❝ My Language Learning Journey - Beatriz in Dax ❞
Hello everyone,
I’m delighted to welcome you back for a new article in our My Language Learning Journey series!
These articles highlight the experiences of Erasmus+ students and European Solidarity Corps volunteers, who share their mobility journeys and language learning experiences.
Today, I’m introducing you to Beatriz Rodríguez Ruano, an Erasmus+ coordinator in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain), who has taken part in several European mobility programs: an Erasmus+ in Germany, a volunteering experience in Croatia, and two language stays in France!
Hello Beatriz, could you introduce yourself, please?
My name is Beatriz, and I live in Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, Spain. I was born in Gran Canaria, but I moved to Fuerteventura for work. It’s a beautiful place, and it’s great to live here… and, of course, to visit the island!
I work as a French teacher for middle and high school students. Just a side note—what you call “university” in France is called “college/high school” in Spain.
What are your experiences with mobility abroad?
My first mobility experience was an Erasmus+ in Germany. I was very young, and I had never moved away from my parents’ home before.
Last summer, I also participated in a volunteering program in Croatia. I decided to go just two weeks before it started. I wanted to do it before turning 30, and it was the perfect moment.
I volunteered at a youth center called Outward Bound Croatia, an organization that offers outdoor activities for youth groups.
We worked with young people on small furniture projects: varnishing tables, building a wooden wall, and creating elements for multi-adventure games. We also did some gardening work and helped neighbors with disabilities stack their firewood.
Experts came to introduce us to the concept of land art. Along with the children, we learned to create our own artworks using stones, branches, and other natural elements.
The volunteering took place in a village about an hour from Zagreb. It was a wonderful experience. I learned so much—things I never would have learned if I had stayed in the Canary Islands.
I also met many people from different European countries: Turkey, Georgia, Spain, and more.
Why did you want to learn French?
During my experience in Croatia, I met a French person and had the opportunity to exchange a few words in French. There were also others who were learning or wanted to learn French.
This experience in Croatia really sparked my interest in learning French!
I’ve always loved languages. In high school, I already had a good grasp of English, which is the primary foreign language taught in the Canary Islands. I studied French in high school and German in language school. I wanted to keep improving the languages I already knew.
So, I chose to study translation and interpretation to keep languages at the heart of my academic path. I enrolled in a program that included these three languages, with the goal of fully integrating them into my professional life.
In the end, I specialized in French to teach it at high school level. I was advised to go down this route because there were more opportunities to become a French teacher than an English teacher—since more people apply for English teaching positions.
Did you have any mobility experiences in France?
Yes, I had three!
The first time I went to France was for a language break in Montpellier during my translation studies. I wanted to improve my French, so I spent a month in Montpellier taking French courses. I stayed with a host family, and it was a wonderful experience!
The second time I went to France was on a one-week trip with young Canarians. There’s a program run by the local administration of each Canary Island that organizes trips for young people. One of these trips was to Brittany and Normandy.
Even though I traveled with other Canarians, I had the chance to practice my French. I was the best French speaker in the group, so I acted as the translator. It was another great opportunity to practice!
Finally, I went to Dax, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, for a one-week Erasmus+ break for teachers two years ago.
How did you find this program in Dax?
As a teacher, I have access to the eTwinning platform. It’s a European Commission platform linked to the Erasmus+ program, designed to encourage European schools to collaborate. My colleagues and I went to Dax through this program.
What did you think of the city of Dax?
I found it quite an interesting city. There’s a long avenue with large hotels that welcome visitors coming specifically for the thermal baths. I was surprised that such a small city could attract so many people just for this reason.
The school was only ten minutes from the thermal baths, which created an interesting mix of people.
How did you adapt to the French language?
Overall, I felt that I could communicate well. However, I found that what I learned was very connected to the local culture and daily life. I also expanded my vocabulary with expressions related to university life.
When you experience certain realities firsthand, they stay with you forever. I really felt like I enriched myself there. I felt comfortable with the language: I understood everyone and all the conversations. I only struggled a little with some words and local expressions.
What was your level of French before your mobility experience?
I was in Dax for just one week, but even in such a short time, you can improve your speaking skills—especially pronunciation. And we, Spaniards, always keep a little accent! I do think I made some progress, even in just a week.
Did you only use French while you were there, or did you speak other languages too?
I also spoke Spanish. It’s my native language, and I was with a colleague from the Canary Islands, so we spoke Spanish together. However, during my volunteering experience in Croatia, I spoke English.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn French?
My main advice is to build a strong foundation. If you focus on pronunciation and grammar from the beginning, understanding the language becomes much easier.
Another tip would be to travel abroad and experience the language in real-life situations.
Did the OLS platform help you?
Yes! In Fuerteventura, there aren’t many French courses available, so I chose online training. OLS helped me a lot at that time.
Also, I participated in a speaking session with you, and that really helped me! I use fairly basic French in my job, so it was great to practice at a higher level.
I teach at A2/B1 level at most, so it’s hard for me to improve my own skills while working. But these kinds of resources are really useful.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when moving abroad?
The biggest challenge was during my Erasmus+ in Germany: the administrative side of things. I had to fill out paperwork, and I didn’t always fully understand the terms of the contracts I was signing.
It was also my first time living abroad and moving out of my parents’ house. The mix of navigating administrative procedures and improving my language skills was a big challenge.
What did your mobility experiences bring you?
They gave me new skills that I can apply in my job and academic environment. I also met people from all over Europe, built strong connections, and now I meet up with them when I travel to their countries.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I just want to say that I love talking about these topics. Thanks to these experiences, I’ve shaped the course of my life. Today, I’m an Erasmus+ coordinator at my school, and I reflect on the journey I’ve taken.
If I hadn’t done an Erasmus+, I wouldn’t have discovered these opportunities or met the people who guided me toward my current career.
It’s incredible to see all the opportunities that mobility can offer!
Thank you so much, Beatriz, for this inspiring testimony!
If you’d like to share your own mobility experience with the OLS Community, feel free to leave a comment or send me a private message.
Lilas, OLS Community Manager — French