FINAL (END OF ESP COURSE) SELF-ASSESSMENT

As you all know, I am studying psychology at MRU. So, I decided to share my thoughts about my English course.

ESP vocabulary tests - it was quite hard for me to write ESP tests in class. It was difficult to remember all definitions. However, I strongly believe that it will be very useful in the future.

Writing summaries – it was one of the hardest tasks in English course. because It is difficult to understand what I should mention in the text and how it should looks like.

Speaking Impromptu/short talks - the speaking task was the most frightening, because I am not good at speaking in English. Sometimes I do not know which English word I should use, what I should say. I think I did not perform well at short talks, I found it easier to write than to speak.

Moodle tests - I found it quite easily, because we were writing it at home and I could look at book and check the grammar of definitions. Also, I feel that my vocabulary is improved and developed.

Online listening in class – It was one of the most interesting task in the class. However, sometimes I could not understand what was said, the words were said too fast. Listening to cassettes very helps students to improve English language. However, sometimes I found it difficult to remember and also to understand information in audio, because of my visual memory.

Power Point Presentation - This is my favourite activity in classes. It was very interesting to search new information about Adolescence. It was quite easy for me to prepare and represent PPP.

To sum up, I can said, that I am happy but also understand that I should improve my English skills more and more.

Summary

Stress busters



Stress is one of the most popular health problems nowadays. Also, stress is a very personal thing and there are many various ways to cope with it. Six different people suggest several methods for overcoming stress.

First of all, advertising agency chairman relaxes in a way other people wouldn’t enjoy – by writing.

Secondly, member of Parliament thinks that sea is the most relaxing thing at all. It is important to be outside in the fresh air.

However, according to business executive, family helps to forget all problems and negative thoughts. Moreover, humour is one of the main parts of relaxing method, because laughter is the best medicine.

Fourthly, in bank executive opinion, domestic tasks help to unwind. Then people can think over what is happened during the day and feel more positive.

Nevertheless, TV editor-in-chief thinks, that sport, yoga can help to focus mind on the most important things. This is the best known, scientifically proven way to significantly reduce stress. Moreover, yoga relaxes body and clears mind of the stress and rush of the day.

Sixthly, marriage counsellor believes that cooking helps to switch off minds and absolutely relax.

In conclusion, learning how to relax is a key to good life balance and self respect.

Happiness of different nations

First of all, what is happiness? It is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Nobody is happy all of the time, but some people are definitely more fullfiled than others. What makes people happy? In my opinion, it does not matter material goods or high achievement. It is important your outlook on life, quality of relationships with the people around you.

If we talking about happiness of different nations, so in the 3rd place is Australia. In this country is excellent education, strong economy and personal freedom. Moreover, this country is a good place to start a business.

In the 8th place is Canada. There also a personal freedom is plentiful, immigrants are welcomed. Moreover, corruption is very low and social capital is high. What's more, canadians like to help others and donate to charity.

In the 9th place is Guatemala. It is a small country with an extraordinary natural beauty and an incredible biological diversity within it's borders. 12% of its territory has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

Finally, how to be happy? There are several steps: be optimistic, follow your gut, make enough money to meet your needs(food, shelter, clothing), stay close to your friends and family and smile all the time! Scientists believe that when you smile, whether you fell happy or not, your mood will be elevated.


References: http://www.sq.4mg.com/NationHappiness.htm
http://www.financialjesus.com/how-to-get-rich/top-10-happiest-countries/

Cloning

Cloning is the process used to create copies od DNA fragments, cells or organisms.

Clearly we have a lot to learn about cloning and we also need to engage in discussion of the ethicalissues of creating life. Perhaps it is fortunate that we do not have this power yet. For example, at one time many individuals of low mental ability were sterilized so that their genes would be eradicated from the population. On the other hand, we must consider the possibility that many troubling diseases such as cystic fibrosis may be able to cured by gene therapy.

A second argument against cloning is the ensuing reduction of genetic diversity for the cloned species. This is already a problem with our domesticated animals. Turkeys have been bred to have more white meat - a larger breast. In fact, the breast is now so large that the male turkeys cannot physically make contact with the female turkeys.

In the positive side, human cloning technology could be used to reverse heart attacks. The scientists believe that may be able to treat heart attack victims by cloning their healthy heart cells and injecting them into the areas of the heart that have been damaged.

More over, with cloning infertile couples could have children. Couples go through physically and emotionally painful procedurs for a small chance of having children.

In conclusion, I think that cloning is very dangerous and riscy process. But it isvery useful technique, especially nowadays.


References: http://garybartlett.wordpress.com/2008/05/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/whatiscloning/

Stress

What is stress? It is a feeling that is created when we react to particular events. It is the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina. The events that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a whole range of situations - everything from outright physical danger to making a class presentation.

I have done Stress test. Results have shown that my Quality of life score is 3,6 on a range of 1 to 5. This is a measure of how happy or satisfied I am with my life, including overall self-esteem, health, friends, family.

Secondly, symptom distress score is 3,33 points. This score measures my symptoms od depression, anxiety, hostility.

Moreover, level of functiong score - 4,38. This is a measure of how well I am able to get along in the community.

In conclusion, as each of people is different, there is no one correct way to cope with stress. However, there are a number of defferent things that can be done to reduce stress: identify your problems, talk about your problems, learn about stress management, reduce tension, take your mind off your problems.


References: http://stresstest.net/
                  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php

Personality

What is mean personality? A brief definition would be that personality is made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that make a person unique. In addition to this, personality arises from within the individual and remains fairly consistent throughout life.

I have done "Jung typology test". Results have shown that I am more introvert than extrovert. It is mean, that I am concerned with the inner world of the mind. Introverts like thinking exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time to "recharge".

Feeling preference - 100%. Feeling refers to how people make decisions. I am ruled by my heart instead of my head. Feeling people are subjective and make decisions based on principles and values.

Intuition preference - 62%. Intuition prefer to how people process data. Intuitive people focus on the future and the possibilities. Moreover, I can read between the lines, I am abstract thinker.

And the last result - judging(56%). Judging people like order, organization. Also, they like to have things planned and settled. I think it is absolutely true.

References: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
                  http://www.personalitypage.com/html/info.html

Summary

Giving entire cultures a personality test

Personality is shaped by both genetic and environmental influences. Among the most important of the latter are cultural influences.

According to McCrae et al., global traits do exist. The scientists argued that there are basic tendencies (neuroticism, extraversion) that are independent of culture. Analysis has shown the main stereotypes of people from other cultures. One of those stereotypes is that Canadians consider themselves polite and kindly.

However, there is a negative point of the personality test of cultures. Tests developed in one culture and translated for use in other culture are likely to be insensitive to cultural differences and to produce distorted results. More over, traits exist in all cultures, but account for behaviour less in collectivist than in individualist cultures.

In conclusion, national character is an index of how people see themselves inside a culture. Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others cultures.