Conversation class 27/11/08

In today's class I was alone and this time we could focus on the subjects that Andrea had planned. In the class before they had talked about holiday's so, as the students in that class weren't catalan, it was my turn to explain why and how we celebrate our holidays in Catalonia. I tried to explain the best as I could what are the Tió, the Castanyada, 11th of September, Sant Jordi... Even though we nearly succeded in just sticking in a subject we ended talking about public transport and how is it organized here in Catalonia. Anyway, it was like and introduction to our culture for Andrea. She didn't know much about the country and its special things. It was a good way for me to try and remember what I know and what I don't know about my own country!

Today I had some problems with vocabulary. As I said in the Wednesday's class article it's just a matter of time. As I was alone I had to speak more than yesterday so obviously I made more mistakes and had a few more problems. The words were just normal and easy, it's just that I couldn't remember for the lack of use. I assume that the next class will be better and so on.

As I said before today I found myself a bit uncomfortable with my English, but as the class kept going I tried to use different constructions to the same things that I didn't know how to say. The thing is that as they are normal words that are used often I will be able to remember them again the next time and I won't get stuck that often. I have to say that it wasn't a disaster, I could say everything I wanted but I found it more difficult that I used to. I expect that the thing keeps improving.


Time spent: 1:30h

Conversation class 26/11/2008

Today's class was a bit out of control, I would say. Andrea had some things prepared for the class but we finally talked about another subject. She gave us (another girl called Yaiza was there too) a questionaire about music but as I told them that i had been in the ocupation of the Communication Faculty we started arguing about if it was necessary and ethic or not. Of course, as it's usual in these classe we ended talking about Catalan, Spanish and English and where they should be used or not. I don't know why we always talk about politics. I have to say that it wasn't Andrea's fault, she did what she could, really.

I learnt some things concerning pronunciation and some new vocabulary like legitimacy, assembly and some other political terms. Apart of that, i have been able to use English again. It had been a long time since I used it for the last time and I found it a little hard, specially at the beginning.

About my performance in the class, I really think that it is a matter of time to improve my English and go back to my real level. All my problems today can be solved with time. Just a little bit of vocabulary improvement and some more fluency would be desireable. It depends on the subject but generally i always find a little lack of vocabulary when talking about the most technical matters. I suppose that if I keep going to the classes I will have better vocabulary, as well as being able to use alternative words when I don't know the concrete term.


PD: Time spent 1:30h