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NNadir

(34,666 posts)

34. My son used aps to learn Mandarin Chinese. My other son...

Reply to milestogo (Reply #32)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 01:19 PM

Nov 11

...spent two months in China this summer and got by with various aps having never exposed himself to Chinese.

I agree these tools make life easier.

Still I think there is an inborn facility for really grasping languages quickly and thoroughly. My youngest son clearly has that facility; less so in my case. I can speak some French, some German, but I'm nowhere near as proficient as he is.

I don't know where his girlfriend stands.

My wife's grandparents came to the US to escape Mussolini's fascism. They lived in the US for 50 years without ever learning to speak English.

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34 replies

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It was a sad, weird conversation I had with my younger son tonight. [View all] NNadir Nov 10 OP

They might want to consider Canada for the short term if they can't find another option. Hope22 Nov 10 #1

Right now they seem to think Canada is the best option, because she's monolingual. NNadir Nov 10 #2

Yes! Hope22 Nov 10 #4

He may fit in well in Quebec since he speaks both French and English. Irish_Dem Nov 10 #16

Would they consider moving to a blue state near the Canadian border, like Minnesota? ancianita Nov 10 #17

I'm so sorry that you have to have these conversations and concerns. Hope22 Nov 10 #3

Greetings NNadir defacto7 Nov 10 #5

Welcome back. NNadir Nov 10 #6

Please! Calm down! Doodley Nov 10 #7

Curious response. Anything to add? johnnyfins Nov 10 #10

I would add that we can face our fears or we can spread them to others. Doodley Nov 11 #22

Lecturing people with legitimate fear won't work. Irish_Dem Nov 10 #15

Since when has asking somebody to calm down been characterized as "lecturing?" Doodley Nov 11 #21

Women don't like to be told to calm down when they are upset. Irish_Dem Nov 11 #23

I agree, but I'm talking about the context of even considering Canada is an unsafe place to escape to. Doodley Nov 11 #24

I wouldn't call it lecturing but as a student of history... NNadir Nov 11 #25

I have family who perished in WW2. My hometown was bombed. My wife's family fled Russia. I see history repeating, but Doodley Nov 11 #29

As I indicated, it is your privilege and right to remain calm, and mine... NNadir Nov 11 #30

My advice is to please stop spreading fear. Saying Canada might be unsafe to go to is fearmongering. Doodley Nov 11 #31

And my response is that you have a right to... NNadir Nov 11 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author NNadir Nov 11 #28

I have a similar situation with my daughter TBF Nov 10 #8

With those credentials they won't have any problems. brush Nov 10 #9

Keep in mind that the language of science around the world is English. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 10 #11

My oldest daughter was inconsolable - in tears Jarqui Nov 10 #12

And Crypto is the new dark money currency Zambero Nov 11 #27

People have often moniss Nov 10 #13

Many parents are having the same thoughts and conversations. Irish_Dem Nov 10 #14

Surprised ClarencesBrother Nov 10 #18

My son spent a summer in France on a research grant as an... NNadir Nov 11 #20

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 11 #19

Seems we are beginning to feel what our ancestors most certainly felt when they sent one person to the USA SheltieLover Nov 11 #26

Its not that hard to pick up French or Spanish if you work at it. milestogo Nov 11 #32

My son used aps to learn Mandarin Chinese. My other son... NNadir Nov 11 #34