Employee Language Program offers free summer Spanish workshops

The Employee Language Program at Western Washington University is offering several workshops for faculty and staff during summer quarter.

Workshops will begin on Monday, July 7, and end on Friday, Aug. 1. Specific workshop days and times are listed below. To register, click here.

Summer Offerings:

• Spanish: Survivor Edition: Absolutely no prior knowledge of Spanish is required. T/R: 4-4:50 PM This workshop is for anyone who's ever wanted to learn a little bit of Spanish but hasn't taken the plunge yet! You'll learn basic survival phrases in Spanish, enough to help you navigate a short conversation with a native speaker. You'll learn things like how to introduce yourself, how to ask for directions, how to talk about hobbies and interests, and how to order food. As with all Employee Language Program workshops, participants are encouraged to share topics and to help shape the classes around their interests, so let the facilitators know if there are other topics that interest you.
• Spanish: Culture & Conversation: To participate in this workshop, you should have completed a Basic Spanish Level 1 workshop previously or have equivalent experience. M/W: 1-1:50 PM Have you ever wondered why the Spanish eat dinner so late or why soccer is such a big deal in so many countries? Join this workshop and learn about the various countries and cultures that make up the Spanish-speaking world, all while continuing to polish your speaking, listening, and reading skills in Spanish. As with all Employee Language Program workshops, participants are encouraged to help shape the course topics, so bring your questions!
• Spanish: Club de lectura "Reading Club": Participants of all levels are welcome, including those taking Survivor Spanish this summer. F: 1-1:50 PM This workshop will meet on Fridays and will give participants a chance to read and discuss a range of different kinds of texts. Each Friday workshop will have a general topic, with short readings tailored to the levels of the participants, from beginners on up. This workshop can be taken on its own or in combination with one of the other workshops, so it's a great way to fit in a bit of language practice over the summer or to supplement your other practice of Spanish.
• Spanish: Professional Communication: To get the most out of this workshop, you should have taken Basic Spanish Level 2 or higher in the Employee Language Program or have other equivalent experience. T/R: 9-9:50 AM This workshop is for people with some previous experience who want to polish their written Spanish while continuing to practice their conversational abilities. Possible topics include things like communicating with Spanish-speaking families or international colleagues, but as with all Employee Language Program workshops, participants are encouraged to share topics of interest to them and to help shape the classes around their needs.

Along with the four workshops listed above, there also will be a "La Mesa de Español" at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays at Café Rumba. Additional information will be forthcoming to registrants.

La Mesa de Español operates through the academic year as an AS club, but we're continuing the conversation table over the summer as a way to get additional practice speaking and listening to Spanish. No homework or registration is required for this workshop; just show up ready to speak Spanish!