Learning Languages

I was bilingual before I started school. My parents spoke both Welsh and English in our home in Coventry. My mother was asked by my teacher not to speak Welsh to me, as it would hamper my education (actually, when this bit of advice was given it did reflect the state of research at the time - longitudinal studies were to show that any initial disadvantages of being bilingual were overtaken by massive and long term advantages around the age of seven and beyond. Sadly these appeared after the bad advice was given - and acted upon). Yet, half a century later - I still can recognise some Welsh words &  even use some.

You might think that this early upbringing in a bilingual home might help me to learn languages. It hasn't. Later on I did try to relearn Welsh - but didn't do very well. I've also spent 45 years (on and off) trying to learn French. It hasn't been a great success - until recently.

So why has it been so difficult? I think my memories of learning French at school may hold some clues. I remember hours of writing out - again and again - verb tables. Yet I still lack confidence (and ability) in recalling the present tense of verbs, let alone other tenses. I certainly did not enjoy learning French (and it didn't help that my French teacher and I had a major personality clash). I was glad to give up 'French' after passing my O Level (which did require extra lessons from a friend of the family).

Then, at a holiday show in Northampton, we won a coach trip and weekend in Paris. I thought I'd better learn a few useful phrases - and, to my immense surprise, actually got hooked on French and France. While the children were young we spent many happy holidays in France. I developed my reading skills (my idea of paradise is reading Le Monde whilst sitting in warm sunshine slowly drinking a glass of red wine) and can ask for things in shops - but that isn't enough.

I feel that I have made great progress in the last couple of years. In this blog, I'm going to share my experience of what I have found useful. I'd welcome your comments and experiences.