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Week 5-7 - 期中考试


js6426

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I am a week late in updating my blog for a couple of reasons.  Firstly because of the week off, and secondly because we moved house last weekend.  Our landlord wanted to sell her place, and we wanted to move out before it gets really cold.  We have found an awesome place, cheaper and bigger than the last one. 

 

Mid-terms are fast approaching, and I have 5 out of 8 of them over the next two weeks.  Speaking was last week. 

 

For someone Chinese, our speaking teacher is very direct when it comes to telling us how we are progressing.  I can't remember if I mentioned it in my last post or not, but we had to do a dialogue with a friend, and then do a short powerpoint presentation on a topic that we were allowed to choose from a selection of 7 topics.  I felt that it went ok, but because of nerves my pronunciation was even worse than usual (my tones are pretty bad at the best of times).  The teacher said the presentation was fine, but my pronunciation was pretty bad.  I already knew that, but being told it by the teacher was discouraging!  However, I am glad he hammers me on this because it challenges me to improve.

 

For our midterm we were randomly put into groups, and then given 3 words.  We had to do a 10 minute presentation.  The first task was to explain each of the 3 words, basically as if we were teaching the class.  Then we had to write a dialogue which included the 3 words, and present that.  Having been blasted for my pronunciation, I made sure to practice this over and over so it would be better.  I got a 98 on the exam and my teacher said that this time there were no major tone mistakes, and that it was way better than before.  I was really encouraged by this.  In general my pronunciation isn't really any better than 2 weeks ago, but because I have seen that I am CAPABLE of having much better pronunciation, this has sort of re-energized me to put more effort into getting it correct.  The task now is to get to a point where I can speak like I did after 3 days of continually practicing the same 10 minute talk, without having to think about it.  It wouldn't surprise me if this takes a lot longer than my time at university here!  However, I have to start somewhere!  I got some advice from my teacher, as well as trying to follow some points from one of Imron's posts on improving speaking.

 

I am also really encouraged to be hearing more words I know in general conversation.  Over the past few weeks these are a few of the words/phrases that I learnt, and then heard/read and immediately recognized when chatting with Chinese people - 露一手,侵略,急于求成,结巴,挖.

 

Until next time!

6 Comments


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LinZhenPu

Posted

东北人比较直接。

Just finished binge reading all of your blog entries. I'm curious to find out if you can do an honours year in Chinese back in England after graduating from this degree. I look forward to finding out in 2 years!

  • Like 1
js6426

Posted

You won't be finding out from me hah!  I'l be going back to Cambodia, not England!

LinZhenPu

Posted

Could you put in an application for an honours year in Chinese for an Australian university? It won't take you much time, cost you any money or necessitate your travel to Australia. You have two years to consider it!

  • Like 1
js6426

Posted

I haven't really thought about it, I suppose in theory I could.  How won't it cost me any money?  Or take much time for that matter?  I will certainly think about it!

LinZhenPu

Posted

Generally, Australian universities don't charge a fee for applying directly to the university. The time thing depends on how quick you are at filling out online application forms. It's not very long and not overly complicated. You should be able to do it in under half an hour.

js6426

Posted

I thought you meant it would be a short time on the work side of things, not the application!  At the moment I have no desire to do another year (not including personal study), but never say never I suppose!

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