Street learning

Learning from foreigners on the streets Source: Tuoi Tre-VietNamNet Bridge – Rather than restrict themselves to learning foreign languages at language centres, many young people choose a more “amateur” form of training: learn from foreigners at roadside teashops, on the streets and tours. Improving English on the streets “I love traveling very much, so I often pack up my things and spend all of my savings on traveling. When I run out of money, I find a job to earn more for another trip,” said Kevin, a “backpack” foreigner, as Vietnamese people often call tourists with modest means, to Khanh Nhu, from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Kevin and Nhu seem like very close friends, but they have just made acquaintaince with each other on the street. Khanh Nhu is actually a student of “wandering studies”. When they first arrived in HCM City for college, Khanh Nhu and a group of friends, who love traveling and wandering around, chose to learn English on a “Western” street in District 1, where hundreds of foreigners from many places in the world frequent day and night. With limited English ability, the group only ventured as far as saying “Hello” in the beginning. But after greetings, conversations gradually unfolded, getting longer and longer. The Western street is now considered a sort of a foreign language centre. “Kevin’s story of working to earn money to travel reminds me that not all people dare to do everything to pursue their passions,” said Khanh Nhu. Frequenting the Western street, Nhu has made many friends and collected countless “transnational” stories. Nhu’s language ability has also improved. And so have her confidence and social skills and knowledge. “Yes! You can cast fishing nets, catch crabs and live the true life of waterways residents,” said Ngoc Bao to 2 British tourists about the southern countryside. Bao is a freshman at HCM City National University. Only 2 months ago, Bao stammered with her face turning red every time she had to speak English. But since then, she has volunteered to be a “free guide” for foreign tourists on the streets to practice English. Ngoc Bao said proudly, “Many tourists are very enthusiastic in helping me to pronounce words correctly which I don’t find in books. And of course, there are stories which books can never have.” Huong Thuy and her friends from the University of Natural Sciences have a different approach. Every afternoon, she and a few girlfriends go to September 23 Park to exercise and talk with foreign tourists walking in the park. Thanks to young, active students such as Bao and Khanh Nhu, only 5 months after arriving in Vietnam, Jason, an Australian guy, had 8 very close Vietnamese friends. He willingly helped them in their efforts to learn English and about his country and culture. In return, Jason had many chances to learn Vietnamese, learn about Vietnamese culture, and eat all kinds of Vietnamese noodles and food. HCM City is now Jason’s favourite city and he will return in November this year to visit his lovely friends as well as introduce the bustling city to his father. Amid a noisy and active city, students of “wandering studies” have become a strange and interesting image to tourists. “They are very nice and lovely. I have learned more about Vietnam through them, and they have learned more about France from me. They are very impressive,” said a Frenchman.

I am a big believer of learning languages on the street. Go to any local market and you will see sellers speaking a number of languages. Simple speak the language. When I first came to Poland I would practice with everyone, mostly beautiful women but really everyone. I sold things in the open air market I talk to people on the bus on the street everywhere. At first I could basically say hello. But sure enough I started speaking Polish.

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