Fear and loathing of languages - Fear no more!

[Russ]

I suffered for many years struggling with books, cd's and an Italian partner with zero tolerance when attempting to teach me (if I used the incorrect form when trying to speak a simple sentence, I'd get all the verbs, past, present, future & distant future and then io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi & loro, all thrown at me in a fit of rage!). After many months, possibly years of this linguistic stangulation, I became mute - too afraid to say a word! All very stupid I know, but think in terms of learning to drive with a husband or wife or father or mother as an instructor - it always seems to end in lots of shouting and humilaition. Learning a language it seems is not so different, although a lot more vocal

Anyway, last year I plucked up enough courage to contact someone for 1 to 1 to one tuition, in the hope that I could be coaxed out of my mute like state. It took her 6 months to get me to actually start speaking (in Italian of course) without fear and during this time ( I call it my quiet phase) she taught me how to structure sentences correctly and in a manner that made so much more sense than trying to learn from a book, cd's or an intolerant other half.

I was always pretty rubbish at languages, having left school with a D in German O Level (which I think equated to being able to say my name, age and where I lived) and a U in French. As the years advance so the brain is less receptive to learning languages, particulary if you have little or no foundation from an early age and I had almost resigned myself to the fact that I would never be able to master Italian.

Well, I'm delighted to say that I was wrong. I've had to work hard at it, but everything is now coming together and whilst I am not fluent or perfect (and never will be), my fear of speaking has almost gone, as the words now form naturally and for the most part correctly. If I get it wrong, I always think of Eric Morecombe and the Andre Preview (Previn) sketch.... I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order (Eric)

So, if there is anyone in London who is as frustrated as I was, I know of a wonderfully patient tutor, who I'm sure could help you, as she has me. If you are interested, please send me a Private Message and I will provide you with her contact details. She really is a great teacher and she also has a fantastic sense of humour, which make the lessons so much more enjoyable.

I did think about also posting this in Italian, but then thought better of it!

Ciao a tutti!

[Gala Placidia]

A good teacher can make a big difference to the learning process. I used to be a very popular teacher of foreign languages for many years and I had quite a large number of students who were more like a "fan club" according to some of my colleagues; however, I had great difficulties trying to teach languages to either my husband or my children..... Oh, well, nobody is perfect!!!

[IRITALIA]

Absolutely right about finding the right teacher.
My OH is now in the third year at night school with an Italian woman who, like Gala, is adored as she is a wonderful tutor and her pupils come back each term, each year.
It's great because I get free grammer lessons at home now after each class.
Mind you, being from Northern Ireland I could probably do with grammer lessons in English as well.

[Charles Phillips]

Originally Posted by IRITALIA

Mind you, I could probably do with grammer lessons in English as well.

Seems to me your grammar is spot on, it's the spelling you need help with!

[sueflauto]

Originally Posted by Russ

, my fear of speaking has almost gone,

Ah! The secret of language learning. You are not alone, and it's one of the first things I address with any of my new students of English. Getting the balance right between not correcting and correcting every word (which may possibly be necessary!) is one thing you learn as a teacher.

My recommendation is have another glass of wine and go for it!

[HelenMW]

Along these lines does anyone know of a good teacher in the Ascoli Piceno or Fermo area. My Italians ok but feel I am now at the point where help is needed with grammar & I would love to be able to communicate with my aerobics class in words of more than 2 syllables!

[Penny]

HelenMW,
PM me and I will send you details of someone in Amandola if you are interested. I am going to go to her when I get a second. I am in the same position as you. My Italian is fine but I really need some help with my verbs.

Why not come along to our Italian/English evening (see Le Marche forum) on 9th December. It's just a bit of fun rather than lessons of any sort. The idea is you will be corrected, which I find is very difficult to find - someone who is prepared to correct your Italian errors even when they are small.

[IRITALIA]

Originally Posted by Charles Phillips

Seems to me your grammar is spot on, it's the spelling you need help with!

Why, oh why do these forums not have a built in spellcheck?

[Charles Phillips]

Acksherly, there is a spellchecker available. It works by pressing the little ABC with a tick underneath (in the top right hand corner of the 'advanced' message compilation window).

As far as I recall, if you press on this and haven't got a tiny little utility prog called iespell installed, you will be prompted to install it, and a few seconds later Bob's your uncle!

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by Charles Phillips

Acksherly, there is a spellchecker available. It works by pressing the little ABC with a tick underneath (in the top right hand corner of the 'advanced' message compilation window).

As far as I recall, if you press on this and haven't got a tiny little utility prog called iespell installed, you will be prompted to install it, and a few seconds later Bob's your uncle!

I'll really miss some people's bad smelling, it's often hilarious!!!