Exam Procrastination

As I take a break from revising Algebra, I have been considering the differences in the teaching and exam styles here.   A major difference is the length of the lessons, and their frequency.  In my home university, each period is 50 minutes long, and I typically have between 2 and 4 lectures per subject per week, depending on the weighting of each course.  Here, each period is 80 minutes, with a 10 minute break between each.  I have a single lecture, and a double period tutorial for each course every week.  More emphasis is placed on the tutorials, where most teaching is done.  Compared to my home university, where there is an expectation of self-studying and completing the exercise sheets individually, this is a large difference.

Another difference is the assessments.  Whilst I am accustomed to a large part of my mark resting on a final exam at the end of the course, here the assessment is divided.  There are “devoir maison”, which is an exercise sheet to be handed in for marking, and “devoir surveillé”, which is a mid-term exam on what has been studied until then under timed conditions.  In addition to these, there is a final exam once the course has ended.  However, even these exams are different.  Here, there is no credit for partial answers.  Whereas I am used to showing my working within the bounds of the answer paper, here I am expected to work on rough paper and only write my final answer on my script.  This has been difficult to adjust to, but does ensure that I polish any proofs that I offer.

The other most noticeable difference is the scale of marks used: all marks are out of 20.  Whilst different universities in the UK set different boundaries for degree classification, most work with percentages, which are also used for A-Levels.  So as a product of the British system, I find percentages easier to understand, and expect that different exams will have different pass marks.  The system here is less subjective, as every subject at every level follow the same system with marks given out of 20, and a pass is 10 or above.  When the marks available for each question isn’t given, it makes time management somewhat difficult, which is only increased as I don’t wear a watch.  Perhaps I should ask for one for my birthday.

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

Cultural Exports

The other evening, I took the time to see “Rien a Declarer” – “Nothing to Declare” at the cinema.  I thoroughly enjoyed the film, which deals with racism on the Franco-Belgium border after the removal of land borders as the Schengen area was implemented in 1993.  The idea of racism between two such cultures with an identical heritage is ludicrous, which is what makes the film so funny.  Yet whilst its release here and also in Belgium will be fairly wide-spread, I expect that only specialist cinemas in the UK will show it.

Why have I formed this expectation?  Whilst many British and American blockbusters gain wide release in countries where English is not the standard language, via subtitles and dubbing the original, the translation of foreign language films into English is uncommon.  Yet I can look forward to seeing most English language films here, either dubbed or subbed as I should wish.

We export every aspect of our culture: language, films, music, literature.  But we aren’t interested in learning any other countries culture.  Are the advantages to each balanced out?  And is there reason to stop the trend?  It’s an interesting issue.

 

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

Language Improvements

Well, there’s been something of a dearth of posts over the past couple of months.  I suppose that’s because as the novelty wears off and I become accustomed, I find fewer things to comment on.  Such as 8am starts, and 90 minute long lectures.  I should remember not to complain about 9am lectures when I return to my home Uni for my final year.

Something that I am pleased about is my apparent progress in French.  When I arrived in August and first attended lectures,  I could understand what was written on the board, but very little of what was spoken.  Now, the explanations are clearer, and my classmates have noticed my improved ability.  However, as I write I am attempting to chat to a classmate.  To say that some troubles are arising would be an understatement – I don’t understand the abbreviations or the text speak that she is using.  I guess that will be my next challenge!

 

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

Airport Comfort

I am currently sitting in the departure lounge of Bordeaux Airport, waiting for a scheduled but much delayed flight. Whilst various websites consistently tell me that my destination airport is indeed open, the effects of the snow are still felt. Bordeaux has not had any snow; that here it is still warm enough for rain is a blessing I am thankful for. Indeed, the delay lies with the UK’s inability to cope with the adverse conditions. It may certainly claim a mild climate, but 2010 has demonstrated the weaknesses of its transport and aviation industries. Between Eyjafjallajökull and the current snowfall, travelling has never been so fraught with problems.

Yet the airports themselves differ greatly. Here, the airport is small, but no less comfortable. In fact, the contrary may be said, when compared to most London airports. There are sufficient seats, and internet access, along with the customary shops and cafés. As with other parts of Bordelais life, the airport is pleasant enough to keep the good impression that the rest of the city offers.  As time progresses, I love this city more and more.

 

Signing off,

 

Erasmus Who?

French Lessons

Whilst I usually dislike studying at night, this year I consider my evening French classes to be the most enjoyable part of my week. The diversity of the students, whose nationalities include Argentinian, Iranian, German, Montenegrin and Chinese, contributes to the relaxed and informal atmosphere. The casual environment is laid-back enough that today the teacher twice attempted to steal my pencil case.

 

Allow me to digress to a brief description: I have a novelty pencil case in the shape of a ladybird. It was a gift for my 10^th birthday, and has been in near constant use ever since. Yet in the years that I have owned it, it has never garnered as much attention as in the past few months. Numerous people have commented on it, including all three French teachers, and I am reliably informed that its shape is “une coccinelle”. I am resigned to its novelty value, but still somewhat bemused by its attraction to others.

 

Pencil cases aside, the lessons are rather enjoyable, particularly for their socialising aspect. Through them, I first met other Erasmus students, with whom I went to the beach in the first week, and continue to build friendships. However, I believe that a useful tool to further improve these friendships would be an English dictionary. It is certainly not easy to explain the differences between ‘infection’, ‘inflection’, and ‘injection’ without one! Nor to define words such as ‘invoke’ or ‘convocation’. Yet these are questions that arise during the course of our lessons. Whilst they are within my vocabulary, and I could use them correctly, I find that explaining the definition without aid rather difficult. I think I shall have to improve my ability to explain, in order to better handle these questions.

