I now assist the Alliance Française in Buenos Aires
My old school! That is where I started to learn French - now hold French ATPL. Is it still on Billinghurst?
One thing I have noticed on my travels, and having now learnt five languages fluently plus a smattering of a few others, is that those who struggle most in understanding imperfect non-native speakers are usually those who have never attempted to learn a second language themselves.