I can totally understand how you could feel like that. Because you don't speak the language, your concentrating harder trying to make sense of what your hearing, yeah that could give you a headache for sure.

Exactly the concentration level your putting in is at maximum level for duration of conversation. Easiest people to learn a language from are children under the age of 8-10 years. Because kids that age, what they say they do or expect a response/action from person there talking too. I fugyre out real fast, when my nephew wanted chocolate candy.

Some studies say even younger than that is best. When really young children (2-3) are exposed to foreign languages even for a short period of time their brains establish neural pathways that later on can let them learn a second language easier than others. They say that babies are born with the ability to make every vocal sound in every language ever, but over time as they interact with the adults around them a lot of those sounds are weeded out as being unneeded. I heard about one little boy who by the age of seven spoke like five languages, cause several of his family members were unable to speak languages other family members could, so in order to talk to him they taught him their language.

My English teacher in junior high, knew Spanish. Because her parents were missionaries. She taught her children to speak Spanish as soon as they started talking. When I am in Egypt, the little ones know I speak and different language and they trying so hard to talk with me. Believe it or not, English is one of the main language being taught in Egypt. They are teaching the children English in early grade school.

That's one thing that American schools get wrong, they wait entirely too late to start introducing kids to foreign languages, by the time they get to high school it is such a struggle for them. And then it's only kids who are in the "college prep" track that even have to take a foreign language instead of everyone. Which there are so many requirements that having another one just to graduate is it's own problem, but if the public schools would start in kindergarten or if they could start in pre-school and even just do a little each day, by the time they got to high school they would be so much better off.

I so agree with you! My sons' were exposed to spanish young, because most their teachers, principals, school staff and class mates spoke spanish through college. Along the Mexico border, both english and spanish are used. In medical school, my son had to take spanish. Which he didnt mind and did very well, it helped him during clinics with patients that werent bilingual.

You try to tell the kids "Look having a foreign language can put you one up on other people in the job market when you put your applications in for jobs" or "you can work as a translator-anywhere in the U.S. in any language and just about write your own ticket, you could have your own business or work for someone else," but they don't hear you or believe you or I don't know, care maybe. It can be really frustrating sometimes.

Ask them do you want to work overseas or even travel/ Another language will enhance both experiences. I know teenagers most what you tell them goes in one ear and out the other. Your right mandatory foreign languages in grade school are the way to go.

I have even tried the travel/work overseas angle as well, but if they listen it's REALLY hard to tell-lol. Sometimes you just get them coming back 10-15 years later talking about how they listened to what you said way back when. It's like "you listened to me?????" Seriously-me? Well, it's about time to go to bed, you have a good one, be seeing you tomorrow;)

Well it means you reached the ones that have ambition, and really are geared towards reaching their goals. Who knows a sentence can change a life. I always wondered how much my sons listen to me. My older son, told me one sentence made him happy in his marriage. I said, seriously what was the sentence. He told me, the one sentence I really knew if they could listen they would have a happy life in a relationship. I told them, whoever they are in a relationship with girlfriend, fiancee or wife. To treat them as their best friend. He made me cry, he got my message and took it to heart. Good night!

That is so COOL;) What a great validation!! I'm still waiting for something like that from my daughter, but she's only almost 25.

Well my advice to my sons, goes for girls too. Plus I told them, dont be a doormat either. I also told them, treat their girlfriend, fiancee, wife like they want to be treated. Validation from older son, made me cry.

Thanks! (I have freckles)

I get on for the bath, try wizard quests, rift and hustler and that's about it these days. Thanks ! :D I got the lilac blob by zapping. It's really one of the cuter ones. I was going to zap and toss back into the adoption center but I couldn't release! LoL

I had to have the lilac blob the design, brings back summer with lilac scent on the breeze. One scent I associate summer with, we would make necklaces out of the blossoms.

I am out walking the dog, 6:40 am and already hot! You wrote “had” so I guess you found or made one?

Hubby is over in Egypt and he says, its hot. I can image better to walk your dog in the early morning is your best time. I know in the evening it doesnt even try to be cool until early a.m., and then its not really cool. I did make a lilac pet, I couldnt do without one.

Well, congratulations on your lilac pet! How fun!

to bad lilac pet isn’t a scratch and sniff, lol

hehe! Right? I imagine it is, if we could get past the hard screen 😉

It would be great! I love lilac bushes since I was young, borrow needle and thread from my Mom or grandma. My sisters and I would go sit under the lilac bushes, and string blossoms and make necklaces. Then we would wear them around, and always making more. We would give my Mom and grandma some to wear.