I have spent a large amount of time learning English. However, I recently think of these time as handicap to me because those lengthy time wasn't exist if I were born in a English speaking country or Japanese was a dominant language in the world. Of course, I don't mean to criticize the unfairness of this situation, but I just decided to learn English in the way I learn not only English language but also something as English speakers do. I'm fed up with getting stupid examples of conversations, but now I don't have any other options to learning how to speak while learning something useful. I found the ways for the other aspects of learning English already. About reading, I'm already capable of reading lengthy and academic article, and that will empower my knowledge while improving my reading skills. And about listening, I mainly watch or just listen audio that is interesting and knowledgeable, by doing that, I can improve my listening skills while improving my listening skill. Next, about writing skill, well this is not complete way, but I write about anything including this blog. By writing a lot and lot, I can improve my writing skill in English while I impart what I have or organize my thought or take a note in English. This is incomplete because I don't have someone to revise my article or essay so that I am not completely sure mine is correct. But I think this concern will be gone after I keep doing this for a certain amount of time.
Next, this is the problem, I don't have a way of learning speaking skill. Of course if I just want to learn speaking English language, I have a lot of ways to practice, such as Skype, shadowing as I always do, go to conversation English and etc. But in terms of learning more than 2 things as English speakers do, it is difficult that I have not found it yet. The ideal way is that I was in the environment where there are English speakers around me, and they learn Computer science as well!! And taking same courses! If that was possible, I could argue about the problems or talk about the future of CS, and something I do with my friends now, But this is now impossible, Japanese Universities failed to collect students as much countries as possible. We only have Japanese almost unlike the best universities like MIT or Harvard. I feel a little pity for that, but I will change this situation by going abroad. But for doing that, I have to again learn English for only English language again, TOEFL. But this is necessary anyway.
Good university like MIT should have a variety of people from all over the world, and have a liberal and fun environment that people of different majors can get together and accept any ideas that now seems impossible or not practical.
2011年5月29日日曜日
2011年5月28日土曜日
The effect of problem solving method using brain-storming
The other day, I watched series of lectures of Stanford, Tina Seelig's crash course of nurturing entrepreneur. And I watched the first 2 lectures. Here is what those lectures gave me and what I felt.
The first lecture was about brain storming. There are some rules doing that. Which topic to choose. The topic should be appropriate size. But set difficult one that requires a lot of ideas. For example, come up with 500 menus of ice cream in 30 minutes, even if you won't make it, but you got 250 menus that is lot enough. Next, Where to have a brain storming. The room should have shared idea board such as white board, and the room should be spacious enough that participants can freely move and write any idea. Next, who to invite. The number of people should be 4 to 7 people, the manageable size. And people all should have a wide range of perspective. Next, how to do that. The brain storming should go with people all standing, all have a equal right to speak out and write down their ideas so that everyone should have a pen, also they are free to write down on memo what you come up when it is not possible to speak out because others are speaking. Also, participants should accept any ideas coming from people, any curious and crazy, not-practical ideas should be welcome. Also, you shouldn't use "Yes, but-" speaking, but should use "Yes, and-" to expand the topic. Basically one idea becomes very nice idea in the process of expanding by using "Yes, and-" method. Repetitive expanding sometimes makes a jump that makes it wonderful idea. And to manage ideas that have come up so far, on white board, the problem or topic should be centered, so that it will be much easier to see the whole picture.
These are how to do brain storming in detail. But this is a just one part of the process of production actually. The second lecture gave me a method of how to implement this method and how to define problem, and the attitude of creating prototype.
First, we have to define the problem. We can find a lot of problems of anything, in the lecture, students were asked to find problems of the classroom as much as they can in 10 minutes, and found out that it is not that hard to find if you are willing to do that. And those problems are chances, for business or yourself. By improving the object by removing those problems, that will become chances of business. Now you've got so many problems, and by interviewing with people about what they hate about the object, you can define one problem that seems the root of a lot of problems. This process will convert a lot of problems into a small but most effective point to solve. In the lecture, students were asked to do this process about the problem of name card. And each person defined the problem. And started to think about how to satisfy him/her by creating a better name card.
Next, now you have defined the problem, and now it is time to do brain storming that we learned in the 1st lecture, but this time alone. By doing brain storming, you can see the problem from a variety of perspectives, and find a lot of elements. Also, the question like "Why do you do this" will help. This Why question will expand the problem into a larger size. For example, if you want to make a bridge, you ask "why do I do this?", and find out that you want to go over a stream, and find out you don't necessarily make a bridge, but you can swim or use a ship. And also by asking one more why question, "why do you want to go over a stream" and you will find that you want to go to school over there, and you will see a lot of other solutions. Now you've got a lot of ideas of solving the problem, now it is time to make a prototype. The prototype should not be realistic and practical, you can use a technology that still not discovered. you just create it in a short period of time with a cheap materials, so that you don't have a passion to the prototype that will make it much easier to adopt feedback later. One problem of companies is that trying to make a perfect prototype, that pride comes up and it will be difficult to make it better. Once you make the prototype, show it to the people, people having the problem, and take the feedback into account. And you can redefine the problem and to the same process.
