Semester expectations

A new semester has started; and with this, a new level of English starts, too.  It is the last one I have to take; so, I feel excited about being near to finish the English course and prepared to take a proficiency test. In the past, I did not give enough importance to learn how to be a good speaker, but then I realized its crucial role in my life. Because of that, my goal for this level is to learn as much as I can. Especially I would like to improve my speaking and listening skills, which are the most difficult for me. But also, I consider I need to practice my writing skills, in order to strengthen them.

Two weeks have passed since the classes began, and I already made my first oral presentation. It consisted of making a speech about a topic that I prefer. I chose to talk about the three stages people need to follow to achieve their goals. These were: set goals, make a plan, and take action. This project gave me the opportunity to practice two skills: speaking and writing. Also, while I was preparing the presentation, I learned new vocabulary and grammar. This part was so difficult for me because I got confused about what words I had to use in a determined context. However, the teacher and classmates gave me some advice that helped me to make my speech better. Additionally, I practiced my speech until I was clear about the ideas I would present. First, I did it alone; but then, a friend helped me by listening and giving me some advice. Practicing helped me to feel more confident about my presentation. This experience taught me a lot of things that I can use for my future projects and presentations not only for English class but also other subjects.