Nathalie Fairbanks
Nathalie's latest writings
Master Those Verb Forms In 5 Simple Steps!
When you speak your native language, I bet you hardly ever think about grammar. You speak because you want to communicate. I'm also pretty sure that you never memorized a dictionary or a grammar book! That's the point you want to reach in your new language--to not even have to think about grammar, but to have word order, conjugations, endings, etc., come to your mind intuitively when you need them. I... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 19 days ago.)
When you speak your native language, I bet you hardly ever think about grammar. You speak because you want to communicate. I'm also pretty sure that you never memorized a dictionary or a grammar book! That's the point you want to reach in your new language--to not even have to think about grammar, but to have word order, conjugations, endings, etc., come to your mind intuitively when you need them. I... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 19 days ago.)
What Does The Holiday Spirit Feel Like Abroad?
The year-end holidays carry a particular "flavor" with them, one that affects all senses: traditional holiday dishes, Christmas carols (in my tradition), decorations, the Christmas tree, smells of cinnamon and home-baked cookies, and velvety decorations all around. If there's one thing that I am very attached to, it's Christmas tradition. I remember the first time I spent Christmas with my husband's... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 57 days ago.)
The year-end holidays carry a particular "flavor" with them, one that affects all senses: traditional holiday dishes, Christmas carols (in my tradition), decorations, the Christmas tree, smells of cinnamon and home-baked cookies, and velvety decorations all around. If there's one thing that I am very attached to, it's Christmas tradition. I remember the first time I spent Christmas with my husband's... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 57 days ago.)
Mind Your (Table) Manners!
Table manners are a murky subject. We all remember our mothers telling us *something* over and over at dinner time. "Mets ta main sur la table!" was my Mom's refrain (French for "Put your hand on the table!"). Would a Chinese, Iranian or Nigerian child hear the same thing? In many American homes I've heard, "Chew with your mouth closed," and, "Don't talk with your mouth full." If you asked me what good French table manners... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 74 days ago.)
Table manners are a murky subject. We all remember our mothers telling us *something* over and over at dinner time. "Mets ta main sur la table!" was my Mom's refrain (French for "Put your hand on the table!"). Would a Chinese, Iranian or Nigerian child hear the same thing? In many American homes I've heard, "Chew with your mouth closed," and, "Don't talk with your mouth full." If you asked me what good French table manners... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 74 days ago.)
How Long Does It Take To Learn A Language?
This is the question I'm asked most often as a language teacher. Inevitably, it leaves me dumbfounded, yet my answer might determine whether someone will or won't embark on a language learning adventure. "How long will it take me to learn Spanish?" (You may substitute the language of your choice for Spanish) I wish there was a formula that I could use to give you a... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 194 days ago.)
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This is the question I'm asked most often as a language teacher. Inevitably, it leaves me dumbfounded, yet my answer might determine whether someone will or won't embark on a language learning adventure. "How long will it take me to learn Spanish?" (You may substitute the language of your choice for Spanish) I wish there was a formula that I could use to give you a... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 194 days ago.)
Are You Self-Conscious Speaking A New Language?
Regardless of which language you are learning, you will encounter a number of sounds which don't exist in your native language. Initially, even just listening to a native speaker making these sounds might make you smirk - but wait until you have to reproduce it yourself. That's when you face one of the principal obstacles many students never overcome: self-consciousness. For me, the English "th"... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 271 days ago.)
Regardless of which language you are learning, you will encounter a number of sounds which don't exist in your native language. Initially, even just listening to a native speaker making these sounds might make you smirk - but wait until you have to reproduce it yourself. That's when you face one of the principal obstacles many students never overcome: self-consciousness. For me, the English "th"... (posted by Nathalie 3 years 271 days ago.)
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