My Life as a Second Language Learner

Personal Journal: Week 6


Probably the most significant aspect of my experience here is my life as a second language learner. While I consider myself a fairly intelligent fellow, it is a deeply humbling experience (to say the least) to learn Spanish. Everyday in class the professors are constantly adding new and challenging elements while correcting skills I have not quite yet mastered. Normally I am an active learner. However, here I feel liken my mind and tongue are a lump of clay which is constantly being molded by those around me. Para mi, Español es una montana grande a aprender.

Like expedition climbers in the Himalayas, my journey up this mountain is slow, arduous, and continually challenging. There are times when the language cascades down on me like an avalanche nearly suffocating in its complexity. At other times the language looks like a huge, impregnable, black and polished face of granite seemingly impossible to scale. But there is an expression here, “Poco a Poco” (Little by Little) which keeps the mind burning.

As is the case with the best climbers in the world I need the gear and companionship of excellent guides to scale la montaña. In the photo are some of the tools essential in my journey to learn Spanish. In addition to the class text, I find having both print and electronic dictionaries helpful in finding unknown words. As a gift from my daughter, my Franklin Translator has proven itself time and again as invaluable in quickly unlocking the meaning of unknown words. The paper dictionary is my backup when the electronic translator fails. I believe we should purchase more of these tools for our students. (Side note: Look closely at what I typed in my translator and you will learn one of my favorite words in Spanish).

Other essential tools include my MP3 player where I can listen to Spanish music and possibly audio books in Spanish. The Lonely Planet guidebook and binoculars help ensure that I am constantly being immersed in rich learning environments where I have to play close attention. The Spanish edition Newsweek (I also enjoy reading National Geographic in Spanish) gives me opportunities to read authentic literature. Although I do not understand everything I am reading and the process is much slower, the articles are muchos mas interesando to read than the text. My Rotary pen allows me to record my thoughts and experiences here in Costa Rica.

Finally, like the climbers in the Himilayas, I have many excellent guides here. In addition to my professors, I have learned a great deal from other students, taxi drivers, tour guides, ambassadors, Rotarians, waiters, and other random encounters with kind souls. While I know the journey I began five years ago to climb this montaña grande will not be over when I return to Colorado, it is becoming apparent with each step that the view only gets better.


¡Pura Vida!