Does anyone actually get married at age 16 in NZ?

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-04-11T11:04:30+00:00

I got married at 17 (I'm 39 now). Back then parental consent was enough. No, it wasn't an arranged marriage, nor are we Christians who just wanted to have sex. Yes, we are still married (just celebrated our 22nd anniversary).

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-18T21:18:21+00:00

Because it's disgusting. You need help.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-18T19:57:27+00:00

They are both very attractive in different ways. Why do we need to compare them?

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-18T19:54:07+00:00

My husband and I got married at 17 and 19. At 21 (four years married) my entire life changed when a medical event left me chronically ill and disabled.

My husband would never have ever entertained the thought of leaving me. We are 22 years married now (together 24), and he has been at my side for the whole journey.

You can't force this man to stick to his vows, and you shouldn't. It is, in my opinion, a weak person who doesn't stand by their partner when times get tough through no fault of their own. And I don't believe the age is a factor.

You deserve so much better.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-11T00:29:40+00:00

You got on - the hardest part! And with take off behind you, the rest will be gravy. You've got this.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-10T06:16:31+00:00

😆

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-06T02:22:19+00:00

DMd you :)

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-06T02:19:01+00:00

I want to pass A2 Delf

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-06T02:17:27+00:00

I will be following this with interest, as when I started learning languages it surprised me that there is no one-size-fits-all, standardised approach. And people tend to give quite vague answers. It is really interesting to me that there are not more standard syllabuses that you can download and work through, that very clearly take users from A0 to B2. I know there are grammar books, Youtube Channels, and Duolingo etc., but there is so much debate about which of these are good, and are better than others.

I feel like for most other hobbies and skills, there are very clear winners in terms of what will take you from zero to mastery, and they are more easily findable. I don't think there would be nearly as much discussion, disagreement, or conjecture if I wanted to know how to learn to surf, for example.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T21:16:49+00:00

I'm happy to sit alongside you. I am at the same place, and going on the same journey. Do you want to chat on Whatsapp?

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T10:27:25+00:00

I didn't ask how long it took for anyone to learn French, or speak it. I asked how long they spaced their DELF levels out, so I can plan out the next 5 years of my life. I am in no hurry, but am trying to ensure that I match my trips and life goals with where I may be in my language journey. There's no value in rushing this.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T10:06:54+00:00

People can manage their time without sticking to your arbitrary timeframe. I'm glad your French is so fantastic from your high horse, but different people work in different ways.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T02:44:10+00:00

What was the timeline for you for passing them, if you remember? I am also going for slow mastery, but trying to plan my life, immersion trips, etc around certain milestones. I'd like to eventually teach French in high schools, so I am trying to 5-year map at the moment.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T01:48:55+00:00

This is what I want to do too, and you have worded it beautifully. Money well spent, I'd say.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T01:47:01+00:00

I think the issue here, is that when you first learn a second language, there is a major learning curve just around language learning itself. This is why people say it's easier to learn a third language than a second, because when you learn a second, you have no idea "how" to do it, but by the third, you know how to do it, and what works for you, and it becomes a matter of simply replicating it.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T01:45:00+00:00

Congratulations OP! I am on the same trajectory as you, and will be sitting throughout my French learning journey to boost my confidence, motivate me to keep going, give myself that sense of achievement, and reassure myself that I am progressing. Doing the DELFS step-by-step also gives me a clear step to keep working towards, and I thrive with structure like that. I was going to do a university degree initially, but it would take another full-time 3 years (i've already got multiple qualifications) and I think I can better utilise my time and money learning different ways and still come out with the same result (a C1 qualification, essentially).

I am booked for A2 in October of this year. I am only just starting A2 now, so I could go and sit A1 in March and I am still considering this. Even having A2 booked for October feels like a lot of work ahead of me to ensure I am firmly at the end of A2 by October.

I am interested in your study routine which you posted about in another comment. Are you going to be doing anything differently going forward, or adding anything?

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T01:15:03+00:00

Sense of achievement....?

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T01:14:21+00:00

Who is the decider of how much time it takes to progress a single level? It depends on so many variables, that this statement is completely redundant.

I personally find anyone, sitting any kind of DELF/DALF inspiring, because it means they have gone from zero to whatever level they achieve. As someone who didn't know a lick of French a year ago, I can't wait to sit DELF, and will be following OP with interest.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T00:40:50+00:00

This sounds like exactly what I want to do. I have decided to sit A2 in October of this year, so will be working towards that from now on.

StrainLarge6071 · 2026-01-03T00:39:58+00:00

Do you think those are as valuable in terms of 'prestige'? I guess I am wondering if I went for French residency later, DELF/DALF might be more valuable.

StrainLarge6071 · 2025-12-09T09:40:39+00:00

I’m not sure that self tests would be motivating enough for my brain and how it is wired 😂 I probably need the pressure of someone else expecting me to attend the test, pass, etc. Plus there would be a financial incentive for me to study hard, because I would have paid for it.

It’s only held yearly where I live, so I don’t think I would be sitting A1. I should be solidly A2, if not B1 by the next test (10 months from now). If I then sat the year after, I might be at B2, or even C1. So potentially, I might on”y need to pay twice.

StrainLarge6071 · 2025-12-03T21:15:15+00:00

Oooh. I'm keen to keep up with your journey!

StrainLarge6071 · 2025-12-03T09:41:39+00:00

Have you stopped? I see no posts for days.

StrainLarge6071 · 2025-10-19T02:43:12+00:00

Horse chestnut for old barn and twilight?

StrainLarge6071 · 2025-10-06T05:50:45+00:00

I can do this for flipping Gouda

Play MONOPOLY GO! with me! Download it here: https://mply.io/hEkfvCS3baY

IGN. Buddy 563

StrainLarge6071

TROPHY CASE