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 mates! 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 as we speak 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 number 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 at all times needed to do, even if you happen to’re not good at first. I do know lots of my mates 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

Slightly background:

– Rising up, my mother’s facet of the household usually spoke Spanish. Due to this, I’ve at all times been in a position to 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 folks would communicate 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 school. I believed that it will be my probability 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 school Spanish courses really SPEAKING Spanish. So as soon as once more, it simply solidified my understanding, gave me the power to write down 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 begin training once more and actually get the cling of issues. We like to journey, I like to have the ability to work together with folks in numerous areas, so it turned actually necessary to me. A few of our closest mates are Colombian, and so they have mates who communicate Spanish, so I needed to have the ability to contribute and really feel extra comfy 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 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 loads of matching and vocabulary, however little understanding behind the grammatical guidelines and the way to use the languages in actual life. Additionally, more often than not, you don’t even keep 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 not less than 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 really sort of imply typically hahah) however is taking me OUT of my consolation zone and to the subsequent stage. (Should you’d like his data, please lmk and I’d be completely happy 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 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 loads to us and was stunned by how many individuals in Sevilla spoke English. It looks like the alternative expertise this time due to my dedication to solely communicate 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 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 faculties and groceries value… I liked it. I’m excited to proceed training whereas we’re right here and to come back dwelling and possibly lastly communicate Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking mates. 😉

So inform me, mates: 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