Hola, what is the word for _____?

Ten months ago we moved to Madrid. Since then, I’ve thought about writing a blog post at least a dozen times. Today it is raining, our houseguests left yesterday, and I have run out of excuses.

The thing is, I find it hard to get started. I want to write a post that is interesting, thoughtful, and has the right order, flow, and words. In short, I am a perfectionist.

So you can imagine how humbling it is for someone like me to learn another language. By its nature, language acquisition means making mistakes and enduring embarrassing moments. Like the time the fishmonger dropped a tuna on the floor and joked, “it’s alive,” and I thought I was being equally witty and said, “tengo mierda” instead of “tengo miedo.” Which means, “I have shit,” instead of, “I’m afraid.” Or the time I saw amusement pass over the waitress’s face when I confidently ordered a bottle of red wine, but had actually ordered a wheel.

That I lugged to Spain my 501 Spanish Verbs book that everyone who took college-level Spanish in the ’80’s was required to purchase, tells you I was ready to make an effort. Prior to our move, I had spent three months brushing up with Amarildo during virtual sessions run from his home in Guatemala. At the time, I was mostly concerned with learning words to help us set up a bank account, find an apartment, and see the doctor.

After settling into our temporary piso (apartment), I began studying with Jacques, an abogado (lawyer) turned profesor de español (Spanish teacher). Jacques patiently led me through ejercicios (exercises) to learn verb tenses, prepositions, and some colloquial phrases. When I decided to matricular (enroll) in the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas Madrid (official language school, subsidised by the government) last month, he helped prepare me for the more immersive experience.

After taking the required prueba de clasificación (written and oral test) to determine my level of Spanish, I now attend Español Para Extranjeros (Spanish for Foreigners) classes twice a week. My classmates are from Brazil, the Philippines, China, Japan, Italy, Iran, Palestine, Ireland, and England. Our common language is, of course, Spanish. That is to say, the before and after class chit-chat is all in Spanish.

I am in level B2.2, or advanced intermediate. It’s a stretch for me. These standard levels are part of the Common European Framework of Reference, which describes what language users who have acquired a new language can do and how well and efficiently they do so. At the end of year, we will be tested. If we pass our level, we will receive a certificate that not only proves our abilities but can be useful to advance employment and education. Theoretically, if I pass my level, I could enroll in a university degree program taught in Spanish.

I was going to say, there’s no way I could imagine myself being proficient enough to do that. But here’s the thing: I know people who have done or are doing that very thing. My friend Nicola, a Scottish dentist married to a Spaniard, completed her orthodontic training here. She told me she just took detailed notes and looked up words every night when she got home from class. Or Blanca, the Penelope Cruz doppelganger in Sevilla, who learned English five years ago at age 45 so that she could expand her tour business. It’s the story of anyone who has emigrated to another country or desires to advance their economic situation. I have renewed appreciation and empathy for the challenges they face.

Like learning any new skill, there are good days and bad days. I have congratulated myself by getting the gist of an entire article in 20minutos, where I get my daily Spanish news fix. Then faced chagrin the next moment when I completely misunderstood an exchange I had with my friend Mercedes. Fortunately, we could both laugh about it once she realised I had no clue what she was talking about.

And so it goes. Today I know enough Spanish to score a tennis match and throw down a few choice swear words, reschedule a dental appointment, and catch about 65% of what is said on RTVE Radio Clásica. Paso a paso (step by step). What will I be able to do tomorrow?

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Spain has exceeded expectations on just about every front. Here are a few photos from our explorations.

These people I love, hiking in Rupit