Spanish Conversation Table offers practice without rules
First-year Amanda Covert has her nose in a book while sitting in the Muenster University Center pit lounge. Having known her career goals since she was in the seventh grade, Covert figures she can breathe a little easier and take a few minutes to relax.
While her future goals include going to law school to become a business lawyer, she also finds time to practice her Spanish skills outside of the classroom by attending the Spanish Conversation Table held in the MUC every other Tuesday.
“They were really helpful with getting to practice how to talk to someone,” Covert said. “It’s more than book work.”
Covert said practicing at the conversation table has helped improve her skills in the Spanish 101 classroom by becoming more confident in how to respond, and she hopes to use these skills on an upcoming Alternative Week of Off-Campus Learning trip to Guatemala.
“When the teacher asks me a question, I am able to reply now without having to stop and stutter and think about what I have to say,” Covert said.
Laura Vidler, chair of the Modern Languages and Linguistics department, said the Spanish Conversation Table is a tool for students to practice Spanish skills.
“Having opportunities outside the classroom to speak a foreign language and get input in the foreign language is really important to maximizing the learning,” Vidler said.
Because the conversation table is held in the MUC, it is more accessible and focused on students but is also available for faculty and community members, Vidler said.
Assistant Professor of Spanish Rob Turner was enthusiastic about the conversation table becoming active at USD after a few years of its decline in use.
“It gives students the chance to speak Spanish in a low-stress, fun environment,” he said. “There’s no requirements, there’s no grammar, they don’t have to perform. They can just sit and talk in Spanish.”
So far, the Spanish Conversation Table has occurred twice this semester, with about four students attending the first time and 10 students attending the second week, Turner said.
He hopes the number continues to climb and more students become interested.
“Languages are something that you live,” Turner said. “The Spanish table gives people a chance to experience Spanish outside of an academic setting and lets them enjoy language.”
As Covert moves along through school, she said she may continue taking Spanish classes and also study abroad — experiences that will improve her Spanish skills.
“You get to learn more about something besides yourself,” Covert said.
The next Spanish Conversation Table will be held Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in the MUC. Anyone is welcome to join, Turner said.
Those interested in receiving updates on the Spanish program and dates for the conversation table can ‘Like’ the Modern Languages and Linguistics USD page on Facebook.
(Photo from left to right: First-year Alicia Bellefeuilie, Laura Vidler, chair of the Modern Languages and Linguistics department, and sophomores Kally Jo Westergaard and Emili Pauli converse in Spanish Tuesday afternoon in the Muenster University Center. The Spanish Conversation Table gives students a chance to speak Spanish outside a normal classroom setting.)
