Hello. I'm Gill at www.engvid.com and today's
lesson is not really a lesson because we're doing something a little bit different. We're
having an interview with someone I know who has come to the UK from another country and
is living and working here. So, I'd like to introduce Kamila, and we're going to ask
her some questions about her experience of coming to the UK and living here. So, let's get
started. So, Kamila, thank you for coming. Thank you for having me. It's lovely to see you. You're very welcome.
Thank you. And so, would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself, where you're
from, how you came to decide to come to the UK? Yes, so my name is Kamila. I come from Poland.
So my first language is Polish. Before I arrived in the UK I have lived in Warsaw for a couple
of years. And so I worked there for a bank for over seven years in corporate banking as
Product Manager. And here in London I work for a fintech startup. I'm a credit analyst
of small companies. I really like my job. I enjoy it. There is a lot going on there.
My company is still developing, so I also have opportunities to
develop in diverse areas. Okay. So yeah, I'm really
happy to be part of it. Oh, that's good. So, lovely. So,
"fintech", that means financial...? Financial and technology. Finance and technology. Yes, exactly. Used together for... Yes, exactly. Financial, for funding. Yeah, because... Yeah, exactly. Because we
lend money for small companies, but making our credit decisions we use a lot of technology.
We use some algorithms and so on, so that's why fintech. Okay, lovely. So, have you always spoken English?
When did you first start to learn English in your life? Yeah, so I learned English in high school and
during my studies. Also after I finished my education I attended some English lessons
in Poland where I was working there. And so I felt that I understood quite a lot, but I
had a fear of speaking because I think that in my opinion teachers put a lot of pressure
on grammar, which is good of course, but there is... Because of that there is a little time
for practicing speaking, so a lot of people fear of speaking. They don't feel confident
enough to speak. Yeah, and that was also my case. Yes. I think I experienced the same when I was
at school. It was... A lot of it was based on written, and
reading and writing. Yes, exactly. And exams, writing
exams and the tests. Yes, exactly. So... So... So since then, do you feel that
you...? Was it when you came to the UK that you started getting more
practice at speaking? Yes, exactly. So, I feel that since I arrived
here in the UK my English language skills have improved. I feel more confident. So,
yeah, I decided that first couple month I would work on my English, so I read lots of
newspapers, I watched some TV programs, I watched some TV series with subtitles, and I
also attended private English lessons with great teacher. Oh. [Laughter] Who has also helped me not only to improve
my spoken English, but also to... It gave me some insight into English culture and politics
sometimes, and everyday life, and things to see in London, so I really enjoyed that and
I would recommend it to everyone who... Yeah. Is thinking about moving
to UK, for example. Yeah, so I remember we... We've had a lot of very
interesting conversations about English politics. Yeah. And about the culture and
different types of food. Yeah, yeah. And all of that. Yes, exactly. So... So, did you ever come to the UK for
a holiday before you came to live here? Yeah, so it's a funny story because the first
school trip abroad I took part in was to London, I was 11 years old, but I can still recall
some memories from this trip. For example, my first impression was that there were lots
of people walking along the pavement, so it was really crowded. And also I saw a lot of
people very smart dressed and it was a really big surprise for me because then I lived in
small city, so you know, that smart clothes were designed for some special occasions,
like wedding or something, and here I saw a lot of people so smart,
like dressed up, so... Yes, being the capital city. Yeah. And where you come from, you're
not from Warsaw originally. Yes, exactly. I don't think, so
a smaller place. Yes, exactly. So that's why the
difference was so huge for me. Yes. Oh, wow. Oh. Yeah. So I also still have some photos and
souvenirs from that trip at my parents' home. I... But they are still, I think, available to
buy here, and they are quite popular. Like, this tin of candies in shape of red
public telephone or something. Oh yes, the red phone box. Yeah, yeah. Yes, with sweets inside. Yes. Yeah, exactly. So
I still have it. Oh, wow. Amazing. From that trip. Yeah. Yes, yes, they're very popular
souvenirs in the gift shops. Yes, exactly. Yes. Yeah, so this, yeah, was
my first time in London. Wow. And so when you came to London at the
age of 11, did you hear people talking and did you understand what
people were saying? No, I didn't think so. I
didn't understand at all. No. So maybe at 11 had you already
started studying English? No, no I didn't. Because at first I learned
German, and then I started English, so... Right, and I think between German and English,
there are some similarities, in vocabulary there are similar words. Yeah. So the German probably helped. Yes, exactly. It's easier when you learn one
language, then to learn another I think. Yes, yes, that's right. It's sort of...
