As a nine-month student, I am having fun at the Spanish Language School. And just as importantly, I'm advancing quite rapidly, thanks to their unique approach to learning. All their teachers are native Spanish speakers and are professionals. All are trained teachers, and also among them are scientists, managers, and artists. Their method combines advanced (from the very beginning) conversation with traditional grammar and reading/writing drills. One literally starts speaking Spanish from the very first class. More advanced forms are introduced slowly over a period of time through conversation, until ultimately one has learned the form through experience, and at that time, encounters the actual 'rule' or principle associated with that rule. For example, from the first few weeks, I was introduced to different past tense verb forms through conversation, learned them in context, and then, wrapped up the concept by seeing the whole conjugated forms. This is a friendly, welcoming place, and when I go there on Tuesdays for my class, I am always happy to be there and sad to leave. Not that I don't work hard! I've been studying at this school for nine months, and already I can understand over half of the spanish I hear spoken on TV and radio, and I can speak passably well in basic situations. I go to class once per week, and study on my own (using written materials and audio provided by the school) for 5 to 10 more hours per week. Bottom line - the instructors are creative and dedicated, the method of teaching is engaging, and if you're dedicated, you'll be speaking Spanish fluently in two years or less, going to class only once per week. (Faster of course if you go more often).
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