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Hello Everyone,

My name is Eric and I joined the forum in my search for more info about living and working in Russia.
Best wishes,
ECR844

Hi Eric!

Best of luck!

...as we so often say in the course of our work.
Welcome.
I'm sure that, as teachers and fellow travelers (in more than one sense) there are many here who will answer any questions we can. Do ask.

But please make sure that you also come back and read the answers - I would hate to be adding you to our "Where are you now board?" very soon in the future....

Cairo: (I apologise in advance for the foreshortened overfamiliarity) I see you profess to be from the UK..

....Why then can't you spell 'properly' (as in 'traveled') - Do you also (Heavens above!! use "aluminum", as well?..

What year is it? Who is the president?... etc, etc

it's my barfday, I'm drunk, and laughing at anything in the least bit amusing (and trying very hard to hit the right keys )

More entertainment coming v.v. soon - stay tuned folks!

....Why then can't you spell 'properly' (as in 'traveled') - Do you also (Heavens above!! use "aluminum", as well?..

My Russian computer thinks it is American, unless I remember to remind it that it is Russian and talking English as she should be spoke.

Joke taken as read, but I'll insert a serious point that has bothered me about the attitudes of some:
US English is not 'wrong', British English is no more 'proper' (or vice-versa) as I am always keen to assure my students. They will be dealing with 'English' in more forms than that, perhaps. It can be confusing for students who have become used to one form and worrying that they are now paying for 'expert' advice that goes against what they 'know to be right'.
I teach standard British English to peolpe who have learned, say, standard American English along with some pretty non-standard stuff. The latter I will correct (if actually wrong) or at least point out as non-standard, but I don't object to American accents, terms, spelling or phrasing. If they are at least aware of both form this can only be a good thing. It is encouraging, in a way, when my students pick me up on Americanisms and non-standard expressions they hear me use. Perhaps they have been listening after all.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Robert!

Thanks for recognising and taking my post in the spirit that it was intended, Cairo

I totally agree - everyone has their own style and way of speaking and I, as a teacher, accept this and have no problem with it. If a non-native learner speaks with a strong American-style accent and uses American grammar and spelling... What the hell! As long as such usage doesn't get in the way of communication and is relatively consistent, it doesn't really matter. If someone uses 'kindergarden' instead of 'nursery' - I am not that concerned as long as everybody else understands what it means. Incidentally, it seems to me that the word 'kindergarten' is probably more widely recognised globally now - and originally came from German anyway!!

What can be useful to students is pointing out British/American English equivalents so at least students know that they exist....

As we all know, English is a constantly changing language...