people would answer things like sleeping or eating some snacks. But, for me, I rather turn on TV. TV has always been with me throughout my life just like an old friend and watching TV, a seemingly commonplace event, was critical for my development.
I remember I began watching TV for the first time when I was seven. Unlike other kindergarten students, I enjoyed watching dramas just as my mom did. It was the source of my knowledge. At that early age, I realized the importance of building network with other people by watching dramas depicting real life. Among all of them, a drama called "A Cheerful Girl's success story" was the most impressive one. It was a romantic comedy about a poor girl finally becoming a hotshot designer by always being kind to other people and going through jealously of others by getting help from those she helped. After watching it, I recognized how much it is important to develop interpersonal skills which are beneficial for one's success. Based on what I learned from the drama, I started to train myself to be altruistic not only for other people but also for my own gain.
After entering elementary school, my taste in TV programs had changed a lot. As I was a very timid and shy girl, it was pretty hard for me to talk to other classmates first, especially in the beginning of every year. When listening to what other students were talking, I realized they were interested in all the cartoons and animation. In order to join in other classmates' conversation, watching cartoons were inevitable. Only by knowing all the characters and the plots of "Pocket Monster", one of children's favorite animations at that time, I was able to say something to my friends and not to feel left out. . At that period, watching TV became one of my ways to lead conversation among friends. TV was an old friend teaching me how to get along well with others.
Even in my middle school years, I couldn't stop watching TV. This time, I watched it for a different reason. The biggest difficulty I faced during my studying abroad in China was, of course, its language. Even though I went to school every day, learning formal expressions was not easy at all. Many Chinese said I spoke good Chinese but all of expressions I used were too colloquial to use in formal settings. After getting a B in a writing assignment, I was truly shocked and cried as soon as coming back home. In order to forget about it, I turned on TV and watched Chinese programs. At that moment, an idea crossed my head. Every country has news media and there all the anchors and reporters use official expressions. From that day, I spent two hours a day to watch Chinese news, wrote down advanced vocabulary, and memorized them every day. At first, it took more than an hour to memorize it, but later on, I could understand most of the news without even looking up the words in dictionary. There is a saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” When I desperately needed a help, TV was again there just like a real friend to solve my problem.
ReplyDeleteIn 2012, I came to Korea for preparing entrance exam for Korean universities. Compared to students who had been studying in Korea, I had little knowledge on almost every field except for English and Chinese. However, to write an entrance essay and have interviews, catching up what other students had already learned was necessary. Even for that problem, TV was the perfect solution. There was an education channel in Korea called EBS. Well-made documentaries and experiments on various fields, including history, economy, and psychology were aired every day. They were mostly based on the information students learned in Korean high school. Within a year, I could at least have a general idea on what Korean students learned in school for university. It is hard to say that I got accepted to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies just because of those EBS programs. But the advanced knowledge on different areas from EBS did actually help me build arguments in the essay examination
Many people say TV is disturbing to students and spending time on watching it is something that only a hopeless fellow would do. My parents have always told me the same thing. However, almost everything I watched on TV has raised my awareness on society by giving information on interpersonal relationship and various subjects related to my academic career. TV has been with me all the time and acted as an old friend giving valuable guidance in my life. Even for now, my mom often shouts at me, and says “Stop watching TV and do what you have to do first!” Do you know how I respond to her? I always answer, “Mom, this is what I have to do right now. And what I will keep doing for the rest of my life!”
Final draft (again)
ReplyDeleteTV, my old friend
Hajin Ahn
201301918 (EIT)
What is the first thing you do after going back home and sitting on your sofa to have some rest? Many people would answer things like sleeping or eating some snacks. But, for me, I rather turn on TV. TV has always been with me throughout my life just like an old friend and watching TV, a seemingly commonplace event, was critical for my development.
I remember I began watching TV for the first time when I was seven. Unlike other kindergarten students, I enjoyed watching dramas just as my mom did. It was the source of my knowledge. At that early age, I realized the importance of building network with other people by watching dramas depicting real life. Among all of them, a drama called "A Cheerful Girl's success story" was the most impressive one. It was a romantic comedy about a poor girl finally becoming a hotshot designer by always being kind to other people and going through jealously of others by getting help from those she helped. After watching it, I recognized how much it is important to develop interpersonal skills which are beneficial for one's success. Building amiable relationship with other people seemed to not only benefit them but also benefit myself as a result. Based on what I learned from the drama, I started to train myself to be altruistic not only for other people but also for my own gain.
After entering elementary school, my taste in TV programs had changed a lot. As I was a very timid and shy girl, it was pretty hard for me to talk to other classmates first, especially in the beginning of every year. When listening to what other students were talking, I realized they were interested in all the cartoons and animation. In order to join in other classmates' conversation, watching cartoons were inevitable. Only by knowing all the characters and the plots of "Pocket Monster", one of children's favorite animations at that time, I was able to say something to my friends and not to feel alienated. At that period, watching TV became one of my ways to lead conversation among friends. TV was an old friend teaching me how to get along well with others.
Even in my middle school years, I couldn't stop watching TV. This time, I watched it for a different reason. The biggest difficulty I faced during my studying abroad in China was, of course, its language. Even though I went to school every day, learning formal Chinese expressions was not easy at all. Many Chinese said I spoke good Chinese but all of expressions I used were too colloquial to use in formal settings with more mature audience. After getting a B in writing class, I was truly shocked and cried as soon as coming back home. In order to forget about it, I turned on TV and watched Chinese programs. At that moment, an idea crossed my head. Every country has news media and all the anchors and reporters there use advanced vocabulary. From that day, I spent two hours a day to watch Chinese news, wrote down advanced vocabulary, and memorized them every day. At first, it took more than an hour to memorize it, but later on, I could understand most of the news without even looking up the words in dictionary. There is a saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” When I desperately needed a help, TV was again there just like a real friend and solve my problem. If it were not for TV, crying in bed would have become a part of my life.
ReplyDeleteIn 2012, I came to Korea for preparing entrance exam for Korean universities. Compared to students who had been studying in Korea, I had little knowledge on almost every field except for English and Chinese. However, to write an entrance essay and have interviews, catching up what other students had already learned was necessary. Even for that problem, TV was the perfect solution. There was an education channel in Korea called EBS. Well-made documentaries and experiments on various fields, including history, economy, and psychology were aired every day. They were mostly based on the information students learned in Korean high school. I downloaded the program schedule from EBS official website and watched main programs with DMB on my every day way to school. Within a year, I could at least have a general idea on what Korean students learned in school for university. It is hard to say that I got accepted to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies just because of those EBS programs. But the advanced knowledge on different areas from EBS did actually help me build and support my arguments with credible information, especially during the examination. At that time, TV was an excellent teacher giving important lessons.
Many people say TV is disturbing to students and spending time on watching it is something that only a hopeless fellow would do. My parents have always told me the same thing. However, almost everything I watched on TV has raised my awareness on society by giving information on interpersonal relationship and various subjects related to my academic career. TV has always accompanied me just like an old friend giving support and valuable guidance to my life. Even for now, my mom often shouts at me, and says “Stop watching TV and do what you have to do first!” Do you know how I respond to her? I always answer, “Mom, this is what I have to do right now for my improvement and what I will keep doing for the rest of my life!”