Thuong Mai University
Department Banking and Finance
Technology
TOPIC:
DISCUSSION SUBJECT: ENGLISH 2
Learning from
failure - A pathway
to success
Lecturer: MS. Le Thi Tuyet Nga
Group: 05
Class: 242_ENTH1511_37
GROUP DISCUSSION ENGLISH 2
Topic: "Learning from failure - a pathway to success"
Group: 05 Class: 242ENTH1511_37
Teacher: Le Thi Tuyet Nga
Group preparation assessment: List of students (in the order of presenting)
Assessment
No. Name Duties (for teacher Mark
only)
Introduction + 1.1.Promote Self- Good
1 Dinh Thi Yen Linh
Reflection + Game (A)
1.2.Enhance Problem-Solving
Good
2 Nguyen Phuong Linh Skills
(A)
1.3. Encourage Growth Mindset
2.1.Challenge Traditional Thinking Good
3 Nguyen Mai Lan
+ Powerpoint (A)
2.2.Encourage Experimentation + Good
4 Tran Ngoc Lam
2.3.Lead to Breakthroughs + Word (A)
3.1.Strengthen Mental Toughness +
Good
5 Nguyen Thuy Linh 3.2.Develop Determination
(A)
4.1.Rebuild the Plan + 4.2.Innovate
Good
6 Luong Phuong Lan Development Thinking + Word
(A)
4.3.Recognize and Analyze Failure Good
7 Pham Thanh Mai
+ Conclusion + Powerpoint (A)
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MEETING MINUTES (1) – GROUP 5
Time: from 20h to 22h10 February 5, 2025.
Place: Online on Google Meet.
Members: Luong Phuong Lan, Nguyen Mai Lan, Dinh Thị Yen Linh, Nguyen Thuy
Linh, Nguyen Phuong Linh, Pham Thanh Mai, Tran Ngoc Lam.
Contents for discussing:
- Identify and select a presentation topic based on the subject provided by the teacher.
- Narrowing the topic.
- Discuss and come up with the final outline.
Conclusion
- Name of the topic: "Learning from failure - a pathway to success"
- Outline (Body):
BODY/ DEVELOPMENT
1. Failure Offers Valuable Lessons
1.1. Promote Self-Reflection
1.2. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
1.3. Encourage Growth Mindset
2. Failure Inspires Creativity and Innovation
2.1. Challenge Traditional Thinking
2.2. Encourage Experimentation
2.3. Lead to Breakthroughs
3. Failure Builds Resilience and Perseverance
3.1. Strengthen Mental Toughness
3.2. Develop Determination
4. Ways to Learn Lessons from Failure
4.1. Rebuild the Plan
4.2. Innovate Development Thinking
4.3. Recognize and Analyze Failure
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Duties for members:
- Dinh Thi Yen Linh: introduction + game + 1.1
- Nguyen Phuong Linh: 1.2 + 1.3
- Nguyen Mai Lan: 2.1 + powerpoint
- Tran Ngoc Lam: 2.3 + 2.3 + word
- Nguyen Thuy Linh: 3.1+ 3.2
- Luong Phuong Lan: 4.1 + 4.2 + word
- Pham Thanh Mai: 4.3 + conclusion + powerpoint
Chairperson Secretary
Lan Linh
Luong Phuong Lan Nguyen Thuy Linh
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MEETING MINUTES (2) – GROUP 5
Time: from 20h to 21h30 February 20, 2025.
Place: Online on Google Meet.
Members: Luong Phuong Lan, Nguyen Mai Lan, Dinh Thị Yen Linh, Nguyen Thuy
Linh, Nguyen Phuong Linh, Pham Thanh Mai, Tran Ngoc Lam.
Contents for discussing:
- Check over and edit some of the remaining errors in the main outline on Word.
- Edit Power Point
- Divide the presentation to each member.
Chairperson Secretary
Lan Linh
Luong Phuong Lan Nguyen Thuy Linh
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
1. Greeting:
Good morning everyone, we are group 5. Today, we are here to talk about “Learning
from failure - A pathway to success.”
2. Introducing the group’s members:
There are 7 members in our group: Luong Phuong Lan, Nguyen Mai Lan, Tran Ngoc
Lam, Dinh Thi Yen Linh, Nguyen Phuong Linh, Nguyen Thuy Linh, Pham Thanh
Mai.
3. Introducing the group’s topic:
This presentation has shown us how failure teaches important lessons, helps us grow,
and encourages creativity. By embracing failure, we can learn from our mistakes,
improve ourselves, and get closer to achieving success.
4. Outlining the presentation:
There are 4 parts in our presentation. The first part discusses failure offer valuable
lessons that help us improve and adapt. The second part explores how failure
promotes creativity and innovation by encouraging risk-taking, providing valuable
feedback, and sparking new ideas. The thirst part examines how failure builds a strong
mindset, builds resilience and perseverance. The final part discusses ways to learn
lessons from failure.
