My first note on italki I don't have a habit of keeping a diary, but I don't know what else to write, so I'll try it as my first entry. I'd be happy if you would correct my English. Actually, it was

Search from various English teachers...

Reina

My first note on italki I don't have a habit of keeping a diary, but I don't know what else to write, so I'll try it as my first entry. I'd be happy if you would correct my English. Actually, it was not today it happened, but yesterday I came across a German friend of mine at the University. I haven't seen her since last December, so at first I didn't notice her, although she was waving her hand at me. Anyway, we talked for the first time in 4 months. After a small talk, she invited me to her birthday party. It was my honour to be invited indeed, what surprised me, however, it's held tomorrow (Wednesday)! I will be able to go since I have time, but I don't know what should I prepare for it. Actually, it's my first time to attend a birthday party in Germany. I believe that the German style is quite different from the Japanese one, which I know very well. What would suit as a present? How should I look like? Should I bring anything else? As a Japanese, I hesitate to ask directly the host about those questions. In Japan, "the host" is usually much "a guest" rather than "a sponsor." I don't want to talk about price of presents before I give it to her. Well, I think I'll buy Japanese tee or sweets, or something like that, as she likes Japan. But if you have any advise, please tell me :) I'll use as reference in the future. Thank you.

Corrections · 5

Well done, your entry was excellent. :)

You seem to be an advanced learner, so I have picked out some very minor pieces which will help you sound more natural and native-like. Anything taken out is in red, added words are in blue, and my comments are in green. Don't worry about the marks - I had to read through twice to even notice them!

My first note on italki

I don't have a habit of keeping a diary, but I don't know what else to write, so I'll try it as my first entry.

Actually, it was not today it happened, but yesterday I came across a German friend of mine at the University. I haven't seen her since last December, so at first I didn't (notice) recognise her (recognise is a more appropriate word choice here. you may have seen a person waving, but not known it was her immediately. You would notice that a person was there, however.), although she was waving (her hand) at me. (If you say "she was waving" it is assumed she is using her hand, so you don't need to say so unless it is something else.) Anyway, we talked for the first time in 4 months.
After a small (talk) chat (chat is a more natural word in this case), she invited me to her birthday party. It was my honour to be invited indeed, what surprised me, however, is that it's held tomorrow (Wednesday)! I will be able to go since I have time, but I don't know what should I prepare for it.
Actually, it's my first time (to attend) attending a birthday party in Germany. I believe that the German style is quite different from the Japanese one, which I know very well. What would suit as a present? ((How) What should I look like? ("What should I wear" would be a more native-sounding question) Should I bring anything else?
(As a Japanese person) (you could also say "Being Japanese" instead, if you wish), I (hesitate) am hesitant (Just a more natural way to say it)to ask the host directly (the host) (In this case "the host" comes before "directly") about those questions. In Japan, "the host" is usually much "a guest" rather than "a sponsor." I don't want to talk about the price of a present(s) before I give it to her.

Well, I think I'll buy Japanese (tee) tea or sweets, or something like that, as she likes Japan.
But if you have any advise, please tell me :)
I'll use as reference in the future.
Thank you.

I am not German, but I am sure she would love some tea or sweets.

That sounds nice :)

Daruma doll or any Japanese traditional things :)

Want to progress faster?

Join this learning community and try out free exercises!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!

Start Learning Today