A little laughter can 
lighten up language lessons 

Hosting a foreign exchange student certainly is all it’s cracked up to be. The enhanced appreciation of ethnic differences, the deepened understanding of cross-cultural relationships, the heightened sensitivity to foreign consciousness and such higher level thinking stuff are all part of it. But then there’s the lighter side. Hosting a foreign student can also make you crack up.

Take our experience with Jan, a French student who spent the summer with us when our three boys were young. Within a few days, despite their age differences, it became quite clear that with certain bodily functions, male humor is universal. OK, enough said about that.

Jan gave us tape with French rap music, which in and of itself sounded funny. “I can’t wait to take this to my French class,” our oldest son said. Jan quickly warned him, “No! Don’t! Your teacher will NOT find it funny.” (I guess if you give your teacher a “bad rap” the old cliché, “Pardon my French” just won’t cut it.)

But the most valuable exchanges dealt with the clarification of catchphrases and pronunciations.

One time as I was taking burnt burgers off the grill, my husband said, “Well, as my grandmother always said, when it’s black, it’s done.” (Yes, French chef Paul Prudhomme may have popularized blackened food, but in our family, it’s been around for ages.).

The day before he left, Jan asked my husband, “Is that an American saying or just your grandmother’s saying?” My husband made it clear that it was an “inside joke,” but a year later, Jan’s mother wrote to tell me how many times Jan cracked people up with that one liner halfway around the world.

One time our boys were explaining to Jan the geographic origins of team names. Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers. Pittsburgh Steelers. Orlando Juice. 

“I don’t get the one about Orlando,” Jan said. 

“Florida is famous for orange juice,” our youngest said.

“Orange? Are they really orange?” Jan went on.

My son took a carton of orange juice out of the refrigerator. 

“Oh, now I get it!” Jan exclaimed. “I thought you were saying Orlando Jews.” (Hmmm. Makes one wonder how many other misunderstandings circle the globe not as a result of poorly chosen words, but rather poorly pronounced ones.)

Opportunities abound for increasing understanding around the world as well as spreading good humor. Sue Craven, coordinator for Nacel, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting international understanding, is seeking host families for ten Chinese students, who will be visiting Gwinnett County from June 28 – July 25. (Actually only eight, since I’ve already claimed two of them.) The students bring their own spending money and have insurance coverage. All they want is a good American home where they can practice their English and get to know our culture. And maybe share a little laughter. For information call 770-544-8663. 

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