Afsaneh Zaeri

I know this is not required, but I figure that it will add to my blog.

The final went a lot better for me than the mid-term and I think it is due to a very simple fact: I felt more comfortable. I was not necessary more comfortable with the material (actually, this was not at all the case) but I was more comfortable with the examiner and the entire set up. I also prepared myself mentally for the examiner to ask me questions that were not on the study guide. This really helped when he threw in a few extra questions here and there. I remained more calm and asked for several things to be repeated. I also made sure I understood a question before I jumped into an answer. His last question was very difficult for me and I told him that I felt it was about my level and I did not have the vocabulary to discuss it at a deep level. I was glad I told him that and he seemed understanding and encouraging. The final was very difficult but I felt more confident after it than I did with my mid-term.

My midterm reflection


"I felt very nervous going into the exam. Having experienced two very different examiners last year, I had no idea what to expect. I was also a bit concerned that he was from a Morocan background and I dialects vary significantly in Arabic. I felt like this examiner really challenged me to do my best. I felt like I tackled the first half of the examine well, and was able to effectivly communicate. Looking back at the video I wish I wasn't so fidgity, but I suppose this is because I was nerveus. The last part of the exam was very diffiuclt. He asked me to ask him seven questions about his native country but the study guide asked us to be prepared for four questions. I had to come up with three extra questions on the spot and it took me a little while before I stammered them out. In the end, I noticed that sometimes I did not listen carefully to what he asked and therefore I answered incorrectly.
In the end I feel I that I did my best. Next time I will try to be more composed and will make sure that I learn more adjectives."

The second comment I have chosen to upload is in response to the concept of time in the Arab World. In my comment I made sure to stick to the topic and I was able to add some relevant information. I was able to share my own experience as a Middle Eastern person myself. I explored the phenomena in the context of that particular culture, noting how it is not something one can adapt to quickly. I give the suggestion that perhaps we will all move to a more balanced view of time.

I chose to post a comment I made in response to a very open ended question regarding polygamy. The question directed me to share my thoughts on the concept in light of its practice in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia.Although it is easy to do, it is important not to be quick to judge. I thought my response was objective and highlighted the point that it often occurred in society for reasons such as the safety of a women especially if she was widowed.

Below is my goals and strategies that I made early in the semester as well as my self-evaluation of how well I met them. I would like to note that in comparison to last fall, I believe I made much better and focused goals. They were attainable and a vital part of my progress in Arabic 051. I feel that evaluating goals at mid-term would also be effective in order to assess progress made and also give an opportunity to amend the goas as necessary.

I really enjoyed my second semester project. It was fun, and something totally new. I really challenged myself by talking about things that required the acquisition of new vocabulary. I really worked on mastering the vocabulary in order to use them in my project effectivly. I created a story and the hallmark of it was that it (at least I hope) was humerous! I feel very happy that I could create and tell a story in Arabic that was at a level that it conveyed an elemet of humour. This project shows my development as it is a culmulations of my speaking skill as well as my composition skills. I feel like my intonation reflected what I was saying. I really enjoyed having projects this sememster. I hope that we will continue to do these in DULAP

This is my best writing sample that I have done. I really made sure to take heed of all the comments my language examiner made after he saw my draft. I feel like I was able to use longer sentances and challenged myself. Although I hope that now, at the end of my third semester I can write pieces that are even longer, I felt very proud that I could come up with that much to say in a coherent manner. I did not jump around and I feel like I transitioned well. I also used a culturally appropriate greeting that my examiner said demonstrates my awareness of Arabic culture.

I would like to reflect on my second audio sample. Even though the first may have been more balanced I feel that this is the better of the two because I was really challenged. I had to come up with what to say on my own, whereas in my first audio sample it was an imitation of a native speaker which takes away the challenge of putting words together correctly. I feel like my pronunciation is clear for my level and I made my voice vary according to what I was saying. In other words, I tried to make sure the sample was expressive at the same time it was clear. The words that were challenging for me at that point are part of my basic vocabulary now, which is something I am very grateful for.