Mexican Living: ¿Habla Usted Español?

If you are an average American as in GI Joe and Mom's apple-pie, did you know that you suffer from a debilitating condition called, xenoglossophobia? Before you go running off to the nearest emergency room let us define this mouthful of a word.

Xenoglossophobia means the "fear of foreign languages." It is a genuine phobia that has symptoms.

"The problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences foreign languages fear in their own way and may have different symptoms." (http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?SDID=4837:1925)

This fear or xenoglossophobia has been a significant phobia in American history. There was a time in U.S. history when 22 states had laws prohibiting the teaching of foreign languages. It was in 1923 that the U.S. Supreme court overturned those laws.

By 1954, 56% of public high schools still had no foreign language courses available for their students. In those schools that did, only 14.2% of high school students were enrolled in a foreign language course. (Clifford, R. (2004, Jan. 16). Remarks at National briefing on language and national security, National Press Club, Washington, DC.)

Even today, schools with available courses are thinking of dropping any foreign language requirement or making it an elective. Today, 30 states have no foreign language requirement for their students to graduate from high school. (A retreat from foreign languages? By Patrik Jonsson Special to The Christian Science Monitor from the October 29, 2002 edition KAREN SCHNEIDER - STAFF ATHENS, GA)

These xenoglossophobics are expatriating to Mexico and most do not bother to learn Spanish. Because of their fear of learning a foreign language, they doom themselves to living in areas of Mexico where there are enormous gringo English-speaking populations. I totally get that. It is sad but I sympathize with their fears of the language barrier. How sad. They miss so much!

Is this an incurable condition? No sir, it is not!

I would like to offer some suggestions that might help those afflicted with xenoglossophobia to overcome it. To do so will open a Mexico to you that you would never know otherwise.

The key to mastering Spanish is in two words: motivation and methodology. If you are highly motivated then all you need is the right method. I would like to suggest that you do use the following methods in the order I suggest. These methods are based on the way you learned your native language—like when you were a child. I have used them and they worked for me.

Consequently, I am able live in an area of Mexico not dominated by English speakers.

· Pimsleur Language—Spanish: http://www.language-programs.com/pimsleur/language-programs/spanish/

· Learnables Spanish: http://www.learnables.com/

· Immersion Plus Spanish: http://www.pentonoverseas.com/immersion-cd.htm

These courses are not cheap. However, look at it this way: You would waste hundreds of dollars on Spanish classes in a school so why not do something that works? Then, once you have some confidence in spoken fluency, you can take some conversation courses and maybe a grammar class or two with a native speaker.

I am so convinced that you can overcome culture shock if you develop a high degree of spoken fluency in Spanish before moving to Mexico. In addition, the added benefit is that you demonstrate to your Mexican neighbors that you respect their culture enough to try to learn their language. This will immediately elevate you in their estimation and they will accept you quickly into their lives as their friends.

Now, if you are wondering if I have any financial interest in these courses I have begged you to buy, the answer is I do not!

Damn it!

Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico. His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country, can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241