Speaking Portfolio 1st blog (Week 7)

Speaking Portfolio 1st Blog
Context of the conversation
May 7, 2011,Saturday evening after work my step-father pick me up so that I could stay on the boat from West Marina and it would be easy for me to travel back to work early in the morning rather than to go back home all the way from North Shore. We usually had conversation everything under the sun.

Cultural Difference
I'm used of calling my step-father "Dad" ever since because in our culture if someone got married and they had children, they usually call the step-parents as Dad or Mum for showing respect and acceptance for being a family. However, here in New Zealand is different, they just call them by names sometimes.

Critical Reflection   
I usually had conversation with him. I am already familiar with his spoken features and attitude so I don't find any difficulties in our conversation. Social conversation is my strength because I'm already used to it. It always started by asking about the work and about my studies, for example, "How's your work? What about the old bugger are they grumpy today, aren't they? Are you tired, aren't you? He asked "old bugger" because I'm working in the rest home. Afterwards, I asked him "How about your work? Did you work today?" Because sometimes he did not go to work on Saturday especially if it is raining. He works in construction company for roadworks. Our warming conversation ends when it's bedtime.

Evaluation of the conversation
This conversation flows smoothly even he suddenly used slang word or idiomatic expressions that more often used by the native speaker. It may cause problems with communication especially if it is your first time to hear these kind of words. Although, in conversation we have an opportunity to ask questions or clarification when we don't understand something. We don't need to be afraid or shy. I usually answered back or replied as " pardon Dad or sorry can you say that again, could you explain it to me Dad, I didn't quite get it." then his going to explain it. Instead of I'm going to answer "Yes I did" I said "Yes indeed" but I'm not sure if that was correct, anyway he didn't react so probably it was correct. My fillers or hesitation usually umm! Ah! or I'm going to say "it was in the tip of my tongue can you read it Dad." but I'm just kidding because I can't remember the words. Sometimes I tried to illustrate or give an example so that he could understand what I'm tying to say. He frequently said "carry on."

Vocabulary and Linguistic Features
Every time I'm talking to my step-father, I always learn new things or words, for example he mentioned about "Pak a road my car again,""going frog and toad," " going apple and pears" and I said to your mum "I give you a bell when I get there." " I bought a lemon" with my car. Then I said "why you need to buy a lemon for your car?" I thought it was a flavour of car freshener. He was talking about his car which was broken down and he bought a parts for it but it was wrong. And also about the road or place where he bought the things for the car, then he gave a call or ring to my mum. Sometimes, if I used a word that is not common like I was exhausted and starving. He is going to answer "What a big word is that" just teasing me because I'm learning something.
I've noticed about linguistic feature with the native speaker were often used of slang words, idiomatic expression and especially tag question which we don't have in our first language. So these are some of the important feature of spoken English that I need to focus or to developed in the future.

Place to visit

TBS2 Blog Report

Laylani Bayutas

WEST AUCKLAND

I visited one of the most stunning places in West Auckland of New Zealand. It offers the breathtaking natural beauty, dramatic black sand beaches of the Waitakere Ranges and the Kumeu Valley-Auckland’s unique tourist attraction. It is only 30 minutes far way from Auckland Airport and the city.

Place to visit:

Muriwai is the great place to see the wonderful display of the gannet bird of colony. Not only the spectacular landscape of vineyard from Kumeu Valley but also the hot summer feeling of the black sand beach nearby. The wild surf beach of Piha is also fascinating to observe.

Place to stay:

Although I stayed in West Park Marina with my parent’s boat, they provide Piha lodge and Seagulls Rest for accommodation. You have the choice of private restful suite in the stunning surround of Auckland west coast or the luxury of panoramic sea and bush view of your own private deck.

Essential Adventure:

Waitakere Forest attract visitors to experience such as bush walk, eco tour, go canyoning and abseil down the side of waterfalls, even night visits to see the glow worms.

Recommendation:

Escape sometimes from hectic and tiring society West Auckland is the best option.