How I became bilingual
Born in Venezuela, I was taught to speak my native language, Spanish. From a very early age I was learning to read and write in Spanish too, just before first grade. I felt very comfortable communicating, and did not encounter any problems doing so as all my classmates and friends were all native Spanish speakers too.
That changed very quickly when my family was transferred to New Jersey due to my father’s work when I had just turned 6, and despite taking a few classes at Berlitz I found myself inside a first grade classroom without understanding anything of what was being said around me. It was one of the worst feelings I’ve felt, and I commenced working to never feel that again. Half of my school day was spent in ESL classes, or English as a second language and at home I would watch cartoons (in English of course) after being forced to do my homework assignments. Additionally, a few of my classmates lived in the same street I lived in, so we constantly played soccer or rode our bicycles together after class.
After a couple months, the winter passed and I began playing soccer in a junior league, where I was exposed to meeting other people my age and quickly gathered a few new friends. I was also realizing that it was becoming easier for me to communicate, on and off the field, and after no time I was thinking more in English than in Spanish.
I moved out of New Jersey after only 2 years back to Latin America, but I had the advantage of continuing my education at an international school, which followed the American and European syllabus but also included the local country’s culture. All of my classes were in English at school, except the daily foreign language class, which I decided to perfect Spanish. In my breaks or lunch time I spoke both English and Spanish with my multicultural friends, which included Asian, Latin American, Indian, African, American, and more…and I was obliged to only speak Spanish at home so I would not forget and was constantly given books and novels in Spanish to not forget my grammar either.
Being bilingual has many advantages, particularly because you are more competitive in the job market and have a few more doors open when it comes to opportunity. You are also able to communicate easier when traveling, and exposed to more culture. The only down side? I sometimes have to translate in my head before speaking! I might think in English when communicating in Spanish, or vice versa. Also, none of my classmates in college wanted to copy my notes, as they were half in English and half in Spanish, but I understood them.
It is not until this point in my life, 20 years later, that I value that experience and realize that it was worth every minute. It is so important to be bilingual and have a multicultural mentality nowadays, particularly with the incessant growth of global and Hispanic markets. After constantly complaining while growing up, I now value all the lessons and obligations imposed by my parents and finally realize what they meant by saying “it’s for your own good.” I was fortunate enough to be exposed to another language at a very young age, where it is easier to learn, but I also know that it took hard work and dedication. It also took dedication to simultaneously learn and perfect my native language, Spanish, and that is the key to being bilingual: dedication. What’s next? I am working on my Portuguese, and I will use the same strategy I did 20 years ago to continue learning.
That changed very quickly when my family was transferred to New Jersey due to my father’s work when I had just turned 6, and despite taking a few classes at Berlitz I found myself inside a first grade classroom without understanding anything of what was being said around me. It was one of the worst feelings I’ve felt, and I commenced working to never feel that again. Half of my school day was spent in ESL classes, or English as a second language and at home I would watch cartoons (in English of course) after being forced to do my homework assignments. Additionally, a few of my classmates lived in the same street I lived in, so we constantly played soccer or rode our bicycles together after class.
After a couple months, the winter passed and I began playing soccer in a junior league, where I was exposed to meeting other people my age and quickly gathered a few new friends. I was also realizing that it was becoming easier for me to communicate, on and off the field, and after no time I was thinking more in English than in Spanish.
I moved out of New Jersey after only 2 years back to Latin America, but I had the advantage of continuing my education at an international school, which followed the American and European syllabus but also included the local country’s culture. All of my classes were in English at school, except the daily foreign language class, which I decided to perfect Spanish. In my breaks or lunch time I spoke both English and Spanish with my multicultural friends, which included Asian, Latin American, Indian, African, American, and more…and I was obliged to only speak Spanish at home so I would not forget and was constantly given books and novels in Spanish to not forget my grammar either.
Being bilingual has many advantages, particularly because you are more competitive in the job market and have a few more doors open when it comes to opportunity. You are also able to communicate easier when traveling, and exposed to more culture. The only down side? I sometimes have to translate in my head before speaking! I might think in English when communicating in Spanish, or vice versa. Also, none of my classmates in college wanted to copy my notes, as they were half in English and half in Spanish, but I understood them.
It is not until this point in my life, 20 years later, that I value that experience and realize that it was worth every minute. It is so important to be bilingual and have a multicultural mentality nowadays, particularly with the incessant growth of global and Hispanic markets. After constantly complaining while growing up, I now value all the lessons and obligations imposed by my parents and finally realize what they meant by saying “it’s for your own good.” I was fortunate enough to be exposed to another language at a very young age, where it is easier to learn, but I also know that it took hard work and dedication. It also took dedication to simultaneously learn and perfect my native language, Spanish, and that is the key to being bilingual: dedication. What’s next? I am working on my Portuguese, and I will use the same strategy I did 20 years ago to continue learning.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by HAYDEE MARTINEZ WAGNER on -
I was born in the US, but, my parents (Cuban) and all their friends spoke only Spanish in the home. There were no ESL classes where I went to school in NYC, so I was often in the "bad corner" for not doing things correctly (because I did not understand the language at first). Kids are resilient and I picked up English quickly (except for the difference between "sh" & "ch" back then)!