 

I guess that’s another skill I’m improving this year: communication and verbal ability.

 

Signing off,

 

Erasmus Who?

 

Winter Climate

A slow month after my return, today I visited the “Marché de Noël” that has recently set up for Advent.  Whilst it is a temporary market, it reminds me somewhat of Camden Town in North London.  The stalls are in wooden cabins, but with such variety of goods as I would never expect to find in England.  Candles, dolls, puzzle toys, hampers and clothes were all available, with regular booths serving food and hot drinks.

Yet it is now that I notice again the differences in climate: whilst many places in the UK have recently had snowfall, here it is still mild.  Whilst I would usually expect a bite in the air by this time of year, its absence here is noticeably pleasant, as the sun continues to shine brightly.  The difference in latitude is also evident in the day light – whilst it is an hour ahead of England, the light continues just as long into the evening.  Altogether, the change of location is quite pleasant.  I will have to consider emigrating to a warmer country in future.

 

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

A Striking Nation

Thus far, the strikes in France over pension reform has had little impact on me.  Whilst I was aware of the protests from the outset, when my French teacher warned us of the first and informed us that there would be no class that day, they have caused minimal disruption to my daily life.  Today, that changed.  My return flight this morning was cancelled, as the Air Traffic Control in France went on strike.  Unfortunately, I hadn’t checked the departure online beforehand, so much time was wasted travelling to the airport for a plane that was not about to fly.  Fortunately, I have now transferred to another flight, and hope to travel tomorrow evening.

The protests and strikes in Bordeaux have been substantial, yet within the city centre daily life still functioned.  There were protests in la Victoire, one of the city’s main squares, and down my street.  Yet the trams still ran, simply less often and with a service which didn’t cover the areas where the protest was.  As a result, I could still travel to the university, which is about ten minutes away by tram, and the protests have been little more than a nuisance.

The pension reform, which proposes to raise both the ages at which one can retire, and the age at which one can draw the state pension, currently 60 and 65 respectively, by two years.  Whilst it seems a minor change, one that many in England might shrug at, to the French it is intolerable.  They link retirement age with unemployment, and to extend the working life is unacceptable to many.  Yet whilst many will point out that the French will often strike, for any grievance, it is quite clear that these protests are unusually large and frequent.  I can but hope that they will decrease once the legislation, which is almost through the parliament, is completed.

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

The Importance of Being English

As I have commented before, English is very much an international language.  This is somewhat unfortunate for native speakers learning other languages, as so many people are quite willing to practise speaking English.  However, being a native speaker has another downside: students of English will copy every word I say, with the precise inflection and tone.  Whilst it is a sincere effort to learn, it also means that whatever I say must be grammatically correct, I must be aware of the spelling and all the connotations associated with each word.  I admit, I did not expect to find myself as an English teacher here!

I have discussed different accents with some other international students.  Whilst I consider myself to have a southeastern accent, and can usually understand other regional variations, I also recognise that the differences are somewhat more subtle to foreign speakers.  The differences between the British and American accents are most obvious, but even they come to a personal choice – which sounds an individual prefers.  Personally, I like the sound of the Irish accent, but many of my fellow international students have learnt an American accent.  Yet the same colleagues will state that they prefer the British accent!  It is a curiosity: if English is such an international language, which accents are the most prevalent?  And when speaking with other non-native speakers, where no person corrects themselves, is it truly the same language?

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

Progress Check

I am surprised that I have been here for seven weeks already.  This is certainly the longest I have spent in a foreign country,  and yet I’m feeling more and more comfortable.   Earlier today, I sat an exam; a progress assessment of the first six weeks.  It was not my best performance, but I refuse to be disappointed: sitting exams in another language, even when you are comfortable with the subject material, will doubtless perform to less than your ability.  Also today, I lost my student card; something that I have not done in the two years I have spent at my home university.

I hope that the longer I spend here, the more comfortable I will become.  Whilst many things are still difficult and confusing, I am growing accustomed to the extra effort required to communicate.  Tasks like setting up a standing order no longer scare me: they are simply chores to be done and no more difficult, providing I consider the vocabulary required in advance.

Next week is a holiday here, for “Toussaint”.  However, I shall be returning to England for part of it: the weather here is just turning, and I need some warmer clothes.  I am curious about which differences will stand out when I return, and which I have simply accepted as routine.  I daresay it will be a good measure as to how much I have changed in a mere two months.

 

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?

St. Emilion

After a few quiet weeks as I grow used to a routine, today I visited St. Emilion with some Erasmus students.  For those who have not heard of it before, St. Emilion is one of the wine-producing regions of Bordeaux, and is well-known for its diverse vintages.  We first stopped by the tourist office, for a map and advice as to which “châteaux” we should visit.  Many of them required booking in advance; others were not free.  Eventually we decided on one: Chateau Vieux Larmande.  This particular vineyard attempted to move from corked bottles to screw-tops, however the idea was rejected by the other wine-makers.  Although acceptable for American and Australian wine, the Bordelais will retain the corks a while yet.

A pleasant tasting of four different red wines followed, as the vintner told us about the grapes used, the cooperation between different families and the blends.  He informed us that this year’s crop was good, and that the wine will be superb: even better than last year.  So I suppose that I will watch out for 2010 Bordeaux reds.

Following the tastings, some of the group took the opportunity to buy what we had just tasted, myself included.  I wonder if I should not put some money aside for such purchases for bringing them as gifts back to England.  Otherwise, some of my acquaintances may be disappointed, as I made liberal promises of such gifts.  I will look forward to sharing a bottle of wine and interesting discussions when I return.

 

Signing off,

Erasmus Who?