German Frustrations

[hsifeng]

My teacher is pretty sure that there won't be any chance of a German II course next semester: There aren’t enough enrollments to warrant the school paying for the class. Having looked into the cost of taking the next courses at CSU, Fresno (*YIPES*), it looks like I am going to have to do this on my own – which has it’s upside and its downside.

 

Upside, I can study at home, at my own pace (generally fast) and not have to worry about my classmates slowing me down – bless them, but I swear they are more of a distraction than assistance.

 

Downside, I tend to be easily distractible and really work best in an environment where there are clear-cut timetables where things need to get done. I can certainly establish these for myself, but I know that I tend to slack on deadlines that are of my own making. *le sigh*

 

My professor has let me know that he thinks I am more-than-capable of furthering my language skills with one of the ‘CD programs’ available out there. I have read a lot of positive reviews of this one and it seems that it is also on sale (hopefully it will still be on sale in January, when I may have the money to buy it).

 

*crossing fingers and working out how to continue my studies with my text in the meantime*

Comments

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

that really sucks. it's frustrating how much language courses have been cut from school (at all levels). for a community college, you would think they would incorporate them into an international business curriculum or something... god forbid if we actually acknowledge that languages other than english and spanish are used in the world...

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Apparently they have let the last two semesters of German II 'slide' with below par enrollment - but Dr. Ritchie is pretty sure that isn't going to happen again. I am keeping my fingers crossed...and I may have to harass the Dean of his department since I just helped him finalize a grant application...*chuckle*

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

historically, we lose programs when the instructor retires; the administration usually lets the program(s) hang on (despite enrollment) until then because as long as the instructor is tenured, they (the instructor(s)) are guaranteed a job according to their contract. so unless there is somewhere else to put them, the program stays with the instructor.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

The current instructor is an adjunct, so no guarantees there...

[jillwheezul.livejournal.com]

Did you check your library for language learning software or recordings? I've been thinking about boning up on my writing which is abysmal and have thought about looking at the library for it.

Wait a minute, I think I'll do that now.

Yep. Local library has Spanish versions for checkout and Reed College has the German for Rosetta Stone.

Here's a subject search to try on WorldCat:

German language Self-instruction

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

*sweet!*

Have I told you that I love you lately? *grin* I will have to look into that. Rocket is apparently the highest rated language software out there for German, but Rosetta Stone is a close second (and FREE is a language I speak fluently).

Sadly, R.S. just pulled the plug on their public access version of their application via the SF library internet site about a year ago. Bastages. Like they expect to be paid for their work…*chuckle*

Need a study buddy?

[thumbcat.livejournal.com]

I should brush up my german, if for no other reason that it was so intuitive to me and everyone on the planet should try to speak more than one language (and 'geek' doesn't count, apparently WTF ZOMG!!!!??!)

I would be willing to help pitch in for the software if I could burn the bastard and have a study buddy.

Let me know - I will have some actual free time to study something other than ochem after 12/12

Re: Need a study buddy?

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Sweet! Sounds like a plan to me! Let's talk after the semester winds down...*grin*