By Felicia Palomo, Pulse staff writer
The future looks bright for students here at PAC, but it looks even brighter for bilingual students for a number of reasons.
“Being bilingual opens up one’s horizons and perspectives to other cultures and opens your world to others,” said Evangeline Velez-Cobb, an Instructor of Spanish in the Foreign Languages Department at PAC. “Knowing who you are and where you come from is extremely important and builds your self esteem.”
“The more people you can interact with, the more business for the company, which is what employers love,” said Velez-Cobb. “A higher paying salary is one of the many benefits that bilingual students have to look forward to in the future.”
Aurelia Palacios, a sophomore Radiation Therapy major here at PAC, said, “I feel being bilingual is very important because it opens a lot of opportunities in jobs and in everyday life, especially in a state as diverse as Texas.”
Being bilingual also has helped Palacios when job hunting and with her studies.
“Being bilingual has given me an upper hand when applying for positions; I am usually the only one who can speak Spanish at my job,” said Palacios. “It has also helped me in school with medical terminology and biology because many of the root words are of Latin origin.”
Amanda Morales, the senior adviser of graduation in the Academic Transitions office here at PAC, said, “It is never too late to start learning another language.”
Morales also said if students are interested in learning a second language, it can be done but it does take dedication and hard work. Watching your favorite movie in a second language or listening to music in another language is an easy way to start learning.
Morales also said that when children are taught a second language at an early age, it helps the brain develop in a way that helps them learn better. She said that being bilingual makes you a well-rounded person and if learning a second language teaches your brain to take in information better, then why not?
“Knowing a second language is not only good for your future, but also your culture,” said Morales. “Many people tend to lose touch with their roots, and learning the language of your culture can be very enriching.”
Velez-Cobb led a Study Abroad Program in the summer of 2013 to Spain. Students involved in this program visited Madrid and Salamanca. While on the Study Abroad Program, students earn college credit while opening up their horizons to other cultures and lifestyles.
“Knowing one language, you only see one perspective. But when you are bilingual, you are able to see things from a different light,” said Velez-Cobb, who looks forward to another four-week study abroad to Spain this summer. She encourages students to join.
For more information on the Spain Study Abroad, contact Evangeline Velez-Cobb via email at evelez-cobb@alamo.edu or contact the college district’s Study Abroad Office at 210-485-0084.
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