The woman you met was probably correct leeneia, but we had of course a lot of written exams, and absolute accuracy was necessary, as marks were knocked off for non-agreement of adjectives, or case-changes etc.
We used to giggle at such monstrosities such as achttausendneunhundertdreiundvierzig' (eight thousand nine hundred and forty three) all joined together in a daft string.

I think I learn more easily a language whose sounds appeal. I often wonder if my fate in life was already decided, because when I was about three years old I would speak in a 'pretend' language I called 'African'.I used implosive consonants such as 'mbai'. My mother was astonished, yet here I am married to a Senoufo whose native tongue is Malinke. His sister's husband is called Mbai.
Sorry about this disgraceful thread drift, but languages fascinate me!