SDLC111 - Learning Journal #3
For my third learning journal, I will be discussing some of the more general use practical methods that my language partner and I incorporated during our meeting sessions to improve on my overall fluency. First, we made an intentional effort to greet each other and bring up everyday vocabulary in our conversations. This forced repetition and reinforcement in my understanding and use of the more commonly said phrases. Examples include anything from talking about the weather, how our classes were, or what we ate. In practicing so, I hoped to accomplish more fluency in my ability to pick up on conversational skills. Prior to this, I’ve struggled in trying to form phrases and words to say in my head but by practicing little by little, I slowly felt I was able to pick up a little on the speed at which I could formulate sentences as well as hesitating less when trying to speak. To throw in some curveballs, my language partner and I also switched on and off incorporating honorifics into our statements. We both realized that this is a huge part of Korean conversational culture and is very much an important skill to have. How one would go about talking to a friend versus an older relative would be very different.
I think one of the main struggles of practicing basic conversational etiquette and phrases in greeting was my limitation in vocabulary. I realized that in my limited vocabulary, sometimes I couldn’t find the right word or phrase that translated what I was trying to say. This could be an emotion I felt or a word that didn’t translate 100% from its English form into Korean. On top of my already limited vocabulary, certain words that didn’t translate quite accurately frustrated me a little as I was speaking. Whenever this happened, I made an attempt to stop or pause myself and ask my language partner if there was a word or statement that existed that could be said in place of something. I plan to build upon these skills outside of my conversational practices with my language partner but with friends who are Korean and people in my community who are Korean. Although I must admit that sometimes it is embarrassing to not be self conscious of speaking Korean while not fluent, I think that enforcing practice in these moments is what truly builds the skills that stick with you.
For my third learning journal, I will be discussing some of the more general use practical methods that my language partner and I incorporated during our meeting sessions to improve on my overall fluency. First, we made an intentional effort to greet each other and bring up everyday vocabulary in our conversations. This forced repetition and reinforcement in my understanding and use of the more commonly said phrases. Examples include anything from talking about the weather, how our classes were, or what we ate. In practicing so, I hoped to accomplish more fluency in my ability to pick up on conversational skills. Prior to this, I’ve struggled in trying to form phrases and words to say in my head but by practicing little by little, I slowly felt I was able to pick up a little on the speed at which I could formulate sentences as well as hesitating less when trying to speak. To throw in some curveballs, my language partner and I also switched on and off incorporating honorifics into our statements. We both realized that this is a huge part of Korean conversational culture and is very much an important skill to have. How one would go about talking to a friend versus an older relative would be very different.
I think one of the main struggles of practicing basic conversational etiquette and phrases in greeting was my limitation in vocabulary. I realized that in my limited vocabulary, sometimes I couldn’t find the right word or phrase that translated what I was trying to say. This could be an emotion I felt or a word that didn’t translate 100% from its English form into Korean. On top of my already limited vocabulary, certain words that didn’t translate quite accurately frustrated me a little as I was speaking. Whenever this happened, I made an attempt to stop or pause myself and ask my language partner if there was a word or statement that existed that could be said in place of something. I plan to build upon these skills outside of my conversational practices with my language partner but with friends who are Korean and people in my community who are Korean. Although I must admit that sometimes it is embarrassing to not be self conscious of speaking Korean while not fluent, I think that enforcing practice in these moments is what truly builds the skills that stick with you.
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