Comments on: How to convince natives to speak to you in their language http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:53:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: softwater http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-4166 softwater Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:27:03 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-4166 Good luck. One thing you'll have to watch out for is that written Thai is based on Central Thai, but in the south words and tones can be pronounced differently from Central Thai. Also, even in Central Thai, some words are pronounced with a different tone in speech from the one given in writing. For example, the pronoun for he/she is written as เขา (khao - rising tone), but is usually pronounced with a high tone เค้า (khao - high tone).<br><br>If the words before the brackets like this อย่างนี่ (yahng-nee - low + high tone = 'like this) come out as asci garble, you 'll need to download and install thai fonts on your computer. Worth doing, if you haven't done it already.<br><br>Good luck Good luck. One thing you'll have to watch out for is that written Thai is based on Central Thai, but in the south words and tones can be pronounced differently from Central Thai. Also, even in Central Thai, some words are pronounced with a different tone in speech from the one given in writing. For example, the pronoun for he/she is written as เขา (khao – rising tone), but is usually pronounced with a high tone เค้า (khao – high tone).

If the words before the brackets like this อย่างนี่ (yahng-nee – low + high tone = 'like this) come out as asci garble, you 'll need to download and install thai fonts on your computer. Worth doing, if you haven't done it already.

Good luck

]]> By: Mario http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3630 Mario Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:12:32 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-3630 Hi Benny! I've been reading your site for some time and like it a lot. After reading these stories I remember that in France I asked something to the receptionist in French and she answered in English even though she couldn't say much. I am Mexican so I really don't know why she did it, it was clear that she was having a hard time trying to say just some words in a language she didn't feel comfortable with. However I also remember having been asked something in English (also in France) by another receptionist. The guy was doing an effort but I understood little other than "room". I told him I spoke French and he was immediately delighted! Besides, people were very kind to me in the streets whenever I needed some help :) Hi Benny! I've been reading your site for some time and like it a lot. After reading these stories I remember that in France I asked something to the receptionist in French and she answered in English even though she couldn't say much. I am Mexican so I really don't know why she did it, it was clear that she was having a hard time trying to say just some words in a language she didn't feel comfortable with. However I also remember having been asked something in English (also in France) by another receptionist. The guy was doing an effort but I understood little other than “room”. I told him I spoke French and he was immediately delighted! Besides, people were very kind to me in the streets whenever I needed some help :)

]]> By: Patk http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3350 Patk Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:56:25 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-3350 A première vue ton niveau de français ne souffre pas tant. C'est un peu mesquin, mais si on te parle anglais, tu pourrais répondre avec un accent inspiré de Deliverance (et le plus vite possible) ; ensuite tu répètes en français tranquillement : tu as une chance qu'ils n'insistent pas trop pour converser en anglais. Sinon, en s'éloignant de Jouy-en-Josas ou Toussus-le-Noble et en rencontrant des non-étudiants - par exemple si tu prends quelques vacances à Arnac-la-Poste ou Ayguatébia-Talau - tu devrais croiser plus de non-anglophones. (Sorry for non-French-speakers here, I take it that these people expect answers in French). A première vue ton niveau de français ne souffre pas tant.
C’est un peu mesquin, mais si on te parle anglais, tu pourrais répondre avec un accent inspiré de Deliverance (et le plus vite possible) ; ensuite tu répètes en français tranquillement : tu as une chance qu’ils n’insistent pas trop pour converser en anglais.
Sinon, en s’éloignant de Jouy-en-Josas ou Toussus-le-Noble et en rencontrant des non-étudiants – par exemple si tu prends quelques vacances à Arnac-la-Poste ou Ayguatébia-Talau – tu devrais croiser plus de non-anglophones.

(Sorry for non-French-speakers here, I take it that these people expect answers in French).

