Can Early Curiosity and Real-Life Conversations Lead to Spanish Fluency?

From Farm Fields to Fluency: Mary Herman

For Mary Herman, learning Spanish wasn’t just a goal, it was a lifelong journey sparked by childhood friendships and fueled by real-world connection. From her family’s farm in Pennsylvania to classrooms and conversations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Mary’s curiosity and dedication have shaped her into a more empathetic teacher and confident communicator. In this article, discover how working with her online Spanish teacher, Coach Francis, helped Mary move beyond flashcards to meaningful conversations, and how language continues to transform her life, both personally and professionally.

Mary Herman's connection to Spanish didn't start in a classroom or through an app; it began with a friendship on her family's farm in Pennsylvania. When she was eight, a family from Uruguay moved into her neighborhood. "We felt bad for them," she recalls, describing the language barrier that kept her family from fully connecting with their new neighbors. But Mary's curiosity about their language grew stronger with each passing day. "We just kept wanting to learn more and more to communicate with them," she says. Those early, simple exchanges planted a seed in Mary that would shape her life in unexpected ways.

Mary Herman

As Mary grew up, she stuck with Spanish as much as she could. From kindergarten through high school, she chose Spanish electives wherever possible. "It was exciting," Mary says, remembering how lessons were often taught through songs and chants. Now an elementary school teacher herself, she wishes her students could start learning Spanish at the same age.

"It normalizes learning another language," she believes, "and Spanish is the most valuable if you're in the United States."

But Mary's real breakthrough came during college when she had the chance to travel to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. For someone who'd grown up in a small town and had never even been on an airplane until age 19, the experience was overwhelming. "When I got home, I was just crying," she admits. Nicaragua's stark reality stayed with her and fueled her commitment to continue learning Spanish. That trip was more than eye-opening, as it deepened her motivation to honestly communicate with people across borders.

Mary visiting Costa Rica

Years later, Mary sought out Spanish55 to advance her skills further, which led her to Coach Francis. Their bond quickly became more than just teacher and student. "She's not only my Spanish teacher—she's my friend," Mary shares, adding that Francis's approach to teaching feels personal and tailor-made. Whether it's focusing on school-related vocabulary, medical phrases for situations with students, or sports lingo to help Mary chat with her husband, Francis has a knack for knowing what Mary needs before she even asks. "She just understands what I'm trying to get out of this," Mary says with a smile.

Coach Francis

Learning Spanish, however, has been a challenging path for Mary. "The subjunctive—oh, that one still gets me," she laughs, hinting at the grammatical puzzles that have kept her on her toes. But Francis has been patient, balancing corrections with encouragement. "She doesn't tear apart every sentence," Mary explains, appreciating that Francis lets her get her thoughts out, imperfections and all. It's the same approach Mary herself tries to use with her students, remembering what it feels like to be the one who's learning.

Over time, Mary has developed an ear for the regional accents and quirks in Spanish that come up in her conversations.

"I've learned that a word can mean one thing in Mexico and something different in Spain. Francis keeps me out of trouble there!" Mary laughs. 

Discovering the variations between countries has given her a deeper appreciation for the language and reminded her of how it mirrors the regional differences in English back home.

Learning Spanish has also added a new layer of empathy to Mary's role as a teacher. Now, when she encounters parents and students struggling with English, she understands that feeling of not quite fitting in with a language. "I've never been the one in a foreign country who can't speak the language," she admits, "but learning Spanish has shown me how hard that would be." That understanding, she believes, has made her a more compassionate educator and community member.

Mary's classroom

Before working with Francis, Mary had tried workbooks, apps, and flashcards but always felt that something was missing. "I used to do a page daily in a workbook, but it just wasn't the same as having someone to talk to," she says. Francis's teaching style has filled that gap, bringing structure, conversation, and consistency to Mary's learning.

"Working with Francis has been a game-changer," Mary notes, "it's one thing to study, but it's another to use the language in real conversations."

Looking forward, Mary hopes to reach a level of fluency where she doesn't have to overthink each word, especially in interactions with students' families. "I just want to be able to respond naturally," she says. And it seems her enthusiasm has inspired her husband to start learning Spanish, too. Mary has no plans of slowing down. With Coach Francis by her side, she's determined to keep pushing her Spanish to new heights, driven by the same curiosity that began years ago on her family's farm.

Want to hear Mary’s story in her own words?
Tune in to her interview on our podcast, Conquering Spanish: Interviews with Learners, where she shares more about her journey, from farm fields to fluency, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.