Final Reflection on Learning

My reflection at the end of the ES2007S: Professional Communication.

 

This module is one that I felt is the most important out of all my other modules in NUS.

 

Firstly, I would like to thank my tutor, Radhika Jaidev for having patience and accommodation with the class for the whole term. She is indeed an excellent tutor, communicates with the class well, and put her ideas across to the class in an effective manner. She teaches us skills that are useful for the future ie. 'The Brand You' using body gestures and to be assertive.

 

Secondly, my peer teaching team, Charlotte Lee and Yin Yu Meng. Performing well at job interviews is a critical process that everyone wants to achieve. It is indeed a challenge to know what to teach to the class about job interviews. Before, During and After Interviews. After doing a peer teaching on this topic, I am more or less equipped with "What I should do for a job interview".

 

Thirdly, my project proposal team, Wang Renfei and Tony Zhang. Thank you for making this proposal a success. Without their help, there would not be a convincing presentation. We learnt about the migrant workers circle in Singapore and laws implemented with regards to the migrant workers. After doing this proposal, I see migrant workers in a different light as in they help to build Singapore's economy instead of being "dirty and smelly creatures".

 

Lastly, I would like to thank all the others in the ES2007S Class, Ankita, Isabelle, Jerry, Jia Jian, Samuel, Shu Wen, Yee Sheng. Without your presence, the class will not be the same. Thank you for the queries, feedback, comments, questions and lastly LAUGHTER in the class.

 

Once again, I would like to thank my tutor, Radhika Jaidev and the whole class of T6: Charlotte, Yu Meng, Renfei, Tony, Ankita, Isabelle, Jerry, Jia Jian, Samuel, Shu Wen, Yee Sheng.

 

Thank you all for making this a meaningful and memorable learning experience.

Thank you all for making this a meaningful and memorable learning experience.

Thank you all for making this a meaningful and memorable learning experience.

(replay button :) )

Reflection on Project Proposal

My reflection on my recent project proposal regarding on the treatment of migrant workers in Singapore.

Challenges

The challenges I faced was getting my information, ie through primary and secondary research. One may think getting secondary sources wouldn't be a hassle, just google your topic in, and 'taadaah' the information is there! It may sound easy as it seems, but to critically evaluate each source and to check its authenticity is tedious. Besides that, we have to conduct primary research at construction yards. Migrant workers that we talked to have little grasp of the English language which makes it having a communication barrier at times. Nonetheless, we managed to get our research done.

Triumphs

Our successes? We managed to get information from migrant workers by talking to them in a slow manner and we tried to simplify our English to the minimum and using hand gestures! We managed to get information from them and how they felt about their current situation. It was indeed a rewarding feeling after getting the required information at the end of the day.

Learning Points

Plus points ++!! Well, we managed to write a complete proposal regarding on the treatment of foreign workers. It wasn't easy to write a proposal. Nevertheless, writing a proposal was a accomplishment. Furthermore, we had a deeper understanding on the plight of foreign workers and the current laws implemented to "help" foreign workers.

Possible Areas for Improvement

Well, our proposed ideas may not be the best of out the best. This could be due to our limited time on research and our understanding of foreign workers may not be deep enough. Our proposal mainly targets the government to help alleviate their plight. Other issues are also not addressed such as attitudes towards migrant workers by the public. A lot more can be done to help alleviate the current migrant workers situation.

Writing this proposal grants me the opportunity to have a deeper understanding on a migrant worker's life in Singapore.

This changes my view on foreign workers and I will make an effort to treat them better, ie a simple gesture of smiling at them, because making them feel appreciated is what everyone can do.

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

Singapore being a multi-racial country and a country that relies heavily on tourism to grow, it is important we know about different cultures. This will allow us to communicate effectively to a person from another ethnic group, thus we can avoid misunderstandings.

Even the most trivial actions may be unwittingly misinterpreted. This could be "touching someone's head", you could be displaying affection or perhaps helping that person to brush off the speck of dirt on her hair. However, to a Thai, it is considered a taboo and is very rude.

Another simple gesture that we all do is "shaking hands". This is a common gesture displaying friendless. However, for a male to shake hands with an orthodox Muslim woman is considered a taboo.

