RTFS

[etben]

Oh, is it time for another ride on the "If you get a native speaker to correct your writing, they'll put in structures that you don't know how to use, and that I know you don't know how to use, and I'll know that you were cheating, and I'll be pissed"-go round?

PROTIP: if you tell me upfront that you have never studied French before in your life, but that your boyfriend is from Switzerland*, I am going to be REALLY FUCKING DUBIOUS of any sentences you write that contain direct object pronouns. FFS, we are in chapter THREE. I KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW, AND WHAT YOU KNOW AIN'T MUCH, KITTEN.

*I am kind of conflicted about this, actually, because the thing is that her boyfriend could have just sat her down and explained this nonsense several months ago, and so she might just KNOW that isolated (and hella advanced) grammar point in a way that doesn't involve her having somebody look her paper over, aka cheating. IT COULD BE! ...but, frankly, I doubt it. >:(

Comments

[gules]

ugh, that really is tricky. i mean, back when i was starting french, i definitely knew grammar i quote-unquote wasn't supposed to—i got really excited, so i did things like reading ahead, researching, asking questions of friends in more advanced classes, &c.

on the other hand, if your student isn't all that intellectually curious, and her boyfriend's a native speaker... well, clearly the picture isn't nearly so positive. i'm no expert, but maybe a chat with the girl is in order, to suss things out?

anyway, lots of sympathy for your dilemma, and i'll be interested to hear the final verdict (and hoping for the former).

[etben.livejournal.com]

I mean, yeah—I have had students in other sections who just got really into it, and maybe had some background in Spanish or in Italian, and did some smart googling and made some good guesses, and wound up with stuff that was way out of their league. It happens! That said, object pronouns are not easy stuff! And given that this girl regularly has a hard time with verbs in the present tense, I am...dubious.

A chat with the girl is DEFINITELY in order, and a chat with her also-possibly-less-than-academically-honest classmate, and then...I suppose we will see! *sighs*