Discuss the Article : Conversations With Complete Strangers - Be Brave, Take A Swing!
Conversations With Complete Strangers - Be Brave, Take A Swing!
Is your English good enough to help someone in trouble? Here's an article about the practice opportunity of stepping in to save the day, from an author who's had to talk through problems in a handful of languages.
Hey James,
I agree with everything in your article. However, I think there is a phenomenon where people, not travelling and in their home country, insist on speaking to every foreigner they meet in the foreigner's language. I think this can be extremely bothersome to the foreigner, the foreigner's reaction will be bad, and the learner will be discouraged.
To explain:
I have a bad habit of looking at my colleagues' lesson plans at the school where I work. One teacher had planned an entire lesson based on the scenario that the student stepped on the bus and saw an empty seat next to a foreigner. What a great opportunity to speak English!... at least according to this teacher.
In reality, the foreigner might not speak English, might be in a bad mood, might simply want quiet before or after work, or actually be the nefarious type of person you don't want to encourage young language learners, or young people in general, to talk to. The student, I imagine, would come out of the experience never wanting to speak English, even when travelling.
Really enjoyed your article!
Hello James,
I really enjoy reading this article, it was like made for me, you know? I'm always trying to deal with my shyness and speak with some tourists in my city and I can't make it. I'm learning English at the moment and little by little I am improving my skills and letting my shyness behind.
However, I'm writing this comment because there was something you wrote that is: "These conversations are not a test, this is not about being perfect, it's about getting the tennis ball over the net." It's a different way to see the situation.
Thank you for sharing this kind of thoughts!!
HELLO, JAMES! BEING AN ENGLISH TEACHER YOU HAVE GREAT EXPERIENCE OF CONVERSATION WITH FOREINGNERS.
ARE THERE UNIVERSAL WORDS WHICH EASY CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE FROM ALL OF THE COUNTRIES???
ARE THERE SPECIAL RULES HOW TO SPEAK WITH FOREIGNERS?
I REALLY WANT TO HELP THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE MY PATIENTS, BUT IT`S REALLY DIFFICULT IF THEY RECENTLY CAME TO RUSSIA.
THE MOST MEDICAL THERMS ARE THE SAME IN LATIN, RUSSIAN AND EGLISH, WHAT ABOUT OTHER LANGUAGES?
