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Marco’s Odyssey | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Learning Log |  | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 33 of 56 12 February 2011 at 1:15am | IP Logged |
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Le jour de l'odyssée: Vingt-trois Le jour: Vendredi, le 11 février, 2011 Le français: Oui Aujourd'hui: F1: J'ai écouté a une unité du Pimsleur II. (Pimsleur II - 6/30). F2: J'ai regardé le TF1 'Paroles de Français' pour 50 min. Je peux bien comprendre Sarko. F3: J'ai lu un article de 'Le monde', et aussi j'ai écrit les nouveaux mots dans mon carnet. F4: Assimil: (9/113) F5: La grammaire: (23/297) - Review page of exercies - Mixed results I didn't do too well, I'll have to go back over the chapter. IP2 - La nouvelle grande campagne! oui Le délai: 31/3/2011 : Le jour de la nouvelle grande campagne: 1/48. A. .5 - (3/23) B. - (0/23) Mes pensées: Le français: ca va bien. IP2 - La grande campage - maintenant c'est devenu 'la nouvelle grande campagne' pour mieux lutter contre le atermoiement! Désormais je réussirai. L'allemand: Je le commencerai en 66 jours. Le japanais (le kanji): Je le commencerai en 66 jours. En anglais: Thoughts on this French Log: This French log has been very useful - It's proved that I can work consistently on a project. - It's given me an outlet for my thoughts. - It's provided me with a sense of perspective: - On my mood, good days and bad. - On how I act and behave, ie vis-a-vis pressure, etc - It's motivated me to work. I don't think I would have worked on French if it hadn't been for this log. It's been a case of realising that it's 9pm, that I haven't done anything, and that I'm about to either report that I haven't done anything or fail to report at all. That's really why I've been able to do French each day. Nothing to do with good habits, discipline or the like. I'm still a very long way from being 'productive' and 'in control'. I still procrastinate on too many things for too long. Other thoughts: - I've noticed that my feelings toward French have changed a little. It's not that I 'love' it now, but I feel like I've taken a small step (a very small step) towards loving it. - I feel confused by the fact that I just can't work on projects that I want to do and need to do (like IP1 and IP2). I don't understand why. It's baffling. Maybe it's just habit? - On pressure, (1) I've always thought I handled it well. Another of my conceits. Now I'm not so sure. I think I just stuck my head in the sand until the very last moment, when suddenly it would become the most urgent thing, and then I struggled through it, and cheated myself. I see that I'm paying quite a high price now for living that way. - On pressure, (2) I think I'll change my days remaining clock on 'La grande challenge' to one counting up rather than down, ie today is 1/49 days I will have worked on it continuously. I don't seem to react to the stress of a countdown very well, whereas I like to keep a daily count accumulating. I'll take a lesson from my progress with French: start small, build up. Hence 'la nouvelle grande campagne'. - I've noticed that I'm out of practice writing in English. Even though I'm a native speaker I find that many of my log posts are tortuous. Maybe I should add 'the elements of style' to my reading list, and add 'English' as a language I'm studying. - Also on the topic of English, I've noticed two other points: - (1) I've begun to wonder how I would use French if I did learn it fluently. I've been reflecting on how I use English, how I communicate socially, and I think I'm rather passive. Perhaps the biggest hurdle I will face in (and perhaps the greatest reward I may reap from) studying French is to develop into a more active social being. - (2) I was looking at the requirements for the DALF C2 and I'm not sure I'd pass them in English... it's just that I don't particularly care about many issues so I don't see what I could say or how I could convincingly argue for or against them. I'd be indecisive, I'd get tongue tied going back and forth qualifying points made. So I suppose that if I am to ever pass the DALF C2 then I'll need to (like a politician) decide certain 'policy' matters and learn to convincingly lie through my teeth. Again this is probably a skill I need to develop in life anyway. - I abandoned the 'trigger' method (ie do 20 mins of IP1 before