Pronunciation diary

Grammar and vocabulary make up a huge part of the studies of a language learner. However, the correct pronunciation is the crucial part of mastering a language. When you are talking with a native speaker, they might not notice the grammar mistakes you make or your limited vocabulary, but they will definitely take notice if your pronunciation is bad. Moreover, if you speak English with a strong foreign accent, native speakers might even have problems understanding you. Before you start improving your pronunciation, though, you should decide which accent you would like to adopt. For learing the British accent, I recommend this site http://www.wikihow.com/Speak-in-a-British-Accent for a detailed step by step explanation and this site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtXcrElq5jM to gain a quick insight into the most essential aspects of British English. I personally like watching interviews of my favourite British actors like Emma Watson. This is like mixing work and pleasure!

In terms of my pronunciation in general, one of the fields I really need to improve is the intonation. When I listened to our record of the Pecha Kucha transcript, it was actually the first time I have ever heard myself speaking a foreign language. I have to admit, that I wasn’t very satisfied with my tone of voice. It sounded like I was reading a awfully boring legislative text and was falling asleep any moment! Except my monotonous pronunciation, I also realised that I tend to end high at the end of a sentence which makes it sound more like a question than a statement. For this reason, I was searching the Internet for useful websites. The two best tips I found are: Firstly, to correct improper intonation, you need to remember to start high and end low. Secondly, listen to natural English conversation through T.V., radio, podcasts, the news, movies, etc. and afterwards recording yourself how you are speaking some of the sentences. This will give you the opportunity to directly compare your pronunciation with the original speech.

In terms of English oral communication, speaking fluently therefore is a formidable challenge for me. However, I think there is one vital characteristic you need to acquire this ability – a characteristic that I’m without doubt lacking: confidence. Emotion is critically important for fluent speech and if you are confident you are able to use your knowledge without hesitation. I don’t think that any of my class mates face the same problem, but whenever I have to talk in English, I’m nervous, worried, and afraid of appearing foolish. Fear of mistakes, fear of other people’s opinions– these destroy English fluency. I know that my difficulty has nothing to do with studying English vocabulary, listening and speaking, but with missing inner strength.

Now that I found out what my main pronunciation weaknesses are, I was able to strategize. Pronunciation is something totally individual and each student has to find their own ways to improve it. However, I think that it would take me a looong time to acquire a credible British accent.

Planning my term in Milan

As I am going to spend the summer term in Milan, it is time that I get things going! With this post I also would like to help all future Erasmus students with my step-by-step plan.

Studying abroad is one of the most challenging and exciting experiences that I probably will encounter as a student. Planning to study abroad can be a little intimidating, so it is a crucial part of the planning process to find the resources and people you will need as you embark on this adventure!

Attend an information event for stays abroad

This is the first step to study abroad! These information events normally take place in October at the main building of the KFU. Learn the basics about program options, available countries and universities, application deadlines, scholarships and financial aid, and much more. This event is also a great opportunity to talk with returning students about their experiences.

Consider your priorities and interests

Would you prefer living in a busy city or in a quiet town? Will you be on a budget while you are abroad? Would you like to live with a host family, in an apartment, or in a dorm? Will you fulfil major or minor requirements while abroad, or will you take general education courses?

These are some of the most important questions you have to ask yourself!

Talk to your abroad adviser

As I decided to take part in the Erasmus programme, I attended one of the three consulting afternoons where you receive detailed explanations for you application. I recommend talking with your abroad adviser (this is Karin Schwach for all Erasmus students) if you have any unresolved issues! It is the best to schedule an appointment with her.

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines

Although Douglas Adams writes in The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by”, deadlines are the most essential thing regarding your Erasmus planning. Check this site http://international.uni-graz.at/en/stud/outgoing/s-out-mprog/erasmus/erasmus-1415/ for all important dates.

Residing abroad

Unfortunately, the university I’m going to attend in Milan doesn’t offer a hall and therefore, I was searching a loooong time find an appropriate place where I can live for five months. Personally, I think it is very helpful to talk to students who have already been in the city you are going to study. One girl gave me the contact data of a woman who lets rooms in Milan. Starting February I’m going to live in a house near “Piazza 6 febbraio” – which is actually my birthday, so I think that’s a good sign!

This is how far I am with my planning by now. I hope this post is helpful for some of you and I wish everyone good luck for your Erasmus applications in January/February! And always remember: A good preparation is half the battle. ;-)

What's all the fuss about Yoga?!

I love trying out new sports: from water sports to martial arts to athletics. When I was a child, my neighbour convinced me to start horse riding. However, the fact that I hated the smell of horses and stables made me to give up this hobby after a short time. A few years after this failed attempt to awaken a passion for horses, I decided to move to a completely different direction and registered for a martial arts course. I attended a karate course for six years twice a week and was even awarded the green belt. Unfortunately, I had to leave this sports club when I start going to business school. From then on I chose less exciting sports, such as volleyball or athletics.

I have always considered sports to counteract stress at school. This is my justification why I did the following: joining a Yoga course. I just could not reject the tempting offer of the USI! In the first week of October I found myself in a small, stuffy room in the basement of the Karl-Franzens University that has nothing in common with these fancy and inspiring fitness rooms you can see in movies. But don’t judge a book by its cover (although I should have done it in this case)… In the first lesson we were lying nearly a whole hour on the floor and learning how to breathe “properly”. Also the following yoga sessions were bitter disappointments. We had to do poses which have completely hilarious names, like “der herabschauende Hund” or “der Baum” and my personal favourite “das Kuhgesicht”. And the whole being motionless makes me so bored. Besides, my yoga teacher is a humourless guy who hasn’t laughed at my jokes once! And over time he just gets more annoying, which is largely because he is constantly repeating the sentence “The energy flows where the attention goes”.

These are my rather underwhelming experiences with yoga so far. I think I’m not going to give this “sports” another go in the next few years.

Comment on “summary55555“

Summary:

Ambrose Evans-Pitchard’s article in The Telegraph of the 23^rd October 2013 analyses the approaching European deflation in connection with debt.

At the beginning of the text, the author mentions that deflation had already occurred before. Deflation can influence the economy of countries positively if they are not too heavily in debt. This, however, is not the case in Europe: As many countries are overburdened with debts, repaying it becomes more and more difficult if the inflation is too low. This problem does not only affect national but also private debt.

It is argued that the ECB should try everything to maintain an inflation of at least 2% in order to prevent from an economic disaster, but according to the author Europe seems to be paralyzed. Italy, France and Spain should gang up on Germany and dictate a new policy, which combats deflation and could therefore help restoring the damaged economies. Yet, they fear that Germany might leave the EMU and leave it up to the rest to solve the debt problem.

Summing up, Europe is far away from a proper solution. It still seems to be in recession but

prefers to wait for an economic miracle instead of taking the initiative.

[201 words]

Comment:

In general, the student who wrote this text has produced a good summary. The introducing sentence hits the nail on the head and clearly explains what the original article was about. However, one thing I missed throughout the whole text is the emphasis on the opinion of the author. The student wrote “It is argued” and “It still seems” and reflects only one time the purpose of the author. Also the phrase that Italy, France and Spain should gang up on Germany sounds more like a general idea than the solution of the author. There are also numerous positive aspects of the summary. The student concentrates on the most essential information, lists them in a logical order and always writes in their own words. Moreover, the text producer remains an objective reporter. In terms of language, an appropriate register is used and I have just found two expressions with “it” where it is not 100% clear what the student wants to refer to.