Thursday 10 May 2012

Ten things on the Tenth

This is a scheduled post to join in with Shimelle's Ten things on the Tenth as I have 2 French oral exams today (I'm resitting my AS to improve my mark)
I have been studying for my French A Level this academic year and the final exam next month so I thought I'd share 10 things I have learned.

As a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, it has been professionally interesting to be on the other side of the desk, as it were. I have learned plenty of grammar and vocabulary, of course, but I've also learned a lot of about myself too.  To visit other 10 Things, pop over to Pretty Paper, True Stories (and Scrapbook Classes with Cupcakes)

1. Fitting in homework on top of marking, housework and parenting has been tough, and I've had to make a conscious effort to prioritise some things this year.

2. Being able to discuss environmental issues and Sartre instead of just ordering a meal has given me a huge buzz.

3. My family has been way more supportive than I expected.

4. Going 'public' about my desire for a top mark has been very motivating.

5. Having started this just to improve my spoken French, I am now really keen to get that top grade.

6. I hate revision (I think I knew that before, but I'd forgotten how much)

7. French genders are a pig to memorise (LA vie, LE visage!!)

8. I can now use the subjunctive.

9. All the tips I've been giving my students for years about essay planning and learning vocabulary actually do  work.

10.'Huis Clos' par Jean-Paul Sartre est en oeuvre tres interessant. ( I wasn't expecting this, I read 'La Nausee' at college and it was nauseating!)

Yes, it's been hard work, but it's also been fantastic FUN and, whatever grade I end up with (I'll let you know on 15th August!) I have really enjoyed it.

10 comments:

Lynn said...

Good luck Kirsty - its hard work to fit in studying with everything else - well done.

Susanne said...

Wishing you good luck and a clear mind. You'll do great!

Melissa said...

Way to Go!! Keeping up with all your responiblities & family & working to improve in this area as well is a wonderful achievement!!

Sian said...

Argh.. I can remember doing Huis Clos many years ago.

Very best of luck!

Connie Mercer said...

how awesome~that is wonderful!! Congrats and I hope you get a high mark~

furrypig said...

good luck Kirsty xxx

Amy said...

All the very best of luck! You can do it!

Nathalie said...

Bravo to you for going through this and because I am French and because you are learning I thought it would be ok to correct your sentence (I hope you won't take it the wrong way, really!): 'Huis Clos" par Jean-Paul Sartre est une oeuvre trés intéressante ;)
Thank you for your comment on my blog today!
Bonne chance à ton examen!!! :D

Karen said...

Good luck with the exam. I can remember well taking courses while trying to work full-time and raising two kids. I love learning which is the only reason I survived it!

JulieJ said...

Good luck with the exam - and I had to laugh at the ad at the bottom of the post. Can't imagine there'd be many mature men passing through here looking for dates!!!! At least she's only showing a bit of thigh.