I thought it is so exciting that in a short period of time, we can create prototype. And I find the circle of the process very useful for any objects and things. I think the most important part is to define the problem, by watching around me, I see a lot of problems which are the chances. Having problems is the start of the improvement which connects to business.
The first lecture was about brain storming. There are some rules doing that. Which topic to choose. The topic should be appropriate size. But set difficult one that requires a lot of ideas. For example, come up with 500 menus of ice cream in 30 minutes, even if you won't make it, but you got 250 menus that is lot enough. Next, Where to have a brain storming. The room should have shared idea board such as white board, and the room should be spacious enough that participants can freely move and write any idea. Next, who to invite. The number of people should be 4 to 7 people, the manageable size. And people all should have a wide range of perspective. Next, how to do that. The brain storming should go with people all standing, all have a equal right to speak out and write down their ideas so that everyone should have a pen, also they are free to write down on memo what you come up when it is not possible to speak out because others are speaking. Also, participants should accept any ideas coming from people, any curious and crazy, not-practical ideas should be welcome. Also, you shouldn't use "Yes, but-" speaking, but should use "Yes, and-" to expand the topic. Basically one idea becomes very nice idea in the process of expanding by using "Yes, and-" method. Repetitive expanding sometimes makes a jump that makes it wonderful idea. And to manage ideas that have come up so far, on white board, the problem or topic should be centered, so that it will be much easier to see the whole picture.
These are how to do brain storming in detail. But this is a just one part of the process of production actually. The second lecture gave me a method of how to implement this method and how to define problem, and the attitude of creating prototype.
First, we have to define the problem. We can find a lot of problems of anything, in the lecture, students were asked to find problems of the classroom as much as they can in 10 minutes, and found out that it is not that hard to find if you are willing to do that. And those problems are chances, for business or yourself. By improving the object by removing those problems, that will become chances of business. Now you've got so many problems, and by interviewing with people about what they hate about the object, you can define one problem that seems the root of a lot of problems. This process will convert a lot of problems into a small but most effective point to solve. In the lecture, students were asked to do this process about the problem of name card. And each person defined the problem. And started to think about how to satisfy him/her by creating a better name card.
Next, now you have defined the problem, and now it is time to do brain storming that we learned in the 1st lecture, but this time alone. By doing brain storming, you can see the problem from a variety of perspectives, and find a lot of elements. Also, the question like "Why do you do this" will help. This Why question will expand the problem into a larger size. For example, if you want to make a bridge, you ask "why do I do this?", and find out that you want to go over a stream, and find out you don't necessarily make a bridge, but you can swim or use a ship. And also by asking one more why question, "why do you want to go over a stream" and you will find that you want to go to school over there, and you will see a lot of other solutions. Now you've got a lot of ideas of solving the problem, now it is time to make a prototype. The prototype should not be realistic and practical, you can use a technology that still not discovered. you just create it in a short period of time with a cheap materials, so that you don't have a passion to the prototype that will make it much easier to adopt feedback later. One problem of companies is that trying to make a perfect prototype, that pride comes up and it will be difficult to make it better. Once you make the prototype, show it to the people, people having the problem, and take the feedback into account. And you can redefine the problem and to the same process.
I thought it is so exciting that in a short period of time, we can create prototype. And I find the circle of the process very useful for any objects and things. I think the most important part is to define the problem, by watching around me, I see a lot of problems which are the chances. Having problems is the start of the improvement which connects to business.
2011年5月27日金曜日
TOEFL Writing Practice
What are the qualities of a good boss at a job?
A good boss should have some qualities from perspective of company. Because company as a whole, a boss should act as the company progress in the way the company pursuit. Therefore, I'll talk about good company's criteria first, and then criteria of a good boss.
First, my ideal company should uphold an innovation. The company has to pursuit something no one have done so far, and bear the responsibility that it will pull the industry, or entertain the whole world. And that innovation requires a lot of curiosity and jump of ideas, and solid technology, and therefore, passionate employees. The good company should maximize its employee's ability by implementing liberal and fun environment, and eliminate any obstacles they may have, such as fixed start time.
