Aquí, you will learn to habla Español
Down Mexico way, Spanish-language schools continue to pop up almost as fast as Internet cafes. People want to learn at least a modicum of Spanish for business or social reasons, or because they plan to live and travel in Latin countries for extended periods of time.
Even a week's worth of instruction will improve your ability to communicate.
In the artsy city of Oaxaca, the explosion of language schools also continues. The number has climbed into double digits, so what's the key to finding the right school for you? Price, type of instruction, credentials, location? With so many factors, it's good to know what you're signing up for and what each school offers.
If you're already in Mexico when you decide you want to enroll, it's easy to drop into the school and speak to the director. Most are accommodating about talking to potential students.
You'll want to find out what areas each school specializes in. Check out the atmosphere - is it serious, friendly? Do they emphasize grammar, conversation, or useful phrases?
If possible, chat with a few current students and see what they like and dislike. Many schools claim that half of their students come from referrals, so talking with the pupils can offer valuable insight.
When visiting schools, it's best to go late in the week, as instruction usually begins on Mondays and directors tend to be busier then.
Be upfront about how much Spanish you already know. Most schools give written exams (either the week before or Monday morning before classes) to determine a student's level.
Still, a written test should not be the only determination, which is another reason it is good to speak with the director ahead of time. Often a student will be more adept at writing Spanish than speaking, or vice versa, in which case a good school will weigh the various factors. It's not productive being stuck in a class where the instruction is too advanced or too elementary.
Many times the most learning takes place when there's good chemistry between the students and teacher. If things don't jell between you and the instructor, let the director know so he or she can make the appropriate switch.
In addition to the instruction, schools typically offer free cultural activities such as foreign-film screenings, lectures, and intercambios (typically a meeting with a local student who wants to practice English while you practice Spanish).
For an additional fee, most schools also offer excursions, cooking classes, salsa lessons, and the like.
Speaking of fees, most schools charge about the same, but it's wise to check their websites in advance for off-season specials and multiweek discounts.
Many people feel that the best times to take classes are mid-April through early June as well as September and October. During those periods, the schools often offer discounts and the class sizes tend to be smaller.
Although there are dozens of Spanish- language schools, here are some that I visited and you might want to consider:
The teachers at Becari are required to write lessons and plan instruction and discussions in advance. Every two weeks they have their material reviewed, so both the teachers and the students must study. Most pupils take Becari's intensive course, which consists of four hours of classes, five days a week, divided equally between two teachers.
I felt that one textbook lacked sufficient grammar examples, but I gave most of the instructors high marks. In conversation class, their Spanish chatter about topics such as families, sports, and food was almost always lively. One student told me that she signed up because the school was offering a good deal during May, so if price is a consideration it would be worth checking the website for any deals: www.mexonline.com/becari.htm.
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