learning a foreign language
english class rules
not allowed to speak in a native language
strategies in learning a different language
How do you learn a foreign language?
By Curlann
@annierose (21977)
United States
October 5, 2016 11:00pm CST
When our principal observed the classes in English, he had noticed that most of the students cannot speak the language. He then asked me to make it a firm rule not to allow anyone to speak in any other language except English during the time of English. Anyone who will be heard or caught speaking in Tagalog, which is our native language, will have a fine of 1 peso.
I also remember the same thing when I was in elementary. Our teacher in English told us that we were going to pay 1 peso when we speak Tagalog in the class. It was only effective during the first week. Afterward, the rule disappeared and we once again went back to our old ways - speaking Tagalog even it was English time.
How do you learn a foreign language?
9 people like this
13 responses
@skysnap (20152)
•
6 Oct 16
@hereandthere south america and north america has lot of spanish speakers and so the demand made me learn it.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Oct 16
@skysnap i've always wanted been fascinated by central and south america than the north
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
6 Oct 16
You are very lucky indeed. I wish I could live in other countries too so I can learn more easily their language.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Oct 16
@sishy7 but i think some people are also not interested in learning even if they've lived there a while.
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27166)
• Australia
6 Oct 16
@hereandthere Maybe... especially at foreign places where you can get away with speaking English...
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
7 Oct 16
Yes, we were also like that in all our English classes in elementary , high school . College of course is in English .
At least through that , everybody was forced to learn how to speak ENglish although some would really speak carabao English . 
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
That is true. The boys really tried hard to speak in English because they don't want to pay. The girls always laugh at their broken English. The girls are more timid in speaking the language than the boys.
2 people like this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
@SIMPLYD I did that technique too when I was still a student.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
7 Oct 16
@annierose I can relate and reminisce those days when everyone is still struggling to to speak English , choosing not to speak anymore lest when they speak in Tagalog they will be fined .
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
7 Oct 16
Oh, I experienced that too during my elementary days, and guess what, they never fined me any amount hahaha.
2 people like this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
You are very smart. I have noticed some of my students just prefer to be quiet. It is a good way to avoid fines once they speak Tagalog.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Oct 16
I've heard of doing that even here when people learn a foreign language. Only that language is allowed during the class time. It was effective. I did learn both French and German, but that was a very long time ago. I can understand it a little bit and recognize what the words mean on occasion.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
That is good. I am strictly imposing that rule in my class. Most of the times, the students will laugh because of their broken English.
2 people like this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
13 Oct 16
@just4him I agree. I hope that even in little way, I can help them speak in English and gain self confidence with the language in the long run.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Oct 16
@annierose They might laugh now, but they will benefit from it in the long run and will be fluent before they know it.
1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
7 Oct 16
I have been learning to speak Romanian by using an app on my android phone.
Romanian people I have spoken to are usually surprised I am Scottish because they say no one else except Romanians speak Romanian.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
Maybe the language is not as popular compared to others. By the way, do you plan to travel to their country in the near future?
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
7 Oct 16
@saulgoodman I understand it now. It is really helpful to know their language since you have business with them. I hope you will have a speedy progress in your Romanian language. 
By the way do you have another way of studying their language?
By the way do you have another way of studying their language?1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
7 Oct 16
@annierose
I have been to Romania already.
I had lots of Romanian customers and figured that if there English wasn't so good my Romanian could be.
Word got around. Romanian people started using our services and training facilities. Good business sense.
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
8 Oct 16
I think this is a very good idea to create more opportunities for children to practise spoken English. This is the best way to learn a foreign language. As you know, practice makes the prefect. I hope we also have the similar rules in school here. Since the students have the same problem as they can't speak more English in usual.
@annierose (21977)
• United States
6 Oct 16
Yes. The main problem is that the mindset of most of the students. They instantly think that English is nosebleeding.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (141906)
• Philippines
6 Oct 16
@annierose I am sure they need to be encouraged.
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
6 Oct 16
Many we know learned by watching television or listening to radio. Most we know from the Philippines speak 3 languages-which is more than we see happening in the USA right now.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
6 Oct 16
We spoke in English during English classes, but I must say that I only really learned to understand and speak English when I went to the UK and I talk with British people every day, being obliged to do my best to understand and to be understood.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
6 Oct 16
Duolingo is quite popular. Do you pay for the whole lesson from it?
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
6 Oct 16
@JudyEv Ah, I see. That is good then. I have seen some who offered limited free lessons only.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 16
@annierose Duolingo is free - at least the site I've been going to is free.
2 people like this
@RitzzView (3041)
• India
6 Oct 16
Its actually important to practice speaking when learning the language. If we don't speak, then we can't practice. And seems like the idea of 1peso doesn't seem to work, as you again go back to the same old routine. If you're the volunteer, be enthusiastic about this language as you are here. The more people will think English is an awesome language, then only they'll follow you.
Find more positive reinforcement to encourage others to interact in English!
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
6 Oct 16
I have never learnt a foreign language ever... But would love to if given a chance
1 person likes this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
6 Oct 16
English is your second language too?
1 person likes this
