Thanks, Riddlemethis,

That was an interesting point you brought up about students doing better at English if they are learning in order to communicate with foreigners. When students tell me that they study English in order to communicate with foreigners, I'm often a bit sceptical and think that they're just giving superficial, party line answers. If that survey is true then I need to have a rethink. Thanks for sharing that. You're exposing the cynic in me. Those who tell me that they're studying because they want to COMMUNICATE with English-speaking foreigners in a WORK environment, usually impress me the most.

I hope everything works out for you in your new assignment. I sent you an e-mail today. I hope you're still using that address.

Yingwen