¡Hola! Me llamo Una Madre. ¿Cómo está?
Seriously. I keep trying to translate everything into Spanish! Did you know that I can now successfully count to 39 in Spanish without really thinking about it? We haven't learned how to say "forty" yet. And I can count backwards from 39 to 0, too. Word to the wise: if you’re trying to learn to count in a different language, take up knitting or crochet. I’ve been counting my stitches in Spanish, and that’s the best way I’ve found so far to help the information to stick.
Sounds like I have a bit too much time on my hands, doesn’t it? Well, I can assure you that is not the case. I’m looking for ways to incorporate this into the stuff I’m already spending oodles of time on, in a futile attempt to help at least some of the new information take up residence in my brain.
I know at least a few of you who read this blog have studied Spanish or another language in the past. Any pointers?
And last, but certainly not least:
La Princesa starts her summer school classes today. She conked out at 6:30 last night, and was up again by 12:30 playing. That's 12:30 AM, as in just after midnight. I just put her on the bus about ten minutes ago. Anyone care to venture a guess at what time the Chris Farley dead-fall will occur tonight? :)
What you're doing is the best way. Incorporate the foreign language in every way you can. Counting your crochet stitches is a great idea. Use it as much as you can. Immersion is the absolute best way to pick up any language. Go to the book store or library and see if they have any kid books in Spanish (particularly ones you already know so you can correlate the Spanish words with what you know to be the English ones), try flipping on the Spanish channel and laugh at how fast they talk, if you can find audio books or YouTube videos of entry level Spanish conversations or definitions, listen to those, label items around your house with the Spanish names and practice saying them aloud, smack talk your hubbs in Spanish (ok, not really but as his sister, I had to throw that one in there.) Hope these ideas help.
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