May 2014 - Kate English

An enthusiastic and focused student with an ever-growing passion for Spanish and Latin America, Kate sets the bar high for her own achievement goals and takes advantage of class time to the fullest. For her, learning Spanish is a family effort as both of her children also study Spanish and share with their mother an appreciation of cultural immersion and desire to volunteer and make a positive difference at home and during trips abroad. Of late, they’ve been busy preparing for their trip to Nicaragua this summer which will include Spanish study and community service work.  Kate has also included her children in her experience at Tierra,  frequently participating together in our community fiesta events and enrolling her daughter in Spanish classes. Kate’s example of whole-family education and involvement in community-building and social change is a true inspiration and wonderful illustration of the doors language study can open.

Name: Kate English
Occupation: Clinical Social Worker
Time Studying at Tierra: One year

1) Why are you studying Spanish? 

"Although I studied Spanish in high school and a bit in college, followed by a year living in the Dominican Republic, unfortunately my Spanish speaking skills quickly became quite rusty after years of no opportunities to speak the language.  For the past several years, I've made a commitment to regain my Spanish speaking abilities by studying on my own, attending classes at Tierra, and traveling in Latin America.  I am hoping to live and work in Latin America with my husband and son sometime in the near future; improving my Spanish (especially speaking) will be vital for making this dream a reality."

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

"I love the small class sizes, the teachers, and the monthly conversation nights/fiestas.  It's a tight-knit, non-judgmental community where everyone feels welcomed. Norberto is a real pleasure - he is easy to understand and is enthusiastic about sharing his Mexican culture."

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

"I can now actually understand a lot of what I hear on Spanish speaking radio - before, this was practically impossible. I am now inspired to learn more, and go to Latin America to practice what I've learned: I will be traveling to Nicaragua with my family this summer to attend a Spanish school southwest of Managua, do some volunteer work, and travel around the country before meeting up with my daughter who will be spending six weeks in the Madriz province doing community service work with AMIGOS de las Américas."

¡Felicidades Kate!