Life-long Learning With Spanish and Art

Life-Long Learning is about embracing the process of acquiring skills and knowledge, and it springs from our curiosity. Its’ precept is that life and education are a process rather than just a destination.

When I was young, part of the learning was to reach goals: diplomas, examinations, graduation, and jobs. In youth, when enrolling in a structured class or academia or learning a skill, we might think, “Some day I’ll be really good at this …when I learn more, then I’ll be able to…Once I’ve learned how, then I’ll do…” and so on. As we grow in our later years, we are faced with other conflicting thoughts and myths: “Why bother?” “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks…” “Remember when i was young and good at... something else? Those were the days …I’ll be dead before I’m really good at this.” Or worse, we completely shy away from new experiences and endeavors, and for some, this makes our world smaller, even though we have the skills to navigate it. And as we age, we let go of some skills. Maybe I no longer climb to high altitudes, walk as long distances, or camp on the ground beneath the stars. Sore hips, energy levels, and interests change over time. But there is always more to discover. For instance, I’ve recently started playing chess on my computer. I’m horrible at it and rarely think a few steps ahead, but it’s low pressure and engages a part of my brain I don’t usually flex. Learning Spanish is a necessity for me to grow my friendships and self-care in Spain. Painting is just a joy that I can do alone or alongside of others. Physical exercise, whether a sport, dance, or weight lifting help me keep on trucking.

Taking on new endeavors like learning Spanish, painting, and a new sport can be humbling. I’m not that great. Habits take focus and planning to create and sustain. I make mistakes. In front of others, I’m not only a newbie but sometimes embarrassed. I’d love to be the expert. But a beginner is never an expert.

Learning later in life can be fulfilling in the moment when approached with a love of learning, a deep curiosity about the world and others.

travel exposes us to new people, cultures, food, natural wonders and experiences

Are you Fluent Yet?

A friend asked if I was fluent in Spanish yet. Recently, while riding in a taxi, I chatted with the driver about the weather and the United States. Finally, he said (in Spanish), “You’re not very good at speaking Spanish, but I understand you.” I guess that’s the point. Do you understand me, and do I understand you? Any time I begin to see progress with Spanish, a comment like this brings me back to reality. No, I’m not fluent yet, and by the time I am, if my hearing mimics my mother’s family genes, I may be wearing a hearing aid anyway, still saying what I’ve been saying for the last five years. “Repite, por favor.”-Repeat, please.

I’m learning Spanish bit by bit, poco a poco (little by little).

I am back in classes two afternoons a week. After a few months of watching videos and reading articles in Spanish, my self-discipline plateaued, and I knew I needed structure. Still, even this semi-intensive class is not enough. I’ve begun to watch a Spanish TV drama even though I generally avoid television. I watch YouTube Spanish stories and grammar review. Still, you have to celebrate the little victories, assess what skills are needed, and move forward, Poco a poco, little by little, I’m cruising at a snail’s pace.

You can celebrate little Victories to help you keep going.

I have to look at the mini milestones to assess progress. There’s no fanfare in passing tests the older I get. I stick to the goal (communicating in Spanish) and celebrate the little victories. Last year, I couldn’t understand business people over the phone. Now I can. Celebrate!

Last year, I wouldn’t have chatted for 5 minutes with my neighbor Now I can talk with her for 15-20 minuteswhen she brings her granddaughter out in the stroller.

Last year, I wouldn’t have made jokes with taxi drivers, Spanish classmates, and cashiers. Now I do, sort of… Celebrate!

Last year, I had to translate phone texts. Now I can read them.

Last year I couldn’t navigate my Spanish hospital portal and had to go in person to make appointments. Now I can log on or phone call enough to set appointments. Poco a poco.

Painting and Spanish can be both a joy and a frustration to learn.

I still speak like a child stringing Spanish sentences together. I still get lost listening in on groups gathered. I still can’t remember vocabulary and verb tenses. I still speak in quick, clipped phrases. But a few years ago, I only spoke in one-word answers and overused Google Translate. 

Generally, now, I don’t worry about “fluent” or “not fluent.” I rate myself. “ Okay, I understood 50% of that conversation, I knew 85 % of those directions, 45% of that TV show.” Yes, it’s embarrassing when a German I meet knows Italian, English, Spanish, and French. Europeans often know several languages. And yes, I cringe when someone at a language exchange meeting at a local bar says, “You’ve lived here 5 years and only speak this much?” Like I’m a language-challenged mess. I don’t tell them I lived several years in Nicaragua before Spain. And poco a poco, I move forward, striving to communicate.

This is true with art, too. Little by little, every day, I build my skills and openness to connect and communicate with others. To portray images on paper and canvas, and to convey my feelings and ideas that swarm inside my head. Painting and Learning Spanish, for me, is about Communication. Sharing. Connectivity. These might not appear splashy in my daily practice.

It’s okay, as we age, to take baby steps in our learning. We have to have fun with it in the present moment. Finally, we’re old enough not to be chasing that elusive future moment. We’re still moving forward, still learning. What are you learning little by little at this point in life? What do you want to learn? Or…Why are you waiting?