]]> By: Shane http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3289 Shane Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:03:28 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-3289 c'est pareil avec moi. je suis en France pour faire un master...et...étant américain, tout le monde veut me parler en anglais. En plus, comme je suis dans un programme de master... j'e dois vivre avec d'autres américains qui font partie du programme. Mon niveau de français souffre!!! aghhh help! est-ce qui'il y a quelqu'un qui peut me donner des idées/conseils?! Merci c’est pareil avec moi. je suis en France pour faire un master…et…étant américain, tout le monde veut me parler en anglais. En plus, comme je suis dans un programme de master… j’e dois vivre avec d’autres américains qui font partie du programme. Mon niveau de français souffre!!! aghhh help! est-ce qui’il y a quelqu’un qui peut me donner des idées/conseils?! Merci

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-1212 benny Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-1212 @Katia I'm sure mum and I would get along! ;) I have to admit that I've tried the "I don't speak English" route; even being from Ireland I've "exaggerated" how well I speak Irish Gaelic compared to English and given the irrelevant fact that Irish Gaelic is actually the official language of Ireland (since it is). I only do this in emergency situations though, usually just asking nicely works ;) But since I was an English teacher for a long time I also feel like charging people when they insist on English... @QuirkyN Glad you found my blog and you can already see that others can help you with your Hungarian ;) As I said, I regularly claim not to speak English. Probably should have mentioned it in this post! May come back to it later! Thanks for the Portuguese offer, but I'll have plenty of in-person practise for the next 3 months... @Katia I’m sure mum and I would get along! ;) I have to admit that I’ve tried the “I don’t speak English” route; even being from Ireland I’ve “exaggerated” how well I speak Irish Gaelic compared to English and given the irrelevant fact that Irish Gaelic is actually the official language of Ireland (since it is). I only do this in emergency situations though, usually just asking nicely works ;) But since I was an English teacher for a long time I also feel like charging people when they insist on English…

@QuirkyN
Glad you found my blog and you can already see that others can help you with your Hungarian ;) As I said, I regularly claim not to speak English. Probably should have mentioned it in this post! May come back to it later!
Thanks for the Portuguese offer, but I’ll have plenty of in-person practise for the next 3 months…

]]> By: Quirky Nomad http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-1183 Quirky Nomad Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:16:10 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-1183 I just found this awesome post and will definitely check out the rest of the blog. I'm currently doing something similar; I came to Hungary to learn Hungarian, and fortunately I'm not having the same problem Piotrek described. People are really surprised that I know their language (even though my Hungarian is very basic) and really appreciate it! In the rare occasions where people respond to me in English, I do something that wasn't covered in your post: I pretend I don't speak English! I feel very silly doing it, but it works! Of course, that's only possible with casual interactions with strangers, but it helps. By the way, I'm Brazilian, so let me know if you ever want to chat in Portuguese. :) .-= Quirky Nomad´s last blog ..<a href="http://quirkynomad.blogspot.com/2009/09/wine-festival.html" rel="nofollow">18th Budapest International Wine Festival</a> =-. I just found this awesome post and will definitely check out the rest of the blog. I’m currently doing something similar; I came to Hungary to learn Hungarian, and fortunately I’m not having the same problem Piotrek described. People are really surprised that I know their language (even though my Hungarian is very basic) and really appreciate it! In the rare occasions where people respond to me in English, I do something that wasn’t covered in your post: I pretend I don’t speak English! I feel very silly doing it, but it works! Of course, that’s only possible with casual interactions with strangers, but it helps. By the way, I’m Brazilian, so let me know if you ever want to chat in Portuguese. :)
.-= Quirky Nomad´s last blog ..18th Budapest International Wine Festival =-.

