January 2025 - Taylor Pasquariello

A student with enormous enthusiasm for learning Spanish, since he began studying at Tierra one year ago Taylor has been impressively devoted to his studies and consistent. He is eager to advance and one term even enrolled in three concurrent courses! An avid traveler, he has a passion for culture and revels in taking deep dives into cultural topics such as regional variance in Latin American Spanish dialects, local food, and folkloric music. He’s already taken the opportunity to use his newly minted intermediate Spanish skills abroad, exploring parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Taylor’s joyful energy is infectious and it’s clear he enjoys building camaraderie with his classmates and taking on the learning process together. We are honored to count Taylor as part of our amazing student community and look forward to continuing to see him expand his knowledge and stretch toward fluency.

Name:  Taylor Pasquariello
Occupation: Software Developer
Time Studying at Tierra: 1 year

1) Why are you studying Spanish?

"We live in a big world with a lot of different people, what better way to get the opportunity to connect with people than to learn a second language.  I think this is true both close to home and abroad, and for me this is important".

2) What is your favorite part about your experience here at Tierra?

"Tierra has truly wonderful teachers.  I start out every class feeling a little shy but the teachers are always encouraging, enthusiastic and creative.  In every class I have had I've been completely enthralled with the lessons. We have fun learning the grammar rules, and new vocabulary but we also get so much time to flex our language muscles by practicing speaking and interacting with other students and the teachers.  I have truly appreciated the care the teachers take in sharing not only the skills to learn a new language but insights into different Latin cultures, history and other great information".

3) Can you tell us of a time you have been able to use what you have learned studying here?

"I have a few great examples.
Up the street from me is a small family run panaderia, several of the family members that work there speak almost entirely Spanish while others are bilingual.  Over the past year I have really enjoyed being able to go to the shop and get to know everyone that works there.

Over Thanksgiving my wife and I took a trip to Mexico City, Puebla, and Cholula. While in Mexico being able to speak Spanish went a long ways! By at least trying to converse in Spanish we  were able to meet more people, and get better information about things happening around the neighborhood we were staying in. One day in particular we were in a cab and started having small talk with the driver. Although much of my Spanish is still very limited we were able to engage in small talk.  He was incredibly excited to help me practice.   We learned all about his family's favorite holiday meal (pozole) where he lives in the mountains outside of the city, where he is from and a little bit about his mother and daughters.  

Finally, over new years we were in Guatemala.  While in Guatemala we went bird watching to find a Quetzal.  Our tour was just with a single guide and my wife and I.  Because we were able to organize the trip in Spanish we were able to have a more private experience that was really special.  Our guide only spoke Spanish but we were able to understand everything, ask questions, and learn a lot about the region, wildlife and our guide's life growing up in the area".

¡Felicidades Taylor!