In the beginning, class was easy. I paid attention, but I had no idea what was going on. So, I was blissfully ignorant of almost everything the teacher was saying. It was all in French. All of it. I was a true beginner. It eventually got better. I picked up come key words and the homework helped. We have culture days twice a week which are a nice break. For the culture class last week, the subject was tourism. It was so cool to see all of these places on the Power Point that I had been to or was going to see soon. She showed all of these monuments in Bordeaux -where I was going the next day! It made me so excited for the weekend. Our first main teacher was very tough. I had trouble learning from her. She only explained things in French even when the whole class gave her a blank stare for two minutes. That may have been why the first month was so difficult. I never felt like I was getting better or moving forward in my language stills at all. I always felt so stupid and defeated. The culture days were the only time I really felt like I was learning. We went much slower and our teacher drew pictures to describe complicated words. This month, we have a new main teacher. I like her a lot. She makes us work with students from another country so that we have to speak French for everything. That is so helpful. She also encourages all of the students to speak instead of having one person answer everything. Last week I finally felt like I had accomplished something.
Homework is difficult, too. Once I get back from school, I am completely exhausted. The walk to and from school is very hot and about 20 min long uphill (on the way there). Trying to learn in French turns my brain into mush. I have to use so much brain power in class that when I get back I just want to relax. On the weekends, I don't have a break either. It's so great to travel and learn about France and other countries, but I am exhausted at the end of every day. Most of the time when homework is assigned, I don't completely sure of the assignment. we all meet after to make sure we know what is going on. This month, I've understood so much more than before. I only have to clarify a few things.
Since July started, I spend the first 10 minutes (or 20 on a bad day) fanning myself and wiping off the sweat. There is no air conditioning in the school and the walk is such a work out. One of my classmates even brought a little fan that she plugs in next to her table. I wish I had thought of that first! As a true beginner, immersion is very difficult. If I had some previous French, I think that immersion would be so helpful. Back in the beginning of June, I think that immersion was not helpful. Now, though, it is very helpful. I guess I just had a rough start. My only other foreign language experience was with Spanish three years ago. I just relied on the similarities with verb conjugations and subjects. Now that I know some commonly used words (such as "so", "together", "next person") I can focus on trying to learn all of the new words my professors say. My new teacher enunciates her words much better and I have completely understood multiple sentences in a row! I am optimistic about the last few weeks now!
 |
| One of the best views on the 30 minute walk up to the university (There is a cross at the highest point, but it's hard to see in pictures) |
Homework is difficult, too. Once I get back from school, I am completely exhausted. The walk to and from school is very hot and about 20 min long uphill (on the way there). Trying to learn in French turns my brain into mush. I have to use so much brain power in class that when I get back I just want to relax. On the weekends, I don't have a break either. It's so great to travel and learn about France and other countries, but I am exhausted at the end of every day. Most of the time when homework is assigned, I don't completely sure of the assignment. we all meet after to make sure we know what is going on. This month, I've understood so much more than before. I only have to clarify a few things.
Since July started, I spend the first 10 minutes (or 20 on a bad day) fanning myself and wiping off the sweat. There is no air conditioning in the school and the walk is such a work out. One of my classmates even brought a little fan that she plugs in next to her table. I wish I had thought of that first! As a true beginner, immersion is very difficult. If I had some previous French, I think that immersion would be so helpful. Back in the beginning of June, I think that immersion was not helpful. Now, though, it is very helpful. I guess I just had a rough start. My only other foreign language experience was with Spanish three years ago. I just relied on the similarities with verb conjugations and subjects. Now that I know some commonly used words (such as "so", "together", "next person") I can focus on trying to learn all of the new words my professors say. My new teacher enunciates her words much better and I have completely understood multiple sentences in a row! I am optimistic about the last few weeks now!