]]> By: Funzdi http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-1174 Funzdi Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:01:26 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-1174 I wonder if you are talking about the same country. Where I live, the average level in English is so abysmal - including in 3-star hotels - that most people will be relieved if you happen to speak some French. Except maybe if your prosody is too different, in which case they will think that you are still speaking in English (I'm not kidding) and will give you their best deer-in-the-headlights look. It is true though that we are a bit spoilt: we are not accustomed to hearing broken French, given that although many foreigners live here, most of them speak French flawlessly. I wonder if you are talking about the same country.
Where I live, the average level in English is so abysmal – including in 3-star hotels – that most people will be relieved if you happen to speak some French. Except maybe if your prosody is too different, in which case they will think that you are still speaking in English (I’m not kidding) and will give you their best deer-in-the-headlights look.

It is true though that we are a bit spoilt: we are not accustomed to hearing broken French, given that although many foreigners live here, most of them speak French flawlessly.

]]> By: Ekaterina http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-1155 Ekaterina Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:17:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-1155 This post made me laugh, - very well written! I had this problem in the Netherlands when I tried to learn Dutch. I used another tip there. I simply said (in Dutch) that I didn't speak any English, or I started to speak French when Dutch people were replying to me in English. My mother is even better in this. She also struggled wth her Dutch colleagues when she tried to speak Dutch to them, and she asked for a pound each time when someone would start speaking English to her. That's the reverse tactic of being paid, instead of paying to learn the language... I will send my mom to your site, - she will love it! .-= Ekaterina´s last blog ..<a href="http://robbiewilliamsandme.blogspot.com/2009/09/friends-when-you-travel-how-to-make-new.html" rel="nofollow">Friends when you travel. How to make new ones?</a> =-. This post made me laugh, – very well written!
I had this problem in the Netherlands when I tried to learn Dutch. I used another tip there. I simply said (in Dutch) that I didn’t speak any English, or I started to speak French when Dutch people were replying to me in English.
My mother is even better in this. She also struggled wth her Dutch colleagues when she tried to speak Dutch to them, and she asked for a pound each time when someone would start speaking English to her.
That’s the reverse tactic of being paid, instead of paying to learn the language…
I will send my mom to your site, – she will love it!
.-= Ekaterina´s last blog ..Friends when you travel. How to make new ones? =-.

]]> By: Claire http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-1062 Claire Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:03:23 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-1062 ça m'est arrivé aussi! J'ai vécu 7 mois en France (je vous réponds en francais pour m'entraîner, en fait je suis anglaise) et tout le monde voulait me parler en anglais à tel point qu'ils l'ont fait même si j'étais avec des marocains ou bien des allemands - comme c'était inpoli! Je parlais plus en français avec des anglais! ça m’est arrivé aussi! J’ai vécu 7 mois en France (je vous réponds en francais pour m’entraîner, en fait je suis anglaise) et tout le monde voulait me parler en anglais à tel point qu’ils l’ont fait même si j’étais avec des marocains ou bien des allemands – comme c’était inpoli! Je parlais plus en français avec des anglais!

]]> By: Ornum Gnorts http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Ornum Gnorts Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:14:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-384 One can, of course, always say to someone, in thier own language, that one doesn't speak Eglish. That is the course I take, for example, in Poland. The Poles, like all other people, wiil say, if asked, that they would be very happy to have others learn their language, but their behavior generally belies that statement. As for the French: they were intolerable when I was living in France in 1961 and they proudly remain so in 2009. The only solution with the French is to speak to them in Hungarian or Finish or Esperanto when they speak to one in English. They will then become hautily annoyed (who cares) but will be forced to deal with one in French. The question however, is why one would want to learn the dying language of a people who drag behind them, like a cultural anchor, a greatness that hasn't been current in 250 years. As we all know, the most prominent sign of a vibrant language is its ceaseless change, and the French do everything posslble to ensure that French does not meet that criterion. One can, of course, always say to someone, in thier own language, that one doesn’t speak Eglish. That is the course I take, for example, in Poland. The Poles, like all other people, wiil say, if asked, that they would be very happy to have others learn their language, but their behavior generally belies that statement.

