Noche de Cine 2013

Check out the films selected for 2013's Noches de Cine Espanol!

Why I Speak Spanish and Other Tales

Like most kids in high school, I took Spanish because it was required to get in to college. NOT because I wanted to be cultured or worldly, and certainly not to broaden my career opportunities.

And I'll be honest with you. I hated Spanish. I was that kid who sat in the back of class and said

"When am I ever going to use this crap?"

Then again, who could blame me? I was a white girl in the middle of a real-life Farmville with no brown people for miles.


Who needs Spanish?

But like many other important decisions in my life, I decided to learn Spanish.... for a boy.

Ahem. Not just any boy... A foreign exchange student boy. 

Now, it is pretty safe to say that I made a lot of questionable decisions that year. But a decade later, I'm happy to say that learning Spanish was not one of them.

I started out picking up just a few simple words and phrases. And swear words. But then I grew into full sentences and dialogues that were meant to be cryptic to my parents and my dorm roommate. Somewhere in there I picked up some actual grammar after declaring Spanish as my major.

Even then, I didn't know what the heck I was going to do with Spanish, but I liked it. And suddenly, it seemed a lot more relevant to my world.

Looking back, I can see how Spanish helped me academically and in my career. Especially in my career. I know that speaking Spanish gives me a competitive advantage and has helped me land both of the jobs I've had since graduating from college.

The most important 9 letters on my resume spell out 'bilingual' and I don't take them for granted.

And that's why I started Speak Español. To help other people, like me, become bilingual and see how far Spanish can take them in their businesses and in their careers. 



Ann's Story

It is really exciting to realize that after taking Spanish lessons this year, I was able to communicate with a passenger at work. All of the studying and courses are working.

Ann is a Flight Attendant with a major airline and has been learning Spanish with Speak Español for over a year. 
This is her story.

I was working a flight to Austin and had to help an elderly woman to her seat. It was obvious she did not speak English. 

During the flight, it was my responsibility to sell our on board snacks through the aisle of the plane. When I reached the front where the woman was seated, she had our Cabin Services Guide out and was pointing at a picture of our sandwich. 

I was able to tell her the price, but I had to act out “credit card” because I couldn’t remember the word in Spanish.

The woman had no way of paying for the sandwich. A gentleman across the isle offered to buy it for her. 

When I gave it to her I said “Esta comprando tu almuerzo,” pointing to our generous customer. 

You can imagine how surprised I was when she understood me! She was so thankful and I was so proud that I had used my Spanish to help her.

I appreciate the time my instructor at Speak Espanol has spent with me and the unending support and patience. I know I have a long way to go, but I proved to myself that I have made great strides.

What about Rosetta Stone?

Wow. If I had a peso for every time a client asked me this question... I'd have about a dollar.

"What about Rosetta Stone?"

This is actually a really good question, and frankly, one I do not mind answering.

First off, it is important to recognize that Rosetta Stone has tackled an amazing marketing feat: making learning another language easy and natural. You may not have used the software, but you know that's what they're about. 

That yellow box is more recognized than any other language learning software. Period. 

Heck, I even bought it for my parents one year for Christmas. I'm pretty sure they never used it, but it was probably the most amazing re-gift known to man (sorry Mom).

The rub with Rosetta is that they use a "natural method' to learning language, like the way you learned your first language as a child. 

Well, as it turns out, the jury is still out on that one. If you're interested in that sort of nonsense (like me), then you can Googleyourselfsilly on Noam Chomsky and his Language Acquisition Device. And if you're still awake after that, check out Government and Binding Theory (just don't leave me any comments about it).

Noam Chomsky
He looks pretty cool, right?

For the rest of you, I'll simplify it. As cunning as those linguists are (sorry Mom), they still can't agree on how our brains absorb language. It seems that we learn it very easily as children, but it is more difficult to master as we get older.

This might explain the frustration that a lot of folks get with Rosetta Stone.

Language learning is still possible in adults, but my experience teaching grown-ups is that they need a context to relate the language to. Adults also need a way to apply language and get some type of return on their investment (That's "Adult Learning Theory" for you Googlenerds). Adults don't want to get ripped off by foreign cabbies or accidentally eat something they can't pronounce in any language. Maybe this explains why we learn quickly in immersion situations?

That is not to say, however, that Rosetta Stone doesn’t “work”. A lot of my clients report having experienced positive results using the software alongside language classes or private tutoring that provide a framework for learning.

Would love to hear what you think! Except about Government and Binding Theory. Don't leave me any comments on that. Seriously.

Over and out.

¡Bienvenidos!

Bienvenidos and gracias for taking a few minutes to check out our new blog!

Please check back soon for updates, information and resources about learning Spanish.

In the meantime, you can whet your appetite and learn more about Speak Español here.