Outside of the Writing Center, located on the second floor of the library – Photo by Ashlyn Armock
By Ashlyn Armock, Aquinas Reporter
Three consultants from the Writing Center, Anastasia Benstead, Makayla Casarez, and Maria Hillary, have created a new space for people on campus to practice Spanish.
From now on, every Monday from noon to 1 p.m., the Writing Center has a new addition. Monday, March 3, marked the first get-together for the Center’s Spanish Café. This addition is called “Café y Conversaciones” which translates to “Coffee and Conversations.”
The idea first originated with Benstead, Casarez, and Hillary all sharing the same shift at the Writing Center. “We were literally conversing in Spanish, talking about Spanish one day and we were like ‘this is crazy, all three of us are together,’ We thought that we should do something with this and about this, so it was very much a creative and collaborative idea,”said Benstead.
The goal is to get everyone on campus engaged with Spanish. Whether students already speak the language and just want a place to talk, are just learning it and want to practice, or have never spoken a word of Spanish but want to see what it’s all about, these three consultants will be happy to help. “That’s the goal, to introduce the Spanish language and culture. Spanish is the largest of our foreign language departments and it would be really cool to just add another resource on campus,” said Benstead.
Inside of the Writing Center with a consultant at work – Photo by Ashlyn Armock
“I think a lot of the Spanish professors and students who speak Spanish would love to just have a safe space to speak Spanish. I know that at least when I first got here, I wanted to speak Spanish with other people but I didn’t know where a good place to do that was other than just going to class so this is a great space where you can practice. There’s really amazing people there,” said Hillary.
“We are just kinda hanging out so you can come in and speak Spanish with us,” said Casarez. The consultants are even providing books in Spanish for the visitors to use. “Some of them are our personal books so just check with us before you take them,” said Casarez. Along with providing books they also have board games to help create a welcoming and fun space.
Ultimately, these three consultants just want to bring people who speak Spanish together and to create a safe space for that. All information about the Writing Center and Spanish Café can be found in the link below:
The Saint 