breakfast etc.), it was working. I must go back to it. On learning French: - I definitely need to implement flash cards / anki. I don't feel I'm absorbing enough at the moment. I think that flashcards would improve my learning efficiency. - I'd like to add dailyfrenchpod.com to my daily list of activities. However I think I need to take IP2 in hand before I add anymore French activities. - Otherwise this log could just end up as another example of procrastination vis-a-vis IP2. I have a busy day tomorrow and I'll be away from my computer from the early afternoon right through to Sunday. If I don't get French done in the morning then I won't get the chance to do it at all. M (22/100) 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 34 of 56 12 February 2011 at 3:01pm | IP Logged |
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Le jour de l'odyssée: Vingt-quatre Le jour: Samedi, le 12 février, 2011 Le français: Oui Aujourd'hui: F1: J'ai écouté a une unité du Pimsleur II. (Pimsleur II - 7/30). F2: J'ai regardé le TF1 'Paroles de Français' pour 5 min. F3: J'ai lu un article de 'Le monde', et aussi j'ai écrit les nouveaux mots dans mon carnet. F4: Assimil: (10/113) F5: La grammaire: (23/297) - reviewed part of first chapter. IP2 - La nouvelle grande campagne! oui Le délai: 31/3/2011 : Le jour de la nouvelle grande campagne: 2/48. A. - (3/23) B. - (0/23) I don't have much time today, and started late. Still I experimented with a review of what I did yesterday. Something is better than nothing. Mes pensées: Le français: IP2 - La grande campage - L'allemand: Je le commencerai en 64 jours. Le japanais (le kanji): Je le commencerai en 64 jours. En anglais: I've run out of time today. M (23/100) 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 35 of 56 13 February 2011 at 7:13pm | IP Logged |
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For week: Sunday 6th February to Saturday 12th February 2011 inclusive. Review No.: Three Current Challenge: A hundred days of French study. (24/100) Review of the Week: Completed my first 20 days with this log, and daily learning of French. Started Pim II Started structured grammar learning. Continued with daily Le Monde and TF1/radio. Researched: dailyfrenchpod.com Anki DALF and DELF Had issues with low mood and feeling under pressure. Reflections on Week and beyond: Pressure I've put too much pressure on myself by constantly self evaluation my progress at French. I've decided to resist evaluating my progress until one hundred days have elapsed. I've realised that I don't react well to pressure. I've removed the count-down clock for IP2 and replaced it with a count-up clock. Active v Passive Learning: So far my study has been largely passive, i.e. read Le Monde, watch TF1, follow along with the audio courses. I need to be more active and to start composing French passages. As an intermediary step I need to get on top of French grammar. At the start of the week I began to write this log in French, but quickly reverted to English. I think it's because I'm not comfortable with the grammar yet. I started reading a book on French grammar but I feel I'm not retaining enough of the information. I need to implement a more active learning methodology ie flash cards to help me learn. I've decided to trial Anki this week. Since I want to learn other languages I think it is important that I find the most efficient methods of language learning for me. DALF C2 - Plan: I've been trying to come up with a basic plan to achieve my ultimate goal of a DALF C2. I'm thinking about the DELF B2 exam as an intermediate step. I've taken a look at the sample audio and exam papers and I think I should be well on track for B2 after my 100 days if I start to the move from passive to active learning, and if I begin to speak in French / practice oral examinations - which has always been my weakness. Accordingly I'm considering whether I should add the DELF B2 to my French goals for 2011. DELF B2 exams are held twice a year February and June. So if I want to pass the DELF this year I would have to do it in June. Registration seems to close two months before, so I'm estimating early April. This is much sooner than I would have liked. So should I try and sit the DELF B2 this June? Pros: - A clear attainable target may motivate me to continue to work hard and improve my study methods. - A stepping stone to DALF in June 2012? - Clarify my intent... time