Tip: how to listen to a conversation

[dflorin]

Hi,

I am sure you have found yourself in a situation that someone is speaking a foreign language you are learning and you feel frustrated because you cannot understand every word. Well, don't worry. This has happened to me too, and my advice would be the following:

- Make sure you know what the subject of the discussion is. Ask someone around, or even the one who is speaking. this will give you already an idea about what kind of vocabulary to expect and your mind will get tuned to that specific field.

- Don't worry if you do not understand every little detail, every fancy adjective or special idioms. Focus on the idea and not on the details. You will get the gist and not waste effort on figuring out every single (unimportant) word.

- Do not set too high expectation about how well you are supposed to do. You know your own level and expecting too much will disappoint you and prevent from progressing.

- Dare to talk back and ask, if the situation allows you. People are really nice toward those struggling with a new language and they will appreciate your effort.

Florin.

[michael]

Hello Florin!

Thanks again for this great site...Nice...!!!!
If I may...."Let's review" (Which is Let's look at again) much more precise than
"Let's revise"(which is more like ....Let's correct)
Looking forward to participating in your site.

Respectfully,

Michael

[dflorin]

Thanks a lot for your correction. Please don't hesitate to point out any other mistakes I might make in English.

Toate bune,
Florin.

[legaleagle47]

Hello Florin!

Thanks again for this great site...Nice...!!!!
If I may...."Let's review" (Which is Let's look at again) much more precise than
"Let's revise"(which is more like ....Let's correct)
Looking forward to participating in your site.

Respectfully,

Michael

In fairness, though, Michael, Florin probably learned English based upon the British dialect, rather than the American dialect, and in the UK, they use "revise" in the sense that we in the States use "review;" "revise" in the UK doesn't have the meaning of "to correct."

When I first started learning Romanian, I used a book and tape set that were originally published in London, and the constant use of British vocabulary, including this particular example, really threw me at first, until I finally figured out what the authors meant. Now, I just automatically "translate" from British to American English.

[dflorin]

In fairness, though, Michael, Florin probably learned English based upon the British dialect, rather than the American dialect, and in the UK, they use "revise" in the sense that we in the States use "review;" "revise" in the UK doesn't have the meaning of "to correct."

Thanks for your comment. Well, everyday we learn something new... It is true, I have studied British English, but the reason why I have been using revise is also probably related to the fact that sometimes I tend to use latin based words in English, which are similar to Romanian ones According to http://www.merriam-webster.com, revise is of latin origin and means review in British English. In Romanian the equivalent word is: "revizui", which, by the way, has both meanings: to review and to correct.

Florin.