The shape of things to come....

[SallyAnne]

You don't suddenly become brain dead and unable to learn as you get older!!!

Can you explain why there were a whole generation of people who couldn't operate a video in the 80's then?

I'll say it again - my folks aren't thick, if they need to pick up a bit of Spanish when they're out there, I'm sure they'll find a way to get by (not that they will have to you understand, because of the English speaking area they are going to)

But, they could never learn the language before they went out - it would just be too hard for them! In order to learn a language you have to know all about nouns, pro nouns, adjectives...all that stuff - they dont even know what they mean in English!!
They aren't educated people. My dad left school when he was 14 to join the army, and my mam left school at 15 to work. Neither have really had the opportunity to learn anything since - they put everything into us...all their time and all their money (which wasn't a lot!).

This is there one chance to have some release from the hard life they've had - they've worked damned hard for it, and I'm really proud of them for doing it. And I love the world for giving them this oportunity.

And I know there are hundreds/thousands of people over in Pakistan/India/Poland/wherever who are just as chuffed at the world for letting their kids/folks/cousins come here and have that same opportunity for a better life.

Learning the language when you get there IF you need to, IMHO, is secondary to taking the opportunity.

[Pinto]

Here we go again....

Old people are NOT stupid. You don't suddenly become brain dead and unable to learn as you get older!!!

I know old people are not stupid, but it's fair to say that your memory does deteriorate with age, and learning a new language is memory intensive. That's one of the reasons why it's a lot easier to learn languages as a child. The other reason is the level of vocabulary. As a child you're learning at the same level as your mother tongue, whereas as an OAP, there is a massive gap between the vocabulary that you possess in your mother tongue, and the one that you're learning, making it very frustrating to communicate.

[Churchill]

Can you explain why there were a whole generation of people who couldn't operate a video in the 80's then?

I can.

There was a whole generation who couldn't operate a video because they were working class plebs who couldn't grasp the concept of consumer electronics.

[blacjac]

In order to learn a language you have to know all about nouns, pro nouns, adjectives...all that stuff - they dont even know what they mean in English!!

Can they not speak English as well then?

How are they going to survive in the English speaking areas?



I'm sorry but that is a complete load of bollocks.

[Ardesco]

Can you explain why there were a whole generation of people who couldn't operate a video in the 80's then?

Most likely because they didn't want to learn how to operate it. My mother refuses to learn how to use a computer despite being more than capable and showing that she can do it on more than one occasion. The simpel fact is she doesn't want to know how to use a computer because if she doesn't she can get others to do it for her.

I wonder if that would explain the 80's video connundrum?

[SallyAnne]

Can they not speak English as well then?

How are they going to survive in the English speaking areas?

I'm sorry but that is a complete load of bollocks.

Have you ever learned a foreign language?

Either through a class or via self taught techniques?

This is the method they teach you.

Unless you're getting confused with phrase books obviously

[SallyAnne]

Most likely because they didn't want to learn how to operate it. My mother refuses to learn how to use a computer despite being more than capable and showing that she can do it on more than one occasion. The simpel fact is she doesn't want to know how to use a computer because if she doesn't she can get others to do it for her.

I wonder if that would explain the 80's video connundrum?

The reason people dont want to learn is that they are scared of it. They dont understand it, they find it too hard to comprehend, they fear it, so they put their blinkers on.

This gets more prominant the older you get.

Fact.

[beaker]

Most likely because they didn't want to learn how to operate it. My mother refuses to learn how to use a computer despite being more than capable and showing that she can do it on more than one occasion. The simpel fact is she doesn't want to know how to use a computer because if she doesn't she can get others to do it for her.

I wonder if that would explain the 80's video connundrum?

My mum is the same. Now that all the kids have left home, my parents haven't even bothered buying a computer.

The fact is, some people just can't be bothered and just want an easy life.

[Ardesco]

But, they could never learn the language before they went out - it would just be too hard for them! In order to learn a language you have to know all about nouns, pro nouns, adjectives...all that stuff - they dont even know what they mean in English!!
They aren't educated people. My dad left school when he was 14 to join the army, and my mam left school at 15 to work. Neither have really had the opportunity to learn anything since - they put everything into us...all their time and all their money (which wasn't a lot!).

I don't expect them to get an A* in Spanish Language and Spanish Grammer, I only expect them to learn to converse with the locals (lets face it a lot of English people born and bred manage to fail English Language and English Literature, it doesn't meant they can't communicate with anybody....)

My final thought on this, if David Beckam can learn Spanish then your parents are beyond capable... surely.......

[tay]

After 10 years of trying I still cant speak 'female' ... they just seem to natter on about complete bollox for hours. If only I had started earlier....