I relate to this big time, especially the repeating (or rehearsing!) what you're going to say part repeatedly ahead of an interaction. It takes time, but we're getting there!
I did AS Level French and then didn't really do a lot for a long time. In the past 5 years or so we've been going to France on holiday and to visit friends quite regularly and about a year ago I decided that I needed to get my act together and start learning again. It's been SO hard. I think it is improving a little, but like you I find myself getting so nervous when I know I'm going to have to speak. I have my phrases all planned out and then forget to imagine what the responses might be, which means I stare blankly at the other person when they reply!
About a year ago, I started to have lunch once a week with a French speaking colleague and friend. This was helpful because we just had 'normal' conversation and it didn't matter if I got a word or phrase wrong.
I'm certain that you living in Spain will improve things so much quicker. One to one lessons sound like a good plan as they will boost your confidence. Keep going, and keep your readers updated with your progress. I'd love to hear how you're getting on! x
I totally feel you Hannah! Especially with the staring blankly part haha. Why is it so nerve-wracking?!
I like your idea with lunch with a friend, someone who you feel comfortable with and can make mistakes in front of is always going to be useful. Do you still have those lunches now?
And thank you, I will definitely keep you updated! 🥰
I’ve changed jobs which means we don’t work together any more. We still see each other occasionally but don’t have the regular speaking practice. I’m trying to find a willing French speaker in my new job that might be open to doing the same, but haven’t found them yet!
I hated German when I first started learning at school aged twelve. I hated the rules of grammar - everything was so complicated - but to my own surprise (and everybody else's) I began to enjoy it. I went on a couple of exchange trips, and with a sympathetic family to stay with who supported me in being able to understand - and communicate - simple family-life expressions like 'shall I set the table?', 'I've been bitten', and 'No, actually I don't like Def Leppard', I found myself becoming more confident.
When I was in the Lower Sixth at school I tagged along on a week-long trip to Germany with the fourth and fifth years, to 'help out'. We were sitting at a large table outside a café, and I was listening to some locals at neighbouring tables chatting away. Really confused, I mentioned to the kids I was with how funny it was that we'd come all this way to Germany and everyone around us was speaking English.
Turns out:
1. They weren't speaking English.
2. I could suddenly understand German without even thinking about it.
3. The kids thought I'd lost my mind.
That was such a milestone moment. I went on to be an au pair in Germany for a year, and studied at a German university for the third year of my degree.
When I flew back home to spend a week with my boyfriend between semesters, I had an absolutely revolting cold. I woke up in the middle of the night in desperate need of a tissue.
'Can you pass me a tissue? It's URGENT.' No reply.
'Seriously, my nose is literally DRIPPING here, it's revolting, I'M revolting, I need a tissue.' He stared.
'CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME???'
Very slowly he said: 'Rebecca, you're speaking GERMAN. I don't understand you.'
Followed by: 'I think you need a tissue.'
Eventually I worked for a German company in London and then Cologne. Yes, learning German in a formal setting provided me with some building blocks, but without the cement of LIVING with the language to stick them all together, those blocks weren't going to build much of a house.
Lyndsay, I think you're absolutely wonderful with your attitude to learning Spanish. It's a process, but you're doing great things already, and I have absolutely no doubt that you'll be thinking in Spanish before you know it. Kudos!
I love that story Rebecca!! Being able to understand Spanish without even realising, or maybe even speaking Spanish without realising, is now my new benchmark 😂
Living the language seems to be the absolute key...I'm excited for that to be the case!
Thinking in another language without having to translate anything into - or out of - English in your head is so liberating, Lyndsay! And you're absolutely on the right road, trust me. You'll be there before you know it, honestly! 🙌
Lyndsay I love the fact that you are throwing yourself into it. I have always thought it would be amazing to learn another language and I know it's harder as you get older, but I think it must be so much easier if you are spending more time in that country. I'm sure you'll get there and the confidence will too.
Thanks Louise! I really hope so. I just met a couple today, they were Dutch, and I thought to myself nearly every Dutch person I meet can speak English as well as Dutch. It frustrates me that I haven't taken the leap sooner but I suppose there is no time like the present 🥰
I do think you’ll find it altogether different when you’re living the Spanish life.
I didn’t truly learn French until I was living in France. By the time I finished my year working there, I was dreaming in French and couldn’t switch it off! xx
I agree Lisa, and it makes me feel better that you, and others, are saying how important a role immersion plays in the process. When we were in Spain last year we definitely learned more than I expected but leaving and not continuing with it hasn't helped. Some bits have come back to me so I hope once we are there full time that I'll make some good progress xx
I relate to this big time, especially the repeating (or rehearsing!) what you're going to say part repeatedly ahead of an interaction. It takes time, but we're getting there!
