Language Learning

Or as I prefer to call it................. paying someone to laugh at me in another language !!!!
I have a really great tutor that comes to my school classroom from 3:30 to 5:30 on Monday and Thursday. I am learning to speak and understand AND read and write in my new language. Now last week, I was able to write and read all the letters of the Burmese alphabet. I wrote words in burmese, recited a memorized 10 line introduction of myself, answered questions orally, identified vocabulary and made lots of strange and interesting new "sounds". When I write it down it sounds so very "impressive" ha, I feel like, Wow, I am really doing great!!! And then I play back the recording of my tutor and then me speaking. and suddenly I wonder.... where did that baby come from making all those strange and silly noises??? opps... that's me!
When babies learn to speak.... we all coo and giggle and smile and encouage them along. We clap our hands and sing-song with them. they are just so cute and sweet. but I've got to say that there is NOTHING cute and sweet about hearing me "murder" another language as I try to force new and unusual sounds out of my old mouth. And NO ONE, I mean, NO ONE has laughed, or giggled or clapped when I have said anything.... yet. (well, to be truthful, I think my tutor is really enjoying the fun of listening to me.)
But in all honesty, I AM getting better, every day. It IS hard work. but that IS my work right now..... to learn the language and be ready to move to a new land.
And so.... each day I open my book, look at flashcards, write words, and thank God that He is "teaching an old dog, new tricks" ....or a new language. Hurray !!! :0)