MB's Classes

It has been WAY too long since I have posted an update on my travels in Spain.  So much has happened in such a short span of time, and I have yet to stop and write down the stories.

I am in 5 classes taught totally in Spanish.  My professors are native Spaniards (native Andalucians, might I add) which gives their speech a uniquely accented rapidity.   Fortunately, these professors understand that their students are mostly American, so they try to slow things down (key word: try).  My first class is Islamic Culture in Spain.  I adore this class and current location in Granada allows me to walk through time and imagine the the history and Islamic culture of this ancient area.

Second class, Spanish Culture in Spain.  Thus far, I have learned all there is to know about bull-fighting...and have even watched a video of a full bull-fight from start to finish.  Maybe sometime while I am here I will be able to see a live bullfight...although, it takes a strong stomach!

Third class is Latin American Culture and Civilization.  My professor for this class has 5 dogs, and I am pretty sure her reason for being late to class every morning is that she once again....lost a dog.  This class isn't my favorite, but still holds my interests considering how closely the US is linked to Central and South America.

Fourth class is Grammar!  For those of you considering learning a new language, I do not recommend learning the grammatical structures of that language, IN that language.  It is a HUGE challenge for me to keep up with what we are studying, when I have no way to connect it to my first language.  Also, this professor is rather terrifying and is not a fan of personal-space.  Sometimes I will glance up and she is just inches away from my face evaluating my work (ugh!).

Fifth class is Oral Spanish.  The students arrange desks into a circle, and we practice speaking to each other for an hour and a half.  It's great and I have learned a ton about Spanish vernacular.

I have classes 1 and 2 on Monday and Wednesday, and the 3-5 courses on Tuesday and Thursday...no class on Friday!!!