Although flashcards and vocabulary words are resources for supplying language education, the true essence of a language is learned outside of the classroom. Recently a collaboration between Foundation For Youth and fourth year Spanish students has come about in the hopes of expanding learning beyond the classroom. Students have been given the opportunity to assist in the teaching of basic Spanish to younger kids. The collaboration was primarily organized by Señora Burbrink so her students could have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Spanish into the community.

“One of my professional goals this year was to get my kids out into the community more and actually using their Spanish,” Burbrink said. “I went to a conference with Raquel Contreras who is part of our corporation and I was talking to her and she mentioned the FFY classes coming up in the spring.”

FFY’s  pre-existing organization, known as Spanish Learning Center, struck an interest in Burbrink. She saw the potential in the collaboration for both her students and the youth involved in the program.

“I think anytime that you share a love or passion with someone else by teaching; it encourages you in your own learning,” Burbrink said. “It validates what you’re learning. They [the students] will also see how Spanish can be connected in the community.”

As the beginning stages of the collaboration come about, Burbrink is remaining flexible and hopeful.

“This year we are piloting the program with my fourth year students,” she said. “We will see how the process goes and then in the future we could expand it.”

However, Burbrink’s main motive resides in the growth of Spanish education in the community.

“I’m excited just to see how we can get involved in the community,” she said.