Comments on: Podcast 160 – Doing an Overseas Language Course

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:58:23 +0000

In reply to Yake Dai.

Hi Yake Dai,
Many thanks for your very kind comment. It pleases me to receive such feedback. I’m glad that you find my podcast useful.
Have a great day.
Rob

By: Yake Dai

Yake Dai — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:56:02 +0000

Hello Rob, I’m from China and I just want to say thank you for your Slow English Podcast. I have learned a lot from it. Your podcast is quite famous among English learners in China because it is very clear and easy to follow. It really helps us improve our English. Thanks again for your great work!

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:32:12 +0000

In reply to Maren. Hallo Maren. Vielen Dank für deine interessante E-mail auf Deutsch. Ich finde es auch interessant, dass es viele deutsche Wörte aus English gibt. Vielleicht werden wir immer internationale Leute, im Bezug auf die Sprachen. Seit Englisch so oft in Filme, im Internet, im Fehensehen benutzt ist, sieht es normal aus mehr Englisch zu benutzen in jede Sprache. Es ist bestimmt wahr, dass jede Sprache die ganze Zeit verändert. Du hast auch gesprochen über Dialekte in Deutschland. In Australien ist es nicht wirklich ein Ding. Es ist immer möglich unsere Sprache hier in alle Teilen von Australien zu verstehen. Unser Land und Kultur hier in Australien ist noch ziemlich jung - nur ungefähr 240 Jahre seit Europäische Leute hierhin gekommen sind. Wir sind noch homogen. Mein Akzent auf Deutsch? Ziemlich schlecht! Thanks again for your comment. Have a great day. Rob.

By: Maren

Maren — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 12:57:10 +0000

Hallo Rob,
vor einigen Jahren habe ich Dir schon einmal per Email geschrieben. Ich bin ein großer Fan Deines Podcasts – errätst Du woher? Natürlich aus Deutschland. Genauer, von der Ostseeküste. Als ich die Folge über Deinen Sprachkurs in Österreich hörte, dachte ich sofort, das ist eine gute Gelegenheit, Dir erneut zu schreiben und Dich auf diese Weise beim Lernen der deutschen Sprache zu unterstützen. Wo Du doch selbst so vielen Menschen mit Deinem Podcast beim Englischlernen hilfst. Dabei fällt mir einmal wieder auf, wie unglaublich viele Worte und Phrasen wir vom Englischen in unseren Sprachgebrauch übernommen haben. Ich hätte diese Zeilen bis hierher schon mit zahlreichen englischen Ausdrücken spicken können und muss mir Mühe geben eine deutsche Beschreibung stattdessen zu finden. Allerdings sind es wahrscheinlich mehrheitlich amerikanische oder britische Ausdrücke. (Das Wort “Selfie” soll laut Internetrecherche allerdings tatsächlich aus Australien stammen und ist wahrscheinlich in jedem Land der Welt angekommen.)
Ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass sich viele Menschen aus den unterschiedlichsten Regionen der Erde aus diesem Grund auf eine gewisse Art mit Ländern verbunden fühlen, in denen Englisch gesprochen wird.
Auch, wenn ich selbst Deutsch spreche, würde ich in Österreich bestimmt sehr genau hinhören müssen, um alles zu verstehen. Vor allem, wenn man sich abseits von großen, internationalen Städten befindet. Es gibt auch innerhalb Deutschlands sehr große regionale Unterschiede in der Sprache. Das ist wirklich sehr erstaunlich und hat mich immer wieder überrascht. Es müssen nur ein paar Kilometer zwischen den Menschen liegen und sie sprechen nicht nur anders, sondern haben oft auch eine ganz andere Kultur und vor allem eine andere Mentalität. Ist das in Australien auch so? Hört man es heraus, ob jemand von der Westküste oder Ostküste, aus dem Norden oder Süden kommt?
Und würdest Du sagen, Du sprichst mit einem österreichischen Akzent?
Herzliche Grüße von der deutschen Ostsee!

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 06:38:25 +0000

In reply to Dep Ni.

Hi Dep,
Many thanks for your comment. You are right that graffiti art in Melbourne is a major feature and a tourist attraction. I talked about AC/DC Lane graffiti in my podcast about AC/DC (Podcast 72 – https://slowenglish.info/podcast-72-acdc/). Of course there are several other interesting sites in Melbourne where graffiti art is also a sight to see. Thanks for the excellent suggestion for a new podcast.
Cheers from Melbourne.
Rob

By: Dep Ni

Dep Ni — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:19:33 +0000

Hi again Rob,
Have a suggestion that I’m looking forward to having a story dedicated to Melbourne graffiti art in your new podcast. One day in early April, while on my way to visit AC/DC Ln, I happened to discover the representative Melbourne graffiti art. Just as I was walking down Hosier Lane, I was stunned by the scene before me. The entire lane was covered with colorful and beautiful graffiti, giving a strong visual impact. The diverse and inclusive form of painting art blends very naturally and in perfect union into this traditional and aged alley, giving people a fresh sense of awe. For this purpose, I have a hunch that Melbourne graffiti has a significant position in Australia.
Cheers from Brisbane.
Dep.

