I am a big believer that learning languages has the power to change your life.

I’ve been learning and teaching languages for 48 years, and since that time I have helped immigrant students feel welcome, traveled to Spanish-speaking countries & met the locals, and helped Basque Pelota players on Team USA feel connected to the team. Learning my own heritage language has also helped me find my community of people, make new friends, and improve myself in ways I otherwise never would have. I recommend everyone start learning a language today.

And I have 5 specific reasons why:

• Reason #1: My dad an immigrant, said so. He told me as a little girl that with English and Spanish I could have whatever I wanted. DONE!

   

• Reason #2: It enhances your own native language. As you learn another language, you begin to understand how your language works.

• Reason #3: It fuels your brain. It keeps it alive and young with all the exercise of learning a language. You could do word puzzles or Sudoku, but why not learn words that open the door to talking to more people.

• Reason #4: International Friends. English could be the bond, but in my case, I have connected with people in their native tongue. You get to learn colloquial words you’d never learn in a course and local slang. Why pass that up?

• Reason #5: Your outlook changes because learning another language allows you to see the world through different lenses. Your view of the world around you grows.

If you’ve started learning a language, let me know.

If you want to learn Basque or Spanish—I’d love to connect with you (and answer any questions you have about getting started!).