Warren Said:

How can I get my wife not to speak around our daughter without hurting her feelings?

We Answered:

Let Her Do That !! & Stop Being Selfish !!

Bernard Said:

How to speak English perfectly and like a native English speaking person?

We Answered:

I would suggest watching Youtube videos. There are plenty of actual people talking and not just text. That way you can hear how words are used in a daily setting instead of just the classroom setting. Look up any topic and you'll find plenty of people talking about that topic. I hope this helps. Good Luck! :D

Betty Said:

How to speak excellent English like native speakers do?

We Answered:

Actually, broadening/improving one's language skills is a very broad concept, it should be done in more than one ways at the same time which is highly recommended. One can NOT become better ONLY in one area e.g. chatting or speaking, one MUST improve skills in ALL dimensions of the language!

Learning language well requires being as active as possible and making the learning as FUN for oneself as possible. Taking lessons is always important, but equally important are these:

1) Listen/watch: Keep listening to internet radio stations like BBC, watch TV shows in English (use only subtitles, NOT voice dubbing in case you are not a native English speaker!), etc.

2) Write/communicate: Try to find discussion forums from the web about things that you find interesting and FUN (music/various artists, hobbies, etc.) and start communicating there with other people using only English. Start using instant messaging systems in case you find some new friends or start emailing them.

3) Buy yourself a proper dictionary, and each time when you see a strange word that you do not understand, look it up. Putting words into their CONTEXT is one of the best ways to broaden one's vocabulary and grammar knowledge, the more you read and write the better. Memorising is NOT the best way to go with learning vocabulary, grammar or any other language areas!

The main point in ANY language learning is to make it as fun as possible for yourself. Try to find topics that INTEREST you, read online newspapers (Times, Guardian, Independent...), listen to BBC/NBC and other radio stations online, if you find a discussion forum for e.g. your favourite hobby or your idols in music do participate there, etc. The key word here is CONTEXT, which means that it is easier to learn new words and their usage as well as grammar when you use/see them in their real CONTEXT. The more you see and hear the new words in their context and the more you use them in your speech & writing, the easier it becomes to remember their meanings and correct spelling.

I'm sorry there is no easy way out with this, one really must develop language skills in ALL these language "levels" or dimensions in order to reach better language skills!!

Last but not least: NEVER EVER use ANY online translators, they are nothing but utter rubbish!! English is practically EVERYWHERE in the online world these days, you just have to use your imagination to find it! Learning pace is always personal, it takes the time it takes so there is no reason to hurry it up too much. If you do, you will not learn so well. Also, please learn the basics of the standard English first before advancing to finer details like dialects/accents.

Good luck!

Julian Said:

How do you feel about employers requiring you to speak english and spanish?

We Answered:

This is a great question. One of the important aspects of a united country is a single language. You mention that French and English are both spoken in Canada, but there are divisions in Canada that follow linguistic lines. There are 2 languages spoken in Belgium, and there are divisions in that country, too. In fact, the only country I am aware of that speaks several languages without noticeable division is Switzerland.

Throughout the history of the USA, one language (English) has always been used for government, education and business. There had to be one only language or the country would have become a hodge-podge of languages because of the many countries of origin of foreign-born Americans.

In past years, immigrants to America were only too eager to learn English to become a part of the country. Only recently, with easy international transportation and communication, has immigrants' desire to use their native language become an issue.

I strongly disagree that Spanish (or any language other than English) be used for official, educational or business purposes in the US. I know many new arrivals have difficulty with English, but that has always been the case. People learned English because it was necessary to get ahead, and that is needed to maintain a united country.

This does not mean that one should not learn other languages. Of course, everyone should. But knowing several languages is not the same as having to use it in everyday life in this country.

Marc Said:

How can people migrate to an English speaking country without having to speak English?

We Answered:

The problem is this: while Australia requires that principal applicant for a migrant worker to pass IELTS, consequently, their derivative visas (i.e. family members) do not require language testing. In effect, the principal visa holder might be fluent in English but the derivative visa holders sometimes can hardly carry conversational English.

The same flaw is with the US system of immigration. If you are a family-sponsored immigrant, you are not required to speak English, in fact during interviews in the embassies, a native speaker (of your language) might do the interview for you (someone has to verify). But ask any family sponsored immigrant and for sure, they were not required to take TOEFL or IELTS or any English test. They are not even required to take any English Class upon arrival to the country.

Unlike in New Zealand, family members of the immigrant need to pass an English exam (IELTS for that matter), and if they don't they must pre-purchase before departure, a TESOL course, so that they are sure, these people will be trained to speak English. NZ has the most comprehensive and long-term plan system of migration, in my observation.

The system is the problem.