This semester as a self-directed learner for Swedish has been a very challenging and rewarding semester. At the beginning of the semester I was very motivated to begin this course even though I was hesitant about my ability to remain motivated when there were only goals set by my self and my own responsibility in keeping up to date. These were legitimate concerns since I had never before participated in this type of course, but I was very soon convinced that the course would be a success when I began speaking Swedish and recognizing significant improvements in my fluidity and confidence. My goals at the beginning semester were to become more confident speaking in formal settings and expanding my vocabulary in order to speak about more complex topics beyond daily tasks and activities. My focus would be on developing my presentational speaking through readings taken from Swedish media and conversation with my language partner. At the beginning of the semester it was a little difficult to place my language level because I had never had any formal training in the Swedish language but could nonetheless communicate rather effectively in daily conversation. Determining my level was one of the interesting discoveries I made throughout my first conversations with my language partner. I realized that I was very uncertain about the conjugations of certain words and lacked confidence but many times I utilized complex sentence structures naturally. My language level was at a very interesting point at the start of the semester but I realized later through a particular reading that revealed more about my learning style and how that reflected my Swedish language development.

            The reading was a short article taken from The New York Times that explained the results from a study that showed the brain activity of an individual taught to learn a language like a native speaker. The studies showed that by focusing on oral ability and communicating a context where the spoken ability and fluidity is more important, learners exhibited brain activity similar to that of a native speaker’s brain activity. I realized while reading this article that a majority of my language learning has stemmed from such learning and that although I may score highly in immediate responses that are culturally appropriate I do struggle with written language. This was confirmed during the European Swedish language exam I took during my final evaluation. In listening and speaking I scored C1 and B2 levels respectively and on the other hand was not too surprised that my lowest score was in the writing section. This semester I have learned more about how to assess my languages and marked significant improvement since the beginning.

            Reflecting now on my experience, I believe the most fruitful part of my learning has been meeting with my language partner consistently twice a week. I have improved my speaking abilities tremendously and as I compare the amount of time I spoke to him to the amount of time I spoke in a French class, it has been much greater. I realize that had I been given the same opportunity to speak with a language partner for other language such as French my level may have been more advanced. Not only did I learn to communicate, but also I further developed my own cultural nuances through conversation of Swedish culture in comparison to the United States. If I could do one thing differently it may have been to focus more on writing, but saying this I am not sure this would have made my experience equally enjoyable and rewarding. I accomplished the majority of my goals that I made at the onset of the semester and of this I am very proud. A self-directed course took great organization and prioritization in order to remain up to date, but I know now I have the ability to direct a similar course for myself once again given the skills and I gained this semester.

This week I have focused on researching for my cultural presentation and determining which areas I will focus on, in addition to the vocabulary and media I will employ in my presentation. I look forward to hearing from the other students who I have not yet met and learn more about how they have been studying their languages and what they will be focusing on in their presentations.

Lesson Topic: Greetings in a Coffee shop

Method: Outside classroom setting/in a familiar coffee house setting

Focus: Audio Learning

For my learning activity I decided to teach my friend how to learn basic Swedish greetings in a familiar setting that would focus on conversation and basic vocabulary associated. The purpose is not to stress memorization but rather build reactionary vocabulary to a particular social situation that skips the classroom setting and focuses on situational competency.

Greetings to learn:

Hej! = hello!

Jag heter...= My name is..

Vår kommer du frå?= Where are you from?

Hur mår du?= How are you doing?

Är du törtisg? = Are you thirsty?

Är du hungrig? = Are you hungry?

Vill du ta en fika?= Would you like to have a fika?

Tack!= Thank you!

Mjölk= milk

en kaffe= coffee

en te= tea

Class:

I began by introducing the situation and discussing common greetings. We practiced repetition of the basic greetings and then asked her to ask the cashier in Swedish even though they would not understand in order to experience what it would feel/sound like. We pointed out various objects related to bumping into someone in a coffee shop.

Response:

My friend's pronunciation was very good. She was only focusing on the sound and thus was very concerned with the pronunciation of the words. She was also very conscious of intonation and speed. These are characteristics that advanced speakers usually demonstrate after a few intense months of language learning or even years. She remembers almost all the new words and was able to employ them comfortably at the end of class period.

