Learning Journal 1: Reflect on your experiences as a language learner

[Dana McCann]

                I have studied French for over 6 years and have become proficient in the French language. Because French is a romance language and it is very similar to English, it was not particularly difficult for me to grasp the concepts associated with the language. I was able to learn verb tenses easily and pick up on the accents. However, I know that Farsi will be very different and it may be very difficult for me to learn because it is extremely different from English. Farsi has a foreign alphabet, unlike French, and it uses sounds that dont exist in the English language. I enjoy learning new vocabulary and helpful phrases. I enjoy learning the speaking and listening aspects more than the reading and writing. Therefore, I think I can say that I am not only a visual learner, but an auditory learner as well. I think the best way to learn Farsi is to focus on one or two areas at a time. Cultural aspects play a huge role in the differences between English, French, and Farsi. In each language, sentences are formed in different ways. Verbs are formed differently and pronouns are used in various ways. In addition, the way each language is spoken is very distinct from one another. Some French speakers are very quiet or subtle in the way they speak while Farsi speakers are very expressive and use many hand motions along with the speech.