Language Learning is...

It is has been quite a while since I have written about my language learning. In fact, the last time I wrote about it, I had just finished Book B and was starting Book C. There are 7 books in total, Book G is the final book. Today, I am took the test for Book E (scored 96%). I was happy to hear that Book B and Book E are the largest and normally most challenging books.

Language learning is filled with laughter...

If you can't laugh at your mistakes, don't try to learn a language. Take today for example.

The word "fear" is "miedo" in Spanish. It is a noun. I was trying to remember how to say the verb "to fear" in Spanish and so I took "miedo" and tried to turn it into a verb, saying Miedo, mierdo, miirda, mierda, mierda... I repeated it a number of times because my teacher had a look of confusion on her face, each time saying it louder. You know, if it seems like they don't understand, just talk louder. After saying it about 5-10 times, my teacher starts laughing and starts saying "tranquile" or "relax, relax." So I reply, "Yo quiero hablar el verbo para miedo" (I want to say the verb for fear). She replies, the verb is temer but it is not mierdo. Mierdo means [excuse me] shit. So, realizing what I had just being saying pretty loud, over and over again, all I could do is laugh and, NEVER use that word again. It is one word I probably won't forget and now it is stuck in my brain.

I am sure everyone that learns a new language has times like these. While very embarrassed by what you just said, all you can do is laugh. I guess it is even worse when no one corrects you and you go on thinking what you are saying is correct. Learning a language is about making a million mistakes and doing your best to learn from each of them.

Language Learning has times of frustration...

I haven't yet broken down in tears while in class, but I have had days in which I left pretty frustrated. And sometimes these days have turned into weeks of frustration.

We were told at CIT that learning a language is different than any other academic subject. Your brain needs to digest the language and begin to think in the new language. You can't force feed a language into your brain. Your brain needs to accept the language and while different people can do this at different rates of time, it will take time and will be frustrating.

A while ago in church, I was reminded to ask God for help with whatever challenge I am facing. The application was easy. I definitely need God's help to learn Spanish.

Language Learning is a slow but deliberate process...

The phrase that comes to mind is "cada día, cada día!" This literally means "each day, each day" but is similar to saying in English, "day by day." It is going to take a while to feel confident and to develop the necessary vocabulary. Each day it is different. There are days in which I can rattle off a lot and have a pretty good conversation and then other days I can't remember my name. I am told this is normal and will improve with practice.

In evaluating myself, I struggle to understand people on the streets. I need to really pay attention, tuning out things around me. As a man, I am pretty good at tuning out those around me (not a good quality). It is almost like, my brain needs to be told "this person will be speaking Spanish so get ready." In addition, the clarity of someone's speech and noise around me can really challenge my ability to understand. This will only improve with time, but it is very tiring.

Learning Learning is finding unique ways to learn...

One of the exercises that I learned at CIT (our missionary training school) is to create a Language Route. The idea is to pick about 5 people that you will visit regularly to converse in Spanish. I have a language route here. It is fairly casual, nothing really setup, but they know that I am learning Spanish and when I show up they know I want to talk a little. Usually I tell them about what I have been learning lately and any places I have visited lately. Or what the family is up too. There are always things to share. Sometimes they aren't available to talk. At times the conversations are short and other times long. Many times, others join in and the conversation continues even if the storekeeper needs to do something. This is helping me greatly and I plan to continue it until we leave here. I will use the same strategy in the Dominican Republic.

Language Learning is an exercise of grammar...

The following would not have meant much to me before being here, but those who excel in grammar or have learned another language, may find it interesting.

Book D
Focuses on...

• Comparisons of inequality
• Relative and Absolute Superlatives
• Past Participles
• Present Perfect of the Indicative
• Synonyms
• Pluperfect Tense of the Indicative
• The Personal "A"
• Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns
• Future Perfect Tense
• Cognates and False Cognates

Book E
Focuses on...

• Pronominal Verbs
• Reflexive Verbs (including those used for emphasis)
• Reciprocal Verbs
• Quasi-reflexive Verbs
• Uses of the word "Se"
• The Imperative
• Formal and Familiar Commands (including plural commands)
• Relative Pronouns & Conjunction
• Infinitive & Verbal Periphrasis
• Verbs that take a preposition before an infinitive
• Present Subjunctive
• Clauses with verbs
• Impersonal Clauses
• Adverbial Clauses
• Relative Clauses
• Independent Clauses

Finally, Language Learning is a result of the Tower of Babel...

Preparation for ministry certainly changed on that day.