The Start

Welcome to my ALMS Blog!

Hello there! This blog will be used as a platform for me to document my English learning journey for the duration of an ALSM course provided by the Language Learning Centre of the University of Helsinki. The course is an autonomous one where you can study independently or in groups that all focus on different aspects of the language, such as writing or reading, or even acting. The point is that you sort of build your own course according to your needs. 

Now, as for how things are going to go for me, personally...

Let's start with my self-evaluation. According to the CERF (the Common European Framework) grid, I am somewhere between B2 and C1 in most skills. That, again, means that I am quite adept at producing and receiving both text and speech. My main goal for this course is to get all my skills to C1, though realistically speaking I believe that to be unlikely in such a short time. Still, that won't stop me from trying my best!

I have made a study plan that I will naturally be following as the course goes on. In the plan, I have included the Support Groups I will be joining and also the hours I will be putting into different kinds of tasks that will aid me in my studies. The two Support Groups I have decided to join are the Academic Writing and Academic Reading groups. I have made a separate page for them and I will be posting about my progress in there. 

My other plans include academic vocabulary, studying with friends in English, independent creative challenges, translation, and much more! I have tried to include both "serious" studying and something a little less demanding to help keep my motivation and energy levels up throughout the whole course. For example I will also be listening to science podcasts and doing physical exercises with a English speaking coach - to make things a little more interesting. 

So, shall we begin then?