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TAC 2011 - bramsterdam - German/Russian | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Learning Log |  | |
| bramsterdam Bilingual Hexaglot Senior Member NetherlandsRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5420 days ago 106 posts - 113 votes  Speaks: Dutch, French*, English*, German, Spanish, Russian | Message 17 of 29 11 May 2011 at 11:40pm | IP Logged |
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Its been over a month since last update. Just been too busy with classes and what not.
Finished German II with a 87 as final mark, was pretty happy about that. Next month I´m going to write a placement test in order to skip over German III and start the 200- level classes. So this month aside from more classes I´ll be going over some more German, and more in depth I guess, plus future cases etc. I feel my Russian has really improved the last few months as well and just 2 weeks ago in Montréal I was mistaken for a native speaker but who lived in Montréal for a while by some Kazakh people we met, this was great to hear. Lately been watching a lot of Russian shows on the internet, one in particular is like a comedy, Zaicev +1, I can usually understand at least 80% of whats being said so already that is a big improvement. Speaking I need to review the cases I think. They still stumble me once and a while. German cases I find easy, plus theres only 3 that you really have to know and lots of them are almost the same, Russian it always varies which is what I screw up with but, slowly and surely getting better! Looks like the summer I probably won´t be going back home to Holland this year, the flight tickets are just way too expensive right now and not getting cheaper. Hopefully I can find something maybe in Montréal. From now till end of July I have 4 tough engineering classes, so whatever time I have outside of them I´m going to try to focus on Russian/German, hopefully it goes ok. I´ll try to update sooner than last time as well haha. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| joanthemaid Triglot Senior Member France Joined 5463 days ago 483 posts - 559 votes Speaks: French*, English, Spanish Studies: Russian, German | Message 18 of 29 12 May 2011 at 8:46pm | IP Logged |
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Ir sounds like you're really getting there with Russian! It makes me want to start studying again. Have a nice summer!
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| Teango Triglot Winner TAC 2010 & 2012 Senior Member United States teango.wordpress.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5549 days ago 2210 posts - 3734 votes Speaks: English*, German, Russian Studies: Hawaiian, French, Toki Pona | Message 19 of 29 06 July 2011 at 6:25pm | IP Logged |
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Spasibo Bramsterdam! You've made excellent progress in Russian over the last year and a half, and as I gather you neither speak another Slavic language nor take it as part of your degree, this gives me that extra little bit of encouragement I need to keep pushing forwards with my own studies too.
I'm at that early intermediate stage in Russian where the road ahead looks daunting, and I feel like just giving up some days and taking on lighter languages instead. I don't though, of course, as amongst other things i) I'm totally hooked on the sounds of this beautiful language and enthralled by Russian culture, and ii) my Russian girlfriend would probably have my guts for garters if I did (lol). Still, I'm forever putting stress on all the wrong syllables, despite my best intentions, or scratching my head over the never-ending supply of convoluted words in novels. It's certainly a challenge and a half, and you're to be commended for reaching an advanced level already whilst balancing this with university work. :) Quick question: Once you'd reached a similar position to where I am now in Russian, what did you find most useful for getting over that intermediate hump? Cheers, Teango Edited by Teango on 06 July 2011 at 9:20pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| bramsterdam Bilingual Hexaglot Senior Member NetherlandsRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5420 days ago 106 posts - 113 votes Speaks: Dutch, French*, English*, German, Spanish, Russian | Message 20 of 29 07 July 2011 at 1:56am | IP Logged |
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Well as far as reading, I don´t think I can give too much advice there as my
reading/writing abilities aren´t that good, or at least not compared to my speaking abilities. I know what you mean with novels and convoluted words for sure, I tried reading one novel but after probably 9-10 pages of reading I decided it was too tough and borrowed a kids book from my girlfriend and started there which was much easier. Then now I read the news online once and a while. Haven´t gotten to a novel in a while just because I´ve been so busy lately with classes and haven´t had time for Russian, only a bit of German since I have to write a placement test in 2 weeks from now. I guess for the hump, speak as much as you can. That´s what got me so far I think, when I made/make (still do) mistakes, friends will correct me and I remember for next time. I always carry notebook with me separate from my uni books to take down small notes on Russian and German when I hear something or find something useful.. either from a friend or from textbook. If you want I can try to be more specific in regards to your question 2 persons have voted this message useful | |
| Teango Triglot Winner TAC 2010 & 2012 Senior Member United States teango.wordpress.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5549 days ago 2210 posts - 3734 votes Speaks: English*, German, Russian Studies: Hawaiian, French, Toki Pona | Message 21 of 29 07 July 2011 at 12:19pm | IP Logged |
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Thanks for the tips! I try and speak only Russian with my girlfriend after work from time to time, but it usually ends up with us both getting frustrated. A chilled-out group of Russian mates to down a few jars with in my little backwater would of course be the ideal. :)
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| bramsterdam Bilingual Hexaglot Senior Member NetherlandsRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5420 days ago 106 posts - 113 votes Speaks: Dutch, French*, English*, German, Spanish, Russian | Message 22 of 29 08 July 2011 at 6:02am | IP Logged |
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Writing in Russian is hard for anyone I think. Even some of my Russian/Kazakh friends
tell me their writing has lots of mistakes even though its their native language haha. Reading comes easier I think as I was able to at least get from children´s book to newspaper- http://lenta.ru/sport/ But yeah just have to get with 3 or 4 Russian speakers and try your best.. Once and a while there are still instances where I feel like I know nothing in Russian haha.. Edited by bramsterdam on 08 July 2011 at 6:04am 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| bramsterdam Bilingual Hexaglot Senior Member NetherlandsRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5420 days ago 106 posts - 113 votes Speaks: Dutch, French*, English*, German, Spanish, Russian | Message 23 of 29 04 August 2011 at 10:48pm | IP Logged |
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Finally done with summer classes. Next 3-4 weeks just going to focus on German and at the
end of the month hopefully go write a language exam for either B1 or B2. Could anyone tell me the main different between the B1-B2-C1? Ive checked it out online but wouldn´t mind hearing from some people with experience who have written them before.. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| joanthemaid Triglot Senior Member France Joined 5463 days ago 483 posts - 559 votes Speaks: French*, English, Spanish Studies: Russian, German | Message 24 of 29 05 August 2011 at 1:30pm | IP Logged |
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i'd say B1 is where it starts being interesting, B2 you can deal with every situation, talk about anything, but not necessarily very well or easily (you're fluent on topics you know, not so much in new situations or under pressure); as for C1 it's fluency without being perfect. That's my take on them, personally I've never taken any...
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