Reflective Entry 2

On Sunday the 8 May 2011, I went to church. I met a kiwi lady and talked with her. We talked about 10 minutes. Our conversation is about the background of me and the events happened recently.

We had a relaxed and informed conversation. This lady is about 60-year-old and her name is Jenny who is very kind. When we were talking, she kept her speed slow and made me understand easily. We had eye contact when we were speaking, and she was smiling. We use some body language and gesture for encourage the conversation Such as nodding. She used a lot words to encourage the conversation, such as “yes”, “right”. As a result, I could understand well and we had nice conversation. The conversation began when the church finished the service; the lady came to me and said, “Hello, Emmet. It is lovely to see you here. How is your study going?” I replied back, “It is lovely to meet you too. I am doing alright, and I still work hard on my English. How are you?” To that she replied, “Very well, thank you”. Our conversation ended with hoping to meet again on next Sunday. I said,” I am very happy to be here.” She said to me,” keep coming to the church, and you are important for us, hope to see you next time.”

When we were talking, she used a lot question tag sentences. Such as what a beautiful day today, is it?  The weather becomes chilly, does it?  She also used the “um” “well” during the conversation. When I said something, she always nod and said “yes”. She used “fortunately” when we talked about the storm and tornado. She used “could” “could be” a lot when we talked. Sometimes she talked a bit unclear. During our conversation when I found something difficult to follow, I guessed the main idea and repeated again. If I was right, she would say “yes” and then she explained, otherwise she would say “not really” and then she repeated it. Also, if I did not catch the main idea, I would say” sorry, could you repeat the last sentence, please?” As for me, I used some phrases to flow the conversation well, such as “is it?” Also, I asked questions after she talked to show I understand what she talked about. She always uses “yes” to keep the conversation flow, and also encourage me to talk. In addition, during the conversation, I used the common words which I used to use. I did not use a lot new vocabulary. I tried to use new words, such as “terrific” which I learnt in English movies. I used fillers and hesitation devices during the conversation. I used “um” “ah” “well” to show to others that I was not finish, and also it gave me more time to think about the words that I was going to use. Also, I used the fillers such as “I mean” “you Know” “I guess” to help me to speak my opinion. Sometimes, when I unsure about the word, I used “you know” to make the conversation flow.

In the further study, I need to extend my vocabulary and also I need to focus on my grammar and pronunciation.

Reflective Entry 1

On Saturday the 31 April 2011, I had a conversation with a kiwi girl who is the sale of Health 2000 in Saint Lukes shopping mall. The conversation lasted for about 10 minutes. Recently I could not sleep well, so I went there for some instructions.

I think most of this conversation was clear and friendly, even though I had a little bit nervous in the beginning. During the conversation, she was nice and patience. It really helped me relax. Sometimes I could not express clearly, she can help me work it out. She always kept smiling and faced to me to talk. We talked very happily. Also, at the beginning, we talked a bit slow and after a while we talked smoothly. When we were speaking, we looked at each other sometimes and we also used some body language to help us communicate. Both of us made encouraging/constructive comments to show that we are listening to each other - ‘Right’; ‘Uh-huh’; ‘OK’, ‘Yes’.

During we were talking about the medical products, she used many “probably” in her speaking. I heard of some new words such as melatonin, hormone, and single serve sachet. Some chunks of vocabulary I noticed while having conversation with her –‘a little bit of ‘, ‘a kind of’,’ ‘before bed time’, ’all the time’. Sometimes she talked a bit fast. During our conversation wherever I found something difficult to understand, I used statement like “Sorry, I did not get you. Can you repeat it?” There were some medical words I could understand .I would say,” sorry, can you explain this words for me, please?” For instance, one of the words is “melatonin”. Sometimes I repeated the sentence for making sure I understood her. In addition, I did some wrong grammar mistakes in this conversation. For example, I use past simple tense to describe some actions happening now. I needed time to think what I should say so that my speak speed was slower that that girl. Sometimes, I could not express what I actually want to say, although she can guess my words.

In the future, when I have conversation with a native speaker, I should do some preparation about the topic. Also, I should pay more attention to their pronunciation, accents and flow of their dialogue delivery. I should make those observations into practice. In addition, I should use the new vocabulary acquired during the course of the study as well as during various conversations with the native speakers. Finally, I should overcome my nervous when I talk to a stranger, although it is hard for me.

Speaking protfolio( entry4)

Context of the conversation
On Saturday the 21 May 2011, I had a conversation with a kiwi handsome tall guy in a café in the Ponsonby. I used to work there as a coffee maker. The name of the guy is Daniel who always come for drinking coffee. We know each other. The conversation lasted for about 10 minutes. We talked about our current life.

