As an online Spanish language tutor (and founder of Your Spanish Hub), lately I have been reflecting on some aspects that I would like to share with you today and that I think could help you in your language learning.
One day, at the end of my class with my youngest student, a charming 6-year-old boy from Singapore, he said to his mom:
“Ask Gloria if I did well in class.”
😍🥰
In the case of my adult students, you guys don’t ask me that question at the end of our classes but… You would probably like to know if you did well during the class!
Here is my answer:
You do an excellent job in our classes.
Always.
At the end of each of our classes, I feel very proud of you.
I see how you work to understand the grammar and learn new vocabulary words.
I also see how you think and make an effort to speak in Spanish and have conversations in our classes.
Making mistakes is normal and good when we are learning.
Don’t worry about making mistakes and don’t worry if you don’t understand something and when you need me to repeat it two, three, four… Many times! (That’s part of my job as your online Spanish language tutor).
So if like my little student from Singapore, you are wondering if you have done well after our class, the answer is YES, you do a fantastic job in each of our Spanish classes.
Recently, as an online Spanish language tutor, I have been thinking about the effort my students put into learning Spanish week in and week out.
My students are working adults, who have a job, have children, grandchildren, and many other responsibilities…
Therefore, their weekly Spanish class is an extra effort.
They review their notes a little before class.
They then have an hour of class with me.
They do their Spanish homework.
They make an extra effort working their brain by learning a new language, when sometimes they are mentally tired from their work and responsibilities…
…
But week after week, they continue to book their Spanish class.
Like a Swiss watch.
They don’t fail.
What motivation do you have to continue trying to learn Spanish?
Your daily life in Spain?
Your next vacation in a Hispanic country?
A hobby to exercise your brain?
Spanish family or friends?
Your lovely online Spanish language tutor?
I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know…
It has to be something more…
So I thought, what would my students answer to this question:
Would you go back to being monolingual?
It would be like returning to a black-and-white world (speaking one language) when you have discovered that the rainbow exists (speaking two or more languages).
Maybe you think that in our Spanish classes, the most important thing is to achieve good pronunciation and speak fluently in Spanish.
Also, you may think that knowing how to use the subjunctive correctly is relevant.
Being able to answer the questions I ask you during a conversation class could be another very important point.
Ah! And understanding the way natives speak , with different accents from Colombia, Argentina, Spain… and when they are speaking quickly and with background noise as, just like in real life, should also be very important.
Well, let me tell you, for me, as your online Spanish language tutor, the most important thing is the benefit that your brain receives in each of our Spanish classes.
In April 2022 I discovered Neurolanguage® and neuroscientists.
And I was fascinated!
I started buying books, reading scientific articles and following experts on social media.
Here are the benefits for your brain that you get in each of our Spanish classes, by learning a second language:
Scientists have proven that speaking a second language helps delay the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s for an average of 5 years.
In addition, scientists have also found evidence of improved brain functions thanks to the “physical exercise” your brain performs when switching from your native language to your second language:
Do you better understand now why I tell you that speaking fluently in Spanish is secondary?
If you want to learn Spanish in a well-structured way, with the guidance of an accredited online Spanish language tutor, and practising key skills such as conversation, you can take a look at our catalogue of Spanish classes or our Membership Programme.
Book your trial class with us today and meet your teacher!
