Split personality

Only way to learn a language is to live with it day in day out.

I spent one summer working in Paris and found that if i got up in the morning and read the french papers on the way to work I could understand everyone and speak much better french.  If I got up and read an english novel then the day was a disaster.

In Singapore my kids (6 & 4) are both learning French and Mandarin at school and they love it.  It is absolute rubbish to say kids can't cope with two languages until they are 11.  BUT when we go out, everyone here does speak english so even if you do learn Mandarin it is very difficult to get to use it...

now, I'm genuinely interested...

Where do you study?
Were your parents/guardians an influence on your choice?
Will you get the same opportunities when it comes to applying to unversities? Or have you got offers already?

I'm not nosey, nooo, just interested.

If you dont want to reply on the forum, drop me a line in a PM.

Many thnx,

XXXIsaJ

You're lucky you can do that!
I've even contemplated the idea of moving back to France to give a fairer chance to our children - both bilingual, they would adapt in no time. The snag is: they dont really sail Contenders in France!! What would I do with contender443 ???????????

I still split the posts!!!

Nah seriously, I do agree with some of your points. Because of lack of time in the timetable, lack of interest from the majority of students, and plenty other good reasons teachers will give you, language learning in this country is quite poor.

Like most GCSEs, you don't demonstrate you can handle the subject on the day of the exam, you only show you can play by the rules. Once, I've filled a Spanish GCSE reading paper (higher level, too!!) and I got most answers right, despite the fact I don't speak a word of Spanish... but I know the rules of the game.

If you really enjoy travelling and meeting people, there are two ways: you can try and discover other cultures and customs by learning the language.... or you can follow BWD's advice: SHOUT loud enough, until you get someone who speaks English!!

I agree completely about the exams, GCSEs arent exactly indicative of your ability at all, its all jumping through hoops moan moan..