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 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 right this moment will likely be a bit extra low-key.

Now that we’re heading into our 4th week in Spain, I figured I’d do some replace on my Spanish journey and a few of the issues which have helped me probably 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 approach 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 pals on the market have a objective 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 usually spoke Spanish. Due to this, I’ve at all times 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 lessons in elementary and center college (tremendous fundamental stuff) and minored in Spanish in school. I believed that it might be my probability 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 really SPEAKING Spanish. So as soon as once more, it simply solidified my understanding, gave me the flexibility to write down and skim 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 begin working towards once more and actually get the cling of issues. We like to journey, I really like to have the ability to work together with folks in several places, so it turned actually vital 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 comfy with talking. Additionally, I want to begin working with IHP purchasers in Spanish beginning early subsequent 12 months.

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 a variety of matching and vocabulary, however little understanding behind the grammatical guidelines and how you can 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 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 a minimum of as soon as every 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 really form of imply typically hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the following stage. (When you’d like his data, please lmk and I’d be blissful 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 probability!” 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 12 months, I felt like locals spoke English loads to us and was shocked by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It seems like the other 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 beautiful Spanish tutor twice every week whereas we’ve been right here!

Most of my conversations out on this planet have been surface-level: retailer and restaurant interactions. Buuut my deepest conversations have been with taxi drivers! In Barcelona, we chatted about loads: the economic system, high quality of life within the US, how a lot colleges and groceries value… I cherished it. I’m excited to proceed working towards whereas we’re right here and to come back residence and perhaps lastly communicate Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking pals. 😉

So inform me, pals: what are you a newbie at as of late?

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

xoxo

Gina