Learning a second (or a third, fourth, … ) language should be a compulsory part of everyone’s education. I don’t mean that ‘high school French’ that a lot of us Canadians have, or the few words in Spanish or Italian we’ve picked up from friends.

What I mean, is speaking and being understood, and understanding a language that is not our mother tongue. In some ways, I feel a bit cheated. My father was from Switzerland, and was fluent in four languages when he emigrated to Canada (later, five). He put this to good use during WW2, when he worked with Army Intelligence. But he never attempted to teach us his languages, and I wish he had.

Later in life, two of my brothers married Spanish speaking girls – one from Spain and one from Colombia. At that time, I decided I’d like to learn Spanish, as a gesture to them. I registered with Continuing Education at our university, and took evening sessions for two years. Not many chances to use it, though, as we lived over 6 hours away from both of them. The desire to learn Spanish took a back seat.

Now, 15 years later, I’m learning again. Spanish is one of the most commonly used languages in the world, and to truly experience Ecuador, a country I’ve become to love over the past four years, I need to learn. And I will!

This time, I’ve downloaded a Spanish course and am having success. I just load up my IPod, and as I go for my daily walk, I listen and talk to myself. I get some funny looks, but who cares. I’ve also taken a week long immersion conversational Spanish course, utilizing Super-Learning techniques.

Each visit to Ecuador I can understand more and more conversation. I’m able to answer simple questions, and to generally make myself understood in a shop or restaurant. I can read most menus. I’m great at bargaining in the markets, and often do the speaking for others I’m traveling with.

I’m starting to get by.