Numerous studies are out there touting the benefits of studying a foreign language, on your own mind and when talking with the global community. We are not allowed to learn a foreign language until high school, and then it is not even required. The foreign language options at my school are Latin, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese (online). I will have taken all the Latin classes available at my school and half of the Spanish classes available at my school by the time I finish high school next year (inshallah!).
Learning Latin has been different from learning Arabic for many reasons. No one speaks Ancient Latin, and thus we do not speak it that much in class, especially not for a grade. Nor do we write in Latin, or form thoughts or sentences in Latin. It does not make sense to- our purpose is just translation. My brain, even though I have taken four Latin classses, cannot easily formulate sentences in Latin.
A big difference between the two languages is that I cannot be immersed in Roman culture like I can with Arab culture. Being there in Amman surrounded by the language and its people all the time helped me sharpen my skills. Immersion is a huge part of language learning. Even just talking to native speakers helps.
Learning Arabic in Amman is a lot easier than learning Arabic in America. My sole purpose in Amman was to learn Arabic, and that was my only focus. Back in the States, I have to focus on a number of things, and Arabic is not one of them, sadly. My video call with Hayder's class was the first time in a while where I was thinking and speaking in Arabic, just for that short time. I am definitely rusty!
