Crossing the Cultural Divide in Panama
Posted by Lee on April 15, 2009
I have lived in Boquete Panama since August 2006. One of my first epiphanies after getting off the plane in Panama City was that in Panama, English is a second language. That may seem like a naive comment, but almost 100 years of US presence in Panama has influenced culture, cuisine and left an impact on language.
The history and affiliation between Panama and the US is a mixed blessing for Panama. In the context of immigration, of English speakers to Panama it has helped in marketing a perception of Panama being as “American” as, Nogales, Arizona, more “American” than Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, the sister city south of the border.
My point is that many people move to Panama to retire and think they can get by without learning Spanish. The truth is the people of Panama are so accustomed to English speakers that in many tourist areas and Boquete you can; but you miss so much.
When I arrived in Panama I spoke almost no Spanish. Now I get by and keep trying to learn more. Much as people in the US appreciate immigrants speaking English, Panamanians appreciate us speaking Spanish.
Perhaps more important in a selfish way, is you can accomplish more and save both time and money if you speak Spanish. Communication in Spanish opens the door into the culture of Panama, which is part of why I am here. You cannot really understand a culture without understanding the language, language effects thought processes.
Learning language keeps the brain agile. Many of us who have moved or are moving to Boquete are in our post career lives, the third life. Andrew Weil, doctor and author has written that one of the ways to fend off dementia is to learn a new language.
“The more education you have, I think, the better your memory is and the better it stays as you get older. I think there are some kinds of education that are particularly useful, like learning another language, so I urge people to make an effort to learn another language. You don’t have to master it; it’s just the act of trying to learn it that seems very useful. ” Interview Dr. Weil
It has even been claimed that learning a second language can delay the onset of Alzheimers.
Being somewhat selfish, I want to stay emotionally and mentally young. Those goals can be re-enforced by learning a new language and culture. For those of us in Boquete, that provides a great opportunity. We live in a Spanish speaking world, if we immerse in it.
Last year I travelled to Antiqua Guatemala to take a short immersion in Spanish. This year I have decided to continue my studies at Habla Ya in Boquete. Habla Ya is a destination for Spanish students from around the world and for me it is in the neighborhood. This month they offer a promotion for residents and despite the chaos of renovation and departing guests, I decided to start the process.
On Monday I went to Habla Ya and met Arelis, a delightful young mother from David. She commutes to Boquete to teach Spanish. Like the other Habla Ya teachers she has a degree in Spanish and like many she does not speak English. Until I went to Guatemala, I had no idea how I could learn Spanish from someone who could not understand me and who I could not understand. The amazing part is it works we can understand each other and over time learn to communicate.
Arelis and I spent an initial hour, a free hour. It started with her asking me questions to see what I understood and how I could answer and progressed into a dialog. We then moved into a class room where she began to teach. Individual instruction works for me, one on one discussion. We were able to talk, a real conversation and I learned. When I hit a wall on words, verbs or context she was able to set me straight.
I asked Arelis why I should spend money on going to school rather than using street immersion techniques. Although I already had one answer, I liked hers also. Arelis said in a school you will learn Spanish correctly, on the streets people are just trying to understand you and imperfect language, like mine works. The issue she omitted, is that in Boquete so many people speak English, that you can avoid Spanish altogether. In that context, the one many people live in, we all lose.
Habla Ya follows a concept of classroom teaching, conversation, field trips and afternoon activities. 
This classroom and immersion technique mirrors my experience in Guatemala but being in Boquete is so much easier, because I am already here. You can call, email or walk in to Habla Ya and ask for a free introduction class and see how it works for you.
If you are an English speaker, live in Boquete, want to keep your mind agile, learn a new culture, communicate with your neighbors and just have some fun growing, I suggest checking out the Habla Ya special. It is over in May when their busy season starts to fill the classrooms with extranjeros coming to Boquete to learn Spanish.
Comments
4 Responses to “Crossing the Cultural Divide in Panama”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
i wholeheartedly agree with you, lee, about the importance of learning (and communicating in) spanish, if you live in panama’.
i, personally, think it should be mandatory to speak fluent spanish – in order to have a permit or license to run a business here. it would be but a mere token of appreciation for us being able to make an income in such an impoverished country.
fair is fair…
It’s hard to learn a second language in the States since there are so few opportunities to use it. I really look forward to living overseas and having that opportunity.
Thanks for this post! I had looked through Habla Ya’s website already and a first-hand account is always appreciated.