speech recognition

Carol L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

speech recognition

I think this dictee proves to me that I am in NO WAY ready to consider a vacation in France, where (as I recall) most speakers speak even more rapidly than the lady who read this exercise.  I hadn't been thinking of such a trip anyway (Covid has interfered with so many plans) but I have decided that at this rate I should probably stay home, possibly forever!  

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Carol, 

Just to add to everyone's answers, don't let this dictation exercise put you off visiting the beautiful country that is France and the chance to practise your French ( COVID-permitting, bien sûr!) 

In its mitigation, it is highly specific to a particular sport and its French star and probably contained quite a lot of new or unfamiliar vocabulary...

I like Katie's slogan -

Vouloir c'est pouvoir = Where there's a wish, there's a way

Bonne Continuation!

Kathleen P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

scored 36 out of 65- quelle horreur- what about you?

Katie S.C1Kwiziq community member

Funny, I was feeling the same way. I got a 28! (I judge myself harshly, maybe.) So, I'll just do it again. I think these kinds of exercises are so beneficial. You train your brain. We just have to stick with it. Vouloir c'est pouvoir ! 

Carol L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I suppose I shouldn't feel too awfully bad.  I got a 43 out of 65.  I, too, am pretty harsh about my self-grading, but this really, really SUCKED!!!  I will try again once I've gotten over my acute self-pity!  Thanks for the support, Kathleen and Katie.  

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Don't ever let anything stop you from spending time in France if you want to learn French!!!
Personally, I find that in conversations it is actually easier to follow what the other person says than in those dictation exercises. People will slow down a bit and refrain from using slang. Also, you get to formulate a response, which is invaluable!
And it is fun!

So, by all means go to France and immerse yourself in the French language -- as soon as Covid permits.

Michele L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I finally got a decent score on a dictee (can't find the accent mark on my keyboard), but I have a daughter who swims, so I was fortunately familiar with many of the words used. It really helps if one has experience with the subject!-michele

Kathleen P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

3 months later and I got 56- I did read through the written text before I started- is that counter productive?

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi kathleen, 

You have improved, which is good ... carry on doing what you are doing, it's working.

Beth C.C1Kwiziq community member

I now live in France, but what I found while still living in Vancouver was that I learned more in one day in France than I did in several months while going to French school at home.

Frank C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Carol, Michele, Kathleen et. al., 

I find the B2 dictations challenging but am getting better with time.  Normally, I start by looking up all of the unfamiliar words in the list.  I then listen to the passage 3 times, trying to get more each time.  Then I start the test.  Self-grading of course varies but if you apply your standards each time, you get a score relative to yourself and no one else.  If I don't recognize a word, I insert a question mark, go on to recognizable words, and come back to the questionable sound.  I increase my score by listening carefully to familiar prepositions.   Is it de, des, du, le, la, les?  That helps with making agreements.  If I get any words, the score is above 0. One or possibly 2 minor agreements is a 4.  2 and 3 are subjective.  Don't be too hard on yourself, be patient, and be thankful you have normal hearing.  Bonne continuation à tout ! 

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

As an aside, I really like this style of exercise, but I never score myself numerically. I just write down what I hear, listening multiple times to align my answer to the audio as far as I can. Then I look at the answer, and re-listen several times. I also speak each line several times. 

Carol L. asked:

speech recognition

I think this dictee proves to me that I am in NO WAY ready to consider a vacation in France, where (as I recall) most speakers speak even more rapidly than the lady who read this exercise.  I hadn't been thinking of such a trip anyway (Covid has interfered with so many plans) but I have decided that at this rate I should probably stay home, possibly forever!  

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