Elly Glenn

Elly Glenn's journey to becoming a proficient Spanish speaker highlights the power of early immersion, continued education, and a positive attitude toward learning. From her childhood in Argentina and Mexico City to her role as a Spanish instructor at Brigham Young University (BYU), Elly’s experiences offer valuable insights for anyone learning a new language.

Elly began learning Spanish at age six when her family moved to Argentina, where she attended an international school for three years. However, the real foundation of her language skills came during the seven years she spent in Mexico City, immersed in the language and culture. This immersion was essential for her accent and fluency, and Elly considers it a crucial part of her learning.

In addition to immersion, Elly pursued formal education in Spanish, continuing her studies through seventh grade and high school. Her parents, both fluent in Spanish, encouraged practice at home, and her high school teacher acted as a mentor. This combination of practical language use and structured learning helped her understand grammar and the principles behind the language. Her commitment to Spanish deepened during her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she served entirely in Spanish. This experience helped her overcome the fear of making mistakes, as she realized it is a crucial part of the language learning process.

Currently, Elly teaches lower-level Spanish classes at BYU. She finds that teaching has been a significant motivator and has deepened her understanding of the language. Having to explain concepts to students has revealed gaps in her own knowledge, leading to further learning.

To improve her Spanish, Elly employed a variety of strategies. Active practice with family and friends helped refine her speaking skills, while a conversation-focused class (Spanish 411) expanded her vocabulary on less common topics. Additionally, listening to Spanish music and podcasts, along with watching TV shows and movies in Spanish, further enriched her vocabulary and understanding of the language.

For those preparing for the OPI, Elly recommends practicing speaking freely and talking through thoughts instead of pausing to think when answering questions. She suggests approaching the conversation as if talking to a friend, treating it like a casual exchange with someone genuinely interested in what you have to say. It’s also important to stay informed about current events, as the interviewer may bring them up. Elly advises interviewees to be ready to elaborate on anything they mention and to only bring up topics they feel confident discussing in detail.

Looking back, Elly attributes her success to having a strong support system and professors who genuinely cared and guided her through mistakes. She emphasizes the importance of finding ways to stay excited about the language, as this enthusiasm plays a key role in staying motivated and committed to continued learning.