For me, traveling to other countries means learning a new language. Sure, most people around the world know English, but it makes the experience much more realistic to learn the local tongue! Exploring a new part of the world can also mean exploring a new way to express yourself. Here are some tips on learning Spanish through immersion! Who knows, maybe you’ll end up at a Mexican Baptism like I did!
Como se dice?
Rule #1: ASK QUESTIONS! The simple fact you are trying to learn the language and customs of the locals will make them much more comfortable with you. It shows them you are trying to get on their level, and not expecting them to get on yours.
When you are trying to get on the locals’ level, I want you to pay attention to something. You will see the look on their face change! Sometimes, they just expect that you are going to ask them immediately if they speak English. When you don’t? Their eyes light up. They are so happy that you are in their territory trying to learn their way of communicating, the whole dynamic of the interaction changes.
The phrase I use the most is “Como se dice?” (How do you say). This will help when you are really stuck in trying to say something. The more questions you ask, the more your vocabulary will increase.
Making mistakes:
Another piece of learning Spanish through immersion? From a very young age, I have found this to be just as important as asking questions. When I was visiting family in Greece, I had no choice but to practice Greek. No English was spoken, therefore mistakes were inevitable. I was willing to sound like a fool, and for this I was corrected and told the proper way to say something. Learning through experience is one of the best ways to learn something, as difficult or uncomfortable as it may be.
If I had a nickel for every time I made a mistake back then…
It is inevitable you are going to make mistakes. Even putting the accent in another place can make a word mean something totally different. Sure, you may get the locals chuckling, but it is all part of the fun (remember, it’s supposed to be fun)! They will be sure to correct you, and you will have learned how to correctly say something new.
I’ve had this happen too many times, and the difference between cocino and cochino is something I will NEVER forget for the rest of my life (and something I’m not willing to divulge in this post!).
There’s an app for that…
Although this will not make you fluent as quickly as being surrounded by the language, it is still a great supplement. I use Duolingo. 5 minutes per day really makes a difference in the words you can have in your tool belt when the time comes to show off your skills.
The free version has ads on it, but they just give your brain a break for a few seconds. Learning a new language is hard! If you’ve ever felt what it is like to try to learn a new language, your brain feels like it is contorting itself just as much as your eyebrows are. Be patient and proud of the small milestones you make when it comes to all this, especially while using the app.
Enough is enough!
Ok, at some point you are going to run out of steam when it comes to communicating in a different language. If the people you are with do in fact speak English, then go ahead and take a break. You deserve it! Just like when lifting those heavy weights at the gym and being totally gassed, your brain needs a break at times as well.
If they don’t speak English? Well, try your absolute best. Give it all you’ve got, and when it’s time for a break, take it. Language barriers can be tough sometimes, but remember there is no shame here! The conversation may fizzle out, and that is ok.
Fair warning
You WILL zone out during conversations. Learning a new language is not an easy task! As much as you will want to pay attention the whole time while in the group, it is inevitable to zone out for a few minutes. (Yes, minutes!) You’ll enter back into the conversation at some point, but your brain is on overload and needs some time to chill out.
Is this all really worth it?
I mean, seriously, is learning Spanish through immersion really worth going through all this? Sure, there are other ways to do this, but there is one difference. Take a look at this guy selling tours in Cabo San Lucas! Most tourists just ignore him, or are outright rude to him, and everyone like him just trying to make an honest living.
Once we got passed the point where I didn’t have money to spend on tours, it was actually really nice talking to locals like this one here. My Spanish is far from perfect, so the language barrier was inevitable. All the locals I spoke to told me places to check out, what to avoid, and so much more about the place they call home. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity of getting on the locals’ level in every place I travel to. It wouldn’t be possible if I weren’t willing to look like a fool in the process!
To learn means to grow, and growing pains are a real thing! Once those growing pains pass, you will be happy you made it to the other side. Take the leap, my friends! You won’t be disappointed.
‘Til next time,
Pete – A Traveling Teacher