Lessons from students who don’t speak English as their native language
By Georgina Palencia-
In our classes at Spanish Perfecto, I often hear this question:
—How do I say this word in English?
And while English is a useful bridge for many, today I want to share what I’ve learned from two exceptional students whose native language is not English. Jana, from Iceland, and Yao, from China, began studying Spanish with us from zero and are now at a solid B2 level. What’s interesting is that, observing their progress and learning style, a revealing question arose:
What happens when you can’t turn to your native language… not even to English?
Forced into Spanish: when there’s no bridge language
Jana pointed out something fascinating: while many native English-speaking students frequently rely on English in class (to translate, ask for help, or give a quick answer), she and Yao simply don’t have that option. Neither shares a mother tongue with their classmates — not even with each other — so Spanish becomes their only real option for communication in the classroom.
And that, far from being a disadvantage, has become their greatest strength.
Beyond English: visual strategies and process awareness
Jana and Yao have developed a remarkable ability to find other pathways to understanding: images, gestures, visual associations, metaphors, examples… Strategies that are often more effective than simple translation.
Also, because both have already learned other languages (including English), they better understand the process: making mistakes is part of the journey, speaking even if it’s not perfect is a victory, and immersion is not a threat but an ally.
Learning Spanish without relying on your native language
This phenomenon has important implications for all students, even native English speakers. What would happen if, for one day, you imagined that no one in class understood your native language? What if you allowed yourself to try only in Spanish, like Jana and Yao do?
At Spanish Perfecto, we believe in that kind of challenge — in making the classroom a safe space to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.
My invitation as a teacher
So today I propose a simple exercise:
Try to think and solve everything in Spanish, without translating to English.
Look for other supports: your visual memory, your emotions, your gestures, your questions in Spanish.
You’ll find that, without realizing it, you start training a deeper and more lasting kind of thinking: one that doesn’t rely on translation, but on the real experience of speaking another language.
Thank you, Jana and Yao, for reminding us of that every day in class.
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