Monday, February 20, 2017

Monday Muse - Lifelong Learning Part 1


"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow."

~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Like many Americans, I did not have a viable opportunity to learn another language in my formative years.  I opted out of Spanish in High School, thinking I would rather learn French.  I took French in college, the first time around, but when life derailed my college education, learning another language was set aside for later years. Self study options were limited at that time.

I briefly took a community education course with my mother-in-law; again in French.  I was able to put that study to a very brief use as I traveled through New Brunswick and Quebec provinces in the late 1980s.

In my mid forties, the chance to resume my much belated college career arose.  In addition to pursuing my degree, I was thrilled to have another opportunity to learn a second language.  This time around, I chose Spanish, believing it to be practical to my anticipated role as an elementary teacher. To my delight, I found Spanish to be a fluid and musical language that I took pleasure in learning and speaking.  I maintained that interest through three requisite college semesters.

Since achieving my degree, I have continued to study Spanish, but these days, I engage in daily practice through the website and app known as Duolingo.  I have only rare opportunities to speak Spanish in person and find that I am a little shy in speaking it with a native speaker, but I understand it in spoken and written form fairly well.  Duolingo is a fun way to learn and offers instant feedback, which I appreciate.  When I feel confident enough with Spanish, I plan to tackle another language. There are so many options from which to choose!

What about you?  Are bilingual or multilingual?  Are you a lifelong learner?  If so, come visit this my Quiet Country House each Monday for the next several weeks as I review a few other opportunities for continuing to learn through all stages of life!

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you curiosity and delight!


quote from Brainyquote.com

8 comments:

Sandra Cox said...

Good for you, Marcie! That's fantastic!
I try to keep learning but unfortunately I I'm not bilingual. I really admire you for doing this.

Out on the prairie said...

I think as an educator you never stop learning all you can, forever a student. Spanish has became a good language to use worldwide next to English. A friend the other day hiking with me was trilingual and uses both French and Spanish in his work. It is interesting how he can change so fluidly.

Marcie said...

Sandra, Check out Duolingo. Any language you've ever yearned to learn is probably available! You might get hooked.

Steve, I admire that ease with languages. I think if we start learning when young, we are more receptive to learning several languages. Despite that, I keep trying! lol

Crafty Green Poet said...

It's great to keep using a second language.

I speak French, German and Italian, though am rusty with all of them in the spoken form. I subscribe to an italian magazine and regularly read in all three languages. I find Spanish too difficult to learn (partly because it's so similar to Italian and therefore confusing) but I can understand it reasonably well (for the same reason!).

Pom Pom said...

Good for you, M!
I do like to learn new things and I find I prefer nonfiction to fiction these days.
I wish I had paid attention in Spanish class.

Marcie said...

Crafty Green Poet, A magazine subscription is a great way to remain fluent in your second (or 3rd or 4th!) language. I will have to look into that for Spanish. :)

Pom,

I prefer nonfiction too these days, though occasionally read a novel that really speaks to me.
I wonder what you were thinking about during Spanish class? lol.

Cat Lover said...

Thanks for sharing this Marcie! We have been toying with the idea of learning German. I will check Duolingo.

Sandra Cox said...

So what language do you think you'll tackle next?
Your comment at my place put a smile on my face:)