[slaikta]

I was just wondering how all of you approached the language issue with your adoptions and how well you feel it worked. I've read that the transition can be made easier by the adoptive parent(s) knowing how to communicate using basic Spanish. Given that, I'm sure there are a number of people out there who decided to go ahead and become fluent for the benefit of their child. Any thoughts on what you did (or are planning to do) and what you would do differently would be greatly appreciated.

For the record, we're planning to learn basic conversational Spanish (with an emphasis on child related topics) and perhaps even work toward fluency. We're also beginning to teach our three year a couple of words each week so that she can communicate with her brother-to-be as well.

Thanks

[holliam]

I'd say that as adult language learners, it would be nearly close to impossible to achieve fluency by the time you bring a child home if you are just learning Spanish now.

I studied Spanish in middle school, high school, and college, have a BA in Spanish, lived in Spain where I had a serious boyfriend who spoke only Spanish. So, I have had 10+ years of formal training in Spanish plus life experience living in a Spanish speaking country.

I'd say my comprehension is still at its near fluency level, but my speaking is definitely rusty. Yet, I'm still not sure I'm going to be able to successfully raise our daughter bilingually though I'm going to give it my best effort. At the very least, I'm hoping it will be easy to brush off the rust and be able to communicate with folks when we go.

Your best chance is doing some intensive 1:1 training with a Spanish instructor. If you have the time, Antigua actually is reknown for its excellent language schools. They are relatively inexpensive, and it would give you the opportunity to get to know Guatemala a bit. We are considering this for my husband.

Honestly, I'm not sure it's necessary since the children are infants. I think it's noble that you're interested in making this effort and it's something to pass the time. But, don't beat yourself up if you're not fluent in Spanish within the next 6-9 months.

Many pre-schools offer language immersion programs. That might a way to help your child re-gain her birth language after coming home. It would be great if you continued your learning too!

Holli

[slaikta]

I agree with most your points. I probably mispoke when I used the term "fluent". However, I'd disagree with the idea that trying may not be necessary (or just a way to pass the time) just because the children are infants. While we may not be able to give them the opportunity to be truly bilingual we could certainly offer them something short that would still be meaningful and worthwhile.
You're probably right that 1:1 tutoring from one of the many language schools in Guatemala would be a great place to learn. However, with two children already and a relatively short trip planned I imagine, like most, I'd have to look for other resources. Do you have any ideas there? I know that there are a number of CDs, CD-ROMs as well as community college courses.
I wonder what might be the best place to start???

[holliam]

Sorry, I think you misunderstood. I meant that it was not necessary to be fluent in Spanish because they are infants so they will thus quickly pick up English much faster than you will Spanish. It is slightly different than if you were bringing home a 10 year old who has only spoken Spanish. That's all I meant.

My area of specialization in college/grad school was bilingual language development so I am the number one advocate of how important this would be for our kids. Like I said, I'm planning on doing this myself.

I just didn't want you to think that you had to become fluent before you got them home!

Sorry for the confusion.

I don't have any other specific recommendations. My husband bought some software, but I don't know how it compares to any others. My area does offer 1:1 Spanish language classes and other adult language classes. I think it depends on how you learn. If you have the discipline to do it on your own, you could probably succeed. But, nothing beats having the immediate feedback from an instructor and other students. It is much more "real world" in my opinion.

Holli

[pmgor]

A really good system for learning any language (my daughters are using it for spanish) is Rosetta Stone. It is software but it is very detailed and yet very very user friendly. It is not cheap though, you must be serious. WE bought their entire system (I & II) for like $200+

If you go to their website it is very expensive I found it cheaper thru another seller, if you do want it let me know and I'll figure out who I bought it from.

Good luck, I'm fluent in Spanish, it's my first language, and I love it.

[tinaedmond]

This summer, I found a work colleague whose first language was spanish. We got together for about 3 hours a week to speak exclusively in spanish. I did take spanish in high school and college, but that in no way taught me how to actually speak it!

If you can swing it, I highly recommend finding a one on one. Advertise in the paper, go to a Mexican/Latino restaurant in your area and ask if anyone there is willing to tutor you one on one. This is much better, in my opinion, than tapes or software because you can tailor the course to what you want it to be.

Listen to spanish an hour or more a day. Spanish TV or music, just to immerse yourself. Try to understand as much as you can, but even if you don't understand, it's important to become familiar with the way the language sounds.

Our daughter is 15 months old and is coming home in a week or two. When we visited her a couple weeks ago, it was very apparent she responded more and understood when I talked to her in Spanish. An example: she likes to cram lots of food into her mouth, like any baby/toddler. When I told her in spanish, "no, you need to eat those first" and pointed to her mouth, she started to cry!

Good luck on your spanish quest!

Tina

[maggie_va]

I am trying to learn Spanish now using the traditional classroom method - 1hr each day 4 days a week. Its like a college course. Everyone is right - find someone who you can converse with or you will never get anywhere. We do very little conversation in class and I haven't really learned all that much. I am trying to find a tutor to work with one on one.

good luck! I find learning a new language as an adult much more difficult than when I was in high school.

- Maggie