I did my primary and high school in French...college and university in english....I canât write or read in Tamil as I never took class but I could speak and understand Tamil very fluently...at home only Tamil is used....however with my cousins I speak in English even if they can understand Tamil...with my friends same...we speak in English but we do have conversation in Tamil when needed ( when subject is such...like Tamil movies)...my friends also speak very well in Tamil...in fact they can read and write in Tamil...my Tamil is good as I used to watch a lot of Tamil movies growing up and also we always spoke in Tamil at home and with the elder family members( aunt, uncle...). Also honey, there are many Tamil ppl here and we are integrated into it one way another....my cousin kids are going to Tamil school now...one of my niece couldnât initially speak anything in Tamil but after going to Tamil school she improved...she is 9 now and she even watches all these Tamil serials that I donât...like barathi kannama lol...my other nieces are so fluent in Tamil and even can sing Tamil religious songs very well...they also all take baranatyam classes.....however one my cousin speak mostly in English with my niece and the other cousin in Tamil at home...there is a difference due to that...I do believe speaking in Tamil at home helps to have a fluency....also watching Tamil movies or shows.
Thanks a lot Maya for sharing đđź. I get a clear picture . I will reply in chat thread .