As with our previous session, we used English as our main language of communication throughout the meeting. This constant practice helped strengthen my listening comprehension and my ability to hold long, informal conversations without switching languages. I could feel that my fluency was improving, particularly when discussing spontaneous topics like cooking, food preferences, and personal experiences.
A noteworthy addition this time was our decision to include French practice. We revisited basic grammar structures, common expressions, and vocabulary that had become a bit rusty. Refreshing things like verb conjugations, everyday phrases, and pronunciation was really helpful since neither of us had interacted with the language in quite some time. Practicing French in such a relaxed setting made the learning experience feel much less stressful and more enjoyable.
Cooking together led to discussions about how barbecues and outdoor meals are part of life in our respective cities. We exchanged opinions on the similarities and differences between our traditions. Explaining cultural practices in English continues to challenge us, but it also helps us hone the skill of clearly presenting cultural ideas in a way that’s easy to understand.
This meeting felt different from the others because of the more hands-on nature of cooking. Preparing the meal required coordination and communication, which made practicing English feel more natural. Instead of just discussing abstract or personal topics, we had to describe actions, make suggestions, and negotiate decisions—essentially engaging in real-life communication.
Introducing French also added a positive shift to the dynamic. Switching between languages made me more aware of how differently I think and express myself in each one. I realized that even though I don’t use French often, the knowledge is still there and just needs a bit of refreshing. It also reminded me how important regular exposure is to maintaining a language.
Although we managed to practice French, we didn’t dive as deep into grammar as we had originally planned. The laid-back atmosphere of the barbecue made it harder to focus on more structured or technical aspects, and we often found ourselves drifting back into English conversations.
Additionally, staying in English while multitasking was slightly more challenging. There were moments when both of us slipped into quick expressions in our native language out of habit. Still, we made an effort to correct ourselves and switch back to English once we noticed.
Our plan for this session was to alternate between cultural exchange, language practice, and skill improvement, and I think we were successful in achieving those goals.
Comments