I would like to share on an embarrassing encounter I had on "Intercultural Behaviour".

I went Japan a year ago and I was caught off-guard on this particular situation. I was in a mall to do some shopping. I picked a few pieces of clothes that I found suitable, I headed over to fitting room. As I was trying on the clothes, there was a knock on the door! The person was the sales assistant, "Sorry, we don't allow shoes inside the fitting room, please leave them outside," she said. I felt awkward. I quickly slip them off and left them outside. I figured that wearing shoes in fitting rooms as well as in homes are considered to be disrespectful in Japan. Whereas in Singapore or even in other countries, it is appropriate to wear shoes in fitting rooms.

As they say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." I found this proverb very applicable to this incident. Therefore, we must be well aware of the culture of others so we will not come across as offensive.

This also applies to communicating with another person from a different ethnic group. By knowing their background, culture and practices, we can communicate with them appropriately.

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Conflicts between people are sometimes inevitable as they arise due to our differing personalities. 

It is important that we adopt a positive attitude to handle these challenges well or "things could get ugly" (the relationship could turn for the worse) and it will be awkward to engage future conversations with that person. 

To prevent disagreements from escalating into heated arguments, we need to analyse our thoughts and actions before engaging with the other party such as to "put yourself in the shoes of others".

Interpersonal communication is a tool that I value to possess but it is not easy to attain mastery. 

I find myself faltering in attaining correct skills for interpersonal communication. 

To illustrate this point, I will share this particular incident that made me discover the "ugly" side of myself... 

It was a meet-up for a simple dinner between me and two of my secondary school friends, Desmond and Shawn. During dinner, Shawn asked if I had a iPad because he needed to check his email for a response. I had an iPad with me which my mother had lent to me for school use. I allowed him to use it provided he used the tablet with care. The main issue starts here.. 

After using it to check his personal emails, he started browsing the web for what I deemed to be inappropriate (to be precise he 'youtube'-ed "animal moaning sounds" ). Not wanting to spoil the atmosphere, I remained silent yet displaying a tinge of disapproval. Desmond was beside him and he seem amused by Shawn's actions and joined in laughing hearteningly. The upcoming event had infuriated me further. He went on opening up a drawing application and started doodling a sketch of a male genitalia. Feeling disgusted, I told him "Why are you drawing this? This is my mother's iPad, can you restrain yourself?". Shawn brushed me of with a nonchalant reply "I didn't draw anything wrong! It's just a cactus castle! It's you who are thinking inappropriately!". Shawn and Desmond continued laughing as they continue drawing the details. I gave a black "thundery cloud" expression and kept glum as I tolerated. After dinner, we headed to my home as they wanted to play with my pet cats. However, whilst in my home, they continued refining the details of their sketch and even started colouring it! I eventually snapped when I heard a 'bang', Shawn dropped the iPad on the floor! The anger within me escalated and overwhelmed me. I yelled, "YOU'RE NOT WELCOMED IN MY HOUSE, THE GATE IS OPEN FOR YOU." Shawn hastily replied back, "but I already said sorry but whatever." He grabbed his bag and grudgingly left the house. Desmond sat at the sofa and was astonished at my behaviour. I knew Desmond was just 'fanning the flames' but did not 'ignite the spark'. I turned back and said in a normal manner, "If you want, you can stay. I'm not driving you out of my house." Desmond stayed for a short while of five to ten minutes and left. This is probably because the situation had turned tense and awkward. 

Interpersonal conflict hurts relationships and portrays the negative part of us. Therefore it is important that we maintain a 'cool-headed' by not letting negative thoughts and emotions get the better of us. 

I reflected on this incident and realised I could: 

1. Taking their actions like a 'pinch of salt' (lightly and jokingly) instead of being so serious.

2. Doing these three steps. Stop. Pause. Think. Putting yourself in the shoes of others. Before carrying out our actions.

3. Giving a chance to allow others to explain. (In this case, I could cool down to hear Shawn's apology and act appropriately.)

4. Not allowing our emotions to overpower ourselves that we block out completely what the other party wants to communicate.

A learning point to take is that we have to be self-aware of ourselves and manage our feelings well.