Spencer Brown

Spencer Brown’s journey to learning Spanish has been driven by immersion, active engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He started with three years of high school Spanish, but his skills grew significantly during his mission in Richmond, Virginia.

Immersion played a huge role in his progress. Having two native Spanish-speaking companions during his mission was invaluable, as their feedback helped him refine his language skills. To expand his vocabulary, he used flashcards and jotted down new words from his readings and conversations. He also carried a note card with five new words to practice each day, a habit he found especially helpful.

To maintain his Spanish, Spencer follows a few key habits. He listens to audiobooks, reads scriptures in Spanish, and makes it a point to call a Spanish-speaking friend once a week.

For Spencer, mistakes aren’t setbacks—they’re opportunities to grow. During his mission, he actively sought corrections from those he taught, as well as from members and companions. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions and saw every mistake as a chance to improve.

When preparing for the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), Spencer listened to Harry Potter in Spanish and continued his weekly phone calls. He advises those who are preparing for the OPI to get comfortable speaking—especially on the phone. He attributes his success to asking questions, constantly striving to improve, and, most importantly, not being afraid to make mistakes.