| Here's a phrase I came across recently: "learning | | | | would help them fit in. But is it learning English, or |
| English to fit in". What a strange expression! Is | | | | is it becoming confident with what they already |
| that really a motivation for learning English? What | | | | have? |
| does it mean to 'fit in' anyway? I suppose that | | | | Conversation classes might be a good start for |
| 'fitting in' is what we all strive for - to be | | | | these guys, after all they are living in an English |
| accepted, to become part of something, and | | | | speaking country, and there are plenty of |
| maybe if everyone else is speaking English then | | | | opportunities to get to know local students - |
| you could feel excluded. But where might this | | | | student socials, bars, sports clubs etc. |
| happen? Why might somebody find themselves in | | | | For the foreign businessman, 'fitting in' has |
| such a situation? Vacations? Maybe, but these | | | | different connotations: he is likely to be overseas |
| would mostly take place in a group or family | | | | for a short period - maybe only a few days (or |
| situation, and so there's a common language there | | | | hours even), with a very specific English task - |
| already. Someone holidaying alone one can | | | | 'fitting in' might mean understanding and taking |
| presume has the sense of adventure that would | | | | part in meetings and seminars, for example. |
| regard the lack of English as a challenge: all part of | | | | 'Fitting in' might be about feeling comfortable with |
| the fun - I would contend that this person would | | | | local services: hotels, taxis, stations and shops, for |
| learn English as they fitted in! | | | | example. For these individuals, learning English in an |
| There are two categories of people to whom the | | | | appropriate way (and there are several options, |
| phrase might be appropriate - the foreign student | | | | from private tuition to an English school at home |
| and the foreign businessman. The student may be | | | | or abroad) is essential to their top performance |
| in the situation of needing a social life - fed up of | | | | overseas for their company - 'fitting in' is as much |
| 24 hour studying written pages and word | | | | about getting the business deal done as it is about |
| processed reports - for him or her learning English | | | | social comfort. |