Mexico City, Mexico. Despite the sadness provoked by the pandemic, what is certain is that not all was bad news. The Euskal Etxea in Mexico told EuskalKultura.eus that the crisis provoked by the pandemic has now provided the possibility to learn Basque all over the territory. Everything began when Mexico City entered into code red and had to close the Basque club, and along with that, its classrooms. This prompted Basque instructors to adapt and begin teaching in new ways: Euskara online, yet, but interacting face to face.
The idea caught on. The same day that they announced the course and opened enrollment, they had to close it since it filled with 12 students immediately. Almost all of these were outside the capital, residing in places like Toluca, Cuernavaca or Querétaro. “Before, when we announced our Basque classes, we use to receive messaged from many places across the country, but unfortunately we had no classes in their respective towns,” Basque teacher, Gurutzne Etxeberria said.
Etxeberria herself had doubt and was a little afraid of teaching classes online, since she herself confesses, “there is nothing like being close to the student to teach any language.” Classes began last Wednesday and although her fears clouded her sleep the day before, she is happy with the result obtained.
Right now, with Mexico City now under a code orange, Etxeberria’s students can return to the classroom, but she will continue to teach online taking Euskera beyond the capital. Not only this, the success enjoyed by the initiative has the club’s directors considering opening a new group.
For more information on these Basque classes email gurutzne1@hotmail.com.
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