English Activities - Written and Visual Activities

Written and Visual  Activities

 In this section, all the written and visual evidence activities will be described.  

1. Brochure Activity – Software Analysis and Development Program

For this activity, I created a digital brochure using Canva as the main design tool. The goal was to introduce and explain the Software Analysis and Development Technology program in a clear and visually appealing way.

The brochure includes basic information about the program, such as its duration, virtual learning modality, and the institution offering it: SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje). I also provided a brief overview of other programs available at SENA.

In addition, the brochure lists the skills and knowledge that students develop throughout the program, such as programming, database management, and software development methodologies. It also highlights the job opportunities that graduates can pursue in the technology field.

At the end of the brochure, I included a short personal description, sharing my interests, goals, and expectations as a student of this career.

 

2. Chronicle Activity – Alan Turing

In this activity, I wrote a chronicle about the life of Alan Turing. I did a research using multiple sources to gather reliable information and organize it chronologically, focusing on the most important events, achievements, challenges, and the lasting legacy he left in history.

In the chronicle, I highlighted key moments such as his early education, his groundbreaking work in mathematics and computing, his crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II, and the difficulties he faced later in life due to his personal circumstances.

This activity helped me practice both reading and writing skills in English, especially focusing on the correct use of simple past tense

Here is the chronicle:

Alan Turing was an English mathematician, logician, philosopher and computer scientist, he is considered the father of theoretical modern computer science.

Alan Turing was born on June 23, 1912, in London, England, as a child he already showed advanced talent and knowledge of mathematics and problem solving. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge where he studied Mathematical Tripos, an advanced mathematics course. Later, from September 1936 to July 1938 he pursued a Ph. D at Princeton University, where he further developed his skills in logic and computing.

His first important achievement was in 1936 when he introduced the concept of the “Turing Machine”, a theoretical model that could simulate any process that could be computed, this became the foundation of computer science showing the limits of what machines could calculate, this theory changed the field of mathematics forever.

Without a doubt, one his most important contribution to human history was his role of Cryptanalysis during World War II, Turing worked at Bletchley Park, the British code-breaking center as a leading participant in the breaking of German ciphers, his team was focused on breaking the Enigma code, which the Nazis used to send encrypted messages, his personal contribution was the development of an electromechanical machine called Bombe which could break the Enigma code more effectively than other decoders.  Many historians believe Turing’s work shortened the war and saved thousands of lives.

After the war, his contributions were focused on computers and artificial intelligence. In February 1946, he presented a paper which was the first detail design of a stored program computer. Later in 1950, he proposed an experiment that became known as “The Turing Test”, the idea was that if a human interrogator could not tell apart, through conversation, if it was talking to a human or a computer and if indeed was a computer, then it could be said that the computer was truly “thinking”.

The last field that Alan Turing contributed was mathematical biology, his studies and papers on morphogenesis were revolutionary but mostly a great example of his immense intelligence, since his mathematical models were confirmed until 2023 by the American Physical Society.

Despite his accomplishments, Alan Turing faced hardship due to his homosexuality, in 1951 he was charged with “gross indecency” as homosexual acts were criminal offences in the United Kingdom at that time, a year later he was convicted and forced to undergo hormonal treatment to reduce libido, known as "chemical castration".

Unfortunately, he was found dead by his housekeeper in June 1954 at age 41, its cited that his cause of death was cyanide poisoning in a suicidal act, Turing´s mother never accepted the official verdict.

Alan Turing´s contributions had an enormous impact on math, biology, modern computing and technology.

3. Job Application Activity – Formal Email Practice

This time, I had to write a fake job application email simulating a real job-seeking situation. The email followed a professional structure, starting with a subject line and a formal greeting. Then, I introduced myself and clearly stated the purpose of the message, which was to express interest in a Junior Programmer position.

In the body of the email, I described my educational background and technical skills, such as proficiency in Python, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and experience with the Angular Framework and database management. I also mentioned my personal strengths, including my enthusiasm for learning, strong work ethic, and adaptability, emphasizing how I could be a valuable addition to the team.

