Hello, my name is Grace Binas, and I’m the Intermediate 2 instructor here at Heartland. I recently went on a vacation to Mexico with my junior high friend, a trip that had been eagerly anticipated for a long time. This trip felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, that the anticipation lasted longer than my actual stay in Mexico. In Winnipeg, people often travel to tropical destinations like Mexico from December to March to escape the cold. However, I chose to go in June, and I think it was the perfect choice since I dislike abrupt weather changes. It was a wonderful start to my summer, especially with the beautiful weather in Mexico.
When I arrived in Mexico, it was an exhilarating adventure. The humidity hit me hard as soon as I got off the plane, making it a bit hard to breathe at first, but it felt amazing at the same time. The country’s beauty reminded me of my childhood in the Philippines. I realized how much I’m grounded by certain temperatures, and the tropical warmth stirred so many emotions, helping me appreciate all the places I visit, whether for two days or five months. It felt like reconnecting with my inner child. Despite the excitement, it was a bit daunting to be in a place where I wasn’t familiar with the language.
While I could understand some Spanish words due to their similarity to Cebuano (my native language), the experience was still challenging in some ways. It was fascinating to see the cultural similarities between Filipino and Mexican traditions, but I felt somewhat distant because of my limited ability to engage in conversations. I had to get creative with my communication, which felt like tapping into my inner child again. This is where my English skills became invaluable. English, being a global language, served as a bridge in many situations. Many locals and hotel staff spoke English, which eased the process of getting around and asking for help. It highlighted how English can be a powerful tool for travelers, even in non-English speaking countries.
Today, I want to share with you some strategies I used to overcome language barriers during my short trip:
- Use Translation Apps: Even though I was in Mexico for just six days, I found translation apps like Google Translate incredibly useful, especially for navigating airport security and understanding important documents. These apps can translate text, voice, and even images (like menus or signs). While most locals and hotel staff spoke English, the app was still handy for ordering unfamiliar foods. I also noticed that making an effort to learn a few phrases in Spanish was appreciated, and it made interactions with the staff warmer.
- Learn
Basic Phrases: I made a point to learn and use some
essential Spanish phrases. Here are a few that were particularly helpful:
- Greetings:
- Hola (Hello)
- Buenos días (Good morning)
- Buenas tardes (Good afternoon)
- Buenas noches (Good night)
- Politeness:
- Por favor (Please)
- Gracias (Thank you)
- De nada (You’re welcome)
- Asking
for Help:
- ¿Dónde está…? (Where is…?)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
- Ayuda (Help)
- Ordering
Food:
- Quiero… (I want…)
- Una mesa para dos, por favor (A table for two, please)
- La cuenta, por favor (The bill, please)
- Basic
Directions:
- Izquierda (Left)
- Derecha (Right)
- Recto (Straight)
- Greetings:
- Use Non-Verbal Communication: If verbal communication didn’t work, I relied on gestures, facial expressions, and body language. These are universal and they helped me express basic needs and show appreciation.
- Patience and Listening: Being patient and attentive was crucial. Locals appreciated the effort I made to communicate in their language. I listened carefully and used context and non-verbal cues to understand better.
- Language Exchange: I had a chance to learn more Spanish from a local artist who painted a beautiful landscape of Mexico for me. He added sunflowers because he noticed the sunflower tattoo on my collarbone. We had a great conversation where I taught him English while learning more Spanish phrases from him. It was a fun and relaxed way to build rapport and learn.
- Stay Calm, Cool, and Positive: I maintained a positive attitude and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. Most people were understanding and appreciated my efforts to speak their language.
Spending a week in Mexico gave me a deep sense of empathy for my students at Heartland. They are incredibly brave, learning English on their own and facing the challenges of a new language in a new environment. This experience taught me to be more understanding and patient with non-native speakers in my own country. Overcoming language barriers also improved my communication skills, making me more adept at expressing myself in different ways. Language is a key part of communication.
Learning another language shows care and respect for those who speak it. It honors their culture and helps build stronger connections. Let’s continue to embrace the challenge of learning new languages, knowing that it brings us closer to understanding and communicating with each other more effectively.