This is your annual reminder to record yourself speaking in your languages! It’s certainly my reminder, since I realized I haven’t done it in a while. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but for me speaking skills are the hardest to practice and to see improvement in. While I learn on my own, it can also be hard to tell if I’m … Continue reading Hit record, now!
Have you ever thought ahead about how to keep up with your language learning when you get sick? I feel like it’s rather topical now, as we’re still living in a pandemic (or endemic, depending on your view). Not that you have to keep up with things- and depending on the level of how sick you are, it may be better to rest. Rest days … Continue reading Sick as a dog and language learning
I adopted a cat a few months ago! I’ve lived with different family pets over the years, but I haven’t had my own cat in my apartment on my own yet. I decided this was the time, and went through the process of adopting an adult cat from a local shelter. She is about 6 years old, and she is a tortoiseshell-tabby mix. She came … Continue reading Meow, Miao, Miau!
No one has to create *new* goals at the beginning of each year…but I do like to take the time to do some reflection. It reminds me about what I’m aiming for, and realigns my practices to take me where I want to go. Language goals for 2022 French: I want to get back on track with my monthly book & film goal. In 2019, … Continue reading Language goals 2022
Long story short- I started French in middle school (at age 12) as my language elective, took AP French in high school, and became truly passionate about French in college after taking my first class there. I studied abroad in France twice, went to graduate school for a Master’s in Literary Translation (French into English), and worked as a French translator for a short time. … Continue reading Life update with the French language
I regularly read books in French, and I enjoy being able to do an activity that I like in my native language, in my target language as well. But, sometimes I don’t have the time or the money/access. French novels do take me a little longer to finish reading- sometimes I don’t get as sucked in to the writing or the storyline as much, but … Continue reading Reading en français
I’ve been independently studying (whether languages, or different topics I’ve been into) for the past 7-10 years! Depends on what you count…while I was in school, obviously I had more in-classroom support, due dates and deadlines to keep me accountable, and certain class-provided resources which helped with my self-studies on the side. After I graduated from my Master’s program in 2014, I was mainly studying … Continue reading Study tips for the self-studier
When I first start learning a language, I often feel like a baby. I remember when I first studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, and I was playing at the pool with my French friend’s 7-year-old daughter. I could interact with her just fine! My French went through different phases- having started learning it in middle school classes and learning as a teen, my learning process was … Continue reading Growing your baby language skills to the adult comedian you are in real life
Considering the state of the world, I’m not sure when I’ll travel internationally again. Of course I think I will eventually travel again, but right now it doesn’t feel safe and I think it would be insensitive for me to be a tourist in another country. Especially if I were vaccinated, and that country was still releasing vaccines to the locals. In the past, I … Continue reading If I’m not sure when I’ll travel abroad again, why do I learn languages?
I’ve made some exciting strides with my Chinese lately and I wanted to share! I’m not trying to brag, so hopefully this comes across as a friendly teatime chat where I geek out about Chinese. This year I wanted to make some more progress with my Mandarin Chinese learning. I made sure to add in more time here and there. I also tried out the … Continue reading Chinese update
Language Love Affair 