![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smittenbyuFor the fun of it, I decided to take up Spanish classes. I find myself cheating a bit since I have some basic understanding of Italian & French (I lived in Italy and took Spanish in Middle & High School) - mind you, I haven't actually spoken either of those languages at length since I left Italy and finished high school, respectively. But it's helped to memorialize Latin word roots in my head.
It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.
If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.
I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.
But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!
It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.
If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.
I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.
But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!
no subject
Date: 2018-10-03 02:04 am (UTC)J says he's "not good at languages" so knows only English, but I believe it's the way foreign languages are taught in many N. American schools. When I first immigrated to Canada, I got Cs and Ds in French. Then in grade 5 I enrolled in French Immersion and jumped to straight As.
no subject
Date: 2018-10-10 07:02 pm (UTC)I am hoping Spanish will be good for her because she does hear it all around her and will have a chance of practicing/using it. They promise that by the time she is done with 5th grade, she can hold a conversation. Her best friend is in Spanish immersion class and he can hold a conversation with Spanish speakers rather well. Immersion is the way to go for anyone!
I would see that when I worked in Malaysia, where 90% of my colleagues went to Chinese medium schools and learnt English later in their schooling years - their English though is/will be far better than my Spanish will ever be - just because they get to practice their English for work, etc. sigh.
But I am taking it to just challenge myself. And overcome my shyness/timidness of speaking it is step #1. Should talk to our building maintenance staff - they'd be awesome!!
no subject
Date: 2018-10-12 01:40 am (UTC)¿Cómo estás hoy? :D