Want to know how to say more than taco, burrito and hola?

Free beginning Spanish classes are being offered to all Putnam City employees beginning the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 3. The first class will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Apollo Elementary School, and be repeated at the same time and place through early May.

The class is already so popular that an additional class has been created. More than 50 employees signed up for the class, causing it to be split in two. One class will meet Thursdays, while the other class will meet Tuesdays. If additional employees sign up, more classes will be created, says ESL/Foreign Language Coordinator Terry Payne.

Payne says the district now has about 2,000 Spanish-speaking students. While students are being taught English as quickly as possible – the number of district ESL teachers has been more than tripled – there is still value in employees increasing their Spanish skills. Bridging language gaps with students and parents helps instruction and administrative tasks, Payne says. According to Payne, district Spanish classes will focus specifically on language that will help employees do their job better.

To sign up for a class, contact Payne at 495-5200, ext. 1223, or Esther Hou at 495-5200, ext. 1220.