Listener Interview 003: Layla from Saudi Arabia

In this special episode of The A to Z English Podcast, we talk with Layla from Saudi Arabia, a self-taught English student and one of the most active members of our Whatsapp group. (Link here: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7) Find the transcript here: https://atozenglishpodcast.com/interview-with-layla/ It's a great conversation, so you won't want to miss it! Share your thoughts about today's interview in our Whatsapp group or tell us if you think you have something interesting to talk about. Perhaps you could be our next guest on the podcast! If you could take a minute and complete a short survey about the podcast, we would be very appreciative. You can find the survey here: https://forms.gle/HHNnnqU6U8W3DodK8 We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes. Intro/Outro Music by Eaters: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/the-astronomers-office/agents-in-coffee-shops/ Full Transcript:   Kevin:  You're listening to the A. to Z. English podcast. Kevin:  Welcome to A to Z English where today we've got another listener interview. Today we're joined by another one of our very active members from our chats. Maybe you've talked to her in the past. We're talking with Layla from Saudi Arabia. So, good morning! Layla:  And good afternoon Kevin and Jack. Kevin:  Yes, it is. So it's great to talk to you and today I mean you're always so active in our group chats. You're such a helpful member to everyone and I guess we wanted to start with really simple things like… Kevin:  When did you start learning? How long have you been studying? Layla:  And to be honest with you at the beginning and the first time I studied English when I was in middle school. Layla:  But I can I can consider that not learning English seriously because you know the system is not good enough so I focus not on grammar. Kevin:  Yeah. Layla:  I think I only learned at that time the basic English letters and things like how are you, your name, like this yeah so. Kevin:  I’m fine and you? Layla:  I studied in high school and university but in university only the first two years and then they stopped teaching English. Layla:  So exactly I can say when I decided to learn English seriously. I think it was about 2014. Kevin:  Okay six years ago. Layla:  Yes. Kevin:  Cool. Layla:  My brother and I decided to study together. Kevin:  A partner. Layla:  Yes exactly. I have a partner. Kevin:  That helps. Layla:  So at the beginning we started by buying books. We don't we didn't have any teacher to ask questions, to know if something is right are wrong so we only studied by ourselves. Layla:  We continue studying. Layla:  To 2018. Layla:  At. Kevin:  Just the two of you studying on the internet? Layla:  When I find Robin’s group... Kevin:  Right. Layla:  After joining there I really started to learn English seriously. I can say I didn't miss studying for even a single day. Kevin:  Day. Layla:  I will do my best for me in the group. I started reading extensively. Layla:  Also I tried to meet in the group by Layla:  practicing with others because this is the first time for me to practice and talk to foreigners. Layla:  Okay it's difficult for women to engage with others so that was the first experience for me. Layla:  I continue studying. I think it was the best chance for me to study English and practice my English and that's the right place. Kevin:  And do you still talk with your brother. Does he still study these days yeah? Layla:  A few months ago, he got married so he moved to another house. Kevin:  Okay. Layla:  Now I study alone with my own online friends. Layla:  Many. Kevin:  Many people in the chat for you to work with. Layla:  Yeah exactly so I really enjoy talking with them I think. Layla:  You know it's a great because in that case you have to use English because you can’t explain what you want in your language so. Layla:  When you try to use English, I try to go ahead to search