Hispanic Heritage Month at Marvin Ridge High School is not just about celebration—it is also about learning, growth and cultural connection. While the month, which is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, is filled with vibrant festivals, music and food in many communities, for students in Jason Burtis’ International Baccalaureate (IB) Spanish class, it is a chance to deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and the rich cultures that speak it.

Burtis’ classroom is a lively space where students practice reading and writing, and speaking and listening to Spanish in a way that prepares them for real-world conversations. Burtis primarily speaks Spanish when communicating with his students, creating an immersive environment. This year, juniors like Rayan Tahira, Eva Grygny, and Lauren Toy brought their summer reading, Judy Moody Va a la Universidad, to life by performing scenes from the book with other peers. Through role-playing and interactive activities, they learn to use the language in practical, everyday situations, building confidence with each new sentence they speak.

For Rayan, learning Spanish is about preparing for the future. Fluent in several Indian languages already, Rayan sees Spanish as a tool to make himself more marketable in the global workforce.

"Spanish is universal and is useful in almost any career," he explained. "Presentations like this build real-world knowledge. Reading and writing are important, but when speaking, you’re developing a different aspect of the language."

Rayan’s love of languages extends beyond Spanish—he’s also learning Japanese, which he says is challenging but rewarding. His advice for others interested in learning a new language?

"Go for it. Others don’t judge you as much as you think, and the worst thing you could do is not try."

Eva Grygny has a personal connection to the Spanish language. Her mother’s family is from Spain, and Eva visits them every summer. Learning Spanish has helped her connect more meaningfully with her relatives during these trips.

"Speaking Spanish in class helps me practice when I talk to others during our visits," Eva shared. "I’ve learned a lot of grammar in school, and speaking with my family is where I improve."

Eva also appreciates the cultural side of learning the language. "We’ve explored Spanish dances, played sports and have had writing assignments about traditions and tried some of the foods," she said.

For Lauren Toy, learning Spanish is a way to prepare for her future medical career.

"I want to be in the medical field and speaking Spanish will be incredibly useful in healthcare. I'd be able to translate for patients," Lauren explained. "This class is great because everyone is so passionate about it. I love that I get a real chance to become more fluent and not just learn the basics."

Lauren also enjoys the presentations because they have helped her gain confidence when speaking.

"It’s okay to make mistakes," she said. "Taking a step back, breathing and learning from those mistakes is part of the process."

Outside class, the students practice Spanish by watching movies, listening to music and speaking with friends or family. Burtis encourages this kind of immersion, often playing music from different Spanish-speaking countries to expose his students to various accents and cultural styles.

"I want them to have fun with the language," he said. "The more natural and authentic it feels, the better. They’ll pick up phrases and expressions they don’t get from a textbook."

Burtis’ interest in Spanish started when he was just five years old, living near a Cuban family in New York.

"I’d hear them speak Spanish when we’d eat together, and it sparked my curiosity," Burtis recalled.

Although he did not start formally learning the language until high school, his early exposure and passion for teaching led him to pursue Spanish as a career. Today, he teaches Spanish and French. He speaks both languages at home with his children, encouraging them to be multilingual, like their father.

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Burtis’ class has more events on the horizon. The students will decorate their classroom door with information about native people from Spanish-speaking countries and prepare a special presentation highlighting the cultural diversity they are learning about. Some students attended local Latino festivals, where they had the chance to practice their Spanish with native speakers from different countries and plan to attend another.

Through literature, music and conversations, students like Rayan, Eva and Lauren are gaining a deeper appreciation for the language and the people who speak it. As they continue their studies, they discover that learning Spanish is about more than just words—it’s about opening doors to new opportunities, relationships and experiences that will last a lifetime.

09/30/2024