What language do you wish you could speak?

Spanish, definitely.

While I studied German for two years in high school (nearly sixty years ago), I remember next to nothing other than a few phrases, the numbers to twelve, a list of pronouns, and one useless dialogue about borrowing skis. Pretty much useless. Besides, I learned all of those by rote. Much of our practice took place in the Language Lab. Without applying those fragments of German in my life, they quickly atrophied.

On the other hand, I hear Spanish every day. Spanish language, food, and culture are alive in my community. Over the years I’ve taken several courses in Conversational Spanish and Spanish for Teachers. I can handle very basic interactions. I have a few “stem” sentences. I can order food in a restaurant. I can welcome a student to my classroom. Hello. How are you? Take a seat. Please. Put away your books. Don’t touch my things. Thank you. I love you. Have a good day.

But I have never been fluent enough to conduct a parent conference. Or get to know someone. Or solve a problem. With Latinos comprising about 25% of the population of Reno, there is a rich and lively Hispanic culture here. I believe that learning and speaking Spanish is quite simply the friendly and neighborly thing to do.