Comments

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  Tanya March 4, 2010 9:13

  Dear Trai Pham! You are right, those words are synonyms. "Actually" and "in fact" mean the same. However, the first one is an adverb, the second is a noun phrase. So, you should place them correctly:
  
  He actually expected me to be pleased about it!
  In fact, he expected me to be pleased about it!
  
  "Really" is a little different. For example, you can't use it in this sentence. This word is mostly used:
  
  1) in actual fact, as opposed to what is said or imagined to be true or possible
  So, what really happened?
  They're not really my aunt and uncle
  2) to emphasize a statement or opinion
  I really want to go
  I'm sorry, Ruth, I really am
  3) as an exclamation to express interest, surprise, or doubt "I've been working hard."
  "Really?"
  
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  Tanya March 4, 2010 8:56

  Dear Tiger! There are no serious grammar mistakes but there are too many "more" and the sentence, itself, is "clumsy", I would say. It is possible to change it:
  
  "The longer I learn French, the clearer I realize it to be more beautiful and___ more difficult than I thought."
  
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  Tanya March 4, 2010 8:43

  Dear Anothai! Nothing is wrong with you. If you just turn on the radio and listen to it, it will not be very efficient. There are special methods that help accept fluent speech. The best way is to listen to podcasts that come together with scrips. You should listen the same podcast as many times as you need until you get at least the idea. Then, you should read the text, translate all unknown words and listen audio again and again until it starts sounding like you native speech. It always helps. My students say that it may take them a few days to do with the first task. But, the more they exercise, the less time it takes. You can see a few references to the sites with the podcasts above on this page. As to the radio or TV, it can sound all day long and one day you will feel that you accept English speech as your native. It happens with everyone sooner or later. However, if you work with podcasts, it will speed up the process by many times.
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  Tiger Le March 3, 2010 15:15

  Hi Tanya, I have a question. It's hard for me to find the answer. Can you find any mistake in this sentense "The more I learn French, the more I find it more beautiful, and it is also more difficult than I thought."
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  anothai March 3, 2010 14:52

  Hi Tanya,
  Thank again for your answer and you explained it very clearly.you know,I read it two times 'cause my english isn't very well.So about my problem I should let it go on naturally.Right?
  By the way,Please answer me another question.I know I shouldn't ask about this but I think you have much experience in teaching english.How long can I listen english radio understandably if I listen to radio everyday.Because I listen to it one hour a day for 3 months but I think I only understand it about 60%.Are there something wrong with me?
  
  Thank for your kindness ,
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  Tanya March 3, 2010 12:13

  Dear Anothai! The problem you describe is well-known. Multilingual people always feel that. I,too, feel like switching from one language to another but there is nothing bad in that. I will tell you about myself. English is almost my native but it is not! So, it depends on the surrounding. When I am among English speakers, I think English (at least I believe I do). For example, when I am typing my answer now I seem to think English. However, if I can't find a necessary word, I "see" it in Russian by my mind eye. It means there is a Russian text somewhere in my subconsciousness although I don't feel it. When I lived in the US, it was hard for me to stick to Russian because I didn't hear it and didn't speak it. When I called my mom, it was just a torture for me to stick to Russian. But now, when I live in Russian speaking area, I start thinking English only when I enter some English site like EC or deal with translation or talking on Skype. Different languages can't and shouldn't be integrated. The right idea is to find some useful relations between them denying everything that bothers. I learned how to do it but it concerns Slavs only. You see, all European languages have the same basis: Greek and Latin. So, if we analyze our languages, we can find useful and noxious relations. Honestly, I don't think it is possible to get rid of that switching but it becomes unnoticeable when you "dive" into the English speaking surrounding.
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  anothai March 3, 2010 11:11

  Hello Adam,
  I really appreciate for your answer but I'm not sure that I will be able to think in english when my english vocabulary grow up.You know,It's like you always switch your brain when you speak each languate .I can't integrate them together.I don't know how to solve this problem.
  
  Keep in touch,
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  Tanya March 3, 2010 10:58

  Dear Anothai! G.Adam is right, of course but I'd like to add. Having a rich vocabulary is only half-way to fluency. The main is practice, both oral and written. The more you practice, the less you think in native.
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  G.Adam March 3, 2010 9:40

  Dear anothai i think thinking in your own language is sensible
  but gradually and according to the grow of your English vocabulary your going to think and express yourself in English
  is that correct dear Tanya
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  anothai March 3, 2010 7:47

  Hi Tanya,
  Thank for your answer,you're so nice .I think I quite understand what you are trying to tell me.:) I have something that I'm so curious about it.How do I do for speaking english without thinking in my language? You know,everytime I speak english I have to think in my languate first.This take long time and I'm so tired.
  Please advice me some,Tanya
  
  Thanks a lot,
  Anothai