to put up, or shut up. - Provide an objective assessment of my French abilities, as opposed to self assessment (I can be too pessimistic at times). Cons: - Increased pressure, not just the June exam, but the early April registration date in particular ... and I've only just recognised that I don't handle pressure well. - Failure.... waste of money, demoralisation... (but it's only money, and there are other sittings) - Distraction from other projects. (much more serious) Opportunities: - May open opportunities I can't foresee. - May boost self-confidence generally, and confidence in my ability to attain C2 in particular. Threats: - Starting German (and Kanji) before doing the exam could distract me. - Conflicts in personal life. - Unknown factors. 2011 - Goals: French: Primary Goals for the year. -- (I'm considering adding DELF B2 as the primary goal for this year) -- Complete Pim I,II,III. -- Complete Assimil -- Daily immersion A - minimum 20 mins podcast / TV -- Daily immersion B - read an article in Le Monde and note vocab. Secondary Goals for the year -- (To be determined) - I may start on German and on the Kanji in 63 days. But may reconsider and postpone if I decide to go for the DELF B2 in June instead. IP2 -- Work consistently to 31st March. -- Don't be left feeling like a fool on the 1st of April. Accomplishments: In the week, I started Pimsleur II, and I completed x7 units. I completed x7 units of Assimil I started to work through a French grammar book. I've decided to complete a hundred days of continuous French study before attempting to evaluate my performance. I'm still here, I'm still studying French, I'm still maintaining this log. Again I feel I've become a little more accustomed to daily study. Concerns: I'm not getting the most out of my French study. If I want to be able to pass the DELF B2 this year and/or take on German (and the Kanji) in 63 days I had better improve my study methods. - I'm not reviewing the notes or vocab that I make after reading the Le Monde articles. I should add this vocabulary to flashcards. - I'm coming across rules, exceptions and new vocabulary while reading the grammar book. I should add this vocabulary to flashcards. While I am becoming more accustomed to daily French study, and less resistant to it, I am concerned that I haven't yet fallen into any sort of routine. I fear that in the absence of a routine, any turmoil in my personal life might derail this whole project. I'm also starting too late each day. I'm not making sufficient progress at IP2. I know that if I don't start making considerable progress at it soon, then it will derail this French project. Special goals from the past week: Research the DALF. {Yes, but ongoing} Be more consistent with my other projects. {Yes, I'm getting there} Special goals for next week: Start using flashcards for vocab and grammar rules. Start small, build up. Ideas / Plans / Aims / To do: Research: The DALF - what exactly have I got myself into. {basic research started - felt intimidated} French newspaper websites and tidy up my bookmarks. French radio/podcast websites and tidy up my bookmarks. [started] Other audio courses: FSI & Assimil. French study books; Teach Yourself, Hugo French grammar books, vocabulary books. {chose a grammar book, started working through it} Internet resources for French learning. Services which can put me into contact with native speakers (Tandem???) and set a deadline for when you will sign up for such a service. Flashcards - I've never really used these but I hear they're effective. I suppose I have to make my own (probably better for learning). I guess I could make them on my computer and view them on my phone? use for phrases/expressions? Correct pronunciation of phrase? I could do with a French dictionary for my phone. One that doesn't need to connect to the mobile internet (data charges). Develop/Revise Study Plan Sketch out a the path to ultimate goal (French C2) 'DALF Plan'. (Post same in log?) What do I need to know? What skills/competencies do I need? Begin to write this log in French. Revise MT Adv. Course. Implement a 'Weekly Schedule': Set aside a particular day for looking for French websites, another for reading forums, another for fetching podcasts, and one for researching. Sunday: Weekly Review day. Mon: - Tues: - Wed: - Thurs: Podcast day. Friday: - Saturday: - Milestones: Completion of Pimsleur II. Assimil - Unit 28 (a quarter of the course) Assimil - Unit 56 (half of the course) Assimil - Unit 84 (three quarters of the course) Assimil - Unit 113 (completion of the course) Completed Milestones: Completion of Pimsleur I. (5 February) Completion of 'Initial Twenty Day Challenge'. ( Wed 9th February ) 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 36 of 56 14 February 2011 at 1:22am | IP Logged |
