Meeting New Friends

Meeting New Friends

Meeting new friends in another language is a cool experience. Somewhere on our language journeys we get to go beyond all of the formalities and the hard work of learning a new language and just experience it. It's not all fun; sometimes we don't understand what's going on around us. But little by little we understand enough to enjoy the experience and enter into the lives of a new set of friends. That's what happened to me. Yesterday, my wife, Tracy, invited me to a BBQ with her friends from the Lutheran Seminary. She took classes there and her classmates…
If I Can Do it Anyone Can – Tom Johnston

If I Can Do it Anyone Can – Tom Johnston

I have known Tom since I was in grade school. I have always appreciate Tom’s kindness and encouragement. He himself was an underdog. He likes to say, "If I can do it anyone can." (be successful) Here are the questions I prepared for him. Tell me about your early years? Did you have a happy childhood? Why or why not? How did the experiences of your childhood contribute to the person you are today? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them?  What regrets do you have? What advice would you give to people who struggle to fit…
Insights on Overcoming Language Struggles – Interview

Insights on Overcoming Language Struggles – Interview

Tim used to be my teacher and counselor. He has a cross cultural marriage. I got the chance to meet with him while I was on home visit in Rochester, NY in February 2023. He was gracious enough to let me interview him about his language journey with his wife. Tim has a number of insights on overcoming language struggles. https://vimeo.com/809078268 Here are some of the questions and points from the interview. What kinds of challenges did you face in your marriage? Key points - Language cultural differences can be offensive. Yield to the others cultural expression. What language(s) did…
Don’t Wait For Perfect Weather

Don’t Wait For Perfect Weather

Last Saturday wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty close. I decided not to bring my camera with me to Trio beach because there was some chance of rain, and my mind was on other things. Mistake, I should have brought it. One well opportunity waits for no one. As I drove the motorcycle down Sai Sha Road, overlooking the waterfront, I saw some beautiful views. The sun was peering through the fog over the water. It looked amazing. https://vimeo.com/808256022 Making Excuses I arrived at the geological park and took my usual walk to the beach. The ground was wet, and…
Is Hong Kong a Good Place to Call Home?

Is Hong Kong a Good Place to Call Home?

Home is where the heart is. There are still a lot of things to like about Hong Kong and for now it is my home. I have friends here but I would not say I have a lot of close friends here. I think going deep with people requires the ability to communicate well in their language. There are a lot of foreigners who have lived here for more than 10 years without learning to speak much Cantonese. From my perspective language is essential to feeling at home. Of course, Cantonese is difficult and most foreigners have foreign friends that…
Stay Focused When Your Best Isn’t Enough

Stay Focused When Your Best Isn’t Enough

The reality is language learners need a lot of vocabulary and good listening comprehension skills to engage in conversations with native speakers. I think it is a little bit easier to speak than it is to listen. Of course, I guess that depends on who you are listening to. Lots of students have told me that they like listening to my English because it is relatively slow and because my words are clearly pronounced. Unfortunately, not all native speakers are like this. What to do When You Don't Understand? Some people speak fast and use words that we aren't familiar…
Help the Locals Don’t Understand Me – Taking Baby Steps

Help the Locals Don’t Understand Me – Taking Baby Steps

Do you find that the locals speak too fast for you to keep up with? Try finding another source to study from. You have to take baby steps towards your goal. For years people in Hong Kong tried to discourage me from learning Cantonese. They didn't want to speak with me in Cantonese. I found this to be very different than China. On the mainland, they were more willing to put up with my Mandarin mistakes. If it weren’t for the fact that I married a Hong Kong girl, I would have given up. At the time, even my wife,…
Culture Shock and Life as NET Teacher in Hong Kong

Culture Shock and Life as NET Teacher in Hong Kong

A lot of people travel all over the world teaching ESL. With a 4 year degree and a TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate, a native speaker can teach English in more than 100 countries. It is a great opportunity to see and experience another culture. More than 70 percent of the people who leave their home country to teach ESL decide to get out of teaching ESL abroad after 1 to 2 years. It seems that for most people teaching abroad represents a relatively short-term adventure and not a career. Teaching English can be quite lucrative, but…
Accept the Things You Can’t Change

Accept the Things You Can’t Change

Hong Kong inherited a lot from the British, for example, their love for the rule of law and their love for the English language both stem from the British. Hong Kong’s location made it a perfect hub for international trade. Westerners wanted goods from China, but they couldn't speak Chinese. Hong Kong people provided a go between. Business flourished here and many people came here to make money. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and political conditions the mood has changed. Many people are immigrating to other countries and taking up jobs there. Hong Kong’s population increased by an average of 53,000…
The Trouble with Language Exchange Partners

The Trouble with Language Exchange Partners

Is language exchange right for you? It works best when the two people engaging in it have already reached a communicative level in their target languages. They can save money, learn, and help the other person out at the same time. What's not to love right? Well, I guess it depends on where you are in your language journey. If one or both of you have not reached a communicative level it probably won't work. There is a lot of learning that should proceed a language exchange. Grade School The early stages of learning a language require a lot of…