Mi Pueblo is a student-run network of Spanish conversation groups. This means that U of I students volunteer their time to lead 1-hour sessions in Spanish at different times and places around campus every week. Groups also get together throughout the semester for cultural events.
We have about 20 group leaders during the Fall and Spring semesters, and they run groups in pairs. We also have a summer network for U of I students who stay on campus June - August!
Please keep in mind that Mi Pueblo groups are NOT Spanish lessons. You must have some previous experience learning the language. If you would like to start learning Spanish, please register for classes through the UIUC Spanish Department. Once enrolled, we would be happy to help you practice what you learn!
Group facilitators publish their meeting times and locations on our Calendar and our Facebook page. You can even start communicating with facilitators to let them know that you are coming by sending an e-mail (all e-mails are listed in our Facilitator Directory) or replying to a Facebook post. However, most participants simply show up.
You can come to as many or few of the sessions as you like!
The groups are fluid, and each pair of group leaders has their own personality. Our conversation topics vary from talking about the news and weekend plans, to playing games like Catchphrase or Pictionary. It depends on your interest, and group leaders are happy to direct conversation toward topics you want to talk about.
Every pair of facilitators has an orange tablecloth, or mantel anaranjado, that they put on their table during each session. This is intended to make groups easier to find. If they have an orange tablecloth, they are probably Mi Pueblo!