With the development of technology, people increasingly began to wonder why they should learn other languages. After all, you can use mobile translators and phrasebooks — and not waste time and money on a tutor. Teacher Olga Saranina is sure that it is worth doing it for your own pleasure.
Once I was asked to literally describe in a nutshell what I do. I answered immediately: “I bring happiness.” In what sense? Sometimes I think I save people. Or, to put it mildly, I help out.
A woman comes: «I’m going to Mexico in two weeks.» What can be done here? I teach her a few phrases: «I’m lost, I’m a foreigner, where is the hotel, please help.» At least they’ll show her the way.
The case, it must be said, is not so rare. Urgent business trip, appointment to a position in another country. Or — they submit a request, draw up documents, and then once, and it’s ready, and you have to go. What about language? For all this fuss, they did not have time to think.
“My daughter married an Italian, a week later the wedding.” I’m already used to this, we’ll learn a couple of words that can be exchanged: “Hello, I’m from Moscow, everything is fine, I’m glad.” The rest is smiles, gestures, it will come by itself.
Everyone who has begun to speak a foreign language begins to smile much more often. But many teach not for work or even for travel, but solely for themselves, because they like it. I have several students who studied French, and then wanted to learn Spanish, Italian.
The lesson is a special time: we are not in a hurry, we figure out together what is interesting, and all worries recede, there is simply no room for them in my head … Somehow I led a group, and in the middle of the lesson one lady enters who did not appear already three months. And to her the rest how let’s say in Italian: «Why don’t you go?» She (also in Italian): “Yes, I want to, but I was busy, I have so many problems now.” And they answered: “We also have problems, that’s why we go to Italian — so as not to think about them, to be distracted!”
I listen to someone who speaks his own language and I want to speak like him
Languages are incredibly exciting. I have known this since childhood. I remember that my friend and I were going home from kindergarten, on our own, without parents — we are already adults, we are six years old. We talk about the future, and I tell her that I will definitely learn three languages: English, because everyone is learning, German, because my parents know, and French, just like that. It almost came true: I teach three Romance languages. And I would like to know as many different ones as possible, ideally — all to one.
Now I’m learning Swedish. I haven’t been in the role of a student for a long time, it’s exciting, but also difficult. To begin with, I took two teachers. Both are very good and knowledgeable. But when it came time to choose, I chose Ira.
Because Ira praises me. Even after the lesson, he writes what a fine fellow I was. And there is such a good feeling that in a situation where it’s difficult for me, there is a person nearby who holds his hand: “I’m here, nearby, go, you won’t fall, you will succeed!” Isn’t that happiness? I try to do the same for my students.
Sometimes people ask: what language do you prefer? Everyone! I listen to someone who speaks his own language and I want to speak like him. We forget this amazing feeling when we listen and understand everything. And they are able to express their thoughts. And when we begin to speak a new language, the delight returns: I understood it! We are talking!