Category Archives: Language

The Effects of a Second Second Language

Posted on February 3, 2013 by

To finish this series on traveling in Spain – a reflection on language learning. When we first crossed the border into Spain I was hesitant to plunge my head back into Spanish. I have studied Spanish off and on through … Continue reading →

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Back at Last

Posted on November 30, 2012 by

A rainy morning in the south of France, just 7° Celsius (44° F). A good day to sit by the fire and start catching up on my blog. Many drafts sit, waiting for polish, and literally thousands of photos need … Continue reading →

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Maintaining French in the US

Posted on August 15, 2012 by

Maintaining French skills in an all English speaking world is more difficult than I imagined it would be when I was back in France plotting out all the grand things I was going to do over the summer. You arrive … Continue reading →

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What Does it Mean to be an Advanced Language Learner?

Posted on June 3, 2012 by

In the last month we’ve been working with a French tutor. I got the tutor mostly for my husband Don who is a relative beginner, but thought I’d give myself an hour with the tutor in between his two hour-long … Continue reading →

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No Kidding, I Really Do Want to Speak French

Posted on April 21, 2012 by

We are closing in on the end of the third week of our year in France and my quest to better my French. While this may seem like the predawn hours of the experience, and I don’t deny that it … Continue reading →

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Review of Keats Language School, Kunming China

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

I spent three weeks at the Keats School starting mid August of 2011 with four hours per day of one-on-one instruction. Classes and Language Instruction. The school makes a real effort to give students what they want. Lessons were tailored … Continue reading →

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Third Week of Classes – Review, Review and More Review

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

Keats Language School, Kunming China Written September 8, 2011 I imagine my teacher, MW, will be thankful to have a new student after I leave just so she can do something different. I didn’t want any new material the last … Continue reading →

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Learning Chinese in Kunming – Second Week of Classes

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

Written September 3, 2011 Keats Language School, Kunming, China Language learning can feel like a horribly slow process even in an immersion environment with four hours of class a day and a whole world outside the classroom to practice in. … Continue reading →

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Dining Alone in Kunming, China

Posted on September 4, 2011 by

Finding a comfortable place to dine alone in China is not so easy, that is if you want to eat a higher quality sit down meal. Lots of places serve quick bites for singles looking to fill their bellies with … Continue reading →

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Learning Chinese in Kunming – End of the First Week

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

Keats Language School, Kunming, China The first week of classes is already over! It may seem to some that we keep going over the same topics – giving directions, reading menus and ordering food, but it takes a lot of … Continue reading →

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