#48 - My Language Journey: I Studied French, Spoke Spanish, And Confused Them On Every Exam
17 March 2026

#48 - My Language Journey: I Studied French, Spoke Spanish, And Confused Them On Every Exam

Practical Proficiency Podcast

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I'm doing something different today and sharing my candid origin story as a language lover.  From early childhood immersion in Japan to a Dominican study abroad wake-up call, tracing how real-world input shaped my teaching style. 

• early immersion in Japan shaping views on communication
• choosing French to connect friends and stop exclusion
• juggling French and Spanish and mixing systems
• study abroad shock and the gap between grades and speech
• differences between academic literacy and real-world fluency
• discovering proficiency and comprehensible input
• shifting assessments to what students can do
• maintaining language outside the classroom with habits
• the parenting choice to let go and protect joy
• honoring strengths of native and non-native teachers

Send me a text with your language question using the new feature below, or email me at Devon@LaLibreLanguageLearning.com! 


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