English in School

[Tanya and Barry 59]

Tanya and I were talking about taking foreign languages in school. I asked her why she didn't take English in school. She said it was because she was a patriot...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Tanya and I were talking about taking foreign languages in school. I asked her why she didn't take English in school. She said it was because she was a patriot...

One should never say "Never" and never say "Always".

[eekee 182]

Well, German and French were more common than English.

[Neonred 3,540]

My wife learned German when she was in school.

My wife was a teacher and back when we were dating I visited her school and it was apparent that all the kids were learning English and wanted to practice their English with me. The times are changing.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Alla took English as her foreign language in her Soviet era education. Sergey already had an excellent English education when I met Alla. Ukraine now requires English in all schools, I am not sure about Russia. Sergey "cheats" and takes English as his foreign language at his university in Moscow and Aces the course each time. He is working on extra credit English projects while here for the summer, he will even receive credit for his summer job!

Edited July 24, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[shikarnov 7]

When we met, nearly five years ago, Ira spoke almost perfect English with nothing more than what she learned in her village's school. Sure, she makes some mistakes even to this day (like referring to hair in the plural), but she and I never had any problems with communicating in English. I was actually more than a little surprised by her skill since, when I graduated high school with four year's worth of A's in Spanish (seven years total, if I count middle school too), I could hold only the most basic conversation in that language.

So, I raise my glass to Russia's English teachers. They definitely did a good job with my wife.

Cheers,

Z

Edited July 25, 2010 by shikarnov

[payxibka 10,045]

Well, German and French were more common than English.

and I believe Chinese is the language spoken by the most in the world

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

and I believe Chinese is the language spoken by the most in the world

In terms of numbers, it is true, one of the Chinese dialects. However, English is the most widely disributed and spoken by most people that BUY things, that is why English is the official language of the EU even though none of the countries have English as the primary language. You want to be in the G-8...your best bet to make it there is to speak English.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Vika studied English in high school and college. She says it was at least as popular as German. Anyway, her English was pretty good the first time I met her.

[slim 1,519]

Tanya and I were talking about taking foreign languages in school. I asked her why she didn't take English in school. She said it was because she was a patriot...

That's awesome! There's no way I would've taken Russian back in the early 80's if they would've offered it at my school. Wolverines!

That reminds me of the scene from Enemy at the Gates where they'd sent the guy to Germany to learn how to be a better sniper and then when he came back, they bashed out his teeth for being in Germany. "Why were you in Germany? BAM!"

So, I raise my glass to Russia's English teachers. They definitely did a good job with my wife.

I wouldn't be so quick to give them all the credit.

The problem with taking Spanish here is, unless you live in a place where there are a lot of Mexicans or Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, etc., you'll hardly ever get to practice or use your Spanish. Even in Russian villages, English is a part of daily life because of all the American audiovisual media, internet, and products. English can be found anywhere and anyone can practice their skills if they so desire.

My wife spoke pretty decent English when I met her, and she too said she'd taken it in school. The majority of her skills didn't come from the classroom though, they came from watching Friends!

[AKguy 1]

I was surprised with Anna's level of English when we met. She'd taken a several years of English in HS and throughout her University studies. Plus working in Alaska over 3 summers helped. She'll still make me crack up when she tries her hand at slang though.

I opted to try to learn Russian back in HS for a couple of classes. Though by the time I met Anna I could only remember, Kak De La, Priviet, Da, Nyet, Dasvidaniya and a very small handfull of other words. Which, fortunetly, was helpful in piquing her interest in me.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I was surprised with Anna's level of English when we met. She'd taken a several years of English in HS and throughout her University studies. Plus working in Alaska over 3 summers helped. She'll still make me crack up when she tries her hand at slang though.

I opted to try to learn Russian back in HS for a couple of classes. Though by the time I met Anna I could only remember, Kak De La, Priviet, Da, Nyet, Dasvidaniya and a very small handfull of other words. Which, fortunetly, was helpful in piquing her interest in me.

Dasvagina!

[slim 1,519]

I could only remember, Kak De La, Priviet, Da, Nyet, Dasvidaniya and a very small handfull of other words. Which, fortunetly, was helpful in piquing her interest in me.

That's usually all it takes to separate you from the other neanderthals. "Not only is this chap dashingly handsome, but he has an air of mystery around him because he knows a few words in my mother tongue."

Hook, line and sinker.

I've seen panties drop at the mere mention of a few words in PYCCKN. That suspicious look of "just another fat guy who wants to bang me" turns into "What a wonderful and decent man. I should give myself fully to him. Immediately!"

Dasvagina!

Is that slang?

Edited July 29, 2010 by slim

[AKguy 1]

I was affraid to say it to Anna in fear i'd get Dasboot.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

That's usually all it takes to separate you from the other neanderthals. "Not only is this chap dashingly handsome, but he has an air of mystery around him because he knows a few words in my mother tongue."

Hook, line and sinker.

I've seen panties drop at the mere mention of a few words in PYCCKN. That suspicious look of "just another fat guy who wants to bang me" turns into "What a wonderful and decent man. I should give myself fully to him. Immediately!"

Is that slang?

So far I haven't had to use the word...

Pazhalsta!

After all we didn't marry Americans.

It is slang for "keeshka"

Edited July 29, 2010 by Gary and Alla