Learning a Language
What I'm about to say is not a huge revelation and many before me have said the same. Learning a language is hard. I technically speak Spanish. I took classes throughout high school (and my HS had an immersive, no English allowed, approach to teaching languages). I spent a summer in Spain. I've visited Argentina (and spent the majority of time with Spanish-speakers) 3 times. I can get by with my limited knowledge of the subjunctive and the few vocabulary words that I know. Post-Buenos Aires, I wanted to brush up on my Spanish so I felt confident speaking the language. I downloaded Duolingo , changed my phone to Spanish, and began texting with my Argentine friends in Spanish only. I also dedicated a notebook to new Spanish words and phrases that I am learning (or forgot and am relearning). Sometimes I even listen to Spanish talk radio. This is all great. Here's the catch: learning a language is hard when you do not practice sp...