So… yesterday was my first day back to college, starting the Fall semester. My day went less than satisfactory.
My first class went fine, I think I will do decently in that course. But my second class, not so much.
We are required to take three foreign language courses, in order to graduate. So, let’s say I want to choose French as my foreign language; I would be required to take three complete French classes, which is about a year of French.
Since I live in Florida, and a very dominant language here is Spanish, I chose to do Spanish. Also, most places prefer to hire bilingual people, so it seemed like the logical thing for me to do, for the long run.
Bad idea.
Yesterday was the first day, and I figured Beginning Spanish would be a challenge, but not impossible to learn. In my opinion, learning a new language will of course be difficult, but if taught slowly and correctly, I would be able to learn it. But, no…
See…where my college is located, I’d say that 70% or more of the population is Spanish-speaking individuals. Most people either already know how to speak Spanish, or they have friends/family members who speak it, so either way, most people in this area are already familiar with how to speak/understand Spanish. I, on the other hand, do not know a word of Spanish. I know that there are plenty of other people who are in the same boat as me, so I’m not the only one; but Spanish people are indeed a majority around here.
So, on the first day of class, I noticed something was different. Out of about 35 students, only 5 or 6 people looked like non-Spanish people. I could be wrong, since that notion was based simply on appearances, but I thought to myself, “Oh, dear. I am totally in over my head!”
Then the professor walks in. She’s a young-ish, attractive Spanish woman, with a soft voice and thick accent. She immediately began to chat with a few of the students in the class, of course speaking only in Spanish. One girl who looked to be about my age, began to ask the professor questions about the text book, and the professor answered in English. When the girl kept asking more and more questions, the professor would mumble something in Spanish under her breath, and continue to answer the girl, as if it were a chore to use English.
The professor then handed out the class syllabus. At this point, I was reviewing the syllabus, and I noticed MANY misspelled words and incorrect diction in her English writing. Clearly, she’s more fluent in Spanish. Or, she doesn’t know what a spell checker is.
She went to the front of the class, introduced herself, and started to talk about class requirements and such. She kept alternating between Spanish and English, and mostly, she spoke in Spanish. It was confusing me, and I didn’t know what she was saying. When she would get stuck on how to express something in English, she would then switch to Spanish. WTF? This is the first day of a beginner’s Spanish class, how the hell am I supposed to know what you’re saying?
Then, she began to go over (very quickly) the Spanish alphabet. Next, she went on to common Spanish sayings, such as, “thank you”, “I am sorry”, and “I don’t understand”. Then…she went off for about 20-30 minutes straight, in Spanish, about God knows what. Occasionally she would throw in a few English words, but I still wasn’t quite sure what was being said. I tried to take notes, but she was speaking incredibly fast, and in another language that I don’t know. My head was pounding at the end of class.
And, I didn’t even know it was the end of class until people started getting up and leaving! Because, she dismissed us in Spanish. What the heck is going on? It felt like the Twilight Zone, but the Spanish edition!
As I got up to leave, I heard two people talking behind me. A guy said to the girl next to him, “So, are you overwhelmed yet?” and the girl said, “yes, I’m so confused!” I looked at them and said, “Thank God I’m not the only one! The past hour went by so fast and I’m not even quite sure what just happened!” LOL and we were talking and agreeing that it was crazy how things happened.
Just because tons of Spanish people live in Florida doesn’t mean that ALL people who live in this area is familiar with the language. This is a beginners class, and the language needs to be taught bit by bit, slowly, so that people like me (who only speak English) can comprehend and learn. It pisses me off that all these people who have Spanish as their first language can take these classes and make an easy A. It’s not fair! Shouldn’t they be required to take a different language that they DON’T already know?
So, now I have to decide whether or not I want to keep this class or withdraw from it and get my money back. I can’t possibly foresee myself learning a new language like this.
Hannah is a quiet 21 year old college student living in FL. She has an insatiable lust for lip glosses and beauty products. She's an addict of chocolate, upbeat music, everything pink, 
Sandel' said:
Aug 26, 08 at 3:21 pmI took a few weeks of French in high school, I moved so I never finished. Anyway! It was easier to have the words spoken instead of reading from the book. Hopefully she’ll go slower next class meeting.
Since it’s required you shouldn’t withdraw, French seems to be a bit harder than Spanish. Plus, it will be more use to you taking Spanish than French. Especially living in Florida.
If it gets worse, maybe try to talk to her after class about it?
The professor then handed out the class syllabus. At this point, I was reviewing the syllabus, and I noticed MANY misspelled words and incorrect diction in her English writing. Clearly, she’s more fluent in Spanish. Or, she doesn’t know what a spell checker is.
