My experience learning English

Learning English at the University or outside?

Learning English is no longer an option, these days everyone needs to know at least some words in this language, because not only of the globalization –but mostly because of it- English is a requirement for any job, learn English is an obligation. From artisan to businessman (and businesswoman of course), It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do or where you live, English is useful for every person. I can tell how important it is, my personal experience says that life can be a little easier knowing English.

But... What is the best place to learn this foreign language? I've learned this beautiful language in many different ways. First I started at school; I had many English teachers but none of them were nice enough to make me like their classes, and for me to learn something properly you have to like it, or at least don’t find it boring. After years trying to learn English at school – with no success at all- when I was 15 it appears the chance of travelling to New Zealand, of course I took that chance. In September of 2006 I started my journey; I went to Aspect Institute in Christchurch. I did a test and was selected to be in the Beginners class.

There I learned from phonetic, to correct pronunciation of basic words as colours and stuff like that, and verbal tenses. The classes where nothing like I was use to, the teacher was so patient, and everything we learned it was immediately practice, it wasn’t about memorise stuff, it was about give us a tool. In two weeks I manage to improve my English so much that I was promoted to the Pre-Intermediate class. My journey ended at early November of 2006.

Three years after my international experience I entered to the University, It was the best University in Chile, so I thought there English programme would be awesome, I was so upset when I entered –straggler - to my first English class and the teacher was writing the abecedary and making my classmates repeat letter after letter, It was a very disappointment experience. Of course I finished that class with good notes... about what I learned, not much I have to say. I forgot to mention that my class was the advanced one compare to the other ones.

Then at my second year at university I realize that there was another English class I could join, so I did it, I joined English IV, I was begging for this class to be better than my last one, and it was! This class was a lot like my classes at Aspect Institute,we learned new things and immediately make a practice exercise, we practice with conversations and dialogues, but the most important, everything we did, was enjoyable.

So in response to my early question, I think the better way to learn English is having a practical and enjoyable class, so we don’t have to ask where is the best part to learn, or what is the best way, because, for some people could be one way, and for others another way. Learning is a personal experience and each one of us has to find what works better for ourself.

Xoxo

Fefi

Freedom

This time I’m free to express whatever I want! So I will tell you about one of my most precious possessions.

One of my most precious possessions is a very beautiful -and awesome - Gold made ring with a small green semi precious stone which my grandparents (from my mum side) gave me after I finished school. Weeks – perhaps a month- before that, I went with them to a jeweler to choose the ring, I like it, because it reminds me of my grandma.

The ring is like an old design but still fashion and cool, like my grandma, she could be like 100 years old but she’ll still be top & fresh, wanting to go shopping and worried about doing her nails and hair.

It is very important for me, because, since as I am conscious, they’ve be telling me that the day I graduated, they would give me this ring as a present, so when they... you know die, I would have something material to remember them, something more than memories. They also gave my mum a ring when she finished school, so now it’s kind of a tradition, they would give one to my cousin and to my sister when is the time

Maybe it’s silly to think that a ring can be so important, but it isn’t the ring itself, is what it means.

All my grandparents still alive, so for know I might say that they are one of my most precious possession, but when they leave, this ring, I know it won’t take their place, but it will remind me every conversation, story and moment that we share. It will remind me the times we spend in the beach, or the barbeques at my grandpa’s house, everything I share with my cousins, the games, the laughing and the nonsense stuff.

Xoxo!

Fefi

Rock-a-Doodle

I have a lot of favorite movies, Rock-a-Doodle, Wimbledon, Sweeney Tood, Lilo & Stich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and some others.
But I will choose one that mixes my favorite musician, with my love for cartoons: Rock-a-Doodle.

As you see in the photo, there is a rooster that looks like Elvis Presley, who is my favorite musician.

This movie it’s about Chanticleer a rooster whose singing wakes the sun every morning and keeps the other animals happy. One morning, Chanticleer is attacked by a rooster sent by the "Grand Duke of Owls", as an owl he obviously hates the sun. Chanticleer wins but forgets to crow, and the sun rises without his singing. The other animals reject kick him out of the farm, causing a permanent rainstorm and the beginning of the Grand Duke’s empire. This is the first part of the movie, then the story revealed to be a storybook that a mum is reading to her child Edmond, who is becoming more and more concerned about the imminent inundate on his family's farm. Edmond calls for Chanticleer to come back, he believes the rooster could save his farm, but Edmond is attacked by the Grand Duke, and the owl transforms the child into a kitten, before the Grand Duke can devour Edmond, he is distracted by the other animals of the farm, the ones who kicked out Chanticleer, the farm animals tell Edmond that they also seek Chanticleer's return, as his crowing is the only thing that can bring sunlight back to their farm. After a long trip, they discover that Chanticleer has painted his hair to black and it’s performing in Las Vegas- his song and his looks are just the same that Elvis has while he performs in Las Vegas-, also they see that the rooster has found love with Goldie a pheasant. At first they though Chanticleer was happy, but then they found out that he was just distracted.

