Entry #6: Breaking it down

In your sixth blog entry:

It is very important that you demonstrate your language learning. Remember, this is an English course. You must give as many concrete examples as you can. For vocabulary, don’t simply write the new words you’ve heard. Explain the context where you heard these words, what they mean and how you will remember them and you may use them in the future.

How has your English improved so far during your internship?

Listening Comprehension

Is it easier for you to understand the people you work with at your internship than it was in the beginning? How has this changed? What strategies do you use to make sure that you understand the instructions you are given? Give examples.

Accent

Has your English accent changed at all during your internship? Are there words / phrases that are easier for you to say now? Have you learned new ways to pronounce words and vowels? Have you had any misunderstandings based on pronunciation? Are there words that you still struggle with? Do you notice different positions in your mouth when you speak? Give examples.

Fluency

Have you become more fluent in English? Which subjects are easier for you to talk about? Which subjects still cause you hesitation? What strategies have you used to become more fluent? Give examples.

Humour

What have you noticed about English humour? Give an example of a joke or funny situation that you understood. Give and example of a joke or funny situation that you didn’t undertand. How is English humour different from French humour? 

Accuracy

Have you made an attempt to speak more accurately? Or is your main goal fluency? Have you improved your language accuracy? e.g. Remembering to pronounce the 's' after plural nouns, or the third person simple present; pronouncing 'ed' after regular past tense verbs, as /t/, /d/ or /id/. Have you made any observations about language structures, grammar, questions word order, word endings or verb tenses in English?

New words, expressions or structures

Where did you hear/see this language? What was the context? What does it mean? How will it be useful to you in the future?