Each week, in addition to our classes, we have homework to complete. Between classes, kids, and all those other tasks that are part of life we manage to squeeze in the following:
1. The most time consuming part of our homework is
Rosetta Stone. We were required to purchase the software as part of our school program. We have to do 67 hours of labs by the end of the semester. This works out to just over 5 hours per week. There is a four part section where we see and hear french words and pictures, and section where we practice speaking, and a section where we practice typing. We use a French keyboard on the computer, and now my English typing and spelling are very confused.
The program is not hard to do, but it is hard to fit in time wise. I usually try to do at least one hour when Caleb is napping, but on Wednesday we have a different schedule. So far we have both been able to keep up with our work.
2. We have had a few oral assignments where we had to ask someone certain questions. For one of these we had to ask a francophone (someone whose native language is French) 5 questions about themselves. The students who are attending the Bible school here were all very patient with those of us who stumbled through the questions and tried to understand the answers!
3. We have written assignments to go along with what we are learning in class. We usually start these in class so that Kathleen (our teacher) can see if we understand the concept before we do the whole exercise wrong.
4. Of course, we are constantly trying to review and study. I will do a post tomorrow with the tests that we have every week. We are also studying to be able to speak and understand, not just pass a test or quiz.
5. We turn in a paper every week with our "listening" and "social activities." We have to listen to 5 hours of French. This can be TV, radio, music, movies, etc. We have to go to one social activity where people are speaking French. This can be something as simple as going out to eat, or going to a children's storytime at the library.
After our break (next week) we will also have to include reading in French and French conversations.
6. We are required to meet with one of the Bible students for one hour a week (in at least 3 separate meetings). We read Bible verses to them, and they correct our pronunciation. The Bible school students each have a personal devotional book (culte personel) that they complete as part of their assignments. We have a copy of this as well, and take our Bible reading from the passages there.
This has been a great opportunity to get to know one of the students. I practice French conversation with my student. She speaks English quite well, is very patient, and is a great teacher. We end up meeting 3 times a week, and usually read and talk for 30-45 minutes each time.
7. We turn our "Culte Personel" books in each week to show that we have done our reading. We are supposed to try to write something each day to practice our French writing.
Posts
