Some of you may not know this but English isn’t my first language. French isn’t my first language either. I was born in Haiti so my first spoken language is Haitian Creole. When I was in French school I barely passed. I really didn’t enjoy it at all. in 1997, my sister and I got shipped to Florida to live with my uncle. That was a big life change for us. The most English I knew was “Hi!”, “I love you” and “goodnight”…Thanks! Dad!
Learning English
So you can imagine how hard it was for a 13-year-old to learn a new language. Surprisingly enough, we were very fast learners (my sister and me). We moved to Florida end of around July and it took use about 3 months to learn English. I have Barney to thank for this. We spend a lot of time watching that show with subtitles.
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I also started to keep a diary. Back then I had a lot of teenage angst. I think keeping a diary helped a lot with my English. I no longer hated school! English class was one of my favorite class in school. I think that is one of the reasons I really enjoy blogging. I love writing!
Grammarly to the rescue
Now, I’m not a grammar police. But let’s be real, you don’t have to be a grammar police to cringe when you see common mistakes such as “your and you’re”. Which is why I think Grammarly is a must for bloggers. It’s a must for everyone actually. I recently downloaded the extension on Google Chrome and I love it! You can also download the app directly on your desktop too!
Grammarly is great for anyone looking to get better in their writing craft. It’s like your very own little proofreader. Did I mention it is free?
Check it out and let me know what you all think.
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I do take my grammar seriously and while I don’t correct people I do in my head lol. English is a difficult language to learn!
Heather recently posted…Make it gourmet every day
Grammar is serious business, especially in the English language. I’m so glad it’s my first language. I can’t imagine having to learn such a complicated mess of a language as a second.
I sometimes cringe when I see people making the common mistakes – especially when I have sat and heard them rant about others doing it. This sounds like a great resource to have. I am homeschooling my youngest son and this would be something that might help boost his grammar skills.
English is also not my first language and I admit that my grammar isn’t perfect. I love using grammarly.
This sounds like a great program and tool for bloggers. I will make sure that I check it out.
I think Haitian Creole is one of the most beautiful languages ever!
It’s awesome that you’ve grown to love blogging in English so much. Grammarly sounds like a really helpful tool!
I should check it out. I have never been good when it comes to spelling.
I can not imagine how hard it would be to learn English. We are a confusing bunch with our slang and strange words! I would love to pick up a second language but I’m not sure what…
Wow I never would have known english wasn’t your first language! That is really cool, I’m a stickler for spelling but sometimes I make mistakes – however some things really annoy me when people say “i seen that” or something simple like the your and you’re. Drives me nuts. I’ve heard a lot about grammarly I haven’t checked it out though, I should!
I understand grammatical flubs when English is a person’s second language. What I can’t stand is people who grow up with English and still misuse the words your, you’re, they’re, their, and there. Drives me nuts!
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I know several people who came to the US from Puerto Rico and Mexico that also learned English by watch tv with subtitles. English is my first language and I’ve heard from so many that it’s the hardest language to learn if it’s not your first language, but I don’t know if I could teach myself another language by watching tv with subtitles. I give all of you lots of credit for your hard work!
I have heard of it, but never tried it! I am terrible with grammar and english IS my first language! I need to download this to my computer!
I am always asking online if anyone knows how to make something plural or how to make a sentence less like a super run on sentence. And I always tip my hat to anyone that can write well in a language that wasnt their first especially when English is so weird with all its rules.
Kat Balog recently posted…Giving Back to my Cats with Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend
I am the grammar police. Even when sending text messages or when on Facebook, I hate to read poorly written words.
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English is not my first language either! Grammarly was so helpful, I recommend it to everyone!
Marina @ Parental Journey recently posted…Best Quotes For Parents That You Will Want To Teach Your Kids
I will have to check this out! Proofreading is so important. I really wish I could speak more than one language.
Grammarly is a great tool for bloggers. English is not my first language and having this helps me a lot.
OurFamilyWorld recently posted…DIY Mother’s Day Gift: A MOM Painted Canvas She’ll Love
We are on the same page. I was born and raised in the Philippinbes but we do use English in school where I previously worked. It doesn’t show that English is not your main language though so great job!
Chubskulit Rose recently posted…4 American Cities With European Vibes
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for you to be thrust into a new situation like that. I use Grammarly often and love it.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…Flourless Chocolate Macadamia Nut Espresso Cake
I have such respect for people who know more than one language. It shows so much intelligence and confidence. It is my goal to learn French one day….and then use it on a trip to Paris!
Amanda recently posted…Banish Boredom with Pearachute
I use Grammarly for everything. it is great to help get the wording right
Jennifer recently posted…3 Gym Bag Essentials I Take With Me When I Workout
English can be a hard language to learn. This sounds like a great app to try. I will have to share this with a friend of mine. Her Mom is trying to learn English.
English is not my first language either, but English is a subject that is taught in our schools back home. But I do still get confused with my grammar sometimes. Gotta be honest about that. Going to check grammarly for sure! 🙂
Well I knew it wasn’t your first language but always thought that you had to pay for Grammarly. Oh how I wish more bloggers would use it. It drives me nuts reading some bloggers post. The words they misuse, you would think that English wasn’t their first language.
Amanda || Growing Up Madison recently posted…Meet the Royals at Madame Tussauds London
I’ve heard that learning English is super difficult if it’s not your first language, so kudos for doing it!
I’m currently learning French, and it’s difficult too, but not as difficult as I’ve heard English is. I love hearing your language story, thanks for sharing!
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I love hearing other people speak in their native language or even people who know more than one language. I have always wanted to learn another language.
I speak 4 languages fluently, English is not my mother language, but I can tell you as a teacher, all languages are hard, but we all have the ability to learn! That’s the beauty of it! The mistakes are part of any growth process!
I speak languages fluently, English is not my mother language, but I can tell you as a teacher, all languages are hard, but we all have the ability to learn! That’s the beauty of it! The mistakes are part of any growth process!
I used grammerly for a little while, but had to switch to something else because it made my page jump around when j was on certain websites. I definitely recommend a thing that helps you write a good sentence though. Some people lack this common skill.
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I think including me, many I know, does not have English as the first language as native language is different. But honestly learning it has been so easy for me when I stepped in. The stuff like Grammarly would be a great resource as well for bloggers.
Omg girl you speak and write better English than me! English is my only language and omg… I can’t even speak it correctly lol
When I worked a customer service line for a bank I was able to hear so many beautiful languages. I would be intercepted with an interpreter for them and this one of my favorites with how it flowed.
I’ve always heard English is the most challenging language to learn, but honestly, I’d have never guessed that it wasn’t your first language. You’re really, really good at it! 🙂
English is my first language but I still feel like I have so much to learn. My grammar sucks at times… Have no idea how I became a blogger. lol but good on you! 🙂
ohhh ill def be checking that out! I am 31 and I still have the urge to learn new languages esp Spanish but I have no idea what is the best way to go. English is hard to learn but good job doing it!
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I didn’t know that you lived in Florida for a little while! How exciting. I am glad to see that you have mastered a new language!
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I did! For 7 years actually. Miss living there because that is where my family is.