Greetings! Back in March, I wrote my Give it a whirl post, and described my new whirl riding Santiago's airport bus and metro in Chile. I like the playfulness in the expression. Today, I'm writing about my new whirl in April and will be linking up with my blogger friend Leslie's Stepping Out of Comfort Zone series.
For those who have been reading my blog, you might know that I've been learning Spanish on my own by taking online lessons fifteen minutes daily. Initially, I started it for fun with no specific plan in mind as to when I'll be using Spanish. Then my travels took me to Costa Rica, Spain, and Chile where in each destination, I had plenty of opportunities to speak and read Spanish. I was able to converse with the local residents and even helped other travellers with transactions such as ordering meals in a restaurant, buying metro card and tickets, etc.
From these positive experiences, after my trips were over, I continue to practice Spanish daily. I don't know when I'll go to a Spanish-speaking country next but I know if I stop my lessons now, I'll lose what I've learned very quickly since there is no need for me to use Spanish where I live.
This spring, I started taking French lessons fifteen minutes daily. I had taken French courses in school so the language is not brand new to me but learning two foreign languages concurrently is. I have forgotten a lot of my French vocabulary which is now coming back. It's satisfying when I can remember a French word that I knew long ago and haven't used for a while.
Why did I choose French? Well, we're planning to visit French-speaking cities later this year. I'll have perfect opportunities to apply what I'm learning. Again, I don't know how long I'll keep taking French lessons after the trips but I know when I stop, it won't be long before I forget what I've learned.
In the mean time, the two foreign languages certainly give my brain a whirl every day, and I'm having fun learning both! No exam, no stress, simply learning for the joy of learning.
How about you? What's your new whirl? I'd love to read about it.
Wow, learning two languages at once. Heavens! I am afraid I have begun losing some of my Spanish now that I am no longer working with the children who taught me so much of what I know. Following your good lead, I am going to start adding Spanish practice to my morning quiet time.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is in the "use it or lose it" group, isn't it? I think if you spend 15 minutes daily to practice Spanish, it will all come back to you. Thank you, Leslie, for hosting the link up.
DeleteGood for you Natalie in learning another new language. It is great to be able to use it in 'real life' situations isn't it? I've been trying to learn Italian and when I visit I can converse with my husband's family but when we come back to Australia I forget it. I'm also linking up to Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone. Mine was doing the AtoZ Challenge in April. Have a great week! Au revoir! Ciao!
ReplyDeleteSue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
Congratulations, Sue, for finishing the A to Z Challenge! I'm glad you're linking up with the Out of Comfort Zone series as I'm learning from all participants. Thank you for stopping by. Have a fabulous week!
DeleteHi Natalie! Thanks for sharing at Midlife Share the Love Party. I've scheduled on my social media and shared everywhere! Have a great week xx
DeleteThank you, Sue, for hosting and sharing. Have a fabulous week!
DeleteI'm inspired that you're taking a whirl and a foreign language! I've been trying to learn Mandarin for years and progress is very slow. I'm hoping to enter a fun run this winter. My first one in Sydney.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
I'm impressed that you've been learning Mandarin, SSG. Do you go to class or do self-study? With your regular running, you'll do well in the race. I've done several 5K races and enjoyed them.
DeleteHi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteLearning a foreign language is such a good thing to do for your brain. Are there enough connections between French and Spanish to make it easier to learn both languages, or is it the exact opposite with one language interfering with the other? Also, what online program are you using? I've always wanted to learn Spanish.
Hi Karen, For me French and Spanish have some similarities that sometimes interfere with each other. However, I see that as a plus since it forces me to focus and think as I switch from one to another. I'm using the free Duolingo program. I may try Memrise next. Give either one a go, and see how you like it.
DeleteI like to learn languages - usually in the car, tho there are some good memory games on the laptop too.
ReplyDeleteIt's great now there are various learning options to suit learners' styles and schedules. Thanks, Lydia, for linking up with us.
DeleteIsn't that a great expression "stepping out of the comfort zone"? I realise I have had to do this a lot as part of my on-going cancer surgeries and treatments! I learned 2 languages at High School - French and German - and they did not confuse me too much. I have never used them "in real life" but I passed the end of school exams. Good on you for your language learning continuing too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 18/52. Next week's optional prompt is "The A-L of Me". Denyse
You're strong to go through your ongoing cancer surgeries and treatments, Denyse. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteHi, Natalie - I am very impressed that you have continued with your Spanish lessons, even after your trip to Chile. I am also impressed that you are now studying two different languages at one time. I look forward to reading about your next travel adventures!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna, for your ongoing encouragement. I'm impressed with your A to Z Challenge achievements while traveling and managing other commitments. You really approach retirement with gusto.
DeleteTwo foreign languages at the same time! Good for you! And, you’re right, you have to keep it up, or you’ll lose most of it (but not all as you’ve experienced with your French). Did you learn French at school because Canada has two national languages?
