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TAC 2011 - Team Ì - canada38 | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Learning Log |  | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes  Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 1 of 27 31 December 2010 at 6:35pm | IP Logged |
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Before beginning this journal and TAC 2011, I would like to thank everyone who read and
contributed to my language learning log for 2010. Also, I would like to wish everyone good luck in their studies this year. Language Learning Plan for 2011. Here you'll find my plan for 2011. I've decided to break the year into three phases, namely, Winter Semester (January-April), Summer (May-August), and Fall Semester (September-December). Before the Summer and Fall Semester phases, I'll review my progress, and update my goals based on this progress. Here's how I feel each phase will likely end up: Winter - Great for Spanish, with sufficient time for Italian and German. Summer - Great for Spanish, Italian and German, also time for another project (explained later). Perhaps a break from formal study of Spanish. Fall - Dependant on university course schedule. Italian I plan to continue studying Italian. As a Christmas gift, I received the book Teach Yourself: Essential Italian Grammar. There are 22 standalone chapters along with a grammar appendix. I have read the first chapter, and so far it seems like a great reference. I plan to continue talking regularly with my Italian friend and also to expand my vocabulary. In addition, I still have to complete Pimsleur Levels II and III (30 lessons each). I may not have time for the Pimsleur lessons, so that might have to be delayed until the Summer. I think that my level in Italian is approximately A2, and I would like to be at B2 by this time next year. For a dictionary I'll be using Collins Italian Dictionary. Spanish This semester I'll be taking three courses toward my minor in Spanish. One is a Spanish history course that is conducted in English, but the other two are conducted entirely in Spanish. These two courses are "Intermediate Spanish 2" and "Introduction to Latin American Literature". These courses will likely be my only formal study of Spanish until the Summer, but perhaps I'll also work on my speaking ability. I got an A- in "Intermediate Spanish 1" last semester, and I hope to get a better mark in each Spanish class this semester. As for a textbook, I'm pretty sure we'll continue to use IMAGINA español sin barreras, 2e. For a dictionary I'll be using The Penguin Spanish Dictionary. German I took the beginner level German last semester, and I really enjoyed learning the language. Unfortunately, I don't have any more room for elective courses. The textbook used in the course was Berliner Platz 1 Neu: German for Beginners by Langenscheidt. We covered the first half of the text, so I plan to finish it this Winter. The goal of the text is for the reader to have completed the A1 level. For a dictionary I'll be using Collins Easy Learning German Dictionary. I was also lucky enough to get a copy of Pimsleur Basic German (10 lessons) for almost free a while ago, which has been collecting dust on my bookshelf. I doubt I'll have time to use it during the Winter, so I'll likely use it in the Summer. Other Projects In the summer, I'll review my progress for Italian, Spanish and German, and continue my study of these languages accordingly. Right now, my best guess is that in the Summer I'll study Italian intensely and German at a moderate level. As for Spanish, I'll probably take a break from formal study, and instead focus on conversation. This could include a road trip to the Spanish speaking parts of the USA. For fun, I might also dedicate a few weeks to another language. Right now, the best candidates are Catalan and Icelandic. I would likely use the websites www.parla.cat or www.icelandiconline.is For all those who plan to follow my progress, I hope you enjoy reading. Please feel free to comment! 2 persons have voted this message useful | |
| magictom123 Senior Member United KingdomRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5537 days ago 272 posts - 365 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Italian, French | Message 2 of 27 03 January 2011 at 2:14pm | IP Logged |
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Hi Canada,
I see you rate your Italian at around A2 level. I would say that my level of Italian is probably around the same at the moment. I have read elsewhere on this forum that upon completing all 3 levels of Pimsleur one could expect to be around A2 level. Have you started any of Pimsleur Italian yet. It is incredibly boring but it seems it could be a decent base for a language despite its limited scope. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 3 of 27 03 January 2011 at 3:39pm | IP Logged |
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Last winter I completed Pimsleur Level I, but I was busy with school and it took longer
than I expected. My original plan was to complete levels I and II (60 days), but in roughly 90 days I finished only level I (fail!). Then in the summer I just focused on Spanish, and some Catalan, since I was going to Spain. This fall semester was also a write-off for formal study of Italian, but I did do some reading and lots of conversing with a friend. Anyways, now I've started Pimsleur II and I am currently on the 3rd lesson. I have a relatively easy semester, so I should be able to stick with it and hopefully finish level III as well, by April at the latest. (I know I said in my first post that I might not have time, but I've realised I likely will have time for Pimsleur). I agree that the lessons are quite boring, since they can be very repetitive. However; it's the repetitiveness that makes it stick, so in the end it's worth it. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| JPike1028 Triglot Senior Member United States piketransitions Joined 5341 days ago 297 posts - 337 votes Speaks: English*, French, Italian Studies: German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic (Written), Swedish, Portuguese, Czech | Message 4 of 27 04 January 2011 at 1:05am | IP Logged |
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If I may suggest, there is a great workbook which is only 10 dollars and thusly, is a renewable resource,
called Italian Verb Drills, which is published by McGraw Hill. I think that it gives great practice on the various verb tenses and usage. It is also printed for Spanish, French and German verbs as well. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 5 of 27 04 January 2011 at 11:50pm | IP Logged |
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@JPike: Okay thanks, I may have to consider getting that book. In December, I put a
