I am a self taught Spanish speaker, if I can do it then so can you! Let's enjoy language, culture and music and turn these lessons into fiestas!

My name is Carmela Piraino AKA Nina. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY to an American mother and an immigrant father and uncles. From as early as my memory will allow, I remember laughter and Sicilian banter filling up our home. My parents and uncles spoke Sicilian among each other which was interesting considering my mother did not grow up speaking Sicilian. Although her father was a Italian immigrant himself, he only spoke his dialect of Calabrese to his family back home. When I went to high school I chose Italian as my foreign language class. It was then I took an interest in languages and the cultures that accompany them. I began practicing correct Italian at home and continued on into my late teens. In early 2001 I began to take an interest in the Spanish language. I visited Mexico for the first time 18 months later and whatever interest I had in Spanish was heightened due to that experience. Upon my return home I began reading Spanish books, watching Spanish TV shows and news to learn conversational skills. In between my college semesters I would visit various cities in Mexico to immerse myself into the culture and colloquialisms. I began taking advanced Spanish elective courses in college to master the language. When I was hired by the NYC Board of Education in 2002 I was given a bilingual title. It has been over 20 years since I've taught myself Spanish. It has broadened by world and afforded me opportunities I would not have had otherwise. I look forward to embarking on this linguistic journey with you!