People who are reading this blog at the moment have probably studied at a language school or have bought various books, etc., and are making/made an effort to learn another language. So, I’d like to introduce our staff and instructors, who know the fun as well as the difficulties associated with studying other languages.
This time is…….Seba!
Interview
Q1: What languages have you studied before? A: German, English, Italian, Dutch
Q2 Have you ever been to a language school? A: No
Q3: Do you often read foreign books or watch foreign movies? A: Most of the movies I watch or books I read are in English, but I also sometimes read in German or in Italian – mostly newspapers, but also books.
Q4: Have you ever taken a language exam? A: Plenty at school! In addition, I had to take the paper-based TOEFL test at University, as part of our English course.
Q5: Do you have any tips for studying languages? Also can you recommend any books or movies for study? A: Tips: Be curious! It’s a known fact that children tend to learn languages more easily than adults. A common explanation for this is that children’s brains are more ‘flexible’. Although I don’t question this, I also think it has a lot to do with kids’ insatiable curiosity. They always want to know more and keep asking questions. It’s something that adult language learners should be doing, too. For example, anywhere you go, take a look around and ask yourself, “How would I say that in English?” Or think of a situation you’ve been in recently and try to imagine what you could say if you had to handle the same situation in English. Very often, the answer is just a click away on your cell phone or computer, so don’t be lazy. And while you’re at it, try to think about it in English! If you get into the habit of doing this, it will make your language study more real and concrete, and actually, it won’t feel like you’re studying. Nonetheless, you can learn a great deal from doing that.
Q6: What language would you like to study next if you have a chance? A: Chinese or Spanish
I hope this help you with your study! My next blog will be…..an interview with Tomoko! Hope you enjoy it!