A good boss has to inherit these good company's spirit, and tell it to his/her subordinates. Therefore, a good boss has to also maximize his/her subordinates in a more specific way because most employees would work a lot of time with their boss. For example, the boss should not create hierarchy between him/herself and employees. That will just prevent active and creative discussion and works happening. In Japan, we have to use honorific to boss, and I think that limit the progress because usually boss and subordinates can't argue freely.
Also, I think a good boss should be smart as well. If the boss is not that smart, I won't follow him/her because that will not be beneficial to the whole company.
In conclusion, company should first has a good spirit, and a good boss should succeed that, and tell it in a concrete way. That is the criteria of a good boss and I believe that will maximize the efficiency and effect of the company.
A good boss should have some qualities from perspective of company. Because company as a whole, a boss should act as the company progress in the way the company pursuit. Therefore, I'll talk about good company's criteria first, and then criteria of a good boss.
First, my ideal company should uphold an innovation. The company has to pursuit something no one have done so far, and bear the responsibility that it will pull the industry, or entertain the whole world. And that innovation requires a lot of curiosity and jump of ideas, and solid technology, and therefore, passionate employees. The good company should maximize its employee's ability by implementing liberal and fun environment, and eliminate any obstacles they may have, such as fixed start time.
A good boss has to inherit these good company's spirit, and tell it to his/her subordinates. Therefore, a good boss has to also maximize his/her subordinates in a more specific way because most employees would work a lot of time with their boss. For example, the boss should not create hierarchy between him/herself and employees. That will just prevent active and creative discussion and works happening. In Japan, we have to use honorific to boss, and I think that limit the progress because usually boss and subordinates can't argue freely.
Also, I think a good boss should be smart as well. If the boss is not that smart, I won't follow him/her because that will not be beneficial to the whole company.
In conclusion, company should first has a good spirit, and a good boss should succeed that, and tell it in a concrete way. That is the criteria of a good boss and I believe that will maximize the efficiency and effect of the company.
2011年5月26日木曜日
Conversational English
I had been studying English using mostly CNN articles and audio since my entrance to the university was promised, that was around December, and other classmates had still entrance exam, I of course, couldn't showoff that I've done. I had so much free time, I went to driving school and also I started crash course of English. The method I used was basically effective. However, there was some drawbacks in retrospect.
The method is "Shadowing" which learners follow the audio without looking script, just use your ears and mouth. This is really hard for beginner, but once you get used to, you'll find it is really effective. Being able to shadow means you can listen and understand the script at that rate of speed, and also your mouth is able to move at that speed. Notice that it doesn't mean you can speak. But in order to speak a lot, you first have to make your mouth available to the native speed. After that, you can have a lot of practice to say something you want to tell.
But, I recently noticed that using CNN was a little not practical to me. Because the content is one-sided, only anchor is speaking, it is a speech and not conversation. In practical point of view, what I have to get is mostly conversational English, of course I also speech English, but I think this element will be naturally followed after getting conversational English. Not the other way around. Therefore, I recently started using script that is conversation, so that I can learn how to ask and response, and also some casual spoken expressions. And I also found that it is so much easier to memorize the script using these materials. This is because of the nature of human, interactive story is easily seep into the memory, because that is a key of survival of human.
The method is "Shadowing" which learners follow the audio without looking script, just use your ears and mouth. This is really hard for beginner, but once you get used to, you'll find it is really effective. Being able to shadow means you can listen and understand the script at that rate of speed, and also your mouth is able to move at that speed. Notice that it doesn't mean you can speak. But in order to speak a lot, you first have to make your mouth available to the native speed. After that, you can have a lot of practice to say something you want to tell.
But, I recently noticed that using CNN was a little not practical to me. Because the content is one-sided, only anchor is speaking, it is a speech and not conversation. In practical point of view, what I have to get is mostly conversational English, of course I also speech English, but I think this element will be naturally followed after getting conversational English. Not the other way around. Therefore, I recently started using script that is conversation, so that I can learn how to ask and response, and also some casual spoken expressions. And I also found that it is so much easier to memorize the script using these materials. This is because of the nature of human, interactive story is easily seep into the memory, because that is a key of survival of human.
2011年5月25日水曜日
I've got a new toy!!
The other day, I had an experiment using open source library called openCV. That can be used to realtime image processing. For example, filter and anaglyph and augmented reality. I did these in the class and I found it really fun, I now also do at home. I want to do computer learning and detection of human rather than 3D technology.
2011年5月21日土曜日
People with different temperature
These days, I got a sense that we should avoid let the people with different temperature in a bad way bother me. In Japan, for example, if you have some good idea, but it is curious to people, you have to avoid those interference. You have to go through intricate red tape, and people might say that "Don't do that stupid", those people hate to change. They are comfortable being in the stable place. But what would the people with different temperature in a good way? Those people would ask what it is your idea, and encourage that, and even if that idea fails, those people would say "Nice Try!" while the other side of people say "I said so, don't do stupid again".
