MY LANGUAGE 2 Self- assessment

Well, we’ve finished the second semester of my first year of university, the truth is that this semester has been a bit more difficult than the first one, especially Use of English.

At the beginning of this semester one of my goals was to improve my weaknesses such as my speaking, although today my speaking is not the best in the world, but without a doubt today I feel much more confident in myself and that if I make a mistake it is part of learning, much of this has to do with my classmates, who always support me and encourage me to improve, and also my teachers, especially Professor Carlos, since his speaking classes feel like a safe zone to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.

On the pedagogical side, I have learnt new things this semester and I am becoming more and more enthusiastic about the idea of becoming a teacher.

Finally, I would like to thank my group of friends, as this semester has been a bit more complicated and their conditional support has been very important for me. I hope that next year will be a bit more bearable and with much more learning about English and pedagogy.

“THE FLATMATES”: EPISODE 140:Which sport?”

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Khalid:What are you up to?
Helen:Oh, just looking at what’s on offer at the sports centre.
Khalid:How come?
Helen:Well I promised myself that I was going to get fit. I want to do a sport. I just don’t know which one.
Khalid:Well, have you thought about if you like team sports or individual ones?
Helen:I don’t mind really.
Khalid:Do you like swimming or diving?
Helen:Neither, I can’t swim!
Khalid:What about martial arts, boxing or weightlifting?
Helen:Can you see me doing any of them?
Khalid:No, not really. Well what sports do you like watching then?
Helen:I really enjoyed the tennis when I went to Wimbledon last summer.
Khalid:So maybe a racquet sport then?
Helen:Perfect! But which one?

Khalid: How about trying tennis? It’s a great racquet sport, and you enjoyed watching it at Wimbledon.

Helen: Tennis sounds like a good idea. It’s a sport I’m familiar with, and it’s a fun way to stay active.

Khalid: You can start with some beginner lessons and gradually improve your skills. Plus, it’s a sport that you can play both individually and with a partner.

Helen: That’s a great point. I’ll look for tennis lessons at the sports center and see if they offer beginner classes.

Khalid: You can also consider badminton or table tennis if you want to explore other racquet sports. They’re quite enjoyable too.

Helen: Those options sound interesting as well. I’ll check out the schedules for badminton and table tennis.

Khalid: Whichever sport you choose, the most important thing is to stay committed and have fun while getting fit.

Helen: Thanks for your advice, Khalid. I’m excited to start my fitness journey with a sport I enjoy.

Khalid: I’m sure you’ll do great, Helen. Let me know if you need any help finding resources or partners to play with.

Helen: I will, Khalid. Your support means a lot. Now, I need to decide between tennis, badminton, or table tennis. Decisions, decisions!

“THE FLATMATES”: EPISODE 121: Pony riding

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Ellie: Watch me Alice! Look how fast I’m going!
Alice: Wow! You’re doing really well Ellie.
Instructor: OK and walk! Good Dusty, good Ellie. And halt. Now, dismount Ellie.
Ellie: Oh that was fantastic! I love Dusty. She’s the best horse in the world. Isn’t she beautiful?
Alice: She certainly is. So have you enjoyed yourself?
Ellie: Oh Alice it was brilliant. Thank you so much.
Alice: Oh it’s my pleasure. I’m glad you had fun. I did too.
Instructor: OK, enough of the love-fest you two. There’s a horse that needs to be untacked and a stable that needs mucking out. Are you ready to get to work young lady?
Ellie: Yes I’m ready.
Alice: Come on I will help you.
Ellie: Cleaning the stables is my least favorite part of riding Dusty.
Alice: Every fun has its boring side.
Ellie: I love hanging out with Dusty so much that I don’t mind having to do the dirty work later.
Alice: I know.
Ellie:I can’t believe how fast Dusty can go! It’s like we’re flying, Alice.
Alice: Absolutely, Ellie. You and Dusty make an incredible team out there.
Instructor: Great job, both of you! Now, let’s dismount, Ellie.
Ellie: Dusty is not just beautiful; she’s my best friend. I feel so lucky to ride her.
Alice: I’m thrilled you had a great time, Ellie. It’s always a joy to see you and Dusty in action!

“THE FLATMATES”: EPISODE 111: Time for coffee

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Tim: Maria Jesús Gonzalez

Janet: Javiera Aguilera

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Tim: Javiera Aguilera

Janet: Maria Jesús Gonzalez

Tim:Thanks for inviting me out for coffee. It’s good to get out of the flat for a bit.
Janet:I hope you’re keeping yourself busy.
Tim:Well, I’m trying to but sometimes it’s a bit difficult to get motivated.
Janet:I know it is Tim but it’s important to keep your spirits up. And I hope I can help on that score.
Tim:Oh Janet, you’re too kind.
Janet:Well, what’s an old gal meant to do? I see you as my special little project. Now, tell me honestly. What is it you want to do with your life? How would you like to earn a living?
Tim:Well, you know Janet, I’ve always seen myself as a bit of a …

Janet: Tim, it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Maybe it’s time to explore your passions and turn them into a career.

Tim: I appreciate your support, Janet. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about pursuing photography. It’s always fascinated me.

Janet: Photography, that’s wonderful! You have a good eye for beauty. Let’s brainstorm some ways to kickstart your photography career.

Tim: Thanks, Janet. Your belief in me means the world. I’m ready to take the first steps toward making my passion a profession.

Janet: That’s the spirit, Tim!

