The challenges of a second (or third) language – I get it
In South Africa, we have eleven official languages. When I qualified as an English teacher, competence in Afrikaans was a requirement. It was difficult.
I only just passed.
Why?
I was born in Britain, of an English mum and a Scottish dad. My father spoke a little Gaelic and kiSwahili, but at home we only ever spoke in English. Other than at school, I had little exposure to a language other than English.
English is my mother tongue. I am a first language, native English speaker. I write idiomatic English and speak English with a neutral accent. South Africans and visitors to the country often ask if I’m from Britain. Honestly!
P’raps I’ll add a podcast about something and you can actually hear my voice – and accent…
Because my parents emigrated to sunny South Africa, when I was little, I grew up here. Now I live in a village in the winelands. Not far from Cape Town. In McGregor, I live in The Sandbag House. In my spare time I cook and I write. You can read my personal writing here.
Back to the language stuff
I now speak Afrikaans that’s only just passable. The words often just fall out of my brain and I can’t. I am not a comfortable reader or writer in the language.
Why is this important?
Because when I say –
I understand that writing in a foreign language is difficult
I really do!
English is difficult
At different times over the years, I’ve tried to learn isiXhosa, French and Spanish. Because I am no longer exposed to these languages, my competence is less than rudimentary. In any of these languages.
Let me help – here’s how.
Contact Fiona to discuss your English coaching needs
