Alexis SAGNA, better known in the Catholic milieu as Christ the King of the Universe, is a student of Nueva Lengua, at the Bogota headquarters. He is a 35-year-old Senegalese man who is studying Spanish to soon study theology at one of the most recognized universities in Colombia.

Alexis expresses that studying Spanish was not his own decision but that it has motivated him to learn more about the culture of Colombia; “I did not decide to learn Spanish for my career. As I am religious, I have made vows which include obedience. My provincial father sent me to Colombia to study theology. And in Colombia, theology is done in Spanish. Immediately afterwards, what I like to be in Colombia is that we are realizing the dream of our Father General of constituting universal communities through the project of the Pious Schools on the way out. Also, the kindness and strong sense of the Catholic religion make me want to be a good priest for this multitude of Colombian and world believers.”

Likewise, he indicates that he has been welcomed in his congregation, where he shares with his brothers in religious formation personal and professional experiences that help him to be a better human being and a future theologian. "What I like most about belonging to the order of the Pious Schools is the reality of our worldwide fraternity. In fact, I live in a community where our racial and continental differences are less important than our belonging to the universal family of San José de Calasanz.”

Sagna, mentions that regarding the existing cultural diversities in the Spanish language and in the territory of Senegal, these can share a relationship due to the dialectal multiculturalism that lies between both. He tells us his perspective on the relations of both languages ​​"The way I see the relationship is that of the Greco-Latin origin. In other words, in Senegal the official language is French. Likewise, the connection between Spanish and the French language is intense. In Senegal, there are many people who speak Spanish because they studied it at school or at the university. Without forgetting that there are many Spanish organizations such as AECIA that do an excellent promotion of the Spanish language in Senegal. Finally, I can say that the founder of our order is Spanish.. "

In this way, we inquire about his aspirations as a future priest and spokesman for the cultural diversity that subsists in the Colombian territory "My hope is very promising. I would like to be a great specialist in liberation theology to get closer to God's faithful, showing them that they are just as important as priests in evangelization and the announcement of the Good News. So, I will be a messenger in harmony with the church that values ​​the religious and popular culture of Latin Americans.”

On the other hand, the school Nueva Lengua, provided tools such as the ELE school so that Alexis has more communication skills and thus achieves her dream of belonging completely to God's order.

That is why we asked about his knowledge about the school and how he learned about us, which he responded; “met Nueva Lengua thanks to the Piarist province of Nazareth, particularly for my formative fathers. Luis Figueredo (Sacchi) and Sergio Suárez (Checho). But, it is the novices (Juan Diego Botero and Brayan Asto) who made us meet and see for the first time Nueva Lengua. and the first person Nueva Lengua that we met Mr. Iván. He welcomed us very well with a very welcoming smile. On the same day, he gave us a quick tour of the school before giving us an appointment the following Monday to do the interview and start classes."

Although, he shared his expectations about the school at the beginning of classes; “I had high expectations of the school because I spoke Spanish before starting classes. She really wanted to know a lot of Colombian colloquial words and speak Spanish very fast like native Colombians.” And based on his academic experience at the school, he tells us that his experience has been significant; “I would say that I learned everything I could. As Mr. Iván told me, the learning and improvement process depends on the student. In fact, I totally agree with myself because the student is first of all his own teacher before being helped by a professional called a teacher.” In addition, share some of the expressions learned in Nueva Lengua Bogota; “With great pleasure, I can share some Colombian expressions with you. Actually, I know more than twenty Colombian expressions. To be very generous and express the richness and volume of my varied Colombian vocabulary. I will share with its meaning:

1.That is a mamey: That is easy

2. Paint them for me and I'll color them for you: In the event of a dispute, respond to provocation”   

For his part, he demonstrates his opinion about the teaching staff of the school; “With a great franchise I will say that the teachers are very professional. Each one works seriously. And they make us see that we are like a family.” “What I like the most is that in this school it is the environment because every day I see more and more all the staff working hard being super nice to the students. The teachers improve and prepare their classes well. Which shows that they do what they want. According to St. Augustine, "love and do what you want because the one who loves something can only do it well. Above all, the school takes into account the wishes and needs of each student.”

This and many more experiences are what our students learning Spanish tell us in context.