...and finally!

I can write with great relief that my German course is almost completely over and done with. All the tests have been done and I was thrilled to receive the results back from my reading and listening tests and I managed to pass at C1 level!

Quite a few people have asked me what in heck C1 language level means so here's the official answer:

C1 
Listening:  I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
Reading:  I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.
Spoken Interaction:  I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.
Spoken Production:  I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Writing: I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select a style appropriate to the reader in mind.

Anyone who has been around me in the last few weeks will know that I really wasn't expecting to pass, as until late last week I had felt pretty rubbish about my chances of achieving a C1 level and I hadn't had too much success in the practise test runs although I now put that down to external stress I was feeling and to being unwell. During the exam itself, the real one, I actually felt pretty positive and that there was a chance I could pass (which in turn made me nervous as I didn't want to then feel disappointed if I failed) but it finally feels like the last few months have (kind of) been worth it. Do I still feel I could have learnt a lot more had I had good teachers the whole time? Absolutely. Bit there's nothing I can do about it now so I just have to move on. Tomorrow is the final day, a goodbye breakfast with the group and the teacher we all actually like and feel loyal to (a complete opposite reaction to that of our awful Computer/German language teacher!). Then that'll be it. Phew! Back to focusing on my work, on my shop, on my writing and on developing a couple of websites and working on how I can best put my new language skills in to practise! No, I won't be blogging in German from now on!

On a different subject, I have recently been interviewed by a website called 'BlogExpat' for their Expat bloggers feature and the interview is now live. Go check it out at the link below (click on the image box) and if you are an Expat blogger and you haven't registered your blog on their site, I'd advise you do so:

I love to read your comments so please feel free to let me know what you think...