UIUC Students: Practice Your Spanish outside of Class

by Ann Abbott


Getting a major or minor in Spanish doesn't mean that you will be fluent in Spanish when you graduate.  Studying abroad definitely helps, but as many students know, if you stay for a semester you end up leaving just when your fluency is building.  Using your Spanish outside of class as much as possible helps, too.  If nothing else, the more you use your Spanish the more confident you become, and that's very useful.


Here's a chance to practice your Spanish at UIUC.


What is Mi Pueblo?
Mi Pueblo is a student-run network of Spanish conversation groups.  This means that U of I students volunteer their time to lead 1-hour conversations in Spanish at different times and places around campus every week.  We have about 20 group leaders this semester, and many of them run groups together (i.e. two or three leaders per group).

How does it work?
All you have to do is show up ready to speak Spanish.  We work on a drop-in no-RSVP policy, so anybody can come to any meeting when they have the time.  The groups are fluid, and each group leader has their own personality.  Our conversation topics vary from talking about the news and weekend plans, to playing games like Catchphrase or Pictionary.  It depends on your interest, and group leaders are happy to direct conversation toward topics you want to talk about.

Is there a group for my level of Spanish?
There are novice, intermediate, and advanced level Spanish groups.  You choose to go to the group that corresponds to your language level.  To learn more about what each language level means, check out our language level guidelines at: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=23055622979&topic=15716

When can I go?
View our online calendar for meeting days, times, locations, and Spanish levels.  You can also find the names of the group leader(s) of each meeting.  Find a meeting that works for you, and just show up!
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1RO4Lnzy6bWlMXQFOgPWZqxG1AMQ86d_PjcDed7oNX3E&hl=en
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How can I find out more?

If you have any questions regarding a specific group meeting, feel free to message the group leader in charge. All group leaders are listed under “Officers” on the left-hand side panel of the UIUC Mi Pueblo page on Facebook. If you have any general questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to write on our Wall on Facebook or send us an email at uiucmipueblo@gmail.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook!  Search “UIUC Mi Pueblo.”  You’ll know it’s us when you see a photo of Machu Picchu. 

¡Nos vemos por Mi Pueblo!

Atte.
Lara Sanoica
Mi Pueblo Coordinator

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