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[phoenixmonarch]

well I'm back at college and the first few days have been just horrible

Comments

[kiril]

Don't be so hard on yourself -- getting used to talking a language you don't know well is tough, and I think the secret to doing well is not to have such high standards. Focus on just talking, and don't worry about whether the things you're saying are useful or pertinent. Make simple sentences with words and constructions you're comfortable with, and don't worry so much about what the other people are saying. You're not going to be able to understand everything -- even after half a year here I don't understand everything people say and lose the thread of the conversation -- so just try to get the main idea. Also don't be shy about making people repeat. And don't think the other people get everything that's going on either! A lot of that is just that they're better at faking it than you are and they don't let it freak them out when they lose track of what's going on.

But hang in there Crystal! Don't get discouraged right away.

[phoenixmonarch]

Thanks that does mean alot coming from someone who has been in another country for some months now. Actually I took your advice and concentrated on using a simple sentence that was all present tense when La Doctora asked me to respond to a question. It worked out well and, to tell you the truth, it gave me a good feeling that I actually SAID something you know? The best part was that it was something correct and I felt really good when I left class.

And you know what? You right about people faking better then me. There are about 5 people in my class who are at the same level as I am so I don't feel as alone anymore. I'm trying to really pay attention to what La Doctora is saying and what my hisapnic peers are saying as well and who knows... maybe I will improve and feel more comforable in this class as time goes on... I really hope so...

But anyway, thanks for your help Kiril!