Apurva teaches youngsters Spanish at the summer camp in the coal capital on Monday. Picture by Gautam Dey

Hola, Dhanbad.

Two teachers and 52 youngsters of the coal town are learning the basics of Spanish, thanks to a summer camp at Narayani’s Kidz Play and Activity School in Jharudih that started from May 30 and will end on Tuesday.

Director of the play school, Suman Jalan, said the idea to introduce Spanish classes at the camp struck her on May 28 when her daughter Apurva (18) came home after completing an international baccalaureate programme in the language from GD Goenka World School, Delhi NCR.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Apurva, who incidentally also learnt French from Classes VI to X, said: “Spanish is the second-most spoken language after English in the US. As many MNCs have their base in India, knowing foreign languages will help all of us.”

Besides, learning a foreign tongue opens up job prospects and adds weight to your CV, the teenager who taught Spanish at the camp added. “You can be a translator or an interpreter. You can try for embassy jobs if you are unhappy with campus placements.”

On choosing Spanish and not French to teach, Apurva grinned: “That’s my personal choice. I love Spanish.”

Riya Kumari, one of the two teachers of the school, said: “It was a great experience. Before the camp, I had never heard a word of Spanish. Now at least I can say saludao, hola (hi, hello) in Spanish.”

This was the Jharudih cradle’s second camp this year. The first from May 18 to 24 had been a big hit among participants aged between four and 16.

Spanish language training featured only in the latest camp.

“Well, I wanted to teach Spanish to those above 14, but when younger children showed their keenness to learn, I couldn’t say no,” Apurva said.

Participants paid Rs 2,100 each for the daily camp between 10am and 5pm. Spanish apart, they learnt skills in basketball, volleyball, badminton and archery. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and mineral water were also given to them.

“Drawing, antakshari, fancy dress contests, fun games and rain dances were also held in both camps,” Apurva’s mother and camp organiser Jalan said.