Introducing Juan Antonio!

Hi people! My name is Juan Antonio and I suppose I'm the laziest and shyest student that (1) ever Graham had . But he was kind enough to offer me the opportunity to write something about me. I couldn't refuse his offer. (2)Ask about to him...

I was born in Madrid, the best capital of Europe. If you don't think so, how can you explain all these foreigners that come to Madrid just to teach us English? Even when they “do miss the Italian food.” Oohh Mamma mia! With the   kitchens that we have in Spain. It's a pity that they don't have a Spanish mother to teach them to eat all our marvellous food; like I did.

This is why I love Spanish food and I miss it (4) the most of the times that I travel around the world. When you are more than 4 days eating the same foreign food, all the meals have the same taste. Don’t you think so? Even in India or Turkey, where I ate the most (5) original and made food, a long way from Spain.

Thank God, in ten days I travel to Japan. And (6) I wish I could try a new world of flavours as well as sushi, sashimi and misho soup. I think they have lots of (7) fishes and spices than we don't know in Europe. Have you ever been (8) in Japan? What can't I miss in this far-off country?

So, if I could write these absurd (9) thinkings. (10) Don't bother about and tell me (11) what do you think about Italian food, foreigners, travels, our amazing teacher or whatever. (12) Always will be (13) better that the teachers' stories of grammar and vocabulary. Please!

This is how Juan introduces himself, along with a photo that he sent me. Can you spot any mistakes? I have indicated them with the numbers in brackets. Look at the comments to find the answers.

How about introducing yourself to Juan and starting up a dialogue in order to find out more about each other? Do you agree with his comments about foreign food?

Comments

Graham said…
(1) I'm the laziest and shyest student that Graham has ever had. ("the laziest" for sure, but I'm not so sure about " the shyest"!)

(2)Ask him about it. (to ask someone about someting)

(3)cuisine (kitchen is only where you do the cooking)

(4)I miss it on most occassions that I travel around the world. (see http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=380762 )

(5) traditional/authentic (I'm not sure what you mean by "made")

(6)If you are referring to your future trip to Japan, I think you mean to say: I hope to taste....
(this means that there is a possibility to do so)
When you say " I wish I could.."; this means that there isn't a possibility.

(7)The plural of fish is.... fish! The singular and the plural are the same! My goldfish(sing) IS happy but fish(pl)ARE happier living in the sea. The same goes for sheep and deer.

Which reminds me of an ancient (and unfunny joke)...

Peter: What do you call a deer with no eyes?
John: No idea!
Peter: Correct!

Do you get it?

(8)Have you ever been TO Japan?

(9)thoughts

(10) Don't worry about telling me what (11) you think of...
(10)If you say "don't bother telling", this means "don't make the effort" ; I don't think you mean to say that!
(11) You don't use "do" here because it is an indirect statement and not a direct question.

(12)It will always be (13) better than...
(12) Don't forget the subject!
(13) comparitive + than (not "that")

13! Lucky for some! Nevertheless, an excellent effort, Juanito!
Sonia said…
Hi Juan Antonio!
My name is Sonia and I have got a brother called like you. Now, Graham is the English´s teacher in my company. He has been working a lot in this blog for students and I´ll try to make some comments because I think it´s worth it!.
I was born in Madrid, too and I don´t know if it´s the best town because I haven´t never lived in any one else, but it´s very probably.
I love Spanish food and I agree with you it´s the best of Europe next to French cuisine. I haven´t got problems with the foreing food because I don´t travel a lot like you. My last travel abroad was in 1996 to Sri Lanka and Maldivas Islands. Right now, I know that the paradise exist!.
Graham don´t like the seafood. Imagine, he don´t know that he loses it!.I like it very much.
I trink all foreigners come to Madrid to teach English because it´s fashion, the weather is good, there are many friendly people here and the life is straightforward.
Graham said…
You will be lucky if Juan Antonio reads this Sonia, but I will let him know that you have written a reply.

"My name is Sonia and I have got a brother WITH THE SAME NAME AS YOU. Now, Graham is the ENGLISH teacher in my company. He has been working a lot in this blog for students and I´ll try to make some comments because I think it´s worth it!.

I was born in Madrid too BUT I don´t know if it´s the best CITY because I HAVE NEVER lived ANYWHERE else. It VERY PROBABLY IS.

I love Spanish food and I agree with you THAT it´s the best of Europe ALONG WITH French cuisine. I haven´t got problems with FOREIGN food because I don´t travel a lot like you. My last TRIP abroad was in 1996 to Sri Lanka and Maldivas Islands. Right now, I know that PARADISE existS!.
Graham DOESN'T like SEAFOOD. Imagine, he DOESNT KNOW WHAT HE IS MISSING.I like it very much.

I think all foreigners come to Madrid to teach English because it´s TRENDY, the weather is good, there are many friendly people here and the life is straightforward."