Katie Cinquini
ED484
4/24/13
Language Learning Autobiography
In high school I took both German and Spanish, and had two very different experiences
learning the languages. I also had exposure to German around the house growing up, because
my grandparents were born and raised there and speak German fluently. My German
experience in the school setting was not successful. Through the four years that I took it, there
was little that I learned, and what I did learn never stuck with me. The minimal exposure from
my grandparents and mom taught me a few well know phrases and household vocabulary, but
was very limited. My Spanish experience was more successful, but still not a great achievement.
I learned more in the Spanish class than in German, but again those two years didn’t stick with
me very much. So what are my criteria for judging my success? I base my success off of how
much I learned, how much I remember, and how well I speak/understand the languages. From
these criteria I was marginally successful in learning German, and just slightly more successful in
learning Spanish. A lot of the reason for my success levels came from the set up of the different
classrooms and the way my teachers taught.
In German, Herr Brown made the classroom atmosphere very laid back, and didn’t ask
us to do much work. When we were asked us to complete a task, there were no consequences
for not doing so. We spent the majority of our time watching ‘German related’ movies, or doing
word searches that had German words. The class definitely had a low key, playful atmosphere,
which did not encourage much learning/studying. Spanish on the other hand had much more
structure and academic activities.
There were many posters around the room with pictures, Spanish vocabulary, and
commonly used phrases. We were also expected to speak Spanish in the classroom. For
example, when we started class, asked to use the bathroom, or ask what time it was, we had to
say it in Spanish. Señor Clegg provided much more structure in the classroom and expected
more from us. He would also find fun way to include new vocabulary and keep us engaged.
Learning German at home was a completely different case. There was no structure to it
because it just happened when it happened. It wasn’t a planned thing for me to learn German.
If I was interested in how to say a word in German I would asked, or my grandma would tell me
the German word for the activity we were doing or thing we were using. It was very casual and
low key, but still fun and enjoyable.
Through my three exposures to learning language I learned about how I learn and what
works well, or doesn’t work for me. German showed me that I do better with structure, and if
the teacher doesn’t expect much from me, I won’t put much effort into it. I also learned that I
remember things better with gimmicks or songs. Herr Brown would often make up little
rhythms or songs to help us associate different words together. Some of them have stuck with
me to this today but I don’t know what they mean anymore, I only remember the song. Señor
Clegg helped me realize that practice really does make perfect. There was a lot of repetition
with vocabulary and sentences. This is a strategy that really helped me learn Spanish and retain
it. While learning German around the home I discovered that I learn well visually. My mom
would often put sticky notes around the house to help us learn new vocabulary for house hold
items. Each time I would see a sticky note I would stop to read it and repeat it to myself a
couple times. This is a method that I still use to help me learn new things, not just languages.
Besides these reasons there was other motivation that helped me with one language over
another.
I was much more connected to the German language rather than Spanish because of my
family ties with it. So although I learned more Spanish language, I was more interested and
excited to learn German and about the German culture. I think this is why I was able to learn so
much German at home in such an informal setting; because I was internally motivated.
Whereas, my motivation with learning Spanish was external, mostly because it was suggested
that everyone start learning it, so I did.
As I stated before there were aspects of one language that I learned better than others,
and vice versa. In German I excel most in reading. I can read German and usually get the gist of
what is being said. This would come from Herr Brown having us read stories and try to translate
what it was about. Listening would probably be my second strength, although understanding
what I hear isn’t very high. I can typically recognize when German is being spoken but only
understand a few words here and there. My speaking and writing skill are probably at about the
same level; mostly nonexistent. I had the least amount of practice with these two and that
would show with my skill level.
My strength in Spanish would be speaking. Although not very strong I could have a very
basic conversation for a minute or two. Reading would be my second strength. I am able to find
a few words that I know and then infer and use context clues to figure out what the rest of the
sentence says. Listening and writing would be where I have the least experience and skill. I can
recognize when Spanish is being spoken be will only understand a word or two in each sentence.
Considering these skills, or the lack there of, I feel that if I were clearly representative of
all language learners it would be apparent that classroom settings and teacher styles have a
huge effect on how well a student learns. Teachers need to be aware of how they are positively
or negatively affecting their students learning by the way they teach. Because all students are
different, teachers have to be able to find a way, or a combination of ways, that will work for all
their students to be able to learn and be successful. This is the biggest things I have learned
from my experiences about how to teach in my classroom. I must be aware and adaptable for
my students to do well, whether it is with learning a second language or in any main school
topics.