Studying a language is demanding. It requires effort and consistency to become confident in speaking, understanding, writing and reading in that language. Life is so busy and unpredictable at times that our learning journey can be much longer than expected.
Setting an objective
I started learning Spanish when I was 13 and I continued until I was 20. After my second year at university, I stopped because of my lack of enjoyment. I had been studying with textbooks that were not capturing my interest, I found the lessons dull and I did not have any Spanish friends or acquaintances. Most importantly, I had no set any objective which would have made my learning journey meaningful.
Finding motivation
However, when I arrived in Scotland 3 years later, I befriended a lovely Spanish girl from Jaén, called Ana. We spoke a bit of French and Spanish together and it made me want to start my learning journey again. I visited her in Andalusia for a few days, I met her family, I discovered their culture. Everything was so much more tangible and I reignited my motivation. Moreover, I realised that being able to teach another language would give me more professional opportunities. So, I did evening classes at university for a few years as well as immersion courses in Spain.
In 2015, I took a 4-month sabbatical in Valencia, Spain. It was a wonderful experience and my Spanish improved drastically. I did a teaching exchange in a High School where I taught French and gave a talk about education to teachers and students (in Spanish!), I did an immersion course, found a private teacher there and continued with her online classes when we came back home. [Classes with Verónica online and face-to-face]
Language proficiency tests
Three years ago, I decided to sit the DELE C1 exam (advanced level). So I did a couple of intensive courses in San Sebastián and online classes with Tandem. I carefully planned my studies and revised most days of the week . I sat the DELE C1 exam in November 2021 and successfully passed with very pleasing results. Why did I sat for the DELE exam ? First, having an exam as an objective made me work harder on my skills. Secondly, a diploma recognises the hard work I have been putting for so many years. Finally, spending a whole day going through an exam put me in the position of my students and gave me a real understanding of what they go through when they sit for the DELF & DALF. I have gained more empathy and I feel able to give them great tips to prepare for the day of their exam.
Patience and Persistence
Learning Spanish has been a very long journey for me but I am pleased I never gave up. In the end, I found a way of learning that worked for me and I have now achieved the level I had been dreaming of for so long. On a professional level, I have a greater understanding of the mistakes my Spanish students make in French and can help them with more accuracy and efficiency. Besides, studying with dedicated native teachers has given me new ideas for my own teaching. Finally, during my learning journey, I have tried many strategies and I can share the most efficient ones with my students. On a personal level, I can now fully enjoy Hispanic literature. Reading masterpieces like Rayuela by Julio Cortázar in their original version is a delight. Besides, understanding everything that is said in my favourite podcast "La estación azul" makes me overjoyed.
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