It only took me one semester to learn not to ask students in my college composition courses why they are taking the class. The nearly unanimous answer is: Because I HAVE to. Of course, we all make the best of the experience, but it is refreshing to see that people here in Oaxaca (by the hordes) want to spend their free time learning English (I know it isn’t exactly writing essays).
As I am exploring the streets, people sometimes stop me, wanting to speak English and offering to help me navigate Spanish better. I am grateful for these opportunities to practice and to share, and I am plotting a way to have larger intercambios (language exchanges); perhaps they can be enjoyed over a meal or while doing something fun (and affordable).
Practice makes perfect, and practice we will.
shewhodaresnothing 