Author: Nina

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German Tutor Interview!

When did you start learning your language?

 I started learning German my freshman year at Reed.


What has been the most helpful tool in learning?

One tool that I have found helpful in language learning is reading familiar texts in new languages. Reading a familiar text in a new language is much easier than reading a wholly new text in a new language, so you can enjoy reading more and stress less about the difficulty of reading in a new language.

What do you enjoy most about speaking this language or knowing it?

The thing I love most about knowing German is that I can enjoy so much more literature, film, and philosophy as originally written.

What do you recommend to people learning this language?

German can be intimidating and difficult; remember to take some time to appreciate the progress you have already made.


How often do you practice?

I try to practice multiple days a week, although sometimes life gets in the way.

If you could speak one other language what would it be and why?

I would love to be able to read Aristotle in the original Greek, so I wish I could read Ancient Greek.


Why are you a tutor?

I am a tutor because I love to learn, teach, and speak German!


How difficult was it for you to learn this language?

I found German difficult to learn, and I still have so much more to learn!


What media do you enjoy most in this language? Lit/movies/music etc

I enjoy literature most in German. Particularly poetry, which I have never liked much in English. I find many German films to be a bit cheesy.


Can you give me an example?

Kafka is my favorite German author I have read. Of course, I love all of his classic stories like Metamorphosis and In the “Penal Colony,” but one less popular Kafka story I like is “The Burrow.”


Have you ever lived in a country that speak this language?

No, but I have lived in 2 Spanish-speaking countries!

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Podcasts en Español

Learning a language can be exceptionally frustrating. Especially when the only times you are hearing this language is in a classroom, three times a week, for 50 minutes. You’ve probably heard your Spanish teacher tell you to listen to music and movies in Spanish since your first class in middle school. While this is good advice, it can be hard to understand music in Spanish such as Reggaeton, cumbia, or Spanish hip hop when you aren’t as familiar with the language. The words blend or maybe there is too much slang to comprehend whatever Bad Bunny or MC Solaar is saying. To that I say do not fret, podcasts are the way to go!

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Interview with a French Tutor

Nina: How long have you been studying French?

K: Since 7th grade!

N: What is your favorite way of practicing?

K: Just talking to other people who speak French. When I went to New York, I heard a lot of people speaking French, and I would just walk up to them and start up a conversation. Really any time I hear someone speaking French I try to speak with them. Any other way of learning just isn’t as fun. It’s necessary of course, but it isn’t as entertaining.

N: Are you ever scared to mess up? Or talk to native speakers?

K: Sometimes, but generally no, because I’m never going to see these people ever again. Also, French people abroad are just excited to speak to someone in French.

N: What is your favorite form of French media?

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Spanish-Language Hip Hop

Hip Hop turned 50 in August of this year! The iconic music form originated in New York City, specifically the Bronx in predominantly Black and Brown communities. Puerto Rican New Yorkers, fondly known as Nuyoricans, were and still are immensely influential in the development of Hip Hop. Although the majority of old school and newer Hip Hop is a largely AAVE and English-based genre, Spanish language Hip Hop has been around for almost as long as the mother genre and has often included Spanglish influence. Via cassettes and bootlegs of songs recorded in NYC and other places around the US, the genre spread to Spain and Latin America throughout the 80s and 90s. 

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Kali Uchis Could Help You Learn Spanish!

Kali Uchis is a Colombian-American singer and songwriter with four albums and various EPs and singles in her discography. Uchi’s two earliest albums, Por Vida and Isolation, are primarily in English but are heavily influenced by Latin R&B, soul, psychedelic soul, and Latin American Boleros. For anyone learning Spanish, these earlier albums might improve your cultural fluency with modern Latin music and musicians. Likewise, for someone at a 200-400 level in Spanish, Uchis’ two most recent albums Sin Miedo (del amor y otros demonios) and Red Moon in Venus, are a great way to immerse yourself in gooey eclectic bilingual love-stricken bops that tease with verses flowing between Spanish, English, and Spanglish. If you’re struggling to understand the fast-paced lyrics of musicians such as Bad Bunny or even Rosalia, Kali Uchis might be the girl for you. Her slow hooks and unique take on reggaeton make you want to play her discography on repeat. Rumor has it that Uchis will be releasing her fourth studio album very soon so get ahead of the trend while you’re at it! Feel free to check out her socials if you need some more convincing 😉
Gracias y buena suerte!