And yet again another month has passed without finding time to update on here - really must try harder! It has been a busy month with birthdays and moving.
In amongst the chaos has been some good news - I passed my French module! Results came out last week and I gained a level 2 pass which I'm pleased with. Slightly disappointed in the result for my written exam which was lower than I would have liked, but thankfully it was enough to keep me in the same level. Very surprisingly the result for my disastrous spoken exam was much better - whether allowances were made for the technical nightmares I don't know, but I am relieved it didn't affect my grade.
The other good news is that I have received funding for a job shadowing trip to Toulouse next year. I have already started exchanging emails with the school and the children are going to start writing in the New Year. However, just to confuse me I have received a package of letters from another school in the Tolouse area - not sure what's going on there but will have to wait until I can speak to the Languages co-ordinator once we are back at school! Maybe we've been twinned with 2 schools for some reason!
Studying is ongoing, albeit at a slightly reduced rate. I received a good score on my first German assignment so need to carry that on. With two new modules due to start in February I need to make the most of January to get ahead as much as I can. More good news is that the tutorials have been moved from Cambridge to Norwich for the next couple of months, so at least I should be able to get to those.
My other current project is my 40th birthday party! Having not had a party since I was 13, decided this was the time to push the boat out! Have booked a local hotel for the evening and a friend's band is going to play. I'm really looking forward to the evening and hope that friends that I haven't seen for a while will be able to come along. So January will also be a month of healthy eating and exercise as I would like to buy a new dress for the party!
Given my previous form, I am guessing that this will be my last post for the year! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year,
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Friday, 12 November 2010
Some positive news for once...
I feel re-invigorated! I had been feeling as though my goal of becoming a teacher was doomed to failure, having been told by various people on the TES forum that my degree wouldn't be good enough to get me on a MFL PGCE course as I hadn't spent a year abroad refining my fluency. But last night I went to a secondary PGCE open evening at my local university (the one I would want to do my PGCE at) and spoke to the tutors. I was delighted to learn from the curriculum tutor that my lack of time abroad would not prevent me from getting an interview (unlike the poor girl next to me who had a linguistics degree and was told it probably wouldn't be good enough!). So now I need to ensure that I: a) get a good degree result, b) get as much classroom experience as I can in the next couple of years, and c) keep practising my languages as much as I can to ensure I am as fluent as I possibly can be.
a) is very much dependent on the grades I get for my modules, so I need to knuckle down and ensure I get the best results I can. Next year will be key - my first level 3 course and the results from that will make a big differene to my overall degree grade. Although I am taking some level 1 courses at the same time, I must make sure I give priority to the level 3. To help keep my French going during the break I am taking part in an OU project on collaboration with 3 other European universities which will ensure I keep speaking and writing French in between courses.
b) needs me to be more proactive - I need to get into some secondary schools to observe classes. I've signed up for a scheme via the university which helps to get into schools, but as yet haven't had the time to go on the induction course! Must do this before February when the level 3 course kicks in!
c) well, this is down to me. I am guilty of taking the easy route and only doing what I need to in order to get through assignments, but I know I need to take my language learning to another level so that my fluency improves - not just in speaking but in listening and writing as well. I have numerous French DVDs and books that I have bought and then not watched or read - well the time has come to unwrap them and learn from them! Moving to a new house with no Sky TV, plus an absent husband, should help as I will have the time to watch French films with no distractions.! Also, I should find out next week if my funding has been agreed to spend 10 days in a French school - that will be a huge help if it happens!
I'm still not 100% sure that I want to teach secondary as primary has its attractions, but I hope that once I have spent some time in a secondary I will be nearer to a decision. At least I know that the doors to secondary teaching are not closed and I will do all I can over the next 3 years to ensure I have as good a chance as possible fo getting the PGCE place I want.
a) is very much dependent on the grades I get for my modules, so I need to knuckle down and ensure I get the best results I can. Next year will be key - my first level 3 course and the results from that will make a big differene to my overall degree grade. Although I am taking some level 1 courses at the same time, I must make sure I give priority to the level 3. To help keep my French going during the break I am taking part in an OU project on collaboration with 3 other European universities which will ensure I keep speaking and writing French in between courses.
b) needs me to be more proactive - I need to get into some secondary schools to observe classes. I've signed up for a scheme via the university which helps to get into schools, but as yet haven't had the time to go on the induction course! Must do this before February when the level 3 course kicks in!
c) well, this is down to me. I am guilty of taking the easy route and only doing what I need to in order to get through assignments, but I know I need to take my language learning to another level so that my fluency improves - not just in speaking but in listening and writing as well. I have numerous French DVDs and books that I have bought and then not watched or read - well the time has come to unwrap them and learn from them! Moving to a new house with no Sky TV, plus an absent husband, should help as I will have the time to watch French films with no distractions.! Also, I should find out next week if my funding has been agreed to spend 10 days in a French school - that will be a huge help if it happens!