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 05:53:46 +0000

In reply to Dep Ni.

Hi Dep,
Many thanks for your detailed and thoughtful response. Your insights are very perceptive. We are about the same age, and your experiences in language learning are very similar to mine. As you so eloquently explain, the key perspective is the finding of entertainment and relaxation in the language learning journey. I hope that continues for us both.
Best regards,
Rob

By: Dep Ni

Dep Ni — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 01:31:42 +0000

Hi Rob,
Thank you for your feedback. My confidence in learning English will be enhanced by your encouragement. However, I still consider myself a beginner, especially when it comes to my English listening and speaking skills.
Six years ago I was 65 years old and I emigrated to Australia. Before this I had never spoken English at all and can only do a little bit of English reading and writing. Fortunately I had the opportunity to come to Australia and immerse myself in an English-speaking environment. Now, six years have passed, although my English listening and speaking skills have improved, I still don’t feel satisfied with myself. My limited listening ability often hinders my communication with English speakers and this situation makes me somewhat puzzled.
In my opinion, when a person reaches old age and begins to learn a foreign language, he has to make ten times efforts than young people to learn English well, otherwise he will probably give it up halfway. The elderly have their limitations, namely poor memory, slow reaction and easily distracted attention. Of course, they also have their advantages. They have plenty of time to make use of. The rich experience accumulated over a long period of time in learning a certain skill can be applied to foreign language learning. In this regard, I believe you must have profound in sights.
As one of the elderly people, I have always regarded learning my target language as a form of entertainment and relaxation. I don’t resort to rote memorization for English words and grammar. I don’t set myself a final goal for learning English. I only enjoy the ease and happiness during the journey of learning English.
Best regards!
Dep.

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 07:49:28 +0000

In reply to Dep Ni.

Hi Dep,
Many thanks for your comment. It’s great to hear from you again. I had a chuckle when you described yourself as a beginner. Your English is very good, and in my opinion you are much more than a beginner. I am pleased to hear that you visited so many Melbourne attractions. It makes me feel good that you found my podcast useful in planning your visit.
I hope you can visit Melbourne again soon. I would love to meet up with you for a coffee and a chat in the city when you next visit. By email is the best way to reach me.
Best regards,
Rob.

By: Dep Ni

Dep Ni — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 03:37:12 +0000

HI Rob,

It’s a long time haven’t left you my comments, The more reading your podcasts I did, the more benefits I got from it.
Yes, as you said, your experiences of learning another language really encouraged me to immerse in my journey to learning English.

Early this month, I summoned the courage to visited Melbourne. For me a English beginner, language was a form of self-challenge.

By using Google Maps (English), I found the old Flinders Street Station. Through communication with the ticket seller, I understood the rules for taking the train and tram (The Podcast 6 – ’Melbourne’s tram System’ & the Podcast 7 – ‘Melbourne’s train System’ had also provided me with great help) and I got a Myki card there.

I thought that asking for directions was a good way to enhance my listening and speaking English ability. I found the location of the statue of Burke and Wills by asking a policeman for directions. Despite the fact that it was very unfortunately the statue was stored away while the rail tunnel was being built.

In a ferry rode from Dockland to Portarlinton town, I sought an opportunity to have a chat with a strange woman. I felt that I had spent a pleasant time. Don’t be shy and try to communicate in English with as many people around you as possible and immersing yourself in the English environment is the best way for you to improve your oral English skills. This is my experience.

I went to the picturesque Royal Botanic Gardens that I had been longing for. There you were “amazed how beautiful and peaceful a well-cared for and well-designed garden can be”, so did I. There are countless plant labels briefly listing each plant’s name, varieties, genus and family, habits and distribution range. This not only enabled me to learn botanic knowledge but also to practice my reading ability.

The Melbourne Museum which you once recommended is indeed a trending spot. Here, reading the textual description of various cultural relics is much more interesting to me than reading textbooks in class. Of course, for many audio descriptions, I still found it a bit challenging to understand.

During the short four-day stay in Melbourne, I was immersed in my new language environment. A sense of improvement of my English proficiency was one of the gains from this trip.

In addition, I also visited other attractions in Melbourne. Many places among them were also recommended by you in your podcasts. Such as Fed Square, Vic Market, MCG, Southern Cross Station, Melbourne University, State Library Victoria, AC/DC Lane, Great Ocean Road and so on. Due to the limited time available, of course there were many good places you recommended I haven’t visited yet. I can only postpone them for the future and I am keen for meeting you when I visit Melbourne again.

To be precise, what I wrote today is the writing exercise after reading the great podcast.

Have a pleasant long holiday!

Dep.