Deciding on a foreign language to learn, either in or outside of school, can be influenced by several factors: personal interests, academic goals, and even prior knowledge. For me, it was marked by a large leap outside my comfort zone. Although I’ve had previous knowledge of Mandarin, I still opted to learn Spanish, a completely new language for me. This choice, despite being outside my comfort zone, helped me work on my linguistic skills and opened a gateway to new perspectives and opportunities.
Growing up in a Chinese-based family, it was expected of me to speak Mandarin. Through an 11-year exposure period to Mandarin, I was able to grasp the tones and the phonetics of each character and sound better when learning new words and phrases than when doing so in most other languages. However, this also sprouted a realization in my mind– growth often lies on the edges of the familiar.
When middle school rolled around, I was required to pick one of the three foreign languages offered at my school: Spanish, French, or Mandarin. Despite having the urge to pick Mandarin, I eventually ended up picking Spanish. The decision to choose Spanish was met with curiosity and a touch of apprehension. Spanish, with its distinct grammar and vocabulary, posed a new set of challenges. The alphabet, phonetics, and cultural nuances were uncharted territory for me, and this shift represented more than just a language change; it was an embrace of the unknown.
As I dove into my first year of Spanish, I discovered the richness of its different cultures and traditions. From literature to music, the Spanish-speaking world offered a diverse array of expressions. Beyond the walls of the classroom, I realized the true global significance of Spanish. With the sheer number of Spanish-speaking countries in the world, I realized that learning this language could further help me with communication skills and understanding the diverse communities in the Spanish-speaking world.
The decision to step out of my comfort zone and choose Spanish turned out to be what I had thought it would be like. Though there were so many inevitable hiccups along the way, the decision to choose Spanish instead of Mandarin did pay off in the end. Whether my family is traveling to another place, communicating with other people, or listening to Spanish soccer broadcasts, the skills I’ve learned at school have proved to be helpful. Now, not only can I understand what is going on in a different language, but I can also help others around me understand as well.
In conclusion, choosing Spanish over Mandarin was more than a linguistic shift; it was a long, thought-out choice to embrace the unknown. It propelled me out of my comfort zone, encouraging personal and intellectual growth. The decision not only increased my linguistic skills but also enriched my cultural understanding and global perspective. As I continue my Spanish-speaking journey, I am reminded that the most profound lessons often arise when we step into the unfamiliar, embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie beyond the boundaries of familiarity.