Starting Sat., Jan. 10, a new six-week Conversational Northern New Mexico Spanish Course will offer adult learners a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the living language and culture of the region. The course runs through Feb. 14, with weekly sessions held on Saturdays from 12-2 p.m.
Designed for adult non-native speakers, the program emphasizes practical, everyday Spanish enriched by the distinctive vocabulary and rhythms of Questa and surrounding communities. Participants will explore language tied to acequia traditions, community life, foodways, and the cultural expressions that make Northern New Mexico Spanish unique.
This course is more than a language class, it’s an invitation to understand the heartbeat of the community: how people speak, what they value, and how they come together. Each session will weave language learning with cultural context, creating a space for connection and shared experience.
The final week will feature an applied learning experience with local elders, culminating in a community potluck dinner showcasing Indigenous and traditional Northern New Mexico dishes—a celebration of language, heritage, and shared table.
The instructor, Pilar L. Robledo, is a longtime Questa resident and lifelong educator with over 35 years of experience teaching language, culture, and community-based learning worldwide. Though not a native “Questeña,” Robledo is deeply committed to local traditions and serves as a parciante with the Cabresto Lake Ditch Association, reflecting her active role in acequia culture.
What You Might Explore Each Week
Week 1:
Ways to introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and get a feel for the rhythm of Questa Spanish.
Week 2:
Building everyday conversation skills and noticing the courtesy language common in small towns.
Week 3:
Place-based vocabulary—words connected to acequias, parciantes, regada, local directions, and seasonal life.
Week 4:
Expressions tied to community gatherings and food traditions.
Week 5:
Opportunities to practice conversation in real-life scenarios.
Week 6:
Sharing language and stories with community elders, followed by a potluck featuring Indigenous and traditional Northern New Mexico foods.
Space is limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up soon to secure a spot.
