Conversation #2

Between our first two meetings, Li and I talked several times via Facebook and ran into each other once or twice on campus. We met on November 9, once again at the TCU Bookstore. 

This time we spend most of our minutes discussing the current workload in our classes. We talked about the surplus of tests and papers due in the days before Thanksgiving Break, and about how our classes were going in general.

One thing I thought was interesting about our discussion this time was some of the questions Li asked me about my classes. We were talking about how long it takes us to write English essays- he was jealous of the native speakers who get away with writing it all the night before it’s due. He then began asking me about the time it takes me to do various assignments in my French class. While it is obviously much easier for me to read and write in English than in French, this discussion led me to an interesting realization. While I understand the difficulties in doing assignments in a foreign language based on my experiences, all of the excerpts I read and essays I am assigned in French are much shorter than those that Li must complete in English. Not only does he have to deal with the challenging workload college presents, but the additional factor of a foreign language as well. Especially in light of the article about American students’ inability to read, I was once again struck by the difficult task that Li and all foreign students are taking on. Going to and surviving college is a challenge for most, and succeeding at this while in a foreign country with a non-native language is nothing less than admirable.

Li also talked about having to take both the SAT and the TOEFL before coming to college. When he talked about the speaking portion of the TOEFL, I was reminded of my experiences taking the French AP exam. I am very glad that my scores on that exam did not determine my ability to go to college, and I can’t imagine the stress of taking the SAT in a foreign language. It is crazy to me to think about how difficult it must be to live and learn in a place using your second, non-native language.

We ended our meeting by setting up our next conversation to ensure that we catch up and meet 8 times. I will be speaking with him again on Wednesday the 16th.