Language Learning Experience

In sixth grade, I elected to take Spanish as my middle school language. As I continued taking Spanish through high school, I enjoyed how learning Spanish challenged me and the opportunity learning a new language presented to connect with others. Once I reached college at Ohio Wesleyan University, I found that my Spanish courses were the ones that I most enjoyed and I decided to major in what would allow me to use my Spanish skills each and everyday: Spanish and Education. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Salamanca, Spain where I lived with a host family and attended classes at La Universidad de Salamanca. It was during this time I felt my language skills truly take off as I spoke only in Spanish with my host family, professors, and new friends.

After returning from Salamanca, completing my undergraduate degree, and beginning my teaching career, I continue to maintain and improve my language skills through maintaining contact with friends I made during my time in Salamanca, communicating often with native-speaking students and families, reading popular books in Spanish, and viewing Spanish movies and TV series.