Learning sessions

Cramming for Progress Check 1

Isn't it boring just sitting in front of your books and study alone? - YES, it is definitely boring. Therefore Eva, Jennifer and me set up a learning group. So what did we exactly study? It was very important not only to know the vocabulary, but also strong collocations and how it is used in a sentence. So we questioned each other about every word and tried to use it in sentences which make it clear what it means. This part was quite funny because sometimes we came up with memory hook which did not really make sense, but it was easy to remember the word. Here is an example: "Give me synonyms for prosperous" - "well-off, rich, there is still another one..." The memory hook was here: Ben Affleck is affluent. Then we did some revision of "Major No-Nos" and an exam simulation of the writing task. So we came up with a topic sentence and tried to write a paragraph. After we finished writing it, we corrected the mistakes of each other. Eva and Jennifer gave me good advice and I really enjoyed studying with the girls. Here is my paragraph:

"Having started this semster as a freshman at the University of Graz, I came to the conclsion that I like being a student in university a lot more than being in school. I have decided to study Transcultural Communications studies in English and French. I really enjoy studying these languages and I hope to be able to expand my knowledge. The knowledge I have gathered from school is not enough. In school it was very difficult to pay attention because we were 36 pupils in one classroom. In classes, I never had the opportunity to talk or speak a lot as teachers prefer to just teach pupils. The classes were even scheduled and you couldn't organise the timetable on your own. At university I have to organise the timetable by myself, which makes me responsible for what I'm doing in my studies. I really like university because I feel more independant. It is not only easy to be a student in university, but it shows that life can be challenging."

Paragraph discussion (2)

MacMillan Dictionary

I can't believe that I did not write one paragraph. So here is the new version of my homework and it should be written in A PARAGRAPH!

"Having looked at a number of monolingual print dictionaries in class this week, I have decided to buy the Macmillan Dictionary for Advanced Learners. It provides a well-structured overview, is not too heavy and contains all the information a language learner might need. The dictionary not only includes the explanation and classification of words, but also the phonetic transcription. Apart from the traditional dictionary entries, the MacMillan also has a well-designed grammar section. In addition, the Macmillan Dictionary offers pictures and paintings which simplify the reading and the understanding of the words. In comparison to the other dictionaries, in my opinion, the Macmillan Dictionary has the best grammar section with the most imortant grammatical rules an the least complex structure.  For those reasons the Macmillan Dictionary is a lifetime investment and will be great help to me throughout my translation studies."

Paragraph discussion (1)

Writing a letter

In preparation for the Progress Check 1 we had the task to write a paragraph It was also important totpay attention to the criteria that make up a paragraph. Here is the improved version of my homework. If someone still notice errors, please comment. Thank you!


"Dear Fiona,

I grew up bilingual and I have discovered my passion for languages, especially English. My native languages are Khmer and German. The reason why I have chosen English is that the Khmer language is not widespread. Therefore I decided to take a language where I could get the opportunity to speak, write and read a lot. In 2011 I took part in an English program in Canterbury, where I had English lessons every day. I gathered a lot of experiences and I enjoyed to communicate English with native speakers. Furthermore, it helped me to figure out which strategies are the right ones for me when it comes to learning the English language. I have never thought of online exercises (e-learning) or vocabulary cards which facilitate studying. I do not feel confident in writing tasks as I tend to translate from German into English and I feel worried about using proper grammar. I think that the accuracy of my grammar was pushed into the background in school because I had many subjects in English, but it was not important to for the answer to be grammatically correct. Nevertheless, I really want to give a good performance in English this semester and I hope that my English can be improved with a good working relationship with my colleagues and my English-speaking roommate.

Kind regards,

Sowannry"

 

Dictionary review transcription

Cambridge

“Yeah... then... in addition you can download plug-ins so that you don't have to be actually on the website and uhmmm... practise the words by doing games and you will also find uhmmm... new words, well, new words, blogs and the word of the day“

Comments:

1. I really enjoyed to talk freely but I have never thought that I would say “uhm“ and “then“ so often. It seems like the “uhms“ and “thens“ took control over my part. I'll work on that problem and I hope to avoid them in future.
   
2. Although I used many „fillers“ I feel like it was easy to follow. I did not lose my thread but I could have used multiple words to describe the dictionary.