Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22
By Jocelyn Zhou ‘22
Staff Writer
Every Monday and Wednesday, members of the Spanish department, Spanish speakers and Spanish learners gather around the virtual Cafecito de Espanol, or Spanish Language Table. This table is held for Spanish learners of all levels to come together and embrace the Spanish language, according to one organizer, Emma Sullivan ’22. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the table meeting is being held over Zoom this year.
During the meeting, students meet one another and practice conversational Spanish, as opposed to the more formal and academic Spanish spoken in the classroom.
Sullivan talked about how the Spanish Table tries to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome when speaking the language. “We make sure that we speak slowly and that we have a cheat sheet with key words and phrases,” Sullivan said. “Usually one of us will work more closely with the student[s] who are at a lower level to make sure they understand and can get something out of … Spanish Table.” Along with Sullivan, Elizabeth Belka ’22, Katie Milligan ’22, Rahael George ’21, Cydney Hambrick ’22 and Allie Benguiat ’22 attended this week’s table.
“I attend the cafecitos to practice and strengthen my Spanish in an informal setting,” Hambrick said. “I could not fit [a] Spanish [class] in my first module so this was a great way to keep my skills up. I also plan on studying abroad, so this is an awesome opportunity to learn more colloquial phrases and vocabulary beforehand,” she added.
The table usually starts with iceberg questions to help everyone engage in the conversation. There are no specific topics to discuss, but this year, there is a lesson plan for each Zoom call.
“We have talked about music from the Spanish-speaking world, the evolution of beauty [and] hairstyles in different Spanish-speaking countries, Indigenous peoples in Latin America, Mexican Independence Day, different styles of dance, slang from different countries,” and more, Sullivan said.
Benguiat encouraged people to come have fun at Spanish Table. “It's just fun to talk and watch videos together,” Benguiat said. “I hope we can play games like Pictionary together in Spanish in the future.”
Cafecito de Espanol meets from 4:30 p.m to 6 p.m. EST every Monday and Wednesday. More information about the event can be found on the Mount Holyoke College events calendar.