Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Selva]

Hello everyone!

There's almost nothing else i can think of which i enjoy more
than learning English,its great,interesting and it never bores me.
And if it does,i just read lots about Idiom expressions and slang phrases,since they are very often used.

When we look at our own language and you can see the way
we ;learn is totally different then when we start learning a different language.
-First we learn to speak it,then read it and then write it.......

When,for example we learn English,we first learn to write it,then/than to read it and than we actually learn to speak it.Because if you don't know how to make sentences,or how to use certain things (verbs,adj,infi ...etc) you'll never get the hang of it.

One of my weaker points is that i find it difficult expanding my vocalbulary and actually use all the sentences,words and such when i have to talk in English.....but its all trial and error,you'll experience ups and downs and you'll realize,in the end,that its all about being motivated and up for it,cos otherwise you won't ever get it right.

anyway,im going on a bit here....lol......Cheers!!!

[Justin0719]

[Merel]

I agree with you that talking with native speakers is a very good way to practise your own oral skills. Imitating them helps you to sound very English yourself!

[nemeh]

Native speakers are very lucky.

My english sounds horrible

bye

[moon]

It's impossibe to be same with native speakers in every points.
I think each has to overcome personal barrels.
I'm always afraid of making mistakes when speaking English.
Specially I am not a man of speaking a lot even in my native tongue.
When I go to English class for my speaking drill,
sometimes I feel my speaking brain closes its door.
I believe open mind and outgoing and positive nature have crucial roles to
people like me.
Same feathers with me need to get more courageous !!

[pugachevV]

I was very interested in your use of a couple of expressions in your post;

"overcome personal barrels."

I think a native speaker would say, "overcome personal barriers", or "overcome personal obstacles". However, a barrel, or a row of barrels, is an obstacle or barrier and so, its meaning is quite obvious. I am wondering if there is an expression in your native language, using "barrels" that you have translated into English?



"Same feathers with me"

I would say, "People like me", usually, but there is another idiomatic expression (because of the "feather" reference) "Birds like me".

Also, there is, "Birds of a feather flock together." This means, people like to associate with others like themselves. It is often used disparagingly but it is quite like the expression you used.

"He's a strange bird" is another one.
"Bird Colonel", is a slang expression, in the US military, for a Lieutenant Colonel. (one rank less than a full colonel.)

I do not mean to imply any criticism, but I thought you might be interested.

[moon]

oh my mistake!!

For the meaning of an obstacle, barrier is correct.
I realize barrel is a kind of unit for oil.
But sometimes we, non natives cannot help making mistakes like that.
Even though I use a wrong word, I am full of dark conviction.
Above expression- dark conviction is a little odd.?..I just created.

'Same feather was created by me out of the proverb you mentioned,
which I learned by heart at my middle school days.
This is my first trial application for the meaning of 'people like me'.
But it turned out unacceptable.

I wonder why the scope of metaphor or application is so different each language.
bye..

[wanyi]

I agree with you that English is one of the most interesting languages to learn. The best thing about it is that we can all communicate in English.
You also mention that learning English changed the way you used to learn things. I agree. When we learn a language, we are also learning its background culture, and most often, we gain another new perspective of thinking, which in my opinion is beneficial.

Good luck with your learning.
_________________
carpe diem!