Learning a new language

Now that I have been at school for almost 3 months (already), I thought it might be a good time for some reflections.

When I first arrived here in mid January, and up until about 2 weeks ago to be honest, the whole concept of learning Dutch was like standing in front of a giant brick wall. A brick wall that I couldn't see over, or have a chance of breaking through. Even though just about every Dutch person I have met speaks perfect English, it still feels like being a bit on the outside when you can't understand anything of the conversations going on around you, whether just out walking on the street or in a more social situation. Sometimes it does my head in.

Even though my 3 months here last year meant I understood a few individual words and recognised the weird sounds of the language, I really couldn't follow anything in a worthwhile manner. My brain was hearing the familiar words being spoken and would then make up the rest of the context around them - 9 times out of 10 I was getting it totally wrong. You know the way it goes - you hear the word "coffee" for example, and you guess that people are discussing the merits of cappucino versus cafe latte, wrong!! They are actually discussing the latest trends in interior decorating, and are planning to paint the living room in some sort of "coffee" coloured paint ;-)) Pretty dumb example I know, but you get the idea!

However, now that I have a whopping 3 months (almost) of study up my sleeve I can see a doorway appearing in the brick wall. A closed doorway, but a doorway nonetheless! I am beginning to understand a few of the crazy grammar rules, I can make short sentences, I can understand much more than just one or two words in someone else's conversation (handy for eaves dropping purposes!), and rather than 9 times out of 10, I am getting it totally wrong closer to 7 times out of 10 ;-) Listening and writing are by far so much easier than speaking, and I have to continually convince myself no one will laugh at me if I make mistakes when trying to speak. Oh the burden of being a perfection driven Virgo!!!

Anyway, I have decided that learning a new language should be fun, and will try not to get too stressed out if I don't get 100% on every test. Can't wait for that door in the brick wall to actually open. I'm gonna run on through it when it does!

Alli xxx