Starts of the "Charla Latina" in Lasc

dublin | miscellaneous | event notice Tuesday September 12, 2006 00:08 by Charla Latina LASC

LASC, 5 Merrion Row Dublin 2

The ‘Charla Latina’discussion group provides

a forum for both Spanish language learning

and an exploration of development issues.

(Article published in Index Magazine and written by Rachel Dempsey).

As an organisation which aims to link Latin America and Ireland,

the Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC) has seen a constant

stream of people through its doors who are in various stages of

planning volunteering or travel in Latin America. About four years

ago, informal Latin American Spanish classes were started in the

cramped premises in Merrion Row, in order to prepare would-be

volunteers for their experiences. With more space and adminis-

tration staff, LASC has gradually been able to formalise these

classes and the organisation is now about to embark on the third

term of its new ‘Charla Latina’.

The Charla Latina is a discussion group on Latin American issues,

through the medium of Spanish. It attracts people from various

backgrounds – mainly those who have been to Latin America and

want to understand more about the issues and keep up their

language skills, or those planning a trip. Facilitated by two Latin

Americans living in Ireland, the Charla Latina, deals week by week

with development issues relevant to Latin America. The topic

(which can range from indigenous issues to the drugs trade) is

usually explored using methodologies suitable both for language

learning and development education – plenty of paired and small

group discussion, role-play, games, mingling exercises, and use of

images and music.

As Charla Latina is not a formal language class,there is an

extremely relaxed, friendly atmosphere, which lends itself to both

language practice and to pressure-free exploration of some quite

complex issues. There is also a strong intercultural emphasis, as the

group exchanges ideas and impressions with their Latin American

facilitators. The Charla Latina is open to anyone with intermediate

Spanish or above and startson the 14th of September

La Charla Latina

Next Term:)

When: Thursday evenings, 6pm to 7.30 pm

14 September 2006 - 23 November 2006 (10 weeks)

Where : at LASC office, 5 Merrion Row, Dub 2

Price: € 70 (10 weeks non refundable, except if LASC cancels and non-exchangeable)s.

Please see www.lasc.ie for booking form

Latin America Solidarity Centre, Dublin 2

E-mail: education@lasc.ie – Tel: 01 676 0435 – Web www.lasc.ie