“THE FLATMATES” EPISODIE 102: Friends again

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Helen: Javiera Aguilera

Tim: María Jesús González

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Helen: María Jesús González

Tim: Javiera Aguilera

Helen:Tim, have you got a minute?
Tim:Well, it’s not like I’ve got a ton of things to do, is it?
Helen:No, no, it’s not. Tim, I want to apologise for the way I spoke to you the other day.
Tim:Oh yeah?
Helen:Yeah. I was well out of order. I’ve been having a hard time lately but that’s no excuse. I’m sorry.
Tim:Thanks Helen. Well I suppose I should say sorry too. I’m unemployed but it’s not the end of the world. And I put you in a difficult position, asking for a discount.
Helen:That’s OK. Would a slap-up meal make us friends again?
Tim:Oh go on then!

“THE FLATMATES” EPISODIE 100: More tears

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Helen: Javiera Aguilera

Alice: Maria Jesús Gonzalez

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Helen: Maria Jesús Gonzalez

Alice: Javiera Aguilera

Helen:Alice! Please don’t cry.
Alice:I can’t help it. I’ve just done the exact same thing as you.
Helen:What! You had a bust-up with Tim?
Alice:No, not with Tim, with Paul.
Helen:But why?
Alice:Oh I had to babysit Ellie and she just gave me the runaround. But then when Paul asked how it had been, I just completely lost it. I called him a bad dad and I said that she was spoiled rotten.
Helen:Oh no, that’s a bit harsh!
Alice:I know but I was so tired Helen. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
Helen:Erm, do you think it’s maybe time for us to eat some humble pie?

MY GOALS, CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR LANGUAGE 2 IN AUDIO

Phonemic transcription

wɛlæt ði ɛnd ɒv ðiː 1st semestres aɪ ˈrɪəlaɪzd maɪ ˈwiːknəsɪz ɪn ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ænd ðɪs 2nd semestre aɪ həʊp tuː ˈstrɛŋθᵊn ɔːl maɪ ˈwiːknəsɪz ænd ɪmˈpruːv ðɛm.
æz wɛl æz ˈhævɪŋ ˈwiːknəsɪzaɪ ˈɔːlsəʊ hæv maɪ strɛŋθswɪʧ aɪ həʊp tuː ˈstrɛŋθᵊn ænd lɜːn njuː θɪŋz.
wʌn ɒv maɪ ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃᵊnz fɔː ðɪs sɪˈmɛstər ɪz tuː lɜːn njuː θɪŋz əˈbaʊt ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ænd ˈɔːlsəʊ əˈbaʊt ˈpɛdəɡɒʤiˈdjʊərɪŋ ðɪs fɜːst wiːk ɒv maɪ 2nd sɪˈmɛstər aɪ hæv mɛt maɪ njuː ˈtiːʧəz ænd aɪ ˈrɪəli ˈnəʊtɪst ðæt ðeɪ hæv njuː θɪŋz tuː tiːʧ miː əˈbaʊt ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ænd ˈpɛdəɡɒʤi.
wʌn ɒv maɪ ˈʧælɪnʤɪz ɪz tuː biː ˈeɪbᵊl tuː sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊntli ɪmˈpruːv maɪ ˈspiːkɪŋæz ˈdjʊərɪŋ maɪ fɜːst sɪˈmɛstər aɪ ˈnəʊtɪst ðæt ɪt wɒz wʌn ɒv maɪ məʊst nəʊˈtɔːriəs ˈwiːknəsɪz bɪˈkɒz ˈmɛni taɪmz wɛn ɪt wɒz taɪm fɔː miː tuː spiːkaɪ wʊd blæŋk maɪnd ænd fəˈɡɛt ɔːl ðə wɜːdzaɪ ˈrɪəli həʊp ðæt ðɪs sɪˈmɛstər ɪt wəʊnt biː laɪk ðæt ænd ðæt æt ði ɛnd ɒv ðɪs jɪə ˈspiːkɪŋ wəʊnt biː ˈdɪfɪkəlt fɔː miː æt ɔːl.
ɒn ðə ˌpɛdəˈɡɒʤɪkᵊl saɪdaɪ æm ˈrɪəli ɪkˈsaɪtɪd tuː biː ˈeɪbᵊl tuː lɜːn njuː θɪŋz ðæt wɪl hɛlp miː ɪn ðə ˈfjuːʧər æz ə ˈtiːʧə.
aɪ hæv sɛd ɪt bɪˈfɔː bʌt aɪ hæv nɒt ʧeɪnʤd maɪ maɪndɪn ðɪs kɔːs aɪ hæv ˈɛksᵊlᵊnt ˈklɑːsmeɪts ænd ˈtiːʧəz huː ˈɔːlweɪz hɛlp ʌs tuː ɪmˈpruːv ænd tuː ɡɪv ðə bɛst ɒv ʌs.

“THE FLATMATES” EPISODIE 86: Another date

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Paul: Javiera Aguilera

Alice: María Jesús González

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Paul: María Jesús González

Alicia: Javiera Aguilera

PaulI’m pleased everything’s out in the open now Alice. I didn’t like hiding things from you.
AliceYou should have told me right from the word go, Paul. It was the way I found out that made me so upset.
PaulI know Alice, and I’m sorry. But things are going to be very different from now on. I’ve got a good feeling about you and me, do you know that?
AliceI’m glad.
PaulOh my goodness, is that the time?
AliceWhat’s the matter?
PaulOh gosh, Alice, I’ve got to fly, I’m picking Ellie up from school and I’m think I’m going to be late!
AliceAren’t you going to finish your coffee?
PaulThere’s no time, I’m late as it is, bye!
AliceBye. Paul.