Spanish Language Assistant Maria Merino
Hi my name is Maria Merino, I’m from Puebla city, Mexico. I’ll be the teaching assistant for the spring semester. I have studied English for five years at Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla (BUAP). I’m interested in studying a master degree in teaching Spanish to foreigners, or maybe being a tourist guide in Puebla city, a very interesting place.
This is my second time in the US and I really want to have a good experience at Pacific with all of you. I am quite interested in sharing part of my culture, customs and traditions from my country. I like to learn from people from different countries and I hope you like it too. I like visiting places and doing new things. I like dancing although I need to practice a bit more. 
You are all invited to attend the cultural nights and taste the typical food, play games. You can participate in a dancing contest, or the tongue twister contest as well, watch videos, plan a valentine activity and learn about folklore music in Mexico. Just pay attention to the weekly acivities we are planning in Milky Way on Tuesdays from 8 to 10. You’d better join us for the conversation tables on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12 to 12:50 in the Unversity Center (UC).
If you have any problems when learning Spanish, you can come and ask for help. I will be glad to help you, you can contact me in 112 Vandervelden A.
Campus Activities
Maria hosts the following activities for the Spanish program at Pacific. Students are encouraged to take advantage of her presence during these times:
La mesa de conversación - Spanish Conversation Tables
Tuesdays and Fridays at Noon in the UC (look for Maria and her Spanish table signs)
La noche de español - Spanish Night
Tuesdays 8-10pm in Milky Way
You may just show up to the conversation tables and Spanish night with no advance notice.
Click here to send Maria an email
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Previous Language Assistants
Hi! My name is Erika Adriana Ledesma and I am the Spanish teaching assistant for this year. I am 23 and I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina (South America) and this is my first time in the United States.
After High School I studied for 4 years at a Teacher Training College and I graduated in 2005. Then I decided to study 2 Licenciaturas, one related to the teaching of English as a Second Language at CAECE University and the other related to school management a
t Universidad Catolica Argentina, both of them at Buenos Aires but I couldn't graduate because I won the Fulbright scholarship to come here. I'm coming back to my country in May 2008 and I'll finish them then.
I love dancing (specially latin music as it is the only thing that I know but I'm willing to learn different kinds of dances) and as a good Argentinian I love drinking, playing pool and parties!!! I also like to go to the cinema, go sightseeing... go to the zoo (I really like animals)...I'm here to improve my English, to learn about you guys and your culture, to make new friends and to have fun. And of course, I'm really happy to share my culture with you and to help you with Spanish, so just knock at my door and I'll be there to answer all your questions or at least some of them!!!
So you are all invited to come to the Spanish nights!! We will dance, watch films, play games, cook Argentinian food and have fun...We meet every Monday from 7 to 9 at VVD 144, we also meet on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12 to 12.50 at The UC for the Spanish tables. And if you are 21 or older, we meet at La Cantina (La Sierra Restaurant) every Friday at 9.00pm to dance latin music, sing and have fun! Just come, I'll be really happy to see you there!