Tallahassee has a terrific senior citizens center, and in spite of knowing this for four years now something has kept me from becoming involved. I’m not in denial about my senior citizen status. In fact, I’ve embraced my AARPness since the day I turned 50 over eleven years ago, so I’m not sure why I haven’t taken advantage of the center’s many classes.
On Monday, though, I broke new ground and attended an Intermediate Conversational Spanish class. I’d met the instructor while dining with my Meetup group last week, and she was so personable that I looked forward all weekend to this class.
Now, I know quite a bit of Spanish vocabulary. I know all of my numbers to 100 and beyond, the days of the weeks and months of the year. I can identify colors and fruits, common animals and objects. What I don’t know are my verbs and connecting words.
So while the five other participants were posing questions such as “What did you cook for dinner last night?” I was answering in ways approximating “Me Tarzan, You Jane.”
But I had fun! And nobody looked ready to kick me out of the class. There is a more basic class that meets on Thursday mornings, and I think I’ll give it a go for a few weeks to build my confidence.
Even Tarzan eventually learned to put real sentences together.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Hola Chica. Como esta?
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¡Muy bien! ¿Y usted?
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Bien también. Good luck with learning a new language. I’ve tried Japanese, Spanish and French but I can hardly speak English so I am not having any luck.
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I told someone earlier that I might need to work on my English first.
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When I first moved to Tallahassee, that’s one of the first things I noticed while driving down Monroe is how prominent the building is. That was one of the thing that made me feel like this would be a good community to move to, although I’m not a senior lol. But, from what I hear, they have a lot of great programs there.
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One doesn’t have to be a senior to participate! The center is open to everyone. I’m excited to see what all they offer now that I’ve dipped my toe into the pool.
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I was all set to follow your blog! 😢
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Aww! Thanks!
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I am impressed Leslie. It takes me to count to a 100 in English… x
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Well, given my Texas drawl some would argue I don’t speak English very well.
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I’m a Scot. I try not to speak English at all really unless I write but even in Scots I would struggle to get to five. BUT in any language, including Russian, I know two things. How to order a drink and how to say go away in terms associated with immediate fornication. xxxxx
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Hahaha! I can call someone a whore in Spanish.
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Hey you!! Brill. Need to branch into that in every language. x
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Ps I can do it Dundonian, where I live and that has been classified as a language in some places. SO I guess I am on my way.
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I believe you!
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I tried that same class in Fresno and was shocked at how AWFUL I was. No one made me embarrased either, but I still ran out of the room at the end of class and never went back. Your idea of the class below it is probably a good one. Hopefully the people will be as nice. – Marty
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I’ll probably attend both classes for awhile. They tell me the beginning class is more basic vocabulary and not much conversation. They only charge $2 per class, so I can take all I want!
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Todo esta bien. Tarzan tiene mas macho! =>
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¡Es verdad! ¡Gracias!
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So long as you show up with a sense of humour, who could mind your lack of verbs. Just think how confident you make the other students feel! LOL
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Lol! And the instructor found me on Facebook yesterday. She encouraged me to attend this week. Maybe that’s why!
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