linda-CP wk 5

I met my cp for a quick chat over coffee on friday. I told her I'd like to tape our final session for my class project. She thought that was funny, but said OK. She's always such a delight to be around. Always laughing and excited about everything. I asked her if she was homesick yet, and she said no. I was thinking about that video on culture shock we were emailed that discussed the phases of culture shock. So I think she is still in phase one. Lucky me, I have her at phase one! By phase two she might be annoyed by me and everything I, the American, say! (Just jokes)

Heike told me she wasn't happy she didn't score well on her listening level test. She was placed in Group 2 and feels like she isn't challenged enough in the class. After learning more of how the TOEFL is given, I feel that she scored lower on this test because she did not have the help of any visuals. When we talk, she seems to understand everything I am saying. She has the advantage of seeing me talk and seeing my expressions, and my body language, etc. I can see how just listening to someone speak English with no visuals would be much more challenging. I'd like to come up with an activity for us to do that would be helpful for her to improve her listening skills and then tape that for my final session. I was thinking of gathering her friends for the activity too, so I can have a small class, but the friends are all much more advanced with their English speaking, so we'll see. This week all the gals and I are planning to get together for a cooking class, so hopefully I can squeeze in my taping session during that time too : )