On a recent visit with my 2 year old nephew, I noticed that I kept repeating words and phrases and he would repeat after me. And it was like instant enlightment.
All this time I thought learning a language was something that you had to learn as a child or go to another country to learn, but no, in childhood, it’s learned through repetition. And if I approach learning a different language as a child learns it, then I can do it.
I’m just putting my hand on everything I can find in Spanish. Children’s books, I listen to Spanish lessons while driving in the car, and I have a workbook I checked out of the library. I just joined a Spanish language meet up group, and I’m also studying nearly every day on a FREE online language database provided by my local library. AND I bought some flashcards I carry in my purse so whenever I get a minute, even at a stop light, I can take a peek. It’s exciting because all it takes is repetition, over and over again, getting those neurotransmitters stronger and stronger in Spanish.
Now I know why children go around naming everything. . .they are learning a language. And so I hear in my mind now instead of "very good," I hear, "Muy bien."And children get thrilled because they get it right. And I’m now again sharing their fascination! It’s exciting when you remember something. . .I’m really amazed at how quickly this is evolving and look forward to learning something new every day!
It’s not really that hard. . .just one word, one phrase at a time.
Time and time and time after time.
