Just enjoy!

Thank you eksena.
Unfortunately, my level does not permit me to understand such fluent speech by ear without subtitles.
I have nothing but believe it is funny indeed, because I hear human’s laugh.:))

poor you))

I can hardly imagine what the reason for learning a language might be if one can't understand spoken English :)

wishing you all the best))

I think the understanding of spoken English is the highest level of language learning and Poseidon is going to accomplish this level. I'm confident he derives a lot of pleasure from communicating with his friends in written form.
In our case I'll try to compare spoken English with drugs. Untill you try it you can't understand how amazing it is.

Spoken English and drugs!!! Nonsense, my friend)) that's the language we are aiming at ))))

Please, do not get me wrong, just think a little bit.
Just think of yourself going abroad/chatting on Skype/communicating elsewhere and imagine, the only thing you can do is just writing a few words/sentences on the matter. (mind! you can't understand spoken English, so you fairly often do not understand what you are asked about) Would you like it? I bet you wouldn't.

Understanding spoken English as well as the being able to reply to it is and must be the only aim of language learning.
Writing/reading is sort of tools to attain the main goal.

The person with the second highest score should be able to understand spoken language, otherwise there is not much sense in voting on the site, what would you think?

I didn't mean that spoken English is unnecessary thing I just wanted to underline how difficult it is. I fully agree with you, that one who can write a wonderful story but can hardly say a word doesn't know the language. On the other hand not all the people have an opportunity to train their speaking and comprehension skills from time to time.
What can I say concerning vote level? We don't estimate spoken English, but written one.

I absolutely clearly understand your point of view. Moreover, I'm not going to argue. But if a person isn't able to do something may be it's worth adding the word "yet".

"not all the people have an opportunity to train their speaking and comprehension skills"

Are you sure you are talking about nowadays? with lots of sites available for learning/practice/testing productive skills?!
It is really beyond my understanding why a person might object to more language practice.

I don't mind adding 'yet' if a person is willing to study, actually, that's the right way to deal with students (not with teachers :))

I'll only provide you one example from my own experience. A few months ago I had a big problem with Internet connection because of my hostel's situation. I'm not sure what exactly was the problem but I was forced to use GPRS connection. It's very slow and unable to hold the video-flow. Therefore, it's impossible to use Skype untill you have a cable Internet connection with a good speed. Sometimes I had to wait 20-30 seconds till my page has updated.

I suggest to close this absurd discussion and forgive each other all the hurts.

Agree! You have to understand oral language and only after learn the rest of it.

thnx 4 understanding :)

You see, eksena, I like this community. Certainly, if our community decides that it would be better for me to leave this forum, I shall obey the will of majority. But let me remain! I’ve made friends here, your including. Don’t spell the death of me!
To be quite honest, I understand separate words and expressions, but not more than a half. And I remember your kind advice to watch English/American films with subs. In this way I would have opportunity to compare heard speech with read text.

What a nonsense you are talking about! You mustn't leave our forum because you are a part of it. We mustn't spread the war from a video show, that somebody hasn't understood.
Let's just forget it and forgive each other all the controversial questions. To be honest, I understood only 70-75% because the pace of speech was really too fast for me.
But I don't consider it as a reason for shame or leaving RapidSteps. We are here to increase our skill, to improve our ability of English understanding, to make our language richer.

Don't take it too personal, Poseidon, I love you!

That's exactly why I love you, dearest nnc LOL

You are talking nonsense, and you do know that pretty well.

Who on earth is going to make you leave this site?

These words followed just right my post: 'I can hardly imagine what the reason for learning a language might be if one can't understand spoken English'
What would you think being on my place, eksena?
And who is that "one"?
I agree, I have already too short time in my life and I will never rich your level in spoken English.
Nevertheless, I obtain great pleasure in communicating with all these courteous, educated and kind young people. When I am speaking to them (via writing, though) I feel that not everything has been lost. And a good hope for better future appears in my heart ...

reach your level*...

OK,
I apology for using wrong construction so that everyone was mislead and annoyed.
'One' was used here to express an action not paying much attention to the agent.
So, the final variant is:
'I can hardly imagine what the reason for learning a language might be if not to understand spoken English' which means basically the same as the previous one.
By the way the word 'one' is used to express the idea of passive structure and doesn't mean anyone in particular, like in 'To become a footballer one should train a lot'' (implying that everyone should train a lot if he/she wants to become a footballer).

ps For those who prefers things being translated into Russian:
'To become a footballer one should train a lot' = 'Чтобы стать футболистом надо много тренироваться'
"I can hardly imagine what the reason for learning a language might be if one can't understand spoken English" = "Трудно представить, для чего еще изучать язык, если не для того, чтобы понимать разговорную речь"

pps. if you personally wanted to be associated with 'one' there should have been 'the one'

enjoy your weekend,
bye

Eksena, I accept your apology for using wrong construction.
And I am willing to concede that you did not want to offend me.
But I’ll never agree that learning a language aims at speaking only. Let’s be realists! Only little part of our nation has opportunity to employ spoken English. The rest one will never be able neither speak nor write in English, for Internet did not reach every corner of Russia yet, alas.
I am familiar with Rodamer for two years. We both realize that we will never meet and never speak to one another. But this fact does not prevent us from communicating via writing in English. We enjoy these contacts and we value our warm and friendly mutual attitude. As you see, we don’t use our ‘spoken English’. Nevertheless, if the fate permits and we meet with one another one day, we’ll understand each other anyway! Don’t doubt eksena!
And enough of that! Let’s stop our dispute and remain friends!

Spell the death of you?????? Po, your creative language ability is ever improving! You challenge my language skills already and I am a native English speaker! Perhaps it is time for you to begin your assault on spoken English.
Do you have the opportunity to watch English language television in Vladivostok? How about purchasing or borrowing some language DVD's maybe from the library? I know you think Skype will help you...perhaps it will!
Keep plugging forward!

Oh! It's wonderful! I do love the show! The humour is so great!

My favourite LOL

There is so much we can learn from TV. It's a window on the world.
Stephen Fry
For example, we can learn about languages))))

Exena, can I say my own opinion? All of us are here ( I mean Rapid Steps) to take the opportunity to associate with pleaser. I, for example, cannot understand spoken English, but I strive for next level in my education. Your discuss very interesting I think. I have several channels in English ( you gave us really good advice to watch TV), sometime I trying to hear and understand there speech. But I live in a small town and i have not necessary to use English language in present.I also understand that is not good for me.

I would like to take part in your own discuss in future. :)))

Sure, little_baby, you are free to express your opinion :)

The only thing I would object to is that living anywhere makes us different :) Actually, it's we that can alter the place not the place altering us :)

What I mean to say here is that it doesn't really matter where you live (especially now, with the Internet available everywhere), it's your will/desire/intention to master your language that matters.

You are taking part in this discussion already :) Please, keep it going on :) You are most welcome ))

My ears are accustomed to American English because of everyday communication. And now British variant is quite odd to me, its sounds funny haha

I am in love with both :) (AE&BrE)

British and Australian English once seemed odd to me, ncc ; but, after traveling and developing friends from around the world, I have come to the realization that English is a vast language with many variations to learn and use, both written and spoken. I try to use whichever variant communicates best in a given situation. I am going to admit to you that I am a bit of a chameleon; I often switch accents and change vocabulary to adapt to my peer group, whatever or wherever that group might be. I think this is great sport , to be able to use the infinitely expressive English language to one's best advantage in any situation. Mind you though, there is a vast pool of English language nuances for each of us to learn and master! I am still working on it!