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 beautiful morning. We did a waterpark and theme park yesterday, so I’ve a sense right this moment might be just a little 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 believe that as an grownup, it’s so necessary to be a *newbie* at issues; to problem your mind in a brand new manner and check out the hobbies and actions you’ve all the time wished to do, even for those who’re not good at first. I do know a lot of my associates on the market have a purpose of studying a brand new language, so I hope this put up is useful! I’d additionally love to listen to any methods which have labored for you.

My Spanish journey

A bit of background:

– Rising up, my mother’s facet of the household usually spoke Spanish. Due to this, I’ve all the time been in a position to 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 individuals would converse 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 primary stuff) and minored in Spanish in faculty. I assumed that it will be my likelihood to really feel absolutely assured and fluent in Spanish. I wrote essays, learn novels, analyzed poetry, however possibly 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 power to put in writing and browse 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 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 numerous places, so it grew to become actually necessary to me. A few of our closest associates are Colombian, and so they have associates who converse Spanish, so I wished 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 12 months.

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

Right here’s what has made an infinite 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 use the languages in actual life. Additionally, more often than not, you don’t even bear 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 while, however I discovered a tutor that pushes me (he’s truly sort of imply generally hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the following degree. (In case you’d like his information, please lmk and I’d be joyful 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 12 months, I felt like locals spoke English lots to us and was stunned by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It seems like the alternative expertise this time due to my dedication 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 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 lots: 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 possibly 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