I'm still not 100% sure that I want to teach secondary as primary has its attractions, but I hope that once I have spent some time in a secondary I will be nearer to a decision. At least I know that the doors to secondary teaching are not closed and I will do all I can over the next 3 years to ensure I have as good a chance as possible fo getting the PGCE place I want.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
All change in the madhouse
Not sure where the last month has gone! I had my written French exam a couple of weeks ago and I think it went ok. 450 words on the subject 'are virtual worlds useful?' - I think I followed the correct French essay structure and managed to shoehorn in the grammar I wanted to, so now I just have to wait until December to see whether I manage a pass or not! Although my German course doesn't officially start until next week, I have made a tentative start and to my dismay don't seem to have remembered as much as I had hoped...maybe as I get further into it more will come back to me.
As if I don't have enough to do, I have also signed up for a project that the OU is taking part in along with a couple of European universities. It will give me the opportunity to practise my French until my next course starts, as well as using some German. I'm looking forward to something a bit different.
Talking of different, it is all change at home. Hubby is now working away from home during the week, so I am a single parent from Monday to Thursday. Added to that, we are finally moving into our barn conversion next month, so we are frantically getting everything ready for that!
So lots of changes over the next few months - life is never dull!
As if I don't have enough to do, I have also signed up for a project that the OU is taking part in along with a couple of European universities. It will give me the opportunity to practise my French until my next course starts, as well as using some German. I'm looking forward to something a bit different.
Talking of different, it is all change at home. Hubby is now working away from home during the week, so I am a single parent from Monday to Thursday. Added to that, we are finally moving into our barn conversion next month, so we are frantically getting everything ready for that!
So lots of changes over the next few months - life is never dull!
Monday, 27 September 2010
Un veritable cauchemar...
I'm not sure whether anyone ever reads these, but just in case this post comes with a warning - it consists of me ranting about the nightmare that was my French oral exam this evening!
The brief was straightforward enough - prepare a three minute presentation about a project for an ecological community. Then listen to two other students give their presentations followed by a six minute discussion. Easy you would think?
Well I thought it would be until this evening....my presentation was prepared, I had possible questions to ask and answers to questions that I thought the others might ask me. I logged into the OU online conferencing system where the exam was to take place - so far so good. The other students were there and my heart sunk - one of them was a native French speaker who spoke very quickly and, from previous experience, never had very good sound quality via her microphone.
Before we gave our presentations we all had to give our names and ID numbers and that was when I realised that both of the other students were very difficult to hear - the sound was fuzzy and muffled. But before I could say anything, the tutor had started her introduction and we were underway. We were told that if we had sound problems we could send a written message, but not while anyone else was speaking, which didn't give any leeway!
I gave my presentation first and I think it went ok. Then the next girl started and I could barely hear what she was saying. The sound was so crackly I could only make out odd words here and there and had to guess at her project. As soon as she finished I sent a message to the tutor, but got no response. The next student then started and her sound was as bad - quiet and muffled. At that point I could have cried.
The discussion started and I was asked a question - thankfully I could just about make out the main part of it! I managed a reply and asked another question, but then one of the others decided she wanted to tell us more about her project rather than having a discussion and rambled on! Before I knew it, the exam was over and I felt as if I contributed nothing to the discussion.
As soon as I logged out I burst into tears - I cannot believe that having worked so bloody hard over the past seven months and received great scores up until now, that my course result could be jeopordised by the fact that other people had crap equipment and that somebody decided to monopolise the discussion. the other annoying thing is that her presentation was only just over 2 minutes anyway, so the bit she rambled on about during the discussion time could have been said during her presentation time anyway.
I had defended the OU's decision to use online conferencing for exams previously, as I had no problems at all for my last course. Yet tonight has shown me that it is just not a reliable way to assess students language abilities - technical problems (or microphone hogs) can ruin someone's chances completely.
I have emailed my tutor, but doubt anything can be done. I understand there is a Special Circumstances form that can be sent to the exam board but whether this is worth pursuing I don't know yet. Now is not the time to decide - I am so cross and upset that I can barely think straight. The thought that 15 minutes tonight could have ruined my course result (and ultimately my degree result) is so infuriating.
