Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
Yeah, I agree; native English speakers are actually often worse at English grammar than non-native speakers. It's pretty shocking, really. I have no doubt that you speak better English than a fair number of native English speakers.
it's because it is hardly ever taught as a subject any longer! They mainly care if you can read. Grammar and spelling are no longer taught. It is read, read, read.

Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
The other thing for people to be aware of: English people are practically disappointed if someone comes from continental Europe and doesn't have a noticable accent! It took quite a while until I realised this. Earlier I had thought that I had to get rid of all traces of my accent, and I worked quite hard on it, very nearly succeeding (would have used succeeded). But there is no real benefit to it in England. The only benefit that I can see is not always having to answer the question "where do you come from?".


And unfortunately school books in English doesn't don't tell people how to be "polite" according to English standards. I could rant on about this for a very long time!!!
LOL