It's good for the brain, isn't it? Yeah, exactly. To learn languages. The most difficult part is to
start I think, then it's easier. Yes, yes, that's right, and it's a very
gradual building process, isn't it? Yeah. With language, just building vocabulary,
understanding grammar, all of that. Yeah, and then speaking. And then speaking, that's right. So, when...
When you... When you came to the UK to live, what were your first impressions when you
first came and, you know, settled in? So I wouldn't say it was a shock, but my first
impression was that London is like a melting pot of different cultures, and languages,
and nationalities, so I think that London is so diverse that it's not very
hard to feel here like home. Right. So people are very nice and friendly, and
welcoming for foreigners. So, my husband and I are also members of FOCUS, this is an organization
made by expats for expats, and one of the first events we took part in was presentation
about Brits, and they recommended us one book entitled, Watching the English, so I also
read that book and it helped me to understand English culture, and it
helped me to avoid shock. Yes. So "Brits" is a sort of short word
for the British, the British people. Yeah, exactly. Brits, which is a sort
of slightly jokey... Yeah, exactly. Name for people who are from Britain,
so Brits, Watching the Brits. Yeah, exactly. But to be honest, I have to
admit that at first it was difficult because it was hard for me to understand what exactly
people were saying. Sometimes they were talking too fast for me... Yes. And I had this problem that when I didn't
understand single word in a sentence I didn't understand the whole sentence. Oh yes. So, yeah. But then I started
to watch some programs. Yes. And to read lots of newspapers,
and it started to improve. Yes. Oh, that's good because I think
watching the television with subtitles on... It helps. Is a very good idea. Yeah, exactly. I do that, too, because I don't always
hear what someone has just said. Yes, exactly. And sometimes you get some quite comic subtitles, they're not
quite right [WELL THESE SUBTITLES **ARE** QUITE RIGHT!!], and maybe it's a computer or something and the computer
has misheard what the person said, and it's something completely different. Especially
on the live news programs. Yes, exactly. But it's a very good way of hearing the words
and seeing them written at more or less the same time, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. I think... I think that it helped
me a lot. For example, I like BBC News because the speakers, they are... They speak very
carefully so it's easy to understand them. I think it's a
good way to start. Yes, yes, definitely. So, in London, of course,
as you say, there's a very wide diversity of people with all of them from different
backgrounds, different countries, so when you hear people speaking they will all have
different accents, even if they're speaking English... Yes, exactly. They will be speaking English
in lots of different accents. Yes, exactly. Did you find sometimes that someone's accent was
not very...? You know, it was more difficult to understand them? I think that Italian people have quite strong
accent that I met... I have already met a lot of them and they are quite good in English,
but they... Still, even if they have lived here for many, many years I think they have
still a very strong accent. I think also that it's easy to recognize Polish people because
our accent is quite strong also. But I think that very different is also accent of Indian
people, they are really good in English, but again, the accent I think
it's quite strong. Yes. Yes. Yes. So... So, London is,
as you say, a melting pot really. Yeah, exactly. So... And... And what about just the general
culture, things like the weather, the food? So, for me I was quite surprised because I
expected more rain, but it hasn't been raining so far a lot. So I had this impression that
last year it was raining more in Poland than in London, so I'm really happy about that.
