ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET
STUDENT DETAILS
Student name:
Student ID
number:
Lê Trần Mỹ Duyên
31211022066
UNIT AND TUTORIAL DETAILS
Unit name:
Business Communication
Unit number:
Thursday – Friday
Class day and time: (08:00AM– 11:00AM)
Tutorial/Lecture:
Mr. Michael Saram
Ms. Nhi Tran Linh
Lecturer or Tutor name:
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Title:
Learning Portfolio 1
Length:
2,307 words
Due date:
23/01/2022
Date submitted:
23/01/2022
DECLARATION
I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged.
I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other
student’s work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the
assignment.
I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been submitted by me in
another (previous or current) assessment, except where appropriately referenced, and with
prior permission from the Lecturer / Tutor / Unit Coordinator for this unit.
No part of the assignment/product has been written/ produced for me by any other person
except where collaboration has been authorised by the Lecturer / Tutor /Unit Coordinator
concerned.
I am aware that this work may be reproduced and submitted to plagiarism detection software
programs for the purpose of detecting possible plagiarism (which may retain a copy on its
database for future plagiarism checking).
Student’s signature:
Duyen Le Tran My
Note: An examiner or lecturer / tutor has the right to not mark this assignment if the above
declaration has not been signed.
1. Provide two examples of different points of view you have had with someone else. What
do you think caused these different viewpoints? How did you deal with them?
- First example: “studying abroad” dialogue between my mother and me.
I say, “Personally, learning in another country seizes my opportunities. Firstly, I can travel
to a new country, adapt to its culture, and make foreign friends. Besides, since I live independently
abroad, I can be flexible about my schedule and concerned more about my budget without having
my parents in that place”. However, my mom is not on my same side. She made her reasonable
points. She said that I was too young to study abroad, and no one was there to chat with me if I
had ups and downs. I could be alone out there; this downfall could drag me down at any time. The
result was dropping courses at school, exceeding the specified number of part-time hours, or even
getting pregnant because of me being bored at school and trying to look for fun outside. She saw
these experiences in reality, from news, friends, and relatives. Therefore, she was afraid that they
could harm my future.
When she mentioned the word “pregnant”, I was shocked in a few minutes. I replied to her,
“No, mom. I am not going to do that. I know myself clearly and control my actions. Can not let
the “pregnancy” thing happen.” I think I am not like a person who can freely allow myself to do
that kind of thing. My priorities are family and studying; it would be family and career in the future.
I tried to explain my points, but mom rejected them patiently. She was not mad at me because of
this naïve idea. She got my points, but from her perspective, I took the risk of planning on living
abroad temporarily.
The conversation took a while, so I have to cut corners to extract my story's backbone. I
think the main reasons why my mother and I had such different viewpoints were because of
differences in past experiences and prior knowledge. I belong to Generation Z, which has a lot of
active, energetic, and talented young people. They inspire me a lot, strengthening my viewpoint
about my studying abroad. My mom belongs to the former generation, so she is a semi-traditional
woman in the 21st century, not a completely old school. She still allows me to hang out with friends,
have my own opinions, and choose a major in university. She said she did not force me to go to
med school, and I had the right to chase my dream. However, she wants me to keep studying in
Vietnam and gradually improve my English and Korean. When I graduate from university, I can
apply to multinational companies and travel to other countries for business trips. Maybe I can study
abroad for a Master’s degree later on. She loves that idea, solving that I am old enough to control
my life.
It is hard to change someone’s perception, especially my mom. We have a gap generation
and experiences; therefore, I can not perceive a problem the way she does in a short time. Despite
that, I think her idea of letting me live independently abroad in the future is better than mine in the
present. As a matter of fact, she has only two kids, she worries about bad things that can happen
to them when they live far away from home at young ages. I get how much she loves me, then I
choose to stay here with her in Vietnam and graduate from a university located in Vietnam, then I
will seek a Master’s scholarship to study abroad afterward.
- Second example: “IELTS Test” dialogue between my old high school friend and me.
My second story happened one year ago. In recent years, the IELTS Test is becoming the
most popular thing for most English learners in Vietnam, especially those who want to be accepted
to top selective universities. I was not an exception in this case. I learned English for seven years,
so this is an ideal opportunity to examine my proficiency. I decided to register in January, went to
the institution to sit for the exam, and got a 6.5 IELTS later on.
