Date posted: 4-11-01

Editors: You are encouraged to use this story in your publication. Please credit the author and DeKalb News Service as shown. And, please send TWO tearsheets to: Jim Killam, Department of Communication, Watson Hall, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.

By Lauren Pollock

DeKalb News Service

DEKALB -- You wouldn't expect to see a group of people laughing, playing games and speaking Spanish at a coffee shop in DeKalb, but Raul Brown was surprised NOT to see it.

"I've worked with the same kind of thing at other universities and I was surprised we didn't have a program like this here," said Brown, an NIU visiting assistant Spanish professor. Brown took it upon himself to start Café Hispanico at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. Basically, it's a way to bring Spanish alive for students and others.

"With Spanish you have to practice every day," Brown said. He starts every session by asking those who come if they have any questions about their class work. Those who participate in the group are encouraged to speak Spanish the whole time. Brown said he will only answer questions in Spanish, even if asked in English. While that might scare some off, Brown thinks it's the best way to learn.

"I have three Spanish classes this semester, so it's really helpful to practice using language outside of class," said sophomore Spanish major Renee Altman. Altman goes to Café Hispanico every week, and likes the atmosphere.

"It's not like a classroom," she said. "It's not confined and there's no pressure."

And after the tutoring is over, the fun begins. The group plays many different vocabulary-enhancing games, like Pictionary, Gestures, charades and "taxista."
In taxista, one person plays the taxi driver and another person, the passenger, has to give the driver directions. The key is the driver has to listen well, because his/her back is to the passenger, Brown said.

"They have to practice real skills and vocabulary that will help them if they leave the country," Brown said.

Brown also said that Café Hispanico is not only a service to Spanish students, but also to the community. Anyone with even minimal Spanish skills is welcome to participate.

"Even strangers come up and say, 'Can I play?'" Brown said.

"A lot of people bring their friends," Altman added.

Senior math major and House employee Isaac Hill said, "Every week the kids that come seem like they're really having a good time."

Junior biology major Cosme Becerra said he felt welcomed to participate on his first day. He stressed that even though he is a native Spanish speaker, taking Spanish is not a "blow-off" class.

"It's like native English speakers taking English classes," he said. "I would recommend this to anyone with knowledge of Spanish. It's not dominated by native speakers."

Brown said he averages about 10 students a week since he started the program last fall. He said that a group like this helps to build good relationships between university, community and business.

"I wanted to learn how to speak Spanish because I wanted to know people's stories and their hearts," Brown said.

"If you have nothing better to do on a Wednesday night, come on by, drink coffee and have fun," Altman said.

Café Hispanico meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m., every Wednesday at The House, located on the corner of 3rd Street and Lincoln Highway.

Source list:
· Raul Brown, visiting assistant professor, thejayhawker@Aol.com
· Renee Altman, sophomore Spanish major
· Cosme Becerra, junior Biology major, Spanish minor
· Isaac Hill, senior math major, House employee