Oral communication is an art which is very exacting except, of
course, for those available inflections, subtleties, nuances and variables…
After more than 30 years of traveling over 3
million miles doing business around the world and dealing with folk who speak
several languages, I am more than ever convinced of the fact that we should all
speak at least two languages. Even if we never leave our country of birth. What
mind doors this knowledge opens!!! You can spend time in a country or with
people from that country and actually get to know it, its customs and culture.
You can read history and stories in their original language and learn and
absorb all this without the need of going through others.
Besides… it is now an established medical fact that
the effort spent learning a new language as we get older, will help our brain
battle potentially devastating illnesses like Alzheimer’s. A fantastic added
benefit!!
All is well and good if you learn out of wanting to
know but… what happens when you find yourself living in a new country by either
choice or happenstance, where a different language than yours is spoken? Then
the choice of learning is out of your hands. In fact, there is no choice; you
must learn your new country’s language. If you want to be able to work and
socialize and not be restricted to a relative few people, then the only avenue
is to learn… learn… learn…
During my working life there have been several
times (like the present) when I have
functioned as a teacher of English for those foreign born adults who are here
and need to communicate, even at a basic level. For some it is a struggle to
learn. For others it is very easy to learn by rote yet, it becomes difficult to
free form sentences in conversation. For a lucky few, they grasp the basic
principles and in doing what they have to do, come out swinging… and talking.
What makes a difference? Those who do what they have to do and those who only
find excuses so as not to do it.
Everyone looks for a “magic wand” approach. There isn't such a thing. You cannot learn a language in “10 easy lessons” or in 20
days of easy practice. It takes time and it takes dedication. I have come to
realize that when learning a new language (although
my experience is with English, this would apply to all) there are some
basic rules of thumb which should be followed and, because I know some of my
students read this blog (no, not an
imposed homework!!!) they are herein repeated… again!!!
There are some pointers which have been accumulated
over the 15 years or so I have taught ESL (English
as a Second Language) students whenever I can do so.
- Speak slowly. Just remember the language you are learning is not
your native tongue and until there is a good amount of experience
accumulated (flying time, so to
speak) to try and speak fast will only cause a mob scene at the tip of
your tongue…
- Treat every word as a tasty bit. Enjoy it, swish it around your
mouth, lips and tongue just like you would good wine and when that last
little bit is taken, don’t forget that end letter which we (especially Latin languages speakers)
tend to leave out because … well, we just don’t bother with it back home.
- Just because in our language we don’t have those pesky auxiliaries
like “don’t”, “would” and “will” doesn't mean they can be left out at
will. Son of a gun!!! We need them just to say “no” or ask “why” and make
sense…
- Listen to and imitate the flow of the language. Every language has
a flow and this makes it easier for us to use it and to be understood by
the native speaker…
- Until you have experience in the language, speak in simple terms,
with simple words. You know… “15 cent” or less words… leave the “25 cent”
ones for later on…
- Practice… practice… practice. With your family, the neighbor, the dog, the cat, your friend… with anyone who’ll put up with it… and you. Every word you practice is one more step taken.
Last but never least… NEVER be afraid to make a
mistake when you talk. Most people will go along with you and understand… those
who will make fun… well, they aren't worth your worry and, besides, when you
learn your new language, you will be able to express yourself in two languages
and they will still be mired in one…
Be
Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
- Pray for those who are fighting an illness
which may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard,
and counts!!
- Follow us on Twitter …
@RJAsPandora
- Any comments please send to otherboxp@yahoo.com
- “La
Otra Caja de Pandora”… The
Spanish language Blog… “otracaja.blogspot.com”
… Bienvenidos!!!
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