At 14, I received my first English lessons from my dear Father.
Soon, I began to spend most of my time doing just what I liked most:
listening to American pop songs, and writing all the lyrics from my favorite singers, like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, among others.
Fully energized and constantly motivated, I used to go to the movies at least once a week to watch American films.
- Whenever I could, I sat in the first row on the balcony.
- And positioned myself so that the subtitles were blocked from my view.
- I was determined to advance my English comprehension.
- So, blocking the subtitles was the way to watch films!
By following my own intuition and adopting my own way of learning, I felt much more stimulated to go on.
Although I didn’t know it then, I was naturally building the foundation for my Approach for studying and practicing foreign languages, The Intensive Language Practice.
The Escape From Phonetics Fanatics
To this day, the simple mention of phonetics instantly teleports me to the world of My Fair Lady, based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.
I see myself as a male reincarnation of Eliza Doolittle ( Audrey Hepburn ), being submitted to endless sessions of English phonetics by the most relentless perfectionist in the world.
That’s how I remember the indefatigable and unwavering Professor Henry Higgins. Masterfully interpreted by Sir Rex Harrison.