Bryn Stewart

Bryn's connection to Spanish began early, influenced by her mother, a Spanish professor. She first studied the language in high school, then continued at BYU before leaving on her mission in Dallas. While she actively sought chances to speak Spanish during her mission, she found full immersion difficult in the U.S. Greater progress came later through immersive experiences abroad: a two-month study abroad in Mexico, where she lived with a host family and learned from native-speaking teachers, and a six-month internship in Spain, where she worked at a bilingual elementary school and attended church in Spanish. These settings gave her authentic, everyday exposure that built both confidence and fluency.

Bryn’s motivation to learn Spanish comes from a deep love of language, which she views as a puzzle that connects people and expands perspective. Relationships and a general love of learning helped sustain her during times of discouragement or when she felt stuck at a “plateau.” Although she has long disliked making mistakes, she has worked to shift her mindset, recognizing from English learners that fear of error hinders communication more than it helps.

Bryn found creative ways to practice in low-pressure environments. She spoke with family members or roommates who were also learning, and even practiced with her brother who knew only a few words. Beyond conversation, she engaged through music, telenovelas, and Spanish-language memes to sharpen listening. To expand vocabulary, she often asked native speakers for unique words from their countries and made a habit of noticing authentic Spanish in her surroundings. For her, success came from consistently engaging with all aspects of the language and finding joy in the process.

When preparing for the OPI, Bryn practiced role-plays to get comfortable with unexpected questions. She recommends being ready to speak at length about familiar topics—such as hobbies, travel, family, or school—and steering conversations toward areas of strength. She also noted that higher-level OPIs may require discussing abstract or cultural topics, like politics or current events, which demand both language skills and general knowledge.

Her advice to others is simple: take every chance to practice, even if your conversation partner doesn’t speak Spanish. They can ask questions in English, and you can respond in Spanish. Most importantly, she encourages learners to focus on communicating rather than striving for perfection.