As for the French: they were intolerable when I was living in France in 1961 and they proudly remain so in 2009. The only solution with the French is to speak to them in Hungarian or Finish or Esperanto when they speak to one in English. They will then become hautily annoyed (who cares) but will be forced to deal with one in French. The question however, is why one would want to learn the dying language of a people who drag behind them, like a cultural anchor, a greatness that hasn’t been current in 250 years. As we all know, the most prominent sign of a vibrant language is its ceaseless change, and the French do everything posslble to ensure that French does not meet that criterion.

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-348 benny Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:27:29 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-348 I <b>have</b> been using a private tutor, as suggested above ;) It's been very helpful to get me to improve my level quickly. I haven't done this in other languages, because I sincerely believe that self-study mixed with actively practising it all we really need! But with my unique short time limit I decided to give myself that extra boost ;) I enjoy the classes and it gives me something solid to work my studies towards rather than random conversations. Note that my classes are ONLY in Czech. My teacher speaks good English, but we only spoke English on the phone and in the first class. I think your intensive course followed by private lessons is absolutely PERFECT! :) Too many people do "intensive summers" or something along those lines and they waste their time. But 2 weeks is short enough of a time to actually stay focussed and all of you in the group will need to learn the same thing at first. I normally don't like academic approaches, but a short-term one could turn out to be useful! I'm quite curious now to hear how it goes for you next year :) Once the course finishes then your private lessons will be great as you may be ready to start speaking by yourself and your teacher will help you with that; at that stage group courses really don't help as each person can't get the focus they need now that they are actually ready to speak the language. To find my teacher I just walked around some cafés until I saw an ad posted up on the wall. You can make one yourself or just get one online at a site like <a href="http://www.expats.cz" rel="nofollow">expats.cz</a>. There's no hurry though; your private teacher may be able to recommend someone. It's very easy to get a teacher here. You can "shop around" and just do one lesson with several teachers and decide which one is best. Go directly to a person, and NOT through an agency or professional school. They will be much more expensive because of the commission involved, and you aren't necessarily guaranteed that they would be better than someone who advertises by themselves. Just make sure that the price is fair, considering you'll be doing that long-term. All the best!! :) I have been using a private tutor, as suggested above ;) It’s been very helpful to get me to improve my level quickly. I haven’t done this in other languages, because I sincerely believe that self-study mixed with actively practising it all we really need! But with my unique short time limit I decided to give myself that extra boost ;) I enjoy the classes and it gives me something solid to work my studies towards rather than random conversations. Note that my classes are ONLY in Czech. My teacher speaks good English, but we only spoke English on the phone and in the first class.

I think your intensive course followed by private lessons is absolutely PERFECT! :) Too many people do “intensive summers” or something along those lines and they waste their time. But 2 weeks is short enough of a time to actually stay focussed and all of you in the group will need to learn the same thing at first. I normally don’t like academic approaches, but a short-term one could turn out to be useful! I’m quite curious now to hear how it goes for you next year :)

Once the course finishes then your private lessons will be great as you may be ready to start speaking by yourself and your teacher will help you with that; at that stage group courses really don’t help as each person can’t get the focus they need now that they are actually ready to speak the language.

To find my teacher I just walked around some cafés until I saw an ad posted up on the wall. You can make one yourself or just get one online at a site like expats.cz. There’s no hurry though; your private teacher may be able to recommend someone. It’s very easy to get a teacher here. You can “shop around” and just do one lesson with several teachers and decide which one is best. Go directly to a person, and NOT through an agency or professional school. They will be much more expensive because of the commission involved, and you aren’t necessarily guaranteed that they would be better than someone who advertises by themselves.
Just make sure that the price is fair, considering you’ll be doing that long-term.
All the best!! :)

]]> By: Matt http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-344 Matt Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:39:38 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-344 Hi Benny, I've been continuing to follow your blog, passively, from the jungles of Borneo for the past few weeks. I was interested by your comments on private tutors. Have you used a Czech tutor? When I move to Czech Republic in a year's time I plan to take an intensive 2 week (group) course in Prague, and follow this up with 2-3 private lessons per week. I'd be interested if you or any other readers have suggestions for either a good intensive course or tutor. Thanks, Matthew Hi Benny,

I’ve been continuing to follow your blog, passively, from the jungles of Borneo for the past few weeks. I was interested by your comments on private tutors. Have you used a Czech tutor? When I move to Czech Republic in a year’s time I plan to take an intensive 2 week (group) course in Prague, and follow this up with 2-3 private lessons per week. I’d be interested if you or any other readers have suggestions for either a good intensive course or tutor.

