How much is enough -Xmas presents for a GC?

Just a hopeful PS to all this. I learn German with a group of adults, our mentor being a teacher of German for 40+ years. She has never once laughed at our mispronunciations, but always corrects and encourages us. As indeed do we not laugh or smirk or wink at other peoples' mistakes in pronunciation. Or grammar either for that matter. Idioms exist in all languages too, and whilst our rain comes down in cats and dogs, or stair rods, other languages have similar idioms. Italians know something like their pocket whereas our idiom is like the back of the hand, and so on.

Crikey I thought I'd posted to the wrong thread when I saw the title above. How on earth did we get here from grand childrens ' Christmas presents ?

Indeed Belladonna- how did we get there?

But I am sorry, you totally miss the point. No, I have never smirked or laughed at students for making mistakes- but we do agree to laugh together if we do. Totally different proposition. So many adults are terrified of making mistakes- my students are not... because of humour, together. The giggle and wink about 'genrE' is among ourselves- as they didn't understand the word when they first came across it pronounced that way- as musicians- so when we do (and there are no English present to be offended truly) - we smile- it's a little joke. The idioms- yes all languages have them- and translating them word for word- so that they become non-sensical in the target language- si fun for all. No mocking, no smirking- ever. Alea wants to keep attacking and distortind everything I say- for whatever reason. A shame, a pity, sad - c'est la vie, as we say in ... English. Back to subject.

I have so many of my ex students in the UK who are still in touch, write, phone, visit- that is wonderful. Some from 30+ years ago- it is a huge treat- and perhaps illustrate what an awful teacher I was- smirking and mocking (NOT).

Yes 32 presents is far to much, we all seem to agree on that. Brilliant.

Forgot, well done for learning German. Learning a language is a wonderful way to keep 'ze little grey cells' ticking. Bravo.