Im aware that I often get anxious when speaking to someone not so close to me
or when I got instantly excited. This is due to my anxiety in initiating conversation
and the fact that I normally think more than talk, so Im not familiar and
comfortable with speaking or answering question immediately.
For goal #1
http://uk.businessinsider.com/how-deal-with-people-you-dont-like-2017-3
<<< this website offers me great tips to deal with people whom I dont like
- try and put a positive spin on what theyre saying
- smile and nod is a trick when youre getting pissed off by someone
- dont have to agree but should act polite
- get some breathing space if feeling getting worked up
- know that confrontation doesnt mean aggression
- let things go
- keep in mind dont let someone else limits your happiness
3
For goal #2
https://introvertdear.com/news/the-science-behind-why-introverts-struggle-
to-speak/ <<< this website offers me a good explanation on why I get
anxious when trying to speak which helps me understand more about the
problem. Heres the tip for when I struggle to speak or answer (because
that question comes up in small talk )
- Be still and relax
- Be quiet for a moment. Dont rush
- Dont feel embarrassed
https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinapark/2015/03/30/an-introverts-
guide-to-small-talk-eight-painless-tips/#105b20d3574a <<< this website
offers me a good tip too!
- If you botched up a conversation or wish you hadnt said this or that, take
a few minutes to reflect and focus on your takeaway lesson for next time.
Then let it go
4
Summarised tips:
Record :
5
For goal #2 (17/05/17)
Today I had a sudden presentation in class. Although I had written my script, it just
happened to be lost just before the class. I was pretty freaked out, but I remained
calm and became quickly aware that I needed to cover it up. This time I was
confident and remained relax, so I managed to speak loudly, clearly, and confidently.
I also quite surprised with myself. It was the first time I did not get anxious during
class presentation.
6
Interview
Plans to improve :
7
What I got from researching :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=VV1cMmCKxmY <<< this video
suggests me tips to use body language
during the interview. Heres the tips:
- Eye contact
- Lower tones of voice when getting
nervous and speaking to quickly
- No eyes up toward the ceiling (big
pause+eyes on the floor is okay)
- Drop shoulders back (gives off nice
presence)
8
Summary of what I should improve :
- Take a little time to think (if need a big pause, eyes on floor NOT ceiling)
- Relax more, sit more comfortably (fix the posture)
- Less hand gestures
- Try not to repeat the question too often
- Prepare some answers so that I have something in mind to talk about
9
Personal Statement
After taking A-Levels for 2 years, Im planning to enter a UK university for a Linguistics
course. The university that Im planning to enter (for now) is the University of York.
I did a research and found that they have the tips for writing an SOP in their website.
https://www.york.ac.uk/media/study-new/undergraduate/applying/Personal-statement-
guidance.pdf
Heres the example of a personal statement written by a student applying for a Linguistics
course in the UK. He got offers from many high-ranked universities.
>>> https://www.studential.com/personal-statement-examples/linguistics-personal-
statement-1
Outline :
1. Intro
- Who am I
- How and why Im interested in language
2. Body 1
- My passion in language (give example) *I plan to really express this well to
attract the professors who will read this that I am unique and really passionate in
this subject*
3. Body 2
- Extra-curricular activities, work experiences (things I do to further my knowledge)
4. Body 3
- Career plans
11
First draft :
I can definitely say that language is my affinity. The fact that I have learned English since I
was three along with Thai cultivates my deep connection with language. Since then that
connection has been motivating me to further its understanding in a further educational level,
leading to my interest in Linguistics, the one and only course I desire to master.
It started with a joy in learning English. English jolly phonics that I learned, which I come to
know later that it actually is phonetics, builds a strong foundation on my language skills.
I discovered later that understanding in English phonics led me to my passion in learning
other languages as well, for example, French, which I studied for a short period, Korean and
Japanese, that I surprisingly learned from watching cartoons and series. After that, it came
to my realisation that language is more than a communication tool. It is almost like a living
thing. It can always be developed, or dead. Languages have their own structures, meanings,
expressions and rules that I am always mesmerised by how they work.
