Spanish With A Purpose
New Sessions Start
Week of November 2nd!
You absolutely can learn Spanish and learn it for a purpose! That's why we started Spanish for Social Justice, a program that now teaches hundreds of students across the country. We're helping educators, lawyers, and activists learn the kind of Spanish you won't find in a textbook, all while building community along the way
Below, you'll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive. We hope this helps you decide to join us - and maybe inspires you to bring a few more folks into our community, too!
If you still have questions, don't hesitate to reach out!
Do I need to live in New England to take these courses?
No, you don’t! We know social justice movements cross state lines and city limits, and our solidarity does too. Our classes are virtual and accessible from anywhere - just keep an eye on time zones, since we operate on EST!
Do I need to be an activist or a “social justice person” to join?
Not necessarily. While these courses are shaped by a commitment to addressing injustice, we don’t require you to be “active.” Just know that the space will include people who care deeply about equity and justice and you’ll still learn Spanish. Who knows? The conversations might even inspire you to get more involved!
How do I know which course level I should take?
In the Courses tab on our website, we describe the target audience for each level. Use these descriptions as a guide to assess where you fit. The two most important factors are a) how much previous Spanish instruction you’ve had and b) how recently you took classes. A good rule of thumb: round up (toward a more advanced placement) if your Spanish instruction was recent and round down if it’s been a while.
Still unsure? We’re always happy to talk through your situation over email. And remember, we’re flexible! You can always switch courses if we need to adjust for difficulty.
What happens when a class date falls on a holiday?
If your class falls on a national holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving or Christmas Day), we’ll likely reschedule it for the last week of the session. If this applies to your class, we’ll share more details at the start of the session so everyone can plan ahead!
Should I sign up if I’ll be away some weeks this season?
There’s no right or wrong answer! If you know you’ll miss two or more classes, you can always consider joining a different class day or catching up on your own using the materials we cover. All class materials and supplemental resources are available online for you to review. We’ve also been experimenting with short lesson recordings, although these are not guaranteed for every class.
We know some folks worry about falling behind, but we believe there’s real value in being part of a learning community. Even if you miss a class or two, what matters most is that you come back and keep learning with - and from - each other!
I’m struggling financially and can’t pay much. What can I do?
Because we believe in this work, we don’t turn away values-aligned activists. We work out pricing directly with students. Just email me at jonathan@spanishforsocialjustice.com, and we’ll figure it out together.
Will I get graded?
No. We take a participatory approach -students actively engage with the material. We don’t do traditional tests but we do offer reviews and homework to help you stay on track. Sometimes, we also have end-of-session final projects that revisit past material. That way, you always have time to catch up and work independently so no need to procrastinate!
Do you provide a receipt for the course fee?
Yes! If you need a receipt for your course payment, just contact us, and we'll be happy to provide one.
Do you provide a certificate of course completion?
Yes! Certificates of completion for Spanish for Social Justice (S4SJ) are available upon request.