Learning English

Ken Hoffman:

Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola grew up in Argentina and began playing pro basketball at age 15. He moved to Spain at 18 and played nine years in the Spanish pro league.

When he arrived in Houston three years ago, he already spoke excellent English. How did that happen?

Friends helped him.

“When I was in Spain, I became a big fan of the TV show Friends. I watched tapes over and over. I would get tapes that were a few years after they ran in America, but that's how I learned English,” Scola said.

...

Getting by with a little help from his Friends? It is a good idea. It is another form of English immersion that speeds the learning process. Parents of kids who are not proficient in English should give it a try. It could save them a lot of grief in school.