TRIP REPORT – SPANISH SCHOOL
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:40 pm
I joined this discussion group a month ago while preparing for my first trip to Puerto Vallarta to take a Spanish language course. A number of people asked me to post my impressions of the course, which I am happy to do.
I attended the SPANISH EXPERIENCE CENTER located on Calle Chili, (three blocks north from the end of the Malecon).
Prior to arriving at the school I did an on-line placement exam, which tested basic grammar skills, and then when I arrived at the school for my first class I was interviewed to assess my conversational level. I was placed in a class with one other student with the same fluency as myself, the maximum number of students per classroom is 3.
Initially I was somewhat surprised by the structure of the courses. I was expecting an emphasis on grammar and verb conjugations but instead the course is more focused on improving conversational skills. The instructors are very experienced with this style of teaching and through the use of books and multi-media presentations they always kept a lively and informative conversation going among themselves and the students. Although appearing very casual the instructors listen very carefully to everything you say and correct pronunciation, poor sentence structure or other errors as soon as you make a mistake. Overall learning this way is very effective, I only attended classes for three weeks but I have noticed a huge improvement in my ability to carry on a conversation and with that I have more confidence to start conversations that I might otherwise have not begun for fear of getting lost.
I don’t think this course would be suitable for someone with absolutely no knowledge of Spanish. However for someone who has a limited vocabulary and knows a few of the basic conjugation and grammar rules the course would definitely be helpful. I am probably lower-intermediate in my language skills and for me I would rate my experience at the school at 10 out of 10!
I will return in a few months for another 3 or 4 week course, and continue to do so in the future.
I attended the SPANISH EXPERIENCE CENTER located on Calle Chili, (three blocks north from the end of the Malecon).
Prior to arriving at the school I did an on-line placement exam, which tested basic grammar skills, and then when I arrived at the school for my first class I was interviewed to assess my conversational level. I was placed in a class with one other student with the same fluency as myself, the maximum number of students per classroom is 3.
Initially I was somewhat surprised by the structure of the courses. I was expecting an emphasis on grammar and verb conjugations but instead the course is more focused on improving conversational skills. The instructors are very experienced with this style of teaching and through the use of books and multi-media presentations they always kept a lively and informative conversation going among themselves and the students. Although appearing very casual the instructors listen very carefully to everything you say and correct pronunciation, poor sentence structure or other errors as soon as you make a mistake. Overall learning this way is very effective, I only attended classes for three weeks but I have noticed a huge improvement in my ability to carry on a conversation and with that I have more confidence to start conversations that I might otherwise have not begun for fear of getting lost.
I don’t think this course would be suitable for someone with absolutely no knowledge of Spanish. However for someone who has a limited vocabulary and knows a few of the basic conjugation and grammar rules the course would definitely be helpful. I am probably lower-intermediate in my language skills and for me I would rate my experience at the school at 10 out of 10!
I will return in a few months for another 3 or 4 week course, and continue to do so in the future.