Have you ever said anything like …

“I’m afraid of sounding foolish to parents when I try to speak Spanish.”

“I’m afraid I won’t sound professional.”

“They’ll think I’m an incompetent teacher.”

If you have ever said or thought any of these things, I wrote this blog post just for you!

I get it. Learning a language is vulnerable. Fear and insecurity come with the territory.

But at the end of the day, if we let our fears stop us from speaking at all, guess what… We won’t ever make any progress. But you know that already.

So here are some reminders to help you let go of some of your fears…

The experience of “feeling foolish” or being unable to communicate “perfectly” in Spanish is the same way our Spanish-speaking parents likely feel just about every time they walk into our school building or answer a call from the school or see a permission slip if it hasn’t been translated.

When Spanish-speaking parents encounter a staff member in the building, how do they know whether they can say “hola”? Most of the time, our parents will attempt English first with “Hello” or “Thank you” just assuming that staff is only English-speaking.

If that is their chronic experience day in and day out, year after year, I know that we can find the strength to feel vulnerable in our conversations with them.

Secondly, keep in mind that just as you are a Spanish-learner, they are English-learners.

Who will be more judgement free of someone who makes mistakes? Nobody!

They understand better than anyone the challenges of learning a second language, and navigating a conversation outside your comfort zone!

If anything, they will appreciate you more for trying!

Also, immigrants coming to us from other countries inherit a deep respect for teachers in their home culture.

In Mexico, for example, most students and parents will call the teacher “Maestra,” not as a way to address them if they forgot their name (like “Teacher”), but as a title of respect, the same way we might say “Doctor” or “Your Honor” in the United States.

So rest assured, as long as you love their child and are doing your job to help them learn and grow, you are not in danger of losing their respect.

Quite the contrary, they will most likely respect you all the more for going above and beyond to communicate with them as best you can! But it will be the best kind of respect …

not the kind that puts you on a pedestal, but the kind that makes you human, and connects you as two hearts who love the same kid.

Additionally, parents from other countries are often looking for ways to thank you for all you do.

And I have found that helping you with your Spanish is one way they can do that!

It doesn’t cost them a dime, it doesn’t need another inch of your bookshelf to display, and it won’t pack on the pounds (like some edible gifts)!

Practicing with you is a way to pay it forward and a way to connect with you such that you have a truly unique two-way relationship.

I hope these offerings help you overcome your fear of vulnerability, or of losing the respect of parents because you don’t have complete mastery of their language.

If nothing else, remember three things:

1. 1. 1. They understand the challenges of speaking another language first hand!
      2. They already respect you highly, and hearing your Spanish will only cause them to appreciate you more!
      3. You offer them a way to do something for you in return for all you do for their child … which they are very eager to do!

Do you have any other insights you can share? How do you frame this for yourself to overcome the vulnerability of speaking Spanish with parents?