A Japanese woman once told me that her English level was only like a
11-year-old's (or 12-, whatever). I found it a bit odd because we had
exchanged messages and her English was not so bad, while Japanese
11-year-olds usually don't speak or write English at all. Well, it's
just humbleness, I thought.

Later I saw a similar expression elsewhere, in a newspaper or penpal ad
or something. It was written in understandable English.

Then it dawned on me that they might be under the illusion that they
speak English like a 11-year-old _NSOE_. I hope I'm wrong...

Rafael Caetano