The document outlines the goals of an e-portfolio for improving Mandarin language skills. The initial goals were to become fluent in Mandarin and learn about Chinese culture. However, the goal was adjusted to focus on proper pronunciation due to fewer opportunities to speak Mandarin. The e-portfolio aims to track progress in writing skills, extensive reading, language fluency, and cultural enrichment. A plan of regular exposure to Mandarin through media, reviewing essay corrections, and thinking in Mandarin is laid out to achieve the goals.

1. E-Portfolio

2. Initial Goals
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
 Improve my fluency in the language
 I want to be fluent in Mandarin
 Mandarin has become one of the most widely spoken languages
 Increases my employability
INTERESTS:
 Broaden my horizon concerning Chinese culture
 For example: Food, Art, History and Politics

3. Change of Goal
Because there are fewer opportunities for me to speak and practice
Mandarin outside of lessons, I have set a more realistic goal of
being able to pronounce the words correctly and precisely, instead
of aiming at being fluent in Mandarin by the end of the course.
After the first essay, other room for improvement include:
 Difficulties with Pronunciation
 Grammar: Punctuation, Conjunctions, etc.
 Industry-Specific Vocabulary
 Style of Writing

4. Summary
Each page of my E-portfolio is dedicated to each of the
following goals:
 Style of writing + Grammar
 Extensive Reading
 Fluency of the language
 Cultural Enrichment

5. Rationale for Goals

6. Goal 1 : Writing and Grammar
• New Goal in light of my first essay:
Noticed several areas for improvement
• Enhancing my writing skills also improves
speaking skills
• Extensive reading helps to achieve this goal

7. Goal 2: Extensive Reading
• I believe this is a vital aspect of my learning process
• Expands my vocabulary and exposes me to complex
phrases and proverbs
• Consistently challenges me and helps me familiarise
myself with the contexts in which particular words
or phrases are best used
• Indirectly enhances my reading, writing, listening
and speaking skills

8. Goal 3: Cultural Enrichment
• Learning a language is much more than
grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.
• Forms and uses of the Chinese language reflect
the cultural values of the society
• One must be able to master the cultural context
in which the language occurs in order to truly
understand the language.

9. Goal 4: Improve Fluency
• Wanted to become fluent as mentioned earlier
• Now: work on pronunciation to improve fluency
• Become competent with the use of both formal
and informal language
• Mandarin is becoming more dominant, and as an
engineer, I may be required to work in Mainland
China

10. Plan of Action
1) Regular Exposure to Mandarin
 Read News
 Listen to Music/Videos
2) Review Corrections from Weekly Essays
 Re-write Essay and Copy Corrections again
 Note down useful phrases or vocabulary
3) Try to Think in Mandarin
 Speak to myself in Mandarin when no-one is around
 Become more confident in ability