Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Brain-Tired

A monthly update is in order!

1. French
2. LOTS of French
3. A bit more French
4. Some fun

Ha! Really, that's how it feels lately. Ok, so here it goes...

1. French. I took my interim test and did all right. It was a solid score, though not the one I was hoping for. Test anxiety took its toll, I think, and I'm just not quite at the expected level yet. This was disappointing for me, and it took me several days to get over myself. Meaning, coming to the actual understanding and belief that it wasn't a failure, but merely a marker of where my French language skills were at on that day, at that time, with added anxiety and pressure. My instructors all seemed a bit surprised and reassured me that with a bit more hard work I can overcome some of the difficulties.









2. LOTS of French. So, what to do but leave the country?! Less than a week after my test I left FSI for a two-week immersion in Quebec. It was fantastic! I stayed with a Quebecois woman, about my age, and her Guinean boyfriend. Neither spoke more than a dozen works of English during my stay, and we talked quite a bit. We ate breakfast and dinner together every day, and in the evenings we would relax in the living room together, watching TV (in French, of course) and playing/studying on our computers. I explored Old Quebec on foot every day and made conversation with waiters, shop-keepers and random other people. I took a tour or two in French, and tried to read all signs in French only.


Of course, it wasn't a complete vacation: I was in French class for half the day every day, generally four hours in the morning with a class and another hour in the afternoon in a private lesson. I found the teachers excellent and the school helpful. Some of the grammar we discussed there were covered when I got back, and I felt pretty good about knowing them already!


[Note for other FSO's considering immersions: I highly recommend it! On the logistics side, though: for me, it was completely out of pocket. Being a local hire, I don't receive per diem, and that includes when going to another country. Fair warning: it ain't cheap. But... it was totally worth it.]

Changing of the Guard at the Citadel.
3. A bit more French. And now, I find myself in a private class at FSI. It's fantastic: we're really focusing on how to use more complex grammar and doing in depth lessons. However, it's grueling, and the situation may change any day (instructor change, added students, etc). Also, with a test looming in just one month's time, the pressure is on to improve, improve, improve. Or, as I hear regularly, "Elevate your speech!" I created a regimented study plan to this end. However, a week and a half into it... I'm exhausted. Time to throttle back a little, I guess. 


4. Some fun. Dad came for a quick visit last week - arrived Saturday, left Sunday - which was great fun. We talked, ate delicious seafood, and did some kitchen shopping together. I spent some time by a pool with a good friend, catching up, and that was lovely. Another friend visited me for a walk through the zoo. This weekend, dinner with friends, disc golf with someone I haven't seen in awhile, a baby-viewing and a going away shindig. (And French studying. Of course.) There is still a social life, though there is some likelihood that my attention span is short and limited... my friends are forgiving, thankfully, and very supportive.

And that's all she wrote!



Putine, the dish I was told I must try:
fries, cheese curds, gravy. Mmmm.