Rayner is a unique, you might even say unforgettable, student whose humor and spontaneity bring an element of surprise to the Spanish classroom. After a long career of many careers including English professor, carpenter, and owner of a remodeling company, Rayner retired in 2007 to dedicate himself to his writing. He’s since self-published two novels and reports that his Spanish studies helped tremendously in the writing and editing process, particularly as he summoned his memories of Mexico and peppered the scenes set there with Spanish phrases and slang. Fascinated by language in all of its literary and vernacular manifestations, Rayner pushes the limits of his Spanish abilities, always seeking to express his thoughts on complex topics in an idiomatic fashion. We wish Rayner the best in his endeavors and are glad for his spirited participation in our community at Tierra!
Exuding enthusiasm for learning Spanish, Mia’s infinitely positive attitude has paved her path towards proficiency with progress and many laughs. So strong is her motivation to learn and practice speaking Spanish, when she did not find a good place to practice in Eugene (where she lives) she created a Spanish Conversation group through the social website Meetup.com and co-organizes two weekly gatherings. Her eagerness to communicate in Spanish combined with her inquisitive nature make her an ideal classmate: she asks the questions everyone has on their mind and keeps the mood lively. Having made great strides in her time studying at Tierra, Mia is on the brink of turning her dreams of travel into reality! We congratulate Mia for her initiative and commitment and look forward to hearing about her future exploits!
