Student and Alumni Voices
What are some of your best memories during your time studying languages at Tennessee Tech?
The best memories I have from studying Spanish at Tennessee Tech are centered around the friendships made in class. Many of us were in the same classes year after year, and those relationships made a more supportive and engaging learning environment.
— Sonni Mackzum (2012, International Cultures and Business)
I have met some amazing people in both of my Spanish classes and that is largely due to the interactive learning style in these language classrooms. My professors have both done an amazing job at engaging students and making Spanish fun to learn.
— Katie Wilkins (2027, Nursing, Spanish minor)
I have really enjoyed learning about new cultures and making new friends while learning. Due to the smaller class sizes, I have been able to make closer acquaintances with fellow students, which is different from other larger programs of study. Many of the friends I met in my first language class are the same ones I continued to see until my last.
— Brittany Carlile (2024, Biology and Spanish)
Some of my best memories are those fun moments in class where we worked in groups on various questions and activities. Not only did we practice Spanish together, but we also built strong friendships along the way. The shared challenges and successes in learning helped us bond, and it felt like we were all growing, both in our language skills and as individuals.
— Ashley Portilo (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
I loved the camaraderie you develop in the smaller classes that you share with a lot of the same people over the years. I truly enjoy foreign languages, so being able to immerse myself with like-minded people was gratifying and interesting. I loved participating in the Avant-Garde French club and its events and trips- I can make darn good crêpes now. The French conversation hour was such a great activity … It was such a good exercise that was always fun, yet underappreciated at the time.
— Mary (Manneschmidt) Barnacz (2014, French and International Business and Culture)
My best memories studying German are just talking about random topics in German. My language class has always been an amazing break in my day where I don’t do math, but rather simply talk. It’s an exercise on the brain like nothing else.
— Caden Holmes (2024, Mechanical engineering)
My professors made me feel welcome and are very understanding about many things.
— Nancy Martinez (2028, Political Science, Spanish minor)
The Study Abroad experience is the highlight, of course. It's life changing! I enjoyed getting into the small, major specific classes toward the end of my career, as well as the literature and advanced composition class. I remember feeling proud of myself after my Capstone project, like I had actually learned the language well by the end of my time at Tech. I have fond memories of the Spanish club, too.
— Kayla Cardio (2012, Spanish, Secondary Education)
What qualities did you appreciate in your professors and about your classes?
My professors gave me rigorous work so that I was challenged, but enough support and resources so as to not completely overwhelm and discourage me. I appreciated my professors teaching in the target language and creating an environment with a low affective filter where students were held to the expectation of communicating in the target language, but not ridiculed for mistakes.
— Kayla Cardio (2012, Spanish and Secondary Education)
In my experience, class size greatly impacts the quality of education, especially when you’re learning another language. Trust and confidence are key to practicing and improving language skills. Our class sizes were always small, so I had better opportunities to engage meaningfully with my peers and professors.
— Sonni Mackzum (2012, International Business and Culture)
I appreciate the willingness, kindness, and dedication that each of my professors allocate towards my journey, but most of all I appreciate their enthusiasm and passion and energy that they devote to their classes. Each class is unique because each professor teaches differently. They are funny, wise, and caring. During their classes, the professors take time to incorporate jokes and fun activities. Overall, they bring the language and its culture to life. I would recommend their classes to everyone.
— Autumn Shrum (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
I appreciate how my professors create a comfortable environment in the classroom, and I do not feel judged or unnecessary pressure to not mess up. They constantly remind us that it is ok to make mistakes, and people will understand what we mean, even if we are not speaking with perfect grammar. They make class super fun with different learning games and competitions. I feel as though I get a lot of practice speaking and forming my own sentences during class.
— Katie Wilkin (2027, Nursing, Spanish minor)
I really appreciated how friendly and approachable the professors were. They were genuinely invested in our success, both academically and personally. The smaller class sizes were also a huge plus—it made the learning experience more individualized, and you got to know your classmates and professors on a deeper level. That sense of community really enhanced the overall experience.
— Ashley Portillo (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
The professors do their best to make the classes very interactive, and they help you understand along the way. My Spanish classes are my favorite part of college, to be honest.
— Kaila Ogle (2024, Spanish, International Business and Culture)
[My professors] are exceptionally wonderful people. They are kind and helpful. They genuinely care about their students and the betterment of the German program. They are easy to talk to and will listen to anything you have to say. They are always asking for feedback and changing teaching methods based on what they think is best for student outcomes.
— Caden Holmes (2024, Mechanical engineering)
Classes were relatively small and students received personal attention.
— Patty Powers DeRycke (1971, BA French)
The professors all seem very invested in the success of students. I appreciate the patience and understanding that they have for those of us attempting to learn a language that at times seems very daunting.
— Scott Moss (2026, History and English)
It was a small enough department that the professor really got to know who you were, which I appreciated. I was able to take Spanish, French and German classes (plus Old English and ASL, but those were in a different department). Languages in general are just fascinating to me and I know that my time at Tennessee Tech really increased my interest in linguistics.
