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Post by martindn on Feb 13, 2012 9:56:04 GMT
The truble is Libby, that your teachers probably had a strong American accent too. That doesn't help. I remember before I spent several months working in Paris, my company sent me on a course called "survival French". I already had a French O Level, put that was a long time ago.
It was only after I came back from Paris that I met my teacher again, and attended her class to talk about my experiences, that I realised that she had a very strong English accent.
Martin D
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Post by Libby on Feb 15, 2012 0:37:59 GMT
Happy Valentine's Day, Hayley and Arnaud! 
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Post by tom12x on Feb 17, 2012 18:21:25 GMT
Congratulations Hayley and Arnaud! Wish you much happiness in your life together!  |
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Post by Libby on Feb 18, 2012 7:09:48 GMT
The truble is Libby, that your teachers probably had a strong American accent too. That doesn't help. Martin D Yes, they probably did, but nowhere near as relaxed as the students! Since I am very good with sounds, I tend to be able to pick up pronunciations by hearing other people say them. No, my teachers weren't that bad. To Spanish and Mexican people, yes, they probably were. But.. one of my teachers was Mexican herself, and of course her accent was much stronger than the American teachers. But the American teachers were not that much "worse", as far as that goes. I think the reason many of the students were lazy like that, might be partly because foreign language is a required course, and some of them probably weren't that enthusiastic about it, and found it a bit hard. Heck, some kids (especially these days) barely know proper English grammar or spelling, so it's really no wonder they have trouble with Spanish (or whatever), too. I found it challenging, too, even though I was fairly good at it. |
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Post by martindn on Feb 18, 2012 10:59:01 GMT
Hi Libby,
I have always found the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it.
When i went lo live and work in Sweden many years ago, I arrived not knowing a single word of the language. "They all speak English anyway" I was told, and that is largely true, especially among younger people who learned English from the day they started school.
But I immediately signed up for a "Swedish for foriegners" course, which was interesting, since Swedish was the only common language the students had. Practicing was always a problem too, since as soon as a Swedidh person knew that I was English, they wanted to practice THEIR English. But enough of the language rubbed off to allow myself to be reasonably fluent after 3 years there. Can't remember much of it now though.
Had a similar experience when I lived in Paris, although I already had a French O Level qualificiation before I went.
An scottish friend I knew who married a Swedish girl says they always spoke Swedish at home (in England) in the hope that their children would grow up multilingual. A note there perhaps for Hayley and Arnaud??? (phew, back on topic).
Martin D
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Post by Stuart H on Feb 20, 2012 20:23:12 GMT
Congratulations Hayley (....and Arnaud!). Great news!! I'm sure you and your family are very excited about this.
Great news!! |
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Post by Gene on Feb 21, 2012 12:46:44 GMT
Wonderful news! They look so happy together.
Congratulations Hayley and Arnaud!
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,339
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Post by Martin on Feb 28, 2012 9:41:28 GMT
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Post by natalie on Dec 22, 2012 21:23:53 GMT
Last time I was on here Hayley was engaged am wondering has the wedding date been set if so when is it?-thank you
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Post by Libby on Dec 22, 2012 21:55:25 GMT
Not that we know of. Some people stay engaged for years, so there's no telling. I do remember when the engagement was announced Hayley said something like they were going to have a "long think" about it. I wonder how much thinking they have left to do?  |
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Post by natalie on Dec 22, 2012 22:06:08 GMT
Thank you Libby
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