Alicia Nunez

I was really excited about the topic of this course with the opportunity to use my Spanish in a 300-level setting. THIS IS NOT WHAT I RECEIVED. Many of the readings for this class were in English, classes consisted of Nunez showing us random videos on YouTube Shorts somewhat related to the material and poorly made slideshows with lots in English, encouraging the use of Spanglish in a counter-productive way (as in I didn't improve my speaking, writing, or listening at all, which I would argue is the whole point), and being impossible to reach in office hours. The assignments were all over the place. She assigned us to read an entire book that we only discussed for a day, but also required us to read a book of our choosing on any border (in English or Spanish) and write a book report on that. She assigned a journaling project (about 4,000 words long to meet requirement) that was supposed to be completed throughout the course and act as out final, but did not provide any structure in the course to make sure that it was getting done before the very end. Reading her bio on the Middlebury website made me think that her impressive accomplishments in the realm of boarders at prestigious universities would have made her an excellent professor for this course, but that did not translate in her design of this course or her instruction. Very disappointing, especially because of the importance and pressing nature of the topic of the course that everyone signed up really wanted to dive into (may I add, in SPANISH!)

I was really excited about the topic of this course with the opportunity to use my Spanish in a 300-level setting. THIS IS NOT WHAT I RECEIVED. Many of the readings for this class were in English, classes consisted of Nunez showing us random videos on YouTube Shorts somewhat related to the material and poorly made slideshows with lot …Read more

I took the class with Baird. The class is super chill. There are three tests all semester which are very easy. Baird is awesome and is very friendly and creates a good class environment. The class was mostly grammar but we did have classes where all we did was talk with another classmate. Overall, great class.

She was amazing! Very understanding about peoples different levels of Spanish and encouraging. She explains complex grammar structures very well and I feel I was really able to learn in her class. I never felt nervous or judged about my lower level Spanish speaking abilities and enjoyed how Spanish culture was connected into the class.