Another year has just started, but this time what we are asked to do for the English course is something completely new and unexpected: developing our own blog and exchanging our knowledge by web. My first reaction was: "Well, it is going to be a nice challenge!"
I have been studying English for thirteen years and and I have tested myself against the most different tasks: translating and analysing a text, writing a novel, describing my personality and interests, composing an essay on a scientific topic, even creating and recording an advertisment! I didn't think I could get surprised by a totally different approach, but...well, I was wrong! Practising English by using computerized tools with the aim of creating a space of my own: it sounds great! I am not an expert in using the computer, at all, but I have to admit that I have a bent for technology: I am curious by nature and now I have the chance to learn how to use a new programme and what happens when I press this button or that one...that's my bread and butter! I am like a child who needs to know how his toy works: I check every window, click every link, think of how to make my posts look better, so step by step I try to improve my skills in handling the blog and look with satisfaction at the results of my efforts. I have found a funny and stimulating way to express my creativity and for this reason I decided to choose a title like "The wings of my thoughts": even though I feel more confident in using a pen and a piece of paper to write, informatics gives you the opportunity to show what you can do in a very original way, offering your fantasy many creative tools. The web is the "fourth dimension" we all live in, a world-wide community that allows us to reach any place of the planet just with a click; we are supposed to know how to use it not be excluded and this course urges students to exploit this new means of communication.
I also appreciate the possibility to use colloquial English in our posts in the blog: if we spend all the time on translating specialized texts, we run the risk of forgetting the most basic terms of everyday language, those words and expressions that we really need when we go abroad. I hope I will be able to enrich my vocabulary by visiting interesting websites and commenting on them; I also think that the activity of peer revision will be useful to widen my knowledge and to correct my mistakes.
As you can see, I have great expectations for this course! There is only one problem: I tend to be a perfectionist, so I' m VERY SLOW in sending my posts! Shortening the time to carry out the e-tivities will be another of my goals!
4 commenti:
Hi Elena!
In your blog you clearly state that you have found in blogging a funny and stimulating way to express your creativity..and I can see that!! Everything on your blog reveals your enthusiasm and your inventiveness! Take for example the test on Halloween you have published on the blog: it's amazing! Great idea Elena! And I do like the Halloween cat, it really made me laugh!
As for your first impressions about blogs, posts and all this sort of new things, I must say I like your optimistic approach, because your confident and curious nature emerges from what you say. To tell the truth, my first thoughts when we were told we were going to use the Blogosphere to improve our English were not as optimistic as yours; this is mainly due to the fact that I usually feel some strange sort of "repulsion" towards technology, probably because it takes me so much time to get used to it! You know, when you work and study, and when you have different interests from computers and the Internet, it's rather hard work to sit down in front of your Pc and keep on clicking here and there.. Anyway, as I wrote on my blog, I'm slowly "finding my feet" (thanks Martina!) in the Blogosphere and I'm getting more confident and optimistic about this new activity.. I hope your approach will set me a good example of how to express my personality and creativity using these new technological tools!
Hi, Elena!
How are you? Few days ago, you told me that I write very long posts… but yours are very very long too, aren’t they?;-) Anyway, I understand you when you say that you’re very slow in writing posts, because the slowness is also one of my problems! As I said in my blog, I usually spend hours and hours thinking about what I should write and I pay attention to the form and the grammar of my posts. But in spite of all this effort, I can’t manage to avoid making grammar mistakes! :-( Why on earth can’t I write in correct English?! For this reason, I agree with you: the activity of peer revision could be very useful to correct the mistakes I can’t notice. I’m not a touchy girl, so if you notice some mistake in my English, please let me know, ok?
Another thing: congratulations for your blog! I like it very much!The title you choose sounds poetic and says a lot about your personality. Then you found a way to express your creativity (as usual!): the test on Halloween. It's a great idea, I like it!
See you soon,
bye!
Martina
Hi Elena! Fiest of all, let me say that the idea of putting a test on Halloween is very original! A lot of people are going to a party tonight...unfortunately I'm not:-(
I also like the colours and pictures on your blog; the Cheshire Cat is so cute!
Talking about this year's course I think that it will be a great opportunity to express ourselves and our thoughts. We will be able to exchange ideas and opinions and we will help each other with peer revision. I believe that this will help us improving our writing skills and also our vocabulary. As you said, we'll have the opportunity to approach colloquial English which has been often ignored during our academic education.
See you!
Giovanna
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