 Cultural aspects or cultural differences noticed
Drinking coffee is an important part of New Zealander’s life. It is already become a kind of culture. I notice that most adults are crazy for the coffee. It is different from China. In china , we have various tea and tea culture. Before I come to New Zealand, I seldom drink coffee and I know a little bit of coffee information. However, I gradually get used to drink coffee and I love making coffees.

Beginning and ending of conversation
The conversation began when he came into the cafe, I saw him and said, “Hi, buddy. Long time no see. How are you? How is going on? ” He replied back, “very good. Thank you .How are you?” To that I replied, “I am good , thank you”.

Our conversation end with we say goodbye to each other . I said ,” It is nice to talk to you, maybe I will see you next time, take care !” he said to me, “cool, see you next time, take care , my friend.”

Vocabulary features noticed
when we were talking ,he used some words I was not familiar with. However, I can guess the meaning according to the context. I do not want to stop him and let him explain all the words. It is unrealistic .However, I got one word “fussy” for describing his friends. I checked on the dictionary ,it means not easily satisfied. For example, he is so fussy about the house – everything has to be absolutely perfect.

Strategy used

He is a nice guy and he always speak slowly because he know my speaking is not well. During our conversation wherever I found something difficult to understand, I used statement like “Sorry, I did not get you, bro. Can you repeat it ?”.He will change another way or use simple words to explain to me.

When we talked about the boat fishing , I used some vague words because I do not know how to say .For example, “something like that.” “A  kind of stuff”.

 

Conversation Flow
When we are speaking , we look at each other sometimes and we also use some body language to help us communicate. Both of us made encouraging/constructive comments to show that we are listening to each other - ‘Right’; ‘Uh-huh’; ‘OK’, ‘Yes’.

Some of the phrases I used during the conversation to keep the flow of the conversation well were, “this sounds good”. Some of the phrases used by him to keep the conversation flows smoothly, “yap”; “that’s right”” sweet as”.

 

Vocabulary used
I did not use any new vocabulary because I did have time to think about the new words. Some of the hesitation devices I used such as 'um', 'ah', 'er', etc. I think that I used the hesitation devices too much although it gave me more time to think about what to say in a conversation without the awkward silence. Some of the fillers used were ‘I think’, ‘You know’, ‘I mean’.

Linguistic Features
During the conversation, I noticed my grammar mistakes when I spoke out . For example, I mix  past simple tense and present simple tense to tell him my story. Also, I need time to think what I should say so that my speak speed is slower

In my future conversation with the native speakers, I should pay more attention to their pronunciation and accents and flow of their dialogue delivery. I should make those observations into practice. In addition, I should use the new vocabulary acquired during the course of the study as well as during various conversations with the native speakers. Finally, I should take notes if I think some words are very useful.

Speaking protfolio( entry3)

Context of the conversation
Last Saturday I went to a Chinese restaurant with my partner. I met a kiwi guy in the restaurant, and his wife is the owner of that restaurant. We talked about the Chinese food, his trip in China, and my home town. We talked about 10minutes.

Cultural aspects or cultural differences noticed
This gentleman is around 40-year-old, and he loves Chinese food and China. He is very kind to us and keen to talk with us. We have a relaxed and informed conversation. One cultural difference that I found is that this kiwi gentleman strongly expressed his love to his wife. However, in my country most of people are shy to express the feeling in public, and it is kind of tabu to express love in front of people. If someone did express the love, the others may consider this guy is boldness, and immature.

Beginning and ending of conversation
This conversation began when we got into the restaurant and after giving the order. This gentleman sit around the table beside us, and started with ”Hello, how are you? The Chinese food is fantastic, is it?” I replied back, “fine, thanks. Yes, it is, I really love to eat our food”.

Our conversation end when we begin to eat our dinner. I said ,” someday when you come to our home town, come to taste our hometown food. It is on my treat then.” He said to me,” thanks, that is lovely.”

Vocabulary features noticed
In this conversation he used the “um” “well” “I hope so”. He always nod and said “yes”, when he has the same opinion with me. Such as, we talked about our home town. We have a SHAOLIN temple which is famous for Kongfu. He knew that place and say “yes, yes, the Kongfu temple. He used “that’s pretty good.”” That’s great.” A lot in the conversation.

 
Strategy used

Because he lives with his wife which is Chinese, so he knows English is our second language, and he use the simple word for us to understand. if some words I did not understand, I said,” sorry, what that word mean?” he is nice and repeat and explain to us. Sometimes it is hard to describe our county food in English. I use body language to describe to him.

