I was 10 years old when I was first exposed to my first words of Spanish. I studied Spanish throughout all of middle school, high school and a semester in college. Today, to continue my fluency in the language, I often listen to Spanish music, and speak Spanish to friends in other countries. Despite my longtime learning, I am not deaf, I know my Spanish needs improvement, it is nowhere near perfect, and I am aware that when not used, a language becomes foreign all over again. You see, I dared to not settle for being mediocre, wanting to help people was and continues to be my motivation. I knew that if I ever hoped to do anything in this world that related to people, how important it was to learn a new language.
I could not tell you how many times I have watched children of parents who do not know the English language translate for them and act as a guide. I have watched relief on people’s faces in just the hopes that I know even a few words of Spanish when I walked through a door, and the true gratification they feel when they see that although I am not a true native, I can help because I learned the language. I often have conversations with native speakers who inquire as to “why I chose to learn a new language”—the answer is simple, I wanted to learn a new language for the same reason that they learned English: because communication is essential. The truth is, I care. I want to help people in every way possible so I care to learn to communicate with them, regardless if Spanish is not my first language I have taken the opportunity to learn everything that I could.
Most middle and high schools today have a language requirement of at least a year, offering languages such as German, Spanish, Latin, French and even Chinese. Learning a language and discovering new cultures outside of the one that you are native in can get you a long way in life particularly in education and future career opportunities. Learning a new language also stimulates your brain. Meeting new people from new areas also is an advantage to learning a new language, after all you can never have enough friends.
I have learned many aspects of the language, from speaking and understanding, to how to write and read. Luckily, I did not only learn the Spanish language but also true Spanish culture from countries such as La República Dominicana, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Ecuador and España. I have fell in love with the foods that are extremely rich in flavor such as sancocho, arepas and mofongo. I have danced all night to Bachata, Salsa and Merengue. Lastly, I have even been wrapped up in my emotions because of artists like Prince Royce, Aventura and Marc Anthony. The point is I have been exposed to every type of Hispanic/Latin culture and I feel extremely connected to the people and lifestyle as a whole
No, I do not know everything, I do not know every Spanish word or phrase— it is a lifelong learning process. Be it Spanish or another language, learning a new language is challenging especially the later in life it is done, but I love a challenge. However, you mustn’t let that discourage you, you will never be “too old” to learn a new language. You will never be “not smart enough” to learn a new language. You will certainly never be “not good enough” to learn a new language because you were made for the obstacle.The desire to want to learn is half of the battle, if you want to learn—you will in due time.
Most importantly, the benefit of it outweighs any struggle. When you take the time to learn a new language, you are not only learning it for the benefit of communicating with others you are also learning it for yourself. Being bilingual has been the biggest blessing I could have asked for. Use my story as an example, the point is if you have the opportunity to ever learn another language, take it, it will pay off in the end tenfold.
