My Spanish phrases, although limited, are now the first ones that come to mind.  I also find myself responding to or questioning things in Spanish anytime I try to interact with others or read something on paper. That’s not to say there aren’t moments that are hugely frustrating – in one moment I can feel semi-fluent, then at the end of a long day feel again like I understand near nothing. I have to admit there are moments I really struggle with trying to balance my great desire to communicate with not being able to say and mime all that I want to.

Just one of thousands Spanish language newspapers

I read recently on a Rosetta Stone advertisement that in order to really learn a language you need to become (or at least act like) a baby again, and I think it’s true. My advice for what it’s worth is to surround yourself with all things and people associated with your desired language. For example, if your goal like mine is to learn Spanish, then:

• Listen to Spanish songs and radio
• Watch Spanish movies and T.V.
• Read Spanish books, magazines and newspapers. Keep a dictionary beside you while you read them.
• Stay with a Spanish speaking family and if they do speak your first language, make it a rule that they don’t do so with you.
• Check out YouTube where you’ll find many free video tutorials
• Learn Spanish dance and how to cook local meals
• Let your curiosity guide you above all. Seek and ask questions on everything even if they seem kind of silly.

It’s not easy to feel like a child again and at times, like someone who has lost their ability to speak. But it’s amazing what you can achieve when you want to; keep telling yourself you can do it and eventually you will!

Amanda Patterson recently wrapped up a stint teaching English and public speaking as a volunteer with Corporation for the Development of Learning (CDA) in Santiago, Chile. She’s just arrived in Guatemala, eagerly awaiting her next adventure.

For more musings on learning another language, check out these posts from other La Vida Idealist bloggers: “The Multiple Personalities of You“; “¿Dónde Está El Baño?“; “Help! I’ve Reached the Foreign Language Flatlands!”; “What Your Language Teacher Doesn’t Want You to Know”; “Could You Pick Up Some Milk and a Second Language While You’re Out?”; “Forget Language Teachers…I’ve Got Kids”; and “5 Surprises About International Volunteering: #2 – Language Non-Barriers.”

At times I feel silly for having believed those people who told me to anticipate something in my head eventually “clicking.” I had been told that this occurrence would be something like a moment of clarity and would symbolize the dawning of my second language awareness. Perhaps I’ve been foolish and this is really just another one of those things people say. But if it’s true I guess I’m still waiting for it to ‘click.’

What’s more is that recently I’ve hit a lull. After a few conversations with other multi-lingual speakers, I’ve come to learn what I’m experiencing is a common phenomenon. The lull is what now  I know holds me back. In the beginning everything was new and I learned rapidly. Yet with time I’ve begun to fall back on what I already know because, even though my words are crude,  they’re effective and get the point across.

In my last posting I briefly explored what achieving multi-lingual fluency really means. In the end I determined that fluency is far more a state of mind than it is a defined term. That being said, I know many get to a certain level in their language studies and choose not to go further. This is because at a certain point, one can express themselves and that is simply all that many desire to achieve. However, I have decided that my appetite for Spanish fluency can only be satisfied beyond the lull which I am experiencing.

To begin moving towards the next step is a very intimidating thing. There is a lot of distance between expression and in-depth articulation. I’m looking forward to what’s to come, but I’ve certainly learned the hard way that once school is out, foreign languages aren’t the sort of things one simply “picks up.”

It is important to recall that we all learn differently. Some have more cognitive memory ability while others prefer to learn experientially. Though each individual has a unique style in terms of learning languages, what needs to be made clear is that rarely does anyone simply “pick up” a second language. Don’t believe the hype.  Learning another language once you’re a mature adult is an incredibly difficult thing to do. Only on rare occasions does anyone become fluent after a semester abroad, or watching TV shows, or spending a ridiculous amount of money on a computer program.

This brings up another question: what IS fluency? We can all ask for “el baño” and “papas fritas” after our three years of high school Spanish classes, but does this mean we are fluent? My friend held impassioned conversations with her Spanish boyfriend during her semester abroad, but did that mean she had achieved fluency? How is real fluency measured? Should we assess it through a person’s ability to talk on the phone without the aid of hand signals, or one’s capacity to lead a business meeting, or maybe the aptitude to appreciate subtitle nuances covered in poetry?

After several months of immersion, I’ve decided that language fluency is a state of mind. Even within our primary language, we all fall somewhere on the scale between first words and the Noble Prize in Literature. Assessing your own abilities and goals is what’s important. If you decide you want to become proficient, expect to put in years and years of hard work and practice.

I may not be able to define what makes one fluent, perhaps no one can, but I do know that it takes long hours and patience to get there. Judging by my own goals, I know that it is worth it. I’ve come far enough to realize learning a new language is enticing to so many because in the end it’s incredibly rewarding. After all, what could be more gratifying than opening up whole new portions of the world to yourself through communication and interaction?

A common question we get here at Idealist.org, often from people who want to volunteer abroad but also from others who are exploring international careers or travel, is “What if I don’t speak the language?” The quick answer, of course, is to start learning it asap. Consider taking a community college or language school course. Find local speaking groups or expat communities in your area to practice with. Think about joining an immersion program or study the language abroad (preferably in the country you’ve set your sights on).

Predictably enough, language really is that critical a skill to have when living, working, volunteering, or traveling abroad – most especially the first two options where you’ll most likely be spending a fair amount of time in-country and want to integrate into the community as quickly as you can. For volunteering or traveling, especially if you’ll only be in-country for a short period of time, there are some additional options like volunteering with an organization or program that provides language support and/or translators (this is what I did when volunteering for two weeks in Jordan), learning some key phrases and practicing the twin international travel arts of humility and pantomime, or jumpstarting your volunteering or travels by spending a little time first in a language course abroad – or go abroad primarily for the course and volunteer/travel on the side.

The bottom line is, in order to truly experience cross-cultural exchange the likes of which you can only get through personal communications and connection with local citizens, you’re going to need some language skills. So, once you know where you want to go, start checking out your options. ¿Comprende?