eASe

Recently, I've been listening to some online radio stations in Taiwan, like UFO radio and Wave radio. I listen to UFO radio most of the time, because the time I listen to the radio is the time of my favorit show. It's a show that I've been listening to since I was in Senior High. Senior high school students, you know, we were working extremely hard on the entrance examination for college. I used to study for a long time at night until 12ish A.M. (NOTE: that's how I got into a NATIONAL university.)

And also, there was a really exciting thing that occured in the middle of this month on campus, it's still happening in the science building that locates between my dormitory and my department. This cheerful thing is the opening of a large, sult-water aquarium.

I've been waited for this for a fairly long time. It was blocked by a piece of wood with a sign saying "coming soon" on it.

Ever since it was opened, I always try to find the chance to pass through the building. Even if it's a further route than the original one, it's worthwhile to see the aqurium.

If you take a close look, you may notice that there's a bench in front of the aquarium. I haven't really sat down over there, but once in a while when I pass by, there would be people sitting there doing nothing but starring at the aquarium. By the way, when you walk near the place, you would hear some kind of relaxing music playing from somewhere behind the aquarium.

Nice new spot on campus!!

TOEFL iBT wrITinG TesT

This afternoon, students in the department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics were given the chance to take part in the new sample of TOEFL iBT test, and I was one of the students there taking the test. How could I miss this great offer?! The sample test contains only the writing part of the test. The results will not be reported or copied; however, the professor that helped giving the test will be able to read through our writings, and hopefully she will be able to tell us what she thinks of our writing.

The test was divided into two parts. The first part was just like the traditional writing test. It gives a two or three-line description of an idea, and the test takers are asked to write down if they agree or disagree about it. Furthermore, reasons and explanations are required to support their idea. 30 minutes are given for the first part. The second part was the new writing test, which is actually already giving out in the formal test. Frankly, I was really surprised by the new writing test. Whoever thought of this way of testing is really a genius... in my opinion. The new test will take three steps to complete. Firstly, we are given 3 minutes to read a half-page length essay. A tape-recording will be played following the reading. At this time, the essay should be covered, and are not allowed to be seen. However, a piece of blank paper is given in advanced for the test takers to take down notes. After completing the first two steps, test takers are asked to start answering a question on the other side of the page. 20 minutes are given for this part.

The essay question for the first part was "It's better to take the most difficult and challenging classes in college, even if you may not get the top grade (mark) in them". Of course I disagreed with this statement. And I think I did a pretty good job on supporting my ideas. For this reason, I'm kind of looking forward to hearing what the professor thinks about my writing. The second part was more challenging and more interesting. It integrates the skills of reading, listening and writing into a 20-minute test. The note-taking skill could also be a vital skill in this part of test, too. It's exactly like the way we learn in the reality. You do the readings and prepare for the class at home, go to class and listen to the lecture and take down notes during that time, and eventually there will be a test on what you've read on the textbook, and what you've learnt from the lectures in classes. I am totally impressed. If creating the way to assess how much the students have learnt can be called an invention, this new test is so far the greatest inventory I've ever known. But, to most of the Asian students, it could be really hard to prepare this part of test. Good luck, future TOEFL iBT test takers!!

Ph.D. DisSErtATioN DefENse

Today, I was absent from my Applied TESL class because... I had to defense for my dissertation. Of course that can't be true, excuse me for my daydreaming. It was because I went to a CIMT (Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology) Ph.D. student's defense for his dissertation. And most important of all, I did get the permission of my absence from the instructor in advance.

The reason that I really need to go to this defense was because the topic of the dissertation was related to what I wanted to work on for my thesis. The topic was "Effects of Text, Audio, and Graphic Aids in Multimedia Instruction on the Achievement of Students in Volcabulary Learning", and it's in the field of CALL. But rather than working on vocabulary, I prefer pronunciation better. I'm still developing my idea up to this present time. I'm still considering if I should choose to work on sociolinguistics, like pragmatics or speech acts.

During the 40-minute defense, the whole atmosphere was kind of tense. I was extremely impressed by the Ph.D. student because his voice sounded calm. If I were him, I think my voice would be trembling with nervousness. To my surprise, he did a good job on showing his profession without showing panic. However, whenever he was asked a question in the middle of his defense, it took him a long time to think of an answer, which I think was one of the weaknesses of his defense.

After all the members of the dissertation committee asked all questions they had in mind, everyone had to leave the room, because the committee needed time and privacy to discuss over the defense and decide whether this student had met their requirement or not. It took a little while for them to make up their minds. By the time we walked into the room, they were already signing for the "Certificate of Approval" sheet. As soon as we all taken our seat, the chairperson officially announced that the student is now known as a Doctor. If I can be called Dr. Hsiao-Hsuan Chen, I would immediately burst out crying, and nothing can stop me from that for at least half an hour. That moment was indeed touching.

LonG-LosT Me & mY PosTIngS

How's everyone? I haven't written anything on my blog for the longest time ever. I've been alright, but maybe a little bit tired of the homework recently.

I had my haircut last week. I hope it looks nice to you, coz I don't really like it. And by the way, there's no reason to get a haircut, or if I tell you the last time I had my haircut was in September 2004, you'd understand it better.

After having my haircut, I was kind of puzzled by the amount of shampoo I should use to wash my hair. It's pretty short now. Even the hairdresser (or I should say the haircutter, coz comparing to the hair style before, there's no style at all now) I had that day asked me how I made up my mind to cut my hair so short all in a sudden.


A couple of days ago this week, it snowed heavily and it didn't rain before or after it snowed, which was perfect coz the road wouldn't get squishy and nasty. Under is the picture we guys took after the Applied TESOL class.

Couldn't be more beautiful!! I've been waiting for the snow for a rather long time. The snow was six-inch in depth that day. Everything but the clothes on us was white.