We are entering phase 2, according to the method. This means that we are using small picture books, little stories, to talk. For example, we start with the story of a bear who finds a shoe in a wood. He loves it and manages to put it over his left foot. Later he finds a…
I know I am going to stay in a foreign country for longer. I know what to roughly expect. I am excited and happy but also nervous. That is normal. But, how do I prepare myself for the inevitable culture shock? How do I stop any emotional irritation? Do I do a lot of reading…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Anna sometimes felt she had missed something because she’d never been at university. Le voilà, as the French say, what do you know, then it happened: Anna is sitting at her desk and writes her first thesis on Guy de Maupassant’s illnesses. And take an expert’s word for it: that was certainly university level,…
I am talking! That’s already something. But, of course, the sentences are very simple, very basic and sometimes very stupid. And it’s very rare that I manage to get some kind of noise out of my mouth that my friend doesn’t have to correct. There is always something that is different from what he likes…
We already emphasized: Shock is the wrong word, irritation is better. The internal control of our behavior is disturbed. You have to re-learn what is right and wrong, how to behave in certain situations, what is polite and what is not, how to greet and say good-bye, how to mourn with others and how to…
I have started speaking! Wow, what a change! It’s quite a different feeling. Of course, I was already speaking in some situations every day. I have to greet people and say good-bye, I have to tell taxi-drivers directions, though they often understand some French, but with Tounsi, I am sure they get it. But, there…
We should have known: The moment we arrive in another country, some health problem arises and we have to figure out an alien healthcare system. Anna probably already had a mild flu when she boarded the plane. Now the unfamiliar climate and the stress have triggered it again. Anna asks around among our colleagues and…
Most people in the world are at least bilingual, see here:
There is some progress, no doubt. But, there is still a long, very long, way to go. As I am moving forward and learning new words, I notice how much there is that I don’t understand and have no idea how to say it. Well, that’s normal in the beginning, but you may know that…
When you move to a new, fascinating region, first you are pleased. Many new things are usually perceived as exciting, assuming you came voluntarily. If you were someone persuaded to relocate or had to travel, this phase of honeymoon may not happen. The so-called culture shock consists of four steps: Honeymoon Frustration Adjustment Mastery After…