When I start a new class the first thing I do is to ask my new students ... 'Why do you want to learn Spanish?'
Over the years I have been given a great number of answers, ranging form the very serious to the very trivial. Any reason, however, is a valid reason to me, who would struggle to give a reason of why I love languages so much. I just do.
So, here is a sample of valid reasons:
- I want to travel to Latin America.
- I want to travel to Spain.
- I am travelling to Latin America / Spain soon.
- I want to do el Camino del Inca. (The Inca Trail)
- I want to do el Camino de Santiago.
- My boyfriend or girlfriend is a (native) Spanish-speaker.
- My daughter or son is marrying a Mexican (or a Peruvian ... or Argentinian ...)
- I love the sound of the language. I'd love to speak it.
- I have always wanted to learn a second language.
- I've just come back from a holiday in Europe and I was so embarrassed, everybody seemed to be at least bi-lingual over there...
- It's a language that seems easy.
- I'd like to read in Spanish.
- I am bored.
- I studied the language many years ago. I now have the time to continue learning it.
- If you speak English and Spanish you can travel the world.
- I'd like to read Lorca or Neruda ...
- I want to get my brain working.
- I think I was a Spanish gypsy in a previous life.
- I'd love to be bi-lingual.
- I want to do something different, something new.
- I watch films in Spanish on SBS and I would like to understand what they say.
- My grandfather was Spanish.
- I dance flamenco and I want to go to Sevilla to do a course.
- I want to teach English in Latin America.
- I love Spanish art.
- I want to do a cooking course in Spain.
- I am in love with Penelope Cruz.
- I do business in Uruguay
- I do business in Chile
- I am going to Buenos Aires to learn to dance the tango.
- I want to see Game of Thrones in Spanish
It is a splendid list as far as intentions is concerned. The hardest part is, of course, to start learning and not giving up at class number three, when one realises that this pursuing with this activity will require commitment, perseverance, passion and (these days) it costs a lot of money as well.
