SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For its 33rd year, the Intensive Spanish Summer Institute (ISSI) at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has come to a close, wrapping up a week filled with celebration and education as more than 400 students studied grammar and a wide variety of distinct cultures from across the Spanish-speaking world through 16 levels of instruction. 

During its inception in 1994, ISSI was created by Sue O’Conner, former bilingual coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, and Diane Rosner, former Dean of Instruction at LTCC. The program’s aim was to bridge gaps in the development of the Spanish language and culture for teachers, both in community occupations and within the unified school district. 

Starting with just three levels of Spanish while serving 145 students, ISSI has blossomed over the last 33 years into an immersive and unforgettable experience. With levels ranging from beginner to high-superior, participants are given opportunities to develop their Spanish language skills through grammar instruction, mini-courses, conversation, and cultural breakouts that include literature, music, dance, film, culinary arts, and more. 

“One of the hallmarks of this [program] is to show that Spanish, like English, is not a monolithic language. This is a language that is spoken in 22 different countries as an official language,” said Sarah Harmon, a long-time adjunct college professor who has taught Spanish and Linguistics for over 20 years. 

Harmon first instructed at ISSI in 2022 before running the entire academic side of the program in 2023, and while people of all ages have traveled from all over the country to participate in ISSI, the preparation and organization for the week-long program is no easy feat. Harmon is teaching Brandon Scutt, ISSI’s newest academic coordinator, how to bring the academic side of ISSI all together.

Like Harmon, Scutt started his journey with ISSI as an instructor in 2018. He’s been teaching Spanish for 20 years, and aside from ISSI week, you can find him in the classrooms of Truckee High School.  

Together, Harmon and Scutt share a love for ISSI and all the unique ways it has enhanced the lives of students looking to strengthen their Spanish.  

“This is an opportunity for you to be immersed in the language for an entire week. So it’s almost like traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, but you can do it right here in Tahoe,” Scutt said. 

A day in the life of an ISSI participant earning 2.5 units of credit starts with a conversation or warm-up followed by grammar instruction. Monday through Thursday afternoons, students can attend a series, where the instructor picks one topic and builds on it across those four days, allowing students to go deeper into a subject over the course of the week. 

From Tuesday through Friday afternoon, participants are given a choice to attend breakouts of their choosing, and there are different ones each day. The classes are a little more than an hour long and immersive engaging.

There are several ways to choose a breakout – you can go by what interests you, deciding between themes including culture, history, grammar/vocabulary, and travel. You can also choose a breakout by skill level or by day. Watercolor painting, Latin American magical realism, Mexican cinema, culinary traditions of Puerto Rico and Colombia, the array of choices is astounding. 

“We focus a lot on grammar with core grammar classes, but you really can’t separate the culture from the language. It’s why we learn the language. That’s what connects us,” said Scutt. 

The Tribune was lucky enough to sit in on one breakout in particular: “La ceremonia de mate: Mucho más que sólo una bebida – The Mate Ceremony: Much more than just a drink”. 

Taught by profesora Makela Brizuela, Argentina’s most iconic drink, yerba mate, was brought into the spotlight as students discovered its Indigenous origins, the customs and etiquette for sharing the drink, as well as the reasons it has continued as a tradition in everyday life across Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil.  

As students sat at their desks and listened to Brizuela, they were given several spoonfuls of loose leaf mate to smell and touch before receiving a cup and verbal instructions to create their own yerba mate tea using a packet of raw sugar, hot water and a mate spoon (bombilla). Their smiles of delight as they tasted their creation were reflected throughout the room. 

“I really love this program,” said ISSI participant Sacha Ortega after the breakout. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to practice Spanish, hear Spanish, speak Spanish with your friends and make new friends, and of course, spend a week in Tahoe.”

Ortega traveled to Tahoe from San Francisco to participate in ISSI for her fourth year in a row. Being a student again is what Ortega said she enjoys most, and her goal is to eventually become fully fluent in the language and enjoy her retirement in a Spanish-speaking country. 

Friday afternoon of ISSI week typically ends with a fiesta as everyone enjoys delicious food, live music and celebrations.

During the fiesta, the Tribune spoke with Aaron Greig, another student at ISSI. Like Ortega, Greig journeyed to Lake Tahoe just for the program. His son wanted to get better at Spanish and it turned into a family affair. Coming from Berkeley, he, his wife and their son split up at LTCC, tackling ISSI individually and at their own pace.

“We thought, ‘Let’s all go to Tahoe and learn Spanish together!'” Greig said. “The energy here is wonderful and positive. The community feeling is palpable.” 

Harmon noted how grateful she is that the Lake Tahoe community and LTCC have embraced ISSI and the participants who come to the basin for the program. From Jeff DeFranco, LTCC’s outgoing Superintendent and President to the local businesses and CONNECT who handles ISSI’s decorations, vendors and the event side of the program, Harmon said their support means everything. 

As ISSI wrapped up its 33rd run, new friends hit it off, new skills were built, and new memories were made. 

“If you’re somebody who’s local and you’re on the sidelines about participating, maybe just take the plunge and do it because there’s so many great opportunities during this week and we’d really love to see people participate in our program,” Scutt added. 

To learn more, visit https://www.ltcc.edu/academics/specialized_programs/issi/index.php.