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 essentially the most. Spoiler: Duolingo did nada for me.

Hello associates! How are you? I hope that you just’re having a stunning morning. We did a waterpark and theme park yesterday, so I’ve a sense right now will likely 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 essentially the most. I believe that as an grownup, it’s so vital to be a *newbie* at issues; to problem your mind in a brand new method and check out the hobbies and actions you’ve at all times needed to do, even in the event you’re not good at first. I do know lots of my associates on the market have a objective 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

Somewhat background:

– Rising up, my mother’s facet of the household typically spoke Spanish. Due to this, I’ve at all times been capable of perceive it, however by no means spoke it. I’d do the factor the place my household would ask me one thing in Spanish, and I’d reply in English. When individuals would converse Spanish round me, I knew what was happening, however didn’t contribute to the dialog.

– I took Spanish lessons in elementary and center faculty (tremendous primary stuff) and minored in Spanish in school. 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 school Spanish lessons truly SPEAKING Spanish. So as soon as once more, it simply solidified my understanding, gave me the flexibility to write down and browse in Spanish, however didn’t actually get me to my objective of feeling assured talking.

– A few years in the past, I made a decision that I used to be going to start out training once more and actually get the grasp of issues. We like to journey, I like to have the ability to work together with individuals in several places, so it grew to become actually vital to me. A few of our closest associates are Colombian, they usually have associates who converse 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 shoppers in Spanish beginning early subsequent yr.

I attempted a number of various things to refresh my abilities 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 numerous matching and vocabulary, however little understanding behind the grammatical guidelines and the right way 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 most important 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 additionally have homework all through the week in studying, writing, fluency, talking, and listening. It took me a short time, however I discovered a tutor that pushes me (he’s truly type of imply typically hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the subsequent degree. (If you happen to’d like his information, please lmk and I’d be glad to cross 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 might do it. I might 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 stunned by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It appears like the alternative expertise this time due to my willpower to solely converse Spanish whereas we’ve been right here. I’ve been stunned by how straightforward 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 price… I liked it. I’m excited to proceed training whereas we’re right here and to return residence and perhaps lastly converse Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking associates. 😉

So inform me, associates: what are you a newbie at today?

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

xoxo

Gina