A city without power.
We had been without power for nearly a day and a half (like much of Algeria) when the men in my neighborhood broke. Refrigerators were stocked with spoiling Ramadhan delicacies, and after a full day of heat – with little respite – the men set up a road block that stretched across the freeway which borders our property. These vigilantes lit a fire after iftar, and the sky filled with pale billows as the post-dinner traffic piled up. As soon as the drivers realized there was no exit they began to leave their vehicles and walk towards the disturbance, in a futile effort to find the source of the congestion and continue into Algiers.
Nothing doing.
But with the prospect of another sweat-drenched night firmly in their minds, the protesters would not yield. So, what does a reasonable Algeria driver do when the freeway he/she is traveling on becomes impassible – or even slightly inconvenient? Said Algerian turns around and goes the wrong way in order to find a better, alternative route! And it’s this persistence, this willingness to try something else when the first effort isn’t working, which are the hallmark characteristics of the successful English-language learner.
I know, from countless conversations with both English students and fellow English teachers that one of the main road blocks to learning English within the confines of Algeria is that there are few chances for Algerians to use their budding English skills. But. without practice, how is one supposed to learn to speak?
And again, I have encountered many Algerians who speak beautiful English – with excellent pronunciation, intonation and perfect stress, masha’Allah. When I have asked these fluent Algerian English speakers how, without conventional opportunities to develop their speaking skills, they have acquired such excellent English, I am frequently told that they speak to themselves in the mirror.
What an excellent idea! Granted, your family members might think you are a little strange, but when you are in the bathroom next time – give it a try. Just turn on the water to drown out the sound if you feel shy – but then try a few sentences or phrases – or maybe a word that’s always been difficult for you and my guess is, like these other Algerian English speakers, you will notice (with regular practice) a real improvement in your speaking ability, insha’Allah. So, if you run into the roadblock of no chance to speak English, don’t despair! Just create your own opportunities – take another (and perhaps better) route.
And in that spirit – the spirit of finding another path – this poem, which has long been one of my favorites:
BY ROBERT FROST