— Hannah Abbotoy (2012, Spanish)
How have you used your language skills outside of the classroom?
Learning a foreign language has allowed me to choose where I wanted to go to serve in the Peace Corps along with my other professional skills. Additionally, in nursing, it has opened up the opportunity for me to go abroad with senior faculty thanks to my experience with other cultures and my language. Finally, I am able to work in the community to advance health by promoting factual information to those who both speak English and Spanish. I use my Spanish on a regular basis which is so rewarding to be able to add to my nursing career.
— Cary Cass (2024, Nursing, Nursing Education, French, Spanish)
I use Spanish daily. I use it to help people when I see them struggling to understand.
— Nancy Martinez (2028, Political Science, Spanish minor)
I’m considering pursuing a Masters degree in Germany or Austria, where I’d use the language daily. Outside of that, as a mechanical engineer, I see German machining everywhere. Every sensor or motor or wire at my internship comes from Germany or China.
— Caden Holmes (2024, Mechanical Engineering)
I initially started working with the Scholarship administration firm because they needed someone who could handle customer service inquiries in French. That then grew into reading and writing scholarship applications in French, and running scholarship programs myself. I left that position in November ’21 to work for a company building websites for tractor dealerships in French Canada. I now am the manager of a sister brand’s tech support department, overseeing front-end development and data integration work for RV dealerships in both the US and Canada.
— Lydia-Claire Kerrigan, née Brown (2014, French and History)
I am delighted that my newest position as an administrative assistant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory involves interacting with foreign nationals on a daily basis. The groups I support every day include individuals from many different countries, and I supported a French student over the summer. Though I primarily use English, I do practice communicating in Spanish with one of my Spanish-speaking group members and my language background certainly aids communication with individuals of all different backgrounds, whether I am familiar with their native language or not.
— Mary (Manneschmidt) Barnacz (2014, French and International Business and Culture)
I taught French as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee. I taught French in Gatlinburg, TN at the elementary school for five years. I worked with French Canadienne accounts as a logistics manager at Philips Consumer Electronics in Knoxville, TN.
— Patty Powers DeRycke (1971, BA French)
I’ve used my language skills in several ways, especially at work and at church. When new members arrive, I help translate and guide them to where they need to go. The classes I took at Tennessee Tech prepared me for everyday situations, but also for more specific contexts, like understanding cultural history. I feel confident using my language skills to connect with and assist a broader range of people.
— Ashley Portillo (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
Learning a new language has opened many doors to be able to communicate with others who speak the language outside of the classroom. There are many obvious places such as restaurants or retail, but I am also able to better communicate with others who work in the same job field as I, like in construction or carpentry trades. I have also had the opportunity to introduce my child to the language, which, in my opinion, has already opened doors and opportunities for him to succeed in learning communication skills.
— Brittnay Carlile (2024, Biology and Spanish)
I have used them to travel abroad a few times, at our bilingual church twice a week, to stay in contact with friends abroad, and in my network marketing to sell products to a broader customer base.
— (Kayla Cardio, 2012, Spanish and Secondary Education)
What advice would you give to current or future students of languages at Tennessee Tech?
It’s vital to study and practice outside of class. Fight against perfectionistic tendencies because they will only prevent growth. Cultivate friendships with your peers, participate in groups on campus, and invest in an immersive study abroad program. My best advice is to study abroad for more than a couple of months, avoid English speakers, and practice your language skills daily once you return home.
— Sonni Mackzum (2012, International Business and Culture)
ake advantage of the exchange programs! Don't wait until next year. Do it now! You won't regret it!
— Justin R. Williams, Ph.D. (2012, English and French)
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and practice as much as possible, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Immersing yourself in the language and interacting with others is key. Also, take advantage of the opportunities to build relationships with your professors—they’re an incredible resource.
— Ashley Portillo (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
I would advise to never give up … You might have a few exams that did not go as planned or a few days where even coffee fails to give you strength, but all of the struggles are worth it …The whole staff of the language department is there to help you because they also share your passion and admiration of languages. They are professors, but they are also human, and they work hard to ensure that we are ready to seize the day and our futures.
— Autumn Shrum (2025, Spanish and Secondary Education)
Enjoy! Learning new languages is awesome, and just physically/neurologically so good for our minds. If you have the opportunity to travel abroad, I highly recommend it. The world is bigger than just the USA.
— Hannah Abbotoy (2012, Spanish)
Don’t sweat it - The teachers are super understanding and are willing to help you complete whatever goals that you have in mind.
— Kaila Ogle (2024, Spanish, International Business and Culture)
Be engaged in class and practice outside of class. You aren’t going to learn a new language just by passively listening; it takes conscious effort.
— Katie Wilkins (2027, Nursing, Spanish minor)
Study abroad and do it alone so you don't speak English the whole time!! Request to live in the international dorm with a roommate who speaks your target language.
— Kayla Cardio (2012, Spanish, Secondary Education)
