Reflective Letter
Dear Mr…,
This being my second year in VCU, I had the challenge of ensuring that I applied the skills gained during the first year during my first year of learning special English language program. For me, English is a second language and that gives me hard times in writing. However, through focus groups, I have learnt a lot through discussions and I managed gaining confidence in writing, pronunciation, and other language skills. I was active in-group activities learning communication skills and focusing on a good relationship with my group members throughout the semester. We worked in both class and online always learning how to make class lessons practical and sharing of ideas with team members. This is something that I found interesting, as it helps in developing skills for best expression while writing. Actually, I am certain that I am gradually improving my writing skills.
My advice to students in a similar class is for them to focus on their writing abilities. They can make sure of this through constant practice on various topics and doing practices through writing centers. My aim was is to write about the revolution in Egypt. The motivation towards the topic was from the information I have on the topic and even though I faced the challenge of expression because of my limited writing skills, through my lessons in English, I am sure to avoid common mistakes in grammar and spelling. I plan to frequent the English learning center and ask for criticism from people so that their feedbacks can help me in refining my writing. I had a challenge in finding and summarizing relevant articles on the topic. Through focus on the five keys to effective writing and the poster I created for translation, I am sure to compile a good paper. This was through the guidance in chapter one. Chapter 4 was the most interesting part of the course because of the introduction to technological components. Unit 1 offered the structure of my writing and it took the first 10 pages, but the technical parts in unit 4 needed a unique technique to put together. The writing of the four chapters complemented each other and gave way to the completion of all the four chapters.
This writing created an improvement in my writing and I managed advancing from high school level; writing to university level writing. I had to write the entire paper and have it translated making sure that I present it in a voice that interests the reader in a manner for them to understand my position. I have transitioned in my writing and I can now effectively present my critical thinking skills in concurrence with the requirements of the UNIV 200 for critical thinking. Online discussions were helpful throughout the process of the translation project. It was a chance for developing the translation poster and the feedback from team members presented a chance for clarification of ideas. Through the UNIV, I managed getting help from the librarian regarding any problems that I faced during the process. However, it is reckonable that I enjoyed writing my papers and I attribute that to the fact that I chose topics that interested me and through UNIV 200, I focused on success for my papers. The reinforcement of this was through the enforcement of my teacher who says, “If you are not interested in what you are writing then no one will be!”
Generally, the UNIV class helped me in improving my English writing skills. It was helpful in preparing me for other university classes now that I can write university level papers that are of good quality. Through the English course, I now know the power of written word and language in convincing the reader. I still have several skills to learn, but I am sure to improve my skills further through this program.
Best regards,