I know the answer is to put it behind me and move on - and as I have the written exam in 2 weeks I should really concentrate on that - but for now I'm drowning my sorrows in a large glass of wine! Hopefully I'll be able to put it all in perspective tomorrow.
The brief was straightforward enough - prepare a three minute presentation about a project for an ecological community. Then listen to two other students give their presentations followed by a six minute discussion. Easy you would think?
Well I thought it would be until this evening....my presentation was prepared, I had possible questions to ask and answers to questions that I thought the others might ask me. I logged into the OU online conferencing system where the exam was to take place - so far so good. The other students were there and my heart sunk - one of them was a native French speaker who spoke very quickly and, from previous experience, never had very good sound quality via her microphone.
Before we gave our presentations we all had to give our names and ID numbers and that was when I realised that both of the other students were very difficult to hear - the sound was fuzzy and muffled. But before I could say anything, the tutor had started her introduction and we were underway. We were told that if we had sound problems we could send a written message, but not while anyone else was speaking, which didn't give any leeway!
I gave my presentation first and I think it went ok. Then the next girl started and I could barely hear what she was saying. The sound was so crackly I could only make out odd words here and there and had to guess at her project. As soon as she finished I sent a message to the tutor, but got no response. The next student then started and her sound was as bad - quiet and muffled. At that point I could have cried.
The discussion started and I was asked a question - thankfully I could just about make out the main part of it! I managed a reply and asked another question, but then one of the others decided she wanted to tell us more about her project rather than having a discussion and rambled on! Before I knew it, the exam was over and I felt as if I contributed nothing to the discussion.
As soon as I logged out I burst into tears - I cannot believe that having worked so bloody hard over the past seven months and received great scores up until now, that my course result could be jeopordised by the fact that other people had crap equipment and that somebody decided to monopolise the discussion. the other annoying thing is that her presentation was only just over 2 minutes anyway, so the bit she rambled on about during the discussion time could have been said during her presentation time anyway.
I had defended the OU's decision to use online conferencing for exams previously, as I had no problems at all for my last course. Yet tonight has shown me that it is just not a reliable way to assess students language abilities - technical problems (or microphone hogs) can ruin someone's chances completely.
I have emailed my tutor, but doubt anything can be done. I understand there is a Special Circumstances form that can be sent to the exam board but whether this is worth pursuing I don't know yet. Now is not the time to decide - I am so cross and upset that I can barely think straight. The thought that 15 minutes tonight could have ruined my course result (and ultimately my degree result) is so infuriating.
I know the answer is to put it behind me and move on - and as I have the written exam in 2 weeks I should really concentrate on that - but for now I'm drowning my sorrows in a large glass of wine! Hopefully I'll be able to put it all in perspective tomorrow.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome
We held our first ever Languages Day at school today and it was great! The children were split into their 4 team point groups and then went round 4 'countries' learning a little bit of language and some of the culture.
I don't normally work all day on Thursday, but decided to go in and help out. Needless to say, I was in France. The day started with all the children going through passport control to board the aeroplane in the hall - as senior security officer I had to query a few passports and check some dodgy looking photos! The children really enjoyed this - especially the emergency proceedures on the plane ('the exits are here, here and here - I always wanted to be a trolley dolly!') and take off and landing. Then they were off to their first country - as well as France there was Germany, Spain and Estonia (our music teacher is Estonian). In France we had a cafe, a bibliotheque, some games plus food to try. Brioche went down well, brie less so!
All the children seemed to really enjoy the day and their little tasters of other countries. Whilst languages at Primary level may not be seen as a priority, I have seen how keen the children are to learn new words and phrases and particularly how the children who may struggle in other lessons seem to blossom with languages - they come to the subject at the same level as the other children and are not afraid to have a go.
Days like this make me sway towards Primary teaching again - seeing children tackle new challenges with enthusiasm gives me a warm glow! I'm not going to give up on my dream - it may take a while but I'll get there in the end. I need to take every opportunity to be involved in lessons and keep learning; I am very fortunate to work with a great team of teachers who are happy for me to be involved.
(On the downside, my French oral exam is in 4 days and I have a rotten cold and sore throat - don't think that is going to help the accent too much!)
