Spanish with Rae N.

I am fluent in Spanish as a result of taking lessons from kindergarten through college. My Spanish teachers have come from Panama, Venezuela, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Spain which allowed me to learn a variety of dialects in the process. For instance, my teacher from Spain taught me a completely different alphabet from the set of letters used in Mexico, and he also taught me the differences in pronunciation and certain vocabulary with Spain compared to other Spanish-speaking countries. Moreover, I’ve had a few teachers from the United States who were well-studied and provided extensive knowledge on speaking Spanish. Learning Spanish was one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I consider this an investment because it takes sincere time, effort, and commitment to master the language, and the payoff is exploring a new skill, and opening a gateway to Spanish-speaking populations and learning about their respective cultures. It’s been easier to relate to those who speak Spanish, natively or taught, and it provides a sense of community. Not to mention, if there’s ever an emergency and the person you are speaking to only speaks Spanish, you can communicate with them and find help faster. I encourage everyone to learn Spanish. For me, it’s been a journey of self-discovery, patience, and triumph. Perhaps you will enjoy the benefits of your journey, too.