Second post!

Well, today my second post on my LLB. I had planned to post some memo-reports we've made, but that isn't possible today. My laptop, on which I made the Memo-reports, does not like the internet at all. He's not in the mood for making connection or something, so sending the memo-reports or uploading them is not a possibility today..
But, I am able to post my Language Learning History. The Hazel study is almost finished, so all the material related to that will be posted on wednesday or something. But first, my Language Learning History (LLH):

Language learning history: Reflective report

The very first second that I heard I had to write this report I started thinking when it was that I started to learn English. Formally, it was in group 7 of the primary school. I can’t remember lots of it, but I can remember that I found quite easy back then. This memory is supported by mine school report of that year. There is stated that I had a ‘Excellent’ for my English. Excellent was the highest ‘mark’ you could get on English.  But, you may have noticed that I just formally in the beginning  of this reflective report. I did this because, personally,  I think that I started maybe 3 years earlier with learning English. 3 years before you reach group 7 you are 8/9 years old. When you are 8/9 years old, nothing is more interesting then television, radio, computers and computer games. When I child hears so much English, you already start with recognizing some words and its definitions. This helps a lot with the development of your English. Well, on my secondary school I had English for 6 years and always had quite good grades for it. On a scale to 10, I normally had something between an 6.8 and 8.5. Scores between the boundaries I just mentioned are quite good, but now really outstanding or something. For that reason, It was quite a hard decision to do a complete English study. I was scared that my English was not as good as that from my group members and that I had to work even harder than my fellow group members. After some weeks, I can say that my English is good enough, so that I maybe was a bit overanxious. I’m not really struggling  with my English, although I have more problems with English on paper than with talking and listening. But, in terms of English, everything goes quite well.
There was one thing on this University that is was quite surprised about, concerning the English language and that is the English of some teachers. I expected that all teachers were able to speak English in a fluent  way. This seems rather normal to me, because they have to teach in this language. However, things turned out in another way. I’ve already met some teachers (that also teach in English, red) that totally flabbergasted me. They talked with a huge, huge Dutch accent and as soon as they weren’t able to find the right words or to make the right sentences, they just said it in Dutch. These things quite surprised me and I totally didn’t expected it on an University, and I still think it is rather strange that such a thing is possible. But, to avoid such things, I’m quite busy with improving my (written) English dramatically. I try to do as much as possible to improve my English. I often watch BBC, also because it’s just great TV. Listen English music, but not only listening, but also understanding the lyrics without internet. Of course, I read a lot in English for this study and I also have to hand in assignment after assignment after assignment, so my written English is really tested these days. This is definitely a good development for me and I hope I will notice some results quick. My final goal is just to use English the way an Englishmen does. I know this goal is quite high, but I think it’s possible. The 2 major things I must improve is, like already mentioned before, my written English and my Dutch accent. Getting rid of that accent is also very important to me, because without that accent the first impression from people of me will be much, much better then when I have a Dutch accent. I comes across as professional and that is something I really want to achieve, and I hope I am able to achieve that this year.  When I can achieve the goals that I’ve just mentioned, I think the next 3 years could be just as fun as useful. It’s just a big relief when you don’t have to worry for grammar mistakes, punctuation, etc. It makes it all easier and more fun.
After the upcoming three years, I hope I benefit hugely from the way I deal with English. If I’m able to reach my goals and pass this study, I hope I can work for a multinational company. That really is something I want to achieve , but therefore I have to work hard, maybe a bit harder then I’m doing right know. But, motivating myself is a bit harder than I expected. Dealing with so much free time is not as easy as it seems, and I definitely have to improve it if I want to pass this course/ block/ semester/ year/ study. It happens quite often that I get distracted when I’m half way with a assignment or something. With these things I’m even irritating myself, but stopping it is not as easy as it seems. But, on the other hand, we’re just started with a whole new way of living, so getting used is not something I have to be ashamed of in my opinion. But I have to improve and perform  better, not only to pass courses, but also for myself, because I know I can do it, and it’s really frustrating when you don’t do it. So, an advice for the students that are starting this course next year will be to set your personal goals as high as possible and really go for it. Really try to achieve as much you can because only then you really enjoy your study I think.
This was my Language Learning History/Review. Including a summary and things that I want to improve myself, which I’m already working on. For now, I’m done!

Loran Seuters (2194147)
Group 10

I know, it's quite a story!
Next post will be somewhere in this week, bye!

Language Learning Blog of Loran Seuters

Finally, a first post on the language learning blog of Loran Seuters. The start was quite frustrating, because two times there wen't something wrong with uploading my blog, due to my really old laptop in combination with a bad internet connection.
But, from now on we look forward and start working on this blog, to make this a real succees.

First, I will start with introduce myself briefly.
I am Loran Seuters, born and raised in a small town called Havelte.I have two sisters (Annemarie, 26 and Heleen, 20) and one brother (Marijn, 24) My parents are divorced since I'm 7 years old, so I don't really now how it to have always both parents around.I went to primary school in Havelte and afterwards to high school in Meppel. High school was a lovely time. Always had lots of friends and I managed to graduate quite easily.
Most of my time I spend with my friends from Havelte. Almost every second free time in holidays and weekends I spend with them. I actually have one hobby besides my friends and that is soccer. I joined the local club when I was 4 years old and I'm still playing there.
But, as I said, I graduated at high school and now I'm studing International Business and management on the university of Groningen. It goes quite well up un till now and I hope I can continue this.
I start this blog for English. In this blog I, and everybody else, can see my progress in English

Choosing an international study was quite a big choise for me. My English was never of such a level that teachers reccomd me to do an Eglish study. However, the experience and the opportunity to study abroad have convinced me to choose this study. I think is was wise decision, because this is exactly what I want. It is hard to keep up with the pace, but I think I'm able to, I only have to get used to it.

I'm already feeling that my English is getting better with the day. My speaking is improved tremendously since the start of this course. Talking in English is no longer an issue for me. Also listening to English has become much easier. It's just that i don't have to translate every word in my head anymore, but I know what it means the very first second I hear it. Take for example the paper 'Asses your skills'. When i have a look my assesment of mine listening skills, I'm actually quite surprised. When I have a look at it know, the assesment would be fare more positive then it was in the beginning of the year.
The only thing i'm struggeling with is the thing i'm doing right now, writing. I find it hard to get the right spelling of words that i don't use that often. I also have problems with the punctuation in English. I hope that one day I can write just as easy in English as an Englishmen does. Therefore, I have to practise more often, and this blog is a good help.

So, I think my learning goals are quite clear for this course. Just improving my english as far as possible, so that I'm not facing any troubles with my english in my years that i'm studing.

In my next posts, which will be quite soon,  i will add two memo reports (Knoplicka and Supersun) with it's related word clouds and word profiles. So, enough things to analyse in the near future. Looking forward to it. I won't let you wait to long, that's a promise.