Those people with low temperature of course can exist, but I don't want them to bother people who really want to make some innovation occur. We have a lot of talented people in Japan, but Japan as a whole bother them sometimes. It's is a loss of resource and talent for the world.
It is a big difference that you have a variety of and number of friends and you have a lot of friends but those contain people who always deny what you say, low spirits, like stability. I think we should sometimes select friends as needed. Friends that bother your dream, idea, thought, those who have a minus effect on you should be excluded. Let your objective go, remove the obstacles, if you simply can not go over those, it is just your dream&idea is something like that. In that case, strengthen what you have or discard that and find something new. We have to keep looking people shining, and become friends with them. Those people have a plus effect for you.
Don't settle, Keep Looking.
Those people with low temperature of course can exist, but I don't want them to bother people who really want to make some innovation occur. We have a lot of talented people in Japan, but Japan as a whole bother them sometimes. It's is a loss of resource and talent for the world.
It is a big difference that you have a variety of and number of friends and you have a lot of friends but those contain people who always deny what you say, low spirits, like stability. I think we should sometimes select friends as needed. Friends that bother your dream, idea, thought, those who have a minus effect on you should be excluded. Let your objective go, remove the obstacles, if you simply can not go over those, it is just your dream&idea is something like that. In that case, strengthen what you have or discard that and find something new. We have to keep looking people shining, and become friends with them. Those people have a plus effect for you.
Don't settle, Keep Looking.
2011年5月19日木曜日
I am responsible for my sister
My sister is a fresh at University from this April, and has a lot of classes and of course assignments. Those are almost English assignments, but she is not good at English that she is now really busy just doing them. And sometimes she has to stay up late, and I have to help her as a big brother. Those are really easy to me of course, so I do them in a very short time. But I realized that recently that kind my assistance continued too much, I helped on every single assignments, she does not do them on her own. And I do them quickly, maybe she is using me.
I am like function(). if she call me as a function with a assignment as a argument, then I return finished assignment. It is like this, Finished_Assignment Yusuke(UnFinished_assignment);
In the computer science, that is called information hiding, users don't have to care what's going on inside function, users just know how to use it. But it is ENGLISH!!!! She's got to be able to use it fluently. I think she can't do them because her base of English is not accomplished yet that should have done by she finished high-school, the reality is harsh. In my experience, I first had a strong ground in grammar and vocabulary, and then I did Listening very hard, after these, I realized that I can write and speak to a certain extent, so now I have to sharpen these by practicing writing a lot and speaking out. I can help my sister, but I don't know whether I am bothering her from improving, does she have to do them by her own or not? I know at least that I am responsible for her. Part of her life is up to me. I think I will help her if she finishes by her own. I will revise and edit.
I am like function(). if she call me as a function with a assignment as a argument, then I return finished assignment. It is like this, Finished_Assignment Yusuke(UnFinished_assignment);
In the computer science, that is called information hiding, users don't have to care what's going on inside function, users just know how to use it. But it is ENGLISH!!!! She's got to be able to use it fluently. I think she can't do them because her base of English is not accomplished yet that should have done by she finished high-school, the reality is harsh. In my experience, I first had a strong ground in grammar and vocabulary, and then I did Listening very hard, after these, I realized that I can write and speak to a certain extent, so now I have to sharpen these by practicing writing a lot and speaking out. I can help my sister, but I don't know whether I am bothering her from improving, does she have to do them by her own or not? I know at least that I am responsible for her. Part of her life is up to me. I think I will help her if she finishes by her own. I will revise and edit.
2011年5月18日水曜日
TOEFL Writing Practice:Do you like to eat out or eat at home?
Do you like to eat out or eat at home?
I prefer to eat at home basically. There are mainly 3 reasons that eating at home is better than eating out.
First, it's less expensive to eat at home. If you go to restaurant for example, you have to pay not only for the food's ingredients but also for the chef cooking and services. Also you may have to give some tips. And restaurants with beautiful decoration, say if you eat out for date, you have to much more expensive cost. But if you eat at home, you or your family will cook, and wash the plates, you just cost ingredients. Therefore, it is way reasonable to eat at home, and I don't have that lots of money, and I like that way.
Second, my mother is best chef, everything she cooks is more delicious than the menus. Further more, those dishes are balanced, that I can keep healthy. She cook a variety of foods, and she really enjoys cooking.
Finally, it's so much more comfortable. Indeed, if you eat out, waiters will bring anything if you call, it is comfortable. But I like the way I do it by myself, you don't have to take care of someone. And you can watch TV as you eat, I like watching comedy when I eating and drinking.
