Welcome to week 3 of the Weekly Summer Link-Up! This week’s topic is all about an accomplishment that I am proud of – and it would be very easy to list my children and family but I am challenging myself to think of other things I have done in which I am proud of. There are many, such as hiking the Inca trail in Peru, but the one I am about to share with you, is my greatest accomplishment to date.
In 1998, I moved from Prince Edward Island to the province of Québec. The official language in Québec is French, and the only French that I knew was what I learned in high school. Needless to say, I knew my colours and a few phrases but nothing substantial to have a conversation with. Luckily for me, my first four years in Québec were spent in an isolated Northern community where many people spoke English, and I worked in a school where English was used as the common language. I didn’t have to force myself to speak French until… I met my future husband.
During my third year in Québec, I met my a wonderful man who I eventually married. Born and raised in Québec, my husband’s first language is obviously French. From the moment we met, he spoke English to me because of my inability to speak French. As things between us progressed, I became more and more self-conscience about speaking French in front of him and others. I had a mental block that took many years to get over.
After four years in the North, my husband and I decided to move to his hometown (and we are still living there now). Our tiny city is very French! What a culture shock for myself. Everywhere I went, I had to speak French and most times I refused to do it because I was scared to say the wrong thing or make a mistake. If I had to make appointments, I asked my husband to make them for me. If I wanted food delivered to the house, I had my husband call and make the order. I didn’t want to go out with him and his friends because I wasn’t able to understand the conversation going on and I was constantly exhausted from actively listening to what people were saying and trying to translate words at the same time. I was miserable and I know that my husband was frustrated with my inability to put myself out there and give it a try.
I got a job teaching English at an English elementary school and I was in for a big surprise to learn that most of my students were French first language speakers. Some children were unable to speak English at all! I had to use the little French I had to help those students along – and I slowly noticed that I was speaking more and more French while at work. My comprehension level was slowly rising and my confidence level was, too.
As time went on, my husband and I had our first child together. It was our goal to raise bilingual children so we decided that I would speak English at all times while at home, and my husband would speak French. Since I was able to spend an entire year at home on maternity leave, I had no choice but to run errands with my daughter throughout the week. I had to go to doctor’s appointments, vaccinations, grocery shopping, etc. on my own and I had to do most of those activities in French. I came to realize that I knew a lot more of the language than I thought I did – and that people did understand what it was I was trying to say… even if I made mistakes or had to pause to search for words in my head.
I really have come a long ways since moving here is 1998. I remember conducting my first parent-teacher interview at my current school and having to have a co-worker come in with me to translate. Now, I am able to do those interviews all by myself. I always make my own appointments and I have no trouble asking for help to find something at a grocery store. I credit my students, my husband, and my children for helping me learn to overcome my fear of speaking my second language. I am on the Administration of the local figure skating club and all meetings are held in French. I am proud of how far I come – not only with speaking the language but also with the confidence I have in social and professional situations where I am required to speak French.
I know that I still make plenty of mistakes, but I love it when my children and my students “teach” me the proper way to say something! And I think they love it, too!
I can’t wait to hear all about your accomplishments! Link up below and join the party!
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Erin says
Wow, that is definitely a huge accomplishment! Congratulations on overcoming your fears and learning a new language! I can’t imagine how frustrating it must have been to not be able to express yourself or your thoughts to the people around you! Kudos to you for not giving up and continuing to work at it until it became easier for you! Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome accomplishment! I can’t wait to link up and learn more!!
Warmest Wishes,
Erin
http://www.kinderdragons.blogspot.com
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks, Erin!
I am super proud to have been able to overcome my fear of speaking French with others. I know I still make a lot of mistakes but I am beyond the point of caring about that now! As long as I am able to express myself and people understand what I need to say then it’s all good!
Elisabeth says
Wow! That is an amazing accomplishment! I can’t imagine how difficult it was to learn a new language!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks Elisabeth! It was one of the biggest challenges of my life! When you have a psychological block it makes learning something 10 times more difficult.
I’m glad you came by!
Monica
Nicole says
I would be terrified to learn a new language. My French skills are so basic! Good for you for forcing yourself to overcome your fear.
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks Nicole! If it hadn’t been for my students and children, I think I would still be too shy to speak in French.
Monica
Sra. Cruz says
I loved reading your language learning journey! I am a perfectionist and it took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to speak Spanish and not be terrified of making mistakes! Thanks again for this linkup…it’s so fun reading about everyone!
Merci 😉
Katherine
Sra. Cruz
http://sracruzspanish.blogspot.com/
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hurray! Someone out there who understands the struggle! lol! And thank you for stopping by to say hello!
Monica
Nikki Robertson says
What a huge accomplishment and a fab blog post I loved reading all about it!! I can’t imagine how hard it was to have to learn a second language!! Well done you!!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Nikki,
Trust me, having my children REALLY encouraged me to let go of my fear of speaking aloud in my second language. I told myself that I will learn the language as my daughter learned hers. Someone once told me that it takes 10 years to master a language… I am far from that since I learned my French from hearing and being immersed in it – not from studying it. But, I can still fend for myself and when I can’t get my point across, I let my kids and husband translate for me!
Monica
Crystal says
That is definitely a huge accomplishment! I would love to learn another language, but the idea is extremely overwhelming! Great Job!
Crystal
http://www.funandlearningatbba.blogspot.com
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hi Crystal,
Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it! It helps that I am totally immersed in the language where I live. If I wasn’t, there would be no place for me to practice. Being an anglophone in Québec means that I am in the minority so I have no choice but to practice my second language wherever I go!
Monica
Kathie Yonemura says
How wonderful that your children are growing up truly bilingual!! And congratulations to you for overcoming your fear of speaking another language! I always wish I knew how to speak another language!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hi Kathie,
Children are sponges! After our babies were born, the doctors and nurses were convinced that they would both take longer to speak since they were being exposed to 2 languages at the same time. Both my children we able to address me in English and their father in French. I would ask my son to tell his father that dinner was ready and he would say, “Papa! Le super best prêt!” They can flip from one language to the other in a snap and I know that no matter where they go in the world, they will have 2 ways to communicate with those around them!
Monica