Post by waldenwriter on Sept 10, 2009 23:12:34 GMT -5
In my French class, in addition to the usual textbook stuff, we are doing something once a week called "Simulations Globales," or Global Simulation. It's a pedagogical technique. Basically, it will involve all of us taking on alternate identities and pretending to live in an apartment building together. Throughout the semester, we will cover different situations - like choosing a roommate, planning a welcome party for the building, a break-in - in the simulation that in turn will help us develop our composition skills (since this class is in French Composition and Advanced Oral Practice). Like with the break-in, we will learn how to write a police report in French.
Today people introduced themselves as their new personages. I had some trouble reading my introduction because while my reading and writing skills in French are very good, my oral skills aren't great - I struggle with pronunciation and stumble over some words when reading aloud - most likely because I don't hear or speak French often. (If I was immersed in it, I might get better). We had quite a assortment of people. In short, all I can say is, my published novelist character will have a heck of a time dealing with noisy musical instrument-playing neighbors, and I fear for my cat seeing that a lot of my "neighbors" have dogs. I also hope the poet girl doesn't become my roommate, even though we might be a good match, because she doesn't make much money and I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to pay her part of the rent.
My point in posting this here is...doesn't this sort of thing sound like great story material? In fact, that's sort of why I wrote down what the teacher wrote on the board about everybody. While my character's profession is writing fantasy and sci-fi for young people (since that seems to be the main market for fantasy and sci-fi novels in France), I could always incorporate stuff about my neighbors if I wanted. Or I could use it my real-life writing. It's going to be interesting.
Today people introduced themselves as their new personages. I had some trouble reading my introduction because while my reading and writing skills in French are very good, my oral skills aren't great - I struggle with pronunciation and stumble over some words when reading aloud - most likely because I don't hear or speak French often. (If I was immersed in it, I might get better). We had quite a assortment of people. In short, all I can say is, my published novelist character will have a heck of a time dealing with noisy musical instrument-playing neighbors, and I fear for my cat seeing that a lot of my "neighbors" have dogs. I also hope the poet girl doesn't become my roommate, even though we might be a good match, because she doesn't make much money and I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to pay her part of the rent.
My point in posting this here is...doesn't this sort of thing sound like great story material? In fact, that's sort of why I wrote down what the teacher wrote on the board about everybody. While my character's profession is writing fantasy and sci-fi for young people (since that seems to be the main market for fantasy and sci-fi novels in France), I could always incorporate stuff about my neighbors if I wanted. Or I could use it my real-life writing. It's going to be interesting.
