Dear S11
Based on today's discussion in class, you have offered the following insights:
What is the General Paper?
- General Paper is not an extension of O level English Language.
- General Paper is about cultivating a point of view.
- General Paper is about the world, and our society, and its 'happenings'.
- General Paper is about profound or 'cheem' language; understanding, appreciating and applying that language to communicating an idea/point of view effectively and efficiently.
Key differences between O level English Language and A level General Paper
- The former offers a more structured and guided approach; the latter requires personal interpretation and point of view.
- The latter stresses the importance of inference - the ability to read between the lines, and beyond the text.
- While the former raises your English Language ability, the latter demands that you have acquired that ability in order to excel.
- While it is possible to memorise a formula to the former, the latter requires a repository of skills, and dexterity in deploying these skills.
How do you get your A for General Paper?
- Read extensively - this includes a variety of media especially print (such as periodicals, the newspapers, reviews, journals etc) and non-print (such as television, the Internet and radio.)
- However,reading extensively is not enough. One must also read critically - to question why the author/writer/film director/song writer/director etc has chosen to represent his point of view in that way, using that medium. And to ask if such a point of view is in agreement or disagreement with one's own point of view, and why. Such is the basis of critical analysis.
For your reflection, I will like you to comment on the following questions:
- What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
- What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
Please leave your responses in a comment to this entry. A response is compulsory by Friday 27 Feb 2009 midnight. However, you may choose to remain anonymous.
Much love
Mr Low
1. well, i was not very surprised by what i was expected of in doing GP because i had heard many 'stories' about it beforehand, like how difficult it is to do well unless you have a flair for it. but the real difficulty level did kind of jolted me after today's lesson as i realised i really have a lot to do if i want to do well in GP. but somehow, i know im going to like GP because the content seems pretty fun and i think there are going to be lots of discussions and that means no usual boring i-talk-u-listen lessons. hahas.
ReplyDelete2. i learnt that even though i got an A2 in english for O levels, it merely meant i have the chance to do well in GP, NOT definitely can do well in GP because GP really expects much much more of the profound english and im definitely not there yet. i realised that i really have a lot of polishing up of my english to do in order to produce an essay half close to resource B. and to produce an essay just like resource B, i would have to acquire other skills such as analytical skills. and that i really need to start reading extensively and consistently too to keep myself updated and polished because if you were to shoot me a current affairs question now, i will answer nothing and GP requires such knowledge. (:
i knew all along that GP would be tough, however i look forward to GP lessons as we would cover relevant topic,topic not like those we learn in secondary school,I was rather prepare about the GP writing and syllabus
ReplyDeletei learn that i have to be prepared for the different random topics that are up and coming for GP.I also have a lot of reading and improving to do as my english is not that great
1) i got a further insight of GP and what it's all about. kinda panicked as GP requires critical thinking skills and updated knowledge. unlike secondary school whereby we could prepare extensively for it, GP is much more broader based and ive to be prepared to cope with it.
ReplyDelete2) i found out that hard work is the key to getting an A in GP and ill have to manage my time well in order to score well.
1. That day's lesson is more of a introduction of what GP is. The thought of "Will I do well in GP??" struck hard on me. I do not have the confidence to say that I am able to attain an good pass for GP by promos esp. when my English foundation is not very strong. Still, I will try my best to study for GP.
ReplyDelete2. I found out that Im actually at a disadvantaged postition because my general knowledge is close to ZERO. & even though Mr Loh did say that we will do well in GP if we read ALOT. But I might not be able to argue my points through the essay and be analytical during the process. Hence, this shows that I still have alot to catch up with to parallel with the others.
1. The lesson that day made me realise that A-Levels General Paper is actually not as easy as I thought it would be. I used to think that I will not have any problems with GP as I'm pretty confident of my English. However, the lesson made me realise that GP is not just like 'English' in secondary school. Even though it consists of a comprehension and essay section, just like 'O'-Levels, it's on a whole different level and definitely not as simple.
ReplyDelete2. After the lesson, I realised that the biggest problem for me in General Paper will be the comprehension section. I have not been very good with comprehension in Secondary School, and the comprehension which I have to do now in GP is more difficult. I definitely have to find a way to solve this problem if I want to get my 'A'.
1. What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDelete- The lesson taught me on the basics of GP, what it's all about, what I'm actually supposed to expect and do for the subject. I learnt that GP is not just english, or just the learning how to write essays according to various topics. I also have to go in depth in understanding these subjects, and have to put to use good language abilities(which i still lack). Thus i'm partially afraid of GP, yet excited about learning new and controversial topics.
