Benefiting From Mexican Culture

Thank you for Gordon Smith’s article pointing out the advantages of learning Spanish at a Mexican language school (“Students Take Fast Route to Learning Spanish,” Nov. 29). Recently I returned from a few months in Cuernavaca where I studied at the Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies and lived with a wonderful Mexican family. I work at St. Joseph Center in Venice and wanted to be able to speak with the Latino people who live in the area.

Not only did I learn to speak Spanish (I knew only a few words when I arrived), but I came to understand and appreciate Mexican history and culture. Visiting the Anthropological Museum in Chapultepec Park, climbing the Pyramid of the Sun outside Mexico City and participating in a Good Friday procession in a nearby town were experiences which have left a lasting impression.

As a consequence, I returned to Los Angeles with two desires: to continue to speak and study Spanish and to return to Mexico to expand and deepen my understanding of its rich and ancient culture.

MARILYN T. SCHAFER

Los Angeles