For these reasons, I really like eating at home. It cost less, foods are delicious, it is comfortable.
Restaurants never beat your mom.
I prefer to eat at home basically. There are mainly 3 reasons that eating at home is better than eating out.
First, it's less expensive to eat at home. If you go to restaurant for example, you have to pay not only for the food's ingredients but also for the chef cooking and services. Also you may have to give some tips. And restaurants with beautiful decoration, say if you eat out for date, you have to much more expensive cost. But if you eat at home, you or your family will cook, and wash the plates, you just cost ingredients. Therefore, it is way reasonable to eat at home, and I don't have that lots of money, and I like that way.
Second, my mother is best chef, everything she cooks is more delicious than the menus. Further more, those dishes are balanced, that I can keep healthy. She cook a variety of foods, and she really enjoys cooking.
Finally, it's so much more comfortable. Indeed, if you eat out, waiters will bring anything if you call, it is comfortable. But I like the way I do it by myself, you don't have to take care of someone. And you can watch TV as you eat, I like watching comedy when I eating and drinking.
For these reasons, I really like eating at home. It cost less, foods are delicious, it is comfortable.
Restaurants never beat your mom.
2011年5月17日火曜日
My mom
My mom was born in Taiwan, and grew in the family of 7, father run appliance store. At that time, that was only shop in the region, and everybody came to buy, and the business was quite successful. My mom therefore was very rich. I've heard some stories that showcase how rich she was.
When she was entering middle school, she was not that good student, the test score was not good, and her mother gave a fridge to the interviewer and she passed the test!! Corrupt admissions!!
And next story, she wanted to eat ice candy, but didn't have money, and she secretly took a bill out of parent's wallet, while they are so busy, she bought ice candy, but the seller was surprised that mom had too expensive bill to buy just a cheap ice candy!! and the seller take mom to her parents. And she was scolded.
When she was entering middle school, she was not that good student, the test score was not good, and her mother gave a fridge to the interviewer and she passed the test!! Corrupt admissions!!
And next story, she wanted to eat ice candy, but didn't have money, and she secretly took a bill out of parent's wallet, while they are so busy, she bought ice candy, but the seller was surprised that mom had too expensive bill to buy just a cheap ice candy!! and the seller take mom to her parents. And she was scolded.
2011年5月15日日曜日
What am I thinking?
Every morning, when I try to write, I always get trouble of having nothing to write. And in those case, I write about having nothing to write/talk. Here you see now. The problem is, I still don't know what kind of things to include. I have to set the overall topics.
My topics now includes, what I thought, diary, memory, TOEFL writing practice, review, etc. Everything is my topic. Writing a diary is quite easy and useless, and I try to write what I thought that seems valuable and persuasive, but it is quite difficult. But, now I think that is inevitable. Every genius people I see also don't have stories every morning. Even if they had, they repeat what they've already imparted or simple they have much more experience of life. It seems I don't have to care about that. If I have nothing particular, I will write about my diary, or memory. And I think I will also TOEFL writing practice regularly, since I am considering to study abroad and will take TOEFL test, but because of its cost which is 20000yen!!!!, I have to be well-prepared that it is very profitable to write those in my blog.
Next problem is that how much should I write? With time limited, I tend to write for about 20 minutes, before I go to school. And if the topic is difficult, I don't have enough time, and in turn the article becomes short. But, I think I should not stick to writing a article in the morning, I can write in the day and night, I can write one article separately, or series of stories for a few days. Since that became my ritual, I only did it in the morning, I will change this. I think writing skills improve as I write.
My topics now includes, what I thought, diary, memory, TOEFL writing practice, review, etc. Everything is my topic. Writing a diary is quite easy and useless, and I try to write what I thought that seems valuable and persuasive, but it is quite difficult. But, now I think that is inevitable. Every genius people I see also don't have stories every morning. Even if they had, they repeat what they've already imparted or simple they have much more experience of life. It seems I don't have to care about that. If I have nothing particular, I will write about my diary, or memory. And I think I will also TOEFL writing practice regularly, since I am considering to study abroad and will take TOEFL test, but because of its cost which is 20000yen!!!!, I have to be well-prepared that it is very profitable to write those in my blog.
Next problem is that how much should I write? With time limited, I tend to write for about 20 minutes, before I go to school. And if the topic is difficult, I don't have enough time, and in turn the article becomes short. But, I think I should not stick to writing a article in the morning, I can write in the day and night, I can write one article separately, or series of stories for a few days. Since that became my ritual, I only did it in the morning, I will change this. I think writing skills improve as I write.
