Q & A: ON LEARNING SPANISH

The short answer is that it’s coming along nicely. 

The long answer is that I’m working hard on my Spanish with lessons each week.  I am hanging out my friends who don’t speak English.  I intentionally place myself in situations where I have no choice but to try. 

“Practice, it’s all about practice,” I coach myself. 

I listen to mp3s of Spanish instruction even when I feel like bagpipes would be more appealing. 

The result is that sometimes I feel on top of it, like I’m really getting somewhere.  But, other days, I feel like I’ve completely regressed to the point where I can’t speak English or Spanish and am completely incapable of real communication with anyone.  And then I have a minor tantrum.  It’s charming. 

Everyone here says,“poco a poco.”  The phrase is often used as a consolation to my frustration.  And that is how we learn things- little by little, step by step. 

I don’t like things to be, “poco a poco.” 

I like to be immediately competent. 

I like to feel like I’m in control. 

But, here we are. 

So, until I am fluent, we’ll label this as a character building experience so the travail has a proper name.

(awesome llama found here)