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Le jour de l'odyssée: Vingt-cinq Le jour: Dimanche, le 13 février, 2011 Le français: Oui : (24/100) Aujourd'hui: F1: J'ai écouté a une unité du Pimsleur II. (Pimsleur II - 8/30). F2: J'ai regardé le TF1 'Paroles de Français' pour 32 min. F3: J'ai lu un article de 'Le monde', et aussi j'ai écrit les nouveaux mots dans mon carnet. F4: Assimil: (11/113) F5: La grammaire: (24/297) - experimented with ANKI; inputting some of the material from the first ch. of grammar into ANKI. Started 2nd ch. (one page only) IP2 - La nouvelle grande campagne! oui Le délai: 31/3/2011 : Le jour de la nouvelle grande campagne: 3/48. A. - (3/23) B. - (0/23) Again I started too late. I reviewed work today. No new progress. However something is better than nothing. Mes pensées: Le français: IP2 - La grande campage - L'allemand: Je le commencerai en 63 jours. Le japanais (le kanji): Je le commencerai en 63 jours. En anglais: I started experimenting with ANKI (flashcard software). I intend to experiment with it all week. Not sure the best way to go about using it yet, but perhaps by next weekend things will be clearer. I spent too much time today on the weekly review, and too much time looking up information about the DELF. I looked at the blogs/editorials on le monde. I should read them too as their 'opinion piece'/'editorial' style uses a different style of language to the main news articles and would probably be better preparation for DELF/DALF. I need to get into a proper routine before I add any more tasks thought. As it is I'm starting to feel a little ragged. I've a tendency to bite off more than I can chew and to complicate matters unnecessarily. Tomorrow I must reappraise what I've been doing and see if I'm sufficiently covering the basics. The DELF B2 in June is no longer looking quite as attainable as it did a few hours ago! M 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 37 of 56 14 February 2011 at 10:18pm | IP Logged |
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Le jour de l'odyssée: Vingt-six Le jour: Lundi, le 14 février, 2011 Le français: Oui : (25/100) Aujourd'hui: F1: J'ai écouté a une unité du Pimsleur II. (Pimsleur II - 9/30). F2: J'ai regardé le TF1 'Paroles de Français' pour 35 min. F3: J'ai lu un article de 'Le monde', et aussi j'ai écrit les nouveaux mots dans mon carnet. F4: Assimil: (12/113) F5: La grammaire: (27/297) - typed more words into Anki... so boring... but at least I'm getting typing practice, and if it helps me learn them once and for all then it will have been worth it.) IP2 - La nouvelle grande campagne! non Le délai: 31/3/2011 : Le jour de la nouvelle grande campagne: 4/48. A. - (3/23) B. - (0/23) Mes pensées: L'allemand: Je le commencerai en 62 jours. Le japanais (le kanji): Je le commencerai en 62 jours. En anglais: I ran ANKI and went through the cards I made yesterday. I think it could be a very powerful tool. It's usefulness would seem to be limited only by the quality of the cards. Some of the cards I made yesterday weren't very good. I guess there's a learning curve with everything. I also entered more words into Anki today. I found the process very tedious. But I suppose I only have to do it once for each word/rule, and if the software then helps me learn them, then it's a fair trade-off. Still boring though! I suppose there are pre-made lists/'decks' to download, but I feel I need to learn everything in my grammar book to have sound foundation in French grammar, and as the adage goes; if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Yesterday I learned that the DELF B2 exams are in February and June each year and I considered whether I should sit the exam in June as a step towards my ultimate goal of a C2 in DALF. Today I feel under pressure, and French study is not fun, in fact it's bordering on oppressive. I also have doubts upon doubts upon doubts. :( I guess that in considering a June DELF B2 I invariable broke my rule about not evaluating my progress before an hundred days had elapsed. M 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| microsnout TAC 2010 Winner Senior Member Canada microsnout.wordpress Joined 5462 days ago 277 posts - 553 votes  Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 38 of 56 15 February 2011 at 2:47am | IP Logged |
