Speaking
Practice

A time I started using a new technological device was when I bought a new laptop about two years ago. I replaced an older computer that had become very slow and unreliable.

I needed the laptop mainly for study, writing documents, online meetings and basic photo editing. My old device took a long time to start and often froze when several programs were open, so upgrading had become necessary rather than just something I wanted.

On the first day, I spent a few hours setting up the device, installing programs and transferring files from my data backup. The operating system was slightly different from the one I had used before, but overall it was user-friendly. The most difficult part was organising old folders because I had kept too many unnecessary files. After that, everyday use became easy. Applications opened quickly, video calls ran smoothly and I could edit larger documents without waiting for the computer to respond.

The laptop has been extremely helpful because it has sped up my work and reduced small technical problems. It made a noticeable difference to my daily routine. I realised that reliable technology is valuable not because it looks new, but because it lets me focus on the actual task.

A website that helps me a lot in my studies is Wikipedia. I do not use it as the final source for important academic work, but I use it very often as a starting point when I need to understand an unfamiliar topic.

I probably visit it several times a week. It gives short overviews, definitions, timelines and links to related topics. The search function is especially useful when I need to check a concept quickly before reading more detailed reference material elsewhere.

For example, when I recently needed background information on renewable energy, I first read a general page to understand the main types and basic vocabulary. That gave me enough context to make sense of longer articles later. I also followed some of the references at the bottom to find more reliable explanations. Using the site in this way saves time because I can build a basic picture before deciding what information deserves deeper research.

If the website did not exist, my studies would not stop, but simple research would take longer. I would probably be lost without such a quick overview tool when entering a new topic. The key is using it as a guide rather than treating every sentence as a final academic source.

A person I am very happy to know is a colleague named Minh. We met at work about three years ago and gradually became close friends as well as coworkers.

We started talking because we worked on the same project. At first, our conversations were mostly about deadlines and tasks, but I soon realised that he had a good sense of humour and was very easy to talk to. Since then, we have kept in touch even when we are not working on the same things.

When we are together, we usually have lunch, discuss work problems or share advice about ordinary life. He is good at listening without immediately telling people what to do. Last year, when I was unsure about taking on a difficult project, he helped me look at the situation more calmly and asked practical questions instead of pushing me toward one answer. Even on stressful days, a short conversation with him can lift my mood.

I am happy to know him because the friendship feels supportive but not demanding. I trust his judgement, enjoy his company and feel comfortable being myself around him. I am genuinely glad our paths crossed.

A photo that always makes me feel happy is a family photo taken during a short beach trip two years ago. It is not professionally taken, but that is one reason I like it.

The picture shows five members of my family standing near the water just before sunset. Nobody is posing perfectly. My father is laughing, my mother is looking slightly away from the camera and my younger brother is holding his shoes because he had just walked through the water. The sunset light makes the whole photo look warm.

A cousin took the photo after we had spent the afternoon swimming and eating seafood. We were all tired but in a very good mood. I keep the picture on my phone and also have a printed copy on a shelf. I do not look at it every day, but I often see it when scrolling through old photos or cleaning my room. Each time, I remember the relaxed conversations and small jokes from that trip.

The photo brings a smile to my face because it captured the moment naturally. It reminds me that happy memories are often ordinary rather than carefully planned. I like looking back on it because everyone in the picture seems comfortable and genuinely happy.

A piece of technology I find difficult to use is a mirrorless camera that I bought for travel photography. I have had it for about a year, but I still use only part of what it can do.

I bought it because I wanted better photos than my phone could produce, especially in low light and when travelling. The camera can take excellent pictures, but it also has many buttons, menus and manual settings that were completely new to me.

I use the camera a few times each month. Basic automatic mode is easy, but I get confused by settings such as shutter speed, aperture and exposure. On one evening trip, I tried to photograph moving traffic at night and kept getting pictures that were either too dark or blurry. I watched a tutorial and eventually learned how to adjust the exposure and use a faster shutter speed. The result improved, but it took much longer than using a phone.

I feel both frustrated and interested when using it. The camera has a steep learning curve, but I can see that each new skill improves my photos. I do not regret buying it; I just need more practice before the controls feel natural.