SELF-ASSESMENT OF LISTENING PRACTICE

Listening is a very important task which can show for a student how well he could understand a foreign person. It is not enough to know a grammar and words. It is also important to understand what foreign people a talking about. In order to do it, we should do as much as possible listening practice. Therefore, I have chosen the topic “Treatment of teenage depression” and did a listening practice.
First of all, I would like to say that rate of speaking was pretty good for my perception. I could hear almost all words. The pronunciation was clearly understandable. The biggest problem was my lack of vocabulary in my brains.
I am not a person who likes to risk. For this reason, I have listened the interview from Radio New Zealand with an Australian doctor, Leane Rowe, for two times. Fortunately, it helps me to fix some mistakes. It means that one time for listening is not enough. I can’t concentrate in all tasks at one time.
Moreover, I think that this type of listening helps to improve listening practice because it increases a deeper attention to fundamental goal of question. It is a tricky but beneficial listening.
Furthermore, my ability to understand authentic speech is not the best, but better that it was year ago. I could easily understand a pronunciation without paying attention to the speed. Now I think I would be able to pass an exam of listening practice if the speech were without accent (as it was in this interview).
All in all, a listening practice is still difficult for me. The only reason to improve my listening skills is to be abroad and communicate with foreign people, especially Englishman.

References:

• http://martinmcmorrow.podomatic.com/entry/2009-04-01T15_53_31-07_00

Richard Wiseman's experiments

One of the most famous psychologists nowadays is Richard Wiseman, who has made extraordinarily experiments using tricks and watching people (their reactions, emotions, feelings). He is the professor at the University of Hertfordshire in UK. Over one million people have participated in his experiments. So, in this contribution I would like to tell about his experiments in the show “The People watchers”.
First of all, in the show “The people watchers” part 1 of 5 well-qualified psychologists command, including Richard Wiseman, has actualized a lot of experiments which have shown people’s behavior in different situations. First experiment has demonstrated that people who dare to ask a favour one after another are well-liked for those people who were asked. A salesman asked for a customer to bring a box of goods on the table where he was working. Later salesman asked to do another favour and a customer helped twice. In the end, this customer evaluated a salesman’s helpfulness (9). So, next time you need a favour, don’t hold back (the more you ask, the more you be liked).

Second experiment was done in the street where man and woman were asking to lend a phone in order to call. All three experimented people lent a mobile for a woman but no one lent a phone for a man. It means that British people are more likely to help a woman than a man.
Moreover, in the show “The people watchers” part 2 of 5 the same psychologists command was continuing experiments. They took to the street to find out whether public had a strong sense of their personal space. The question was simple: how far they can extend it? The experiment has shown that every people have their different personal space. So, when you meet a new people have in mind that they have different personals space to you and you have to respect it.
All in all, Richard Wiseman has already made a lot of experiments and has written a lot of books which can help people to understand nowadays problems and their solving. He has written eight books, including the bestselling “The luck factor” and “Did you spot a gorilla?”His new work “Quirkology” examines the curious psychology of every life.

References: http://www.richardwiseman.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2rF3THVuhs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUtXRtC4-vk&feature=related
http://www.richardwiseman.com/books/books.html

Psychology studies at MRU and abroad

Psychology – is a young science or study of the thought processes and behavior of humans. Despite of a young science, you can study psychology in all around the world from Europe to Arabic countries and from Asia to America. We all have a chance to choose the best university according to our needs and our intelligence and financial possibility. I would like to compare two universities: Mykolas Romeris University and the American University in Cairo. I would like to show differences and similarities between psychology studies at these universities.

First of all, the program at AUC emphasizes physical, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social

development from infancy to adulthood. It is very important to know people, they behavior and emotions. The students concentrate on important aspects of individual, group, and cultural dynamics. Because of the psychology studies in Arabic country, especially big attention is distinguished to the cultural differences. Community organizing prepares students to work in development agencies. They have an opportunity to try and test new ideas and to engage community development in new ways. So, students at this university have a lot of training per three studies years. Moreover, students have a similar program like ERASMUS, they can travel and study not only by the spring and fall but also by the summer. The most interesting thing that students must study not only Psychology, but also a little bit Egyptology. Finally, the total of 120 credit hours required for the bachelor’s degree in psychology.

But we are studying at Mykolas Romeris University and the system of this university is rather different. Four-year undergraduate studies give for students a general psychological knowledge. Also a big attention is distinguished to the aspects o individual and how he work in groups. The semester at Mykolas Romeris University lasts 16 weeks and examination session takes 4 weeks. Students will have to attend seminars and lectures and work in groups to prepare the given tasks. Regrettably, there is no training. Moreover, at MRU student has to collect 160 credit hours in order to get the bachelor’s degree in psychology.

All in all, these universities are rather different, but the studies program is similar. The only different is that at American University in Cairo there is no higher mathematics. But if I had a chance and possibilities, I would study in Cairo.

