Knowing and learning my heritage languages have been very helpful in learning Spanish in school. I’ve been able to pick up vocabulary more easily and sound a little less like I am a foreign speaker. When I partook in my first debate in Spanish, it was pretty cool to see how effectively I could speak Spanish, especially since my Hispanic friends in the class were pleasantly surprised and complimented me for my speaking ability. Learning my heritage languages has enabled me to stay in touch with my relatives. Given that I only get to see most of my relatives about once in a year or two years and otherwise talk to them on the phone, it is very helpful to know how to effectively communicate with our heritage languages. However, there are some awkward pauses because I don’t feel like I am up to the level of understanding that they’re at most likely because they use them more often in India.
