Summary
Highlights
Patricia introduces 'Somos el podcast Bla Bla Blatinos', a platform aimed at helping and inspiring Latinos living abroad by sharing experiences, advice, and fostering community connections. This episode focuses on navigating language barriers, reducing social isolation, and promoting social integration, featuring special guest Karen Jakubson.
Patricia introduces Karen Jakubson, an Argentine English teacher with 8 years of experience. Karen is the owner of 'Idiomas Online con Karen' and is passionate about online learning for adults. She shares her background in teaching and her extensive international experience.
Karen recounts her educational background, starting from her initial interest in English to pursuing a degree in English Language and Culture in Argentina. She shares her experiences living and working in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland, emphasizing how her passion for teaching and travel shaped her career. She highlights her recent completion of a Master's degree in Spain and her current work teaching English to adults.
Karen discusses the main difficulties she faced as a Latina living abroad, particularly with paperwork and starting from scratch in a new country. She advises on the importance of researching and connecting with people already living in the destination country to get tips and avoid scams, especially regarding accommodation. She also addresses the often idealized portrayal of life abroad on social media and the emotional toll of being away from family.
Karen, as an English teacher, shares effective strategies for learning English, emphasizing the communicative approach. She encourages students to overcome shyness and speak, even with errors, as external exposure to the language is crucial. She highlights the importance of not staying confined to one's own community and interacting with people from different backgrounds who also speak English.
Karen lists various resources that can aid language learning, including online platforms like YouTube, language learning apps like Duolingo, and media such as series with English subtitles. She also recommends participating in language exchange meetings ('tandem' meetups) and maintaining curiosity by looking up unknown words in songs or conversations.
Karen affirms that learning the local language is vital for integration and a sense of belonging. She shares her experience of feeling less integrated in countries like Denmark and Sweden where she didn't speak the local language, despite English being widely spoken. She stresses that the goal isn't perfect native-like fluency but rather being understood and able to communicate effectively.
Karen's inspiring message to the community is to study, make an effort, and overcome the fear of making mistakes. She clarifies that while formal courses can be expensive, many free online resources are available. Patricia expresses gratitude to Karen and provides her Instagram handle (@learn_with_iok) and website for those interested in her English classes. The hosts encourage listeners to connect with 'Somos' on social media and join their digital community for Latinos abroad.