5 Questions for Siblings who Speak English, Spanish & Mandarin

We’re asking students, recent grads, teachers, and counselors five questions on how languages play a role in shaping personal and professional success…

Meet Jada & Jake—two future physicians from Texas!

Jada is an MIT Computer Science and Cognition major & Spanish minor who's worked and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. Jake is a high school Spanish student.

1. Could you share with us a little about your earliest experiences with languages and cultures—at home or at school? Why Spanish—when did you begin and what motivates you to continue learning the language?

Jada: After starting to learn Spanish in 7th grade at school, I began seeking opportunities outside of the classroom to further my Spanish learning journey, which included watching shows in Spanish, listening to news in Slow Spanish podcasts, and starting a Duolingo streak. I recently worked abroad in Madrid, Spain for two summers! I chose to continue learning Spanish because I not only enjoy the challenge of trying to become fluent as a non-native speaker, but because there are many practical applications in my pursuit to become a multilingual physician. I ultimately hope to bridge the language gap between physicians and patients.

Jake: My first time immersed in Spanish culture and the Spanish language was from a cruise to Mexico when I was around five years old. I developed this fascination with the many ways people around the world communicate, each with their own culture and way of living. When it came time, I unquestionably chose Spanish as my world language class in middle school with a desire to strengthen my Spanish skills.

In the future, I aspire to go back to Mexico and finally figure out what the heck they’re saying! I intend to continue my Spanish learning journey all the way through adulthood, hoping that one day I can use my language ability to remove possible verbal barriers in the field of work I choose, whether medical, teaching, law, etc.

2. Jake, we’d love to hear more about your involvement with your school’s Spanish club! What is your role and what types of club activities have been your favorites?

I am the founder and president of my school's Spanish Club. Through extensive commitment, our members and I have transformed the club into a tight-knit community. Every two weeks, I organize meetings for our members, and we routinely begin with a new vocabulary word or expression that each member learned within the past two weeks. This is a great way for us to learn from each other and learn new vocabulary.

This past fall, the Spanish club as a whole completed a research project activity where groups of three to five were assigned a Spanish-speaking country. Every group needed to compile a presentation, including any food, traditions, lifestyle, and vocabulary that was unique to that country. This gave the members the chance to learn about regional differences between Spanish-speaking countries.

Another personal favorite activity of mine is preparation for the National Spanish Exam, which is an opportunity to demonstrate the work we put in all year.

3. Jada, what language advocacy activities have you undertaken? Why is it important for students to take an interest in supporting language programs?

I joined the Advocacy Committee of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) in 2020, where I helped jump start and lead the advocacy merchandise initiative. I’ve also participated in JNCL-NCLIS Virtual Language Advocacy Days, where I participated in congressional meetings to advocate for the passage of important language “asks” and policies.

Recently, Jake and I had the opportunity to present a round-table discussion at the 2023 ACTFL Convention, where we advocated for the increased teaching of slang and colloquial Spanish in curricula.

Through these experiences, I recognized that a student perspective is invaluable as we were able to provide first-hand accounts of our language learning journey and advocate for policies that directly impacted our own education.

4. As siblings, would you say that you encourage each other’s language learning pursuits? Any tips for friends or family who’d like to help motivate their peers?

Jada: It is super helpful to have a sibling with the same passion for language learning who challenges and motivates you to continue learning. Committing to a language app for a couple minutes each day is a quick way to continue learning. Jake and I both have a Duolingo streak and remind each other to complete our Duolingo every day!

Jake: Jada and I always have random conversations in Spanish, and we sometimes think of it as a competition to show off our new vocabulary. I strongly believe having a peer or sibling to have friendly and competitive conversations with is an amazing way to improve one’s conversational skills. Personally, the potential bragging rights help drive me to keep learning.

Additionally, Jada and I work together to spread our passion for the language and culture. For instance, we worked together to teach about Día de los Muertos to children at a local park!

5. Jada, could you share more about working abroad and how that experience continues to shape your identity?

In Madrid, I learned how to navigate the language barrier and combine my passions for both biology and Spanish when working at CNIO (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas). By working at CNIO a second time, I was able to do a deeper dive into the area of targeted cancer therapies. Towards the end of the internship, I delivered a 20-minute presentation about my findings to my lab group in Spanish, which allowed me to practice using scientific vocabulary and answering questions in Spanish.

Working in Spain has given me the confidence to be able to integrate into a place that I am unfamiliar with.

BONUS QUESTION

Complete this thought: “Learning another language means…”

Jada: ...challenging yourself to learn something unfamiliar to you, ultimately allowing you to connect with more individuals and their culture on a deeper level.

Jake: ...being open to learning about an entirely different perspective on life and culture.

Check out our Connect with Spanish and Mandarin pages—or select a language of your own—to explore language scholarships, university programs, testimonials, and more! And, as always, visit @LangConnectsFdn on social media to share your story with us.