Meet
Antonia, also known as MissRichito on YouTube. I came across her channel in my
quest for Spanish resources and knew I just had to learn her story and share it
with you guys!
BGLL:
Thank you so much for agreeing to share your story. I’m sure it will inspire
others. Tell us about yourself.
Antonia: My name is Antonia and
I’m Jamaican-American, hailing from New Jersey. I have a Bachelor’s in
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, a double Master’s in Educational Leadership and
Teaching. I’m a Bilingual Chemistry teacher, teaching Chemistry to
students who are new to the United States (have lived here for 3 years or less)
and whose native languages are either Spanish or Portuguese. In addition to my
native English, I speak Spanish, Portuguese and currently learning German. As a
result, I offer tutoring and consulting services in a variety of areas in
education.
I also have a YouTube Channel, and the goal with that is to
encourage others to pursue language learning and offer helpful tips to guide
them in this journey.
BGLL:
What made you want to learn those languages? How did you learn them?
Antonia: Well, with Spanish, I
took Spanish classes in middle and high school as many people do but I still
could not speak any Spanish upon graduating. In college, I took Spanish courses
for 4 semesters (one each semester). I learned how to read and write pretty well
but still could not speak much Spanish. Well, after graduating, I found a job
and transitioned into the "real-world". It was a tough transition for
me and I missed the social aspect of college. I would come home
around 4PM after work and sit in my apartment alone so I decided I
would make that time useful and finally learn Spanish. I found a Spanish
speaking church to attend each week, joined the language exchange sites Lang-8
and Italki, and changed every electronic device I owned into Spanish language.
I also deleted my English language music off of all my devices and downloaded
Spanish music. I became OBSESSED with Spanish. I spent hours each evening
talking with people in Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and Argentina on
Skype. I made friends online and at church and my Spanish improved
tremendously. A year later, I interviewed for a Bilingual teaching job and got
it! That first year with my students, who were new arrivals to the US, helped
improve my Spanish as well! I was using it every day and picked up their
phrases, expressions, etc. That was 6 years ago.
After learning Spanish, I decided to try and pick up Portuguese.
I used Italki again to meet and speak with Brazilians online. I also completed
grammar books independently and listened to lots of Brazilian music. I am still
learning Portuguese and my Portuguese speaking students at work teach me more
and more each day!
I just so happened to find an Austrian boyfriend whose native
language is German. Haha. As a result, I am learning German in order to better
communicate with his family/friends and connect with his mother tongue. Being
in an international long-distance relationship means lots of traveling abroad.
All the time that I've spent in Austria has encouraged me to learn German so that
I can operate more independently on visits and connect better with my boyfriend
and his friends/family/culture. I have been learning German for just one year.
I started with a beginner German course at an adult school in the evenings for
3 months here in New Jersey. I have used Pimselur in the car, podcasts, watched
movies in German with English subtitles, and have begun listening to German
music. I also spent 4 weeks in Vienna this past summer taking German classes
which were completely taught in German. While there, I had the opportunity to
use the German I learned in grocery stores and with locals. Currently, I am
working through grammar books and practicing with Pimsleur, friends I made in
Vienna, and my boyfriend. I also have an Austrian teacher on Italki with whom I
practice conversation and speaking.
BGLL:
Which language is your favorite and why?
Antonia: Well, with I really love
the sound of Brazilian Portuguese. The beauty of the language and the people
makes it my favorite. It's such an enjoyable language to learn and I really
love the carefree, friendly, diverse, and warm nature of the people/culture.
BGLL:
What tips would you offer to someone looking to learn another language?
Antonia: BE OBSESSED. Interact with the
language in some form EVERY SINGLE DAY. Seriously, choose a language that you
really like and that belongs to a culture you really admire. Otherwise, you
will have little motivation to interact with it every day. Listen to
the music—Find music in your target language. Through music you learn
pronunciation and the sound of the language. You get an idea of where words
begin and end. And it's fun! Find a church or religious community where
the target language is spoken - This goes for everyone. Agnostic,
Jewish, Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc. The reason I recommend a
church is because it is an environment where you can interact with the language
in SOOOO many ways. And its FREE PRACTICE! You can speak to the elderly and
practice your use of the polite/formal forms. You can speak to children and
practice your imperative. You can get a sense of how people greet each other.
The first time I attended a Spanish church, I was taken aback by all of the
cheek kissing and hugs. I soon learned it was part of the culture.
BGLL:
How can we stay in touch with you?
Subscribe to my YouTube channel! I hope to
update my channel with new videos, sharing more about my own language learning
journey so please subscribe and check back soon!
