Learning a Foreign Language Through Talk Radio

Learning a foreign language at age 55 is no joke! The famous holistic health doctor, Andrew Weil, has said that the three best ways to keep one’s mind agile are: 1) learn a new computer operating system; 2) learn a new language, and 3) …well, I can’t remember the third. I am only 55, and my goal is more about learning to communicate with the increasing number of Spanish speakers in the US than staving off dementia. Still, if I ever do really “get” the reflexive verbs in Spanish, it will probably scare off Alzheimer’s for awhile longer.

I have been in Panama for one year, minus a few trips back home. When we arrived, I had been studying Spanish in the U.S. for only a few months, on my own, using tapes and textbooks. Hardly an all-out effort, as I was also working full time and wrapping up my life in preparation for this two-year hiatus. When we arrived in August 2008 I had only one full week with my Spanish-speaking husband along to translate and handle transactions, after which he started work. I was on my own and I was terrified.

My task was straightforward: set up an entire household from scratch; from buying and installing appliances and furniture to assembling a barbecue from 300 little pieces, using directions in Spanish. I carried a little electronic dictionary with me at all times, and wore it out in 6 months. At that point I discovered the on-line translators and began to read books and newspapers with the computer at my elbow.

Since I didn’t know anyone at first, my experience with live speech was limited to what I could overhear while doing errands, or struggle through in direct transactions. I did a lot of eavesdropping, taking walks while listening to my downloaded Pimsleur lessons, and watching TV while ironing. TV was frustrating, as much of the Spanish was too fast and too colloquial for me to follow. It was a major victory to even identify the main topic of the newscaster’s breathless story. The “telenovelas” (Spanish soap operas) were too ridiculous to bear, even for the sake of learning.

After the first few months, I began twice weekly lessons with Angela Curtis, my wonderful Spanish teacher. I have described those in an earlier blog posting. Angela saved me from complete isolation and frustration! I worked hard to prepare for each hour we spent together, coming up with a full typed page of questions in Spanish and written descriptions of my daily experiences. As time went on, we spoke more and more Spanish, with less reversion to English for explanations.

When I ran low on taped Spanish drills, it occurred to me that I could try to find some Panamanian radio stations to listen to. I fished out my ancient portable cassette player/radio, found some earphones, and set out on a walk. Twirling the dial, I hit the motherlode! The first station I came upon was a call-in show, and I even recognized the topic – treating illnesses with natural substances! Much of the conversation was a blur, but I could catch just enough words to keep me listening. Moving the dial further, I came upon a show about show business and the lives of the stars (even in a Spanish accent, I could catch “Angelina Jolie and Bradd Pitt”!) Further up the FM dial was a religious station, recognizable by its chanted Hail Marys. Advertising jingles for products were interspersed with the signature tunes for each of the political candidates for the May 2009 elections. I was hooked.

From then on, I have listened to talk radio for at least 3 hours per day, whenever I take walks and while doing chores around the house. I have come to know the talk show hosts, their attitudes and personalities, and the topics they like to discuss. I have learned a great deal about Panamanian politics, culture, cuisine, and the beliefs of everyday Panamanians. It’s kind of like eavesdropping on a national conversation; this little country of 3+ million is full of hope and ambition and good intentions, which helps offset some of the inevitable frustrations I have felt with Panamanian bureaucracy and inefficiency. I am touched by the civic-mindedness of the callers, and the massive response that is mobilized whenever neighbors are in trouble.

Last week I wrote an email to my favorite 4 talk-show hosts, thanking them for all I have learned from their shows, and for easing my inevitable loneliness as a foreigner. The host whose show is called “Contact with the Community”, Gisela Vergara, sent me a very nice email in return, and read my letter on the air.