Looking Back on Learning Spanish

Almost a week out of going home, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my Spanish and how much it has developed since coming to Buenos Aires. When I first got here, I knew only what a hundred or so days on Duolingo had taught me and nothing more. However, now, as I get ready to leave, though very far from fluent, I am much more comfortable in the language. 

The day that I landed in Ezeiza, I had only  a few words and phrases in mind. I struggled at customs and could hardly introduce myself to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires staff. It hit me then that I had committed to spending the next four months in a Spanish-speaking country and that I was not prepared for such a thing. 

Of course, at first, every interaction was intimidating and the simplest exchanges had me stressed. I was not sure how to ask for change, get a dressing room, order a coffee, or even what I was buying at the grocery store. I was overly anxious about embarrassing myself or making mistakes and so I relied on my friends or the likes of Google Translate to get by. Google Translate, however, did not properly prepare me for the Argentine accent and dialect. Even if I had known the words I expected them to say, I struggled to properly hear them as I knew them. 

Over time, though, as my Spanish class progressed and I went out more, I noticed changes in my Spanish. Quick, basic, and daily interactions began to not take much thought and I began to pick up on patterns more easily. Essential conversations that I was ashamed of not being able to have at first became basic and more manageable. I began to rely on my phone less and my knowledge from class and past conversations more. 

Once my confidence began to pick up, my conversing and happiness did too. I realized then that all that mattered was my point getting across, even if it wasn’t grammatically correct because, after all, that is the point of a language. I was never going to be fluent in Spanish, nevermind perfect, and so, my small mistakes didn’t matter as much. Thus, I started focusing on practicing and learning instead of what I was doing wrong. 

Four months later, I look back at all that I have learned and am very proud of myself. Not only do I feel comfortable with essential interactions, I can recognize words and piece them together as well as present for class entirely in Spanish! Though initially regretting my choices and dreading speaking the language, I am very happy with what I chose to do. Learning Spanish through immersion was a lot better, for me, than learning it academically, say in school. I learned it practically and practiced sooner and I learned slang and everyday words. The language was not abstract, it was real and I was living in it. Although very far from fluent, I am much further along than I had assumed I would be. If you, or someone you know, is thinking of making a decision like my own, I would push you/ them to do it. There is nothing to lose and there is no shame in learning. You’re being brave and you’ll have so much fun along the way.