Studying

Last friday was my final exam at Univ buenos aires aka UBA for the intensive 3 week program i've been in since early april. somehow i passed the exam which means i qualify to move up to level 3 - intermediate. still i can't say that i know how to ask for a chicken patty at the butcher or that even one time a taxi driver (taxista) understands which street names i'm telling him due to the incorrect pronunciation. i'm mentally fried and over sitting at a desk all day with 19 year olds even though the UBA program is quite affordable and the teachers are decent. so, starting next monday, i'll be working with a tutor 3 hours per day here at the apartment - focusing more on speaking and pronunciation. the tutor guy is very strict and gives lots of homework so it will probably be as intense as my uba program but maybe i'll see more pronounced results. his teaching approach is pretty interesting. his tutoring pays the bills but his other job and passion is acting and producing plays. here's the email he sent to describe his spanish immersion course:

It consists of three hours a day five days a week for one month.
> > >
> > >The program consists of speaking, reading out loud, listening and
> > >repeating, and writing. Overal there are very few explanations, lots
> > >of reading out loud, and finding spanish sounds that may be
> > >particularly difficult for the student to identify and repeat, and
> > >more than anything lots of speaking from day one. Basically you have
> > >to plunge in and begin to speak freely. There is little time to
> > >think, and with my guidance you will begin to develop ideas, phrases,
> > >thoughts, in spanish by the end of the first week. Of course, there
> > >is some grammar and some vocabulary to learn, but we are going to rely
> > >on the little vocabulary it seems we know, to through association
> > >develop new vocabulary. Believe me, you know far more than what you
> > >give yourself credit for even if you have never studied spanish
> > >before.
> > >
> > >We will begin working on your accent from day one. As soon you step
> > >on the street you should be understood. Many students have told me
> > >that they feel frustrated when they are not undestood, even when they
> > >express themselves correctly, and this lack of understanding leaves
> > >people inhibited and unsure of what they really know. Every language
> > >has key sounds that we must find and release out of us.
> > >
> > >Another key aspect of learning a language is rhythm. We will work on
> > >finding a natural speaking rhythm from day one. If we don't we will
> > >fall in the habit of chasing words and making long "thinking" pauses,
> > >instead of relying on what we know and getting the best out of it.
> > >Also, the more we develop a natural speaking rhythm, the more we will
> > >understand somebody speaking fluently and naturally. I want you to
> > >speak with confidence and freedom. My classes are a testground where
> > >you should truly feel free to fail, and try, and try again, and play.
> > >No self criticism allowed.
> > >
> > >I am quite demanding and I look for students who have the need to grow
> > >and work. This is the reason why I do not give single classes, and I
> > >do not work with more than three people at a time. I will pose a
> > >challenge to you because that way, we will both be rewarded at the end
> > >of the month.
> > >
> > >lastly; if you are used to learning by memorizing rules and words, you
> > >will have a brief period adjusting. I call this an "I" course, because
> > >we will rely on your Instinct, on your intuition, and on your Innate
> > >need to communicate and survive.


for this week, i'm taking a breather, sleeping in a lot more. tomorrow is a major holiday aka feria so everthing is closed. meeting friends in the chinatown of buenos aires for a stroll and lunch. hugo and i made a pact to stop watching tv in english so tonight we rented "the sea inside" - no subtitilos.