The controversy was not until I advised my friend to take an IELTS exam so that she
attached the score in her application to university. I knew that IELTS was brand new for her cause
she always focused on studying the high school curriculum, not a proficiency test. However, I
reassured her, “Right now, it is January 2021; you have almost six months left to the University
Entrance Examination 2021. You can take IELTS classes for two or three months then take the
exam. You do not have to get 6.5 the first time like me. 5.5 or 6.0 are also good scores too. And if
you go to university and want to increase the band, you are free to retake it anytime.”
However, she rejected my idea, reckoning that she could not learn English the way I had
done. She had never taken IELTS classes before; therefore, she did not know how the IELTS
format would be. In addition, the IELTS fee was 4.750.000VND (approximately $210). Looking
at that expensive fee, she was afraid to take risks the first time without thoroughly preparing for it.
Consequently, she preferred studying hard with the high school curriculum and participating in the
University Entrance Examination 2021.
I think my friend and I have such different viewpoints because of differences in prior
knowledge and psychological state. Unlike the first example, we are at the same age, which means
we are part of Generation Z. However, we did not grow up in the same place, so we hardly knew
how we perceived the “IELTS things” were different from each other. IELTS was good for me to
apply for the university, but my friend thinks IELTS was not as important as her high GPA at
school. Studying hard at high school helped her get the best score at the University Entrance
Examination 2021. I was an optimistic person who always looked at the bright side if I failed the
first time. In contrast, she was afraid that that test might manipulate her studying, which might
affect her GPA.
I dealt with this situation by ending this topic right away with her and changing the subject.
Because we were not on the same page, the controversy could have led to a worse scenario if I had
argued to defend my point of view. Moreover, she said she was happy with her decision, so there
was nothing to feel sorry for. We can not meet each other every day like we did when we were in
high school since my friend is studying at another university, yet we are still on good terms. I am
still glad for her and hope she stays well in university.
2. Explain the differences between facts and opinions.
Facts
Opinions
- People do research and write reports, articles, - Do not have evidence or research to prove the
etc. about it à information can be seen as facts points.
because of being confirmed in research and
evidence.
- No emotive language.
- Can be based on facts or emotion à readers
confuse whether it is a fact or just an opinion.
- Information is factual.
“Facebook is an important social tool used by
the majority of the respondents to aid their
settling-in process at university” (Madge et al.,
2009) à Researchers did an online survey
with first-year students at a British university
to write an article about Facebook. So this was
not something Mrs. Madge and her colleague
made assumptions about; statistics to prove
and claim it.
- Information may be factual or imaginary
“I think Facebook can help us make friends
more easily, contact each other conveniently,
and keep updated about the news at university”
à My thought about using Facebook to aid my
learning at university.
“I think Spiderman would be the coolest guy I
have ever seen. He can stick to and climb
walls. He also has web-shooters accompanying
him while fighting against evils” à this is my
opinion about Marvel Comic. And the
character named Spiderman is not real.
- Choose the reliable sources to cite
- No need for reliable sources
- Being used in essays. However, facts must be - When referring to the information of an
cited correctly
article, we use opinions to express what we
think about the topic. There is no need for
citation because opinions belong to us.
3. List three strategies for communicating with people for whom English is not their first
language
- As English native speakers, they should speak with non-natives speakers at a moderate speed and
use common words to conversate. Try to avoid slang because average English learners can not
understand the deep cultural meaning
- According to Cheesebro et al. (2009), nonverbal messages come first, then verbal statements
come second. Using body languages like eye contact and hand gestures can interpret the expression
more clearly.
- Be culturally aware. Because ESL speakers have various nationalities, they belong to different
cultures. Many customs, habits, and even beliefs are quite dissimilar to English native speakers.
Accordingly, native speakers should grasp others’ cultures to avoid acting some cultural taboos.
4. Identify three privileges that you have experienced because of your gender, age, and
religious beliefs
Gender:
- In my old high school, I had a flag-salute ceremony every Monday morning. The ceremony
usually occurred around 45 minutes, so we often sat down on plastic stools and listened to the
principal giving his speech. Because of that, boys would take many stools from the store and
arrange the seats for girls. Therefore, girls earned that privilege.
- 08/03 is International Women’s Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and
political achievements of women globally. On this day, most men will buy some roses as gifts for
their loved women, who could be their mothers, their sisters, and their woman teachers. Roses and
some messages and wishes such as “Congratulations, lovely woman. Today you deserve our most
beautiful flowers and poetry!” can light their women up (BI India Bureau, 2021)
- Maternity regime for Vietnamese woman employees: Vietnam law maximizes the benefits for
women so that they are assured that they do not lose jobs during the pregnancy. According to
Clause 1, Article 139 of the Vietnamese Labor Code (2019), woman employees can take maternity
before and after giving birth for six months. If she gave birth to more than two babies
simultaneously, the mother is entitled to an extra month of leave from the second child onwards.
