Thanks, Angela! Good on you for pursuing your linguistic passions! Just keep in mind that the situation of the immigrant language learner is very different from the foreign language learner … the more proficient in the language you are prior to arrival, the fewer barriers you will hopefully encounter.

Thank you very much Ingrid! I really appreciate it. Means a lot! 🙂
Yes i totally agree with you, i have seen many kids who are ashamed of their parents because they are immigrants.

Thanks, Chocomilk! The sacrifices made by families so that their children can have a better life are truly remarkable. Also great example of the resilience of children.

OMG – eating Domino’s Pizza for 90 days!!! How did he even remain fit enough to play?!

Good to hear that, Kate! Glad your English is improving rapidly.

Thanks, Thao! That’s the strangest example – one should never take anything for granted; I agree that it’s best to clarify as much as possible but it would never have occurred to me (or your friend, apparently) that this request could be misinterpreted …

Thanks, Chloe! I just learned something new – never knew that people use “facey” for “Facebook” … no wonder the washcloth interpretation would have taken you in a weird direction …

Thanks, Quynh! “Cash or card?” is such a good example. It’s so simple and yet, as you say, can leave you feeling like a loser … I appreciate your positive attitude. Way to go!

Thanks, Hana! Humor can be very culture-specific and getting a joke depends on so many things; and making jokes in a second language is the pinnacle of achievement 😉

Thanks, SunKyung! It’s interesting how language proficiency even constrains our food choices …

OMG, what a horror story! Learning how to cook is a greater life skill than language learning!

Hats off to your dad, Sinem! Raising a family is an achievement no matter what and doing so in a country where you don’t speak the language is an incredible achievement! Glad you are proud of him because sometimes the children of immigrant parents are ashamed of their parents’ language, and that’s a terrible and sad thing when that happens.

Thanks, R! Welcome to Sydney! I hope you settle in well. Settling in a new country is tough and takes time. I hope you only have nice customers at work. But don’t let the irritable, rude, and angry ones ruin your confidence, or even your day!

Thanks, Dass! Good recommendation but, unfortunately, not always practical. As many have commented, learning English in the classroom is quite different from having to use it to live one’s life through it. Good luck settling in – I’m sure your English will be perfect in time 😊

Having a misunderstanding with someone holding a razor to your head sounds scary. Glad you got away with a stylish haircut! 😉