Maya is currently enrolled in an Italian class at her local college. While on spring break, Maya travels to Italy. She is excited to practice her new skills, but when she gets there she is having trouble. Every time she tries to speak Italian, Spanish words she learned in high school come out. Th is is an example of:

Proactive interference

Explanation:

Proactive interference: In psychology, the term "proactive interference" is described as the "interference effect" of formerly learned materials or things on the retrieval & acquisition of newer thing or materials. In other words, proactive interference tends to occur when previous learning interferes with entirely new learning.

Example: A boy finds it difficult to remember his friend's new mobile number after having formerly learned the old mobile number.

In the question above, the given statement is an example of proactive interference.