ReplyDeleteLearning and speaking French and Spanish is tricky, I find. It’s good and bad that they have so much in common. When I haven’t spoken Spanish in a while and visit a country of that language, French words easily slip in, if that was the last foreign language I spoke. And, vice versa, when we sailed in French Polynesia, not long after Panama, the first sentences that popped up where very spanisized! :-)
How exciting to have these travel plans. Are they in Europe (Paris, maybe :-)) or Quebec?
Hi Liesbet, I learned French at school out of my own interest. It wasn't required when I went to school. I don't need either French or Spanish and have minimal exposure to both languages in my day-to-day living, therefore it's more challenging to retain what I've learned. I'm planning to return to both Quebec city and Paris this summer, and maybe visit another French-speaking country later this year. Thank you for dropping by.
DeleteNatalie,
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. I don't speak any other languages. I love the idea of studying languages for places before you travel to them. But I would have to keep taking classes, because I too would forget since where I live doesn't require me to speak those languages.
Thanks, Danielle, for your comment. The free online learning apps like Duolingo are easy to use to pick up the basics. I'm taking the lessons for fun and it's a real bonus that I get to use what I've learned.
DeleteWow! Two languages at once! That would certainly keep the brain nimble and circulating those cells. You've inspired me to try something new - even though I don't have any travel plans outside of the US. But I like the idea of learning a new, fun activity - just for the joy of learning.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from #MSTL and tweeting.
Give it a whirl for fun, Trisha Faye. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteGreat! Good on you Natalie. Learning a new language is good for the soul and the brain, and I think travelling to where you're going to use it is the best confirmation that you are adept and semi fluent. Keep on using it though is my advice. I can barely remember my French now.
ReplyDeleteGood advise, Jo. I'll keep learning as long as it continues to be fun. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteAh you remind me to get back to my Duolingo French lessons, I love it. Where are you travelling to?
ReplyDeleteQuebec city and Paris are in our plans. Thank you, Jan, for visiting.
DeleteI'm happy to stop whirling for a while and rest after a month of AtoZ posting! I'm already thinking about what to do next - I'm thinking about an online course too (but not a language just yet!) Good on you for tackling two languages at once - that's pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I've shared this on my SM xx
You deserve a big break after the AtoZ Challenge, Leanne. Thank you for hosting #MLSTL.
DeleteI am still struggling along, trying to learn German. I have finished my classes at the local school, now I am just learning at home.
ReplyDeleteGood for you learning two!!
Good for you for finishing your classes at the local school, Cherie. Since you live in Germany, I think the need to know German is essential. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThat's awesome your learning foreign languages. I've always struggled learning other languages. I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy, for your kind words. The key thing is to try something new now and then.
DeleteLearning two languages is a sure way to keep your brain firing on all cylinders. Good for you. I would love to learn just one new language but am too lazy to put out the effort.
ReplyDeleteDuolingo is like a game at first so try it and you may get hooked. Thanks, Victoria, for stopping by.
DeleteHI Natalie, So this is the third time I'm seeing the "out of comfort zone link_... and they often say this times a charm. I guess I'm going to have to join in! :-)
ReplyDeleteLearning a new language is such a cool thing to do! I studied Spanish in school to the point of fluency, but have lost so much since I never kept up with it. Through the years, I worked with many folks who spoke multiple languages and I admired that skill. Good for you!
Please join us :) If you resume Spanish now, it will come back to you since you were fluent before. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteGood for you for learning two languages and practicing daily! I am planning to go to France next year, so it would be a good time for me to learn a few basics!
ReplyDeleteA year is a good duration to learn a language. Even with 10-15 minutes daily, it makes a difference. Thanks, Michele, for dropping by.
DeleteVery admirable on two languages! You go girl! I think that's fab that you are taking the time to do that with travel in mind. Like you said, a tiny bit of practice daily, can do wonders. Great job!
ReplyDeleteBren @ A Splash of Cray
Welcome to my blog and thank you for your comment, Bren! As adults we have so many things that require our time and attention so it's much more manageable for me to learn in small chunks of time, and it's for fun.
Deletei'm very impressed that you are learning two languages at once. I would love to brush up on my Spanish but haven't really investigated an online class that is fun. It has to be enjoyable, even if it is only for 15 minutes. I would love it if you decided to share on your blog about the program you're using to learn languages.
ReplyDeleteHi Kalpanaa, I'm using Duolingo. I started looking into Memrise as well. Hope you'll give it a go and share what you think of either app. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteIt’s fun to be able to speak to people when you travel. It makes such a difference. You still have a lot of travel destinations if you want to practice Spanish! We’re practicing Duolingo French every day for an upcoming trip.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog, Aixa! Looks like we're both learning French for upcoming trips. Thank you for stopping by.
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