Where to start?

Initiating a new language can seem a bit overwhelming.  You may even have the thought, “The more I learn, I realize there is that much more I need to know!”  Of course, language learning is a process, and even a life-long endeavor.  This is proven by the fact that most of us cannot claim to know all the vocabulary in our native tongue; unless, you are a sesquipedalian? (case in point!).

Costa Rica: where soccer is king!

Costa Ricans have always had an enthusiasm for soccer and this is demonstrated by the organizational structure of any typical town; there is always: a church, a public school, a small store (la pulperia) AND a soccer field.  It is common to see kids and adults alike gathering for pickup games and anyone who shows up is welcomed onto the field to play; while the encounter is always fun, the desire to show off advanced moves and to win is serious!

“Lo vamos a apoyar!” Step number one for each World Cup game is to have your country colors (red, white & blue) and your Costa Rica team jersey on!  Step two, a typical breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs (maybe with a fried sweet plantain or a slice of fresh bread) served prior to the start of the match.

As a professional invested in the well-being of your patients, being in a situation where you cannot understand what they are expressing can be uncomfortable, even somewhat stressful.  The probability of finding yourself in this scenario has increased over the past years with the growth in the Spanish speaking population. In fact, it has been estimated that in the next 50 years, Spanish will be spoken by as many U.S. inhabitants as the English language.  Spanish is particularly present if you are located in a high concentration urban area with considerable Latino immigration, such as: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas in Texas; Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego in California; Chicago, Illinois & Miami, Florida, as well as the Tri-state area: New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.