Published May 18th, 2018 - The southern Mexico state of Oaxaca is known for pristine Pacific beaches, cuisine, crafts, archaeological sites, colonial architecture, markets, museums, and the iconic Mexican agave based spirit, mezcal. Many visitors are surprised that in the state capital there is surprisingly little English spoken by shopkeepers, restaurant workers, hotel staff and more generally residents of the city of Oaxaca. Indigenous languages are often spoken and understood more so than English.
(Photo credit: Alvin Starkman, M.A., J.D. Mezcal Educational Tours)
Oaxaca boasts 16 native tongues derived from five different language families, Zapotec being the most widespread. Many people living in the state begin learning Spanish only once they start attending school. Throngs who migrate to the state capital are bilingual; fluent in an indigenous language (mainly Zapoteco), less so with Spanish. The positive about this phenomenon is that residents catering to tourists on a regular basis are used to people struggling with Spanish because even some of their own struggle with the language. The negative is if you visit Oaxaca to learn about mezcal by visiting small rural artisanal distilleries (palenques as they're locally known), not having a modicum of Spanish can diminish the benefit of the overall experience. Spoken English by palenqueros and their family members is often no more than
"one, two, three, four."
(Photo credit: Alvin Starkman, M.A., J.D. Mezcal Educational Tours)
Most cities throughout English speaking countries have language schools which are often a part of Latin American cultural centers, where residents can study and practice their Spanish before visiting Oaxaca. However, committing to an evening a week from one's busy work schedule can be difficult, and weekends are often dedicated to being with a partner, the children, and/or other family obligations. So it often doesn't work out despite best intentions.
The city of Oaxaca itself has several Spanish language schools. Most have excellent reputations. In some cases one can select group, semi-private, or private classes which while more expensive than the other types do provide exacting teaching based on one's precise level of comprehension, speaking and written skills. But there are downsides to studying Spanish while in Oaxaca, if a primary reason for the visit is to learn about mezcal by venturing into the villages, especially if your time is limited (usually a week of classes is the minimum period offered). Even if you have the time and do not have budgetary restrictions, classes usually run Monday through Friday, and weekends there are many activities in and around Oaxaca so visitors wanting an in depth mezcal experience typically prefer weekdays for learning, sampling and buying, photographing, and embarking upon entrepreneurial endeavors.
Taking a course by using the internet, such as offered by Spanish55 is for many the best way to go. It's different from the usual suspects such as online learning or purchasing a series of CDs, in that it is 100% personalized with clients and their tutors interacting via Skype. And, for those who have the time and resources to study Spanish while in Oaxaca, it provides a good head start or beginning.
So here's why you should consider Spanish55 if you want to learn about agave spirit production, film or photograph, or even get into the mezcal import business:
- You'll have at least somewhat of a grounding by the time you visit Oaxaca, or if you already know a bit of Spanish, you will have had an opportunity to speak and improve upon what you know, through real verbal interaction with your tutor;
- While in Oaxaca you'll be able to ask questions about agave growth and mezcal production by being much more confident in your verbal and comprehension skills, usually resulting in the palenqueros, campesinos and their family members all being more willing to interact with you;
- You'll be in a much better position to suggest further communication with the locals even after you have departed Oaxaca;
- Even if you decide you want to study face-to-face while still at home, or while in Oaxaca at one of the schools, out in the villages you'll have an opportunity to practice your Spanish55 learned skills and improve upon them.
- It's rather trite to state that practicing language skills with native speakers leads to improvement; with Spanish55 grounding, the rest will inevitably come easier.
In the 1990s I wanted to improve my Spanish prior to moving to Oaxaca permanently. Toronto's Spanish Centre was the best way for me, at least that's what I initially thought. Lives get busy, institutes' schedules and hours tend to be fixed, and we let matters slide. That's what happened to me. I also studied in Oaxaca, intensive one-on-one classes, for six weeks. But then there's the gap between being in Oaxaca and practicing what you have learned, and returning to Mexico after several months in your homeland.
"If Spanish55 had existed when I was struggling with my Spanish, if I had enrolled I likely would have been further ahead than I now am in my language skills, though I do conduct most of my life in Oaxaca through my work teaching about agave and mezcal production."Alvin Starkman operates Mezcal Educational Excursions of Oaxaca.