Article 138 of the Labor Code 2019 stipulates that if a pregnant female employee is certified by a
competent medical facility that continuing to work will adversely affect the fetus, she has the right
to suspend the performance of her labor contract.
Age:
- Children have a discount for their tickets to Dam Sen water amusement park. If their height is
below 80cm, they enter the Hoa Binh Gate (the main gate) without. If their height varies from
180cm to 140cm, their ticket cost is 150.000VND, less than 40.000VND for an adult ticket (Dam
Sen Water Park Joint Stock Company, 2022).
- Elderly who are older or equal to 60 years old are entitled to have privileges from society.
According to Clause 1, Article 3 for the Law on the Elderly (Vietnamese Elderly Law, 2009), the
elderly have nine rights to their healthy life mentally and physically.
- In No. 81/2021/ND-CP of Decree of Government (2021), Vietnamese children who attend public
primary schools do not have to pay tuition fees.
Religion:
- People who believe in Buddhism can go to pagodas on Tet, the first day of the lunar month, lunar
full moon day.
- People who have faith in Buddhism, especially Buddhists, can practice meditation, listen to Zen
Master such as Thich Nhat Hanh about silence, peace, listening, etc. His speech is suitable for their
mental health; it helps them increase mindfulness and get rid of Greed, Hatred, Delusion.
- According to Code of Canon Law section 2 (228) (1983):
Ҥ1. Lay persons who are found suitable are qualified to be admitted by the sacred pastors to those
ecclesiastical offices and functions which they are able to exercise according to the precepts of the
law.
§2. Lay persons who excel in necessary knowledge, prudence, and integrity are qualified to assist
the pastors of the Church as experts and advisors, even in councils according to the norm of law.”
5. Provide 120 to 150 words of reflection on your learning from any two (2) portfolio
questions. You may reflect by connecting what you learnt from these questions to prior
knowledge, past experiences, or recent perceptions / assumptions. Use the following as
guidance.
Having been doing Learning Portfolio for two weeks, I have learned many things about the
“Business Communication” topic. Firstly, I have done some online research about some
terminologies and their characteristics, which is a good chance for me to apply those theoretical
classes into practice, so I do not find it hard to remember them. In my opinion, there is a strong
connection between communication breakdown and different points of view; and it is considered
as my most salient point. Breakdown happens when people can not reach the effectiveness of
communication, while different points of view happen when they have their own experiences,
knowledge, and psychological states. If two people can not grasp the content, feeling, and identity
message, a failure of the conversation’s purpose arises and causes many problems (Cheesebro et
al.,2009). Hence, I must learn about three elements and body language to alleviate those barriers.
Reference list
BI India Bureau. (2021, March 7). International Women’s Day 2021 messages and wishes.
Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.in/international/article/internationalwomens-day-2021-messages-and-wishes/articleshow/81373157.cms
Code of Canon law. (1983). https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuriscanonici/cic_index_en.html
Dam Sen Water Park Joint Stock Company. (2022, January 16). Giá vé khách lẻ [Retail fare].
Công viên nước Đầm Sen - Dam Sen water park - Ốc đảo xanh mát giữa thành phố.
https://www.damsenwaterpark.com.vn/gia-ve-khach-le/
Decree of Government 2021, Code No: 81/2021/NĐ-CP. (2021).
https://datafiles.chinhphu.vn/cpp/files/vbpq/2021/08/81.signed.pdf
Madge, C., Meek, J., Wellens, J., & Hooley, T. (2009). Facebook, social integration and informal
learning at university: ‘It is more for socialising and talking to friends about work than
for actually doing work.’ Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 141–155.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439880902923606
Vietnamese Elderly Law 2009, Code No: 39/2009/QH12. (2009). https://thuvienphapluat.vn/vanban/Van-hoa-Xa-hoi/Luat-nguoi-cao-tuoi-nam-2009-98672.aspx
Vietnamese Labor Code 2019, Code No: 45/2019/QH14 (valid from 01/01/2021). (2019).
National Assembly. https://trungtamytegovap.medinet.gov.vn/chuyen-muc/bo-luat-so452019qh14-luat-lao-dong-nam-2019-co-hieu-luc-tu-01012021-c16558-44972.aspx