Dear Editors,

The Internet has brought many benefits to our family but we all agree that the ability to communicate with people all over the world is probably the most important to us at this time. Keeping in touch with Lingva English students in Yugoslavia has been wonderful for us and, we hope, for the students. By communicating with each other, we are able to help the students improve their English. A student can become much more proficient in English by being exposed to conversations with people in countries where English is the mother tongue. The Internet provides that opportunity for learning in email. In addition, communicating direct with people in other countries contributes to broadening everyone's understanding and acceptance of other customs, views, and cultures. I hope to generate some lifelong friendships through the use of this media, and am already aware of people who have made close friends through email. English is the universal language. That is an accepted fact. In my visits to Japan, Korea, Thailand, Yugoslavia, Germany, France and Mexico, I have always been able to find, quite easily, by the way, someone who spoke English--usually more than one who were eager to join in and practice their language skills on a "tourist." With the world becoming smaller and smaller, with economies now discussed in "global" rather than "national" or "regional" terms, being able to speak English will only become more important. I hope I can continue our program of exchanging email with Lingva students--for their benefit, but for mine as well! They have taught me much while I hope I have helped them with their English! Now that LINGVA WEB THISTLE electronic magazine is to be started up, I will learn even more about them.

I wish you a lot of success with your magazine.

Marion Kordich
Retired Manager, Express Promotion and Service
Northwest Airlines
Volunteer teacher of English to immigrants to the U.S. from Somalia, South America, Bosnia, Iran and Central America

Dear Friends from LINGVA,

I was very glad to hear that you are starting a new internet magazine, although I was not surprised. I know that LINGVA has always been one step ahead of all the others in finding new, better ways of teaching languages.

I would like to mention just a few of them: very interesting work with small children, completely different from traditional methods, entertaining but highly educational, use of computers in teaching, including internet, and for me the most important thing, a subtle and spontaneous approach to the English language which develops love for it, and, at the same time, that love is a connection between students and teachers that very often grows into a nice friendship.

Talking about friendships, I must mention how that knowledge from Lingva school has helped me in meeting new friends. As a civil engineering student, I have nice opportunities to go to some international congresses, and there, with a help of English, I can exchange information about my studies, learn more, and I can also meet some very nice and interesting young people from all over Europe. I am happy to know that this online magazine will help other young people as well in improving their English and in meeting new friends.

I congratulate you on this magazine, wishing you all the best with it, and also a lot of happiness and success in everything you do.

Yours sincerely,
Milica Drakul
Civil engineering student
Belgrade University