January 18, 2005

CANTON, Mississippi - A Total Immersion Spanish language course is scheduled for February 25-27 at the Duncan M. Gray Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, near Canton, Mississippi. The workshop is presented for the third consecutive year by the Diocese of Mississippi, and for the first time Province IV Hispanic Ministries.

This intensive course in the Spanish language is the vision of the Rev. Canon Yamily Bass-Choate, canon for Hispanic Ministries of the Diocese of Mississippi and coordinator for Hispanic Ministries in Province IV.

Bass-Choate said that this workshop is part of her ministry to open the doors to increasing cross-cultural communication. She also organizes a mobile vacation Bible school, called DeColores, for the Diocese of Mississippi. DeColores is for congregations that desire a summer ministry for children but don't have volunteers or resources. Churches that participate are encouraged to spread the word making sure that children from all cultures are included.

Bass-Choate said that teaching language is an experience of "bridging gaps and breaking down barriers" that emphasizes the presence of Christ in all people.

According to Bass-Choate, research and statistics state that in order for churches to continue to grow over the next 50 years, they must embrace the Spanish speaking community. She said the U.S. Census Bureau proves that Spanish is "really not a foreign language in the U. S. anymore."

The Total Immersion Spanish workshop will be led by licensed instructors in the Command Method, which eliminates much of the grammar instruction found in most language programs. Beginners will learn basic phrases and words while more advanced participants will boost their confidence in speaking the language.

"We give them the key to unlock the language, and the whole weekend is spoken in Spanish," explained Bass-Choate. "A contract is signed in the beginning so there is no English spoken."

Nonetheless, she said previous workshops have taught them that the availability of a respite from the experience is necessary. This year's participants will have the option of dining at an all English, Spanish or English/Spanish speaking table.

Bass-Choate said Total Immersion Spanish workshop has been extremely valuable to dentist, clergy, lawyers, nurses, doctors, and other health professionals and support personnel who interact with the Latin American population.

For more information or registration visit http://www.dioms.org/ or call 601-969-9461.

Episcopal News Service