Student Spotlight: Hannah Gothelf

The Student Spotlight is an ongoing series where we ask former students to share their experience with LanguageBird. In this installment, we’ll meet Hannah, a former Spanish language student.

1. Why did you choose to participate in a summer program?

I chose LanguageBird because I was very interested in independent learning, but I wanted to build a strong connection with my instructor. I value relationships with my community, and LanguageBird has allowed me to bond with my instructor and other students as well. In addition to being one-on-one learning, LanguageBird is accredited, so I knew it was a good choice academically too.

2. How did you decide which program was right for you?

LanguageBird provides a wide range of languages, classes, and camps, but I ultimately chose Spanish because I hope to travel to Latin America one day with the Peace Corps. I began in Spanish 2, and the flexible schedule allowed me to progress through the levels quickly. I began to enjoy Spanish so much, I decided to join the community Chirp Rooms in the summer, where I got to meet other students studying Spanish.

3. What was a typical day in your summer program?

Because the program is online, in the mornings, I would get ready for the day and eat breakfast with my family. Then I met privately with my instructor for an hour. I worked on my homework, which was usually a fun, personalized project! Then, I ate lunch and attended the Chirp Room with my instructor and many students worldwide. Together we would act out fun scenarios in Spanish and practice our conversational skills. After that, I would typically spend a few hours resting and enjoying a fun summer activity such as swimming or hiking. LanguageBird allowed me to learn a new language solidly while still enjoying my summer, all from the comfort of my own home!

4. What was the most memorable moment of your summer?

The most memorable moment of my summer was my final project for Spanish 3. I decided to vlog a day in my life before vs. during the quarantine. It was very fun to reenact my life in Spanish and get my family involved. I had a lot of fun creating a script and improvising and pretending to go to school and my afterschool activities. My Spanish instructor, Mercedes, is one of the most caring and funny people I know, and I loved presenting my final video to her to see her reaction and laughs!

5. What advice do you have for teens looking at summer programs?

LanguageBird is an incredible program that allows flexibility and personalization. Look for a program that is best suited for you and the activities that you enjoy. The great thing about this program is that your instructor will fit the class to your needs and move at your pace while considering the activities you enjoy. I would also recommend communicating with your instructor and the administration about your needs. The faculty has been extremely understanding and empathetic, and I have developed a bond and sense of comfort that has brought me back for over three more programs thus far! I am now in Spanish 4 and planning to take the AP Spanish exam in 2021.

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