The Grammar section, the units that deal with aspects of meaning and grammar that are relatively simple and expressed in few words inside a simple sentence (the expression of quantity, or of possession, for example) is one of the greatest hurdles because they are dry, boring lists that have to be given an attractive, systematic expository style for two reasons: one is to facilitate memorisation, and two, to prevent that the examiner falls asleep. These are Units 10 (word formation) to 27 (the passive voice). According to my plans, I should be doing a unit a day and get Unit 15 done by the end of the week. However, I have had to take some days off and I'm four lessons behind.
Today's reward will be one imp only, Blood Amber, if I manage to do three units: word formation (the fun one), the linguistic sign (that's going to be a tought one), and the concept of grammar.
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ETA: I managed one unit and a bit of another one.
Friday 20th: Blood Amber will still be my reward if I manage three units today: the linguistic sign, the concept of grammar, the expression of quantity.
ETA: no, I couldn't swallow three units in one go. I could finish off two. No Blood Amber yet.
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Definitely, I can't aim at three units a day on the first reading. Two a day is hard enough; three a day, especially on very boring, technical topics, gets the information messed up in my head. Today, Monday 23th I have finished two units: the expression of quantity, and quality/degree/comparison. I think I0ve already deserved my Blodd Amber.
Mission 2: Fusing units 1 to 5, which deal all with very general concepts on language learning & acquisition, and communication theory.
Reward: Five Neil Gaiman imps from a decant circle: Crowley, War, Fairy Market, Tristan, Yvaine.
I want to do one unit a day.
Monday, unit 1: Completed! I have a lovely unit on the history and current tendencies of foreign language teaching. I have earned my Crowley.
Tuesday, unit 2: On the relationship between the first and the second language. I have earned War!
Friday: I've had a marathon and finished units 3 (left half-finished yesterday), 4 and 5. However, I have not concentrated as much as I should so I'm just adding the Fairy Market imp.
Monday: Unit 6. Tristan is mine!
Tuesday: Unit 7: Yvaine is on the lot! Mission accomplished!