Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Irial]

Hello! I want to make friends from Usa! My name is Nicole. I'm from Spain and i'm 18 years old. How do you do?

[Philo Kevetch]

Hola Nicole - "How do you do?"..as in 'Nice to meet you.'? Well, nice to meet you, too! Or, as in 'How are you?'...in that case, Fine, thanks. How about you?

That expression always confuses me. Where did you learn it? In you English class?

Anyway, I'm really happy to meet someone from Spain. I have been to Barcelona (once) and hope to spend a month or two traveling in Spain this winter enjoying the culture and eating some delicious food!

Why are you interested in the U.S.A.? Don't most people in Europe want to learn "British" English?

Hope to hear from you soon. Philo :)

[StephenLong]

i am not from USA.

so, am i in a wrong place?!

[Irial]

HI Philo! I learnt the expression in my english lesson at the School.
I think it has the first meaning. It something you say when you meet people first time.
I live in South Spain, but i've been to Barcelona two years ago. It was great! Do you Know Spanish?
Well, I'm interesting in USA because almost people want to know about British and i'm more original and i want to Know about people from USA
If you want we can write by private messages.

P.D.: Philo, are you a boy or a girl??

[Irial]

Not at all Stephen! I want to make new friend. I don't mind where they came from. But i especially want to know USA people.
Where are you from?? Is Long a Chinese surname??

[wanglimei]

Are you from American? I am very happy to make friends with you . Can you talk sth about yourself.
_________________
I am from China. I am acollege student in Jimei university Xiamen. It is a beautiful and clean city.I am interested in reading, swimming and so on. I hope I can make more friends from foreign country.

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Nicloe -

Yes, you are right...'How do you do?' is used when being introduced to someone. I was using that as an 'ice breaker' (some small thing you say when you want to start a conversation with a stranger).

I never studied Spanish formally, but I can speak it well enough in common daily situations. It's one of my favorite languages and I'm very interested in the way it is used in different countries, especially Mexico.

If I remember correctly, Spanish people use 'diminutives' too (i.e. 'cafesito'), but many Mexicans tend to use them a lot and it sounds more like 'singing poetry' than talking.

It's good that you are 'original' and want to learn about other cultures. I read your post in the "English Schools" forum and learned that you are moving to New York. New York City or somewhere in the state of New York ('up-state' as New Yorkers say)?

Please tell me a little about the south of Spain (Southern Spain) when you have time.

A la proxima (feel free to correct my Spanish) Philo :)

[StephenLong]

[Irial]

[Irial]

Hi Philo Kevetch!!!

What State of the USA are you from? I'd like to go to NYC. Do you think the american accent is easy to understand for English learners?

Yes, in Spanish we often use diminutives but here in Spain we don't say 'cafesito', but 'cafelito'. The first is mostly used in South America.

What can I tell you about the South of Spain?
Well, I live in Andalusia. It's divided in seven communities: Huelva, Sevilla, C�diz, M�laga, C�rdoba, Granada, Ja�n and Almer�a.
We have a warm weather. There is a high quality ham, wine, strawberries, praws and olive oil, and flamenco is widespread.

We have the most ancient football team in Spain, Real Club Recreativo de Huelva.

Something that is followed by many people, apart from football, is bull-fighting, but mostly by older people.

Also, we have the Romer�a de El Roc�o, which is very famous in Spain and in other parts of the world. It's a pilgrimage to the village of El Roc�o to see the virgin, but it's also to have fun, to sing and dance flamenco.
Andalusian beaches, along with Barcelona's, are the best in all Spain, because the sand is very fine and white.

Maybe you know about tapas? Tapas are small dishes of food, snacks, that people have before or instead of a meal. We cook with olive oil, which is healthier than in France, where people cook with butter.
Many people have siesta here, I think it's a Spanish tradition.

We have very beautiful monuments in Andalusia, many of them are form the Arabic period, i.e. the Alhambra of Granada (it meant 'the red one', because it was built from red bricks) and it could become one of the new seven wonders of the world; and also the Mosque of Cordoba.
From the Roman times, we have the city of It�lica, which is now a series of Roman ruins, which was one of the first cities that was founded in Spain.
By the way, in Huelva, Seville and C�diz there was an ancient civilization called Tartessos, which was one of the most ancient in Spain.

Christopher Columbus set off from Palos de la Frontera (in Huelva) when he went to discover the New World.

In Huelva, there is a river called R�o Tinto, where we have the most similar environment to the atmodsphere of Mars, and many scientists are studying it.

Famous Andalusians are Antonio Banderas, Pablo Picasso, Paco de Luc�a (a flamenco guitarrist) and David Bisbal (he's a singer. Do you know him?)).

What do Americans know about Spain?? Do they have stereotypes??

OMG!!! I got too excited with this topic! I hope I didn't bore you.


Byeee! A la proxima, at least in Spain, is not correct; we say 'Hasta la pr�xima!'

P.D.: I'm 18, how old are you?

[samuelfirst]

hi Nicloe am from U.S.A for real my name is samuel so do you live here too just wanted to no this cause you really looking for a U.S.A person n am 17 turning 18 next month in july 17 name samuel nice too meet and talk to you again



HAVE A NICE DAY
_________________
hey i am 17 now and looking for friend. i live in NYC this place is so nice i like to live here but when i am 22 i love to go to spin ok talk again BYE

[Philo Kevetch]

Nicole -

I enjoyed reading your reply, especially all the interesting information you provided about your 'corner' of the world.

Your use of English is great and I hope you find a good school in New York.

Good luck - Philo