Foundations in Spanish

I have been speaking Spanish since I was quite young. My mother felt it was very beneficial for me to learn a second language, and started teaching me, as she herself endeavored to master the language. She took me to whatever cultural venues she could find, The Spanish Repertorio, flamenco dances or guitar ensembles at cultural centers, usw.  When I was 11, she sent me to visit friends and spend the summer in Costa Rica. I even had the opportunity to go to school there for a time. It was an unforgettable experience that set me on a new trajectory.

Later, I studied Spanish in high school, and majored in Spanish (and Economics) in college. I spent part of my first year in Ecuador, where I was once again immersed in the language.  I also had the opportunity to study the history at the university and explore the culture living with a host family. 

My studies and travels have since led me to return numerous times to Costa Rica, branch out to include Nicaragua, live and travel in Spain, and take a number of trips to Mexico, where I lived amongst locals.. I have also had the opportunity to host visitors from overseas, including Spain, Colombia, and Mexico, thus continuing the tradition of cultural exchange.

Over the years, I have developed near native fluency in the Spanish language. I use it on a daily basis, speak it at home, and have taught it now to students of all ages, including preschoolers and college professors. 

As a native English speaker, (and a grammarian at heart) I have the added bonus of possessing a deep understanding of the aspects of language that English speakers struggle with, and can tailor my lessons accordingly. 

I love languages, and I love seeing students have those aha moments, when things suddenly connect and make sense. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world and it can build so many bridges for young people. I can help them build a solid foundation for that bridge.

This is a robust academic Spanish course that has weekly assignments posted in the accompanying Google Classroom. These cover a great variety of information, and include maps/ geography of the Spanish speaking world, travel videos, cultural information videos, cooking videos, history of the Spanish speaking world (articles and videos), conversation exercises, television show recommendations, Quizlet study sets, hands-on assignments, and written assignments. 

Students present a final project which is a culmination of their developing speaking abilities. They will speak solely in the target language (Spanish) and introduce themselves to their classmates, giving basic personal information and also talk about something of interest to them (hobbies, talents, etc...) Formats vary, but many students choose to use a powerpoint to accompany their oral presentation. 

50 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 2 - 4 hours per week outside of class.