my Spanish journey – The Fitnessista

Sharing extra about how I’ve been engaged on Spanish over the previous couple of years and what has helped me probably the most. Spoiler: Duolingo did nada for me.

Hello buddies! How are you? I hope that you simply’re having a stunning morning. We did a waterpark and theme park yesterday, so I’ve a sense in the present day shall be a little bit extra low-key.

Now that we’re heading into our 4th week in Spain, I figured I’d perform a little replace on my Spanish journey and among the issues which have helped me probably the most. I feel that as an grownup, it’s so vital to be a *newbie* at issues; to problem your mind in a brand new means and check out the hobbies and actions you’ve all the time needed to do, even when you’re not good at first. I do know a lot of my buddies on the market have a aim of studying a brand new language, so I hope this publish is useful! I’d additionally love to listen to any methods which have labored for you.

My Spanish journey

A bit background:

– Rising up, my mother’s aspect of the household usually spoke Spanish. Due to this, I’ve all the time been capable of perceive it, however by no means spoke it. I might do the factor the place my household would ask me one thing in Spanish, and I’d reply in English. When folks would communicate Spanish round me, I knew what was occurring, however didn’t contribute to the dialog.

– I took Spanish courses in elementary and center college (tremendous fundamental stuff) and minored in Spanish in faculty. I assumed that it could be my likelihood to really feel absolutely assured and fluent in Spanish. I wrote essays, learn novels, analyzed poetry, however perhaps spent 5% of the time in my faculty Spanish courses truly SPEAKING Spanish. So as soon as once more, it simply solidified my understanding, gave me the flexibility to put in writing and browse in Spanish, however didn’t actually get me to my aim of feeling assured talking.

– A few years in the past, I made a decision that I used to be going to begin practising once more and actually get the hold of issues. We like to journey, I really like to have the ability to work together with folks in numerous areas, so it grew to become actually vital to me. A few of our closest buddies are Colombian, they usually have buddies who communicate Spanish, so I needed to have the ability to contribute and really feel extra snug with talking. Additionally, I want to begin working with IHP purchasers in Spanish beginning early subsequent yr.

I attempted a number of various things to refresh my expertise and really feel extra assured talking.

Right here’s what has made an unlimited distinction and right here’s what did completely nothing.

Studying Spanish as an grownup

APPS:

I’ve not discovered an app that’s useful for real-world conditions. I’ve tried each Duolingo and Babbel and was unimpressed with each. I really feel prefer it’s lots of matching and vocabulary, however little understanding behind the grammatical guidelines and easy methods to use the languages in actual life. Additionally, more often than not, you don’t even keep in mind what you had been doing. Even with utilizing apps on an on for a bit, I didn’t be taught something new.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON TUTORING:

This has been the largest gamechanger for me. I did a ton of research and came across Italki and it’s been my go-to for Spanish tutoring. I’ve tutoring at the very least as soon as per week, but in addition have homework all through the week in studying, writing, fluency, talking, and listening. It took me a short while, however I discovered a tutor that pushes me (he’s truly form of imply typically hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the subsequent degree. (In case you’d like his information, please lmk and I’d be completely satisfied to go it alongside!)

PRACTICING SPANISH IN SPAIN:

Last year when we came to Spain for about two weeks, I used to be like, “Right here we go. That is my likelihood!” It was a pleasant little confidence booster to really feel like I may do it. I may order meals at eating places, ask and reply questions, order cabs, it was actually NBD. Final yr, I felt like locals spoke English quite a bit to us and was shocked by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It seems like the alternative expertise this time due to my dedication to solely communicate Spanish whereas we’ve been right here. I’ve been shocked by how simple and pure it feels, and have solely been English-ed a few time. 😉

I’ve additionally had the chance to work with a stunning Spanish tutor twice per week whereas we’ve been right here!

Most of my conversations out on the earth have been surface-level: retailer and restaurant interactions. Buuut my deepest conversations have been with taxi drivers! In Barcelona, we chatted about quite a bit: the financial system, high quality of life within the US, how a lot faculties and groceries value… I liked it. I’m excited to proceed practising whereas we’re right here and to return house and perhaps lastly communicate Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking buddies. 😉

So inform me, buddies: what are you a newbie at nowadays?

Are you engaged on studying a brand new instrument or language? I’d love to listen to about it!

xoxo

Gina