We're making our way rather quickly through the book. It's a four week course, and Friday marked the end of the first half. The book has 8 chapters/units and we're almost finished with Unit 4. We take a midterm next week to track our progress (both for writing and speaking). The class instruction is comprised of lecture, student participation, writing, homework, presentations, group/partner work, listening and responding. It combines culture, grammar, vocabulary (although not in list form, just as we go about our lessons we add to our vocab knowledge - which is something I appreciate). Many of the grammar rules have exceptions, which makes it slightly difficult in understanding the rule and applying the rule.
Numbers in French are essentially math problems...
17: dix-sept
10: dix + 7: sept
(10+7=17)!! Simple enough, then you have...
77: soixante-dix-sept
60: soixante + 10:dix + 7:sept
One more...
97: quatre-vingt-dix-sept
4: quatre x 20: vingt + 10: dix +7:sept
There have been other occasions that I've mildly grumbled to Guillaume in terms of the French language, however as each day progresses it does get a little easier (sort of)!! Some things, such as the masculin/féminin articles corresponding to the words is just something that I have to memorize. There really isn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it :)
The best day was the Wednesday of the first week, it was the second day of class. I left the class on a high and went to the market and ordered from various vendors the food and such I needed. I successfully communicated with them my desires, and was understood and even when I did mispronounce a word or two they were pleasantly helpful in correcting me, waiting for me to repeat the correct pronunciation. I came home to G still on my high, and communicated with him in French all about my day and his face just lit up. He was thrilled to see me "speaking" French. If nothing else, I'll be a pro at shopping for our food at the end of our stay.
Á bientôt!! The post was getting long ;)
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