Many people who have tried learning a second language are familiar with the numerous apps out there for helping you achieve your goal. One popular app is HelloTalk, a platform that allows you to select your target language and then pursue conversations with native speakers. I utilized HelloTalk to find conversation parters and came away from the experience with a better ability to interact with learners and better Spanish. Rather than connect you with one speaker, you have the opportunity to connect with several which allows for a more diverse experience. For me, I found that many learners were unfamilar with quirky idioms or struggled with having conversations that flowed naturally and actually touched on deeper subjects. This was also a great opportunity to learn about different cultures, seeing as I matched with people from Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and more.

I heard stories about monkeys stealing food on the playas of costa rica, that just like in my family Sundays are often dedicated to food, church, and gathering in Latin America. I learned about Colombian idioms, one of my favorite being “Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos” which is essentially the spanish version of “you can take the animal out of the wild but not the wild out of the animals.” Literally, it means “raise crows and they will take out your eyes.”