Critical Reflection

Language learning is a long term process and there are many techniques for us to improve our language skills. Peer reflection definitely is one of the most effective ways to enhance our writing skills. Through 4 months classes, the peers in ES 1102 gave me a lot of feedback for my essays and presentation. I really appreciate their helps and suggestions.

When I write my essays, I always get too involved in some small points and lose the control for the whole structure. When the peers and friends read the essay, they will point out which part of the essay is too vague and needs to be further illustrated. Also because my English is not fluent and accurate enough, they can give me advises on how to improve it.

The significance of peer review is not only about improving our writing skills but more about learning with the peers and friends and move forward with them. Very often that we can not find out the problems for ourselves but we can figure out the problems for the others. I think that is the meaning of peer reflection. Every friends in this class is like a mirror. Each experiences of peer reflection is a good chance for us to check ourselves and see whether we have the same problems.

The most memorable experience for me is the peer reflection that Teckyi gave for me for my fist draft of reader response. When I wrote my first draft, I chose a very strange thesis which I can not elaborate clearly and I still pay much attention on the grammar problems. Teckyi just told me very directly that the main point was not clear and the connection between the summary and the response was not very well. Then I realized that essay was more about structure rather than the details of language. Even if every sentences are grammatical correct, people still can not get your idea if the essay doesn’t have a clear structure. So I chose another stand and rewrite my reader response.   

  

In my further journey of learning English, I will pay more attention on the structure and content for my essay. I will also keep doing peer reflection and listen to the suggestions that my friends give to me.