LOL That’s horrible.
Lexie said:
Aug 27, 08 at 4:41 amHey! First off, love your site!!!
Secondly, Spanish is probably the easiest language to learn once you’ve got the hang of it. In school I had to learn French and Spanish at the same time and that was just evil! My spanish teacher was exactly the same, she just rambled on in spanish and we were expected to understand it which is stupid. She also insisted on wearing this bizarre purple lipstick..but whatever floats your boat right? Then she explained to me that when we’re babies we learn english from people speaking it at us constantly for about 3 years, so if you stick it and do some home study (Michel Thomas language dvds are the best!) it should get easier. If all else fails try Dora the Explorer!
Good luck! xxxxx
Shirley Celia said:
Aug 27, 08 at 11:06 amThat sounds tough! Especially since this is a class where you’ll be graded and failing would affect your studies; but otherwise being immersed in a language, is the best way to learn (that’s the only language you hear so you have to learn it in other to function). I think you should stay in this class and let her know it is a “beginner” spanish class.
And yes, french would be tougher to learn than spanish (I would know, I’m French).
Lauren said:
Aug 27, 08 at 3:01 pmYikes, that sounds like a nightmare. I took three years of Spanish in high school, and was lucky enough to get a good teacher; but I can imagine how hard it would be under these conditions.
My suggestion is to find someone in the beginning French class and ask how that one is and consider trying it. Because, despite the advantages, this class sounds like it’s just going to be evil. =/
Irene said:
Aug 27, 08 at 11:31 pmAww, I feel for you sweetie. It’s obvious that this woman was hired more because Spanish is her native tongue and not for her teaching skills.
I’ve had a lot of weird experiences in Florida where it was apparent that a lot of people feel that there’s something wrong with you if you DON’T speak Spanish. *lol* Hubby and I stopped at a gas station in Miami some years ago. Brett went to tell the guy at the counter what pump we were using and the guy DID NOT understand one word Brett said. It wasn’t until Brett said the number in Spanish that he finally understood. WTH? *lol* I know it’s terrible to say this, but I told Brett, “When did we get to Cuba? I thought this was still Florida.” *lmao* I’m so terrible.
Ashley said:
Aug 28, 08 at 2:48 amHey, wow first, I LOVE your site. Its so pretty. And you are pretty too. I’m sorry you are having problems with the school situation, but hopefully things get worked out better for you.
Brandi said:
Aug 28, 08 at 1:18 pmAmen, sister!
I can’t stand that. Usually Florida is dominated by Spanish, so they don’t feel the need to TEACH you the way you want to be taught. When I took Japanese in high school, my teacher was straight from Japan, but WOW she was an amazing teacher. Her accent was thick, but I understand and she did such a great job translating. I learned so much from her and still am able to speaking pretty decent in Japanese.
Hopefully you can find another Spanish class if this continues? I would suggest looking around first. I wouldn’t want to be in a class with this lady.
Brandi said:
Aug 28, 08 at 1:19 pm*understood
not understand
*speak
not speaking
wow me and my crazy mistakes!
Jackie said:
Aug 29, 08 at 2:50 amWow, that sucks. I’d be as overwhelmed and discouraged if not more. I’m not sure how your school is but at my school we are required to take a foreign language different than the language(s) spoken at home. That’s why I’m taking French instead of Spanish. Good luck though!
Christina said:
Aug 29, 08 at 6:58 amWow. If everyone in Florida spoke Spanish, there would be no need for BEGINNER Spanish. So obviously people are there to learn Spanish and not hear her blabber on in another language without explaining what she means in English, the official language of the country we’re in.
Lauren said:
Aug 29, 08 at 9:13 amWow, that sounds awful. At school everyone was starting out with Spanish and French so I found it OK. You need to know what each phrase means, so I can understand how you felt so lost with it all. A beginners class should be exactly right, so it isn’t right at all that the class is full of fluent speakers, that isn’t fair on people who need to learn the basics.
Crystal said:
Aug 29, 08 at 2:26 pmlol, I’m sorry but I chuckled while reading some of this. Just because I can picture you sitting there with a dropped jaw wondering what the hell the lady is saying. If it was me that’s what I’d be doing.
I don’t know any foreign language and you’re right; you definitely can’t be taught like that. I would either talk to the professor or drop the class like you mentioned.
chanel said:
Aug 31, 08 at 11:42 amIs she the only professor that teaches that course? You possibly can request to have a new professor or switch classes. That sounds like a C in the making (when you know you’re an A student).