Dear most people I meet for the first time: I don't care if you want to practice your English. In fact, telling me you want to talk to me to practice English is offensive.
Ok ok, it’s not offensive. I love the fact you are learning and trying to improve your skills. It is difficult to learn a new language, especially one with as many weird rules as English (“stable” means secure but also is a place where horses live?). And talking to native speakers is the best way to learn! But telling someone (native English speaker) that you want to practice English is the same as saying "Give me your time so I can get what I want.”
The solution?
Make the reason you are talking to a native English speaker because you are interested in them as a person. Try to use the discussion as a learning experience about the other person’s interests, country, or societal views.
Questions to Ask:
1. Out of all the places in the world, why did you choose to come to Vietnam?
2. Where should I visit if I go to your home country?
3. What is something your country is very proud of?
4. What is your opinion about…(politics, world issues, health etc.)
These types of questions allow for more indepth, personal conversations
Questions to avoid in first 2 minutes of conversation:
- Where are you from?
- How long have you been in Vietnam?
- What do you do for work?
Foreigners get asked these questions many times everyday. Try some different introduction questions – it will make you more memorable and greatly improve your vocabularly.
Keep up the practice - it's challenging but will be well worth it!
- Austin Carter
Edu2Review - the No.1 Education Review Website