Additionally, I specified that I had attached my CV for the recruiter to review more detailed information about my skills and projects. To close the email, I included a formal farewell and provided my personal contact information for follow-up.

This activity helped me practice formal and professional writing in English, especially focusing on the correct structure of a job application email, as well as the vocabulary and tone used in workplace communication.

Here is the email: 

Subject: Application for Junior Programmer Position

Dear Mr. Lopez

I hope all is well. My name is Juan Camilo Angarita and I am writing to express my interest in the Junior Programmer position at your esteemed company. As a recent graduate in Multimedia Engineering from Universidad Militar Nueva Granada with a strong foundation in various programming languages and frameworks, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.

I have developed solid skills in Python, TypeScript, HTML and CSS, along with knowledge in the Angular Framework and database management. Although I am new to the professional field, I bring dynamism, a strong work ethic, and a genuine enthusiasm for continuous learning of soft skills and emerging technologies. I am highly motivated to grow as a developer and am confident that my adaptability and passion for technology will allow me to quickly fit in with the company´s workflow.

I´ve attached my CV for more details of my skills and projects that I´ve developed in the last year for you to check.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and learning from the talented individuals at your company.

Sincerely,

Juan Angarita

Multimedia Engineer

j.camiloangarita@gmail.com

4. Forum Activity –  Environmental Responsibility at Work

I participated in a written forum discussion focused on environmentally friendly practices in the workplace. The objective was to develop writing skills while reflecting on sustainable actions that individuals and companies can take.

I responded to three main questions:

1. How can you be environmentally friendly at work? 

   With individual actions that help the environment, recycling paper, cardboard and plastic that each person uses in order to cultivate a recycling culture, and if necessary, demanding garbage separation protocols from the company.  Other strategies are: the reduction of paper use by using digital alternatives, turning off lights and electronic devices when they are not in use and avoid single-use plastics.

2. What kind of incentives could a green company offer to its employees? 

   A green company can implement programs such as carpooling (transportation modality that consists of sharing a vehicle with other employees to reduce carbon emissions) or provide bonuses for participating in eco friendly activities or include a public transportation pass as an employee benefit. The company also can invest in a line of products made with recyclable materials (mugs, cups, plates, cutlery, pens) for their employees to use.

3. In what other ways could businesses involve their employees in environmental issues?

    Businesses can implement as requirement, the participation in committees and projects that focus on sustainability, Training campaigns in sustainable culture where environmentally friendly activities are carried out are also important.

 

5. Forum Activity – Personal Experience

I participated in a forum discussion where I described a real-life experience that required flexibility and adaptability to overcome a challenge. The main goal was to practice writing skills in English including various types of conditional sentences (zero, first, second, and third) as well as the past perfect tense.

In my post, I responded to the following questions:

1. What was the result of the experience?

   In high school, in social studies, I participated in an extracurricular activity where we simulated a meeting of the United Nations, each student represented a country and we had to prepare an essay to read in front of the entire school where we would talk about the problems of our country and possible solutions.  Speaking publicly in front of so many people was and is one of my biggest insecurities, so I had to research and study my country, Ecuador, very well to be able to write, learn and read my essay in front of the entire school.

   In the end, I was able to read and explain the problems of my country without any problem, I was extremely nervous but in the end I was able to pull it off, I felt very proud of myself because I was finally able to step out of my comfort zone.

2. How did your flexibility and adaptability help you deal with the situation?

   I don't consider myself a flexible person, I shy away from situations where I don't feel sure of myself and my skills, so I had to rely on my responsibility and compromise to prepare myself and feel comfortable with the essay or speech I was writing 
   

3. Would you change anything in order to deal in a better way with it?

   I feel I didn’t look at the audience enough, if I hadn´t been so insecure, I would have kept my eyesight higher looking directly at the audience´s face, also I feel I could have done a better essay if I had used better sources for my investigation.

This activity helped me not only reflect on my personal experiences but also improve my use of conditional grammar structures and the past perfect tense to describe past and hypothetical situations accurately in English.