ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | yes!

Heidi Gutt (X) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:10:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Heidi Gutt (X)
Post title: yes!

When I studied abroad in Japan, the older of my host sisters occasionally asked me to make time so we could practice speaking in English. Those conversations were pretty fun even though they ended up having a lot of Japanese mixed in as they went along.

She's coming to the US to study abroad starting this month. I'm happy for her. :D

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Thanks - that's what I meant.

Susan Hammons — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:03:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Susan Hammons
Post title: Thanks - that's what I meant.

[quote]Marie-Hélène Hayles wrote:

So it's not so much the two professions that are related, as the people who practice them. [/quote]

Yes, that's what I meant; thanks. I meant that I didn't think being a teacher automatically qualified me to be a translator, even though there are definitely some skill and knowledge areas that overlap.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | off topic - connection between teaching and translating

Marie-Hélène Hayles — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Marie-Hélène Hayles
Post title: off topic - connection between teaching and translating

[quote]Susan Hammons wrote:

Although I am presently in the process of shifting my income source from 70-30 teaching and translating to 100% translating, I do not see much connection between the two nor do I feel that either really gives me an advantage in the other field. [/quote]

I think the connection lies in the fact (or assumption) that a large number of translators - like me - drifted into the profession after moving abroad for whatever reason, and worked as teachers of their native language before moving on to translation as their command of their second language improved.

So it's not so much the two professions that are related, as the people who practice them.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | qualified teacher

Susan Hammons — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:19:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Susan Hammons
Post title: qualified teacher

I am actually a qualified teacher (university-educated) at lower and upper secondary level and also certified by the Dutch teacher-trainer association as a teacher trainer in higher education. I have done this work for a number of years with varying degrees of satisfaction. I like teaching as such, but not particularly teaching English. I would not want to teach at secondary school - that I know for sure. But I would like to 'teach' my favourite subjects, literature and writing, to a different group of people instead of my present students.
Although I am presently in the process of shifting my income source from 70-30 teaching and translating to 100% translating, I do not see much connection between the two nor do I feel that either really gives me an advantage in the other field. Both require specific knowledge and experience and I happen to be well-enough equipped for both, which is lucky now that I'm ready for a major career shift. Having said that, one advantage would be that I speak English all day at school with my colleagues, most of whom are native speakers, which will not be the case when I am working from home full time.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Another ex-TEFLer

Marie-Hélène Hayles — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:56:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Marie-Hélène Hayles
Post title: Another ex-TEFLer

I did it when I first moved to Italy (after doing a correspondence course in TEFL) as the quickest and easiest way to earn reasonable money before I could speak Italian. I only taught business English on-site, so student motivation and behaviour was generally not an issue, but I soon found out I loathed TEFL (I think it really was this - in the UK I worked briefly as a volunteer basic skills teacher and really enjoyed it) and so got out of it as quickly as possible.

I do have a few fond memories though - my cricket lessons (theory rather than practice) were generally very well received, although I did feel honour-bound to warn my students that the game itself isn't actually any more interesting once you understand the rules ;)

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Ahhhh thank you

Colin Ryan (X) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Colin Ryan (X)
Post title: Ahhhh thank you

[quote]neilmac wrote:

after doing my Dip TEFLA ... but ended up so disillusioned after several years trying my hardest, but with only around (what I would call) 10% success.
Am much happier now working from home as a translator, where the results of my efforts are clearly visible and often gratefully acknowledged. Plus no more early mornings, traffic jams, cheeky, unmotivated, "no-show" students... picky bosses, etc etc. [/quote]

This has been my experience. I taught English for several years but doing TEFL you can burn out quite quickly, I found. One of the reasons I went into translating was to avoid strangling my students...

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Yes

Sandro C — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:17:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Sandro C
Post title: Yes

Yes, and it was surprising to realize that my only 'victim' was my husband :) Well, I guess I was too serious about the subject and we somehow gave up, but it was an interesting experience. At some point I thought I could even continue with other students, but haven’t managed to find time yet ..

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | teaching vs translating

Alexander Kondorsky — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:58:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Alexander Kondorsky
Post title: teaching vs translating

In my opinion, teaching and translating are two different professions. Of course, most translators do have experience of communicating with native speakers of their second language, rendering them some linguistic support, etc., but I would not call that "teaching". Teaching requires a profound knowledge of teaching methods, approaches, ways to explain grammar rules, etc. Besides, if I ever decide to abandon translations and become a teacher, I would prefer to teach my second language to my compatriots rather than to teach my native language to foreigners.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Me too

John Cutler — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: John Cutler
Post title: Me too

[quote]Marcelo Silveyra wrote:

I'm assuming that practicing Spanish with my wife doesn't count, right? (And just in case you were wondering, I'm not the one practicing ;-) ) [/quote]

Probably counts as infomal, doesn't it? I've also informally taught my wife and children English and they've taught me Spanish and Catalan. I could tell a load of stories about hilarious mistakes they've said in English, but they could do the same about me in Spanish or Catalan so I'll keep quiet! ;-)

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | A simple yes-no, I think.

Paul Lambert — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Paul Lambert
Post title: A simple yes-no, I think.

The question is a mere yes-no, isn't it? Either you have or you haven't tried to teach your own language to someone else. What could "other" or "NA" possibly mean?

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | English in Poland

Jocelyne S — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Jocelyne S
Post title: English in Poland

I taught English to Polish children in Eastern Poland (Okuninka) and it was a fantastic experience. Not only was it fun, but it did wonders for my (still quite novice) Polish vocabulary, too.

