¡Hola! /Hello! My name is Silvia García González and I will be the Spanish Language Associate this year. I come from Madrid, Spain, where I studied Modern Languages (English and French) and later earned my master’s degree in Spanish language teaching. I’ll be more than happy to help you hone your language skills and explore the rich cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world!
I have loved literature and reading ever since I was a young girl. My mother used to take me to the public library every week so I could borrow books. I grew up reading titles such as Platero y yo, Momo, and The Little Prince. Over the years, I have read almost every genre, including essays, nonfiction, and poetry. My favorite writer is Dostoyevsky, and when it comes to Spanish-language literature, Vicente Aleixandre is one of my favorites. Some other writers I enjoy are Mario Benedetti, Gloria Fuertes, Agustina Bazterrica, Albert Camus, Marguerite Yourcenar, Anne Carson, and Ocean Vuong. The book I am currently reading is El infinito en un junco by Irene Vallejo.
Some other things I enjoy are art, music, and movies. I regularly visit the Prado Museum. My favorite movie is Little Miss Sunshine. My favorite spot in Madrid is El Retiro, but I also love traveling. I have visited many countries in Europe and some in Africa and Asia. My favorites have been Italy, Turkey, and Vietnam. I haven’t had the chance to visit South America yet, but I’d love to go someday. My favorite Spanish food is lentejas. My mom makes the best!
I am especially excited to accompany and help you on your journey with the Spanish language. I’d like to become a teacher in the future, so we can help each other! The Spanish-speaking world is very diverse, and I hope to help you discover that diversity through different cultural activities where you will encounter new foods, traditions, festivities, and local expressions from different countries. Through Mesa de Español and other activities, you will also have the chance to gain confidence in your language skills and practice using them in real-life communication. I hope to see you there!
In my spare time, I also enjoy working out, playing video games, and going out with friends. If you have any questions for me, you can send me a message at sgarciagonzalez@carleton.edu