Reflection:

Focusing on audio had noticeable benefits for the quality of speaking and comfort in expressing herself in the environment she would most likely use the vocabulary. A combination of the setting, its practical usage, and repetition all contributed, I believe to successful language learning.

I found this video very interesting. It supports my successful experience emphasizing the oral/audio part of learning a language. Quickest Way to Learn a Language

These are some of the questions we discussed:

Due to my personal interest in public health and personal health, my language partner and i decided to explore the topic of personal health a little further and to reinforce my vocabulary in this area. We spoke specifically about the importance of sleep, different types of food in our diet, exercise, and addictions.

Vi prattade om personlig hälsa (motion, vad man ska äta, eller undvika att äta!) 

This week my language partner and I spoke about immigration in Sweden and racist extremists. We spoke about this most recent trend in Sweden and why there seems to be such a sudden reaction to immigration in Sweden. We spoke about the growth of immigrant communities in Sweden and the problems of integration that the Swedish government and society is facing.

We watched several news reports and discussed the main arguments presented against and for immigration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdIoUPfDlCc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

- Är motdemonstrationer det bästa sättet att uppnå ett öppet samhälle med respekt för olika kulturer och folk och utan rasism? (Are counter-protestos the best way to open up an open scoiety with respect for different cultures and people without racism?)
- vilket land är mest racistiskt, Sverige eller USA? Varför? (which land is more racist, Sweden or USA, why?)
- hur ser den anti-rasistiska utopi staten ut? (how does the anti-racism utopian state look like?)

I Europa är det många som vill se förbud mot religiösa kläder - särskilt heltäckande slöja på kvinnor. Vi läste många artikler som forklarade situationen.

http://www.newsmill.se/node/15746

http://www.dn.se/ledare/huvudledare/nej-till-kladforbud-

http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/skolor-far-infora-visst-slojforbud_6762145.svd

http://www.sydsvenskan.se/varlden/article1604253/Slojforbud-aven-i-Nederlanderna.html

A few questions we discussed:

Varför vill man förbjuda slöja? (Why do some want to forbid religious clothing?)
Vilka vill förbjuda slöjor? (Who exactly wants to do this?)
Varför ska man inte förbjuda slöja? (Why shouldn't man forbid religious clothing?)

Nazis in Lund, Sweden

Articles Read:

This article continues to support current claims that learning a language like a native improves language acquisition skills. In this scientists were able to measure how the brain processed the language. It does not surprise me that learning the language through immersion showed signs of native speaker brain activity because the individual is forced to remember the ways in situational settings and react accordingly on short notice. At no other time during my language studies has it helped more than to immerse myself in the language I am learning. This has allowed me to improve my French tremendously at various points in times and also allowed me to improve my Swedish and Spanish. I am convinced by the power of immersion and believe it allows  for quicker attainment of colloquial language and stimulates a differen part of the brain.

Response to reading “Communicative Competence” (From Principles of Language Learning and Teaching by H.D. Brown).

Unable to access article. Speak to Grove.

The focus of my Swedish studies has not been writing but nonetheless I have expanded my writing skills through the reading that I have done most recently through blogs and news articles. For this artifact I wanted to pick a sample of writing that would allow me to practice translating English into Swedish in a manner that could be possible in the future. Although my initial goal was to be able to write in a more formal manner I decided that a news article would be more appropriate based on my readings this term.

Below is my translation of an English news article about Sweden on a English speakers expatriate website where articles are written about Swedes or Swedish culture in English.Here is the link to the original article: http://www.thelocal.se/40314/20120417/ and the series of photographs for which I provide a translation as well: http://www.thelocal.se/gallery/stockholm/2360/

Translation:

Fen saker du borde vet om Stockholm

Tror du att du känna Stockholm? Kolla The LOcal's list av den fem saker du borde veta om den Svenska kapital.

Kallade av många som Veizen om Norden, och kändes till andra bara som en annan Nordisk stad med blonda köttbulle ättare, Stockholm är en stad som "trolla" upp båda fantasier och mardrömer, beroende på hvor du sitter.

Vad som helst, The Local ha samlats en list av 5 enkla saker om Stockholm som alla måsta veta.

OBS: Listen kanske inte sitter bra med läsare frå Götenborg. Eller Oslo. Eller Köbenhavn.

Klicka här för The Local's list av 5 aker du måsta veta om Stockholm.

