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.