So, You’ve Been Thinking of Language Immersion?

Today’s guest post comes from Ian over at Eager Existence.  I have wanted to continue to share reader’s language learning journeys in hopes that we can all learn from one another and so am excited to hear Ian’s story of his time living immersed and in language school in Madrid.   Enjoy and be sure to share your experiences in the comments below.

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I only speak English. I don’t like this fact. I’ve always been romanced by the fact that I stumble onto conversations in the street, and have no idea what’s being said. I’m curious; I want to know what’s going on. I want to talk to people.

I want to understand.

If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself while learning a new language – fully, but have feared doing it; then read on.

I never planned on moving to Spain to study Spanish. When I left Australia over 8 months ago, the plan was to tour Europe, work in England somewhere, and travel around Europe for up to 2 years taking small trips here-and-there. For Australian’s, England is the big thing. It’s the “gap year” or the “rite of passage” to get a job pubbing in London and live life as an expat. So I was just following the well-trodden backpacker path of many before me.

But life doesn’t always go to plan. 

After 6 months of continuous travel (and many awesome adventures), I got burnt out of being on the move. I had a friend living in Madrid and decided to visit. We talked, and staying in Spain for the winter seemed like a great idea. He knew I always wanted to learn Spanish.

Spanish for me has always held a special place. I think it’s because of the romance of South America and how exotic, raw, and wild it is to me. And then there’s the mother-land, Spain: the culture; the friendly, open, and beautiful people; the lifestyle; the sun; and the food. It’s exactly my kind of place.

My first two weeks in Madrid were the most difficult. English is not prolific in Spain (but they’re working on that). I was already tired from travelling, and spent more than a few days stowed away in my friend’s flat, surfing his couch, and using the Internet to orientate myself. I was getting nowhere; my friend could see that I was never going to leave his couch without motivation, so he told me I had until Saturday to find somewhere to live.

Instant motivation.

I found Spanish apartment websites on my own and used Google Translator to find a suitable place with low rent. I had also found expat-style companies who agreed to help English speakers find apartments while working/studying/or simply immigrating to Madrid. I soon learned they severely overcharge — similarly for some language schools who offer accommodation — their prices are a lot higher because they deal a lot with short-term students (2-4 weeks). It’s much more convenient for an International student to buy their language programme in one complete package, and just move in the same day they step off the plane but for some reason, I like doing things the organic (and hard) way.

It took me a week to find a room in the home of a lovely Spanish family, very cheap. It benefits my Spanish, because when we talk, it’s only in Spanish and they are kind and patient with the long pauses I take to find the words. It took me a day to figure out how to get a phone number; the clerk didn’t speak much English and was intent on selling me every package under the sun but with the help of my friend, I managed to get a simple no-contract package on a tight budget.

If you think just up and moving to a country to be immersed in the language is a big jump, your right, it is. But that’s not really how I did it; though I am continuing the jump and heading down to South America (lifelong dream) next year though.

If you are thinking of learning a language, and would prefer to be fully immersed, more than just picking it up in night classes in your home town (I tried this once too), then just do it. The jump is big, but it’s not a leap of faith. If you fail, you can return home. At least you gave it a go. Life is about trying new things.

I don’t regret for one minute stopping in Madrid these past few months, and studying at a language school. I’ve met the most amazing people from around the world. I’ve had the best time, and enjoyed so much of the culture. There’s no reason why your experience can’t be the same. There was a point 2-3 weeks in, where I wanted to just give up and move on. It was very overwhelming to not be understood. But, I found friends who also speak English (and Spanish), so they help me when I get too frustrated. They know I’m learning Spanish, and prefer to speak Spanish when possible, but they are there to support me when I stumble, and help me out.

For all those people who say you should cut yourself off from your native language (English in my case), they are right.  If you want to pick it up fast, then steer away from other expats. But speed (of fluency) is not my goal; a robust and fun life is my goal. I learn at my pace, in a community environment, and enjoy every minute of it along the way.

I like Aaron’s idea of keeping a journal of new words you learn, and attempting to use them as you go. With intensive language courses, I’ve found that they are so intensive that I forget a lot of new vocabulary the day after I learn it because I haven’t used it. So use it, remember it, speak it, get it corrected, and even tape a native speaker saying it.

You are in control of your own destiny. You are the measure of your own success. If you hide out in your hostel room every night instead of attempting to meet locals, you might find it difficult to pick up the language. You have the Internet, you have Facebook. There are many ways to get out there and mingle with locals who want to talk with a foreigner. You are interesting and exotic because you are not from their country.

And trust me, the rewards are worth it. It feels so good when you can understand what people are saying, or when you can navigate your way around town and ask for help when you need it. The small successes become big things.

My final advice: Don’t measure your success on other students or bloggers who promise you fluency in “X” months. Everyone learns in different ways, and at different speeds. On saying that, I wish I’d known about the 50 things to learn before travel; it took me two weeks longer than everyone else to grasp the basics, but no one cares that I repeated, and I feel better for doing it now. As long as you are studying, practising reading/writing/speaking/listening as often as you can, and keeping a positive attitude, you will make progress.

Don’t worry so much, enjoy it.

*The link to the Madrid Language School is an affiliate link.

Guest post by Ian from EagerExistence, a 20-something year old guy who gave up his career and mortgage for solo long-term travel. Ian is currently based in Madrid, Spain and immersing himself in Spanish starting at an absolute beginner level. You can also find him on facebook.  Stop by and read Ian’s full story today.

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As we move further into the holiday season, I want to remind you that for every dollar you spend on an Everyday Language Learner Guide, I will donate 50% of the money to Blood:Water Mission to help fight HIV/AIDs in Africa.  You can read about my campaign to help HERE.  

What others are saying about The Everyday Language Learner’s Guide to Getting Started:

Embarking on the journey of learning a new language is a daunting task for most of us.  Even more daunting is choosing among the myriad of ‘how-two guides’  in the local bookstore or numerous products available on the infinitely expanding webosphere.  So it comes as a real breath of fresh air to read Aaron Myers Getting Started Guide, which not only takes you step by step through the process of learning a new language but provides invaluable advice for getting past the hurdles all of us will have to face at one time or another along the way.  If I had to recommend one resource for a new language learner wanting to know the most practical and efficient approach to starting their journey, it would be hard to beat this guide.

Gavin Lamb of Leaky Grammar

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