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LANGUAGE Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers Conversation groups hope to attract Spanish speakers Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News Organizers of new Spanish-English language groups had envisioned people who speak English and those who speak Spanish chatting during meetings, learning each other's language and bridging the divide that sometimes exists between the Anglo and Latino communities in the Rogue Valley. But so far, the groups that launched in January have met with little success in their efforts to attract more Spanish-speaking people to the groups, which are mainly attended by native English speakers with beginning to advanced levels of Spanish skills. "We really have to reach out to Spanish speakers. So many work and have families. They just don't have the time," said Shelley Austin, a volunteer leader of a group that meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave. Another group meets from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Talent library, 101 Home St. "We've worked very hard to attract native Spanish speakers to the group and it just hasn't happened," said Patricia Larson, who helped organize the Talent group. In hopes of attracting more native Spanish speakers, the Talent group is hosting a festive, casual gathering with refreshments from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the library. Members are still hammering out details for the event. But they hope to draw in fresh faces by piggybacking on the popularity of the nearby Talent Artisans and Growers Market, which will have its season-opening market from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. that night at the corner of Main and John streets in Talent. In the meantime, the groups have come up with fun, inventive ways to help the people who do come sharpen their ability to speak and understand Spanish. One member of the Talent group recently delivered a presentation in Spanish about his hike across Spain on a road traveled by religious pilgrims. He told of visiting centuries-old "iglesias," or churches, along the way and showed off mementos from the walk, including a necklace with a shell and first-aid supplies for blistered feet. Another member described her adventures in Costa Rica and showed photos of wildlife. On one recent Tuesday, the Talent group played bingo. They visited with each other in Spanish and tried to mark squares on a bingo sheet for finding someone who likes "cocinar" (to cook), someone who speaks "tres idiomas" (three languages), someone who "no tiene hermanos" (has no brothers) and someone who has "vacas" (cows.) The Medford group recently acted out its own drama modeled after Mexican soap operas, with a whole cast of staple characters. Some people in the group were able to speak only a few words and sentences, but others delivered television-worthy performances. "It was fun. We had a great time," Austin said. "We had the boss, the loser boyfriend, the twins fighting over the loser boyfriend and a neighbor with a secret about the boyfriend." Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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