2011年5月14日土曜日
Toefl: Practice 01
Should going to class at school be optional or required?
Whether going to class should be optional or required depends on situations. But basically, class participation should be required, but that should always depends on student's decision. Here are advantages and disadvantages of each sides.
Optional class participation makes students do something else, what we learn in classes are not always necessary or important. Sometimes, it becomes a key elements of success because students will do something that is not consist of what they learn in school, but consist of their major and something else. Also, when the class itself is useless, or teacher is not encouraging, or students can do it by their own, I think students can skip the class. With time is limited, and considering the diversity of people, it is not wise to force students to attend the classes.
Mandatory class participation can bring students to a certain level of ability. Not like I mentioned above, most of students are not mature to skip the classes, those students tend to skip not because they are capable, but they just want to have some fun outside. In that case, it is so much efficient to force students to come to the classes. Students will definitely appreciate this later in the future. But of course, this makes top-notch students boring, and limit their progress. That is a waste of time for them.
For these reasons, I suggest a mixed style of class participation. Classes should basically be required to go for most of students, but for some smart students, they are allowed to not to come to classes after they showed their ability to the teacher. Also, teachers don't have to give those an exam if it seems not necessary. I think this type of class boost student's competition, that will in turn boost their progress.
Whether going to class should be optional or required depends on situations. But basically, class participation should be required, but that should always depends on student's decision. Here are advantages and disadvantages of each sides.
Optional class participation makes students do something else, what we learn in classes are not always necessary or important. Sometimes, it becomes a key elements of success because students will do something that is not consist of what they learn in school, but consist of their major and something else. Also, when the class itself is useless, or teacher is not encouraging, or students can do it by their own, I think students can skip the class. With time is limited, and considering the diversity of people, it is not wise to force students to attend the classes.
Mandatory class participation can bring students to a certain level of ability. Not like I mentioned above, most of students are not mature to skip the classes, those students tend to skip not because they are capable, but they just want to have some fun outside. In that case, it is so much efficient to force students to come to the classes. Students will definitely appreciate this later in the future. But of course, this makes top-notch students boring, and limit their progress. That is a waste of time for them.
For these reasons, I suggest a mixed style of class participation. Classes should basically be required to go for most of students, but for some smart students, they are allowed to not to come to classes after they showed their ability to the teacher. Also, teachers don't have to give those an exam if it seems not necessary. I think this type of class boost student's competition, that will in turn boost their progress.
2011年5月12日木曜日
It's all about balance
Everything in this world, the important point is to balance. Shouldn't go too much, in the same way, too little is not good. I sometimes think of what I have done, and reflect that I should have done both, not one-sided.
For example, I've been a little bit busy recently learning Computer Science, and at the same time, I want to learn English and my own study of CS as well. With not little assignment, I have to do. I tend to do English, but I have to both. I also have to OWN CS. The routine work makes it much mature and sophisticated. With time limited, I have to split it into parts and assign them. And I also do some fun, reading news, books, videos, training. Isn't it my excuse to say I don't have enough time to do them all, but it is possible, see the time you waste, such as eating slowly, having a long bath-time. Otherwise, if you say you are busy, you mean you are incapable. right? I've got to do them all.
For example, I've been a little bit busy recently learning Computer Science, and at the same time, I want to learn English and my own study of CS as well. With not little assignment, I have to do. I tend to do English, but I have to both. I also have to OWN CS. The routine work makes it much mature and sophisticated. With time limited, I have to split it into parts and assign them. And I also do some fun, reading news, books, videos, training. Isn't it my excuse to say I don't have enough time to do them all, but it is possible, see the time you waste, such as eating slowly, having a long bath-time. Otherwise, if you say you are busy, you mean you are incapable. right? I've got to do them all.
2011年5月8日日曜日
The difficulty of having presentation in English
Academic presentation requires directness, simpleness, persuasiveness. And it is very difficult for English learners to have sophisticated and well-prepared presentation. Academic presentation is mostly consists of 4 parts, introduction , methodology, findings, and implication. Introduction part has to show what your topic is about and tell the whole picture and has to attract attention. Methodology part should be not long, it just tell how you had research. Finding part is the body of the presentation, based on your research, tell what you found. Implication part finish your presentation making your findings meaningful to the world. It has to tell "So what?" things. Relate your findings to the real world.
