Speaking
I think that I haven't got problems with speaking about some general things such as weather, work, field of study, hobbies, travelling etc. But I have some problems discussing specific topics. For example I have serious problems talking about technological methods, processes - all the topics where you need to know specific terminology (like Biology, Economy, etc.) and that's where I am struggling with my poor vocabulary.
Sometimes I have difficulties to remember or recall the exact word, but I'm always trying to explain the word/thing in different words. Other people usually haven't got problems to understand what I'm talking about and some of them even told me that it's very easy to understand me. But for me, sometimes it takes me some time to get used to different accents or speed of someones speech.
I haven't got many (if any) friends who would like to talk with me, so I didn't have anyone to talk. But few months ago I found out that there are some free English conversations and meetings with foreigners, so I started to attend them and I am talking again. This really helps me and makes me grateful for living in the city with such opportunities.
Sometimes I have difficulties to remember or recall the exact word, but I'm always trying to explain the word/thing in different words. Other people usually haven't got problems to understand what I'm talking about and some of them even told me that it's very easy to understand me. But for me, sometimes it takes me some time to get used to different accents or speed of someones speech.
I haven't got many (if any) friends who would like to talk with me, so I didn't have anyone to talk. But few months ago I found out that there are some free English conversations and meetings with foreigners, so I started to attend them and I am talking again. This really helps me and makes me grateful for living in the city with such opportunities.
Spoken interaction
Here are two audio records which were recorded by me and one of my classmates - Míša. They are very "unprepared" and improvised. But they are showing our skills to react immediately and answer the questions.
hlas00005.3gp | |
File Size: | 3369 kb |
File Type: | 3gp |
hlas_003.3ga | |
File Size: | 6622 kb |
File Type: | 3ga |
Spoken production
Here is the audio record of me reading the first page (and a half) of one of my favourite books Veronika decides to die by Paulo Coelho and a photo of those pages. I've chosen this book to demonstrate the level of the text I have no problems to understand.
hlas00011.3gp | |
File Size: | 1307 kb |
File Type: | 3gp |
28.11.2014
My homemade record for Phonetics & phonology
Justification
We were recording ourselves in Phonetics, but I got U – unsatisfactory mark for the first time. I have to say that it really helped me, because I had to focus on weak points in my pronunciation. Then I recorded myself at home and it was much better.
Reflection
I failed my first sit not only because I didn't prepare myself well for the first time (this was the main but not the only one reason), but also because I was nervous and I think that I read aloud awfully. I am trying to read aloud more and try to talk naturally like if I weren't reading.
I had enough time to prepare myself for the second sit. The record shows that I can talk with nice intonation and rhythm when I am familiar with the text. My pronunciation also got a little better and I am constantly working on my /θ/ and /ð/, weak forms and linking words. I still have problem to pronounce /æ/ properly.
My homemade record for Phonetics & phonology
Justification
We were recording ourselves in Phonetics, but I got U – unsatisfactory mark for the first time. I have to say that it really helped me, because I had to focus on weak points in my pronunciation. Then I recorded myself at home and it was much better.
Reflection
I failed my first sit not only because I didn't prepare myself well for the first time (this was the main but not the only one reason), but also because I was nervous and I think that I read aloud awfully. I am trying to read aloud more and try to talk naturally like if I weren't reading.
I had enough time to prepare myself for the second sit. The record shows that I can talk with nice intonation and rhythm when I am familiar with the text. My pronunciation also got a little better and I am constantly working on my /θ/ and /ð/, weak forms and linking words. I still have problem to pronounce /æ/ properly.
recording_martina_staviařová.wma | |
File Size: | 808 kb |
File Type: | wma |
text_to_read_sit_2.pdf | |
File Size: | 5 kb |
File Type: |
9.4.2015
Year 2
Presentation about Sider Molting
I prepared two presentations in English during this semester. The first one for a student conference in English for Scientists. It was about the current situation of cyanobacteria in the Brno reservoir. But I like more my second presentation made for an exam from English for biologists (for its oral part). It dealt with the process of spider molting.
Justification
I think that it reflects well that I gained new vocabulary, that I am able to give a meaningful, understandable presentation even about something little more complicated. My teacher told me that I'll be a good teacher because of my enthusiasm which I gave into it. So I think that I did a good job.
Reflection
We can hear that I do not feel as comfortable talking about some details in English as I still do not feel like my vocabulary is sufficient. On the other hand, I saw that my audience did understand what I was talking about. I think that even while explaining more complicated processes, I felt quite self confident and I didn't feel that my audience would be confused about it. I was successful in stimulating their curiosity, because they were asking me various questions after the presentation. I was also able to answer the questions and discuss some details with them. Unfortunately, I don't have a record of that.
8.1.2016
presentation.wma | |
File Size: | 6349 kb |
File Type: | wma |
SPRING 2016
SPEAKING
As I was mostly reading and writing this semester, I always chose a speaking activity in our Practical Language classes.
Although I enjoy speaking very much, it is still quite hard for me to speak "in public" or in front of the class (it still makes me nervous).
I presented my lesson plan in the Topic-based English class and I got quite nervous, but I think that it will get better once I start to teach in English :-) I will also have to work on the linking words to make my presentations smoother. But all in all, I wouldn't say that I can't speak in front of people. I just need some more practise to get used to it.
As I was mostly reading and writing this semester, I always chose a speaking activity in our Practical Language classes.
Although I enjoy speaking very much, it is still quite hard for me to speak "in public" or in front of the class (it still makes me nervous).
I presented my lesson plan in the Topic-based English class and I got quite nervous, but I think that it will get better once I start to teach in English :-) I will also have to work on the linking words to make my presentations smoother. But all in all, I wouldn't say that I can't speak in front of people. I just need some more practise to get used to it.
"READING WITH A CHILD" Activity
Unfortunately, I didn't have anybody else around me than my not English speaking boyfriend, so it wasn't ideal, but I will definitely try it again as soon as I have some kids around me.
I think that this activity may be useful for various groups of students and the activities can be always adjusted to their needs.