I don't, but I want to -- super duper duper duper want to (speak Spanish, in case that wasn't clear from the other lingual title LOL).
It's been a dream or a goal for many years. I've failed lots of times. Rosetta Stone, adult education class and repeat and continue to fail.
It on my DREAM list which will turn into a GOAL in a future year. Per Rachel Hollis, work one goal at a time.
I don't expect to be fluent, I only want to be sort of conversational (believe me, it's a reach goal -- not selling myself short).
I've been thinking about a few ways to do things differently that can give me more success (can't have less LOL).
(1) Work at it REGULARLY. I start, I struggle, I stop. Maybe if I didn't stop, I'd make some progress. Duh.
(2) Learn the written basics. I can't understand some speaking since I can't visualize the words - everything blends. Rosetta Stone and the class I took, work with lot of nouns and some verbs. I didn't know the word for "I" until I looked it up for my goal sentence (Rachel Hollis journal). I need a Spanish 101 class. The foundation. Words that fill out a sentence. What, Who, She, He, They, Am, Us ... you get the idea. Also, if I understood the sentence structure a little, it would help me "hear" the words better. If I can isolate words, I can do better translating. I figured this out in France. I haven't taken French for over 20 years, but I didn't do horribly -- all because I could "see" the words I wanted to say.
(3) Limiting belief that I can't learn language. It's true that it's hard for me (harder than for most people). It's true that an older brain takes longer to learn language. It's more difficult, but not impossible. I speak English well -- to say I can't learn language is actually NOT true.
(4) A friend also suggested that once I learn a little, watch a Spanish channel on TV with English subtitles. That seems super advanced, but I'm keeping it in my back pocket.
On that note, I have 3 things on my radar. Even though I'm not working this goal as my primary thing right now, I keep looking for things that will help me when the time is right.
First is a free app Duolingo. I'm already using it (for 2 days hahahaha) It's silly, but keeps me familiar some regular words. Having a little basics will help when I start learning as my big goal. BTW, why is it that beginner Spanish ALWAYS starts with man, woman, boy, girl and APPLE. What's up with APPLE? Would not have placed that with the best-first-words-to-learn -- for any language. Every program does it.
Fluenz Immersion Program. Rachel Hollis did this program and loved it. It's expensive (almost $6,000), but I thought maybe a graduation once I do a year of solid work (in a few years). It's a combination class and vacation. Something for hubby and I to plan one year. I know he'd love the opportunity to do an immersion program (he speaks Spanish reasonable well already). It's a total package of fun and learning.
I found a local Spanish learning center (spanishinatlanta.com) that offers some options for classes. I've looked many times to take a basic college course or adult education class (again) and nothing is available or appropriate. If I want to take a college course (local to me), I need to be accepted into the school (transcripts, money, interview, etc), pay mega money to take the class -- seems like overkill. Adult Education classes are all the same conversation stuff that doesn't give me the BASICS that I need first. While online courses have merit, I'm looking for some handholding. I'm kind of a special case and need some special attention.
If I could change anything I did in my life ... I have 3 things (in no particular order).
(1) go out with friends after our wedding - they had so much fun, we missed it
(2) take Spanish in high school instead of French
(3) go into ICU immediately after I graduated nursing school
There you have it. Not really a regret-list, more a do-over list. If I could do it again, I'd do it differently. There was a smarter way.
Not bad for almost 50 years of living though.
Rachel Hollis coaching was good yesterday. Good, not great. Her topic was PERSPECTIVE. She was all over the map with the content. She spent the time on "what is your perspective" and forgot to coach on "how to change your perspective." She went over the 2 hours because she realized she left out the important part of WHAT TO DO. A lot of what she said, I've heard her say before. Still, it was good to hear and fun to watch her do her thing. She told a number of personal stories that were really moving.
Dogs need to go out (in the pouring rain) - best get moving. Later gators.
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