Week one of my intensive language course is officially finished. Since arriving my main goal has been to really learn German. I have spent the last months waiting for the course to begin and in that time have worried myself sick. Would I be able to handle it, could I keep up, would I be behind before it even started? Could I make friends or would I revert back to my old ways of being a wallflower? As per usual, I needed not worry. The ulcers I potentially gave myself were for nothing.
I have learned a lot about myself in the last few years, specifically about the way I process and retain information. It's something that would have been wonderful to know fifteen years ago, but I am glad I have the opportunity to apply it now. Mostly I know that I need to be having fun in class for anything to stick. Laughter and movement are a HUGE part of my learning process. I have had a great time bringing my own sense of humor to the classroom. Finding the balance between helpful and conscious play and distracting play. When working with in pairs I challenge myself to move my body and laugh. I am surprised how easeful this week has felt. I feel I am emerging as a sort of leader in the group, a role I have never felt comfortable taking. I have always preferred hanging back and observing. That was always the less scary alternative, but I didn't learn a whole lot in that way. I am feeling surprisingly confident in this new dynamic.
The possibility of making friends in this class is wonderful as well. Twice this week I hung out with classmates after class. Today I spent an hour or so at the bookstore and over coffee with Amel, from Tunisia, speaking German the entire time. I felt a great release afterwards, feeling unafraid when going into a shop and having to ask about some things. I feel absolutely energized about learning which is a very new and exciting sensation. The sense of of having no direction that has been hanging over me these last months has suddenly melted away. How lovely it is to feel as though there is some purpose in what I am doing, and a purpose in making this ridiculous move.
Today, my heart sings with joy.
4 comments:
Good on you B!
B, I think this is simply phenomenal. I identify completely with your observations on learning and how it can become something more enjoyable and retention worthy when you are actually having a good time. I can't wait to hear your accent and you shall have to post something in audio form for us to hear.
On another note, I wanted to thank you as personally as possible for your kind comment to me when the hurricane hit. It meant a lot to be able to read it and considering how disconnected we felt from everything afterwards, being able to read mails from fellow blogging friends made all the difference in the world. Thank you so much. Milena
Aw, my sweet friend! I LOVE this post. I love that you are finding your pace there and absorbing so much beauty and magic. I love that you are remembering that you ARE dance. I remember that everything you shared with me over the year came along with a movement of sort as an exclamation point!
That's wonderful! I"m so happy for you.
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