A lot of thing happens, but finally Chanticleer crows loud enough for the sun to rise, shrinking the Duke down to a harmless miniature version of himself. The floods begin to subside. Believing Edmond died, the animals mourn him until he transforms back into a human. Edmond awakes in the real world, where it is assumed by Edmond's mother that his adventures were just a dream. Nevertheless, Edmond still believes in Chanticleer, causing the real world and Chanticleer's world to merge into one.

THE END!

Now, I like this movie, because, it's some sort of musical, tells Elvis life story with cartoons, and because is one of the first movies I remember of seeing as a child.

Xoxo

Fefi.

Mapuche

I have to say that the Mapuche issue isn’t a topic that I like, I think it has become a trendy topic, people don’t worry about the mapuche conflict because they care about it, they seem worry because everyone is talking about it. For me is just like when you like a song, and your friend don’t, but when that song becomes a hit on radio, your friend say – oh! That’s an awesome song- It’s just ridiculous how people now started thinking about the mapuche conflict when it has been a long date struggle.

Most people don’t even know what it means mapuche, or how to spell it. Mapu means land, and Che means people, it is wrong say mapuches, because there is no need for plural, saying mapuches is like saying peoples … I think I made my point.
Well about the conflict itself, it reemerges with vigor after the transition to democracy, in the 90’s. Their demands are essentially, about three matters: they want to keep their cultural identity, have theirs ancestor’s lands back and have their own laws. Because of these matters, there have been very violent confrontations between them and land-owners and/or with the police. This situation leads to trial of the people involved in the attacks, and there’s another issue, because justice isn’t always fair.

Now, because of everything I already say, 34 members of the mapuche population have been in a hunger strike. The main reason to make this is the law that condemns the terrorist behaviors, and condemns them as terrorist. They feel discriminate and claim the penalties are way too high, the authorities tried hardly to convince them to drop off the strike, but mapuche are well known for their strong will.

I don’t see any fast solution for this issue, because reconciliation is not easy, and it isn’t just about changing laws, it about change Chileans mentality.

Xoxo

Fefi.

My hiding place

I really like Santiago, most people say it's too noisy, but I enjoy living here. Maybe because I don't really live inside the city, my house is surrounded by hills and there's always some horse poop nearby.

Until I was 16 (nearly 17) I never really get out, inside Santiago but after I came back from New Zealand I realize that I want to hang out in the center of the city just like I use to do back in Christchurch, so I start getting out of my bubble, my friends and I discover some really nice places near Santa Lucia, and then walking around we found the Mosqueto Coffee and inmediately become one of our favorites, we use to go almost every week.

We also went a lot to Providencia, and get lost inside those small galleries watching ancient books. While I was in my last year of school I use to be in Barrio Brazil cuz my preu was there, I love that place! It reminds my childhood when my grandpa' and I went to Plaza Brazil and play all day long, now I go with my friends to Cafe Pucon, a coffee place that is across the street.

It's impossible to name all the places where I've been, but there's a very special place that I found with my best friend walking around, New Zealand square is my hiding place, it's so small and so beautiful, maybe it isn't as beautiful as I think but is special to me, cuz it is like being in my favorite country again. I can't explain where is it, cuz I don't know I just go to Los Leones and start walking until I get lost again and found it.

I would definitely recommend foreigns to go walking aroud the city, is the best way to found awesome places... but don't go alone it can be a dangerous city.

Xoxo!

Fefi

Bosnia Herzegovina

This task is about a country that I'd like to visit, and it is perfect because recently I apply to the Model of the United Nations that is taking place in my faculty, and in this model a partner and I had to choose a country participant of the Security Council, so we chose Bosnia Herzegovina, first because it has an hilarious name to us, and second cuz' it has a compound name, so one of us can be Bosnia, and the other one Herzegovina.

Bosnia Herzegovina is a very young republic, but what makes it special is that their land has a very long history, BH was part of the old Yugoslavia, and it's been participe of one of the latest wars in Europe. I definitely want to go sometime, but just for holidays, I really hope to live in New Zealand.

While I was studying to my application I learned a lot about Bosnia Herzegovina, I get to know people from there thanks to facebook!, also I found the music that is popular there, and a lot of things, but what mostly came to my eyes is that this country beeing so interesting its so unknow... I really want to meet personally the people from Bosnia Herzegovina that I found on facebook, so that's an incentive to travel!

Xoxo!

My third semester

Hi everyone, about my last semester, there are some many things I can say, but I will start telling you that is my third semester at University - I barely can't believe it - it went pretty different than the first two ones. After the earthquake we (all the people who are studying Public Administration)had to move out of our building, so being in a place that it is not ours or exclusive for ourselves - like it use to be - make this semester completely different.
Last year was tough, first year, lots of changes in every aspect of my life, so that made my last semester the best by now, I started enjoy university life.
Academically I finally figure out how to approve my courses! It took me a year, so I hope to keep this way in the future. Something I wouldn't repeat is that I didn't give myself enough time to spend with my old friends from school and I really want to keep in touch with them.

I would say that the worst of the semester was leaving Palacio Matte (the old building) and the best is that I kind of grow up in a way.

Xoxo

Fefi