So it's funny because when we resigned from our job in Warsaw, my husband
got as a gift an umbrella. Ah, I've heard of other people from Poland
being given an umbrella as a gift before they came to the UK. Yes, exactly. As a joke. Yeah, exactly. That's interesting. Everybody... When people think of London,
they think of rain and fog, and so on. But it's not so... So bad. The
weather is quite nice here. So you think the rainfall level in London
is lower, actually, than it is in Poland? Yes. Definitely last year
it was lower, but yeah. Oh. [Laughter] Yeah, so weather is not so bad. No. I'm sure that umbrella
has come in use, though. Yes. It's been well used
probably by now. Yeah, we have used it couple times,
but not so many, so I'm happy. Yes. That's good, that's good. And what about
food, is there any difference between food in Poland and the food here? So, I think that here is big variety of food
available, for example, in big shops there's a lot of food because there's a lot of people
from other countries, so they are looking to buy something they know from their countries.
So, yes, especially parts with vegetables and fruits, for example, are very huge, and
you can buy different vegetables from China, India, and so on. So for me it was really
interesting, and it's also very nice that you can go to different restaurants here with
the different cuisine. I like very Indian food, for example, so there is also a lot
of Indian restaurants here in London. Yes, yes. So, yeah. So, do you have a favourite one? Yes I have. I have to admit that. Oh no, I
shouldn't say that. But yeah, my husband and I, we have our favourite Indian restaurant, it
is called Dishoom, it's... Yeah. The ambience there is really nice, but the food is really
good, and the service is very patient and friendly. Yeah. Oh. Oh, that's nice. And what about...? I
think... Are you vege-...? Am I right, you're vegetarian? Yes. But your husband isn't? Yes, yes I am. But there are a big variety of
food there, so everybody will find something, food like meat or some
seafood, or something. Yes, oh, that's good. It's really nice. That sounds great. That's lovely. So, is there
anything about the English language or the culture that you still find difficult? Do you
still feel you're struggling with anything? In my opinion quite difficult are phrasal
verbs because it's not easy to remember all of them with their meaning,
like for example... No. There are so many. Yeah. "Get in", "get on", "get
out", "get off", "get together". Yes. "Get through",
"get around". Yeah, exactly. Yes. So it would be easier to have
separate words for their meanings. Yes, yes. But yeah, I think it's quite difficult. But
also, interesting but sometimes confusing can be to use some sayings because, for example,
they have the same meaning but you have to use different words to make them, like for
example, like: "Two peas in a pod", translating it directly from Polish into English, it would
be like: "Two drops of water", so there's a difference. So I think it can enrich
your language, spoken language. Yes, yes. But yeah, you have
to be careful. Yes. So sometimes an idiom in one
language, it may directly translate. Yes, yes, probably
there are some. Other times it's a different,
a different image. Yes, exactly. So instead of drops of water, peas...
Peas in a pod. Yeah, exactly. So, okay. Oh, that's interesting. Yes. So,
yes, and phrasal verbs, of course there are hundreds. And whenever you put a different
preposition with the verb it changes the meaning, and even some phrasal verbs can have two completely
different meanings, the same phrasal verb. Yes, exactly. Like: "to overlook", "overlook" is either not
to notice something or to supervise something, so it's completely the opposite.
You know? Yeah, exactly. So it's weird. So that's English, you know.
So... So what... What sort of advice would you give someone who...? Someone who may be
watching who's in another country, and they're learning English through engVid, and they're
working really hard and they're thinking maybe of coming to the UK to live and work or study
- is there any sort of advice that you'd give them? I would say: Go for it. Okay. Take your chance. Yes. So, yeah, I think that living in a country
where people talk this language every day and you have the opportunity to use this language
on everyday basis, it's the greatest way of learning it. You don't feel like you'll learn,
but it's... By the way, you learn something every day, watching TV, or talking with
people, just talking with people, so... Yes. It's really... It's easier to learn when you live
there. And so, yeah, I think at the beginning especially it could be difficult if you're
not perfect in English, but yeah, I think it's a very good idea because after a
while you will start to see improvement. Yes. And you will get satisfaction out of it,
and yeah, I think it's a great idea. Okay. So, just go for it, and come and absorb
the language, and you don't even notice perhaps sometimes. Yeah, exactly. That you're improving, but you
are because it's so gradual. Yes, exactly. So, okay. Well, thank you very much, Kamila,
that's been really interesting. Thank you for coming. Thank you. And we wish you all the best with your ongoing
stay here and your life here, and your work and everything. So thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Kamila
