Learning a Language

I have always been surrounded by languages, ever since I was a child. Growing up in a mixed religion household, I was frequently and passively introduced to Hebrew, which was spoken with my paternal family, especially around holidays. As a young teenager, I chose to study French extensively through school, due to a French-Canadian background. It was around this time that I started to teach myself Japanese using the internet, mostly focusing on learning key phrases. My love of languages grew deeper with two different situations.

The first was at thirteen. I traveled with People to People Student Ambassadors to six European countries with a small group (less than 30 people total). In France, a woman approached me and my friends and asked for help, in which I was able to successfully navigate my own communicative competence in order to assist. This had made me feel confident in my own language skills, and it promoted me to want to continue practicing French.

The second was during my university career for my bachelor degree. By this time, I was actively studying Japanese as one of my two majors. During my study abroad in Beppu, Japan, both my brother and my mother came to spend two weeks in Japan. Having no Japanese language abilities themselves, I was able to assist them throughout the two weeks by not only being a translator, but also by being a cultural advisor and ambassador to the Japanese lifestyle. This was furthered through my time working and living in Japan on the JET Program, especially as my linguistic diversity has grown.

As a lifelong language learner and non-native speaker of Japanese, I study the language almost every day, both with online SRS websites and textbooks. Talking with my colleagues, students and members of my current community give me linguistic input and the ability to practice my speaking and listening skills in real life situations.

Bullet Points:

• Grew up hearing multiple languages in my family

• Studied French in High School

• Time abroad grew my experience and knowledge with language learning

• Is a lifelong learner who actively studies the language