I'm teaching my Mexican boyfriend English that will be useful to him in his daily routine. I have two questions.

1. Especially if you are an ESL adult, but not limited to you, what are some basics that you learned, wish you had learned, or have helped you navigate in the US?

2. What are some typical things that officers say to you when they pull you over for a traffic violation?

3. What has been the most effective tool for learning English?

just have him read books that he will know some words

Ok, this is really good that you brung this up. Answer for number 1, handling money, alot of people will try to trick you into paying them more money in the chance that you dont yet understand american currency and tax. Number 2, watch the body language of the cop, if you were speeding like 15-20 miles over the limit, and they try to charge you with other offenses like DUI or illegal immigancy, you know that he is a bad cop. He might also try to make excuses to use force, so due what he says, and wait for court, or your first phone call to call a lawyer (legal knowledge is another good thing to have if they break human rights or anything else) and for #3, use rosetta stone or, if their little enough, muffy. (its good to teach early)

Police officers say,

"Can I see your license and registration please?"
"Do you know how fast you were going?"
"Do you know the speed limit here?"
"Have you had anything to drink today?"

license and requisition please

I can only answer 2 and 3.

2. Usually you can say "Goodmorning officer", or whatever time of day it is.

3. I would say if you have a computer he could use get him rosetta stone ENglish version rosetta stone is very easy and you can leanr a language in a month to a couple weeks.

Police ask for license, registration and proof of insurance. Sometimes they ask if you know what you're being pulled over for. In routine roadblock stops they ask if you've been drinking. Also if they suspect it, they can ask you to get out of the vehicle and "hands on the car" type stuff I guess.

1) McDonalds-double quarter pounder w/cheese,fries,chocolate shake
2)do you know how fast you were going??
do you know why I pulled you over??
3)understanding all our BS

First suggestion:

Listen to the song, "Born in East LA", by Cheech & Chong....very important & informative!!!

1. Cops will ask you for:
a. license & registration
b. proof of insurance (depending on your state)
c. green card

2. Have you been drinking?
Where are you going?
Step out of the car, please.

3. Watch lots of PBS TV...their english is more proper!

Finally, if you get pulled over @ night, it is best to turn on your interior light & keep both hands visible on the steering wheel... this'll put the cop more at ease, if he/she can see your hands from a distance. Do NOT exit the car, unless the cop tells you to.

Don't know about u but where I live doesnt matter what language you speak if you are anything but white they pull you over and haul you in for some bogus reason!

I need to make a call
Do i need a lawyer
what I am i in trouble for

sorry can't help you with that sugar

First , "where's the BAR"
Second "where's the gals"
Third "where's the bathroom... these will get him by for now...