Journal (Trip to France) - 2011-2012 Item No. 1
The first item in my portfolio is a journal from when my family took a trip to France. Since my dad was granted a sabbatical, our family travelled to the south of France for a year to learn French and gain cultural experience. We took this trip during the time I was in Grade 6; however, we had to take school in French instead, which was probably more difficult. I chose to add this journal because it is an accurate summary of many of the things my family did in France, and it shows my progress throughout the year learning French.
In order to be able to communicate while my family was in France, all of us had to learn to speak and write in French. This was a challenge, but we took lessons
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However, I would make sure to keep a more detailed account of what I was doing. I would need to keep a better journal so that I could remember all the things I did. There are so many things to do and see that it is nearly impossible not to forget something!
In France, I learned the value of heightened social and interpersonal skills and awareness. I found that when speaking in French, I was much more confident than when I spoke in English, and this led to me being less introverted. By writing a journal, I also learned how to summarize facts concisely, and how to communicate effectively.
This journal demonstrates that I have effective communication skills, especially in writing. It also shows how I am always working to improve my general skill set. You can see this throughout the journal, as my French gets better and better!
Rock (Asteroids Game) - July 2013 Item No. 2
As the second item in my portfolio, I chose to add a rock. Although a rock is something very ordinary, to me it represents something very special: the time when I created a clone of the arcade game Asteroids. This was significant because it was the first time I had created a video game that actually looked professional; it was also the first video game for which I developed a fully functional computerized opponent. I chose a rock to represent part of me in my portfolio, because it is a
French is one of the only languages that is spoken worldwide, and it is impressively the only language that is spoken in all five continents. French has quickly morphed into a language of much importance, and this importance will only continue to grow; it is the second most commonly taught language in the world (after English), and because it is so commonly taught and known, speaking French will be helpful almost anywhere one travels. It allows for people, who previously would be unable to communicate, to interact and understand each other. Therefore, this language connects the world and brings it closer together.
In the article, “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris (1999), the author describes what it was like learning French while living in France. Sedaris moved to Paris in order to learn the language and immerse himself into the culture. He thought this would make learning the language easier. During his time in France, Sedaris experienced intimidation, abuse, and joy. Learning a foreign language as an adult is difficult because of the feeling of intimidation by younger classmates, a hostile learning environment presented by the teacher, and an inherent cognitive disadvantage.
The third key point is understanding the language. At the end of the article, the author was skeptical of ever learning French. When fall arrived, while in class the author was called out by the teacher and scolded. It was at that time when the author realized that he was able to understand what was being spoken in French. He then states, "understanding doesn't mean that you can suddenly speak the language. Far from it. It's a small step, nothing more, yet its rewards are intoxicating and deceptive." This key point supports my claim because it shows that learning a new language is not an
Of the various assignments completed in this portfolio, four of them were the most meaningful to me. The “First
This is a summary of what I have putted in me portfolio and why I choose them as my materials.
Throughout my educational experience, I have always been captivated by the French language and culture. My intellectual curiosity of French has constantly driven me to explore the language beyond an educational setting. As a result of learning French, I realized its positive impression on my life and its lasting impact on our globalized world.
Learning a foreign language can be quite a difficult task, which is why it is important to have a comfortable learning environment, as well a good teacher who can encourage and help you to keep you motivated in your studies. In his essay “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, David Sedaris seems to be lacking both in his quest to become fluent in the French language. Before leaving New York to go to France, Sedaris took a month long French course as to not be a total beginner when attending class in France. On the first day, Sedaris is quite nervous, as he does not feel very confident in his French, especially not when observing the other students, who despite their nationalities spoke in what to him seemed like perfect French. Furthermore, he knows that he is expected to perform, because “That’s the way they do it here – it’s everybody into the language pool, sink or swim” (p.
the rights of both English and French speakers. Learning a second language can expand your
Portfolios have been used to showcase the work of artists, fashion designers, models, photographers and architects, spanning several decades (M.Williams., K.Jordan., 2007) These career portfolios have been adopted in to the nursing profession where they serve as an augmentation but not a replacement of their curriculum vitae (Lettus, 2001). They have not only transcended beyond the traditional listing of basic information such as relevant past work experiences and positions held, educational institutions attended and achievements but provide additional information that resumes would have presented (M.J. Jone., 2007). A professional portfolio is a thoughtfully prepared and organised compilation of different types of professional information and evidence that illustrate an individual’s record of continuing professional development activities, skills, experiences, knowledge, competencies, professional achievements and goals as well as their level of expertise that one has attained as a result of their experiences.’ (Andre & Heartfield, 2011)The basic components of a professional portfolio include personal details, resume and documents such as certificates graduate transcripts, licensure, (Davis, 2015) professional organisation memberships, professional awards, annual performance appraisals, dates of promotions, recommendations from current or previous supervisors or employers, peers and others (Timmins & Duffy, 2011).
I want to have a conversation in France with someone in French. Doing this is going to help me with my language skills and to give me a different cultural experience from one of the most visited places in the world. To be able to do this would mean a lot to me. I really want to expand my travel of the world and be able to experience the most I can. In the future I hope i will be able to do this. One of my dreams is to become fluent in several languages so doing this would make me very happy. From this experience I would gain the experience I need to be able to become fluent in
Although the intent of the portfolio is to focus on my strengths as a professional in the field; I think it also allows the opportunity to showcase other things about myself such as my passion for students, other areas of interest, my personality, things I have been involved in, etc. The ability to tie in a philosophy statement that showcases my beliefs and values and
In Germany, naturally, I had to take a German course. I knew nothing of the language, and I was forced to learn quickly lest I fall behind. Frau Wild helped me to catch up. This class was unlike any other I had ever taken— I could take what I had learned with me and apply it to my life. I went from staying around the house and not being able to tell the school bus driver where I lived to starting conversations with people in the city and commuting alone via train. I was able to make friends and talk to people all because of being able to use the German language. And so began my language career. I began to take
Things have changed a lot since the decline of French and the rise of the English. English is now the world 's lingua franca. But French remains an official language in many international institutions, from The United Nation to The European Union, to the Olympics Committee (founded by a Frenchman), and learning French still retains some superior status.
After many recent trips to parts of France in the last few years, I have gained a fascination with the concept of communicating with individuals in various languages; these excursions have fuelled my passion to immerse myself into a language degree and to follow a path of foreign language and its meanings and uses in the world of work. Discovering aspects of the French culture like fashion, food and family life during my travels assisted me for my AS French Oral Exam and these experiences have led me to believe that time spent studying in France will help me to achieve my aspiration to have the ability to interpret the French and English language for both myself and others. Attending weekly sessions with a fluent French born assistant in my sixth form has helped develop my French linguistic skills and enhanced my confidence with communicating in the language. Although Welsh is a more diverse language to French, it is still close to my heart and I have a great desire to one day be able to speak the mother tongue of my home country fluently. Studying both French and Welsh at AS and A Levels has equipped me with the ability to communicate, to read and to understand both languages simultaneously. Despite only studying Biology at AS Level it has broadened my knowledge and cultivated me with critical thinking skills and has assisted me to have an understanding of science, beyond what I new before taking on this vast subject.
My portfolio here reflects on some of the competencies that I learned and adapted from my last sixteen months stay here at A&M, which I believe are very essential for any student for his personal and professional endeavors.