Thanks,
Matthew

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-302 benny Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:09:28 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-302 Thanks for those suggestions Lana!! :) I've got a couple more "hands-on" suggestions too along the same lines that I'll be sharing in posts later! I'll look out for you on the news :P Thanks for those suggestions Lana!! :)
I’ve got a couple more “hands-on” suggestions too along the same lines that I’ll be sharing in posts later!
I’ll look out for you on the news :P

]]> By: Piotrek http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Piotrek Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:34:01 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-299 I was in a small town called Dorchester in the south of England. The only people I could practice my English with were actually foreigners :) As for Polish, I guess it will be quite easy to learn it since it belongs to the same language subgroup as Czech (Western Slavonic). However, Polish grammar is a lot more complicated than Czech and I don't say it to discourage you! However, judging by the fact that you know most of Romance languages which are similar to one another, you should find it easy to learn other Slavonic languages such as Russian, Croat or Bulgarian :) Good luck! I was in a small town called Dorchester in the south of England.
The only people I could practice my English with were actually foreigners :)
As for Polish, I guess it will be quite easy to learn it since it belongs to the same language subgroup as Czech (Western Slavonic). However, Polish grammar is a lot more complicated than Czech and I don’t say it to discourage you! However, judging by the fact that you know most of Romance languages which are similar to one another, you should find it easy to learn other Slavonic languages such as Russian, Croat or Bulgarian :) Good luck!

]]> By: Lana http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-289 Lana Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:09:19 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-289 Hi Benny, great blog. I agree with you (and many other frustrated learners here) that sometimes it's impossible to practice - I stopped counting how many times I was dismissed with "Oh, how cute, you want to speak Czech". Here's my suggestion (I've been doing it for the last 3 months, and it really helped me) - one can volunteer in a local old people's house for a few hours per week. Most seniors here know German and/or Russian, but no English, so there's no danger of them switching to the dreaded "language of the world". They are very grateful for your time and attention, they love to chat, and their Czech is clearer and slower then what you hear on streets. Another idea - approach free-roaming "babushkas" on streets, in parks and on public transport. They can be very suspicious and hostile, so don't do it if you're easily intimidated. But once you break the ice, the amount of free Czech conversation you can squeeze out of them really worth the trouble. Finally, for those of you with limited time, try talking to supermarket stuff. Ask for something (ex: "I need to - how do you call it in Czech - a smelly liquid that cleans toilets. Do you have cheaper one? How do I use it" etc). They are getting paid for helping you, so - once again - try and ignore the annoyed looks. If I read in the news that some blond foreigner was arrested for harassing older women on streets of Vinohrady, I'd know that you used my advices :) Hi Benny,
great blog. I agree with you (and many other frustrated learners here) that sometimes it’s impossible to practice – I stopped counting how many times I was dismissed with “Oh, how cute, you want to speak Czech”.
Here’s my suggestion (I’ve been doing it for the last 3 months, and it really helped me) – one can volunteer in a local old people’s house for a few hours per week. Most seniors here know German and/or Russian, but no English, so there’s no danger of them switching to the dreaded “language of the world”. They are very grateful for your time and attention, they love to chat, and their Czech is clearer and slower then what you hear on streets.
Another idea – approach free-roaming “babushkas” on streets, in parks and on public transport. They can be very suspicious and hostile, so don’t do it if you’re easily intimidated. But once you break the ice, the amount of free Czech conversation you can squeeze out of them really worth the trouble.
Finally, for those of you with limited time, try talking to supermarket stuff. Ask for something (ex: “I need to – how do you call it in Czech – a smelly liquid that cleans toilets. Do you have cheaper one? How do I use it” etc). They are getting paid for helping you, so – once again – try and ignore the annoyed looks.
If I read in the news that some blond foreigner was arrested for harassing older women on streets of Vinohrady, I’d know that you used my advices :)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-287 benny Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:42:30 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-287 ça m'est arrivé à moi aussi tellement de fois.... même s'il s'agit d'anglais que je parle bien, c'est toujours frustrant ! ça m’est arrivé à moi aussi tellement de fois…. même s’il s’agit d’anglais que je parle bien, c’est toujours frustrant !

