January 2013 - Anni Mackin

Naturally cheerful and full of curiosity, Anni (“Anita”) brings laughter and warmth to the Spanish classroom. Spending four months in Mexico as a child ignited her interest in Spanish, and since then she’s enjoyed further travels in Spain and Latin America and discovered a passion for the language and culture. Truly committed to building community (Anni lives in a housing co-op and works in a food co-op!), she actively reaches out to local Spanish-speakers and is determined to use her Spanish skills to break down the barriers that separate people. With such enthusiasm and initiative, we’re sure Anni will go far in her pursuit of fluency in Spanish and are proud of her progress at Tierra!

Name: Anni Mackin
Occupation: Graphic designer and cashier at food co-op
Time Studying at Tierra:  1 & 1/2 years

1) Why are you studying Spanish?

“¡Porque me gusta el idioma!  Es muy bonito.  Y pienso que las diferencias entre ingles y español son muy interesante. Tambien quiero viajar en países donde se habla español y posiblemente vivir en España.”

Because I like the language! It’s very beautiful. And I think that the differences between English and Spanish are very interesting. I also want to travel in Spanish-speaking countries and possibly live in Spain.

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

“Me gustan las clases pequeñas y las conversaciones con mis compañeros de clase.  Y los maestros nos dan mucha atención individual.”

I enjoy the small classes and the conversations with my classmates. And the teachers give us a lot of individual attention.

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

“Cuando yo trabajo en la cooperativa, algunos compradores solamente hablan español y ahora puedo hablar con ellos en español.  Yo puedo ver que ellos están mas feliz y comodos cuando yo intento hablar en español aun si yo no hablo perfectamente.   ¡Y la semana pasada, yo estaba hablando en español con una mujer que vende tamales y ella me dio tamales gratis!”

When I work in the food co-op some shoppers only speak Spanish and now I can speak with them in Spanish. I can see that they are happier and more comfortable when I try to speak in Spanish, even though I don’t speak perfectly. And last week I was speaking in Spanish with a woman who sells tamales and she gave me some tamales for free!

Felicidades Anita!!