Is Your Native Language a Help or a Hindrance?
When I started my Vietnamese intensive course, a lot of non-linguistists said that the Chinese students would have an advantage because they already speak a tonal language. As it turns out, their native language offers just as much hindrance as help...
Empty Compliments and the Language Learner
Meeting a new Thai person I simply said “Sawadis krap.” Without a second’s hesitation, he said, in English “You Speak Thai very well.” Was I supposed to feel encouraged?
