Torry Sawatzky

Spanish Language and Culture Certificate (2010)
Teaching Second Languages Certificate (In Progress)

An occasional traveller, Torry Sawatzky, decided in 2007 to take a Spanish class. Little did she know it was the beginning of a learning adventure that would extend well into her future...perhaps through to her retirement years.

"I thought learning Spanish would be easy. But soon discovered it was a bit more challenging than I'd expected. I enjoyed it though, so I continued," says Torry, a data management specialist with the City of Calgary. "When I heard about the certificate program I decided I'd go for it, I thought since I was going to continue, I might as well have the certificate."

Now, having completed the program, Torry continues to take advanced Spanish classes to further refine her speaking and grammar skills. Although she can speak confidently now, she enjoys the classes and continues to improve.

Torry's experience in Continuing Education's Spanish program has been a good one. She's met people along the way and has thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in class and at cultural events. "I had some of the same people in classes from Spanish 1 through 8....you really do get to know the people in class...so that's great."

And now Torry's interest in Spanish language and culture has led her to a new plan...and a new challenge. In addition to the higher levels of Spanish classes, she has also begun taking classes toward the Teaching Second Languages Certificate program offered through Continuing Education. She hopes to one day teach ESL in Latin American countries after she retires.

Torry has a theory about Continuing Education: "You enrol in class and then you just enjoy it. I don't worry about being the best in class. I enrol because I know it will be fun and I like meeting the people."

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