Bild 1:

Stockholmare är okänt om dera stad, så mycket att även en omnämnande om Sveriges näst störste stad (Göteborg, västa Sverige) kan resultera i en bitande svar, i allvarlig situationer- förnekelse av sitt existens. Ja, Stockholmare hatar Göteborgare.

Bild 2:

Stockholmska män är den sexigaste män i hela världen i den senaste forskning, och kvinnorna fick andra plats för tjejer. Och, dom är kläd att dö. Så, fixa ditt hår och din smink, annars ska du stanna ut som en mörbultad tumma.

Bild 3:

Där finns en stor exodus i Juli (vecka 29), när Stockholmare packa upp och åka för en liten by som heter Visby på Gotland. Så, var säkart att hålla din scheme åpent för "Stockholm vecka," för att den är den bästa tid att åka runt i kapitalen, eller, den bästa tiden att se Gotland.

Bild 4:

Dom flesta av tunnelbananen stationer i den Stockholm är pyntade med konst- målningar, skulpturer, och mosaiker som liva upp passagerares dagar när dom åker runt staden.

Bild 5:

Den är den Skandinavisk kapital!

In order to meet my learning goal of improved presentational speaking, my language partner and I decided to perform a mock interview in Swedish where I was challenged to use formal Swedish and present myself in a job interview. This was one of the most challenging experiences this semester.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JCqWa4sLok&feature=youtu.be

In this presentation I discuss more formally the developments of the Swedish blog phenomenon. I discuss some of the most popular bloggers in Sweden, the topics they address and the significance it has for young men and women in Sweden.

Second artifact

Attached is my learning plan and Self Evaluation.

SDLAP_learningplanCondarco.docx

It will be hard to summarize everything I learned about Swedish culture this semester but what amazes me most about my experience this semester has been how central Swedish culture has been to my language studies. I have been able to construct a Swedish study program around various topics of interests and through conversation with my language partner. Throughout the term I have discussed such diverse topics as food, travel, tv shows, political controversies, public health, abortion debates, women's rights, immigration policies, and much more. I have learned so much about in these areas that have revealed a little more about the way Swedes perceive what is right or wrong, acceptable, politically controversial, and socially appropriate. I have learned more about the responsibilities of the state and of citizens and how this reflects concepts of equity, an idea I find that has permeated many aspects of Swedish culture.

There is also a strong desire to remain transparent, open, and responsible in politics, environmental policies and immigration policies. These are only some of the broader ideas I encountered during my studies of Swedish culture and language. Furthermore, I found the structure of Swedish language to reflect the need to cooperate and build upon social and linguistic foundations. Words are usually created by adding root words to create longer more intricate concepts. I find this most fascinating and see similar word structures in languages such as German and other north-Germanic languages.

Through the other cultural presentations presented in class I have learned more about other cultures and realize there were other areas addressed in these presentations which would be very interesting to explore within Swedish culture such as music and entertainment.

Another very Swedish concept is that of "fika." In Sweden it is common to take pauses throughout the day to drink a coffee or grab a sweet/salty snack in order to unwind from other activities in good company. This has become a common tradition both in the workplace where "fika" pauses might be taken in the morning and afternoon with entire staff designations in a certain room known appropriately as "fika rooms." Fika is not meant to last very long or to interrupt a school day but it is meant to be a leisure activity where socializing is prioritized and be a stress free period of time. There are many ways to fika, and many do so during the school day or at home, and out on town.

Fika is not just a delicious way of taking time from the day to unwind, it is also a cultural activity that reflects Swedish understandings of work ethic and leisure time. Swedes have designated certain times of the day and year to certain activities and their is very little overlap between said activities. The best example is Swedish work ethic which is efficient and effective and from which Swedes are allowed to take on average 6-8 weeks of vacation every year. Vacations are spent relaxing and enjoying the Swedish summer, family, or other holidays to the fullest. Swedes know how to enjoy their leisure time and multi-tasking diverse things like work, eating, and personal life at the same moment is frowned upon and regarded as necessary.

Below is a very funny video that addresses the concept of Fika to a non-Swedish audience.

