‘Dos Amigas’ teach the value of learning Spanish on The Murfreesboro Post

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‘Dos Amigas’ teach the value of learning Spanish

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By: ERIN EDGEMON, Business Editor

Posted: Sunday, August 3, 2008 7:25 am

Wherever she goes, Spanish teacher Country Rayburn hears from people who say they would like to learn to speak the language.

This, in addition to the love of teaching, prompted friends Rayburn, Siegel High School Spanish teacher, and Jennifer Manivong, a former high school Spanish teacher, to start their own business teaching Spanish to children and adults.

So far, Dos Amigas, which means two female friends, is teaching Spanish to area Mommy and Me classes, preschools and mission groups. Rayburn and Manivong also are available for private classes and tutoring and for translation services.

Manivong is currently teaching Mommy and Me Spanish classes at Hamilton Road United Methodist Church in Antioch.

“You can use it so much in this country,” Rayburn said, referring to the large number of Spanish-speaking people and the need to learn the language.

According to the U.S. Census, the number of Hispanics in the U.S grew by 57.9 percent between 1990 and 2000 from 22.4 million people to 35.3 million people.

The U.S. has the fifth largest Hispanic population worldwide, and by 2050 the number of Hispanics in the country is expected to grow to more than 100 million.

Reportedly, Spanish is the second most used language in international communication.

“If you are a business person, it will help your business if you speak Spanish,” Rayburn said.

Dos Amigas is just the latest Spanish instruction company based in Middle Tennessee.

Angelique St. Clair, owner of the Spring Hill-based Bravo Ninos!, offers Spanish-language instruction to preschool children through Middle Tennessee since 2003.

She often offers classes to children at Patterson Park Community Center.

Rayburn said knowing how to speak Spanish has made traveling the world easier. She also can start conversations with people when she takes her children to the park.

“For kids, it is the perfect time for them to pick up a second language,” Manivong said. “These children read quicker and have better cognitive thinking.”

St. Clair said the preschool age is the “golden years” for teaching Spanish.

“Children are learning their world anyway,” she said. “Their minds are like sponges. They are absorbing everything.”

Children are taught the Spanish language through hands on activities and games, songs and the reading of translated books.

“They don’t realize they are learning.” Rayburn said. It is more play-oriented.”

Soon though, children are picking up the language, she said.

Rayburn earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish education from Tennessee State University. Manivong has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Lipscomb University and a master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

Dos Amigas
Owners: Courtney Rayburn and Jennifer Manivong
969-4872
www.dosamigasteach.com

Bravo Ninos!
Owner: Angelique St. Clair
479-5077
www.bravoninos.com
www.bravoninos.blogspot.com

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Member Opinions:

By: alingo2001 on 8/9/08
Please explain to me why we are having to teach our kids to speak spanish. The Mexicans are coming to our country. They can learn to speak our language or go home.

By: stregha on 8/9/08
it should be invaluable to learn english! im 31 years old, im not going to learn to speak spanish to please the people who cant. i will not cater to the needs of someone who can as easily speak my languge! this is AMERICA. we speak english here. when i go to france, or germany i will learn to speak french, or german. because thats THIER country. just like this is OUR country. but i tell you, it doesnt feel much like it anymore!

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