I chose German as my partner and his family’s native language is German. This time, I decided to learn for myself and not for a grade on an exam or for a resume booster. I became determined to make another attempt at studying a foreign language. I always appreciated their efforts to speak with me in English, knowing I could not return the favor. Read more: So, you think I have a deaf accent? Trying AgainĪfter spending time abroad and meeting individuals from all over the world, I admired their abilities to speak multiple languages, and their ability to switch back and forth from one language to another with ease. I completed the minimal amount of work needed to get by in my classes. My low self-esteem in understanding Spanish and eventually my lack of interest contributed to a loss of motivation to study the language.

However, lipreading in a foreign language takes practice that requires consistent use of the language outside of the classroom. I use visual cues, such as lipreading, to supplement what I hear. I was too shy to speak Spanish aloud, not being comfortable with my pronunciation. In the classroom, I did not have appropriate hearing assistive technology to hear and understand my professors as well as my classmates. In college, I continued to take Spanish classes, knowing it would be an asset when pursuing a career in the allied health field. My motivation, interest in foreign languages, support from teachers, and the use of hearing assistive technologies helped me perform well in my classes. “I did not want to be given an “out” just because of my hearing loss.”įor my high school education I pursued classes in Spanish, and along the way, picked up classes in Italian. My goal was to prove to others, and myself, that I could study a foreign language. I did not want to be given an “out” just because of my hearing loss. Nonetheless, I chose to enroll in a foreign language class. I had the choice to be exempted from learning a foreign language due to my significant bilateral hearing loss. The options were Spanish, Italian or French. In my school district, children began learning a foreign language in eighth grade. Many native English speakers tend to be, including myself. It is now the minority to be monolingual. Increasingly, people are learning to read, speak and write in a second foreign language or more. In fact, Zimbabwe has 16 official languages! Many countries actually have more than one official language. But I haven’t let it stop me.Īround the world, it is common to meet individuals with the ability to speak more than one language. It isn’t easy to learn a foreign language with hearing loss. A State-by-State Guide for Hearing Aid Insurance.

Foreign language learning and healing