I have been brought up in New Zealand. Here we speak two languages – English and Gobbledygook.
New Zealand is situated on the other side of the world, far from most of the world’s population so really only needs these two languages! We have enough problems hanging on to the bottom of the globe, without having to learn any more languages.
Seriously though, English has been the language for us until we started getting overseas tourist coming here, before the Lord of the Rings, who spoke other languages. We even started getting road signs in Japanese. For most Kiwis travelling to France or elsewhere, to ask for anything in a restaurant/bar all they have needed to do is speak English in a very loud voice and they expect that they would be understood – for some reason volume control seems to be their answer!!
I have developed an interest over the years in learning languages and many years back decided to learn Japanese, and of course wanted to master the French language as well.
Even though Babelfish on the internet offers great translation services, there is nothing like the real spoken word – you only need to ask people like Winston Churchill or Oscar Wilde, or try a chat-up line in a bar overseas to realize that Babelfish has limitations!
Learning other languages offers friendship across international borders. Kiwi lad (my son!) parties it up in Paris!
Over the years I have developed a formula for learning a foreign language should you be considering it. To reach an intermediate level you need 250 hours of tuition – sorry that seems a lot but it’s true. BUT to reach an advanced level you only need 320 hours of tuition. So getting to an intermediate level seems like a huge mountain but once you’re there, you just have a small step left to become advanced at your chosen language.
I remember a young Kiwi lad of only 18 years old who was uncertain what he would do with his life. He told me he wanted to be a ski instructor in France. “But do you speak French”. “No” he sheepishly explained. I encouraged him to go to Paris where he could become an advanced speaker in 320 hours! Due to the costs he chose to stay long enough to attain an intermediate level only, i.e. 250 hours of tuition. Being at school for 8 hours per day, for five days a week, he would be at an intermediate level in under 7 weeks. I received a call from him after a few weeks, saying that he wanted to continue until he was at an advanced level i.e. until he had done 320 hours of tuition. I heard nothing from Cedric following this. Then one day, many years later, I was travelling up a ski lift at Coronet Peak in NZ, when I saw a ski instructor taking a class that looked just like Cedric. I called out in French, thinking that if he didn’t speak French he wouldn’t reply. He immediately turned around, and waited for me to ski down to him. He spoke French like a Parisian, and had gone on to become a ski instructor in France!
Coming from Anglophone countries we can become very insular about learning other languages. Especially when one sees in Europe that most young people now speak two or three languages, not including Gobbledygook!
Learning another language opens doors, and provides a richness that is unimaginable to those who only speak one language.
Advice:
For learning French in Paris I warmly recommend France Langue, and in a city near you there may well be an Alliance Francaise branch to contact.
Great photo to keep for the photo album – full of life
and great enthusiastic smiles.
I would agree that during our times in France, we have
had to use ” school girl ” french, which is only Bonjour
and Merci beaucoup, and that seems to be grateful accepted,
and ‘ your expression ‘ of volume control seems to creep into
every purchase, or requirement, because the mind goes
blank, and the accent is ALL WRONG. Anyway they can tell
at a glance that you are English (NZ) so all goes well, especially when you are ” on tour ” with french speaking
tour manager.
What a thrill you had at Coronet Peak, with your friend Cedric, that would be a once in a life-time genuine exciting moment.
Two Gobbledygook Fans of the French Way.
So true John, we’re lazy and don’t extend ourselves here to learn another language. And it gets harder to do as we age. Something to do with the suppleness of a young mind.
Kay is at an Early Childcare centre where all the immigrant family kids often speak their own language and English. And when it comes to learning Maori just take to it like ducks to water.
Jim, you underestimate your mind!! You can do it too!!
Currently trying to pick up Spanish. It doesn’t just happen because you’re in the right country – you have to make a concerted effort. Good article.
250hrs for intermed and only 320 for advanced? That’s really interesting & useful John, thanks. Do you think if you do one-to-one tuition it cuts the time down further?
Thanks Jools for your note. Actually having one on one tuition isn’t critical. I always think that it is good to include in a language learning environment some one on one tuition, but for some personalities they can live without. I remember my daughter struggled initially at speaking out in class, and the one on one gave her that confidence to get more involved!! So are you up to 250 hours yet???
Very interesting info. I am taking an intensive German course in Germany, so this is good news for me! I am at about the 250 hr mark and have noticed in the past week or so that my German has gotten considerably better.
Thanks for your note. Now you’re entering that fun phase Laurel – just keep working on it! Well done!!
Thanks for the tip on the France Langue course. I’ll have to look into that, even though it won’t be in time for my upcoming Paris trip. I had high school French and I’ve been trying to spend time with my Rosetta Stone courses (which I do like). In my limited experiences in French-speaking countries, I do OK with the basics, but never feel confident. Developing that confidence (even at an intermediate level) would be wonderful!
As you’re about to head to Paris – lucky – swat up on your numbers especially for when you go shopping!!! Similarly give everyone an honorific title of Monsieur and/or Madame for every situation and they’ll love you!
Luckily I speak several langauges fluently, but I do have a real struggle to learn Arabic. I think I got it right, then I try it out and..nobody understands what I’m saying. Pretty frustrating.
Inka this is very interesting – I wonder if the base of their language is different compared with the other languages you speak i.e. not a latin origin?
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