On the "informal" side of things, I used to have a neighbour who would occasionally come knocking at the door when he had had a few drinks and was confident enough to practise his English. It was funny the first few times, then it became a bit annoying (luckily it didn't happen that often - and we've since moved house!).

I've also worked on a number of international development projects where the de facto language is English. When people ask, I'm always happy to help, but I would never do so unsolicited.

Best,
Jocelyne

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Not really...

Marcelo Silveyra — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:24:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Marcelo Silveyra
Post title: Not really...

I'm assuming that practicing Spanish with my wife doesn't count, right? (And just in case you were wondering, I'm not the one practicing ;-) )

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Yes

Miguel Miranda — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Miguel Miranda
Post title: Yes

Yes, specially, to my fellow citizens; then I realized that it was a task beyond my capacities and left the country in despair.

[Edited at 2008-01-15 06:17]

[Edited at 2008-01-15 06:51]

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Yes

Cristina Heraud-van Tol — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Cristina Heraud-van Tol
Post title: Yes

I taught formally Spanish to young Korean volunteers who came to work to Peru as part of a programme of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and the Korean Embassy. Also, to two Korean doctors from the same agency. I also taught some Spanish to an American looking to improve his speaking skills.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | language is life

Peter Manda (X) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:47:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Peter Manda (X)
Post title: language is life

My wife is Japanese and we teach each other every day - it's a way for our relationship to grow. It's not language classes and it's not formal. It's a way for us to continuously find out new things about each other.

My son is now one+ years old. I read to him in the several languages at my disposal. It is beautiful to see him grow linguistically flexible (last night he got doses of English, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Persian) and not tied to the rigidities of monolingualism. But, then, he is only one+ years old and I am imposing my own ideation that linguistic flexibility is a route to being a part of a transcendant human condition.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | EX Husband

Kathryn Litherland — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:51:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Kathryn Litherland
Post title: EX Husband

I tried to help my ex-husband learn English, and it was hugely frustrating! It was worse than trying to teach him how to drive, and that was pretty awful, too. It took him about 10 years in the US to finally get a driver's license, and about as long to finally get a sufficient grasp of the language to be employable in anything other than low-wage jobs. The difficulties we had in this area were symptomatic of the more deep-seated issues that came between us.

I'm glad everyone else's experiences have been more positive! My second husband is a sweetheart, but also not cut out for languages. But attitude is everything: it's cute and funny when he tries to "Jablo Espanyol," because he doesn't take himself so seriously.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Yes, and I would do it any time

Veronica Manole (X) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Veronica Manole (X)
Post title: Yes, and I would do it any time

I taught Romanian to Portuguese speakers and it was one of the most interesting professional experiences ever. This is definitely one of the things that I would like to do in the future, as I cannot imagine my life without teaching (I currently teach Portuguese). It is incredible how the others see your language, the questions they have. I had to explain a lot of things that I had taken for granted before, as native speaker. Not to mention that there was a lot of cultural information to pass on. I see Romanian in a totally different way since then.

Veronica

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | great experience

Aline Canino — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Aline Canino
Post title: great experience

I have been teaching french as foreign language to japanese students (from 8 to 18 years old) and chinese students (coming from University). It was a great experience even if I find easier to teach a foreign language (I have been teaching japanese and chinese for 7 years, occasionally I still continue). My best memory was when I taugh a little japanese how to read because he only knew japanese writing and it was something completely knew for him. I saw him progress step by step until he became able to read a whole text in french, it was wonderful.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Started out so keen

neilmac — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: neilmac
Post title: Started out so keen

after doing my Dip TEFLA ... but ended up so disillusioned after several years trying my hardest, but with only around (what I would call) 10% success.
Am much happier now working from home as a translator, where the results of my efforts are clearly visible and often gratefully acknowledged. Plus no more early mornings, traffic jams, cheeky, unmotivated, "no-show" students... picky bosses, etc etc.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | I try teaching my children

Claudine Pierre-Antoine — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Claudine Pierre-Antoine
Post title: I try teaching my children

Hello,

I try teaching Polish and French (my two native languages) to my three homeschooled children, ages 10, 8, and 5... and I started having amazing results, only when they found French-speaking neighbourhood friends.

I will include more speaking Polish in the house, and let's see where this leads!

Claudine

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | An interesting linguistic experience

elen_d — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: elen_d
Post title: An interesting linguistic experience

I have been teaching French for 9 months in the US even before starting translation (although I was on the path for translation studies) !

Such a great experience (teaching with college students), so many [i]souvenirs[/i] of the country...
Like Richard, I keep on teaching (English, this time). I find it interesting to "master" grammar and linguistic and share them with a learner. :)

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | Of course

Richard Jenkins — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Richard Jenkins
Post title: Of course

What a strange question - I could only reply 'of course'. I suppose the answer depends largely on who one comes into contact with on a daily basis. I teach professionally, non-professionally, for fun, out of necessity...and I probably will for the rest of my life.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else? | My first job!

Rocio Barrientos — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: Rocio Barrientos
Post title: My first job!

During my four years at Iowa State, I taught Spanish. My students were kindergarten & grade school kids who attended an extra curricular language program created by the Ames Foreign Language Association.

I absolutely loved my four years as the "spanish teacher". More than teaching, I tried to "convey" language and culture. It was wonderful! I have the most wonderful memories.

Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?

ProZ.com Staff — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:35:32 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever tried to teach your native language (formally / informally) to someone else?".

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