BODY
1. Failure Offers Valuable Lessons
1.1. Promote Self-Reflection
1.2. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
1.3. Encourage Growth Mindset
2. Failure Inspires Creativity and Innovation
2.1. Challenge Traditional Thinking
2.2. Encourage Experimentation
2.3. Lead to Breakthroughs
3. Failure Builds Resilience and Perseverance
3.1. Strengthen Mental Toughness
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3.2. Develop Determination
4. Ways to Learn Lessons from Failure
4.1. Rebuild the Plan
4.2. Innovate Development Thinking
4.3. Recognize and Analyze Failure
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, failure is not something to fear but rather an essential part of the
journey to success. It helps us learn valuable lessons, improve our skills, and
discover areas where we can grow. Failure also sparks creativity and innovation by
encouraging us to take risks and think outside the box. Most importantly, failure
strengthens our mindset, teaching us resilience, promoting growth, and building
confidence. By embracing failure, we unlock our full potential and move closer to
achieving our goals.
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BODY
1. Failure Offers Valuable Lessons
1.1. Promote Self-Reflection
One of the key benefits of self-reflection after failure is the ability to identify
weaknesses and areas for improvement. Often, mistakes stem from overlooked details,
poor decision-making, or a lack of preparation. By analyzing these aspects,
individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their shortcomings and take concrete
steps to address them. Additionally, self-reflection nurtures resilience and adaptability.
Instead of dwelling on negative emotions individuals who engage in introspection
learn to accept failure as part of the growth process. This process encourages a more
constructive mindset, allowing individuals to develop problem-solving skills and
adaptability-both of which are essential for academic and personal success. To reflect
effectively, individuals can ask key questions, write down lessons learned, and seek
feedback from others. Learning from successful individuals who overcame failure also
offers valuable insights. Most importantly, self-reflection should lead to action-
applying these lessons ensures continuous improvement and long-term success.
1.2. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
Improved Decision Making: By enhancing our problem-solving skills, we can make
better decisions. We learn to analyze situations more effectively and identify the best
course of action. This leads to smarter choices in both our academic work and
everyday life. Greater Confidence: When we know how to tackle problems head-on,
we gain confidence in our ability to handle challenges. This self-assurance empowers
us to take on new tasks and face obstacles with a positive mindset. Stronger
Adaptability: Life is full of unexpected problems, and having strong problem-solving
skills allows us to adapt quickly to change. Whether it’s a sudden change in a project
or an unexpected personal challenge, our ability to solve problems enables us to
navigate through these situations more smoothly.
1.3. Encourage Growth Mindset
Dare to face failure: One of the key benefits of a growth mindset is that it helps us
view failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a setback. This makes us more
resilient because we’re not afraid to fail, but instead embrace it as part of the learning
process. Increased Motivation: A growth mindset shifts the fear of failure to the joy of
learning. This motivation drives us to put in the effort, continuously improve, and
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push ourselves beyond our limits. Positive Influence on Others: By embracing a
growth mindset, we not only improve ourselves but also inspire those around us. Our
attitude encourages others to adopt a similar mindset, creating an environment where
everyone thrives and supports each other in the pursuit of growth and learning.
2. Failure Inspires Creativity and Innovation
2.1. Challenge Traditional Thinking
Failure is not only a step back but also an opportunity for innovation and creativity. It
is failure that motivates people to step out of their comfort zone, dare to think
differently and seek more creative approaches.
Failure acts as a motivator that pushes people to question and reconsider old ways of
thinking, rules or methods that have existed for a long time, it forces us to look for
new directions, improve or change working methods.
Failure promotes traditional thinking which is reflected in many aspects of life. In the
field of science and technology, the failure of previous research is an experience for
scientists to improve and complete future research. In the business field, practical
setbacks are the basis for people to eliminate inappropriate things and find better
development directions. In education and personal thinking, failures in study and work
help people realize that success is not only due to innate talent but also depends on
effort and the right learning method.
For example, when Thomas Edison tried thousands of times but could not find a way
to make a perfect electric light bulb, he did not give up but continuously adjusted the
method. Thanks to those failures, he finally succeeded, opening the era of artificial
lighting.
In conclusion, failure is the driving force that helps people break traditional thinking.
Without it, we may forever be stuck in old ways of thinking and unable to progress.
2.2. Encourage Experimentation
Failure helps us break free from old ways and explore new ideas, allowing us to
develop new methods and approaches. When we are not afraid of failing, we become
more willing to test different solutions and push our limits further. Every mistake we
make teaches us something valuable, which enables us to improve step by step. Many
great inventions came from repeated experiments, proving that failure is an essential
part of success. Instead of seeing failure as an end, we should recognize it as a chance
to learn and grow. The more we experiment, the more we discover what works and
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what doesn’t, which ultimately helps us develop creative and effective solutions.
Without failure, we would not be able to innovate and improve.
