As we are feeling more and more settled here one of the things we have begun doing is language learning. If you have ever tried learning another language you know how difficult it can be. Every single day, whenever we go anywhere, we feel in adequate and usually a bit dumb or silly when we don't know the basic words for things. Thankfully, it seems most people have a good sense of humor about it and we are able to figure things out after awhile. However, it does get frustrating when you are looking for something specific and you have a crying toddler and the store has been rearranged and you can't ask where they moved the item to and you are in a hurry because people are starting to glare at you for having a screaming child ... you get the picture. Times like that are not fun and you wish you could just say...where did the milk go? Where can I find....?
Recently, we went to a gathering of sorts where there were a number of other foreigners that spoke English. It actually felt strange to have an intelligent conversation in English and be understood and understand the whole thing. Our kids seemed to really enjoy it and I think it was because it was the first time they had heard someone other than us, speaking English in over a month and there were English speaking kids their age. Things you never really thought you would miss or take for granted until you are here.
While I am excited to learn another language and I am hopeful that my children will grow up bi-lingual it is still a challenge. Everything is a language lesson. I had 6 hours of language learning this week and while that might not seem like much, its almost more than I can take in. Trying to remember it all is a challenge.
So we watch TV. Something we took for granted before and to be honest, we never really watched TV. We didnt even have one for the last year and a bit. Now however we find ourselves watching lots of kids shows. Not in English. This is a great way to learn as they speak slower, often repeat things, spell things, count, show objects with the words etc...its helping kids learn things like "apple" which picture has an apple? Helpful for us since this is our level of the language. Learning the alphabet and how to count and all that basic stuff. And I think our kids will learn this way too. I am feeling a sense of accomplishment that I can now say (and spell) the fact that I am wearing a blue shirt. My language teacher was doing a happy dance for me. Also, i know know what to call a tree, pencil, the sea, a boat, open and close the door, stand up, sit down...etc. I feel like i have learned alot until I try to have a conversation and then...well I probably just have a blank look.
Just as a side note...it took 3 language lessons before I was able to correctly pronounce the name of the town we are in. Every time I take a taxi and say the name, they give me a look. When I said it to my language teacher she gave me a look and we spent the next while working on it.(She speaks no English so I am forced to learn and communication is interesting. I think it will be good though)
Anyways....
that is all for now. We are off to a retreat/conference thing for the weekend. Should be good.
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