Put a red border around my English skillz!

[janetlin]

One of my classes this semester was "Structure of English." Yes, that's grammar. Because sadly, even university students don't always know the difference between a preposition and a pronoun. *rolleyes* _I_, however, was incredibly bored with the classes, and it didn't look like they were going to get any more challenging, so last week I asked my professor if I could challenge the class.

*For y'all in other countries that don't allow this, it means one takes the final exam early and if you get a passing grade, that's the grade you have for the entire class and you don't have to show up to lectures or do the homework or anything because you _obviously_ already know the material.

She said she'd had lots of students ask to do so, and only one had ever earned an A (I need to get at least a B), but I was welcome to try, and "I already have a sense that you've got a pretty good grasp of grammar." :D But she still seemed a little surprised that I even asked, and even more so when I was like, "How about next week?" No, seriously, lady, I'm that confident. Also I don't want my flakiness regarding homework to adversely affect what should otherwise be an insultingly easy A

So last night I pulled out my old Harbrace Handbook (just in case) and skimmed the whole thing in a few hours, and took the test this morning and ACED that sumbitch. Not a perfect score; I missed five points which gave me 93% overall. But still. *spastic happy dance*

There were sections like, "Identify what is incorrect about the following sentences (comma splice, adjective/adverb confusion, dangling modifier, etc)" and "Write a sentence correctly using each of the following words," and the words were commonly confused ones like effect, affect, its, it's, imminent, eminent, etc. For srs, guys. She liked the sentences I came up with, and said she'd keep them for examples when the class gets to that chapter. *preens*

Oh, and the final section was to write a paragraph of around ten sentences which explains how to do something. So I wrote about maneuvering in a hoop skirt. :D Probably _not_ what she was expecting to read today.

So yeah, one less class I have to sit through, a whole lot less homework I have to do, and more time at home to do homework for my other classes. Woot!

Comments

[kiwifruitbat.livejournal.com]

Bravo!

[silverflight.livejournal.com]

Was that with Dr. Helt?

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

Nope, Ott. I almost feel bad about it because, since I wouldn't have to concentrate too much on the content it might actually have been fun sometimes. Like on Tuesday we played MadLibs and watched Grammar Rock, which made me feel old. But I think it's worth it not to have to do the homework now.

[mermaidrain.livejournal.com]

THAT is awesome! LOL! ;) What was the teacher's reaction?

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

For as surprised as she was when I first brought it up, she seemed very matter-of-fact and non-reactive, actually. Boo. I'm sure she must think my ego is obnoxious now, both with the initial confidence and then solidly backing it up.

But yes, thank you, it _is_ awesome. :D

[thulrandir.livejournal.com]

Well done.

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

Thankee kindly.

[cat-i-th-adage.livejournal.com]

Go you!

Actually, the level of English competency flowing through Massey is quite poor, and I'm not talking about the international students, either. Though our remedial English courses have a lot on essay structure, also.

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

Apparently the only student - before me - to challenge the class and get an A was an international student. It's sad when a foreigner knows your language better than you do.

[good2notbeking.livejournal.com]

Devil's advocate here, but I am much better equipped at explaining French grammar, linguistics, etc., than English. I mean, it's not like I ever had to take a uni-level *English* linguistics class, for instance. Could I tell you what the future imperfect is in English? Maybe... if I thought about it long enough. But French? Don't get me started-- I've written ESSAYS on the subject ;)

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

Will have been verb-ing?

Yeah, I could probably do that in Russian more easily than English.

[good2notbeking.livejournal.com]

I hates da peoples who cannot talk da english good. Because I speaks da english good. I is happy you did pass yo tests and was exempted from yer remedial-esque klass. 3 hips and a hurray: hip hip hurray!
Love,
A fellow girl scout who was in Olinda Elementary's GATE program.

[janetlin.livejournal.com]

Yup. Richmond Unified learned us to talk good!