It's time to start over with a clean slate. This is my second blog dedicated to chronicling my journey en espanol.
I am not Latina but I've always been fascinated with the Spanish language. I took four years in high school, four years in college, and traveled abroad for a short period of time.
I think my reluctance to study abroad hindered my learning ability, because in college I was fine with the language and then the third year hit and I felt like I was behind two years. I didn't understand why I struggled while everyone else flourished, but I pushed on.
Since I'm used to picking up things quickly, I didn't take well to feeling behind. My interest faded and I did just enough to get by.
Years later here I am thinking it would be silly to let all that knowledge go down the drain. I used to have a goal of raising any children I have to be bilingual, and now I realize that I don't have to let that dream go down the drain. Especially since I now have a baby! For the purpose of this blog, my baby will be called Bean.
So I'm going to immerse myself Spanish...again, but this time it's going to be fun. No reading textbooks that bore me or poetry from the 1600's that I don't understand. I'm just going to do it in a (hopefully) natural and fun way. Of course, I haven't forgotten everything, but I still like to refer to this process as learning the language again.
Anything else? You can email me here.
You sound a lot like me (4 years of Spanish in high school and 4 years in college). I'm also trying to use my Spanish with my boys, but it's definitely not easy. I have found the more I use it (reading, watching tv, conversing) the more I speak it with them.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is, these last few days it's become easier. I thought I'd be shy about speaking in public- but I am not, I don't even care. You are right, the more you are immersed in it, the more you just do it.
ReplyDeleteWow, how great to hear from you on my blog and find yours, as well. I applaud your tenacity and willingness to forge ahead so your little Bean can be bilingual. I also find similarities when I read your intro-4 years in high school, 4 years in college and some time overseas--which has me eager to follow along with your process. I will add your blog to my list of non-native blogs so I can check back when you update!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of this ever-growing and important community!
Tamara