Spanish Student Spotlight: Sandra Mirkil's Love Affair with Argentina
Sandra, tell us a bit about yourself:
I have lived in Charlottesville for 38 years..
I grew up in New York City. I have 2 sons, William and Thomas and a granddaughter Gloria. I have been involved in the arts.I helped start Live Arts 35 years ago, was on the first Boards, then Second Street Gallery, then the Paramount consulting, and finally was on the Review Committee for BAMA Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band. I am retired, dance tango, swim, play with friends, study Argentine Spanish and travel to Argentina every year for 11 years. I love Charlottesville!
Can you share some past language or travel highlights with us?
I traveled a lot as a child. I studied in Paris one summer. I took French since kindergarten and was a French literature major at Stanford, I love languages! I took 7 years of Latin, 5 years of Russian (been there 3 times) (Stanford and UVA), German at Speak!, Italian at Stanford, UVA and Piedmont.
I started Spanish 15 years ago (group lessons) at Speak! About the time I started studying tango. My fisrt trip to Argentina was 11 years ago and no one understood my Spanish. I came back and looked Christina to help me find a teacher who had a background in Argentina. She found me a teacher and privately I studied with for 10 years. Last year I realized I needed a teacher FROM Argentina. I called Christina and she matched me her lead online instructor, Franco!
How would you describe Speak! and our programs to a friend?
Speak! Is a treasure to me. The different Spanish classes and teachers and the German instructors are all excellent. It only gets better and better! Christina has done an amazing job, and Liz has been a great resource. Everyone is friendly, smart and fun!
—Sandra
What initially motivated you to learn Spanish?
I was starting to study tango, and it made sense. Also it was a Romance language I had not studied yet.
Why is it important for you to learn from a native Argentine instructor?
Through Speak! I have had 4 different Spanish teachers, all wonderful! However, my tango friends do not speak English and the accent, phrasing, and expressions are particular to an Argentina native.
In one year, Franco has taken me to a new level with my Spanish. I understand everything and they understand me! They speak very quickly and pronounce words and pronouns differently, for example.
I am so pleased!
What do you enjoy most about your Private/One-on-One lessons with Franco?
Firstly, Franco is smart, attractive, fun and funny! He has become my friend, so our conversations are meaningful and delightful. I look forward to our lessons every week. It is 100% conversation, but he corrects me, writes the correct words or expressions I might not know and I have a notebook full of phrases and words. He makes me feel comfortable, and I take his suggestions well.
Franco (far left) at dinner in Buenos Aires with his Spanish student, Sandy (second from left) and friends.
What are two words you’d use to describe your learning experience with Franco?
Absolutamente maravilloso! Absolutely wonderful!
Do you have a story to share about Argentina?
I have written earlier about the connection, but, thanks to Franco, strangers now actually stop to compliment my Argentine Spanish!
I was in Buenos Aires in November and December last year, dancing almost every night, visiting with my wonderful Argentine friends. I was also able to enjoy dinner with my Speak! teacher, Franco, at Guerrín!!
How would you describe Speak! and our programs to a friend?
Speak! Is a treasure to me. The different Spanish classes and teachers and the German instructors are all excellent. It only gets better and better! Christina has done an amazing job, and Liz has been a great resource. Everyone is friendly, smart and fun!