 Conversation Flow
He is very nice gay. When we are talking, he slows the speed down and makes me understand easily. We had eye contact when we were speaking, and he is exciting to talk about China. We use quiet a lot body language and gesture to encourage the conversation. Such as nodding. He used a lot words to encourage the conversation, such as “yes”, “that’s great.”.

I used some phrases to flow the conversation well , such as “is it?”. Also, I show a lot interest in what he talked about. He uses  “yes” to keep the conversation flow, and also encourage me to talk.

 

Vocabulary used
During the conversation, I used a lot adj to describe our country. Such as, fantastic taste. Otherwise, I keep the sentence simple. I used a lot “well” “um” to keep the conversation flow, and shows to others that I did not finish this sentence.  It is fillers and hesitation devices during the conversation. Also, I used the fillers such as “I mean” “you Know” “I guess” to help me to speak my opinion. Sometimes, when I unsure about the word, I used “you know” to make the conversation flow.

Linguistic Features
When I talked, it took me longer time to think about the grammar, so I speak slower. Sometimes, I still have the grammar mistake. When I was speaking, I searched the right word for the content, and sometimes I could not find the right word, so it might confuse the others. Also, my pronunciation is not good sometimes, and I could not pronounce very clearly.

In the further study, I need to extend my vocabulary and also I need to focus on my grammar and pronunciation.

Speaking protfolio( entry2)

Context of the conversation
On Sunday the 8 May 2011, I went to church. I met a kiwi lady and talked with her. We talked about 10 minutes. Our conversation is about the background of me and the events happened recently.

  Cultural aspects or cultural differences noticed
This lady is about 60-year-old and her name is Jenny. She is a very kind lady, so we had a relaxed and informed conversation. One cultural difference which I noticed during the conversation is that in my country we usually call elderly lady grandma Lee(the surname) for respect reason. In contract, in New Zealand we can use the last name for elderly. In my country, if the younger generation called the last name of the old generation, we consider this person is insulting the elderly.

Beginning and ending of conversation
The conversation began when the church finished the service, the lady came to me and said, “Hello, Emmet. It is lovely to see you here. How is your study going?” I replied back, “It is lovely to meet you too. I am doing alright, and I still work hard on my English. How are you?” To that she replied, “Very well, thank you”.

Our conversation end with hoping to meet again on next Sunday. I said ,” I am very happy to be here.” She said to me,” keep coming to the church, and you are important for us, hope see you next time.”

Vocabulary features noticed
When we were talking, she used a lot question tag sentences. Such as what a beautiful day today, is it?  The weather becomes chilly, does it?  She also used the “um” “well” during the conversation. When I said something, she always nod and said “yes”. She used “fortunately” when we talked about the storm and tornado. She used “could” “could be” a lot when we talked.

 
Strategy used

Sometimes she talked a bit unclear. During our conversation when I found something difficult to follow, I guessed the main idea and repeated again. If I was right, she would say “yes” and then she explained, otherwise she would say “ not really” and then she repeated it. Also, if I did not catch the main idea, I would say” sorry, could you repeat the last sentence, please?”

Conversation Flow
Jenny is very nice lade, and she is very kind. When we are talking, she keep her speed slow and make me understand easily. We had eye contact when we were speaking, and she was smiling. We use some body language and gesture for encourage the conversation. Such as nodding. She used a lot words to encourage the conversation, such as “yes”, “right”.

I used some phrases to flow the conversation well , such as “is it?”. Also, I ask questions after she talked to show I understand what she talked about. She always use “yes” to keep the conversation flow, and also encourage me to talk.

 

Vocabulary used
During the conversation, I used the common words which I used to use. I did not use a lot new vocabulary. I tried to use new words, such as “terrific” which I learnt in English movies.

I used fillers and hesitation devices during the conversation. I used “um” “ah” “ well” to show to others that I was not finish, and also it gave me more time to think about the words that I was going to use. Also, I used the fillers such as “I mean” “you Know” “I guess” to help me to speak my opinion. Sometimes, when I unsure about the word, I used “you know” to make the conversation flow.

Linguistic Features
When I talked, it took me longer time to think about the grammar, so I speak slower. Sometimes, I still have the grammar mistake. For example, I use she work right now instead she works right now. Also, my pronunciation is not good sometimes, and I could not pronounce very clearly. When I was speaking, I searched the right word for the content, and sometimes I could not find the right word, so it might confuse the others.

In the further study, I need to extend my vocabulary and also I need to focus on my grammar and pronunciation.