Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Issue No. 3
A Farewell Gift to
QH2009F1E Students
Official publication of English Division I
[For internal circulation only]
July, 2010
Editors’ Forewords
Issue No. 3 - July 2010
It is our pleasure to bring you the last issue of E -Magazine in this academic year, which has
become one of the most memorable periods of time in our life thanks to the presence of all
QH2009F1E students.
This issue has been published as a farewell gift to all first -year students and a wish for them to
continue enjoying their student life in the years to come at our home - ULIS.
Hopefully, you can find something useful herein; or at least you can find a little of yourself and your
memories of English Division 1 .
To all QH2009F1E students: Keep in mind that you were, are and will always be members of English
Division 1. All of your contr ibution to our E-Magazine is welcome in order to make better issues in
the future for you and for us all .
Yours faithfully,
Editorial board
Teachers’ Corner
I
Ngô Ngọc Mai _ 06.1.E1
have been a student teacher for three weeks. From the first day I entered this
love translation. Many classmates were surprised when I told them that I did not love
teaching at all. Well, the reasons were simple. I passed the exam, and I was arranged to
study in my class, so I did! I wanted to have a good job with a high salary, and the fast -
track program diploma would give me both, so I did! Three years passed and I still kept
In year three, we studied English Language Teaching, which was a nightmare for me. I
felt asleep in almost every ELT lessons, I got a bad mark for ELT 1, and I even hated it
whenever my teaching sessions started. Funnily, my teachers and classmates said that I
was really in when staying there and playing the role of a teacher . That made me
confused and excited at the same time. I am a type of person who cannot do anything
well without loving it, so I asked myself, “It couldn’t be! How can they say I have the
ability to become a teacher?” I doubted. It is irregular when I doubt what I have decided to
After many microteaching sessions, there came a very big challenge for me: the
tutoring program (It is a traditionally program of Fas t-track classes, in which we design
syllabus, do PR things to attract students and teach them like “real teacher’). I was
nervous. I was obsessed that I would make so many mistakes, and the students would
laugh at me. I trembled when beginning my first les son, but to my surprise, the Tutoring
and it was successful because I suddenly realized that teaching was so inspiring.
felt excited, too. When writing a lesson plan, I think of how my students would react
when they joined my activities, how they would laugh when I told some jokes, and
especially, how lovely they would be when they call me “teacher”. The word “teacher”
turns out to make me more emotional than I thought. It helps me understand that it is
time I became an adult. It let s me know that I can help younger students, maybe help
lucky to teach a great and active class, that I am so lucky to be guided by a caring
teacher, and that I am so lucky to know why destiny chose this university for me to study
in. It takes me so long to love teaching, but as my former teacher said before, “You will
never know whether you are suitable for a job until you really d o it yourself.” It is great
Best wishes to my teachers, and my students (who were, who are, and who will be).
When I agreed to teach you, I did not realize the because both of us were too angry at that time to
enormity of responsibility I was going to undertake. I admit our mistakes.
am already busy with my thesis, my practicum, my It happened a long time ago, but looking back to
part-time job and a myriad of other trivial things. that memory, I can still feel my face redden. I
Therefore, I sometimes feel dead tired and terribly wonder how I could be such a bad teacher given that
depressed when I am unable to sleep in at the I have always determined to become one who is
weekend because our lessons are scheduled on highly committed to her career. But things are
Saturdays and Sundays. I think you disrupt my life different now. After that big argument, both of us
and deprive me of the moments I want to do calmed down and decided to talk in earnest. We
something for myself. I also often have deep hatred listened to each other’s feelings, admitted our
for you because you are so demanding. In the mistakes and tried to work out a feasible solution.
evenings, I am totally immersed in my work when Never before had I had the chance to get to
you first startle me with a “buzz” even though I tell understand my student so thoroughly. Your
you not to do so again and again, then continually reasonable words awakened me to the true meaning
bombard me with questions about English grammar of teaching. I realize that knowledge is important but
and require full, clear explanations until you are not enough to make a good teacher. That is to say,
satisfied. Usually, I try to remain patient but one being a teacher requires great commitment,
time my anger with you for wasting my valuable time knowledge and love for their students as well. Now,
led to a quarrel. The result was you were too angry each lesson is no longer a burden but a valuable
to continue learning and I was left fuming at you. experience for me. Even though I sometimes get
Instead of reaching a compromise, you and I annoyed with you, I know how to express it in a
exchanged angry words about each other, which was suitable way so that you do not feel discouraged. I
also a waste of time and a mental constraint for both am also learning how to explain things clearly. And,
of us. You blamed me for not taking teaching you although I am still very busy and sometimes long for
seriously and complained about my inability to give a day entirely to myself, I put a lot of effort into
clear explanations; I accused you of not being teaching you. Thank you for opening my eyes about
sympathetic with me because I already have my what teaching is.
hands full without giving you free lessons at the
weekend and in the evening. After a heated “debate”
about who was wrong, you decided to have no more Nguyen Thi Dung – 061.E1
lessons with me and received my immediate consent
“Life would be a severe trial … I realized a lot of hardship and happiness…”
It’s nearly six months - over a semester since I left the high school behind me and went to university.
