Reading today’s Estadão newspaper, Eliane Catanhêde wrote in her column that our President instead of going to rub shoulders with Global Leaders in Davos, chose to go the “31st inauguration” of Bolivia’s patron saint, aka President, Evo Morales. Catanhêde emphasized that the ceremony was no news and it was neither the first nor the last time Morales was being inaugurated as president of that neighborly country.
That led me to think of our priorities and allegiances when learning a language. To learn a second language living in the country where it’s spoken ubiquitously is already a great challenge but to learn it as a Foreign Language requires even more commitment and dedication. You have to go the extra mile many times.
I always encourage my students to listen to internet radio, watch the news, read books or newspaper articles or blogs in whatever subject they like but in the language they’re studying.
And, naturally, attend classes.
This morning, student AC once again, stood me up. She said she was stuck in traffic. she has a 60-minute class, I waited for her for 70 – SEVENTY MINUTES- and she hadn’t arrived yet. Note: it’s not the first time it happens.
Once a wise (although a little horny) Caribbean gentleman told me: “Whatever you really want to do, you will find the Time and the Money to do it”. In other words, setting our priorities straight.
So now when interviewing new students I’ll add to my protest chant:
What do we need? To learn English.
What do we really want? (fill in the blanks).
Cheers,
Mo
The Americanoid Blog 