Pronunciation errors
I was having a lot travel with that.Travel was supposed to be trouble. (Korean).
That is totally unaccessible - supposed to be unacceptable. (Japanese).
He works for a sipping company - supposed to a Shipping company. (Chinese).
In a pleasant setting the student said (or we heard) - I am so angry - but he wanted to say hungry. (Mali)
I need to make a plane - but she meant to say plan. (Poland)
We need to think Alice - but wanted to say thank Alice. (Mexico)
These are really good eggrolls but wanted to say apples. This could have worked as both are food, but we were reading and the book said apples. (an Eggroll is a type of Chinese food)
I really love lobsters - we heard: I really love love stories. (Russian)
Lab, love, lob, rub, rob - (Japanese) but many other students had lot's of trouble.
Did you see the movie champagne - student meant to say did you see the movie with Sean Penn. (Chinese)
You shouldn't be a tourist - My reply - why ? Student looked very baffled, said the word again and we came to see he meant to say terrorist. Now it's obvious why he had such a strange look...
Usage Mistakes
When playing cards or a game alone - if someone asks you what are you doing now ?
You shouldn't say : " I am playing with myself".
That phrase "playing with myself" to native speakers means self directed sexual satisfaction.
Instead you should say : I am playing some games alone.
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Do you know the difference between:
1) I study hard. 2) It is hard to study. 3) I hardly study.
They are very very different :
1) means I really study a lot - I am very serious about my studies.
2) means I really can't concentrate, or succeed in my studies. I am not making progress. It's very difficult.
3) means - I really don't study. When you say hardly something - you are saying you really don't do it a lot.
For example - I hardly eat out, or I hardly watch t.v., or I hardly play tennis.
Funny mistakes students have made 