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 pals! How are you? I hope that you simply’re having a beautiful morning. We did a waterpark and theme park yesterday, so I’ve a sense at present might be somewhat 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 a few of the issues which have helped me essentially the most. I feel that as an grownup, it’s so necessary 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 in the event you’re not good at first. I do know lots of my pals on the market have a purpose of studying a brand new language, so I hope this submit 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 all the time 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 communicate 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 totally 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 jot down and skim in Spanish, however didn’t actually get me to my purpose of feeling assured talking.

– A few years in the past, I made a decision that I used to be going to begin training once more and actually get the grasp of issues. We like to journey, I really like to have the ability to work together with individuals in numerous areas, so it grew to become actually necessary to me. A few of our closest pals are Colombian, and so they have pals who communicate Spanish, so I needed to have the ability to contribute and really feel extra snug with talking. Additionally, I wish 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 a whole lot of matching and vocabulary, however little understanding behind the grammatical guidelines and learn how to use the languages in actual life. Additionally, more often than not, you don’t even bear in mind what you have 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 a minimum of 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 time, however I discovered a tutor that pushes me (he’s truly sort of imply typically hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the following stage. (For those who’d like his data, please lmk and I’d be comfortable to move 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 shocked by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It appears like the alternative expertise this time due to my willpower 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 beautiful 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 economic system, high quality of life within the US, how a lot faculties and groceries value… I beloved it. I’m excited to proceed training whereas we’re right here and to come back dwelling and perhaps lastly communicate Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking pals. 😉

So inform me, pals: 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