A Second Language

In high school and college I studied Spanish. At the university I studied it intensively and hoped to become a bilingual teacher. At the university level class was every day and conducted only in Spanish. I was almost fluent. My life took another direction, and I no longer used the language. I have had a few opportunities, especially living in California, but have lost most of it. I have always loved the people, the language and had a longing to study and speak it again.

I found a website, where I can take free online language classes. The language is coming back to me quickly, as I work the lessons. The most fascinating part of this website is that I am able to speak and chat with people all over the world. I have made a few friends that are helping me with my Spanish. I am able to help them with their English. I am able to speak, read and write every day with people in Mexico, Central and South America.

One friend is a City Planner in Chile. One is a student in Bogota, Columbia. Another friend is an engineer on the central Mexican coast. Not only is the language of interest to me, but the culture is so fascinating. I have learned about the foods, their home life, transportation, and the music they listen to. I am enthralled and fascinated. I am also proud of myself for enriching my life with another language.

Comments: 14

Corina Carrasco Sep 8, 2008, 1:55am EDT

Good for you! You're keeping your dream within reach!

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Teresa W. Sep 8, 2008, 2:57am EDT

That's cool Sue! The internet really can be used to enrich our lives. I've been doing a lot of research lately and writing articles over at Associated Content. It's a lot of work but I'm feeling sort of, I don't, smart lately. Not exactly the word I'm looking for but, I like doing it and the few dollars it brings in is ok too!

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Sue D. Sep 8, 2008, 4:19am EDT

Way to go Teresa! I will have to check out your new articles at AC!

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j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 8, 2008, 11:14am EDT

That sounds great. I have to brush up on my Spanish as well, I realized that half a lot of the kids at my son's school are Hispanic, and although I understand the other parents, but I cannot get myself to speak anymore.

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Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 8, 2008, 12:44pm EDT

Que bien! Mi idioma segunda, tambien, es Espanol! Digo siempre que soy "una hija adoptada de Mexico -- no viejas mis ojos 'Tapatios'?" Ja-ja-ja-ja!

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Juan J Martinez Sep 8, 2008, 1:53pm EDT

Spanish is a beautiful language. I often write poetry and lyrics in Spanish that loose their true meaning or don't have the same impact in English. I am now trying to learn Italian.

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Lisa Frost Sep 8, 2008, 7:52pm EDT

I took German in high school and when I started college, and, like you, had gotten to classes that were conducted in German only. I have lost most of it now. I would love to refresh it, but I don't know. I actually have had the urge to learn a new language, something different from the things we were offered in school. Hebrew, Hindi or even Arabic languages would be something. They do not offer those languages at GCU, nor have I been able to find classes locally. I saw a sight that offered a penpal or higher depending on your proficiency in the language, maybe it is the same one you know. It looks very interesting.

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Felicia R. Sep 8, 2008, 7:56pm EDT

Sorry to intrude on your article...

I sadly cant not seem to publish an article for the life of me right now.

I have attempted to save an article, heck I have tried to publish an article, even retried publishing an article just now asking is this is happening to anyone else as well.

But nothing is working.

After I hit publish it is bringing me to the next page with nothing just the top inch of the website...

So is anyone else having this same issue...

I will be checking the comments by my friends on my home page to see if anyone answers this...

But again I will be doing cut and paste to alot of articles for a while trying to see if anyone else is having the same issues or if it is just me...

Or who knows what is going on. ~ Felicia

(Oh PS I rated your article a 10 for the bonus of me being annoying)

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Monica H. Sep 11, 2008, 2:20am EDT

Wonderful.

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Sarah (I want points) Sep 24, 2008, 1:42pm EDT

free online language classes? Neat!

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Wilma M. Sep 25, 2008, 12:48pm EDT

How intriguing. I took French for 7 yrs total in high school and college. When I did my student teaching, I decided I didn't want to do that. I also had 3 yrs of college German for a minor. My kids and I used to go to Europe and the languages did help some. I could read everything at least and that was nice. I was still afraid to use more than the basic conversation, though.

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JoAnn C. Sep 27, 2008, 8:33pm EDT

I took French and Spanish in high school and continued with Spanish in college. I didn't retain any of it. The French would have come in handy when I went to Paris last year. I few years ago I tried to learn Italian using a CD set I bought. The speaker would say a phrase in Italian and I would repeat it. Every once in a while the phrase would come out in French or Spanish.

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