Answers
Jul 07, 2014 - 02:57 PM
My 2 cents worth is that she's doing it right. When my kids were little, I corrected them all the time in order to speak properly. Especially correct word usage. If you aren't saying what you are supposed to be saying, then you should be corrected. After all, you don't want to tell your mom she looks like an elephant when you meant to say she looks nice. (highly exaggerated) When you are talking with your mom in German, right now you are doing it to learn German (first) and to have a conversation (second). The conversation is the tool to help learn the German language. As such, you need to understand that you are going to need correction very often now, but with time correction won't occur as often. So when you talk to her, have the expectation that she's going to correct you. Otherwise, if you don't want to be corrected, I'm sure she doesn't want to hear you say things that make no sense or wrong. I will also say that she is most likely very excited to have you learn German and she wants to help you learn it quickly and well. My advice, get over being told that what your saying is wrong and be a sponge and absorb everything that she's telling you. After all, she's right. :)
Jul 08, 2014 - 07:31 AM
I think it depends on your level whether she should correct everything you say. If you are just working on using the language in fluency then it is better to not correct every single error. I teach English as a second language and there is a time and place for avid correcting, but when working on improving fluency then your brain needs to practice getting quicker at the grammatical structure and finding the vocabulary. I think as your fluency improves then the corrections will be welcomed because you will want to make those little changes to perfect the language. Maybe just be clear with her on what your goal is in the conversation beforehand so she can know when you want her to correct the errors or just help you with speed and being understood.
Jul 08, 2014 - 12:30 PM
Thanks to both of you for your opinions. I appreciate it!