The path I'm on right now is undoubtfully leading to a good lawyer's career, to a more or less quiet life with it's lot of divorce cases, neighbours conflicts, unresolved bankruptcies etc... there is and will always be something to do. But after having thought about that, I realised that it is not what I want. I want a change in my life. When I returned from Istanbul, I realised how quiet this city can be, how I know everything and everyone, how things stays the same, how reassuring it can be, but also how boring. I need some fresh air, and I never dared to try the change, because I'm the slave of my belongings, and my nostalgia.
I need a new start, and I need to be confronted to the risk, and to the uncertainty, I need to go without anything holding me back. I took a decision, and made a plan: go abroad, study maritime law in a good university, and find a job somewhere in Europe or in the USA for a few years. The absolute dream is to study one year in UCL in London, but there are two problems: it is awfully expensive, and I have to come with excellent grades. This year started relatively poorly regarding the second point, but I can change it, and now that I have this goal in mind, I know that I can reach a good level, it's just a matter of work. Concerning the money, my father said that he would sell his socks if I needed it, he's 100% behind, and surprisingly, even my mother pushes me forward.
So, this is going to need more commitment than I've ever had provided in my life, but I think that I can do it, because right know, it's the thing that I want more than everything, a new aim, and a new start. I told Maria about it, and she was stunned, because she said that it's so not like me, and she is absolutely true. I never thought I would feel the urge to get out of here, to go abroad, and to abandon the routine I've been in for a few years. I even told you one year ago that I would never leave this place, but I had kind of a revelation last night.
I already started the necessary preparation, I'll have a serious talk with my family to fix a financial plan, I'll take some english lessons, and will prepare my master thesis this semester already, so that everything should be in order before next year. It's challenging, but thrilling, it will either be a success, of the first failure in my life.
Wish me luck :)
PS: I have a question. In order to go abroad, I have to take an english exam. I will prepare for it, but I want to have an idea of my english level, and therefore ask you what you think about my english level. Is is rather good or can you clearly see that it's not my native language? On a one to five scale, five being the highest grade and one the lowest, what would you think my level is? It's important for me to have an idea, so please answer! Thanks :)
8 comments:
Your English is OK. You make mistakes that people would make if they did not live in an English speaking country would ordinarily make. So... My advice is to take a few months off to live and work in the UK, Australia, the US or Canada. Get a feel for the way the language is used in everyday situations. Then go back for further education.
Oh good luck!! That sounds like a great change of pace for you indeed. :-)
As for your English, I'd rate it a 4 or 4.5 out of 5. Your English (writing) is very good, just a few typos here and there and a couple minor grammatical things. But it's better than some writing I've read from native English writers. :-P
To answer your question, I'd say you're you are at least at a 4 level, maybe 4.5. The thing that shows you are not a native speaker is occasional errors of vocabulary. They are not bad enough to cause you to be misunderstood, but they show that you are not a native speaker.
Just so you'll know, and can judge for yourself, I'll point out what I find in this post.
— "go on the market" should probably be "go into the market." I think products go on the market, but people go into the market.
— "confronted to" should be "confronted with"
— "undoubtfully" should be "undoubtedly" — but creating your new word shows intelligence. I'm not sure why we say "doubtful" and "doubtfully," and not "undoubtfully," but it's "undoubtedly."
— "right know" should be "right now" but that is actually a spelling mistake, not vocabulary
— "she is absolutely true" should be "she is absolutely right" — ideas or propositions are true, but people are right when what they say is true.
Not one of those prevented me from understanding you.
I'd say your syntax is fine — indistinguishable from a native speaker. When you said "the end of my studies are coming nearer," your mistake was to make the verb agree in number with "studies" rather than "end." The end *is* coming nearer. But native speakers make the same mistake of making the verb agree in number with the nearest noun, rather than with the subject of the clause, so it's nothing to worry about. I didn't see any other grammatical mistakes.
So work on your vocabulary could be useful. It might be helpful to do a lot of reading in English. I don't know how difficult the exam you need to pass will be, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't pass it.
And I should also say good luck on your plan. It sounds as if you have a good reason for your decision.
Thanks guys, it gives me an idea of how much I have to work.
Unfortunately, it is too late to go in an english speaking country before leaving I think... the only thing I can do is to take english lessons. I will do it.
I already read a lot in english, I always have an english book on my night table. Usually something of Sommerset Maugham.
Thanks for the correction Naturgesetz ;)
Just to contribute to your perspective a bit more, I would say that you are around a 4.0 in terms of your skill level. The thing is, even if you're at a 4.5, 'English mastery' is something that is quite subjective. Mastering grammar and such is only have the battle. The other half is making it 'sound' and flow more like how the locals speak/write it.
I can tell quite easily that it's not your native language, but I don't mean that in a bad way. It's more that your word choices and usage of the language reflect the fact that you are not, say, a native speaker from the USA. In the case of the USA, speaking perfect English is one thing, but using the language like an American is another thing.
Regardless, you will be perfectly understandable to anyone listening to you or reading your work.
p.s.: I teach public speaking here in the USA, although I myself am a foreign student. This includes grading speech outlines/scripts, so I'm pretty sensitive to these things. Luckily, English is my first language, and I tell my students that fact on the first day of class. I have to keep reminding them that their English is very American, and that the utilization of the English language can vary greatly between cultures. :)
THink your English is pretty good actually :) Jut have to check out the exam papers to get a feel of it. You should be fine.
It is okay if you need something exciting in your life. Man, I also want to move somewhere as soon as possible, at least for some short time.
And considering your language. I can't really tell, because English is not my native, either. But it's higher then my English level for sure... And I'm like B2 level, which is only one step of C1, which is proficency level. Take some classes only to be sure, but I think that you will do fine.
English is not that hard language, the only problem for me is a lot of phrases and that stuff you can master only if you go to a English speaking area. I have never been on the place where English is spoken, so, all my knowledge is based on learning in artificial way.
And in French, I have A2, I think, I didn't have chance to check that. I know grammar, but my vocabulary sucks.
You are from Europe and I hope that you will understand this things considering levels of language, cause it's made for people from Europe. If you don't cause Swiss is not in EU, ask me and I will answer you... :D
Take care, my friend and I wish you all the luck on your journey.
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