Breaking down the language barrier

Learning a new language is never any easy feat however one Salisbury native, Ashleigh Smith,  used her language skills to teach in another country and hone her skills and now she’s repaying that favor.

Helena and Candela Gomez – Fernandez  met Smith nine years ago when she came to their hometown of Dilar, Spain a town on the outskirts of Granada.  The Gomez-Fernandez family quickly took Smith in and after years of Smith visiting them, Helena and Candela finally decided to make the adventure across the water.

For Smith, her travels have taken her not only to Spain, but Germany and other parts of Europe as well. Smith told 47 ABC that for her culture shock never hit her overseas. 

“You know I experienced culture shock more coming back to the U.S. that I see the real difference,” Smith said. “For me moving abroad or living abroad has taught me how great the U.S. is or what U.S. culture really is.’

Among the differences between the United States and Spain Smith says is the language requirement.
    
In Spain it’s mandatory that children learn English the Gomez-Fernandez girls tell 47 ABC, they start at six years old and it’s often times a requirement to have English as a second language for jobs.

Despite it being mandatory that students learn English, Smith says that doesn’t make the process any easier. Since Helena and Candela’s parents encourage the learning of English and their mother teaches the language to immigrants, Smith says the girls are more apt to take on the challenge of immersing themselves in English. 

“It’s hard to put yourself out there and cause their family values that I think they’re more willing to try,” Smith said.
 
Regardless of the language barrier  one thing transcends it all and makes them feel at home  the girls say, the hospitality here in Salisbury
 

“They treat us like family,” Helena said. 

“I think that’s the really cool thing, you have just families coming together. I was a stranger in their house and they took me in and now they’re here and people are treating them like family,” Smith said.