If I Were a Teacher by Adrianna

If I Were a Teacher by Adrianna - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

If the roles were reversed, and I could teach any subject I wanted, I would teach Spanish not only because of the beautiful culture it represents but also because Spanish holds many practical real world applications. After four years of Spanish instruction, my love of the subject grows with every new word I learn.
Throughout my years learning Spanish, I have experienced and learned about a diversity of customs, music, and pieces of art. One of my favorite customs in the Spanish culture is the Tomatina. In this event, held in Spain annually during the month of August, people come from far and wide to participate in a giant tomato fight. No one knows the exact origin of this custom, which is one of my favorite things about it. The fact that they have continued this tradition speaks volumes about the carefree and lively attitude that the Spanish have. Additionally, Spanish music has been highly influential in my life. Some of my favorite songs are from artists such as Chino y Nacho and Luis Enrique. I babysit fairly regularly and once after I heard a song by Luis Enrique, I played it for two of the kids I was watching. They immediately began to love Spanish music and they now ask me to play it every time I am there. I love that Spanish connects people in ways that are unexpected. The child I babysit for now has a unique connection with me that she will probably remember for the rest of her life, and that means a lot to me.
Additionally, Spanish has many practical applications, especially in the globalized world we live in today. When people across the world are just a mouse click and phone call away, it is important to have knowledge of other cultures and languages. In America, Spanish is the second most spoken language behind English. Since I was a young child, I have wanted to be a doctor. With Spanish being a prominent language in America, I believe it is important to learn the language. One of the largest determinations of a doctor’s skill is their bedside manner. Native Spanish speakers are much more comfortable when they are able to communicate with their doctor and explain their symptoms in the language they know best. Spanish also has practical applications for travel. Spanish is spoken in many major nations worldwide, including Spain and Mexico. When traveling, natives find it surprising when someone speaks to them in their own language. For example, in Spain, many people believe it is rude when an English speaker does not attempt to speak Spanish. This is not them being prideful, they expect the same treatment that English speakers expect.
In conclusion, if I were a teacher, I would teach Spanish. One could say I have “Duende” a Spanish word meaning a source of passion or inspiration.