Xenoglossophobia
noun - fear of foreign languages
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| Pictures don't do it justice |
In addition to all the amazing billboards, I was fascinated by the number of languages I could hear spoken around us. Standing in one spot I heard German, Russian, Czech, French, Thai and something that I believe was Klingon, but I couldn't be sure.
I love language. (I am not scared of it as the title suggests, but you come of with a topic starting with 'X'.) I loved learning Spanish and trying to communicate when I lived in San Juan. I am even in school to be an English language teacher. I get excited talking to people from other countries, getting to know them and hearing their stories.
The college I went to has a foreign students night once a year. They encourage all students from other countries to cook something from their homeland and bring it to a big fellowship dinner. I have some neighbors from Thailand and Burma who decided to collaborate and make a dish both families enjoyed. I was helping them with this meal and found myself left out of their conversation as they all spoke their common language of Lisu. I had no idea what they were saying and did my best not to mess up the food. They spent so much time laughing at me, I am sure I did it wrong.
Once I get my Master's degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) next year, I don't know whether I will be leaving the country to teach English or will be teaching people who have just moved here. Either way, I will be surrounded by foreign language all day. I can't wait.
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Good for you. What an interesting career path you've chosen. I'm guessing it will never be boring.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
I really don't expect boring.
DeleteI wish I could speak more languages. I took French in high school and a little in college. I love the language, but since I had no plans to move to a big city of travel internationally, it wasn't practical. I wish I would've taken Spanish as that would be the most practical around here.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's never too late. But I'm too lazy to try learn now. Too many other things to do.
I said the same to my daughter. Here, there is not practical use for French, but there are Spanish speakers all over.
DeleteI've always admired people who speak more than one language. Mrs. C. speaks French but I just struggle with English.
ReplyDeleteIt is now small feat.
DeleteI'm glad they don't call it ESL anymore because that was offensive to those who (like many in foreign countries) speak more than one other language. I used to call it EFL (English as a foreign language), but TESOL is better. English was my fourth language after having lived in 3 countries prior to moving to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteBTW--my 'x' word is closely related, just the other side of it: xenophilia.
Jagoda
Awesome. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteThere's a Tim Burton exhibit? I need to go there. I have to see what its like.
ReplyDeleteI love languages, but I'm not very good at them. That's probably because I can't roll my R's and that's required for many languages.
I don't think the exhibit is still there. It was a temporary gallery.
DeleteIt was pretty amazing though.
TESOL is a great area. I've considered going into ESL teaching myself. I love love love language and really enjoyed my experiences as an ESL tutor in high school and college. Now I work a lot with FL faculty.
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to tutor now as part of my practicuum. It is so much fun.
DeleteI desperately want to learn Spanish (especially if we move to Nicaragua) but am wondering if it will be difficult for someone my age to pick up.
ReplyDeleteGood for you on the TESOL degree!! You couldn't have picked a more sought-after major at this point!!
From my studies, I've learned that children do NOT learn easier than adults. However, they do not have the self-esteem and self-awareness issues of adults. Adults are so self-conscious about being wrong or sounding stupid, we just don't put ourselves out there.
DeleteIve always wanted to learn a foreign language... I'm just really lazy.
ReplyDeleteGreat x post!
Hugs!
Valerie
It is a lot of work.
DeleteIt would be really cool to learn a foreign language. We have an award for you to pick up over at Laughing at Life, 2. Click this link http://laughingatlife232.blogspot.com/2013/04/liebster-blog-award.html#more
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I will be by to check it out.
DeleteI love languages, too. Before I moved to Honduras, I volunteered at an ESL group at my church. It was a GREAT way to understand what I was in for with learning Spanish and living in a foreign country. I definitely felt like my student was helping me a lot more than I helped her!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much they teach us.
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