As an instructor, my principle objectives are (1) to facilitate the learning of the course material as well as (2) to empower students in their education process. To date, I have applied these goals in both Spanish language and linguistics content-courses, yet in slightly different ways. Regarding language courses, the goals outlined above translate into, first, attracting students to the Spanish language and associated cultures and, second, to enabling them to take the reins in the difficult process of learning a foreign language. Having studied, researched and traveled extensively in Spain and Latin America, I take great pleasure in sharing the diverse and wonderful aspects of Hispanic cultures with my students--one has even traveled with me to Argentina to conduct a bilingualism project! I have found that creating links across cultures and highlighting the benefits of bilingualism are strong motivators that often lead to increased interest in learning Spanish. It has been my experience that when students are more interested in the course material, they are more likely to be independent learners who seek out opportunities for language practice and/or cultural exchanges, thus accomplishing the second goal of empowering students. Finally, my training in second language acquisition theory has served me well as a language instructor, a domain in which I am able to apply theory to practice.