By Demetria Ma, Staff Writer and Mackenzie Hill, Sports Editor
All regular Spanish 4 classes at FVHS attended La Choza, a Mexican restaurant, on Monday night to experience speaking Spanish with several other students in an out-of-the-classroom atmosphere.
Four classes, two from both Spanish 4 teachers, planned to attend La Choza in order to have an authentic experience speaking Spanish in a recreational environment.
Due to the fact that the dinner was also counted as class participation, both teachers required students to only speak in Spanish for the duration of the dinner.
However, most students found the dinner to be a fun and helpful way to practice their Spanish while enjoying time with their fellow peers.
“It was an exciting experience where we were able to be engulfed in a different cultural experience. I had an amazing time,” said Cameron Bald (’16).
Many students were surprised at how effortlessly they were able to carry on conversations in Spanish for the entire duration of the dinner.
“Actually having to talk constant Spanish and to think of what to say on the spot, it was challenging, but fun,” said Stephanie Brown (’16).
The teachers, Sheila Bunten and Gerardo Gonzalez, believe being in a normal Spanish speaking atmosphere is extremely beneficial for the students in expanding their experience with the language.
“At the beginning I think they were a little nervous and feeling a little awkward. And then you could just see the stories come out and personalities come out, and they were telling stories…making jokes…commenting on the food. It was just the perfect opportunity for them to put in place what they’ve been learning,” said Bunten.
Bunten explained how the whole point of Spanish, to her, is to go outside your comfort zone and be able to get past the nervousness of a new language.
The idea for taking the Spanish students to a restaurant was started by Gonzalez two years ago, who took his classes to a different eatery. This was the first year Bunten took her students, and both teachers decided on La Choza instead because it was able to accompany the 100+ students that participated.
“It’s a real life environment…it’s more unscripted, it’s real life,” said Gonzalez. “They [the students] are able to go and order and communicate with friends, and make mistakes freely without having to worry about them being on the spot.”
Students and teachers alike enjoyed the time that provided them with new skills and experience for the future.
“Realistically, we [teachers] are trying to take the classroom to the real world for them [students] in the future and this is a great opportunity for them to do that,” said Gonzalez.
