Submitted by Laura Russo on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Siena, Italy sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures…
Being in a foreign country and learning the language is an interesting experience. I have been studying the Italian language since I was 10 years old, and this is my first time spending an extended period of time in Italy immersed in the language and culture. Because we live with a host family, we speak Italian every day, and the children in our host family only speak Italian. At the beginning of the program, I felt confident in my speaking skills. I would speak Italian in restaurants, stores, and when I would meet new people.
Once we arrived in Siena, where we would be staying with our host families, I was required to speak Italian in more situations, and I was hearing the language more. The more I heard the language, the more I realized how much I really don’t know. Even though, I have studied the language for years, I was never immersed in it before and I started having a hard time keeping up with conversations. I was having trouble with the grammar, even though I always understood it in the classroom in writing exercises.
My confidence in my ability to speak and understand the language was being affected and I found myself speaking English every time I could. I was disappointed because one of my main goals for this proram was to increase my fluency in the language, but it was very frustrating to feel like I didn’t know this language as well as I thought. There were some days that I felt more confident and others when I would go all day avoiding speaking Italian.
I have realized that learning a new language is not a straight path. It is a journey that is different everyday. What is important is remembering how much of the language you do know and focusing on that rather than on mistakes you may make. I have been focusing lately on things I do know and understand and I have been trying to speak Italian in any situation that I can, even if English is an option.
