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
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!
Next post will be somewhere in this week, bye!
I think this is a really good post. You are able to express yourself really well by using the correct words. Still I have a few remarks:
BeantwoordenVerwijderen1. I think that it is recognisable instead of recognizable.
2. It is more academically to write out the numbers. So three instead of 3.
3. Make clearer paragraphs by hanging on to the paragraph guidelines we discussed.
Personally, my expectations were not really the same as yours, despite that my grades were lower at secondary school than yours. I already attend some lectures at the end of the previous year since I already lived in Groningen. There I experienced that the lectures were easily understandable. I already expected this since Dutch people are on a higher level than people from other countries. Therefore I expected the English would not be that hard. I was only concerned about the business part since we did not practice this at my secondary school.
I wrote something but then I noticed that I had to sign in on my wordpress to publish my reaction.. Well, I'll write one again!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI find this also an interesting post! I noticed some grammar mistakes. Watch the use of then and than, and also singular and plural forms. You said, for instance, ' I hope I will notice some results quick' > quickly it is.. You also said 'The 2 major things I must improve is..', but you are talking about two (!) things so then use are instead of is. As Bart already mentioned, it looks more professional to write out the numbers. Well, these were just some recommendations! I hope you find them helpful. Overall, I think your writing is interesting and you can express yourself in a good way.
Then I have just a general question for you: Were you suprised about the level of English at university? Or do you think the level of English was quite related to the level in high school? If not, what can you recommend high schools to improve people's English?
Hi Loran,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI think you wrote a really nice post! I enjoyed reading it, and just as bart said, you really know how to express yourself. Since Joyse and Bart already found some grammar mistakes I only have one remark; I personally thought it was a bit hard the read because of the structure. My advice: try to make some structure in your post so your readers can directly see a introduction, conclusion, and everything between.
Despite of this remark I really like reading your posts!
Kind regards,
Thijmen van der Marel
http://thijmenvdm.wordpress.com/