All the challenges were managed and I made the National Honor Society in HS, Dean's List in college, and became a CPA. My entire career I have been hoping to meet more Latino professionals. I hope to work with "mi gente" in the near future. I think being bilingual is a gift and I want to be able to share it. I live in NJ near Paramus & NYC and look forward to hearing from other members and interested employers.
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Permalink Reply by Marta on -
Hi, Ricardo,
You have such an interesting story of life!
Well, about your Portuguese, I am here to help you, if you need. My boyfriend is American and he lived in Brazil for six months. Even though he lived in Brazil, most of his Portuguese is because I practiced a lot with him. Now a days, he speaks better than most of the Americans that lived in Brazil for years and years.
See you,
Marta
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Permalink Reply by JP on -
Great life story! I learned Spanish almost the same way you learned some of the English vocabulary. I started watching Spanish television and listening to Spanish radio stations. Then one day, I met a Puerto Rican woman and through our friendship, she helped me to learn the Spanish language with more depth. Now, I work in a bilingual company (English/Spanish) and am privileged to speak and learn more every day.
Your form has motivated me to continue to improve.
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Permalink Reply by Lore Villa on -
"Also, none of my classmates in college wanted to copy my notes, as they were half in English and half in Spanish, but I understood them" -- the best line of the post hands down. I don't do this, but I've seen other students (Hispanics and Haitians) do so.
My situation was quite the opposite. I was taught English as a Second Language since kindergarten at my school, and my parents complemented it by signing me in whatever English course available (Berlitz, Venezuelan-American Center, you name it!). Needless to say, waking up early on Saturdays (remember, I was kid/pre-teen then) for an hour-long commute to attend class paid off because I became fluent less than six months after moving to the States at age 16. The turning point was when one of my high school teachers asked me if I thought in English when writing in English or translated in my head. I said "no, I don't anymore," and she replied "well, that means you're bilingual."
I'm only 21, but I believe this ability is too precious for words, no wonder my dificulty in explaining it to others. It is not only being proficient in two languages, it also makes you more aware of diversity, globalization, and the importance of learning. I took two semesters of French, but couldn't continue because I'm double-majoring. However, I plan on taking Italian on my last semester (hooray for a fun class!), and continue after graduation.
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Permalink Reply by Ricardo Villalba - NSHP admin on -
Two thumbs up on your energy and desire for new languages - you are absolutely right, they do make you more aware of diversity and globalization, and allow you to take in a lot more and understand different cultures.
good luck with Italian!
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Permalink Reply by Marie Castro on -
Wonderful story, My parents said I actually spoke more spanish than anything up until the age of 7 and they said back then as Bambi Cardenas from Latin Leaders Magazine summit 10/30/08, she was told by school teacher that speaking spanish was bad. Well my parents thought that as well from what they were told. I remember going to Monterrey when I was 9 and talking to some kids in spanish and they made fun of me, telling me i wasn't mexican, i wasn't from mexico that i sounded white so i stopped speaking it out of fear of getting it wrong, sometimes i still don't have that confidence but my spanish has improved in the las 10yrs. My dad said he was almost 40 before he really learned it well. My 4yo daughter speaks it better than me because her sitter doesn't speak any english at all and we will continue to learn together. I also eventually want to learn italian.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Castillo on
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Hello Marie
Dont feel bad if you are not fluent in Spanish. I learn English as a second language and I too was made fun of because I did not speak English.However, when i was in the 7th grade I was determined to learn
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Permalink Reply by Krista on -
I love your story and I can relate to in a lot of ways. I'm 100% American, blonde, blue-eyed, no Latino roots. No one in my family knows another language and doesn't have much desire...unfortunately. I moved to Mexico when I was 19, only planning to go for 3 months; I fell in love with the people, the place and decided to stay indefinitely. I never went to my classes and refused to get to know any other foreigners, I made lots of native friends, worked a job I didn't need to make a terrible wage but to learn more. By month 3-4 I was "fluent" by most standards and shortly after I had people asking if I was Mexican...quite the stretch considering my complexion, hair, etc. Whenever I'm asked if I'm Mexican I take it as a compliment.
Also, I too take notes in Spanish/English. I took 2 semesters of French and it was a breeze. Although I took the classes in the US I couldn't think in English/French; all of my flash cards, translations, etc. were in French/Spanish. I don't know if it made more sense, if it was because I had been in Mexico for so long, or what; but it just stuck. I also have a hard time talking to my parents in English some days and vice versa.
Like many others have said, when you start thinking and dreaming in a language other than your native, that's when you know you've got it.
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