English Thread

In this thread, we attempt to learn to read, write, and speak English, a language which would be very useful to know. It is widely spoken throughout the world.

Do you speak English? Are you fluent? What resources did you use to learn? Can you give some examples in this thread? Posts some useful links.

Let's help each other out and learn a new language.

Hi there! I've been wondering for quite a while about usage of ordinal numerals with different articles. In schlool, we are taught to use them with the definite one only or without any depending on context. But from time to time, I still come accross the indefinite acrticle being used with ordinal numerals. For ex.:
"And it was at school I heard first of the Door in
the Wall - that I was to hear of A second time only a month before
his death." (The door in the wall by G. Wells)
"Such extensive use of these materials in aircraft construction was A first in the industry." (an article on SR-71)
So what the big difference does it make? Using "A" article here instead of "THE".