A Day in the Life of a Language Student

Since Bridget and I have been at language school for a month we thought it would be fun to let you in on what “a day in the life of a language student” is like. We also have a little video on YouTube about Hospital Clinica Biblica. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0Zjo1-1K4UI

Gallo pinto (rice & beans) with scrambled eggs.

The sun is up early and so are we. We have breakfast with our Tico (Costa Rican) mom at 6:30. Bridget's favorite is – gallo pinto and eggs. Paul misses his bacon. After breakfast we walk ten minutes to the Spanish Language Institute.

School is Monday through Friday and goes from 7:30 – 12:10. A half day schedule is plenty as far as learning a new language is concerned. Our books, class instruction and interaction are pretty much all in Spanish. English is only used when something needs clarification or for some technical term that has no Spanish equivalent. On the whole, everything is in Spanish.

Ready to take notes in Grammar class.

Our first two hours are Spanish grammar. As you may know, grammar for any language can be difficult. For the most part, our class is made fairly light-hearted because of our teacher, Oscar. He is Costa Rican and very knowledgeable. Currently he is teaching us about verbs, lots of verbs with special rules.

Chapel during morning break.

There is a break from 9:20 until 10:20. During this time on Tuesday's and Thursday's we meet in the chapel for announcements, singing in English and Spanish, followed by some spiritual input. Our speakers have been students, staff and missionaries in Costa Rica and to other countries. Last Thursday a gentleman with “Voice of the Martyrs” www.persecution.com spoke about Christians being persecuted and martyred around the world today. It puts life at language school into perspective. 

The 4 amigos with phonics teacher, Gabriela.

After chapel, the next two hours build on what we learned in grammar and are dedicated to phonetics and language (speaking). In phonics we are literally working on learning the Spanish ABC's. Needless to say I feel like a kindergartener. (Actually the kindergarten class we walk by every day on our way to school sounds like they are much more fluent.) Having spoken a language for decades that is heavy in consonant usage and emphasis, it is difficult to switch to Spanish that is vowel centered. 

Bridget buying an airplane ticket from Betty.

In language class we do more dialogues (like how to greet people) and practical things (filling out a form or reading a grocery ad). There are a number of us in our class with advanced degrees. As we daily work our way through the material we laugh with each other. A good friend has often paraphrased Proverbs 17:22 by saying, “Laughter is good medicine.” It is important to hang your ego up at the gate each morning as you enter the school grounds. 

Paul doing homework in our study.

After lunch it is time for homework. Bridget goes to an exercise class a couple of times a week. Paul is studying for his Spanish flight test, too. We spend a lot of time on the computer translating. The Spanish-English dictionary and English Grammar for Students of Spanish are invaluable resources. In the evening we eat dinner with our Tico parents and watch the local news with them. Then we do a little more homework and take time to relax before we go to bed.

Please pray for us along the lines of I Thessalonians 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” Please pray for Bridget's family, also. Her mom celebrated her 89^th birthday with the family Oct 7 in Oregon. She was very frail and went to be with the Lord a week later.

Thanks for your emails, support and prayers. We could not be here without your investment in our lives. The Lord has been faithful to meet all our needs each day.

Serving Him, Paul & Bridget