If you have not read yesterday’s post (day 20) it was all about my experience of finding a real native Spanish speaker to practice with.  One that was willing to be patient, correct my mistakes and teach me some really useful stuff.  His name is Gonzalo from Chile and I found him via the free members area at www.edufone.com.

It was so easy.  Within 20 minutes of visiting that site, I was talking to Gonzalo - now that is quick!

Anyway to find out what happened in detail, just read yesterday’s post. 

Today I have been reflecting on just what a powerful experience that was last night.  Ok I stumbled over my words, talked a lot of rubbish (I don’t think recounting the names of the silverware you’d find at the dinner table is stimulating conversation) but I did it. 

However the most important thing that came out for me was that the experience brought alive the language I did manage to use successfully.  It is as though before last night the phrases and words I had learned were in my memory but they were not really part of me.  Something special in them was ignited and now the few phrases I did use successfully have been burned onto my subconscious and are a part of me.

Another important thing about last night is that I am hungry to do it again but this time I will be better prepared.  I will have a list of things I want to cover, I will have a list of questions to ask and I will know what I want to practice more of.  Getting such a quick response from Gonzalo took me by suprise because it happened so quickly and I was not really prepared but next time I will be.

Experiencing last night has reinforced just how important proper practice is and I shall make that a regular part of my learning.  I mean that is why we are putting all this effort in isn’t it - to speak to Spanish speakers.  Sitting in the comfort of your bedroom, iPod on and pen and paper at the ready will only get you so far, at some point you have to dive in and just do it.  And certainly from my time speaking with Gonzalo last night I know I will learn far more that way.

So get over to www.edufone.com, sign up as a member (it is free), get your Skype account set up and go find yourself someone to speak to.

Let me know how you get on.