I have started speaking! Wow, what a change! It’s quite a different feeling. Of course, I was already speaking in some situations every day. I have to greet people and say good-bye, I have to tell taxi-drivers directions, though they often understand some French, but with Tounsi, I am sure they get it. But, there…
We should have known: The moment we arrive in another country, some health problem arises and we have to figure out an alien healthcare system. Anna probably already had a mild flu when she boarded the plane. Now the unfamiliar climate and the stress have triggered it again. Anna asks around among our colleagues and…
Most people in the world are at least bilingual, see here:
There is some progress, no doubt. But, there is still a long, very long, way to go. As I am moving forward and learning new words, I notice how much there is that I don’t understand and have no idea how to say it. Well, that’s normal in the beginning, but you may know that…
When you move to a new, fascinating region, first you are pleased. Many new things are usually perceived as exciting, assuming you came voluntarily. If you were someone persuaded to relocate or had to travel, this phase of honeymoon may not happen. The so-called culture shock consists of four steps: Honeymoon Frustration Adjustment Mastery After…
Very funny stuff – enjoy!
To be open right at the beginning: my language helper is getting bored with me. The beginning is so difficult. The method says I should not talk but only listen in the beginning. That means that he talks a lot more. Then, quite often, I don’t get it, as so many words are new and…
We landed in Africa and everything, but really everything was different. We had expected some, but so many differences. Uncomfortable border officials who wanted an address which we didn’t have. An incredible number of control: luggage, passports, with body scanning and all alike. Within a short time we were totally intimidated. After a few weeks…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] We haven’t been in Aix-en-Provence for two weeks yet when Mike wants to take some photos of our house to show them on the home page later. So he takes the elevator from the 8th floor down to ground floor and ambles across the square, half of which is a parking lot, the other…
PhD, the highest level of education, is not typically focused on language learning, but on something else. The language is the base. The thesis is something new on grammar, literature or whatever. In my case, it was grammar. The language itself is only a means to an end. You need it as the foundation of…