My Language Journey

I've always had a passion for languages, cultures, and traveling. I studied Spanish and French in school. I volunteered as an English tutor with a Japanese international student in college. After college, I volunteered as a teacher assistant in English as a Second Language classes in the Chicago suburbs and also took the opportunity to practice speaking Spanish outside of class with the Latino students. Supporting the refugees and immigrants in their learning journey was an amazing experience to be part of.

​

​In 2003, I applied to a job to teach English in Japan for the fun of it to see what would happen. Lucky for me, it was the only job offer I received. A few months later, I moved to Japan for work with only knowing how to count to 10 and say the common phrases for good morning, good afternoon, and good night. (Sound familiar?)

​

Although I lived in Japan, I spent my first six months speaking more Spanish than Japanese because of the friendships I made with Latino immigrants living in the area. Eventually, I did make a plan to study some Japanese textbooks each night after dinner and attend Japanese classes with a co-worker each week which enabled me to pick up the language to be able to effectively communicate with my Japanese co-workers and community.

​

After a few years of teaching English in Japan, I moved to Jackson Hole in 2007. Being able to speak Spanish has been an essential part of my job for the past 14 years---not so much in teaching English, but in helping Spanish-speakers register for classes, feel more comfortable taking assessments, helping with technology issues, and assisting them with everyday questions. Leaning English could be just as important to you in the work that you want to do to succeed in life. 

​