Everyday, foreign words fill the classroom. Beatriz Foth talks to her students in her native language of Spanish. Her class gives students the opportunity to learn another language and also to learn about another culture.

As a child, Foth grew up in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. She got married in Uruguay and also helped pastor her home church and then moved to the U.S so her husband could attend seminary. Foth graduated from Fresno Pacific University. Foth recognizes the differences of growing up in Uruguay compared to how the students she teaches are growing up.

“Growing up in Uruguay is very different from here,” Foth said. “You go to school for only four hours. In high school you go for six hours a day with 12 or 14 different subjects.”

This is Foth’s first year teaching on campus. She took over Alex Rivero’s Spanish classes after he left the school to take another teaching position in Ventura. For many, the switch from Rivero to Foth has not been easy.

“It has been a tough transition,” Foth said. “Senor Rivero was different because he had a different style and was also a coach here. I think they are getting used to me by now, although, it is a two-way process.”

Although this is a transition year for all, the students continue to expand their knowledge through Foth’s class. Through creative ways of teaching, the students are able to enjoy learning the language.

“During class, we learn to say practical things in Spanish that will help us later,” Jenny Ficklin, ’04, said. “We speak Spanish in class often, which helps me to remember all the words that we have learned.”

Learning to speak Spanish is not always an easy task. Many students, especially those in Spanish I, have a hard time learning the language.

“Spanish is difficult to understand,” Ashley Gable, ’05, said. “It’s also hard to learn, but I think that I am getting the hang of it.”

Although learning Spanish can be difficult, knowing another language can be beneficial for many other things.

“Knowing Spanish is very useful,” Jonathan Howard, ’03, said. “Especially when you consider going on missions trips. It also helps to know Spanish when you are talking to people that don’t know English.”

In the near future, Spanish I will be doing a family tree project. They will use the words they are learning to describe people and relationships to others in this project. Spanish II will be building and creating their own camping or countryside area.