How did you first start learning English? Tell me the story.

A natural way to answer

It started at school when I was about eight. The lessons gave me the basics, but I think I learned the most by watching films and listening to songs in English over the years.

Key phrases to use

• pick up — to learn something gradually and naturally, without formal study“I never took lessons — I just picked up Italian from living there.”
• creep up on someone — to happen so gradually that you don't notice it until it has already happened“Fluency crept up on me — one day I realised I was dreaming in English.”