First, I am continually impressed with the high degree of proficiency you
and many of our other non-native English speakers show in the written
language.

Since the secret is out and I can't conceal it, I taught at Penn State
for 34 years. (Hell, it sure beat working for a living!)

I gave only essay exams, because I had no use for those ridiculous
"multiple guess" exams.

Over the years, I had a number of students from other countries. They
almost invariably wrote beautiful English. Wish I could say that for
the natives. Some did, but not the majority.

Of course, the "foreign" students who showed up at Penn State were the
cream of the crop in their home countries. Nevertheless, their skill
was impressive.

vince