2. What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
- One thing i learnt about myself that i will definitely not do well unless i read A LOT and widen my english language/abilities. English is fine for me, just that the understanding, applications etc are tough for me. I usually fail my comprehensions(BY A LITTLE) but it's normally due to the fact that i cannot identity/understand passages, or grasp the gist of the passage/questions. I will have to put in a HUGE amount of effort to ace this subject.
1. What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDeleteBefore making the decision to come to a Junior Collage, I have already been informed of the difficulty of General Paper and how it could affect my grades. So actually, way before this first GP tutorial, I have already expected this. Therefore I wasn't really quite taken aback by the truth reflected on that day about GP.
Still, I am anxious and afraid for the upcoming challenges I would face in GP, simply because GP is not just english but profound english backed up with general knowledge.
What I fear most is still the general knowledge section as the coverage is very wide and there is just endless things for me to cover.
2. What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
I've learnt that hard work is simply not enough for General paper. But since I have already chosen this path, I will persevere. Good luck everyone!
1.What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most of us have already heard about how tough GP is before entering jc, thus most of us will be mentally prepared for the challenges we will face in coping for this subject.However,the first tutorial made me doubt my ability to score well in GP as my command for english is still not there yet. Therefore i will work doubly hard to cope with this 'chim' subject.I can do it!!
2.What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
I learnt that I really need to brush up on my english as the first tutorial introduced me to the differences between o-level english and a-level gp which is a huge difference. The WORD COUNT and the way they phrase their questions in comprehension stunned me. In conclusion: I will work hard!.
1. The lesson was interesting and engaging, a far cry from my previous GP tutor's, and for the first time in school, it was an enjoyable experience to be in a GP tutorial.
ReplyDelete2. The lesson reinforced my belief that I need to read widely and critically in order to secure a good grade for GP.
1.What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I've already done a bit of 'research' before entering JC. GP ≠
English Language. I was told that you could get a A for GP even though you scored a C6 for EL and vice versa. Although I did not attempt a argumentative essay in my schooling life, I don't think GP is going to be that difficult. It's all in the mindset. If others can do it, why can't I?
2.What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
Use your own words as far as possible. I always have a problem trying to rephrase my answer and now, i am expected to do that for every single question. So i guess this is where i will start from. To conclude, practice makes perfect.
1)Todays lesson i learnt that how different is O-level paper from A-level paper. Not only that i also learnt what to look out for in A-level paper.Also i felt scared at the same as my standard of english is not that good. But i am going to overcome all odds to do well in GP.
ReplyDelete2)I learnt that i have to push myself harder for GP and do what it takes to get the grade that i am capable of. Not only that i must persevere and have a positive attitude which will help to get the grade i want.
What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI found the lesson was very inspirational as it prompted me to think and queation various subject matters. i also discovered that there can be numerous diversifying perspectives that i wouldnt have thought of towards a single topic.
What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
i learnt that i should push myself harder to think and explore the various possibilties and perspectives towards an issue, and not just accepting one and be contented about it.
i've already known that GP's just simply isn't easy to tackle with.it is especially true as i know my english is not up to standard.thus,through the lesson,it prompted to me that i should work double hard for GP.
ReplyDeletei learnt that i should work twice as hard as before in order to do well for GP.and i realise i should brush up on my vocab!
I think my main and only setback with english is my presentation skills in writing essays. From THAT day's tutorial (forgot which day), realised that GP isn't that manageable or simple, it tests on one's ability to argue, to look from different POV, to THINK critically in a way that its different from others; in a unique way. Most importantly, i feel that dtermination must be strong to survive the horrible GP PAPER ;D Read sudy study read read~
ReplyDelete2)Things i learn about myself?
Hmm. im not an avid reader and i read for the sake of reading. And, im afraid of Gp paper; the main subject i must pass to be promoted =x
1. What are your reactions to today's lesson? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI got not much reactions as i knew about the difference between GP and olevel from a NYJC GP teacher. Without her words which struck me and changed my mind, perhaps i am in a poly now. She said, "just because of GP, you are going to change your goal of going to a JC? so this is how you going to face your obstacles in your future by escaping it?" Although i didnt managed to get into NYJC, but our class is really blessed to have Mr Low as our GP teacher right, 09s11?
2. What did you learn about yourself in today's class? Explain.
I am weak in what's new in the A'level GP, however i am going to press through all the way and do my best for this subject...!