What's the best thing that has happened to you as a result of your Language study?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Big_Dog, Aug 5, 2014.

  1. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    This is a thread for describing the best, your favorite, or most rewarding thing that has happened to you as a result of your language studies. It can be anything you want - your first conversation; understanding a movie in L2; giving directions to tourists, etc.

    I'll start out. During my 2nd trip to China back in 2008, I met my girlfriend Judith in a subway station in Shanghai. I was sitting in the wings, away from the crowds, trying to get some studying in. I had my laptop open, doing Supermemo flashcards if I remember correctly, when I felt somebody's eyes on my back. I looked up and saw Judith smiling at me.

    My Chinese wasn't so great at the time, but we exchanged greetings, and I explained what I was doing. Then I asked her to be my language partner, which she happily agreed to. When we switched to English, I was amazed at how well she could talk. Later I was even more impressed when she told me I was the first non-Chinese person she had spoken to in English, she hadn't practiced speaking for years, and had in fact very little practice in her lifetime. Most of my language partners on that trip had more conversation practice under their belts, but a lower skill level.

    We met many times that trip, and she even stayed with me the last few days. I have visited her several times in China, and met her in on vacation in Thailand and Taiwan. We are skype partners, and have been meeting one hour a week since we first met. So learning some Chinese really paid off for me :)
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  2. kikenyoy

    kikenyoy Administrator Staff Member

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    I met and became friends with Big Dog!
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  3. Stelle

    Stelle Active Member VIP member

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    I translated between three languages during a candlelit sharing circle on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Because I spoke French, English and Spanish, I was able to communicate with every person there. It was a very special experience!

    But I think that the best thing that happened to me as a result of learning Spanish is that I discovered this passion for language learning. I started learning Spanish because of the Camino de Santiago, but I had no idea how much I would love it. I never would have bothered starting with Tagalog if I hadn't already felt so motivated by studying Spanish. And now I'm already considering which language I'll start to learn next year! (Although - unlike many people on language forums - I'm *definitely* stopping at five. Three foreign languages - plus the two that I grew up in - is my limit for learning and maintaining languages. In fact, it's quite possibly beyond my limit. But I'd really love to be able to communicate in five languages.)
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  4. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    Oh, that too! Thanks man.
  5. Cainntear

    Cainntear Active Member VIP member

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    ...erm... I've been given a lot of drinks....
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