sidney

English is my foreign language, although I am accustomed to using it because it is widely spoken in my country. I'm not yet that advanced to grasp whole sentences in the language that I'm trying to learn, but I think once you're already fluent in the language that you're trying to learn, then you can just easily grasp the humor in that certain language the way you grasp humor in your local language.

I just listen to foreign songs of the language that I'm learning so that I can easily remember it, because songs can last in your mind and have that "last song syndrome". Watching a subtitled movie also helps. Having a translation dictionary also comes in handy when you encounter a word you don't understand when you are out.

Kinda, but I think my competitor was just more spontaneous and had better credentials than me. My English is ok, but she had an American accent (which I am not sure if it's natural or studied) and she told me she got the job while I was told that "they would just get back to me".

Since I was immersed in English ever since I was born, then it's natural for me to say that I did not have any difficulty learning English, because it is widely used in my country aside from our national language which is Tagalog. But if you were not immersed in a certain language, then naturally it is gonna be hard to learn it as an adult.

I think you need to practice speaking and writing the language again. Start from scratch to refresh your memory. In your case, since you already have learned Spanish, I think you can just simply watch Spanish movies either subtitled or in audio, so that you can remember the language easily.

I usually write poems in English, because Tagalog sounds cheesy if you write a poem in that language, especially love poems. I think English sounds better in  general too, because some Tagalog words can be very deep. But I've written some stories in Taglish though.

When I was a kid in the mid-90's, we also had a subject dedicated to cursive writing. If I remember correctly, it was required that all of us should write in cursive form. But after being in 2nd grade, I think since we passed that subject and level already, they allowed us to write in print form, basing on my old grade school notebooks. I noticed that my handwriting was a mixture of cursive and print since 3rd grade.

Aside from the suggestions mentioned above, I think that learning Spanish can also be made easier by listening to songs of Spanish artists like Enrique Iglesias or Selena, basically any Spanish speaking artist that has a Spanish song. Also, watch movies and tv programs in Spanish, that can help you with the pronunciation too.

Since Skype is not free at all, then for sure they will charge for that extra service. But that is a good and beneficial improvement for foreign language speakers, since the language will be automatically translated in audio and text form. I would prefer the text form though, because translated voice audio can have some inaudible parts.

Never try to correct people in front of others. Just talk to them personally if they are wrong somewhere. They will appreciate the time you took to tell them about it.

Not all, I had this friend once, I corrected her because she said "single flight" instead of "solo flight", and she told me that it is just the same, the meaning is the same. And we were the only 2 people that were speaking that time, no other people heard us. I guess some people would prefer to be stupid rather than be corrected.

As far as I know the word still exists, accoring to Wikipedia Cheque is simply the british usage, and Check is the American one.

Either way, cheques/checks are used so rarely nowadays that the word is almost never used... Because noone ever uses those things anymore, since there are almost always alternatives that are way better.

Ah so that's why they have different spellings, but the same meaning. But yeah I agree that paying through a check is not common anymore, simply because they have been replaced by money transfers and mobile banking.

I googled the word "ningas kugon" and Google Translate says it's "flame heath", lol.

I also couldn't find the direct English translation of the word "maangas".

I don't mind commonly used English words being included in the conversation like mall, floor, ref, elevator, escalator, etc., but when I heard my brother say, "Gusto mo ng water?" it sounded annoying. I think the Taglish problem is ok to use in many cases like "Anong floor ka ba bababa?" That sentence is perfectly acceptable, since "palapag" is too deep, but the sentence my bro said is not pleasant to hear, it's like pa-sosyal, you know?

No, luckily, I haven't experienced that kind of situation yet, because over here English is quite mainstream, and I am fortunate to be able to speak it correctly with no wrong grammar, and of course, fluently, so speaking English has never been a source of embarrassment or trouble for me.

Good thing that you asked, because until I read your thread, I was under the impression that sign language is generic and it is a "1 size fits all" kind of language. I never knew that those hand gestures differ from country to country.

I took a small course some years ago, I was reviewing my English and was also trying to learn how to teach the language.  It cost me around $100 a month.  I regret taking it, btw, it confused me even more, lol.  I didn't learn that much and I never saw my diploma, they ran off. It turned out to be one of those fake schools.

Sorry to hear that you got scammed. How many months did you take that course? So after that, what did you do to continue learning English? You speak so fluent now.

I think the easiest way to know an unfamiliar foreign word is to just carry a translation dictionary with you, plus if you have mobile internet access then you can simply google the word that you come across that you don't understand.

I think morning and after lunch or recess would be the ideal time to learn or teach a foreign language, and I think it's not ideal to teach it very early, since some people may still be groggy around that time. I think that the best time would be after recess or lunch when the students have already eaten because they are more alert because they just ate.

I think Japanese and Chinese accents are really hard to conceal especially if you learned English when you are already an adult. I know a few families that are of Chinese and Japanese descent that migrated over here, and since their kids who arrived here were quite young that time, their accent adapted to my county's accent, while their parents who are here for more than a decade now still have that distinct Chinese or Japanese accent. I guess it's the type of accent that sticks with you unless you really practice getting rid of it.

I don't think it's a scientific language. English, as we all know, is an international language. If you don' know how to speak or write English, you are in real trouble a you won't be able to communicate with people of other culture. So I would say it's more of n international language.

My thoughts exactly. I am actually weirded out by your post, English isn't really a scientific language, it's an international language. The official scientific language are the scientific names of insects, plants, animals like fishes, etc. English is quite mainstream and easy to understand in my opinion.

Um, I have mixed feelings about this. It's good that you want to spread the word that someone can help people regarding their German language and grammar questions, but it can also be considered as spamming, you know? And considering that he does not have any feedback yet makes me think you are the owner of that gig eventhough you said that you "ordered" from him.

First talk to Mr. Johnson then see the supervisor for the next meeting

I have a feeling you're taking a test for a transcription site, correct me if I'm wrong?

Anyway, my answer would be:

First, talk to Mr. Johnson, then see the supervisor for the next meeting.

I understand what you mean. Some words don't really have that "omph" and essence in a foreign language, so the depth and essence of the poem is reduced when you translate it to another language. But at least the general point and meaning of the poem can still be conveyed, although with less presence.

Aside from trying out for the sites mentioned above, you can also try proz.com, but unfortunately, those companies that contact me always require a CV, so I tell them I'm not a professional translator, but I'm very fluent in both languages. Unfortunately, they don't reply anymore after I tell them that.

I speak Tagalog, so the translation of these words would be:

Good morning  - Magandang umaga

How are you - Kamusta ka na?

What is your name? - Anong pangalan mo?

My name is Ray - Ang pangalan ko ay Ray.