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viPsC5rc1Fg

To be polite in Sweden there is a very particular phrase which reflects the idea that things must be done in moderation in just the right amount. This concept is known as "lagom." For many Swedes the term "lagom" is not translatable. This word does not exist in other Scandinavian languages and can refer to both physical amounts but also can be used to describe a certain lifestyle. Lagom is understood as a fine balance between extremes and the middle way. There is debate amongst Swedes whether "Lagom och Svensk" (Lagom and Swedish) is actually a good or bad thing as it denotes a certain dullness or boredom. Whatever the debate, there is a certain understanding that to be polite in Sweden is to avoid conflict and work towards a collective. The origin of the world "lagom" according to the Swedish Academy is very interesting as the word lag is the word for law and team. Dating back to the Viking era, when leaders used to sit around a table as a "lag"=team and pass around= "om" food or drink to share in which lagom came to be identified with moderation to support the collective.

The concept of "lagom" is referred to in daily life and most displays of exuberant or extreme behaviors are frowned upon especially when they may disrupt a certain ambiance or exchange. In addition to the concept of "lagom" to be polite in conversation there is no longer use of formal words that distinguish individuals with titles. Mr. Ms. Mrs. Sir and Madame have diminished in usage since the 1960s where language reforms did away with the forma usage of 'ni' or the equivalent of 'vous' in French. In Swedish it is polite to refer to individuals by their first name although many find this uncomfortable coming from cultures that commonly use the last name in academic and professional settings. It is also rude to be 'over-the-top' and ostentatious in taste and dress. In the US where being overdressed is better than being under-dressed, in Sweden one might say that erring on the under-dressed side is more appropriate than standing out.

For my cultural presentation I have considered presenting several different subjects but as I thought more and more about one example of a Swedish concept or activity that exemplified more than just a cursory example of Swedish culture. I decided to focus on a topic I was familiar with before from a story told by a Swedish friend. He shared with me that as a young boy he and his family would spend their summers in their summer house about 1 hour outside of Ystad. In this summer house they would wake up on several occasions to pitched tents in their backyard. Before his parents would have a chance to say anything, the campers would come out and shout "Allemansrätten! Allemansrätten!" These campers were German tourists who were very familiar with the very Swedish concept of Allemansrätten. This curious and humorous anecdote led me to do a more research and very soon I a convinced this was the topic I would address for my cultural presentation. I really enjoy reading about this and I hope to explore this topic further through resources published by the Swedish government and different nature organizations.

Learning Goals:

1. Learn more about the historical origins of allemansrätten.

2. The 'unwritten' rules associated with this concept.

3. The controversies surrounding the implementation or acceptance of allemansrätten.

4. Develop specific vocabulary related to nature.

Here is a link to a television commercial that alludes to Allemansrätten in a creative way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIiFldlbBrQ

Swedish public health is a particularly interesting topic for me because of my personal interests in the area. Swedne's healthcare system is recognized around the world as one of the most affordable and accessible in the world. There are no costs for healthcare, with only dew exceptions in dentistry after a certain age.

One of the most well known Swedish researchers Han Rosling is a leader in public health research. In the video below he speaks about public health and how countries' resources are prioritized differently. Rosling also speaks about his own personal experience on a trip in Mozambique where insects such as the mosquito have a detrimental affect on healthcare.

http://whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SXsUCVVAcM

As part of my progress in presentational speaking, my language partner and I arranged a hypothetical situation where I am interviewed for an internship at the Swedish Embassy in Washington D.C. In this conversation I practice using formal language in a more formal setting. I was a little nervous at first due to the presence of a camera but I believe it was a very challenging experience that allowed me to prepare in Swedish and practice my overall interviewing skills.

http://youtu.be/J03hHQ7APHs

Svensk Midsommar-

Swedish Midsummer is very unique part of Swedish celebrations because it reflects how Swedes welcome the change in weather and how the festivities center around centuries-old traditions dating back to Viking era. The Swedish midsummer is celebrated on the longest day at the height of summer. This celebration was central to pagan practices until the 300 A.D. when the church renamed the celebration to Holy Johannes Day. Midsummer celebrations today are very elaborate and are considered a highlight of summer celebrations. Today's midsummer celebrations include traditional Swedish summer food: matjessill, gräddfil and gräslök, fresh potatoes, and strawberries. In addition to the aforementioned foods,drinks known as snaps are always served as well. Snaps are strong fruit based liquor fermented locally across Sweden. In addition to food there is usually a large traditional dance organized around a tall green wreath of which people dance around and sing folk songs. The celebration also includes picking flowers and making crowns of flowers in order to protect from evil spirits according to popular folklore.