Personal Reflection *1

Studying this module has been an easy road for me, due to the fact that I have taken a very similar module last year in the UK. Also, I wrote a lot of essay's in school, which helped me a lot with the summaries that we wrote in class during the past few weeks. This essay will discuss what I learntand haven't   in this module.

There are a few number of things that improved in my English reading skills from this specific module. The most useful skill is skimming through text and extracting main points, this was a very poor skill of mine and now after these few articles we ave been reading it has improved, and I understood the concept of it. However, after the last summary, I have taken note to something I have been doing wrong, that is using synonyms that do not actually fit or link to my writing. Hopefully, this problem will not occur again in the near or far future.

 In conclusion, I have previously taken everything we have took so far in this module, but I cannot say I haven't learnt anything. In addition, I haven't taken a class since August 2012, thus it is satisfying to be taking classes again and refreshing my English skills again after a very long 5 months pause.

Word count: 212

Summary*2 Final

Houbara Bustards 

Due to poaching, over-hunting and destruction of their homes, the North African houbara bustards’ number has significantly decreased in only a few decades. Humans need to be in regular contact with birds that are to be used for breeding to complete the in vitro fertilization process before the spring, which is the breeding season. Up to 600 semen samples are examined to see if the birds are up to par. Once the females are inseminated, it takes four days to lay eggs, and 24 to hatch. Chicks are covered with cloth and are caged, after they reach about 9 months old, they are let go into two batches. According to the article, “A year after their release, an average of 65 per cent of the birds survive” (Todorova, V. 2011). Thus, it can be concluded that the programme was successful in that a substantial amount of the birds stayed alive.

Word Count: 149

Reference:

Todorova, V. (2011, May 27). UAE-funded centre revives endangered bird population - The National. Latest and breaking news | thenational.ae - The National. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heritage/uae-funded-centre-revives-endangered-bird-population

Summary*1 Final

Preserving Emirati Traditions

Students, academics, and experts all agree that traditional sports of the Emirati culture like horse, camel, dhow and saluki racing, alongside falconry are important to the preservation of our national identity. Long ago, these traditional sports were an element of survival, and falcons and salukis are still used to hunt. Some blame schools and university curricula on the absence of knowledge in the traditional way of life amongst modern Emirati youth’s. However, it is necessary for Emirati’s to learn about their past, since it is a vital part of who we are as Emirati’s and it should be passed to other generations. No matter what the circumstances are, our culture and traditions will always be carried on.

 Word Count 117

 References
 Mouslsy, R. (2010, March 28). Keeping traditions alive | GulfNews.com. UAE | Education - Gulf News. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/education/keeping-traditions-alive-1.603773