Moving to a new country, Learning a new language.
By spcbrass
@spcbrass (1190)
United States
November 30, 2006 9:31am CST
Could you move to a new country and learn a new language? Would you be willing to? If you have done this, would you be willing to share you experience with us? I am in the process of doing this myself and I would really like to hear from all of you how your experience was, or what your thought are on doing this.
8 responses
@udayhase (173)
• United States
1 Dec 06
I'm 17 right now, but I moved to the U.S. from Japan during fourth grade. It's been some very interesting years, but now I've become proficient at English, as well as a Grammar Nazi.
One thing I can tell you from my experience is that immersion is the single most effective way to learn a new language. I've seen other kids that spent an equal amount of time in the country, yet chose to hang on fast to their original language, tv shows, books, etc., and as a consequence never learned to speak English beyond what you'd hear in a back alley in Chinatown.
@udayhase (173)
• United States
1 Dec 06
Ah. But I can relate to the mixed language. Inside the house, I tend to speak Japanese, yet I accidentally mix English words into the sentence when I can come up with them faster than their Japanese counterparts. Even worse is the fact that it doesn't make any difference to me, because I'm thinking of the meaning, and don't even notice it sometimes.
1 person likes this
@caribe (2465)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I have a similar discussion going about moving to another country if your spouse asked you to go. I have moved from the U.S. to Nicaragua. I love it here, but sometimes it is challenging. I was fairly good in Spanish before coming here but I discovered they use many words that I am not familiar with so I get lost in the conversations at times. It is like English being somewhat different in different countries. Sometimes the different culture is more of a challenge that the language but overall I am adjusting well. Good luck to you in your move.
@spcbrass (1190)
• United States
4 Dec 06
That is how it is here. Although they speak French, they use all kinds of different words. They even pronounce some of the words with the English accent so they it gets really hard to follow conversations. I will get all of it eventually. Right now I am having a hard time understanding.
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Quebec sounds like a fascinating place, I've been to Montreal a few times and loved it. Want to go to Q.C. as well.
Are there any classes or CDs you can find in Canada that will teach you Quebec French (I know it can be quite different from the French spoken in Franch)?
One of my nephews lived in Guatemala for five years, but he was almost fluent in Spanish before he moved there, so I don't think he had many problems adjusting.
@crosschk (818)
• United States
1 Dec 06
good for you. I think as an american, I expect it here, I would hope I would do the same where ever I ended up. I think if you live someplace you should learn the language. maybe not to read and write but you need to be able to talk to people
1 person likes this
@kishthedude (1320)
• India
1 Dec 06
As ur in that country for a long time..
U will come to learn that language
1 person likes this
@cooldude8889 (2609)
• Singapore
12 Dec 06
Japan.I learn japanese and go to japan.I have not done it yet.Cost the cost of living there is too high.I have a cousin who went there and resort to eating cup noodles everyday.
