Language
There are over 6800 languages spoken in the world. Mandarin is the most widespread, with 800 million speakers. Spanish is number two, with 360 million, and English is third with 350 million speakers. It has been beneficial for me on this trip to be able to speak at least some of the language, a sharp contrast to my travels in Asia. It is rewarding and exciting in being able to communicate with all those you meet, and makes a trip more authentic and increases the potential for learning. Language is an important tool period, but very important when traveling abroad. But I digress! Back to the meat of the trip.
The homestay and Spanish school have been arranged. Both are through the nonprofit organization Fairplay, which empowers single mothers by training them to be Spanish teachers and giving them the opportunity to host wary travelers like me. There is an established curriculum (2 hours per day in the classroom, 2 hours per day at markets etc. practicing with the local Cuzconians..?) Anyways, it´s a good fit and I´m excited.
I move in this afternoon, school begins tomorrow. To learn more about Fairplay, visit their website at http://www.fairplay-peru.org
A quick note on the spelling of Cusco: The city council has delegated Qosqo, as the official spelling per the local Quechua language. However, my Lonely Planet guidebook uses Cuzco, and in English Cusco or Cuzco is correct, both the ¨s¨and the ¨z¨ forms are accepted in English.
Tags: 1, cusco spanish school, fairplay peru, learn spanish peru, peru, travel, volunteer peru
jfin
Hey, buddy, there are more than 350 million English speakers in the world. There are that many in the U.S. and Canada. Then, there are Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa………….