FRANCE - NANTES
In our society, I would dare to say that there are two kinds of people: math people and language people. As a language person myself, I find that language is more of a "feel" thing. There is not only one answer, one truly correct phrase, or one single fitting vocabulary, but many degrees of correctness. Unlike math, it is okay to be nearly right if you are understood. However, this does not take away the incentive to improve and reach “a higher degree of correctness”. In this blog post, I will reflect on my experiences coping with foreign languages, the challenges I've faced, the surprises I've encountered, and the strategies I've developed to overcome differences in communication. Furthermore, I will discuss how these skills and knowledge will benefit me in the future, shaping my self-understanding as a communicator and a speaker of foreign languages.
Coping with Foreign Languages: When it comes to foreign languages, I have experienced both difficulties and moments of surprising ease. Initially, small talk in French came naturally as it is the most common form of communication when trying to meet new people. However, as relationships and conversations deepened, conversations became more challenging due to the lack of vocabulary. To overcome this hurdle, I developed two strategies. Firstly, I adopted a "question-mark-facial-expression" technique to signal to the speaker that their rapid speech was not understood. Secondly, I learned to ask for clarification when I did not comprehend something. Spent some time researching how to learn languages fast. Learning different languages is kind of similar, of course, vocabulary and grammar are different but your approach is the same way. The journey always starts alone, trying to get in as many grammatical rules and vocabulary as possible. However, at some point the cold water awaits. In order to improve mistakes are vital to the process.
Escaping the "Erasmus Bubble": The ultimate goal during my semester abroad was to escape the confines of the "Erasmus Bubble" – the environment where people predominantly communicate in their native language or English. One of my friends aptly termed this process of avoiding this “bubble” as "mingling with locals." Through engaging with locals, I not only discovered unique customs and traditions that would have otherwise remained hidden, but I also made strides in improving my French language skills. Interestingly, as a result of this immersion, I even experienced dreams in French, marking a significant milestone in my language-learning journey.
Language Learning Strategies: In my quest to learn languages more efficiently, I spent time researching techniques for rapid language acquisition. While each language has its unique vocabulary and grammar, the approach to learning remains somewhat similar. Initially, I embarked on the journey alone, delving into grammar rules and expanding my vocabulary. However, I soon realized that making mistakes was an essential part of progress. By interacting with locals and taking risks, I embraced trial and error as the pathway to success. Just as practice makes perfect in math, language learning requires persistent effort and a willingness to learn from one's mistakes.
Life Lessons Learned: Learning languages has imparted invaluable life lessons. I have developed the ability to learn how to learn, fostering the growth of my mindset. Mingling with locals has taught me the importance of cultural immersion and the value of understanding diverse perspectives. These experiences have not only enhanced my language skills but have also broadened my horizons and increased my empathy as a communicator. Furthermore, I have come to appreciate the significance of perseverance and the transformative power of making mistakes. Each error serves as an opportunity for improvement, propelling me forward in my language-learning journey.
In conclusion, the challenges and rewards of coping with foreign languages have shaped me into a more adaptable and empathetic communicator. The ability to navigate communicative differences and embrace trial and error has been instrumental in my language-learning journey. The skills and knowledge acquired through these experiences will undoubtedly benefit me in the future, both personally and professionally. By continuously striving for improvement and embracing the richness of languages, I have discovered the true joy of connecting with others across cultures and languages.