By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Big Sky residents are invited to practice their Spanish and English in “bilingual mingle” sessions hosted by World Language Initiative Montana. The free one-hour events start at 7 p.m. weekly on Wednesdays in the community room at the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center.
Since 2022, WLI, a language and culture education organization in Gallatin Valley, has provided language programming in Big Sky. The new in-person mingle sessions will run until March 12.
Kristina Allison, director of programs at WLI, explained that the Big Sky community had been requesting language class options in Big Sky for years. She sees the importance of teaching and practicing languages in places like Big Sky.
“I think a lot of people recognize that language is really a bridge—not just communication, but understanding and connection with the people around us,” Allison told EBS on the phone. Allison described language as a “tool of connection” and said that six people—four English-learners and two Spanish-learners—participated in the first mingle session on Feb. 5.
In addition to free mingle sessions, WLI also holds drop-in English classes in Big Sky at no charge on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the medical center. Drop-in classes began on Feb. 9 and will run weekly for six weeks.
Big Sky residents interested in learning Spanish in-person can sign up for beginner to intermediate sessions that kick off at the medical center in May. There are also online class options in Spanish, German, Japanese and French.
Allison thanked the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Moonlight Community Foundation and the Big Sky Resort Area District for supporting language programming in Big Sky. The funding allows for Big Sky classes to have lower rates, or free programming for learners.
“We’re lucky to have that support, and not just in financial support, but also just the belief that this is important work,” Allison said.