With these ideas in mind, I always try to widen my knowledge to understand and experience
more in linguistics field. Since the second year during my high school year, I have used my
intelligence to earn some income through working as a freelance translator. This part-time
job gives me several valuable skills. In terms of linguistic knowledge, it is a great opportunity
to learn new vocabularies, idioms, and writing styles in particular topics that I never saw
before. Not only gaining more English language abilities, but also getting to practice my
brain to switch between English and Thai, which are linguistically different in various ways
such as syntax and semantics, in order to transform the source text into a comprehensible
and equivalent targeted language.
12
Comments from others :
- Pin said I should clarify more on the points of why I
have passion towards linguistics. This should be
explained more since not everyone will understand
me and this subject. She also points out some
grammar mistake. There is a brought-up idea that she
thinks is a good point, but it might be placed in a
wrong order. *I should be more specific*
- My mother said the first sentence is what she
impresses the most, but after reading everything, she
didnt get any impact. The writing is flat and not well-
supported of the first sentence. Theres no tension
building and the climax at all. She also helps me
organise my thoughts and adds outstanding points to
the essay.
- Punch said I should add my hobby that I like reading
books.
13
Final draft :
I can definitely say that language is my affinity. My mother told me that when I was very
little, there is one Thai children book that I love so much that I persistently asked her to
read for me everyday over and over again even before I can read. By listening,
assimilating and observing each words repeatedly, I was able to point the exact word
along when my mother was reading even before I was three. After getting a first
language learning input, I started learning English jolly phonics along with Thai, which
cultivates more of my deep connection with language. Since then that connection has
been motivating me to further its understanding in a higher educational level, leading to
my interest in Linguistics, the one and only course I desire to master.
It first started with just a joy in learning language. After I have learned English jolly
phonics, a child-centered approach to teach English literacy synthetic phonics to children
focusing on letter sounds, letter formation, blending, identifying sounds in words, and
tricky words, these skills build a strong foundation that enables me to read, pronounce,
and form a word easily and accurately at a young age. Since I was young, my friends
and teachers have always been saying that I have quite a British accent despite my zero
experience in living abroad apart from a one-time summer course in the UK. This really
differentiates my skills from other Thai students, which I am also surprised and doubt of
the outcome. Whats more, when I studied French for a short time, I was really fascinated
by how it is so similar to English but also unique and beautiful with its own features. The
word la porte means a door in French; in English there is a word portal which also
means a doorway. This discovery of this word relation mesmerises me by how language
derives and evolves from its ancestor. Since then, I have been yearning to understand
more of these ideas and I know that Linguistics holds a key to these answers.
Knowing that this subject needs a high language proficiency and fluency to comprehend,
I try to prepare myself and widen my knowledge to understand and experience more in
linguistics field. Apart from reading novels as a hobby, since the second year during my
high school year, I have used my intelligence to earn some income through working as a
freelance translator. This part-time job gives me several valuable skills. In terms of
linguistic knowledge, it is a great opportunity to learn new vocabularies, idioms, and
writing styles in particular topics that I never saw before. I get to practice my brain to
switch between English and Thai, which are linguistically different in various ways such
as syntax and semantics, in order to transform the source text into a comprehensible and
equivalent targeted language. Apart from knowledge I have perceived, working under
pressure of time, being responsible for the task given, communicating with clients, and
personal-branding are skills for life that I have learned which enhances my experiences
and prepares myself for my future career.
For one thing, Linguistics is not well-known in Thailand as people still do not widely know
how important and helpful this subject is. But I do. As I have experienced it myself, I
know that it really helps build a basic yet essential English abilities. Still, the majority of
Thai children do not receive a chance to learn it properly, resulting in low national English
abilities. My little cousin also suffers from linguistic problem. He cannot pronounce even
his own language properly though he already passed the age of child language
development, and I cannot help him due to my lack of linguistics knowledge. Although I
still do not have enough information to make any firm decisions of what job i want to do, I
bear in mind that I will acquire this knowledge to help others.
14
Reflection :
When I first knowing this assignment, I was pretty relaxed since I have written a personal
statement before, but as I wrote this, I knew that it would be hard for me to be satisfied
with what I wrote. I am a perfectionist and a fussy person when it comes to writing, so it is
not easy for me to write a good personal statement within this short period of time.
However, this assignment really helps me organise and collect my thoughts on why I have
so much passion on language and how that is a precursor to my interest in linguistics,
which are two relevant things that I was never able to explain well. Now I am feeling
thankful that I got to write this SOP.