How can I make friends with the native speaker?

China
July 22, 2007 2:24am CST
I have been an English learner for more than 10 years,but my English is still very poor,especially pronunciation.My teacher told me that it is because there is not an English environment around me.So I want to find a native speaker to help me practise my English.Although there are many students from English-speaking countries in our college, I still don't know how can start a coversation.I am wondering that if I start it with "Hello,I am vicky.Could you make friends with me?",does it seem stupid?What can I do,then?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@indiavani (863)
• India
22 Jul 07
Hello! These days a number of english spoken classes have been opened in Asian countries. If there is any such class at your place, you can join it. Otherwise, always best way to learn any spoken language is by making friends who speak in that language. Like you said, you can start talking with foreign students in your college who speak english. You can just start first day by saying hi/hello to them, then slowly try to interact with them on different topics. In the beginning you may do many mistakes while talking to them, but don't care about it. Slowly you'll learn the right way to talk. Like you learned to speak your native language, you would learn to speak english by talking with your friends...vani^_^
• China
22 Jul 07
well,just like you said,I have entered a english spoken classes.I will do my best.
@neon2000 (2756)
• Philippines
22 Jul 07
Speak like you are speaking in your tounge. Approach like a lady. Do not say, "can you make friends with me?" but the best approach is to become natural in your intention. You will soo find out friendship will be created between you and your friend or friends to be. Create a topic or subject in a natural way, if you have been ask about something or you want to ask something, go ahead even if you have say poor english, you still can be appreciated for the favor you did. Friendship will start there and it's up to you now to go further. .
• China
22 Jul 07
Thank you for your advice!It is meaningful.I will try it.
@Odin27 (63)
• Australia
22 Jul 07
I don't know if it would help but have you thought of chatting to english speakers over the internet? English is my native tongue but I've spoken to people overseas and shared language exchanges, usually only a few phrases though. Reading through an oxford english dictionary and looking at the pronounciation guides might also help when no english speakers are around. Do dialects give you any confusion? British english and American english?
@wonderful1 (2075)
• China
23 Jul 07
I have been an English learner for over 15years ,but my oral english is poor. My written English is OK. so i come to mylot and hope I can find native friend. I know little about some special subjects, such as travel, movies, and so on. I don't know the special words about the subjects.
@yaoyao918 (262)
• China
23 Jul 07
Study abroad.
• India
23 Jul 07
yours is good topic v can discuss each other by talking to others r by mailing u can improve your language what do you say?
• Israel
22 Jul 07
read the book: HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE IT WIRTHS IT!
@wa_sted (34)
22 Jul 07
I have the same problem. I've been learning Chinese (Mandarin) for a while now and I've been told I need to talk with people who speak it to better my pronunciation etc. But it's hard to find people! I think you should just try and say hi to some of the people who speak English, especially ones in your classes then you could perhaps work with them or something. If you told them about needing some help with improving your speech I am sure they would be happy to help :) Good luck!