Take off in Spanish

Hola friends…

As well as setting up this new blog on the 1 January, I began to explore a CD package: ‘The complete language-learning kit, which one of my lovely daughters kindly leant to me (thanks babe) for the purpose of learning my new language. I listened to the first CD (one of a series of six) to get familiar with the way they tackle the process and what will be expected of me, as the student. I will endeavour to practice every day (well at least most days, considering how everyday life has a way of interrupting – positively, that is).

I have also been exploring Teaching 123 http://www.123teachme.com a free website that I’ve found useful. Some other useful websites that were kindly shared with me by a teaching colleague (thanks, Mary) include: mansionspanish lessons (http://www.mansionspanish.com), BBC Spanish MI VIDA LOCA (http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/mividaloca/) and spanishspanish.com (http://spanishspanish.com). Also, YouTube – destinos – An Introduction to Spanish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKUTRjw098g) prove entertaining as well as helpful. I haven’t explored all of these sites yet, but over time, I will gradually work my way through them.

A few people that I work with have volunteered to speak conversationally with me once I get started, so that should prove helpful. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to pick up once I get the basics…getting the basics may prove the challenging part, or maybe it will be retaining all the information in my head that might prove more challenging. Have faith, Deb! I’ll update occasionally on my progress over time.

Because I will be travelling throughout France and starting my pilgrimage from St Jean Pied de Port, the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains, I hope to be able to learn some conversational French as well. Oh my goodness…really! Have faith in yourself, Deb. Be realistic, but have faith! Okay…she thinks, smiling wryly…okay…I can do this….

I have approximately 17 months to learn two languages, loose weight, get fit, find all my necessary equipment, book flights, accommodation and learn as much as I can before I board the plane bound for Spain. That should be plenty of time…yes, it will be plenty of time…

Buen Camino

Deb