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Hi Marco, I must admire the amount of energy you put into this log. I do well to post an update to my log every two
months - but I should do it more often. I have not tried one of those exams yet but would like to try one this year. I have been studying French for 4 and a half years now but would still never consider trying the C2, even the C1 sounds intimidating from the description Adrean wrote in his log - maybe B2. You may consider going to the Alliance Française for a free evaluation of your level before deciding which test to sit. Your thoughts of the pressure and lack of fun is a greater threat to success than any exam. It has been such a long road for me that I know I could not have sustained the effort under those conditions - after two years of study I was rated about B1 by the Alliance Française for example. I highly recommend you watch this video by forum member Splog. He explains very well the importance of enjoying the journey to fluency. Become a Polyglot in Minutes not Years One small point of grammar: if you will complete a task over the next 62 days then you say "en 62 jours" but if you intend to start the task 62 days from now then you say "dans 62 jours". I find Anki boring too, I gave up using it a while back. Bonne continuation.. Edited by microsnout on 15 February 2011 at 2:50am 2 persons have voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 39 of 56 16 February 2011 at 12:06am | IP Logged |
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@ microsnout.
Thanks for the support microsnout. Yes, putting myself under pressure has been counterproductive and is unsustainable. French will come when it's good and ready and there's no point trying to rush it. I have been too impatient. I can see (or think that I can see) most of the pieces of the puzzle and I just want them to slot together as quickly as possible. I will have to learn patience as part of this odyssey too! :) I enjoyed the video, wise words indeed. I'll have to make a mental note to watch it every time I get impatient! Good tip about the Alliance Française assessment. Thanks. And thanks also for the grammar tip! I appreciate it. Always great to learn something. I'll make the necessary amendments to today's post. Merci! edit- ps Congrats on the TAC victory! Edited by marco.of.europa on 16 February 2011 at 12:16am 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| marco.of.europa Groupie Ireland Joined 5049 days ago 46 posts - 47 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 40 of 56 16 February 2011 at 12:14am | IP Logged |
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Le jour de l'odyssée: Vingt-sept Le jour: Mardi, le 15 février, 2011 Le français: Oui : (26/100) Aujourd'hui: F1: J'ai écouté à une unité du Pimsleur II. (Pimsleur II - 10/30). F2: J'ai ecouté à un podcast pour 20 min. F3: J'ai lu un article de 'Le monde', et aussi j'ai écrit les nouveaux mots dans mon carnet. F4: Assimil: (13/113) F5: La grammaire: (30/297) - typed more words into Anki F6. ANKI - did review IP2 - La nouvelle grande campagne! non Le délai: 31/3/2011 : Le jour de la nouvelle grande campagne: 5/48. A. - (3/23) B. - (0/23) Mes pensées: L'allemand: Je le commencerai dans 61 jours. Le japanais (le kanji): Je le commencerai dans 61 jours. En anglais: I was a little under the weather today. Totally fed up really. I've managed to turn daily French study into a form of torture. It used to be fun. Tomorrow I'm going to turn a new page and try to make it fun again. Still I'm happy that I stuck with it today and got it done even though I really didn't want to do it. I also note that I'm 1/3 the way through Pim II. Yeah, the days of being an American business man are almost over. Tomorrow - I'm going to re-prioritise and; (1) get cracking on IP2, - the fact that I've been dodging it has been adding to my stress. (2) take a more relaxed approach to French. French may not be coming to me as quickly as I would like but I will stick at it, and it will come eventually. M 1 person has voted this message useful |
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