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#2 (permalink) Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:06 am Functional English |
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Hi Giovanni
If someone tells you that your English is functional, I would interpret that to mean that your English is good enough to successfully handle a variety of everyday situations. In other words, you can function in an English environment. You can do things such as make appointments, invite someone to a party, talk about your plans, explain a problem, answer questions, thank someone, fill out a form, write a check, etc. I would expect "functional English" to include all aspects of language: speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
If someone tells you that your English is "functional", you are not "perfect" in English. You are probably still making lots of mistakes, but the mistakes are usually not serious enough to prevent you from doing the things you want or need to do. . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#3 (permalink) Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:09 am Functional English |
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Hi,
Functonal can be used to describe a device or piece of equipment/machinery that serves a purpose and that's all. It has no other characteristics. You could describe a very ordinary car as 'functional' if it serves the purpose of getting you from one place to another and doesn't have any of the refinements of a very expensive car. If you use that to describe your knowledge of a foreign language, it shows that you know enough to be understood and understand others but it is not a very broad knowledge and you wouldn't be able to have a lengthy conversation using it. It is in other words 'adequate'.
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13891 Location: UK
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#4 (permalink) Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:46 am Functional English |
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. So-- how's your English, Giovanni? Is it functional? . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#5 (permalink) Fri Jul 27, 2007 15:40 pm Functional English |
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| Mister Micawber wrote: |
. So-- how's your English, Giovanni? Is it functional? . |
From Giovanni's post I can see that his English is rather functional to compete with native speakers. :wink: |
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Harry Smiith I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 112 Location: Moscow, Russia
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| I'm interested in 'graduate schools in the US' | Do you like to imitate accents? |