My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
The only time I was exposed to learning a different language was when I was in high school and took an elective class in Italian.
And I have to be honest, I SUCKED.
The only reason I passed the class was because my teacher (Miss Rita Della-Porta) took a liking to me, so she always gave me an A on my report card. But truthfully, the only Italian sentence I remember learning was:
"Dove sono i libri?"
Which means: "Where are the books?"
Which is great if I'm ever in Italy with a sexy Italian man eating a dish of pasta and have to ask him where the nearest Barnes and Noble is. But other than that, I speak no Italian.
Oh wait, I lied, and I also know how to say: "Culo del gatto."
Which means: "Ass of the cat."
Which was a phrase I used to refer to my father's mother because she was sincerely a total ASS.
She also had a scary-ass moustache. 😱
Anyway, getting back to my story...
I feel that the main reason I wasn't very good at learning a different language was because of the way it was taught. I don't do well learning something that is taught in a brick and mortar school. I learn much more effectively by learning things on my own. Which is why I love the invention of the Internet because I've taught myself so many wonderful things via searching online, and then practicing.
I've never been a school-person because back when I went to school, I found it soooo boring.
Therefore, I decided that over this summer I wanted to start learning how to speak (or at least learn how to read and hear) Spanish.
Enter...Duolingo!
And I have to say, I freaking LOVE this app because I can learn at my own pace; in the comfort of my own apartment; at anytime, day or night.
I started using it back in mid-June and am taking it slowly so that I retain what I'm learning.
What I find amazing about Duolingo is that it offers a plethora of languages.
Look at this list...
Now, I don't choose to use the app on my cell phone because at certain points in each lesson, you have vocally repeat sentences. And I don't want to be outside walking down the street screaming into my phone, "Yo soy un nino! Yo soy un nino!" ("I am a boy! I am a boy!")...
The app also teaches by allowing you to mark the correct meaning...
And writing Spanish to English...
And tapping what you hear; creating sentences...
It also corrects you when you make a mistake. My challenge seems to be knowing which nouns are masculine or feminine...
The app also celebrates when you achieve your goal by playing LOUD trumpets and rewarding you with a festive badge...
Here is an early screenshot I took of the different categories of learning, such as: travel, restaurant, shopping, and family. Currently I'm on the shopping category...
Notice how my Duolingo name is: Faustano. It's a boy's name in Spanish I found online. I think the word translates into: good luck
And as you can tell from my achievement profile, I'm not very friendly. Nor, am I a big spender...
As I shared at the start of this post, I am so loving this app and looking forward to learning more and more every week.
And I can't WAIT for the day when I finally graduate from Duolingo; wearing my cap and gown....
And I can't WAIT for the day when I finally graduate from Duolingo; wearing my cap and gown....
...and become a full fledged Spaniard, speaking fluent Spanish...
GRASSY-ASS, Duolingo!
Que tengáis todos un gran fin de semana!
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*Spanish translation: Have a great weekend everyone!
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*Spanish translation: Have a great weekend everyone!
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