Tom's Blog

Don't Study TOEIC!!

I'm Tom — Fri, 9 May 2008 09:36:08 +0900

May 1, 2008 I went to KIT(Kumoh National Institute of Technology) to deliver a speech. There was Pop-IT challenge speech contest. It was the second time to do it but I was neverous. I spoke about studying English.

Fortunately I got second award :D

This is my speech.

and this is my writing

more..

Don't study TOEIC!

Hello everyone. I'm Park Hyun-Ung from Andong University, and I'm majoring in computer engineering. I want to tell you about studying English.

How long have you been studying English?

I am sure that most university students have studied it at least 6 or 7 years since middle school. They have studied it for a long time, but they can't speak well with foreigners. What is the problem?

Don't they know the grammar? Yes, they know a lot about it.
Don't they understand an article? Yes, they understand it well.

The real problem is that they have studied it not for communication but for tests. When they were in highschool, they studied it just for midterm or final exam. In university they study it for a high TOEIC score or scholarship. Of course a good test score is important but I think the main purpose of studying English is to communicate with foreigners through letter and speech.

Solving only TOEIC questions is an inefficient way to study. If you study English to find the right answer, you will get a high TOEIC score. But your true English skill will not be improved. I'm not majoring in English education and my English isn't very good. So what I'm saying could be seen as being conceited. However I have a strong conviction from my experience that the following three methods are efficient.

First, listening, reading, speaking and writing are equally important. If you are biased to study one of these, you will soon reach your limit to express yourself. For example if you study conversation all the time and don't study grammar then you could have easy conversation very well but it won't be efficient and effective. You need to study all of them.

Second, connect English with your hobby. You may think that you don't have enough time to study all the language parts. That's right. You have to study your major and write papers and so on. Time is limited. In order to save time, you need to connect studying English to your hobby. If you like sports, then read sports article or watch sports news. If you like TV dramas, then watch American TV dramas.

Finally, take an English conversation class. You need to practice to speak what you want to say and ask teachers anything that you don't know. If you ask the teacher a question, he or she will explain about it in English. In this way you can improve listening, grammar and expressions.

If you take my advice, studying English will not be boring anymore. The only thing you need to do is enjoy English.

Do you still want to study TOEIC for English?

Thank you for listening to my speech. Thank you.

Vitus

I'm Tom — Tue, 6 May 2008 00:09:38 +0900

I want to live my life to do what I want to do.

like Vitus.

Apply for SAMSUNG.

I'm Tom — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:17:00 +0900

Few days ago I got a chance to apply for SAMSUNG by the university president recommendation. Frankly speaking, I've never thought about it this semester so I was really embarrassed. I was going to apply for the company in fall of 2008.

My department officer asked me to submit a resume and cover letter one day before the deadline. Only a day was not enough to write them all. She should have told me about it at least a week ago. I burned the midnight oil that day.

My resume photo

Actually the recommendation is for students who are the first and second of a department. The basic requirements are a good GPA and English ability. The two students who were recommended didn't have a high TOEIC score. The company changed the limitation of the score from 650 to 750. Fortunately I had 870 TOEIC score. Though I'm the third, I got the chance to apply for the company.

I was really lucky, but I don't feel so good now. There are a test called SSAT(SamSung Aptitude Test) on March 30 and an interview on April. The SSAT is really annoying. If I have much time on the test, I'll solve it well. The time isn't enough to think carefully. I know the purpose of the test are instant understandings and judgements. I didn't prepare well so I worry about them.

Today I read many interview memorandums and wrote some e-mail to seniors who are working for the company now. I want to get advice. I really hope I pass the test and interview. I'll try to do my best.

Working for SAMSUNG is one of my dreams.

I'm really into snowboarding!

I'm Tom — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:56:22 +0900

I went to SungWoo resort with Prof. Shim and Lab friends for snowboarding on Feb 22.

Prof. Shim, his wife and Lab friends

It was my first time to go snowboarding. I was very excited to do it so I couldn't fall asleep before the day.
I thought snowboarding is easy and I could do it well. but..My thought was totally wrong. At first I couldn't stand on the board. I tumbled down the board over hundred times. It was really fun though my body was full of pain.

I'm a snowboarder.

with In-Su

On a lift

I thought "If I do it one more time, I could do it well". I really wanted to go snowboarding again. I asked my friends to go together. They accepted my offer with pleasure.

With friends

In front of a snow machine

Three color shadow

Before leaving

Pledging to come next season..

Learning snowboarding is one of the best thing during winter vacation.

Good-bye my friends and congratuations on your graduation

I'm Tom — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:18:00 +0900

I've known them for 8 years. It's quite long time. There were many memoriable events. funny, sad, silly..haha All of them are precious to me. I won't forget you guys.

COMENG gradulates

I'm look forward to seeing you again. Take care!~

We're friends

It looks so natural. Good!~

Cheers!~

I wanted to drink a lot with you that day but I went snowboarding the next day early. I'm sorry. Anyway, it was good to see you.

Congratulations on your graduation!

I'm Tom — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:12:54 +0900

Some of ANUIEH(Andong Nation University International Exchange Helper) friends graduated from Andong Univ last Friday, Feb 22, 2008.

Sung-Wook, 07' ANUIEH President

Sung-wook, you did a great job as the president of ANUIEH last year.
On behalf of ANUIEH, I want say "thank you very much".

ANUIEH Graduates

ANUIEH members and officer Yeon-Suk

Sung-Wook, Tom, and Seung-Hee

Good bye, my friends!~ I hope to see you next M.T. in April.

I went to Dae Gu last weekend.

I'm Tom — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:18:30 +0900

Last Saturday I went to Dae Gu to meet friends whom I met at NURI English camp.
Most of them live in Dae Gu so I went there.
It was very fun. I played board games with them, drunk a lot of soju.

<Me>

I also met my sis. She's working for a hospital as a nutritionist.
She bought me a watch and showed me a movie, "Forever the moment (우리 생에 최고의 순간)".

The movie is about Korean national handball team at Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
It touched me a lot. If you have free time, you should watch it. You won't regret it.

Groundhog Day

I'm Tom — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:38:45 +0900

Phil : Do you know what today is?

Rita : No, what?

Phil : Today is tomorrow. It happened.

Phil : You're here.

It made me think about a day.
How do you think about it?
Do you just spend the time?
Is it the same as yesterday?

Life is a collection of precious days.

I don't know what to do..

I'm Tom — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:17:47 +0900

오늘 블로그를 만들었다. 근데, 무엇을 쓰지?
I made a blog today. then..What shold I write about?
흠...
Hum...

I made up my mind to make this as an English blog about me and my interests.