Whether one takes the Bad Bunny challenge to learn Spanish in the four months between him hosting SNL and headlining the Super Bowl, or prepares for the consequences of POTUS’ announcement that the US will “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition can be ensured,” ’tis the season to learn a new language. Or in my case, reboot a language.
In another chapter of my life, I was an international math/science/ESL teacher. I’d taught in five different countries outside the States with the last two being Mexico and Honduras. Even though I taught and mostly socialized in English, being immersed in Spanish was the best way to learn the language.
When I returned to the States in 2009, the motivation to study Spanish evaporated. I still understood what I heard and read, especially since relocating to Texas, but I didn’t really “need” to speak Spanish in order to navigate through life.
In 2014, I travelled to Peru with a small group of other American women. In preparation for that trip, I studied Spanish lessons online, using the same program as American embassy diplomats. Toward the end of my visit, my fluency had bounced back.
Then, I returned to the States.
Since streaming has become a regular habit, I recently turned on the Spanish subtitles while listening in English. This compromise has been available for most of the programing I watch.
The only thing that lessens my language acquisition is that I never simply sit down to binge-watch movies/shows. I’m usually reading, answering emails, or my absolute favorite, digitally illustrating.
When my eyes aren’t watching the screen, I’m not getting my impromptu Spanish lesson, but at least I have the opportunity to practice when I look.
The real impetus for rebooting my Spanish-speaking ability this time around was in preparation for a recently-formed Spanish practice group. The organizer, who’s half Puerto Rican, wanted to learn Spanish because she felt excluded during some family gatherings.
I hope she’ll continue meeting at local restaurants that serve Mexican and South American cuisine and, of course bebidas alcoholicas. That initial event hammered out the details.
Everyone except for me are able to attend either Thursday evenings or Saturday afternoons. I’m exclusively a Saturday afternoon/evening attendee due to my Monday through Friday evening yoga/dance/swimming schedule.
I advised the first-time organizer to plan future events based on what best suited her needs since, if she asked 10 different people, she’d probably get 10 different answers. The bottom line is to make the group work for her so she’ll remain motivated to continue it.
Mientras tanto, estudiaré por mi cuenta.