Languages: Vibrant, Dynamic, Alive

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Language learning has an awful reputation.?

People seem to think learning a language is just memorizing lists of vocabulary and conjugating verbs. But let me set the record straight – if that is what you believe about language learning you are wrong.?

Learning a language is really about diving into vibrant cultures, connecting with people, and unlocking entire worlds you otherwise never would have known existed.

Think about it. Would you ever say ‘no’ to the idea of

• Immersing yourself in the ‘pura vida’ of Costa Rica? ??? Or to…?
• Learning how to dance Samba in preparation for Carnaval in Brazil? ?? Or to…
• Finding out more about the grandeur of the monarchy in England? ?? Or to…
• Toasting a cold beer as you discover more about Oktoberfest in Germany?? ??

Of course you wouldn’t.?

So then why do you run away when someone suggests taking foreign language lessons?

As a language teacher and as a language lover I don’t really understand why. But, enough people feel this way about language learning so I can’t deny the reputation that precedes it. So I want to help demonstrate my counter- point through an example, just the way I would teach everything else in my classes.?

I want you to take moment to watch this video of me and my Portuguese teacher, Jessica, in one of our classes together. You’ll see her teaching me about the two main types of Carnaval from her home city, S?o Paulo. (You can also see this fun video of Jess celebrating in February, 2024!!) I am clearly a super beginner with Portuguese, so forgive my pronunciation and lack of vocabulary. Instead, focus on:

1. How fun I am clearly having in class. ??
2. How it doesn’t matter the number of mistakes I make. ??♀?
3. How happy my teacher is to share her Brazilian culture with me. ??
4. How I genuinely learn something I otherwise would probably never have known about. ??

I mean… how cool, right!? I got to learn about the famous Carnaval in S?o Paulo directly from someone from S?o Paulo, and I got to see and hear real life accounts of it basically in real time! You can’t get that kind of exposure just from a news show or a textbook.?

I could go on and show you countless examples of how I have had similar experiences in Spanish classes or how I can provide this to my own students in English classes. But you could watch other people learn or you could get in a class yourself and experience it firsthand.?

I could share countless similar experiences from previous Spanish classes or stories from my own classes with my English students. But why listen to me when you could experience it yourself?

So, instead of running away from the idea of a language classroom for fear of the grammar or technicalities, and instead consider all the culture, people and opportunities you could find if you just get started. Try it out for a while, make mistakes, learn, laugh and watch how language brings a whole new dimension to your understanding of the world.