To tell the truth, it’s not easy for me to adapt myself to this new environment. Everything – from
classmates, teachers to teaching methods, was so strange to me at first. I come from Quang Binh - a
province in central Vietnam, which made it very difficult for me to make friends with the others - just
because of my accent. However, after a long time, I felt very happy to have the chance to learn in this
new class. My classmates’ friendliness gradually helped bridge the distance between us. Besides,
every lesson was so relaxing that all of us were eager to be taught by enthusiastic teachers. They are
young, talented and sympathetic. They are the people who always help us when we are in trouble.
Our skills have improved considerably thanks to their help. Therefore, I do not consider sitting at
auditoriums and listening to lectures a waste of time.
Before going to university, I used to envision that life would be a severe trial. That’s right - but only in
some ways. I experienced a lot of hardships and found happiness at the same time. I really felt
blessed with coming across so many hardships. There are no days passing without me learning more
and more. This environment helps me widen not only my bookish knowledge but also my
understanding about people around me and the society. It enriches my mind and beautifies my soul a
lot. I am very proud to be a student at this university. I know that there will be a lot of difficulties in the
road ahead but I’ll always try my best in order to have a successful future.
Like many other first-year students at this can be free to tell her my thoughts and my
university, I find it difficult to be confident in problems as well. She realized my lack of
myself. I feel as if there was an invisible shell confidence and encouraged me a lot. “It is
covering me. I made me feel so shy that I quite difficult but try to overcome yourself, be
often kept silent even when I was asked to confident to say anything you like”, she said.
perform a simple task like describing a picture. She used to be as shy as me and therefore
In each speaking lesson, time seemed to pass she lost some opportunities. She does not
slowly; the atmosphere seemed to be want me to make the same mistake. You
oppressive. Oh, each speaking lesson was cannot imagine how happy I was when
really a burden to me. This situation had still hearing that. Before talking to me, I was really
continued until two weeks ago when two confused; I needed a sharing, an advice or
trainee teachers came to our class. At first only an encouragement. And she gave me all I
sight, I took notice of the teacher who looks need. Those simple things brought me a
rather quiet and strict with her arms folded in strange power. Since then, I have gained
front of her chest. However, when I looked into belief and confidence to speak what I think, to
her eyes and her smile, I felt something do what I like and to be myself. Believe me or
contrasting. After adding her yahoo not, this change has an important meaning.
messenger address, I found something Now, I want to tell you that “Be confident to
interesting. She is only two years older than overcome yourself, believe in your ability, the
me. I consider her as a friend and a sister so I wonder will come”.
Vu Linh Giang – 09E23
My dear readers,
What do you feel about the campus life? About me, I think it is an interesting and
challenging life. There are not only chances but also challenges and difficulties, so we should
prepare carefully to be able to achieve the best results. In this article, I give you five vital skills for
students (“vital” – it is just my idea, :D). Maybe I don’t have a lot of experiences to be sure that they are
necessary for all students but I do hope that they are useful for you.
Finally, it is...
What should you do when you fail or have difficulties? Be silent or share your trouble with someone? No one can help
you solve your problems thoroughly. All are up to you.
List things which encourage you, for example: your favorite maxims, your idols, your previous failures, etc...
Achieve small successes everyday: you should plan small targets everyday and finish them. They are motivations for
you to be more confident and have more elation for next plans.
There is no the word “fails” in “your dictionary”.
If you want to have these skills, you need practice them every day and it is not simple and easy.
However, you will win when you want. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is unreachable. Fighting!
Life in the future
The future is the field that I think no one
can know how it will be. Our own future life
belongs to ourselves . However, to some extent,
it also depends on our own luck. And I am sure
that all of us hope to have a beautiful life.
As for me, I wish I would have a settled and
happy life. Now I have a happy family with my
parents, my sister and my brother. All of us
always love and take care o f each other, which
is enough for me.
