Spencer Brown

Spencer Brown’s journey with the Spanish language began, like many students, in high school. He took three years of Spanish classes, which he describes as covering just the basics. While these classes provided a foundation, his real progress came during his mission in Richmond, Virginia. From the beginning of his mission, Spencer was placed in a Spanish-speaking area, which allowed him to immerse himself in the language. He was highly motivated to become fluent, and this environment, combined with his determination, accelerated his learning. Two of his mission companions were from Mexico, and Spencer found their influence and support especially helpful as he improved his speaking skills and built confidence.

During his mission, Spencer developed a number of effective language learning strategies. One of the most important was building vocabulary with flashcards. He regularly added new words that he read or heard into his flashcard set and reviewed them frequently. To make sure he actually used the new vocabulary, he kept a notecard in his pocket each day with five words he committed to using in conversation. This daily practice helped him move words from passive recognition into active use.

After his mission, Spencer continued using Spanish through travel to several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. He enjoyed these trips and found them valuable for practicing the language in real-life situations. He also enrolled in several Spanish courses at BYU to further strengthen his skills. These included classes in grammar, poetry, and medical terminology. He noted that these courses helped him refine his understanding of written Spanish and improve skills like typing with correct accents. Although most of his Spanish communication during his mission was spoken or through texting, the academic study gave him more precision and confidence in formal writing.

Maintaining Spanish after returning from his mission has required consistent effort. Spencer tries to listen to audiobooks in Spanish, reads scriptures daily in Spanish, and aims to speak with a Spanish-speaking friend once a week. He believes that even small efforts help slow down the loss of language skills.

One of the most important factors Spencer credits for his success is his attitude toward mistakes. He was never afraid of being wrong—in fact, he actively asked for correction. During his mission, he would regularly ask companions, members, and people he taught to correct him when he misspoke or used the wrong word. He frequently asked questions about how to say things correctly or what the difference was between two words. He believes that being open to correction and learning from errors helped him progress much faster. In his view, you should never be ashamed of making mistakes if your goal is to improve.

For students preparing for the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) or anyone learning Spanish, Spencer emphasizes the importance of speaking regularly. He points out that reading and listening skills tend to hold up better over time, but speaking ability can decline quickly without use. He also encourages learners to ask a lot of questions and to welcome corrections from fluent speakers. As an enjoyable way to practice listening, he recommends listening to the Harry Potter books in Spanish. When it came time to take the OPI, Spencer wasn’t particularly nervous. Because his mission had given him plenty of experience with phone conversations in Spanish, the format felt familiar and comfortable.

Spencer’s experience highlights that language learning is not just about memorizing vocabulary or mastering grammar—it’s about being persistent, curious, and willing to step outside your comfort zone. His journey shows that fluency comes through consistent practice, meaningful interactions, and a positive attitude toward mistakes.