Hello,

I am in Buenos Aires currently and I'm trying to decide if I should attend the World Congress here in a couple of months.

I read Esperanto moderately well but I have never spoken in, or listened much to spoken Esperanto. Therefore I am wondering how much I would get out of this conference if I attended it. And I don't really know what goes on at a World Congress.

Any advice for me? Thanks very much.

I'd go. You will be amazed at how quickly you progress from reading only to speaking. You won't understand everything but you will improve a lot in a short time (and there will surely be English speakers around to help you out if you have a problem). Not everyone there will be an experienced speaker. And the book service is a good place to check out lots of Esperanto books!

I would encourage you to attend as well. I was in a similar position when I attended my first Esperanto event - I had been studying and reading for a while but I'd never actually had a conversation. By the end of the week I was speaking pretty comfotably, and I certainly wasn't the only one who was surprised by their own progress over such a short time. And there's no substitute for an in-person stay in Espreantujo. It'll be great!

If you're concerned about listening comprehension and haven't listened to much spoken Esperanto, I'd encourage you to find some podcasts, shows, or audiobooks you like in the meantime. Many of them have transcripts you can use to read along with or to check your understanding.

raashby:Hello,

I am in Buenos Aires currently and I'm trying to decide if I should attend the World Congress here in a couple of months.

I read Esperanto moderately well but I have never spoken in, or listened much to spoken Esperanto. Therefore I am wondering how much I would get out of this conference if I attended it. And I don't really know what goes on at a World Congress.

Any advice for me? Thanks very much.

I would definitively go. In fact, my wife and I -who live in Buenos Aires- are going to attend the Congress, which will be our first one. I have spoken Esperanto since my twenties (I'm 56), but I have always stumbled on the 17th rule of the Fundamento, which says: "Wifes of esperantists do not speak Esperanto" , so this is my last shot.

On several occassions I have listened foreign Esperantists visiting our country, and I have neve experienced difficulties to understand people with no language in common with me other than Esperanto. Of course, conversations with fellow citizens do not count, since one could be influenced by familiarity with the stress and pronounciation of the mothertongue.

If you would like a sample experience before signing up to the UK and cashing out the fee, perhaps we could meet for a coffee at some bar and have a little conversation. I won't laugh at your Esperanto provided you promise not to laugh at my English (which I hope we won't need, but remains at hand just in case...). Drop me a private message if you're interested. You must be warned, however, that it is my unveiled intention to convince you to attend the Congress.

Regards,

Daniel