So when I was invited to an English cafe to practice, I jumped on the opportunity.
All kidding (and intentional poor English) aside, I thought the event would not only be a great way to meet new friends, but it would be a nice gesture for the people that have welcomed me to their country (and I can practice some Laos when the facilitators are not listening).
Almost everyone I meet here is eager to learn English. It is the official language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Laos is very happy and proud to be a member. It means to fully participate, they must learn English and they need FALANG (foreigners) like myself to practice.
My mom is a volunteer English instructor for new immigrants in Calgary. I realize how much more difficult it is than I previously thought. Even in a short session you must show so much patience, and by the end of the event I was quite tired (the heat also partially contributing). I now can more appreciate the people that struggle with me through my Laos and French conversations (French is occasionally spoken by the older generations since Laos was once a French colony).
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| Even the monks are keen to learn! |
So if you do bump into someone that struggles with your language, be extra patient and do not give up on them. They will get it eventually. You may just pull out a bit of your hair in the process.
Have a great weekend and stay tuned for more posts next week!
One sow noy!!!! (aka "TGIF" in Laos)
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