Blog 4

Final Proposal Language Learning Challenge 

My Challenge

I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of International Studies program at the University of Queensland, a degree that involves a language component. For the language component I have chosen French because I had the chance to learn the basics of the language during the first two years of high school and am looking to continue with learning the language finally. I am at an intermediate level of French at the moment, however I still feel that I need to improve the base of my language learning, especially the essential skill of memorizing tenses. I personally struggle with all the tenses we have leant so far apart from the  present tense, to be specific the passé composé, l'imparfait, conditionnel, futur proche, and the futur simple. Additionally, I need to work on my listening skills, I find that in both exams and just during class generally, I struggle with listening comprehension. To conclude, my personal challenge is to improve my ability to use French tenses as well as my listening comprehension. 

My Learning Goal

By the end of the language learning challenge (LLC) I wish to be able to use all the French tenses mentioned above effectively, without having to pause or think too much, this is a skill critical to comprehending the French language. I would also like to improve my listening skills to the point where I'm comfortable listening to the intermediate level of French spoken in class, both are goals that I believe are achievable and essential if I'm to continue improving my French language skills. 

My Learning Styles and Strategies 

I have taken a quiz published by Warwick University to determine which of the three VAK learning styles suited me best. The results suggested that I am both a visual and kinesthetic learner. This means that, as you can probably guess, I acquire information more effectively when I can see it in front of me, for example it is easier for me to learn via reading rather than absorbing what I hear. For this reason there will be a focus on technologies like online dictionaries that require reading. I am also a kinesthetic learner, meaning that I would rather learn by doing, I am an active learner, this is useful as I prefer to learn by doing and in this case communicating. A useful learning style to possess when you take into account that a communicative style is seen to be the most effective in learning a language. 

I have also done a strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) profile, the results of which revealed that I need to work on managing my emotions and remembering more effectively. In order to improve the managing my emotions aspect of the strategy inventory, I am writing this blog to record and hopefully reflect on the language learning process. In my opinion the more important aspect of the strategy inventory that needs to be improved is remembering more effectively, as it is a direct link to language learning, this can basically be improved by dedicating more time to studying, the LLC will provide a platform for me to achieve this. 

Technologies

Throughout my time attempting to learn the French language I have tried to use a multitude of digital platforms and other technologies such as google translate, various online games, YouTube videos (only in class), Duolingo and the ever useful online dictionary. However, when using these technologies, I have only used them in the sense of 'Tool CALL,"  a tool for teaching rather than a substitute and will continue to do so as I believe there is more potential to learn. For the listening component I will utilize platforms such as streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify Podcast). I feel that this technology will most definitely be effective in developing my listening comprehension skills, specifically I will be listening to the podcast titled "News in Slow French," this is for the reason that as well as being able to practice my listening, all the tenses I'm looking to learn, or at least most, should be used.

For the writing and memorizing aspect of the LLC I will be using more traditional means of language learning, I will be writing with a pen and paper mostly but an online dictionary will be used for memorizing the syntax and verb endings. I will also use a website called Lingolia as it has a function where you have to complete sentences using different tenses and it will definitely be useful for revising.

Carol Chapelle offers three levels of analysis; Level 1- software only, Level 2- Task/Activity with software, Level 3- Analysis of learners performance. For the purposes of the LLC we are only going to focus on level 3. There are six criteria which will be reviewed every week on the blog and marked out of ten, they are:
1. Language learning potential
2. Learner fit
3. Meaning Focus
4. Authenticity
5. Positive Impact
6. Practicality

My Plan 

The first step of my learning plan is to learn as much as I possibly can about the chosen technologies in order to be able to use them as effectively as possible. I will write 5 sentences a week using one specific tense each week, there are 5 tenses of which I am setting out to learn comprehensibly, this leaves one week at the end of the Language Learning Challenge in which I will revise all five tenses. Alongside the sentence writing, I will use Lingolia as a form of revision  and do a page of activities that correspond with the tense studied that week . I will also listen to "News in Slow French" once a week as I'm under the impression that it will reinforce what I've learnt and improve my listening. 

Evaluation

I think that my Language Learning Challenge may be difficult to evaluate, especially for the listening comprehension, the only tangible way to access my progress will be with how comfortable I am during the my French class and the marks I end up with for listening during the French course I'm taking. It is a tad easier with the sentence writing, I will evaluate my sentences by either checking online or with my teacher, as well as this, Lingolia also has a function where it can quiz you, specifically with French tenses, I will record my score for this weekly. 

Blog 3

Language Learning Challenge 

My challenge: Yet again there will be some refinement of the language learning challenge in the blog. By the end of the language learning challenge I want to have memorized both the regular and irregular endings for the imparfait and conditionnel French tenses. As well as this, I want to be able to use them effectively in speech and distinguish the difference in listening. This is because it is more quantifiable then the previous challenge and also more useful for the French course I'm currently enrolled in.

                   

My Learning goal: My learning goal for the language learning challenge is, as previously mentioned, to improve my grammar and listening comprehension skills to a point where I feel comfortable talking in French to members of my French university course. More specifically, I would like to learn the French tenses of l'imparfait and the conditionnel

My learning styles and strategies: I am a visual learner as well as a kinaesthetic learner and find that I acquire information more effectively when I can see it in front of me and do it myself. This intertwines with the learning strategies of which I am intending on using, I’m of the opinion that it would be in my best interest to study regularly but in short bursts as this ties directly to effective strategy for the kinaesthetic learner.  This  week I did a strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) profile, the results of which revealed that I need to work on managing my emotions and remembering more effectively. In order to improve the "Managing my Emotions" strategy I am writing this blog to record and hopefully reflect on the language learning process. In my opinion the more important strategy that needs to be improved is "Remembering more Effectively" as it is a direct link to language learning, this can basically be improved by dedicating more time to studying.

