From Reading to Something: Last But Not Least (A Sharing)

I am blessed being a part of National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore this semester even only 4 months. A course that I take is "Research Methodology in Applied Linguistics." It is taught by two amazing professors, i.e. Dr. Hu and Dr. Shih. The first half semester is Quantitative Research course taught by Dr. Hu; whereas, the second half one is Qualitative Research course taught by Dr. Shih. I am very thankful being in their courses. All the theories they taught are always supported with the real examples from their own articles published in international journals or other practical ones.

My impression studying at NIE is that I can practice directly in its laboratory that all the computers there have been equipped by the new Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and the professor has slides to explain us step by step. With complete and excellent facilities, my classmates and I learn and try by ourselves directly after Dr. Hu's teaching and guidance. After that, we check whether we all have the same answer or not. Then, later, he leads us the ways to find out the statistics answer needed. I really enjoy this lab sessions, even only 3 meetings.

My second professor, Dr. Shih, has inspired and acknowledge me with the types of qualitative research. His way of teaching and sharing of his brilliant experiences in doing qualitative research opens my eyes that actually there are many things can be investigated using qualitative research. Time for discussion within pairs or groups is really intense and meaningful, and sometimes we also act it. For example, interviewing other classmate as a respondent of one-and-one interview using the list of questions has been prepared by Dr. Shih. We practice to note down what are his or her answers then we analyze them. I do enjoy going into this subject. And thank you for the last session taught last Wednesday, 6 November 2013, 6 - 9 P.M...even we still have 2 more things to be submitted: a qualitative research proposal and eLearning forum thoughts of Mixed-Method research.

Last but not least, I am so pleased to have such wonderful classmates who are always smile and helpful in the class. My greatest thanks to Anba, Angeline, Nisha (congratulation with your 2nd pregnant...be heatlhy & strong), Quiping, Mun Piau, Darwina, Faaizah, Janice, Kelvin, Wei Leng, Felicia, Tze Hui, Kenny, Sharon, Shuxian, Poh Lin, Keith, Tang Weng, Victoria, Wartik, and my beloved team members: Daniel, Edmen, & Matthew. Thank you for having high quality discussion ever in our team. Special thanks to Matthew who has been my friend to go back home together. Many things we discuss on our way home & give suggestion each other...from our family till the 'creepy' men :) . I have learned a lot from you and your wife. What a significant conversation! Good luck with your Ph.D. at NIE. It is a bless for knowing you as my best friend and also for all wonderful classmates (good luck with your master study!). I welcome you when you want to travel to Indonesia, especially to my place, East Java. You have my emails and my blog. Please keep contacting.