Language Café stories
Read about what a Language Café is really like from real Language Café-goers.
Spanish Language Café in Gosport
The Spanish Language Café in Gosport has been running for about seven months now and has gone from strength to strength. We meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month in the Discovery Centre Café. The Spanish Language Café was originally set up to address a need for primary teachers in the area who are having to teach Spanish to all Key stage 2 children. Due to other commitments, primary teachers rarely attend, but we do have people from all walks of life, from retired teachers to tax collectors, and even a lady who had come all the way from Malta!
The aim of the Language Café is to have a forum to practise Spanish, in a fun and unthreatening environment. Each time we meet we usually play three or four games, and the laughter can be heard throughout the library! We have time to chat and drink coffee, and get to know each other. We have been on one excursion to the theatre in Portsmouth where we saw, 'Como agua para chocolate', which certainly gave us food for thought! If you would like to attend the Language Café, please contact louise.pagden@hants.gov.uk
Louise Pagden
Spanish Language Cafe in Southampton
We have been attending the Spanish Café since its inception in October 2007 under the guidance of Shoshannah Holdom, who has been a most encouraging leader. The group has expanded from the original six, to more than a dozen enthusiastic Spanish speakers. Before this group started, it was difficult to find Spanish conversation and the hour we spend together weekly is just what we need.
While the café is not for absolute beginners, and the timing is difficult for parents with young children, nevertheless the present group of people is quite diverse both in age and in ability. I am the oldest at 75 and the youngest is in her early twenties.
Why are people attending? The reasons are as different as the age range. One is going cycling in Central America, another has Spanish relatives, another goes climbing in the Spanish Pyrenees and a couple more have a house, or an interest in Spain. So everyone is a serious learner.
The Library provides the facility and the coffee but the Language Café project provides the funding, for which we are all very grateful as language learning is very expensive normally.
We are now able to divide into two groups one of which is led by Shoshannah and the other by a native Spanish speaker. This is a real bonus. Both leaders make sure all the students are catered for, whatever their ability. Some worksheets are provided, along with games and exercises. But in general there is guided conversation dealing with subjects as diverse as the environment, corruption in politics, and information for tourists.
We all enjoy meeting at the Spanish Café and most of us have made progress. The informality of the group, where one is under no pressure to attend or to do exams, is very welcome and we hope the project will continue in the future. We especially thank Shoshannah for her presence every week. This has certainly kept the momentum of the group going. “Suerte!”
Gillian Gain
