Spanish for Life

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Go! Get out there! ¡A por ello!

For a few years, I felt completely stuck—trapped in my own head, held back by a fear I couldn’t even name.

That’s why I vanished for a while 👻.

Determined to figure out what was really holding me back (and finally conquer it), I enrolled in an intense, 8-day program designed to dismantle mental blocks.

It was way outside my comfort zone.

But the real kicker came at the end.

Each participant had to dress up and “embody” a specific persona—then dance 💃🕺 in front of everyone.

Knowing that dancing was my kryptonite—my #1 phobia—they gave me the persona of a famous Russian ballet dancer. (Mikhail Baryshnikov, anyone?)

I spent the day scouring thrift stores for leggings that fit and the most ballet-ish top I could find.

Then I had to perform in front of 15–20 people, all of them staring at me for a solid five to seven minutes. 👀😱

I leapt, twirled, and spun—trying every ballet move I knew (three, learned from YouTube).

By the end, I was drenched in sweat 💦 and gasping for air 😮‍💨.

And you know what?

I did look ridiculous—but I didn’t care.

The feeling afterward was exhilarating.

✨ When you stare one of your greatest fears in the face and survive, it rewires something in you—suddenly, everything else feels possible. ✨

I’m fortunate that speaking to strangers in Spanish has never been a big hurdle for me.

But after a decade of making videos, I’ve learned that for many of my students, random Spanish conversations are their kryptonite.

Maybe you’re fine chatting with your teacher or iTalki partner… but does the idea of striking up a conversation with a taxi driver—or an old man on a park bench (my personal favorite)—feel like leaping off a cliff?

I get it. It’s scary.

But here’s the tough truth: your willingness to speak with strangers directly affects how quickly your Spanish improves.

Teachers and iTalki partners often speak in ways you’ll easily understand (which is great!), but if you only talk to the same people, you miss out on a world of new vocabulary, accents, slang, and real-life pacing.

The good news? Talking to strangers is a skill.

The more you do it, the less terrifying it feels, and the better you get at it.

And the reward can be life-changing.

I’ll never forget my first conversation with strangers in Spanish.

I was 22, broke, sitting on a bench by the water in Barcelona, backpack at my feet, with nowhere to sleep that night.

A young couple came up and asked, “¿Tienes mechero?” (Do you have a lighter?)

My heart was pounding, hands shaking, but I managed to say, “Sí, sí, tengo mechero.”

Just like that, I was having a real conversation in Spanish—with total strangers.

It was short, clumsy, but so beautiful.

I got up from that bench and danced my way through Barcelona (not literally) and had countless experiences that left me buzzin’.

Because I knew I could… because I did… which showed me I could…

A virtuous circle!

That’s exactly what I want for you.

If speaking with strangers in Spanish is your kryptonite, please—lean into it.

Embrace it–especially if it scares you.

It’s so worth it.

You’ll speak better Spanish, faster, and get the “Spanish High” that always keeps you coming back for more. 😉

So, get out there!

Talk to strangers.

Then, dance your way through the day (whatever that looks like for you).

Hasta luego,
Jordan

A good read for world language teachers at any level - focus on communicative competence and profiency should be the goal!

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"Hacer el agosto" is a Spanish idiomatic expression that translates literally to "to make the August." However, its figurative meaning is more akin to "to make a killing" or "to hit the jackpot." It refers to taking advantage of a particular time or opportunity to make a significant profit, often during a peak season or a time when business is especially good.