ORLANDO, Fla. — ¿Quieres aprender un nuevo idioma?
Do you want to learn a new language?
Good news: Local language learning communities are going virtual to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic.
Giovanni Bravo Ruiz, community director with the Orlando Language Exchange -- a free community of language enthusiasts, linguists and language learners -- said the group is working to keep its community up and running while people are staying safe at home.
“We’re starting to move into a digital world, which is definitely a challenge, but it’s worth it,” he said.
The group typically hosts monthly events for people to gather and learn together. While that’s not possible, Ruiz said the community is turning to social media to connect.
They’re holding Instagram Live sessions for language speakers to answer questions and offer tips for others working to learn anything from Spanish, French or Portuguese.
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“It’s a challenge. We’re taking it slow,” Ruiz said. “We’re trying to make it so the members are enjoying it, having fun and also learning.”
He said while some people have more time as they’re forced to stay-at-home, he said the Orlando Language Exchange is working to pull together a list of low-pressure resources for people looking to learn.
Ruiz said just because people have more time, it doesn’t mean they have the free mental space to make a large commitment to a new project, like learning a new language.
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“We’re looking into what’s the easiest way for people to engage so they don’t feel like it’s another burden,” he said.
To stay up to date on the Orlando Language Exchange’s initiatives, click here to like their Facebook page and follow along on Instagram.
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