I just finished my third block of Spanish lessons. I'm taking a break before I do the fourth. I have to remember how little was in the vault when I started. I can read and understand a bunch, and will spend time reviewing. I just got overwhelmed by all the rules and choices i need to navigate, so I'm playing around with basics again. Anyway I know it will be a totally different excersize when we are living in Spain. I'm super glad to have a head start and will try to be kind to myself as well. Somethings in my life are easy, satisfying and rewarding and others, (learning to swim at age 56 and learning at Spanish at 68) are a challenge. But I'm pleased and proud to be taking it on. Keeping Going :)
It can be overwhelming. I find it like trying to figure out how to get around a city. The more you look around, the more connections you make. But it takes time. It's a good feeling when you see yourself making process.
It is bold to move to a place where you are immersed in a new language, without having taken years to prep for it. And strength to endure being the odd man out until it is learned enough to get by on your own.
I feel like the third wheel most days, so I make the effort to learn their language. I was on a new crew this week and they are all Mexican. They speak English very well, but talk to each other in Spanish most of the time. When an inspector came out, he proceeded to speak in both to make sure I understood. One guy spoke up and said "she understands Spanish".. which I took as a compliment, although I really don't know that much. One guy later asked where I learned it, and all I can say was aprendí en el trabajo.
I get the 'a' and 'o' female/male words wrong all the time. Being you are immersed in it, I think you will pick it up quickly. You have only been there a few months. I imagine a few years and you will be fluent!
I just finished my third block of Spanish lessons. I'm taking a break before I do the fourth. I have to remember how little was in the vault when I started. I can read and understand a bunch, and will spend time reviewing. I just got overwhelmed by all the rules and choices i need to navigate, so I'm playing around with basics again. Anyway I know it will be a totally different excersize when we are living in Spain. I'm super glad to have a head start and will try to be kind to myself as well. Somethings in my life are easy, satisfying and rewarding and others, (learning to swim at age 56 and learning at Spanish at 68) are a challenge. But I'm pleased and proud to be taking it on. Keeping Going :)
It can be overwhelming. I find it like trying to figure out how to get around a city. The more you look around, the more connections you make. But it takes time. It's a good feeling when you see yourself making process.
It is bold to move to a place where you are immersed in a new language, without having taken years to prep for it. And strength to endure being the odd man out until it is learned enough to get by on your own.
I feel like the third wheel most days, so I make the effort to learn their language. I was on a new crew this week and they are all Mexican. They speak English very well, but talk to each other in Spanish most of the time. When an inspector came out, he proceeded to speak in both to make sure I understood. One guy spoke up and said "she understands Spanish".. which I took as a compliment, although I really don't know that much. One guy later asked where I learned it, and all I can say was aprendí en el trabajo.
That's pretty good. I get the tense wrong all of the time!
Great story.
I get the 'a' and 'o' female/male words wrong all the time. Being you are immersed in it, I think you will pick it up quickly. You have only been there a few months. I imagine a few years and you will be fluent!