Language learning involves attention to detail. We have all interacted with people who have half-learnt our language, and when they speak or write at times the 'connection' is lost entirely. Half-learners gabble, say confusing things, experience major interference with their native language and make the same mistakes all the time. It can be tiring, even annoying to converse with them. And often they don't realise or do anything about it. At the present time I am involved in several situations which require attention-to-detail language learning and teaching. I thought it would be worthwhile sharing some things I am learning. 1. Always go back and check things. Even if you are certain you have written or said it right. I have worked long enough as a translator to know that mistakes creep in and can be overlooked. A completed translation would require at least three start-to-finish read-throughs and checks. Language learning would be much the same. 2. Find objective w...