- Frequently Asked Questions:
I rarely set up lessons without first, having an assessment session. The objective of such a session is to discuss your goals,
needs and expectations. I will also give you a free sample lesson in order to provide you with an opportunity to assess if I am
the right language coach for you.
Through the assessment session I can also determine your level, in case you have any background in Spanish, and
determine a starting point. You may schedule an assessment session without any obligation to contract further services.
if you would like to schedule a free assessment session.
Should you take private or group lessons?
It depends on your goals, needs and budget.
Private lessons allow me to focus on your specific learning needs and interests. It also provides you with significantly more
speaking (practice) time than a group setting would. Naturally, the rate is higher but the learning process is faster.
On the other hand, a group setting has a lower rate and a nice social component to it. Longer sessions make up for the less-
intense speaking time and it still possible to address each students particular interest in the language. The group alternative
can be a great activity to do with friends, family or co-workers.
Are cultural aspects included in the lessons?
Absolutely. Learning about culture and how it influences language is one of the joys of studying a foreign language. It adds
texture to the learning process and makes it much more interesting.
Language and culture belong together. Taking culture away from language would be like taking flavor away from food.
Cultural aspects are incorporated in the lessons organically and depending on their relevance to the content of the class.
This does not mean lecturing. It means these aspects are included through interactive examples that enrich the lesson.
What are your options in Chicago?
If you are looking for assistance learning Spanish in Chicago, you have basically two options: Schools and private tutors.
Being a big city, Chicago offers quite a few alternatives within both. I would suggest shopping around before making any
commitments.
Among the different options, you will find private language schools new and older with all kinds of different materials and
methodologies. You can also find schools and tutors without any methodology at all. There is a broad range of rates and
quality, although one is not always a reflection of the other. Often, some schools include concepts like "learning by hearing,
speaking and doing" or "learning through intuition" as part of their list of revolutionary and unique inventions. Actually, those
concepts should be present in any decent foreign language instruction program anyway. Are those schools bad? Not
necessarily. They just have a taste for dramatic copy writing and you should be aware of that.
Another option is university and community college courses. Sometimes, the class size can be an issue when it comes to
student speaking time in this type of class. However, not every private school offers individual lessons.
Private tutors are very diverse as well. There are some with experience and many without it. When considering a private tutor,
keep in mind that “only conversation” is not necessarily an effective teaching technique. Just because someone speaks a
language, it does not mean they are capable of properly teaching it. Remember that many tutors are only teaching until they
find a "regular job" so your lessons may be interrupted.
What are the rates for group and private lessons?
Group lessons (3- 6 students):
$175 for 5 sessions of 2 hours each
Semi-private lessons (2 students):
$200 for 5 sessions of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Private lessons:
$200 for 5 sessions of 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The frequency between sessions is agreed upon with each student or group.
When and where will you have class?
My classroom is located at 1909 S Halsted, in East Pilsen (a.k.a. the Chicago Art District). Just south of the Maxwell Street
Market in University Village and right off 90-94. Street parking is very easy.
If you happen to be early when you come by, you can check out some of the many art galleries in the area.
Lessons can take place in the classroom or outside on the deck, when the weather allows it. Lessons at your location may
be available depending on accessibility and distance.
In terms of scheduling, my classroom is pretty much always open. Lesson times are agreed upon with each student or
group.
What kind of Spanish should you learn?
On occasion, I have been asked if I can teach “Mexican Spanish” or if my Spanish is very different from “the one spoken in
Spain”. Although there are a couple of grammatical differences between the Castilian Spanish and the Spanish spoken in
Latin America, they are not very significant. The main differences lay on the accent and of course, the colloquial language or
slang, just as it does among the different countries in Latin America. But there is such thing as a standard proper Spanish
which is what you should learn first. Later on, you can supplement by learning idioms and expressions typical of a particular
region of your interest.