                      

The technologies I am going to test: I have already had the pleasure of trying and using a multitude of digital platforms to assist me with French language learning, however have never utilised platforms such as streaming services (Netflix, YouTube etc.). I feel that this technology will be the most useful in developing listening skills, specifically I'm going to try a podcast called  "News in Slow French" as they use both the past and future tenses which will be useful. I tried the traditional online dictionary this week and it was more useful than duolingo, I will continue to use it as a resource to learn the imparfait and conditionnel tenses.

My plan: Nothing has changed since last week, my learning plan consists of learning as much as I can about the chosen technologies in order to be able to use them as effectively as possible and I think I have. As well as using the platforms, I’m going to use old-fashioned pen and paper to write down and reinforce what I’ve learnt from the variety of platforms. There will be a lot of repetition and writing as I find that this works best for me. This week I wrote 5 sentences 5 times this week using both tenses, I found that this worked well because it wasn't too arduous and I feel like I'm beginning to understand how to use the tenses correctly and effectively. I got the chance to listen to one podcast this week but due to a busy schedule was unable to take notes, however I am still under the impression that it was helpful just to listen to some French.

My evaluation approach: Last week I was under the impression that my learning goals were difficult to evaluate and the only tangible way to assess my progress will be with how comfortable I am during French class and the marks I end up getting for the course. Now I think that I can evaluate my learning plan, I will get one point for every sentence I write using the two tenses during the week and each week I will record my weekly score and try and beat it the next week.

Blog 2

Improving my French 

My challenge: I've decided that I'm going to make a few changes and get more specific in deciding what my challenge is. During the French workshops this week I've discovered that I struggle with French tenses and listening comprehension when listening to authentic French speakers. Compared to last week I am a lot more confident in the basics, and while I still need to practice to retain the skills I'm going to be more ambitious in my challenge.

                   

My Learning goal: Last week my learning goals for the language learning challenge were,  to improve my grammar and listening comprehension skills to a point where I feel comfortable talking in French to members of my French university course. I'm going to refine this by setting a specific learning goal, which is to write out 4 sentences using a different tense per week and listen to one French podcast to improve the listening comprehension skills.

My learning styles and strategies: As mentioned last week, I am a visual learner as well as a kinaesthetic learner and find that I acquire information more effectively when I can see it in front of me and do it myself. Therefore the learning strategies which I am intending on using/using have not changed,  study regularly but in short bursts as this ties directly to effective strategy for the kinaesthetic learner. Also this week during the SLAT2002 workshop we did a Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) and I found that I need to work on managing my emotions and being more reflective, as well as this I need to pay more attention to remembering more effectively.

                      

The technologies I am going to test:  Utilizing platforms such as streaming services (Netflix, YouTube , podcasts etc.) is still on the agenda as I have still never had the chance to use them properly for language learning, I still feel that this technology will be the most useful in developing listening skills. I did get a chance to use Duolingo this week and while it was useful in reinforcing the basics, I don't see myself using it for learning tenses, I think the best option would be to use online dictionaries as I'm comfortable with them and think they work.

My plan: My learning plan still consists of learning as much as I can about the chosen technologies in order to be able to use them as effectively as possible. As mentioned before, I plan on  writing 5 sentences 3 times a week, this is because my schedule is quite busy during the week. I will also listen to one podcast a week and try to take notes about what is said.

My evaluation approach: The digital language learning tools that I've chosen to use are difficult to evaluate, the only tangible way to assess my progress will be with how comfortable I am during French class and the marks I end up getting for the French university course assessment.

Blog 1

Improving French Grammar and Fluency

My challenge: I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of International Studies program at the university of Queensland and majoring in French. This component of my degree is proving to be challenging and therefore it is in my best interest to undertake this language learning challenge. I studied French in primary school and junior high school, however after a couple of years not practicing the language I am back at a beginner level and ready to improve. While I am able to do the basics (e.g. Greeting/likes and dislikes etc.) I would like to reinforce it and improve my grammar as well as my listening comprehension in the process.

                   

My Learning goal: My learning goal for the language learning challenge is, as previously mentioned, to improve my grammar and listening comprehension skills to a point where I feel comfortable talking in French to members of my French university course.

My learning styles and strategies: I am a visual learner as well as a kinaesthetic learner and find that I acquire information more effectively when I can see it in front of me and do it myself. This intertwines with the learning strategies of which I am intending on using, I’m of the opinion that it would be in my best interest to study regularly but in short bursts as this ties directly to effective strategy for the kinaesthetic learner.

                      

The technologies I am going to test: I have already had the pleasure of trying and using a multitude of digital platforms to assist me with French language learning, however have never utilised platforms such as streaming services (Netflix, YouTube etc.). I feel that this technology will be the most useful in developing listening skills. As well as this, for grammar improvement I will try Duolingo for an extended period of time, I have used it before but only briefly before the break from French.

My plan: My learning plan consists of learning as much as I can about the chosen technologies in order to be able to use them as effectively as possible. As well as using the platforms, I’m going to use old-fashioned pen and paper to write down and reinforce what I’ve learnt from the variety of platforms. There will be a lot of repetition and writing as I find that this works best for me.

My evaluation approach: In a general sense I will evaluate myself in the form of how comfortable I am speaking French during the workshops. More specifically I will utilise the testing system in Duolingo and just practice, practice, practice until there are tangible results.