Differences Between The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Theses

Every student will face this process in order to finish their study and wishes to get a degree. It calls theses. A thesis is a written record of the work that has been undertaken by a candidate. It constitutes objective evidence of the author’s knowledge and capabilities in the field of interest and is therefore a fair means to gauge them. Although thesis writing may be viewed as an unpleasant obligation on the road to a degree, the discipline it induces may have lifelong benefits. Most people think that writing these for undergraduate and post graduate are just the same. In fact, they have something in common but differ in many aspects.

The difference between the undergraduate and postgraduate theses is one of degree rather than kind. They share a common structure and need for logical rigor. It is only in the substance and the emphasis placed on it that the differences arise. Whereas the under graduated thesis is at present, graded on the quality of research, the significance of the contributions and the style of presentation, the post graduate shall be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, for example, through the discovery of knowledge, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas. While a post graduate is required to present their research in the context of existing knowledge, an undergraduate thesis is judged on originality, independence, and mastery. This means a thorough and critical review of the literature, not necessarily limited to the narrow topic of research, but covering the general area. The post graduate candidate should also show clearly what original contributions she or he has made; in contrast, the under graduate doesn’t have to do that. For lower degrees, a thesis is evidence of the candidate’s capacity to carry out independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, and to analyze and communicate the significant results of that work but for higher degrees must demonstrate, in addition, mastery of the literature and indicate clearly which his or her original work is, and why it is significant.

In conclusion, the basic differentiation between under and post graduate theses is on the degree. Under graduate covers the thesis in narrow topic; post graduate must cover in general and should demonstrate familiarity with previous relevant work in his or her thesis.

A Good Grammar Facilitates a Good Speaking Skill

It has been a headline, a hot topic, and an important issue in many books, seminars, talk shows, and others. Grammar can be a delicate issue deciding it is really important or not to have a good knowledge of grammar in order to speak English well. Some experts say that fluency is the most important English skill. Fluency is the ability to speak (and understand) English quickly and easily... WITHOUT translation. Fluency means you can talk easily with native speakers-- they easily understand you, and you easily understand them. Furthermore, we do not get fluency by studying grammar rules. In short, have a good knowledge of grammar isn’t absolutely essential to make us speaking English well.  Other professionals have different opinion. Grammar is really a matter. See and hear grammar errors can feel pretty darned depressing to those of us who care about language, who love it, and who try to use it as well as we can. Both of these specialists have their arguments why grammar isn’t absolutely essential and why grammar is the basic of speaking English well.

People who agree that grammar isn’t really crucial have strong reason. We have been studying English for years but still do not feel good about our speaking skill. How can it happen? Perhaps we focus more on grammar. A lot of research results show when we actually study grammar rules it impairs our ability to speak. We can’t speak quickly, easily, and automatically if we always think of the grammar rules. Once more, native speakers do not study grammar rules when they learn to speak English. The only time they start studying about it is when they enter senior high school as a means of helping to better their writing skills. So, a good knowledge of grammar will not guarantee us to speak English well.

The groups who agree that grammar is really vital have solid line of reasoning too. It matters a lot, for example, when we are applying a job.  In one survey of hiring managers, 75 percent said it was worse for an applicant to have a pronunciation or grammar error on his interview than for him to show up late. It continues to matter when we've landed that job. Good grammar skill will help us to keep the job. It also makes a person seem more intelligent. Employers do not want people who sound stupid. Yet again, to speak English well, it means to communicate well we have to pay attention to context, and yes good knowledge of grammar badly need in here. Language is used to send messages and get responses. How come the receivers understand what we mean if we speak ungrammatically. The way we speak will show who we really are, an educated person or a person who has never been to school.

Even though these two sides have strong reasons, it is more wisely for us to obey the rules, have a good knowledge of grammar. We are educated people who respect the law of a language. Following and applying grammar rules will produce the most felicitous speaking skill.

Juliana Shepherd’s Experience for Your Better English

Many people still blur. We have been studying English for years but have we been successful? Are we able to speak English quickly, easily, and automatically? If not, then we need to ask how come it happens. Well, perhaps it is because we learn in the wrong way.  So, what is the right way? No worries. I will tell you. It is not your fault. You are not the only in earth who experience this same frustration. Lucky me, couple days ago I joined academic writing class and guess who was there? A native speaker from America named Juliana Shepherd. Yes, your eyes didn’t fool you. She happily shared her experience and here I will do the same thing share it with you. Here they are, the three Juliana’s tips that I quote from her  presentation for your better English.

·         Listening, reading, and repeating

Listening is the main point in the process of learning especially foreign language. It has been a habit in western for parents to read simple stories for children before going to bed. While the mother or father is reading the stories, they will listen and get use with the language. It also creates an interest and helps them want to learn the language.

As an adult learning, is it still important for us to do that? The answer is YES. We can listen to an audio book and read the book in the same time. But remember, we must divide our listening time and also practice narrow listening. What is narrow listening? When we listen to similar things such as one chapter of a story book, we do narrow listening. It will lead our skill sky rocket and speak better than the one who listen different kinds of things.

How to memorize it? No needs to memorize it just listen to it several times at least 30 times. Most people must hear a new word 30 times to remember it forever. It calls repetition. The first 10 times listen and read together, then only listen the audio. Don’t forget to write on your note book the new vocabularies and how to use it too.

·         Media: comics, drama, and games

The second tip is very useful for teacher and that is what we will do in the future, right? Why these media are very useful?

ü  Comics, blank comics without words will help the students to make their own dialogue. We only guide them to the right way and help them if they have problem in how to say it.

ü  Drama, give the students a scenario (for example, a rebellious child) and let them act it out spontaneously (all in English). Don’t forget to practice it first to encourage their confident.

ü  Games, “Pictionary”, hangman, crosswords, hidden words, tell jokes. Who hates games? Everyone loves playing games. So, games will really facilitate them in learning.

·      A full book report, presentations, out of class work, and research paper

The third tip dedicate for advanced learner. They will smooth the progress of their learning due to advance learners need more advance activities. Don’t forget that they will write their final project too. Have students read a book at home and then write a full book report including other sources in their report will train them for improving their writing skill. Present their works in the class also part of their training, because they will do that too in the future. When students get use to present and speech in front of their friends and lecturer, there will be fewer burdens to do that with their final projects. Out of class work and research paper make them know and see the real world in teaching such as when they have to practice teaching in such school. They will learn through experiences and will sharpen their soft skill. Soft skill is very important more than hard skill.

As a conclusion, never thinks to give up when you realize your English is not in progress. Many people face the same problem. Now, we already know the great tips from the native speaker and we believe this is the way they study language so no space for failing. Just follow the steps, practice it and prove it. Note that listening, reading, and repeating are the keys of our success. For teachers, never leave the media; use it as much as we can. Lastly, want to finish your study soon? Never get stuck with the final project? Practicing writing in a full book report, presentations, out of class work, and research paper can help you. So, what we are waiting for. Let’s study English better!

Ps: thanks to Juliana Shepherd for the nice presentation and let me be her friend. Hope it will bring many great things in the future.