2.3. Lead to Breakthroughs
Many of the greatest discoveries in history happened because of failure, as it forces us
to think differently and find new ways to solve problems. This often leads to
unexpected breakthroughs that shape the world. For example, scientists and inventors
have made life-changing discoveries by learning from their mistakes. The discovery of
penicillin by Alexander Fleming was an accident that changed medicine forever,
proving how valuable failure can be. Similarly, the invention of Post-it Notes came
from a failed attempt to create a strong adhesive, showing that setbacks can lead to
creative solutions. Failure helps us see new opportunities that we might not have
considered before, opening doors to success. By embracing failure, we can turn
obstacles into achievements, but this requires resilience and adaptability. Instead of
giving up when things don’t go as planned, we should analyze our mistakes, adjust our
approach, and try again. Success often comes to those who persist through failure with
determination and creativity, proving that failure is not the opposite of success but a
crucial part of it.
3. Failure Builds Resilience and Perseverance
3.1. Strengthen Mental Toughness
One of the ways failure enhances mental resilience is by helping us realize that failure
is not the end, but a part of the growth process. Therefore, those who overcome failure
often learn to maintain a positive attitude, optimism, and the willingness to embrace
new challenges without fear. Secondly, failure is an opportunity for us to reflect on
ourselves, reassess our decisions, and from there, help us improve, develop flexibility,
creativity, and quickly adapt to new situations. Failure forces us to face difficulties
and challenges, which is why we cultivate perseverance and resilience. Each time we
rise after a failure, we become stronger and more mentally resilient, ready to embrace
new challenges without fear.
3.2. Develop Determination
Failure is one of the key factors that helps develop determination. It may make us feel
a sense of loss or disappointment, but it can also spark a desire to win, to overcome
difficulties. When we persist after failure, our belief in our own abilities gradually
builds and strengthens. Therefore, failure is no longer a sign of weakness, but an
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opportunity to prove that we can overcome any challenge, creating a stronger resolve
in our journey to achieve our goals.
4. Ways to Learn Lessons from Failure
4.1. Rebuild the Plan
When a plan fails, the most important step is to rebuild it wisely. Firstly, we need to
find the root cause by identifying what went wrong and why. Using tools like the "5
Whys" or SWOT analysis can help us understand the failure better. It’s also important
to gather feedback from others to see different perspectives.
We should change strategies and goals by reviewing our original plan and making
adjustments if needed. Breaking big goals into smaller, manageable steps and setting
SMART goals helps track progress effectively.
After that, we must make changes and test by updating the plan based on lessons
learned.
4.2. Innovate Development Thinking
To move forward successfully, we also need to innovate our thinking. This means
adopting a growth mindset, where we see failure as a learning experience rather than a
defeat. Creating a culture of learning and adaptability, along with improving self-
awareness and emotional control, helps us handle setbacks better.
Lastly, we should encourage creativity and experimentation by finding new ways to
solve problems. A space where fresh ideas are welcomed and tested leads to better
solutions.
4.3. Recognize and Analyze Failure
Recognizing and analyzing failure is an important step in personal development.
When faced with failure, the first crucial thing is to acknowledge the reality that we
have failed and ask ourselves questions like, "Why did this fail?" and "What factors
caused this issue?" to analyze the causes of the failure. From there, we can learn from
the mistakes made and draw valuable lessons. Additionally, we should seek feedback
from others to gain a comprehensive and multidimensional view of the issue. Finally,
failure is an important part of the learning process, so keep an optimistic spirit and
continue striving for your own success.
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NEW WORDS
Words Parts of speech Vietnamese meaning
Resilience Noun Nghị lực, sự kiên cường
Self-reflection Noun tự phản ánh
Self-doubt Noun sự tự nghi ngờ
Overcome Verb Vượt qua, chế ngự
Desire Noun/ Verb Khát vọng, mong muốn
Optimism Noun Sự lạc quan.
Perseverance Noun Sự kiên trì, bền bỉ
Reassess Verb Đánh giá lại, xem xét lại
Root cause Noun Nguyên nhân gốc rễ
Determination Noun Sự quyết tâm
Striving Verb Phấn đấu
Mental toughness Noun phrase Sự mạnh mẽ về tinh thần
Persistence Noun Sự kiên trì
Comfort zone Noun phrase Vùng an toàn
Adaptability Noun Khả năng thích ứng
Stepping stones Noun phrase Bước đệm, nền tảng
Introspection Noun Sự tự xem xét bản thân
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DOCUMENTATION
1. “Strategies for Learning from Failure”, Amy C. Edmondson, 2011
https://hbr.org/2011/04/strategies-for-learning-from-failure
2. “Learning from Failure: The Path to Success”, Sandy Garcés, 2023
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/learning-from-failure-path-success-sandy-
garc%C3%A9s/
3. “Why learning from failure is your key to success”, Madeline Miles, 2022
https://www.betterup.com/blog/learning-from-failure
4.“Why Failure is the Pathway to Success for Every Entrepreneur”, Prime Insights
https://primeinsights.in/why-failure-is-the-pathway-to-success/
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