References:http://www.mruni.lt/mru_en_dokumentai/direkcijos/tarptautiniu_rysiu_ir_studiju_direkcija/prospective_students/programmes_en_ru/psychology_08.pdf

http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=11&poid=1146&bc=1

Happiness

Happiness is an emotional or affective state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction. However, how to find true happiness? Are all people around the world full of felicity? A lot of questions do not soothe my heart. Happiness is like a bird which sometimes is too close to the heaven and sometimes is too close to the ground, and so rarely in the place, where it can feel a satisfaction. Our world is full of that type birds, but differently spread around the world. Every country has a distinct culture, religion and it influence humans happiness.

It so strange, that people from South Europe are the most glad. Such countries as Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland and Finland are full of birds which symbolize happiness. There is rather good economical situation, perfect education and a good work circumstance. The weather is not so perfect like in Spain, Egypt or Turkey, but people are happy. It compels to make a conclusion that weather does not influence people felicity.

On the other hand, people from Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Zimbabwe, Tanzania are the most luckless. In those regions a bird does not want to fly, to envelope humans with wing which would bring a smile, satisfaction with life for all people. The only thing, what we can do in order to help them, is a prayer which gives a signal to the bird and maybe it will change its direction of flight.

We live in Lithuania, in country full of unhappy people. This wonderful bird does not try to reach us. But we should try to change the situation, because the happy people live much longer, they get more experience, etc. Moreover, we must believe that one beautiful, sunny day the bird will grow up and it will be strong to reach all countries, all people and all spirits.

SELF-ASSESSMENT OF SUCCESS IN LEARNING ESP

WRITING A SUMMARY.I found difficulties in summaries writing. It was rather hard for me. When I was writing my first analytical summary, I spent a lot of time and wrote too much. But now I am trying to write more concrete. It’s a pity, but I make some mistakes in spelling and grammar and I must concentrate on it.

WRITING COMPREHENSION TESTS ON MODULES IN PSYCHOLOGY. First of all, I would like to say that it was more difficult than I thought before. It takes a lot of time to learn Psychology ESP. Especially definitions are rather complicated. But I have made my system how easy to learn it. I am trying to repeat every new word and definition and to tell them for my colleagues before taking the test.

MAKING POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS.This task was very interesting for me because I had a chance to use my creative power. I have added some funny pictures and of course a music, which helps easily to understand and remember the information. I tried to speak in set terms using short sentences. It’s a pity, but I haven’t written references very well because I have forgotten to write publisher and date.

IMPROMPTU SPEAKING IN CLASS. Using psychological definition is more difficult to speak. My language and pronunciation are better when I am talking with my foreign friends. In order to discuss with colleagues about psychology, I must have a wide vocabulary and good English skills. So, I agree that this task is rather difficult for me.

PERFORMANCE IN LISTENING PRACTICE.My performance on this task hasn't changed. I found difficulties in concentrating on sounds coming from the tape-recorder. I am a good dreamer, but not a good listener. Fortunately, every time I try to leave my dreams at home and to concentrate.

WRITING CONTRIBUTIONS TO E-PORTFOLIO (WEBLOG). Contribution writing is related with my general English knowledge. It takes a lot of time, but this type of writing is rather interesting. Writing contribution gives a chance to spread my knowledge about psychology. I hope I’m rather good on this task.

ESP learning

All of us find difficulties in learning foreign languages. It is very necessary not only in the future but also in today’s fasting world. Now we are learning ESP (English for specific purpose). I would like to offer reasons for learning languages & the benefits: 1. Children's development: learning foreign languages enhances cognitive and critical thinking skills; 2. Finding a job; 3. Making new friends & dating 4.Travelling; 5. Family ethnic and cultural background;

First of all, we have to find our own method that suits our learning style. The method must have an audio component. The person must work at ESP language every day, even for 5 or 10 minutes. He must buy a phrase book and dictionary in order to take them wherever he would go.The easiest ESP learning tip to try! Go ahead and speak and write and don't be afraid to make mistakes, because it is the best way to learn and remember mistakes. Try using memory techniques to help memorize words and phrases. It can help speed up the time needed to learn. Maybe you have a friend or colleague who has learnt ESP too. hare with them phrases and words you have learned. Teach them little bits and pieces of the language.

Analytical summary (Sleep and Dreams)

Robert Feldman's book "Understanding Psychology" describes the basic information about sleep, sleeping problems and meaning of dreams.
In the module, “Sleep and dreams”, author introduces various states of consciousness. Moreover, the text argues that there are five stages of sleep, but the most idiosyncratic is rapid eye movement.
As well as in this module Robert Feldman describes sleep avail and inevitability. Furthermore, the author explores the function and meaning of dreaming. This text explains the most important theories of dreams.
In this module Robert Feldman describes the major sleep disarray and how this is treated. Moreover, the text introduces life cycles and daydreams which is known as the dreams without sleep.
Finally, this module gives the basic information about sleep and dreams.