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-285 benny Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:34:26 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-285 Hi Piotrek!! Thanks for the compliments and for the interesting comment :) Just a reminder for those who think that I'm "very talented" - I took German in school for <u>5 years</u> (even more than you!!), worked <b>very hard</b> at it, but still never did well in exams. I went to Germany and could barely string a sentence together. And worst of all? German is the only language I've really "studied"... and I don't even speak it! It's not in my list of spoken languages on the left... I'll change this some day, but this goes to show that I have no natural advantage over anyone else. I've just slowly learned that anyone can learn a language, if they put their mind to it :) Where were you in England? Whenever people decide to travel to learn a language, I <b>always</b> recommend against going to large capital cities. London is one of the worst places to learn English for example; too many other foreigners to talk your language with, and too many impatient people sick of foreigners. In other towns and cities in England (not sure which ones to recommend) people may be more curious to meet foreigners! I spent a while in Paris to learn French and it was extremely difficult. But once I moved to Toulouse (in the south), everyone was so much nicer and helpful! Even so, one has to apply the methods I talked about above :P Don't worry, I am definitely considering learning Polish :) I don't believe in statements like "one of the most difficult languages in the world". These claims are nothing more than discouragement, which should be ignored. In fact, even a native will have to admit that my job will be much much easier after I've learned Czech ;) Looking forward to more of your comments! Hi Piotrek!! Thanks for the compliments and for the interesting comment :)
Just a reminder for those who think that I’m “very talented” – I took German in school for 5 years (even more than you!!), worked very hard at it, but still never did well in exams. I went to Germany and could barely string a sentence together. And worst of all? German is the only language I’ve really “studied”… and I don’t even speak it! It’s not in my list of spoken languages on the left… I’ll change this some day, but this goes to show that I have no natural advantage over anyone else. I’ve just slowly learned that anyone can learn a language, if they put their mind to it :)
Where were you in England? Whenever people decide to travel to learn a language, I always recommend against going to large capital cities. London is one of the worst places to learn English for example; too many other foreigners to talk your language with, and too many impatient people sick of foreigners. In other towns and cities in England (not sure which ones to recommend) people may be more curious to meet foreigners! I spent a while in Paris to learn French and it was extremely difficult. But once I moved to Toulouse (in the south), everyone was so much nicer and helpful!
Even so, one has to apply the methods I talked about above :P
Don’t worry, I am definitely considering learning Polish :) I don’t believe in statements like “one of the most difficult languages in the world”. These claims are nothing more than discouragement, which should be ignored. In fact, even a native will have to admit that my job will be much much easier after I’ve learned Czech ;)
Looking forward to more of your comments!

