this is such an interesting article!! really fascinating to hear about the language expectations in Finland. I don’t live in Poland but from experiences I’ve had working there, people are amazed that expats can speak even beginner Polish, because they see the difficulty in their own language and people can get around so easily in English. Generally, they’re very impressed and encouraging, and I hadn’t considered how language-learning could feel in Finland or countries that are less encouraging. I’ve always been so embarrassed by English people in my own country and their comparative lack of grace towards those who don’t speak it. I loved how you talked about education as a privilege and the connection between language-learning and identity!
thank you so much!! it's so interesting how big the regional/country differences are in regarding to language learners, but its nice to hear that Poland has a probably more positive attitude towards it 🥲 i always love your comments, thanks so much for your thoughts! <3
I relate to a lot of this, especially the annoyance of being spoken to in English when I just didn't hear the first time! Although I think most people (in Madrid anyway) are just trying to be helpful. But we are in a lucky position that if we don't understand, many people can switch to English. I feel for immigrants in English-speaking countries trying to learn the language, it must be so isolating. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences, it really does take away from the good parts of language learning!
yesss totally, it's so painful that they ARE trying to be helpful so you try not to be mad but also it's so irritating! but I'd love to hear about your experience in madrid as well with this subject :)
This was well written, and very interesting in the way only things very different than your own personal experience can be. I found your distinction between sexy and unsexy learning to be an amusing binary.
I don’t engage with much “intellectualizing intellectuals” discourse. The whole “disgustingly educated,” “dark academia” type thing just isn’t my beat.
From my understanding “sexy learning” is inherently performative. It’s aesthetic. Whether you’re performing for yourself or others, to achieve a vibe, feeling, or flow state. That’s not a bad thing, but it is interesting.
Regardless, I hope you find your Finnish to come along well.
this is such an interesting article!! really fascinating to hear about the language expectations in Finland. I don’t live in Poland but from experiences I’ve had working there, people are amazed that expats can speak even beginner Polish, because they see the difficulty in their own language and people can get around so easily in English. Generally, they’re very impressed and encouraging, and I hadn’t considered how language-learning could feel in Finland or countries that are less encouraging. I’ve always been so embarrassed by English people in my own country and their comparative lack of grace towards those who don’t speak it. I loved how you talked about education as a privilege and the connection between language-learning and identity!
thank you so much!! it's so interesting how big the regional/country differences are in regarding to language learners, but its nice to hear that Poland has a probably more positive attitude towards it 🥲 i always love your comments, thanks so much for your thoughts! <3
I relate to a lot of this, especially the annoyance of being spoken to in English when I just didn't hear the first time! Although I think most people (in Madrid anyway) are just trying to be helpful. But we are in a lucky position that if we don't understand, many people can switch to English. I feel for immigrants in English-speaking countries trying to learn the language, it must be so isolating. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences, it really does take away from the good parts of language learning!
yesss totally, it's so painful that they ARE trying to be helpful so you try not to be mad but also it's so irritating! but I'd love to hear about your experience in madrid as well with this subject :)
I was thinking of writing something! Need to figure out the angle but we’ll see
This was well written, and very interesting in the way only things very different than your own personal experience can be. I found your distinction between sexy and unsexy learning to be an amusing binary.
I don’t engage with much “intellectualizing intellectuals” discourse. The whole “disgustingly educated,” “dark academia” type thing just isn’t my beat.
From my understanding “sexy learning” is inherently performative. It’s aesthetic. Whether you’re performing for yourself or others, to achieve a vibe, feeling, or flow state. That’s not a bad thing, but it is interesting.
Regardless, I hope you find your Finnish to come along well.
thank you so much! and i agree, it is inherently performative but i also get how it can be fun and motivating in some occasions.