Loving the Gringo: A Bicultural Life

LOVING THE GRINGO, A BICULTURAL LIFE describes a special, long and loving relationship, through real life anecdotes. The first time I laid eyes on my Gringo, he was doing the "twist," and I learned about the US "native" dance of the times. He resisted embracing my love for the opera, but did become enamored of our language, our way of life, and our food! Light, funny, and unexpected, these stories morror the lives and adventures of husbands, wives, parents, children, grandparents, friends and colleagues, as they cope with multicultural challenges. LOVING THE GRINGO affords the American reader a charming view of one couple's unique marriage, here in the States and in the Republic of Uruguay. The reader is continually captivated by the progression of their lives and their varied experiences. It is a "must read" for all ages, giving one a feeling of "I am so glad I read that!" Upon finishing the last paragraph the words of the eldest granddaughter, at five, echo in my ears: "I love their life!" Arch Manning, Retired Educator and another Gringo husband.LOVING THE GRINGO can also provide a unique resource for educators of multicultural studies. The acquisition of Spanish by my Gringo, makes a perfect case for the communicative approach. An additional resource is a short skit about a visit by some Gringa girls to Uruguay, and their experiences through the Christmas holiday celebrations.As an ESOL practitioner, I have spent hours looking for reading materials dealing with American cultural confusions. Many books I have perused have been the "multicultural" reader type with stories about Eskimos, Native Americans, Chinese, or stories about famous Americans. ESOL students want to read stories that give them insights into the American culture they have to deal with. Patricia Peabody, Retired Adult ESOL Instructor.

Maria H. Koonce first came to East Carolina University in Greenville, NC from Uruguay with an Exchange Student Fulbright Scholarship. In her first week there, she met Bill, her Gringo, and both their lives changed course. They married and had their first child in Uruguay, but returned to the United States to continue their education. She became an educator in the areas of Foreign Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), teaching in secondary and higher education institutions. In 1976, Bill and Maria, with their two children, Michael and Maria Paula, moved to Florida. Maria earned a Doctor's Degree, and subsequently was appointed Coordinator of the Adult ESOL program in Broward County, Florida. She has also represented Broward County in the Florida State Adult ESOL Practitioners Task Force since its inception in 1996.This opened many doors for her as consultant, trainer, translator and author.Bill was an Industrial Engineer for over twenty five years, but in 1990, he changed careers to join Maria in the field of Adult Education. Since then, he obtained a second Master's Degree in Teaching, and became Coordinator of the ESOL Program in one of the larger Community Schools in Broward. Bill and Maria are known throughout the state as "Batman and Robin," bringing professional concepts and applications, with a sense of humor, to educators in state, national and international presentation deliveries. They have also collaborated extensively, publishing textbooks, articles, translations, and testing materials. They are now "officially" retired, but professionally and personally active with writing, editing, traveling, and, and above all, enjoying her 91 year young mother in Uruguay, and the joy of their lives: the granddaughters!You may contact them at: billmar@cfl.rr.com