E-Portfolio

Initial GoalsPRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Improve my fluency in the language

I want to be fluent in Mandarin Mandarin has become one of the most widely spoken languages Increases my employability

INTERESTS: Broaden my horizon concerning Chinese culture

For example: Food, Art, History and Politics

Change of GoalBecause there are fewer opportunities for me to speak and practice Mandarin outside of lessons, I have set a more realistic goal of being able to pronounce the words correctly and precisely, instead of aiming at being fluent in Mandarin by the end of the course.

After the first essay, other room for improvement include:

Difficulties with Pronunciation Grammar: Punctuation, Conjunctions, etc. Industry-Specific Vocabulary Style of Writing

Summary Each page of my E-portfolio is dedicated to each of the following goals:

Style of writing + GrammarExtensive ReadingFluency of the languageCultural Enrichment

Rationale for Goals

Goal 1 : Writing and Grammar

• New Goal in light of my first essay: Noticed several areas for improvement• Enhancing my writing skills also improves

speaking skills• Extensive reading helps to achieve this goal

Goal 2: Extensive Reading

• I believe this is a vital aspect of my learning process• Expands my vocabulary and exposes me to complex

phrases and proverbs• Consistently challenges me and helps me familiarise

myself with the contexts in which particular words or phrases are best used• Indirectly enhances my reading, writing, listening

and speaking skills

Goal 3: Cultural Enrichment• Learning a language is much more than

grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.• Forms and uses of the Chinese language reflect

the cultural values of the society• One must be able to master the cultural context

in which the language occurs in order to truly understand the language.

Goal 4: Improve Fluency• Wanted to become fluent as mentioned earlier• Now: work on pronunciation to improve fluency• Become competent with the use of both formal

and informal language• Mandarin is becoming more dominant, and as an

engineer, I may be required to work in Mainland China

Plan of Action1) Regular Exposure to Mandarin

Read News Listen to Music/Videos

2) Review Corrections from Weekly Essays Re-write Essay and Copy Corrections again Note down useful phrases or vocabulary

3) Try to Think in Mandarin Speak to myself in Mandarin when no-one is around Become more confident in ability