Actually, I had 2 academic presentations, last year. The first one was held in front of my classmate, and the second one was held in front of more than 50 people including some professors both native and non-native English speakers. The first one was painful, because it was my first ever academic presentation in front of people fluent in English, while mine was poor. I got really nervous before the presentation. But I noticed that once I started, that had gone. Because I well prepared, prepared what to say, I just went through the way I made. No contingency occurred that I seemed well done. But this easy thinking will be challenged in the next presentation. Well, the first one was I think good start for me. The second presentation, I of course prepared well, but not prepared well for my script and power point, not like the first presentation, because I had so much things to do of Computer Science. But I felt easy because I had an experience of presentation, and I felt I had a progress of English, that I thought I can handle that. And on that day, the professor said, a lot of people come including critical and professional teachers. I got really nervous because of my not very well prepared presentation. I realized that I have to manage it somehow. Once I started, I remember the feeling that was awkward, it was like I am speaking but I am not thinking, my brain was stopped. I read the script, and I don't think my explanation went as I hoped. And finally, I had a questions from audience. And at that time, my English was challenged, since I was so nervous, brain not working properly, I COULDN'T ANSWER.... Presentation is not like completely what you prepare beforehand, it is something that your whole English ability is challenged. I felt my English is not good, that I decided to do more harder. After the presentation, I got cold, really bad cold. That showcase that how touch the presentation was for me, but I think it is not like that anymore. Because I had those last year, those are my strength, source of courage, my start. I am now in the different stage. I won't stop, let's move on. Stay hungry, Stay foolish.
Actually, I had 2 academic presentations, last year. The first one was held in front of my classmate, and the second one was held in front of more than 50 people including some professors both native and non-native English speakers. The first one was painful, because it was my first ever academic presentation in front of people fluent in English, while mine was poor. I got really nervous before the presentation. But I noticed that once I started, that had gone. Because I well prepared, prepared what to say, I just went through the way I made. No contingency occurred that I seemed well done. But this easy thinking will be challenged in the next presentation. Well, the first one was I think good start for me. The second presentation, I of course prepared well, but not prepared well for my script and power point, not like the first presentation, because I had so much things to do of Computer Science. But I felt easy because I had an experience of presentation, and I felt I had a progress of English, that I thought I can handle that. And on that day, the professor said, a lot of people come including critical and professional teachers. I got really nervous because of my not very well prepared presentation. I realized that I have to manage it somehow. Once I started, I remember the feeling that was awkward, it was like I am speaking but I am not thinking, my brain was stopped. I read the script, and I don't think my explanation went as I hoped. And finally, I had a questions from audience. And at that time, my English was challenged, since I was so nervous, brain not working properly, I COULDN'T ANSWER.... Presentation is not like completely what you prepare beforehand, it is something that your whole English ability is challenged. I felt my English is not good, that I decided to do more harder. After the presentation, I got cold, really bad cold. That showcase that how touch the presentation was for me, but I think it is not like that anymore. Because I had those last year, those are my strength, source of courage, my start. I am now in the different stage. I won't stop, let's move on. Stay hungry, Stay foolish.
2011年5月7日土曜日
love at the first sight
It had been long time since I last fell in love with someone, yesterday, on my way to the school, on the train, I was sitting reading a book. The girl right front of me was so cute. She was more than cute, I love her eyes, how she behaved, I don't know but she was special, I wonder how she live her life. I hopelessly just took a look sometime and had nothing I could do, I escaped saying that is is not good, this will make me crazy. But, while in classes later, on my way back to home, before going to bed, I was thinking about her. Recalling her face, her eyes. I am so creepy, am I?
Now I don't know what to do, maybe I'll never meet her again, not to mention talk with her. But I felt this after so long, my heart aches, still.
When I was a elementary school student, I first fell in love with Yuna when I was in my 1st grade. She was so cute that I really get embarrassed talking with her. And while break between classes, I went down to play a one-wheel bicycle with her, not alone with others. I really enjoyed, sometimes I did holding her hands. That was sweet.
After this, I had 3 fallen love. But none of them was not success. Well.. even I don't talk with them. That is a problem, when I fall in love, I get shrink and lose words. I just wanna fix it.
I wonder what's going on when getting girlfriend. How/when/why does that happen. But I know I don't have to think about it, what I need to do is just to dive in. Act as you think and feel. I have nothing to lose. About love, there is no equation. People always not good at it. the turning point is that you act or not.
Now I don't know what to do, maybe I'll never meet her again, not to mention talk with her. But I felt this after so long, my heart aches, still.
When I was a elementary school student, I first fell in love with Yuna when I was in my 1st grade. She was so cute that I really get embarrassed talking with her. And while break between classes, I went down to play a one-wheel bicycle with her, not alone with others. I really enjoyed, sometimes I did holding her hands. That was sweet.
After this, I had 3 fallen love. But none of them was not success. Well.. even I don't talk with them. That is a problem, when I fall in love, I get shrink and lose words. I just wanna fix it.
