How I did it: I tried to learn Spanish since I was a young child. Luckily, in my neighborhood finding someone to teach me was easy. I began hanging out with my Spanish-speaking neighbors and asking them the meanings of words when tey spoke to their parents. Then, at the age of 10, my parents decided that I needed a new babysitter, so I suggested being babysat by one of my friends' mothers. She accepted babysitting me, and we slowly started communicating more in Spanglish. Her daughter had to translate to me at first, but eventually I began understanding more and more words, until one day my friend didn't have to translate anymore. From there, I began taking every opportunity to speak Spanish until it became second nature to me. Now, I use it almost every day and am very thankful to my teachers.

Lessons & tips: It helps to understand that behind every language there is a culture. The more you get into the culture the easier learning the language is. Experience all that you can from the culture.

Resources: Spanish-speaking neighbors, an open mind

Feb 27, 2012, 09:30PM PST | 0 comments | 6 cheers