I see language as a very powerful tool. It can also be a very sheltering obstacle when trying to communicate with someone in a different language. Naturally, the opportunities and perspectives that come from learning a new language have intrigued me since I was a child. I have found learning a language to be unique in that there is an immediate broadening of one’s perspectives as soon as you begin to learn it. What I would look at and call a shoe, hundreds of people would look at and have their own name for that inanimate object. Languages have the power to both separate and bring people together.
Unfortunately, my only exposure to learning foreign languages has been in a classroom setting. I studied Spanish throughout high school and took Latin as well. Reflecting on my growth as a language student is the main reason why I did not want to stop learning a new language now that I’m in college. What is somewhat disheartening is that I know I learn best when I am actually doing something (playing a new sport, eating with chopsticks, etc.). It’s disheartening because I will likely not be traveling to a foreign country for years to come; however, I’m excited to be learning a language on my own and not in a classroom. Because I have a very poor idea of which methods will best suit my language learning progress, I am prepared to entertain every method possible to find the best for me.
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