Furthermore, in the future, I expect to have
a good husband. I think maybe I will have a
perfect family.
said th “OK! If you d it. without any hesitation. I even had a on, it was my
mountain and sea, so there must a lot picturesque to see. As planned, we would
travel for 2 days and I night. On the day before departure, we had finished our preparation.
sh
In the second day, we spent all the morning visiting forested zones, caves and Cat Ba
Nationa During that time, we contemplated the presents of Nature. was the first
time I slike
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t aofwalk,
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took leisurelyand
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Jason along the
s voice ets by
made antheamazing
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Moreover, for ever
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himself. The the in
There is a famous quote, saying “Life is the most effective school”. It is undeniable that people often learn
much from the reality ; however, from what I have experienced, I find myself warmly appreciate what the
academic schooling, especially the university, has taught me. Since I stepped into the university, I have learned
big lessons of active self-stydying and effective communication skills thanks to the knowledge I have learn at the
university.
My first benefit from tertiary education is the ability to learn something by myself. As you may know, self-
study is a must at university. In addition to attending various classes, I have to prepare for any of them; do a lot
of reading, finish all the required exercises and assignments, make reports, do research, take part in seminars, etc.
These activities gradually build up my habit of self-study. This habit allows me to work independently and
creatively in whatever field I choose to get involved in because I am able to gain further knowledge and skill
through my own study.
Adding to that, I have also learned how to think clearly and express myself briefly and precisely. As people
are getting busier and busier in their fast-track lives, I am always highly aware of saving time for both myself and
the ones I communicate with. In order to save my time, I have to think as clearly and critically as I can. To save
the precious time of whom I have an opportunity to communicate with, either orally or in the form of any written
document, I always try my best to guarantee that what I say is brief, relevant, and clear enough to be understood
immediately. In other words, I force myself to provide my listener or reader with as much information as needed in
such a way that both my energy and his/her time and effort can be saved.
Generally speaking, people may hold different views on education: it is only a waste of time to some while
to others it is one of the inevitable/necessary factors strongly influencing their success or failure in life. I belong to
the later, highly valuing what tertiary education brings to me. Therefore, it deserves my great efforts to meet all its
requirements, the initial requirements of any well-educated person.
The dream of being rich
A man is put in prison for 12 years. The first day in prison, he catches
an ant and has an idea: “12 years in prison will be really boring and
after that, I will be very poor. Why don’t I teach this ant speaking
human language? And I will be financial! Yes! That is a wonderful
idea!”
Then he embarks on his work immediately. After 12 years, his ant can
speak human language and he is released.
The first free day after 12 years, he jumps into a luxury restaurant. He
sits at the table at the centre of the restaurant and put the ant in a
dish. He asks a waiter:
- What is this?
The waiter kills the ant by his finger and says:
- I’m sorry! We will pay more attention to
Still falling! food hygiene!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two people were climbing a rock- - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mountain. Suddenly, one slipped and Thanh – 09E8
felt…
A: Are you OK?
B: I don’t know! I am still falling!- he I don’t know!
shouted…
A: :-o In a physics class…
Le Thuy – 09E8 Teacher: Do you know the speed of sound,
Anne?
Anne: Well, I don’t know. Because I have
never tried running after sound!
Le Thuy – 09E8
Never teach a policeman!
In one sunny morning, after a stressful exam, my Math teacher
told us one real story, which happened to her when she was very
young...
On that day, she crossed over a red light and had to pay the
charge by an old judge of the traffic court. She explained to him
that she was a school teacher and she had to get back to her class,
so she asked the judge to take care of her case quickly.
"Well, well," the judge said. "So you are a school teacher? I have
been waiting for many years to fine a teacher in my court. Please sit
right down at that table and write, “I will not run a red light again”,
500 times." That’s it: Never teach a traffic policeman!”
Ngoc – 09E8
Reason!
Three students were late for school. The teacher asked
them:
-Why did you go to school late, guys?
The students answered one by one.
Student one said:
-Teacher, because I got up late. Last night I dreamt of
an exciting football match. This match ended in a draw.
Then, the referee let the match turn to extra time. I had
to see it until the end so I couldn't get up and go to
school on time.
Student two:
-When I was walking near to the school, I saw a sign
that says ''Slow down! Ahead is school!''. I followed it
and was late.
Teacher:
-Ok, and the last one? What's your reason?
Student three:
-Teacher, it's said that ''you are never too old to learn!''
So why do I have to go to school early?
Teacher: ???...
LET’S SMILE WITH US! Minh Ha – 09E8