English pronunciation is a nightmare. How foreigners manage to learn it so perfectly I can’t imagine. Colonel and kernel – totally different spelling but pronounced exactly the same. As for all those words ending in ough….
It was fun (and very illuminating) to teach grades one and two children the ‘art’ of English spelling—so many words just don’t make sense! Some of them used to ask, “Why?”, when I taught them how to spell.
I still remember having to write each word on our weekly spelling list at least three (or five?) times. It helped to have a good visual memory. I don’t remember in grades one and two, but I do remember in later grades.
try using computer dictionary when you’ve at University – and having to add the “u” or delete your “z” and insert an “s” – sometimes I just gave up but the marker would then put a big red strike through the word…
add slang words and sentences or even words that mean something that makes no sense to anyone else.
following cultures of other countries in TV/films/other…
Life is so much more interesting since the invention of the Internet 🙂 including it’s own terminology that makes you LOL
There is nothing new about it in India. Whenever I was in the UK I was always complimented for my fluency and accent. I used to tell them that I leant English whereas they picked up English. I know a lot of foreigners who are much better at my mother tongue than I am for the same reason.
I completely agree!
🙂
I would hate for it to be a second language I had to learn!
too many words sounding alike that mean very different things.
I agree!
Shackman says that my spelling gives me away every time as I use the English version!
English English uses more u’s. But those are minor differences. Did you have trouble with spelling when you were learning?
don’t get me started! LOL!
Okay. 🙂
English pronunciation is a nightmare. How foreigners manage to learn it so perfectly I can’t imagine. Colonel and kernel – totally different spelling but pronounced exactly the same. As for all those words ending in ough….
Both the pronunciation and the spelling because it isn’t phonetic.
I think the pig makes cents … sense … 🙂
Agreed. 🙂
It was fun (and very illuminating) to teach grades one and two children the ‘art’ of English spelling—so many words just don’t make sense! Some of them used to ask, “Why?”, when I taught them how to spell.
I still remember having to write each word on our weekly spelling list at least three (or five?) times. It helped to have a good visual memory. I don’t remember in grades one and two, but I do remember in later grades.
try using computer dictionary when you’ve at University – and having to add the “u” or delete your “z” and insert an “s” – sometimes I just gave up but the marker would then put a big red strike through the word…
add slang words and sentences or even words that mean something that makes no sense to anyone else.
following cultures of other countries in TV/films/other…
Life is so much more interesting since the invention of the Internet 🙂 including it’s own terminology that makes you LOL
Yes, it’s a real mess! I’ve learned some colloquial expressions from you, which is neat. 🙂
No, I did not. English language was my favourite subject in school.
So much for English being a nightmare for non-English speakers! 🙂
There is nothing new about it in India. Whenever I was in the UK I was always complimented for my fluency and accent. I used to tell them that I leant English whereas they picked up English. I know a lot of foreigners who are much better at my mother tongue than I am for the same reason.
I had never thought of it that way. Good for you!