I don't normally work all day on Thursday, but decided to go in and help out. Needless to say, I was in France. The day started with all the children going through passport control to board the aeroplane in the hall - as senior security officer I had to query a few passports and check some dodgy looking photos! The children really enjoyed this - especially the emergency proceedures on the plane ('the exits are here, here and here - I always wanted to be a trolley dolly!') and take off and landing. Then they were off to their first country - as well as France there was Germany, Spain and Estonia (our music teacher is Estonian). In France we had a cafe, a bibliotheque, some games plus food to try. Brioche went down well, brie less so!
All the children seemed to really enjoy the day and their little tasters of other countries. Whilst languages at Primary level may not be seen as a priority, I have seen how keen the children are to learn new words and phrases and particularly how the children who may struggle in other lessons seem to blossom with languages - they come to the subject at the same level as the other children and are not afraid to have a go.
Days like this make me sway towards Primary teaching again - seeing children tackle new challenges with enthusiasm gives me a warm glow! I'm not going to give up on my dream - it may take a while but I'll get there in the end. I need to take every opportunity to be involved in lessons and keep learning; I am very fortunate to work with a great team of teachers who are happy for me to be involved.
(On the downside, my French oral exam is in 4 days and I have a rotten cold and sore throat - don't think that is going to help the accent too much!)
Monday, 13 September 2010
Nothing is ever straightforward
I have spent some time looking into requirements for PGCE and now fear that my degree may not be good enough. Ideally I want to do my PGCE at the UEA - the closest university to where I live. Their requirements for secondary modern languages states that you must have a good understanding of the culture of the target language. Yet, I have not spent much time in either France or Germany. A tentative enquiry on the TES website has lead to a reply which basically says that my language skills will notbe good enough if I don't spend at least a term abroad.
So, I looked at requirements for Primary - that states that as well as a degree, good A level results are needed. I didn't take A levels.
Perhaps I'm fooling myself that I'll ever be able to become a teacher - maybe I should just go and work in Tesco instead.
Oh well - I'll keep plodding on and attend the UEA Secondary and Primary open days to try and talk to tutors and see whether I stand a chance. Starting to feel rather despondent though.
So, I looked at requirements for Primary - that states that as well as a degree, good A level results are needed. I didn't take A levels.
Perhaps I'm fooling myself that I'll ever be able to become a teacher - maybe I should just go and work in Tesco instead.
Oh well - I'll keep plodding on and attend the UEA Secondary and Primary open days to try and talk to tutors and see whether I stand a chance. Starting to feel rather despondent though.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Back to school
The end of the long summer holidays and three out of my four children are back at school today (youngest starts Wednesday) so it is time for me to pick my books up again and get on with some serious studying! I have found it very difficult to keep up with things over the holidays - entertaining - and feeding! - 4 children with very different temperaments, likes and dislikes meant that the books were left largely untouched, other than to write my final assignment for my French course.
A three hour tutorial tonight should get me in the mood for revision - at least it will point out all the glaring gaps in my vocabulary and grammar. The 2 hour drive each way isn't something I'm particularly looking forward to, but with exams looming I can't afford to miss any opportunity to practise French. Just three weeks until the spoken exam and then a further two weeks until the written exam - lots of work to do between now and then. And then only a couple of weeks gap until I start my German course....
My theoretical child-free study time could soon be a thing of the past ae I am on the lookout for another job. DH is not enjoying the new role that he has been pushed into, so I need to bring some more money in just in case things reach boiling point and he ends up leaving work. This could put a huge dent in my plan of completing my degree in another 2 years, but I'll just have to see how things go.
My application for job-shadowing in Toulouse has to be in next week - I'm still wiating for details of my partner school so it is going to be a very last minute application! Would be great if I could go as that may be my only chance to go to France next year.
Back to the books - have to prepare an essay plan before tonight's tutorial!
A three hour tutorial tonight should get me in the mood for revision - at least it will point out all the glaring gaps in my vocabulary and grammar. The 2 hour drive each way isn't something I'm particularly looking forward to, but with exams looming I can't afford to miss any opportunity to practise French. Just three weeks until the spoken exam and then a further two weeks until the written exam - lots of work to do between now and then. And then only a couple of weeks gap until I start my German course....
My theoretical child-free study time could soon be a thing of the past ae I am on the lookout for another job. DH is not enjoying the new role that he has been pushed into, so I need to bring some more money in just in case things reach boiling point and he ends up leaving work. This could put a huge dent in my plan of completing my degree in another 2 years, but I'll just have to see how things go.
My application for job-shadowing in Toulouse has to be in next week - I'm still wiating for details of my partner school so it is going to be a very last minute application! Would be great if I could go as that may be my only chance to go to France next year.
Back to the books - have to prepare an essay plan before tonight's tutorial!
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