Learn conversational Spanish for free at Wauconda library

For the first time ever, Wauconda Area Library is offering a program for individuals who want to learn conversational Spanish or practice the Spanish they've learned in the past.

The first course of "Beginning Conversational Spanish" was held Jan. 7, and was well attended. Additional classes will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and 18. The program is free, and registration is not required.

Brian Buckley, a full-time bilingual teacher at Wauconda Middle School and part-time public service associate at the library, is teaching the classes. Buckley is accustomed to working with children, but thinks there's a demand for such a program among adults.

"A lot of people tell me they want to learn Spanish, or that they learned the language but don't have an opportunity to practice speaking it," Buckley said. "I'm super excited about teaching the class."

Perhaps the biggest perk is that the classes are free.

"I haven't seen any such classes that are free," said Buckley, who studied Spanish in high school and college, and worked at a private school in Mexico for two years.

Participating patrons can supplement what they learn in the class by using the library's free Mango Languages resource. Mango offers 12 complete courses and 25 basic courses that focus on phrases needed when traveling. The program is for English-language speakers who want to learn a foreign language and also for people who want to learn to speak English.

The Wauconda Area Library is at 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Visit wauclib.org.