It definitely does take time! Do you use any particular app to help?
Much love always xxx
💜💜
I did AS Level French and then didn't really do a lot for a long time. In the past 5 years or so we've been going to France on holiday and to visit friends quite regularly and about a year ago I decided that I needed to get my act together and start learning again. It's been SO hard. I think it is improving a little, but like you I find myself getting so nervous when I know I'm going to have to speak. I have my phrases all planned out and then forget to imagine what the responses might be, which means I stare blankly at the other person when they reply!
About a year ago, I started to have lunch once a week with a French speaking colleague and friend. This was helpful because we just had 'normal' conversation and it didn't matter if I got a word or phrase wrong.
I'm certain that you living in Spain will improve things so much quicker. One to one lessons sound like a good plan as they will boost your confidence. Keep going, and keep your readers updated with your progress. I'd love to hear how you're getting on! x
I totally feel you Hannah! Especially with the staring blankly part haha. Why is it so nerve-wracking?!
I like your idea with lunch with a friend, someone who you feel comfortable with and can make mistakes in front of is always going to be useful. Do you still have those lunches now?
And thank you, I will definitely keep you updated! 🥰
I’ve changed jobs which means we don’t work together any more. We still see each other occasionally but don’t have the regular speaking practice. I’m trying to find a willing French speaker in my new job that might be open to doing the same, but haven’t found them yet!
AWESOME post, Lyndsay.
I hated German when I first started learning at school aged twelve. I hated the rules of grammar - everything was so complicated - but to my own surprise (and everybody else's) I began to enjoy it. I went on a couple of exchange trips, and with a sympathetic family to stay with who supported me in being able to understand - and communicate - simple family-life expressions like 'shall I set the table?', 'I've been bitten', and 'No, actually I don't like Def Leppard', I found myself becoming more confident.
When I was in the Lower Sixth at school I tagged along on a week-long trip to Germany with the fourth and fifth years, to 'help out'. We were sitting at a large table outside a café, and I was listening to some locals at neighbouring tables chatting away. Really confused, I mentioned to the kids I was with how funny it was that we'd come all this way to Germany and everyone around us was speaking English.
Turns out:
1. They weren't speaking English.
2. I could suddenly understand German without even thinking about it.
3. The kids thought I'd lost my mind.
That was such a milestone moment. I went on to be an au pair in Germany for a year, and studied at a German university for the third year of my degree.
When I flew back home to spend a week with my boyfriend between semesters, I had an absolutely revolting cold. I woke up in the middle of the night in desperate need of a tissue.
'Can you pass me a tissue? It's URGENT.' No reply.
'Seriously, my nose is literally DRIPPING here, it's revolting, I'M revolting, I need a tissue.' He stared.
'CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME???'
Very slowly he said: 'Rebecca, you're speaking GERMAN. I don't understand you.'
Followed by: 'I think you need a tissue.'
Eventually I worked for a German company in London and then Cologne. Yes, learning German in a formal setting provided me with some building blocks, but without the cement of LIVING with the language to stick them all together, those blocks weren't going to build much of a house.
Lyndsay, I think you're absolutely wonderful with your attitude to learning Spanish. It's a process, but you're doing great things already, and I have absolutely no doubt that you'll be thinking in Spanish before you know it. Kudos!
I love that story Rebecca!! Being able to understand Spanish without even realising, or maybe even speaking Spanish without realising, is now my new benchmark 😂
Living the language seems to be the absolute key...I'm excited for that to be the case!
Thinking in another language without having to translate anything into - or out of - English in your head is so liberating, Lyndsay! And you're absolutely on the right road, trust me. You'll be there before you know it, honestly! 🙌
'Living the language' - YESSSSSSS!
Lyndsay I love the fact that you are throwing yourself into it. I have always thought it would be amazing to learn another language and I know it's harder as you get older, but I think it must be so much easier if you are spending more time in that country. I'm sure you'll get there and the confidence will too.
Thanks Louise! I really hope so. I just met a couple today, they were Dutch, and I thought to myself nearly every Dutch person I meet can speak English as well as Dutch. It frustrates me that I haven't taken the leap sooner but I suppose there is no time like the present 🥰
I do think you’ll find it altogether different when you’re living the Spanish life.
I didn’t truly learn French until I was living in France. By the time I finished my year working there, I was dreaming in French and couldn’t switch it off! xx
I agree Lisa, and it makes me feel better that you, and others, are saying how important a role immersion plays in the process. When we were in Spain last year we definitely learned more than I expected but leaving and not continuing with it hasn't helped. Some bits have come back to me so I hope once we are there full time that I'll make some good progress xx