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-284 benny Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:26:40 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-284 Thanks for the confirmation Tom!! ;) All someone has to do is ask :D Thanks for the confirmation Tom!! ;) All someone has to do is ask :D

]]> By: Tom http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Tom Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:19:57 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-277 My mluvíme rádi Česky, ale je pravda, že když cítím, angličtina bude jednodušší, často do ni automaticky přejdu. Ale kdybys mi řekl, že chceš procvičovat Češtinu, jsme rázem zpět. I když je pravda, že bys mě tím dost překvapil :) Just in case here is someone who is not fluent in Czech yet. We like to speak in Czech and personally - if i feel English is an easier option, I usually swich. However if you asked me to speak in Czech - I'd gladly did so. Even if I have to admit, I'd be surprised :) My mluvíme rádi Česky, ale je pravda, že když cítím, angličtina bude jednodušší, často do ni automaticky přejdu. Ale kdybys mi řekl, že chceš procvičovat Češtinu, jsme rázem zpět. I když je pravda, že bys mě tím dost překvapil :)

Just in case here is someone who is not fluent in Czech yet.
We like to speak in Czech and personally – if i feel English is an easier option, I usually swich. However if you asked me to speak in Czech – I’d gladly did so. Even if I have to admit, I’d be surprised :)

]]> By: Piotrek http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/comment-page-1/#comment-275 Piotrek Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:02:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=208#comment-275 Hey there! I found you on facebook and after reading a couple of your posts I decided to comment on one of them :) First of all, you seem to be very talented as far as learning foreign languages is concerned (even though you clearly think you are not). Last week I got my BA degree in English Philology with linguistics as my major. I used to learn some Italian, Spanish and French, but due to lack of time I had to give it up. I also learned German in college, but it was a complete disaster... I cannot utter a simple sentence in that language after 3 years. Can you believe that? Whatever... As for your post... I agree with what you wrote 100%. I was in England (back in 2005) and some people's comments were really rude and nasty. I made a lot of mistakes and I wasn't fluent for sure. During a conversation with a native speaker, we couldn't switch into Polish for obvious reasons so it really got me down to see people laughing at my accent and the way I formed sentences. It was excrutiating! Now I'm fluent and sometimes people think I'm a native speaker myself haha I purchased a self-study book of Hungarian language last month. This language does not resemble any other language that I know and it's extremely challenging to learn it. However, I met people who studied Hungarian Philology and they were really disappointed by the way they were treated when trying to use the language in Hungary. All of the native speakers automatically switched into English. One of the girls literally begged one Hungarian man to speak with him in his language and all he did was laugh. This is what puts me off learning Hungarian. If I learn it, I want to practice it . I hope I will find someone who will guide me through my Hungarian experience though. Good luck with your Czech! Try Polish! It is one of the most difficult languages in the world, along with Chinese and Hungarian :) I promise I'll help you if you decide to learn Polish :) Take care, Piotrek. Hey there!
I found you on facebook and after reading a couple of your posts I decided to comment on one of them :)
First of all, you seem to be very talented as far as learning foreign languages is concerned (even though you clearly think you are not).
Last week I got my BA degree in English Philology with linguistics as my major. I used to learn some Italian, Spanish and French, but due to lack of time I had to give it up. I also learned German in college, but it was a complete disaster… I cannot utter a simple sentence in that language after 3 years. Can you believe that? Whatever…
As for your post…
I agree with what you wrote 100%. I was in England (back in 2005) and some people’s comments were really rude and nasty. I made a lot of mistakes and I wasn’t fluent for sure. During a conversation with a native speaker, we couldn’t switch into Polish for obvious reasons so it really got me down to see people laughing at my accent and the way I formed sentences. It was excrutiating! Now I’m fluent and sometimes people think I’m a native speaker myself haha
I purchased a self-study book of Hungarian language last month. This language does not resemble any other language that I know and it’s extremely challenging to learn it. However, I met people who studied Hungarian Philology and they were really disappointed by the way they were treated when trying to use the language in Hungary. All of the native speakers automatically switched into English. One of the girls literally begged one Hungarian man to speak with him in his language and all he did was laugh. This is what puts me off learning Hungarian. If I learn it, I want to practice it . I hope I will find someone who will guide me through my Hungarian experience though.
Good luck with your Czech! Try Polish! It is one of the most difficult languages in the world, along with Chinese and Hungarian :) I promise I’ll help you if you decide to learn Polish :)
Take care,
Piotrek.

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