How I Used Multiple Languages in One Day in America

ESL class (level 4) from last year

I had a friend in high school and one day we decided to "play" as many sports in one day as we could. We rode our bikes with confidence and threw footballs with less than perfect spirals. We also tried to rollerblade on an outdoor ice skating rink....that was not our best moment together, but nevertheless, we were able to fumble our way across the rink and survived.

Today was a bit like that day, but with languages. Some went great, and others, well I was able to say "hello" and "pencil." Even if less than perfect, the amount of languages that I was around and used today was certainly memorable.

On my way teach my ESL classes this morning, I listened to 20 minutes of a French audio app.

In the first classroom, my students were From Cuba, Mexico and Somalia. I don't allow other languages in my english classes but from time to time I do get to say "hello" in their languages or after class we will have a small conversation. I only know a few Somali words but I did use them with a grandmother.

The second class was a very low level class with students from Iraq, Mexico, Somalia, and Karen women from Burma. My co-teacher was able to use Karen, I could understand some of the Arabic for simple things as there were side conversations, and both my co-teacher and I used bits of Spanish to help with reflexives and question words.

On the way home, I listened to the French audio again.

I did a training for an upcoming trip and took notes on Islam using Arabic and French words.

Writings with friends in college.

Finally I taught my online VIPKid English classes and used some Chinese with a little brother and I began writing a "Stay Strong Wuhan" video, and posted on FB in Chinese asking my Chinese friends to proof read the script.

And finally, I responded to a friend from Sudan and told her how much I miss her in sudanese slang Arabic. And I messaged an online friend who is fluent in Urdu and Hindi (maybe Arabic too).

Oh man, I wish every day was this diverse but I am simultaneously thankful to have these days from time to time. If I could teach my students one thing, it's that it's ok to make mistakes and it's ok to fumble your way through a conversation. It's ok to not be perfect! We don't expect perfection and mistakes are the best way to learn and grow.

Friend at an international dinner in our home.

Just like the massive sports day, you never know if something will work if you don't try and honestly, I will never forget how hard we laughed stuck on the ice alone in the center of a  giant outdoor skating rink. Sometimes failures are worth remembering.