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I’m Learning A Second Language! Can I Count On You?
By a friendly neighbourhood second language learner.
Researcher: Jacynthe de Saint-Hilaire
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Odds are you’ve either been me, will be me, or know someone who is me. Yes, I’m learning my second language, and believe me, it isn’t easy. That’s why I’m hoping I can count on you to help me succeed faster, and master my new language in record time.
For example, I’d appreciate it if you could talk a bit slower and be sure to enunciate clearly so my ear can adapt to the new sounds, allowing me to follow our conversation more easily.
Please be patient if I occasionally need to search for words. To me, it’s a brand new language, and I haven’t been speaking it nearly as long as you have! But if you see me struggling to get that one, perfect word off the tip of my tongue, please feel free to suggest a word or politely correct a misused word or even my pronunciation if it’s particularly far off.
But whatever you do, please don’t tone down your vocabulary. After all, the only way I can learn the correct words, grammar and syntax is if you use them too. And remember, no matter how good your intentions are, switching to my mother tongue isn’t doing me any favours. If all our conversations are in my second language, then my proficiency will increase tenfold, and pretty soon I’ll be “complètement bilingue.”