I wonder what's going on when getting girlfriend. How/when/why does that happen. But I know I don't have to think about it, what I need to do is just to dive in. Act as you think and feel. I have nothing to lose. About love, there is no equation. People always not good at it. the turning point is that you act or not.
2011年5月5日木曜日
Looking back: Who said Japanese not good at English?
Now I am reading a book titled "英語達人列伝" that means "legendary English masters". The book features people in the era that English first came to Japan, when there is no enough book, accurate translation, no real pronunciation, no Internet. Compared to now, it is poor environment for learning English. But those legendary masters did master English in such a bad situation. And not only be fluent, they were more than ordinal native English speaker, they read and wrote very sophisticated books, and spoke not only tell what you have, they could even tell jokes.
The common element they had was "effort". They learned English very hard, that is it. No trick. People tends to be thinking that there is a easy way to master English, but actually as I feel, there is no way but to put as much effort as you can. Nitobe Inazo for example, read all the books in the library in a short period, he even got ill studying too hard. And they don't think those effort as effort. They got really into the learning and was seeing the different world.
With internet and books, people prevalent, the situation is much more better, but Japanese are said to be poor at English. But it is not, the book tells us. If you say you can not speak English and it is Japanese education's fault, rethink about it. What have you done? Language is not something easy to get.
The common element they had was "effort". They learned English very hard, that is it. No trick. People tends to be thinking that there is a easy way to master English, but actually as I feel, there is no way but to put as much effort as you can. Nitobe Inazo for example, read all the books in the library in a short period, he even got ill studying too hard. And they don't think those effort as effort. They got really into the learning and was seeing the different world.
With internet and books, people prevalent, the situation is much more better, but Japanese are said to be poor at English. But it is not, the book tells us. If you say you can not speak English and it is Japanese education's fault, rethink about it. What have you done? Language is not something easy to get.
2011年5月1日日曜日
Incentives matter
What I did yesterday was very little. And that kind of day regularly comes. It is often Saturday, after 5 school days, and I get really released, and I do very useless things. That kind of days is necessary sometimes I think, but it continued too much. So I wanna fix it.
If my incentives were based on really pure curiosity, and that is strong enough, I think I didn't have those days. I think my incentives are really for others, such as parents, relatives, friends. It was just like pride I wanna show it off. Pride of how far I've been. How great things I got be able to do. These pride things are important of course. I've got these as incentives. But these are not enough, and the rate of those are a little too much.
The most necessary incentives I need is curiosity toward my major. I like the field, and I feel fun studying CS/Hardware/Software Engineering/Communication. But, these my incentives are pressured by my incentives of pride. My curiosity should go first, and pride should come later and support and pin it.
I have to change the strength balance of my incentives. That will make my curiosity grows. For example, if I want to go to study abroad, the incentives should curiosity, like I can learn something that can not be acquired in Japan, or what is it like life in the foreign country, etc. the main Incentive should not a pride, like going abroad is something becomes your status, or a lot of smart people go study abroad and me either.
Everything I think about, first I have to have a curiosity. Why/How things are important. Sometimes pride become obstacle of curiosity, if you don't understand something, and wanna ask your teacher/friends. But pride interfere. But if your curiosity is strong enough, that obstacle is there for you to overcome. Remember the students at Stanford, what they asked contained some "Why doesn't know" things. But so what? your curiosity gets satisfied. This is why your curiosity grows faster after it becomes big enough. Let my curiosity come out, let it go.
If my incentives were based on really pure curiosity, and that is strong enough, I think I didn't have those days. I think my incentives are really for others, such as parents, relatives, friends. It was just like pride I wanna show it off. Pride of how far I've been. How great things I got be able to do. These pride things are important of course. I've got these as incentives. But these are not enough, and the rate of those are a little too much.
The most necessary incentives I need is curiosity toward my major. I like the field, and I feel fun studying CS/Hardware/Software Engineering/Communication. But, these my incentives are pressured by my incentives of pride. My curiosity should go first, and pride should come later and support and pin it.
I have to change the strength balance of my incentives. That will make my curiosity grows. For example, if I want to go to study abroad, the incentives should curiosity, like I can learn something that can not be acquired in Japan, or what is it like life in the foreign country, etc. the main Incentive should not a pride, like going abroad is something becomes your status, or a lot of smart people go study abroad and me either.
Everything I think about, first I have to have a curiosity. Why/How things are important. Sometimes pride become obstacle of curiosity, if you don't understand something, and wanna ask your teacher/friends. But pride interfere. But if your curiosity is strong enough, that obstacle is there for you to overcome. Remember the students at Stanford, what they asked contained some "Why doesn't know" things. But so what? your curiosity gets satisfied. This is why your curiosity grows faster after it becomes big enough. Let my curiosity come out, let it go.
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