Take your Spanish classes seriously – The Daily Texan

As someone who grew up in a half-bilingual household, I never understood the importance of taking the time to learn Spanish. When taking courses in high school, I didn’t put in lots of effort. After four years and no college credit, I have learned from this mistake. 

Many students view foreign language classes as just another graduation requirement, particularly those taking Spanish. However, language courses should be more than just another task on a checklist. There is great value in learning Spanish that goes well beyond filling a requirement, and it all begins with a change in mindset.

Although English is the primary language of the United States, the U.S., and Texas specifically, is widely bilingual. According to San-Antonio Express News, 36% of Texans are bilingual. Taking the time to learn Spanish provides students with the ability to communicate with more people, which opens up more doors.

“I really don’t think we should consider (Spanish) as a foreign language because there’s so much Spanish in the US,” Spanish and Portuguese professor Jecelly Meiners said. “With all the immigrants coming continuously, there’s going to be more and more Spanish speakers … it really is one of the languages of the U.S., and so it makes so much sense for people to want to learn it because they’re actually going to use it.” 

I still have a difficult time communicating with members of my own family who hardly speak English. Now that I have the opportunity to continue learning and refining my skills, I understand the significance of seriously learning Spanish.

Truly learning the language requires more than completing assignments and cramming for exams. It requires a shift in mindset from simply “getting an A” to genuinely engaging with the material. 

“The more you hold on tight and white-knuckle your education and learning in general, the less you learn,” Spanish and Portuguese professor Sarah Jey Whitehead said. 

Misconceptions about learning Spanish often cause students to not fully immerse themselves in learning the language. Some assume that it will be easy, leading to last-minute cramming that leads to forgetting everything later. Others view Spanish as just another subject, causing them to miss out on a culturally imperative skill. Overcoming these barriers requires curiosity and consistent effort. Watching Spanish shows, attending cultural events or even volunteering with Spanish-speaking communities can help.

For students who feel overwhelmed by the courses’ workloads, Michelle Crabtree, Ph.D. student and assistant instructor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, advises to “keep communication open with your professor,” to work efficiently and not waste your time, and “build community in the classroom with other students,” to help one another and hold each other accountable, making the learning curve easier. 

In an era of mass immigration and globalization, Spanish courses are more than just boxes to check off your degree plan; they’re opportunities to learn new skills to connect you to others.

Cintron is a journalism freshman from Houston, Texas.

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