本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛I have a confession to make. I like to see bickering. Bickering, or fight in some more serious cases, is fun. Bickering is good. Ego is good. No? I think they are excellent motivators.
What happened in Rolia got me to think and I had it all figured out – benchmark. We are all immigrants, and sadly, all have spent 20 even 30 years in learning English. We need a confirmation on this dedication to English learning and also take some comfort in thinking that those years are not wasted. But one question on everyone’s mind is: how good are we? Native speakers don’t bother to give us this information, so we have to benchmark against each other among ourselves, and that is where the trouble comes from.
Then I had a better idea.
I went to the Graigslist.com and found what I was looking for – a private tutor. The ad says : “Fix your accent. Native speaker. Give me three of your audio clips and 20 dollars and you will benefit for life.”
I was cheap and couldn't resist the temptation. I wired the guy 20 dollars, along with three reading clips of one of my favourite books. I gave it my best shot and it almost cost me whole day until my throat was sour and I nearly fell in love with my own voice. I attached files and hit “send” button. I was very happy, content and felt reasonably accomplished.
Shortly, an email came back. There were only two words: you suck.
Okay, this guy was good, I thought. I emailed back asking for more details and suggestions on how to improve my spoken English.
Shortly, an email came back. Still two words: you suck.
I was a little angry now. I wrote back saying I was expecting more because I paid 20 dollars.
Shortly, an email came back. This time, five words: that is why you suck.
I can’t say this is the first time that I have been duped, but what makes it so humiliating is that he makes it so easy. This idiot has underestimated me and he has no idea what he had done and the consequence that comes with it. He has no idea what will happen when he pisses off a Chinese.
I did one thing that all Chinese knew how to do – I went into the business myself. So, I registered a new email account, set up a money transfer method and put up an ad on the Graiglist.com and, voila, I was officially in business. My ad said: “Fix your accent. Native speaker. Give me three of your audio clips and you will benefit for life. For only 10 dollars!”更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
What happened in Rolia got me to think and I had it all figured out – benchmark. We are all immigrants, and sadly, all have spent 20 even 30 years in learning English. We need a confirmation on this dedication to English learning and also take some comfort in thinking that those years are not wasted. But one question on everyone’s mind is: how good are we? Native speakers don’t bother to give us this information, so we have to benchmark against each other among ourselves, and that is where the trouble comes from.
Then I had a better idea.
I went to the Graigslist.com and found what I was looking for – a private tutor. The ad says : “Fix your accent. Native speaker. Give me three of your audio clips and 20 dollars and you will benefit for life.”
I was cheap and couldn't resist the temptation. I wired the guy 20 dollars, along with three reading clips of one of my favourite books. I gave it my best shot and it almost cost me whole day until my throat was sour and I nearly fell in love with my own voice. I attached files and hit “send” button. I was very happy, content and felt reasonably accomplished.
Shortly, an email came back. There were only two words: you suck.
Okay, this guy was good, I thought. I emailed back asking for more details and suggestions on how to improve my spoken English.
Shortly, an email came back. Still two words: you suck.
I was a little angry now. I wrote back saying I was expecting more because I paid 20 dollars.
Shortly, an email came back. This time, five words: that is why you suck.
I can’t say this is the first time that I have been duped, but what makes it so humiliating is that he makes it so easy. This idiot has underestimated me and he has no idea what he had done and the consequence that comes with it. He has no idea what will happen when he pisses off a Chinese.
I did one thing that all Chinese knew how to do – I went into the business myself. So, I registered a new email account, set up a money transfer method and put up an ad on the Graiglist.com and, voila, I was officially in business. My ad said: “Fix your accent. Native speaker. Give me three of your audio clips and you will benefit for life. For only 10 dollars!”更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net