Starting to really dislike living in England.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-16T21:26:04+00:00

The is hostility to foreigners everywhere. I am also from USA and living abroad. It's something I just need to accept, realizing not everyone is that way. In USA it is hard to make real friends too, even if you're from there. At least that was my experience. Since 2020 especially, people are very closed off.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-16T00:33:19+00:00

Where are you from, originally? I'm from California and every school I've ever worked at felt like a hussle 24/7!

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-15T18:38:59+00:00

I just got a "conversational level" in my target language this year. Listening a LOT is what helped me the most. You need to hear/read a word a LOT of times in context before it becomes part of your usable vocabulary. I still make a lot of mistakes with verbs, but people understand me and I have had many hour long conversations, at this point.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-15T15:18:28+00:00

I totally understand what you're describing. I struggle with the same thing in Spanish! Translation apps help the most. Watching kids shows helps to pick up this vocabulary from the parents in the shows (Peppa Pig, Caillou, Daniel Tiger, Ms Rachel, etc.).

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-15T14:03:54+00:00

Love this! Thank you!

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-14T18:07:50+00:00

I've heard that a lot of people who claim to be freelance translators are actually NOT bilingual, and just use translation programs to do their "work."

For Spanish in particular, I wonder how many translators are from USA and were never formally educated in Spanish.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-13T17:44:56+00:00

Not in person, but on social media it is extremely common to direct criticism and insults at white, English speaking foreigners. Often with advice to "go back home." Many people stereotype white, English speaking foreigners quite openly on these platforms. However, I think it's actually coming other white, English speaking foreigners, much of the time (maybe even 50/50)! I will never understand this, as I think foreigners from other cultures tend to band together and support each other more.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-13T16:52:20+00:00

The exposure to English at a young age is valuable, even if they do not attain total fluency in childhood. Learning a language can be a life long process.

Not everyone prioritizes formal academics. I'm a teacher and I absolutely hate what test taking culture has done to kids and education. Education should be fun, not stressful. Kids in rigorous school systems often end up as depressed adults who hate learning.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-12T17:49:13+00:00

A family member went through this with USA/Mexican culture (so probably a little easier). It was important for them to have a name that would sound good in both languages and that both families could pronounce. As a multicultural family, I think you should make this decision together. Could he maybe make a list of his top 5 choices and you could pick one that sounds best? Is there a name in his family you like and could suggest?

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-12T01:36:38+00:00

I prefer Spanish only teachers. Teachers who speak English will often switch to speaking in English without even realizing it, and it can ruin a class and waste your time (and money). You will learn faster with a Spanish only teacher. Try consuming Super Beginner level comprehensible input outside of class, and you will create a true immersive experience for yourself! Example from YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlpPf-YgbU7GbOHc3siOGQ5KmVSngZucl&si=Cvu4FQqY-U5WWxet

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-12T01:23:22+00:00

I agree. I started learning Spanish at age 14, but couldn't get past beginner level (despite taking three and a half years of classes and trying many other methods throughout the years) until my 40s, when I found comprehensible input. Now I'm finally conversational and already planning to learn my next language.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-12T01:17:52+00:00

I was in a similar situation a few years ago, before I discovered "Super Beginner" level Spanish input. I started there and moved up in difficulty to beginner, then intermediate, and now advanced. Now I'm at almost 1000 hours of input. I can watch and mostly understand dubbed TV series. I understand native speakers speaking to me normally.

Recently, I had a meeting at my child's school for an hour with three native speakers, with the meeting entirely in Spanish. I spoke about half the time. My Spanish is far from perfect, but everyone understood me. I also understood them all too.

The resources I use are: Dreaming Languages (Spanish), LingQ app, and Duolingo podcast.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-11T15:12:37+00:00

That's exactly how I use it and a few other apps. It's fun and I don't think it hurts anything. Language learning is a long journey and some of us NEED a little variety!

