Well, how should I start my first Blog entry? I think first of all I should tell you something about my English knowledge level.
I started learning English in the 4th grade of primary school, our teacher taught us words describing colors, numbers and how to introduce ourselves. Ongoing, I have been learning now for more than ten years. During my school-time I took part in several exchange programs where I noticed how important English was. Looking back, I can remember just one funny situation when I was in Severna Park, Maryland, USA. I tried to explain my exchange mum that I needed a towel. Trying to find this simple expression I stumbled something like “May I have a serviette, please?” My host started laughing and asked: “What?”
This is to show how a multi-lingual boy from Europe mixed up a French word with a double meaning simply trying to find an English expression for a piece of cloth to dry his skin.
So far I realized that my school English wasn’t always sufficient to manage simple everyday-life situations.
After having finished school with my A-levels, I started travelling through southeast-Asia, Australia and New Zealand, to explore the world and also improving my English skills.
The result was heaps of new vocabulary, but mostly colloquial and slang. Just to show you one example: in the Bushes of Australia “rednecks” usually welcome you by asking ”How ya, mate?” instead of saying formally “How are you doing, sir?” Even if I had a good basic school education and lots of exchanges as well as a one-year-trip, I had to realize that for my professional future it is indispensable to enter a new field of English, namely, Business English, to enhance my ability to express myself properly at the university as well as on my future job.
So my aims for this study course are to improve and to get used to “Business English” itself and to be able to transfer this knowledge to other study-subjects.
In addition to that, I want to gain better presentation skills and a reliable basis of business vocabulary.
In the end, I would like to read, write and speak Academic English, to participate in discussions at the university and to be successful in my future business job.
I am looking forward to tell you something about my first presentation in English in my next Blog entry.
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ReplyDeleteDude, funny story about the towel! I couldn't image describing it better than that... I also like that you have traveled the region around Australia. That must have been a great experience for you although you didn't get to learn the business english. Unless you really learn it over time or in an actual course as we do it at rug, we wouldn't really get the chance anyway. Enjoyed reading your blog though! Keep it up, mate!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hey Lennard!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read how your development of your skills in English took place. I think your traveling contributed a lot to your level of English. It becomes clear that your have a lot of experience with the English language.
It's also nice that you're stressing the difference between Australian-English and more formal English.
I'm looking forward to see more in your blog. Keep up the good work!
Rick
Hi Lennard,
ReplyDeleteNice story! You mentioned that one of your goals is to improve the Business English. I had a look at your results for the second memo report, you used around the 15 per cent of AWL, great job! An average near-native speaker has around 10, so you could be proud. I think that your trip around Australia did help to come to this great level of English.
Regards,
Elles
Hey Lennard,
ReplyDeleteI really like your LLH becasue you describe one of the crucial problems foreigners have when they do not speak the native language of a country they are in.
Moreover, it is good that you have set goals for yourself you want to attain during your studies at the RUG!