What have I learned so far?
What a nice question to check your achievements from time to time! The one thing I have definitely realized thoroughly is your passion and interest in ever of your beginnings. Weather it is your desire to learn new language or preparation for your semester exams, maybe your hobbies or sport (if it is not your hobby!). What I am trying to say is that the outcome of your efforts entirely relies on your aspiration and diligence. Don’t try to fool yourself with made-up excuses and also don’t spare yourself but vice versa! Try to treat yourself as a person you are not satisfied with (to an adequate extent, of course, don’t overdo it because it maybe also be harmful) and demand from yourself accordingly. I have experienced that so many times and, of course, I am not a perfect person, I cannot always act like that. I learn from my mistakes though and endeavor as much as I can!
So, going back to the question! During this course, I have learned A LOT so far! A vast amount of new words are getting used by me more and more often with every day. Yay!!! I am sure that I have progressed in speaking quite well. I can finally express my thoughts (more or less) without looking into glossary every minute. I have learned and practiced a bunch of new grammar (which I find extremely hard to understand). On this stage I face some troubles (as every german-learner, I hope), but it can be fixed through practice and practice and one more time – practice! Sheets with grammar principles are already hanged above the desk so I could see it whenever I raise my eyes from the laptop.
My personal advice is to absorb as many new words as possible. The books that we use during the course are undoubtedly fine for this, but you also should always look for other new words. And this is so easy to do when you live in German-speaking country! Just look around – free newspapers every morning at metro entrance, journals inside the carriage, shops, cafes, bakeries!
Something I still cannot overcome is switch from speaking English to German on daily basis. Obviously, I try to greet and say goodbye in German in shops or cafes, I also attempt to make an order in restaurants. But apart from that, something more complicated frighten me badly and I cannot put two words together! I don’t give up, assuredly, i just need some more time to get used to this language.
The easiest part for me is to listen to german, it seems so easy and the language itself is so smooth and soft. Actually, I’ve never thought of German language as a soft language before I started to learn it, stereotypes, what can I say:) But now, I start to realize the actual beauty of this language.
Another point I wanted to mention is out group – a diverse team of people who share the same goal with you – I got lucky with that! We are nice and friendly, everybody takes this course very seriously, but also we can play and laugh from time to time. It helps to release tension and enjoy the course even more!
That’s all for now:)
P.S. Picture I made myself this Autumn in Austrian National Park Gesäuse. I love it!
