Search from various English teachers...
Japan flagTomo
"Sorry?" I have some foreign friends. And I always enjoy conversation with them. But I often stop it with a word "sorry?" because I can't understand what they said at once. I have to listen carefully again. I'm not good at hearing English and I can't understand fast English. Do they feel impatient with me?

Corrections · 8

0

"Sorry?"

I have some foreign friends and I always enjoy having a conversation with them
However, (it sounds better to start a sentence with 'however' instead of 'but') I often stop it with a word 'sorry?' because I can't understand what they say at the first time. I have to listen carefully again.
I'm not good at listening in English (or: my listening skills are not so good) and I can't understand English being spoken fast.
Do they feel impatient with me?


I don't know if they're impatient or not, it depends on a person, but in general people rarely mind learners speaking slowly. Foreigners usually understand that it takes effort for you to speak in their language. I am sure you will get better with time, Tomo! :d

0
Yes, you should be honest! Say "I'm sorry, can you speak slower please? I am having trouble understanding you." A native speaker will feel very happy to help you by speaking slower and will think you are being VERY polite! People understand learning a new language is difficult, and if you are honest they will not feel impatient with you! To improve your listening skills you can try listening to English radio online! Here are some Canadian radio streams: http://www.cbc.ca/player/radio#Radio1 Radio 1 is all talk. Radio 2 is music. I'm not sure what's on Radio 3! You need "Flash" to listen to the streams. Flash is built into Google Chrome (web browser). Good luck!
0
Thank you for your comment. I think so too. It's important to add "slower please?".
0
I'm sure they aren't upset with you. Maybe you could add "slower, please?" as it's clearer. You could be saying "sorry" for anything after all.
0
Right. When I say them 'sorry?' They always talk me more slowly and change sentence to easier one indeed. But I'm still sorry to them. I wanna improve my English! Thank you for your comment !

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