UT program makes need-to-know Spanish simple

With thousands of Spanish speakers living in East Tennessee, being able to speak at least a little Spanish is becoming more important.

A University of Tennessee program making simple communication a little easier.

The students in traditional Spanish classes at the University of Tennessee expect to eventually become fluent in the language, but that is not the point of "Spoken Spanish for the Teaching Professional."

"They're not going to be fluent," said Robert Hodge, "but they're going to be able to bridge that gap that is currently there and be much more effective in their work."

Robert Hodge developed focused Spanish courses for UT's Outreach and Continuing Education program, targeting medical professionals, manufacturers and teachers.

"Say a teacher who has a classroom full of kids, and three or four kids are Spanish-speaking," he explained. "It equips her with just the vocabulary for the school environment." It teaches about 150 words teachers use every day, like book and eraser and homework. That focused approach gives a teacher the tools for basic communication, without years of study to become truly bilingual.

"It's being able to talk to parents and in very basic words to say there's homework," Hodge said. "'You need to be doing homework. There's reading that you need to do.'"

The lessons for medical professionals include health terms and body parts. The manufacturer course emphasizes safety words.

"They're learning at their own pace, going at the speed they want to," he said.

The non-credit course costs $295 and includes online lessons, flash cards, an audio cd, and a customized workbook.

"We add in some real life situations for them to work through," said Hodge.

Working to learn spoken Spanish that leaves both participants and native spanish speakers saying, 'Gracias.'

To learn more about UT's independent study programs including the Spoken Spanish program, visit their website.