Tue, 14 July 2009  When we learn languages. we are used to either spending time in class, or at home reading, studying videos etc. When we actually speak with native speakers, it can be very difficult to know how best to learn from them and yet not expect the native speaker to be like a teacher. For example, if we meet a native speaker on holiday, or on a train, in the street, our need is to speak with them, not to expect them to be a teacher. Even if they are happy to help, the situation may not be good for discussing language points: noisy place, distractions etc. Even if we are lucky enough to visit the native speaker's house, many things are on our mind (and theirs) So, I have found the best approach is to be: Friendly Interested Polite Confident The first three are easy to be. Most people meeting for the first time are usually friendly, interested and polite. Confidence is another thing... I believe we can be confident without being over-confident. It just needs a little careful thought. Being confident means speaking in a confident way, listening in a confident way. Mistakes will be made, but confidence helps us overcome our shyness and fear of failure. It may start off as a difficult thing to do, and even be an "act" to look confident. But the more we try to be confident, the more confident we become.
As with all my other ideas, I only say they are what I believe and I offer as guidance. You must decide if you agree or not. One thing I think is that shyness is self-defeating. The more shy we are, the harder it becomes to use language in a real situation. Better to communicate 90% of the time with mistakes and be 10% correct than to be 90% perfect in our mind but only communicate 10%! Bye for now FIPC, that is the way to be! Alan Category: Text Blog -- posted at: 6:24 AM Comments[9] |