good amount of effort into verbs. Although, without any exercise sheets, all I could do was write out the various conjugations over and over and over... that got very boring to say the least! Since my last update I've only studied Italian. I've been working through Pimsleur level II, and a few minutes ago I just completed lesson five. The lessons have been going great so far. I've given the correct answer for over 90% of the questions that it asks. When I do make mistakes, they're usually not too far off from the correct answer. I'm happy with my progress so far. As for the Teach Yourself Italian grammar book that I've been reading, it has mostly been a review of material that I've seen before. I was already familiar with many of the concepts on a subconscious level, but it's good to now understand the exact grammar rules. For example, when to use the definite article lo instead of il. I've flipped ahead through the book, and there is definitely lots of new material for me, so I'm looking forward to reaching these sections. Last right I watched a documentary on the RAI website (Radiotelevisione Italiana). It was about archaeology in Oman focusing on the symbolic meaning of the snake. There would be a scene in Oman, usually at an archaeological site. Then a scene in Italy, usually showcasing some cultural aspects or research, then back to Oman, etc. It was somewhat hard to follow, especially when they showed an underground water tunnel in Oman, then showed one in Italy. I have no idea what this has to do with snakes. Either way, I wasn't watching it to learn about snakes, but instead to listen to (and hopefully understand) some Italian language. I wonder if I might be better off to follow some sort of fiction drama show, which would likely have less jargon and more colloquial language and expressions. If anyone knows of any good examples, please let me know! As for the documentary, if anyone is interested, the URL is http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-ddae8 bc1-2cbb-4dd3-9f5e- ae646dd20318.html. Tomorrow is my first day back to class, and as such, my study of Spanish resumes tomorrow. As for German, that will likely resume once I get used to my new school schedule. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 6 of 27 08 January 2011 at 4:20pm | IP Logged |
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I've been back to school for three days now, and I have been to both of my
Spanish classes. Both classes were just an introduction to the material that will be covered this semester. As for the language class, it seems it will be very grammar focused. (Which is good!) There are less students in the class than in the first intermediate level course, so I think the class will run a little better. The professor also made the point of stating that there will only be minimal English; only for complicated explanations and perhaps so course requirements (homework, etc.) are completely understood. As for the literature class, I'm really looking forward to it. There are only about half a dozen students in the class, which I'm sure will facilitate discussion instead of just a lecture from the professor. Its focus will be a survey of stories and a few films from all/most of the countries in Latin America. The course is entirely in Spanish, so this will be a good opportunity to improve my speaking skills. While on topic of my Spanish speaking skills, I should mention a frequent problem that I have had to struggle with. Even though there is much Spanish conversation in class and that I often chat online with my friend from Italy, I principally learn/use Spanish on written assignments for school and learn Italian through audio Pimsleur lessons. This has led me to subconsciously want to always write Spanish and speak Italian. When first try to speak Spanish, Italian always tries to come out instead. The problem usually goes away after a few minutes of speaking Spanish, but it has led to some annoying/embarrassing situations! One example, I ran into a former Spanish professor in the hall at school. "Buenos días, ¿cómo eres tú?" "Sto bene, grazie, e Lei?" "...Bien..." "Mi dispiace, a volte io parlo Italiano quando voglio parlare spagnolo!" "Tú eres hablando Italiano..." etc. etc. Let's just say I made myself look like a complete idiot! It was also pretty funny though. As for study of Italian, I've only completed lesson 6 of Pimsleur since last time. I doubt I'll be able to find time to finish a lesson each day, but hopefully I can finish level II by the first week of February. Edited by canada38 on 08 January 2011 at 4:21pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 7 of 27 13 January 2011 at 5:01am | IP Logged |
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Today was a snow day, so unfortunately, my Spanish language class was cancelled. :( For
those who perhaps live in a warm climate and are unfamiliar with the term 'Snowday', it means a day when an institution (in my case, university) shuts down for the day because there is a big snow storm. I think my Latin American literature class is going to give a huge boost to my Spanish. Last class was the first real lecture, which was an overview of Spanish authors from ~1500 to today. I forgot to mention before, that I technically don't have the prerequisites to be in the class, since it is a 3rd year course and conducted entirely in Spanish (I am in the 2nd semester of 2nd year Spanish). This will force me to catch up really quick, which is good! In preparation for tomorrow's class, I had to read some of the text by Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566) called Brevísima relación de la destrucción de las Indias. He was a Spanish missionary (I think). He described his impressions of the native American peoples, of whom he had a very favourable opinion. He also mentions some of the ills caused by the Spanish Conquest. Regardless, I was impressed with myself that I understood ~80% of this text. I'm pretty sure that it hasn't been rewritten in modern Spanish either. For Italian, I've completed lesson 8 of Pimsleur II. I haven't read any further in the grammar book. Hopefully I can make some good progress by the end of the weekend. To all those who are following, sorry for the short update, but I've got to go to bed! ¡Buenas noches! Edited by canada38 on 13 January 2011 at 5:09am 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| canada38 Tetraglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5439 days ago 304 posts - 417 votes Speaks: English*, Italian, Spanish, French Studies: Portuguese, Japanese | Message 8 of 27 28 January 2011 at 2:32am | IP Logged |
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It has been a long time since my last update. For anyone following my progress, I
haven't given up!! I have been making MAJOR progress with Spanish. Having four Spanish lectures a week has been a great help. In the grammar class we have covered el futuro, el condicional, los pronombres relativos, and how to properly use the subjunctive in acverbial clauses. The vocabulary has focused on the environment/conservation and human rights/government terms. We also watched two short films, which I found fairly easy to understand. As for the literature class, we have covered several short texts. Some were prose and some were poetry. My comprehension is improving rapidly, and I'm starting to feel like I can sit back and enjoy the lecture without trying to understand what's being said. Unfortunately, I've been way to busy with school work to focus on Italian like I should be. However; I was fortunate enough to find an organization distribution Bibles at my university... in various languages! Now I can read the Scriptures and practice Italian at the same time!! 1 person has voted this message useful |
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