Spanish Immersion Program Unites All Cultures

Spanish Immersion is a Jamaica Plain-based program with a mission to mesh Spanish with American culture.  The program’s base is its Spanish conversations, which unite Spanish speaking elders (who sometimes have very limited English) and Spanish learners.  They have weekly conversations, with the learners paying a small fee to improve their Spanish and giving the seniors a small stipend for their time.  The program also offers English classes, music classes, and computer classes as well as other programs to help Spanish speakers obtain employment.  They also host other cultural events. I met with four of the Spanish ‘teachers,’ the founder, and one learner to learn more about the program. 

How did the program begin?

Giovanna Tapia, the founder and leader of Spanish Immersion, began the program in 2006 as part of a school assignment while she was getting her masters. Her assignment was to design a project that combined community, economics, and development. Originally from Peru, she knew she wanted to do something with Latino elderly, and began looking into designing a program explaining Medicare D.  “This was very difficult.”

“Then my sister came, and she said, what do you want to be the result? I said for seniors to be active in the community.  Spanish is important to the community here, so we started a program between learners and seniors.”

She did outreach, and many people came, joined, and extremely liked the program.  Jose Acajabon, a Spanish senior ‘teacher’ and participant, noted, “It is good because it gets us away from the T.V. and talking to others.”

Tapia was going to quit doing the program when she graduated, as the need developed to find a steady job.  However, the participants wouldn’t let her.  They told her it must go on.  The program became more than just conversations.

What are the benefits of the program?

Magdalena Rodriguez mentioned the culture that participants often learn, both speakers and learners.  “People who don’t know much about Spanish learn more; they learn how to dance and sing.  We have many activities in JP and Brookline.”

Rodriguez, Acajabon, and Maura Morales all commented on how the program brings people together.  Acajabon said, “It doesn’t matter what you are in terms of country, religion, politics.” The conversations are what matter and the bond that forms. 

“It gives us the chance to meet and learn from other people from other cultures,” said Hennigan.

Fortunata Huaman said that what she finds most beneficial is the interesting conversations she gets to have with others.  Before the program, there was less opportunity for her to be involved and to get out and meet others, especially "young people."

In addition to learning about non-Hispanic culture, the speakers also learn from one another.   “It gets people together from all over the world…  There isn’t any person who can’t come and learn about culture,” stated Acajabon.

The group I met with was a physical presence of this diversity; they came from Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Russia, El Salvador, and Peru.  Furthermore, they emphasized the commitment many have to the Spanish Immersion program, with all the speakers being involved more more than four years.

Newhouse, endearingly called ‘nueva casa’ by Acajabon (his partner in the program) and a learner for three years, spoke on how the program helped him to overcome his fears in terms of speaking Spanish.  “I took the plunge in and just spoke.  This was very important for me; when I went to Central America last year, I felt comfortable conversing with people.”

The group also works with medical students at Harvard University.  Students take a class that is part classroom with a professor and part of the time speaking with the seniors.  Rodriguez said, “It is good to get them ready to work with a sick Spanish patient.”

What can people get involved in?

You can sign up for conversation classes anytime.  Either email (Spanish_immersion@hotmail.com) or call Giovanna Tapia at 617-953-7016.  Learn to play guitar and sing Spanish music for free on Tuesdays at the 3-4:30 pm, Wednesdays at the 3-5:30 pm, or Thursday at the 3:30-6 pm.  Learn more about computers June 10- September 2 at the Brookline Senior Center from 1:30-3 pm.  Call 617-953-7016 for questions about anything or registration.  English classes will resume in the fall.

The group does not receive grants from the federal government or the state, and relies heavily upon fundraisers from the community to help pay for the music, computer, and English teachers.  Tapia volunteers most of her time for coordination, receiving a small stipend occasionally.

This year’s is at the Brookline Senior Center and will have food (donated and homemade by participants), music, dancing, and raffles.  One prize, a dollhouse, was handmade by one of Fortunata’s learners.  The event will last from 6-8 pm and will have a sampling of different ways for all ages to be involved in the program. 

[Editor's note: The original posting gave the wrong name for one of the participants.]