Studying languages in Las Vegas
My love affair with Las Vegas started when I came to Vegas as a student. I studied an Italian course in the languages dep. of Las Vegas University and since being in the city, I have struggled ever to leave. If you are looking to study languages in Vegas you have a few options open to you. These include:
- The afore mentioned Language department in LV University.
- Private lessons in the city. There are several teachers offering private 1-to-1 and 1-to-more lessons in a variety of languages, including Italian, Chinese, Portuguese and French. The U.S. version of Gumtree on Gumtreeads.com is a great starting point.
- The 'Las Vegas Weekly' magazine has a good listings section for the language learning opportunities which take place weekly and continuously.
- If you are in Vegas to learn English, the International Academy of English also provides a great option and is well respected.
Each language has its own attributes we have indirectly built some ideas about tongues that have to do with the way in which we see the culture behind the language itself. For 
example, when we think of German, the words that in general come to our minds are “strict” and “tough”. On the other hand, when we think of Chinese, we may come up with “pitch”, “loud” and “difficult”. When I was studying Portuguese lessons Chicago, students often saw it as being similar to Spanish and in many ways this is true. The similarities with Brazilan Portuguese were often discussed. Languages are such a part of our culture that fo rme studying a language was as much interesting for what it taught me about the culture as much as it taught me a new language.
The Brazilian joy is something we can perceive in any expression of their culture. For instance, when we listen to their music – axé is characterized by happiness – or when we watch their people dance. Also, Brazilians are the kind of people you just want to meet. They are good fun outgoing people, always laughing, making jokes and trying to make you feel well. This is reflected in their language as well. Lindo maravilhoso! is a Brazilian saying that literally means “Beautiful, marvelous!” Brazilians like to gush about beauty and how amazing things are. The expression: “Um beijo! or Um abraço!” literally translates as “a kiss or a hug”. Brazilians are very affectionate people and they often finish a conversation with a friend or a familiar person saying “Um beijo” (if a girl or a man is talking with a girl) or “Um abraço” (mostly used by men talking to other men). The Spanish speaking people have the same habit. In Argentina, for instance, people kiss on the cheek to say “hello” or “goodbye”, in a friendly environment. Sometimes they do so in formal contexts as well. In fact, Spanish and Portuguese have many words in common, and this is a reflection of the cultural aspects they share.
When experiencing the Spanish classes Houston offered me, the lessons created the chance for me to also get involved with the Spanish community in the local area and these opportunities to experience the real life in American cities makes me love learning languages.
Learn more about the University of Nevada in Vegas.