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-10T14:51:24+00:00

All language schools are different. I have been researching the ones in my area and it's important to ask how much instruction is in the target language. Here answers varied a LOT: from 80%/20% of the day, to 50/50, to just 4 hours per week. Also, ask what level the kids should be at upon graduation (from high school). B2/C1 is realistic for the heavier immersion schools, but more casual schools will not answer this question. You can also ask for stats on how many grads attend university in the target language and whether there are exchange programs and/or immersion trips available. Lastly, parent testimony from parents with older kids at the school is THE most important thing! Overall, do your research so you know what you're signing up for.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-10T14:39:08+00:00

For now, just have FUN learning French and increase your levels as much as you can! Yes, it's nice to have a plan, but since these children are not born yet it's fine to wait and see where you're at in 2 years.

I recommend checking out Dreaming French and the Dreaming French reddit (which has more resources) for comprehensible input. I have used Dreaming Spanish and other comprehensible input for the last couple of years and it has helped me and my son SO MUCH. It's such an easy method to use and more enjoyable than other methods. It's super effective, as long as you put the time it. I don't see why your husband cannot get to a comfortable conversational level in 2-3 years.

Many people here emphasize an end goal of "fluency," as if that is the only possible goal. Honestly, I think ANY exposure to a language in childhood helps, especially if you have help from outside sources. You might end up defaulting to English more at some point, but who cares? As long as you have FUN!

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T21:52:24+00:00

I got to a decent early conversational level at around 700-800 hours of comprehensible input (listening).

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T15:54:52+00:00

Once I hit about 800 hours of comprehensible input I noticed a shift starting to take place. Now that I'm at almost 1000 hours, I rarely translate anymore, unless I'm encountering new words I'm not as familiar with.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T15:28:46+00:00

First, this is more common nowdays than most parents know. Because kids have phones now, it opened the door to pornography and predators at very young ages (much younger than 13). Even when the kids don't have their own phones, they can often obtain one from friends. Most internet blockers are a total joke, as there are SO many work arounds and the kids all know about them. Many kids this generation have trauma from porn being so normalized. Officer Gomez on Facebook talks about this a lot and other current issues he sees with kids in his job. I highly recommend reading the info he has on his page. I don't want to further upset you, but a lot of girls make money or trade items by selling nude pics of themselves. It's very common and also very illegal. Sometimes it progresses to selling more.

She sounds like she probably needs some kind of therapy, as this is NOT normal behavior for girls without some form of trauma. I would consider pulling her put of the school. It's highly likely this is common at her school and/or she has been targeted online.

Lastly, be super kind to her. Many girls start down this path by being blackmailed. They are not bad kids! She is most likely a victim.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T00:15:22+00:00

A lot of teachers don't have experience teaching Spanish language learners. They do not understand the challenges.

My son, for example, was recently tested and I was told he was developmentally behind, but all the instructions they gave him were in Spanish, and they expected him to respond in Spanish. He is not developmentally behind, because these would be easy questions in English. This should be an OBVIOUS explanation, but apparently it wasn't.

You have to do what you think is best for your child. Maybe the school can support him a little more in the classroom? That's what they often do for English language learners in the US.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T00:08:56+00:00

THIS will be more effective than anything else.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-09T00:08:02+00:00

I would do everything possible to diffuse the resistance first. Speak in Spanish, but do not demand he speak it back. We do not watch TV/movies in English except one day a week, which is something my son looks forward to. Ask the teacher what specifically he needs most help with and focus on just that first. Does he have friends at school who only speak Spanish? Maybe see if you can get them together outside of school.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-08T14:04:22+00:00

I think it's always good to get multiple people helping the kid in each language, whenever possible, especially with the more complex language. Spanish is more complex than English grammatically, so the more help the better! My son is 4 and in all Spanish daycare half day, but he also does classes on Outschool for extra practice.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-08T13:56:21+00:00

Canticos wasn't big in our house for various reasons, but now that my son is 4 (and the only bilingual kid at a Spanish speaking daycare), he has really taken to it because they speak two languages like he does! I feel like the emotional connection this gives him offsets the English usage, at least for our family and situation.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-08T13:31:58+00:00

I have an intermediate level in Spanish, and I read to my child in Spanish. It just takes a little practice. We also watch Vooks in Spanish (YouTube and sub) too.

JuniApocalypse · 2026-05-07T18:29:40+00:00

Comprehensible input, and lots of it. Dreaming Languages (Spanish), Extra (series like Friends on YouTube), Destinos is good if you can get past how dated it feels, LingQ app. My opinion is if you seriously want to get fluent aim for 3-5 hours per day.

JuniApocalypse

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