„Stranger in the town…” – I do understand this feeling. I experienced it during my first trip abroad. The first western European country I have visited was the UK. Despite having English lessons beforehand, I was shocked at the airport, when I couldn’t understand even the shortest communicates. Later on, it was even worse. I didn’t realise that the English I have heard at school were so different from the language the native speakers used.
I went to visit my English boyfriend, so for the rest of my „holidays”, I was surrounded by the English language only. My boyfriend realised that my stay might cause difficulties and took me on a fantastic trip around the country. I was assimilating the language with the climate of the country, its history, arts, architecture, landscape and cuisine. During one month I learned more than during 3 years of studying English at school! During my trip, I discovered the secrets of successful learning a foreign language:
1. It must be thought in the country the people use it as a native language. So if you are in Poland to it is an adventure of a lifetime.
2. Motivation. If you don’t want to feel like a „stranger” - blind, deaf and mute – and have a strong need for communication, it is enough to open your eyes, ears and mouth.
3. Attraction. The best way is to discover the language and the country at the same time. If you use the chance to associate language with landscape, taste, smell, the town you live now, people you like, the language will be absorbed together with the air you breathe.
4. Cultural context. Each language has its cultural code, which has been developed by generations, it’s history and social structure, so it is unique and invisible from the first glance. That is why most foreigners suffer from cultural shock. The situations of misunderstanding are sometimes funny but might be painful and confusing as well.
As I still remember the feeling of being a stranger, I would like to be your guide on your way in discovering Poland and invite you to share your experience. I believe that understanding is the only way to force the Babel Tower and break down the cultural and language barrier.
Ask Ewa
Free course
Polish program for selfstudy-beginners
Polish program for selfstudy-intemediate
‚Stranger in town’, surely – ‚in the town’ implies that we already know about which town we are talking.
Because definite and indefinite articles do not exist in Polish (or indeed in any Slavic language), it is one of the most difficult things to get right for the non-native speaker of English coming from our part of Europe. There are 57 rules and each has a list of exceptions as long as your arm!
I do agree with Michael. The definite and indefinite articles remain „terra incognita” for me, so the English native speakers will find more then 57 broken rules in my posts. Sorry about that, but English is a foreign language for me and I will not be able get it right, not only in the case of articles! I hope you will tolerate my „international English”. I know it is the excuse, I will do my best to get better. You can correct me if you like.
Piękna strona, ciekawa inicjatywa! Gratuluję i życzę powodzenia!!!
Ryszard
cieszę sie, że Ci sie podoba. Dzieki za odwiedziny,
Ewa
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I am pleased you find the information helpful. If there is something else you would like to hear about let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Ewa Masłowska
nalezy sprawdzic:)
Probably there are two dates. Why not to kiss more often?
Ewa Masłwska
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