Part 1
Photo
How often do you take photographs?
All the time, actually. I have a lifelong passion for taking pictures, not like selfies but pictures of sceneries. I guess it can really help enhance my creativity. I take pictures of almost everywhere I go, whenever I feel like it.
Do you prefer to take pictures of people or sceneries?
As I have said before, I prefer taking pictures of the sceneries and I do it all the time with my camera. I would say that I have a good eye, many people told me that my pictures can bring out an emotional response from them.
Do you frame any photo?
Yes, I did frame one of my favorite photos and hung it in my bedroom. It is a picture of my family in Thailand. It is not a masterpiece or anything, but it really evokes good memories whenever I look at it.
Drawing/Paintings
Do you like drawing (or painting)?
No, not really. I don’t like drawing very much. Maybe because I am not an artistic person and I don’t really have a good eye.
What are the benefits of teaching children how to draw or paint?
It helps children become a more creative person in the future. You know Vietnamese children are forced to learn a lot of science subjects like math and Chemistry and are in desperate need for more well-rounded development, you know.
What is the difference between an adult and a child learning how to draw?
It’s harder for adults to learn something new, especially something as creative as drawing. I believe children will have an edge when it comes to learning how to draw.
Part 2
Describe a language that you want to learn (not English)
• What it is
• How you would learn it
• Where you would learn it
And explain why you want to learn this language.
I have always wanted to be bilingual or even multilingual, so apart from English and Chinese, French is another language I wish to learn.
Honestly speaking, French was not on the top of my list of must-learn languages from the beginning. At first, I planned on learning Japanese. But then when I recalled my time learning Chinese during high school and the fact that Japanese can actually be even be more difficult, I don’t think I can ever remember all of the letters, let alone making out what they say. So, I had to resort to French, which I think will somehow be easier as it shares most of the English latin alphabet.
A second language is obligatory in my faculty so I guess I will be learning French at university. Many of my friends recommended me some language centers but I have no problems with studying French right at my university. It can be stressful at times as the score will be counted into my GPA, but I will take that as a motivation to learn this language seriously.
Learning a language is no doubt a difficult, devastating and frustrating task. It took me years to master my English, and I know it will take no less to have a relatively good command of French. But let’s not get ahead of myself and take baby steps. I’m ready for this challenge.
Part 3
What is an example of an international language that people used to communicate (besides English)?
Chinese can be an example of an international language apart from English. In fact, around one sixth of the world population speaks Chinese as their first language. Even foreigners speak Chinese, mostly in trades and business.
Do you think people will speak the same language in the future (maybe English)?
No, I don’t think people will speak the same language in the future, because a language carries national values and represent the indigenous cultures. In other words, the loss of a language equals the loss of a cultural identity. Individualism urges people to have their own identity, wave their own flags and speak their own language. That is why people of different countries won’t be willing to speak the same language.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Having an international language can bring both benefits and drawbacks. Despite the fact that people speaking the same language can facilitate trades and business meetings, it can result in the distinction of languages, which will eventually bring about the loss of knowledge and cultural identities.
Band 8.0
