THE SPANISH INSTITUTE
IMMERSE YOURSELF
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THE SPANISH INSTITUTE'S REVIEWS
The finest compliment we can ever receive is a referral from our students/friends! The Spanish Institute
Local Guide·17 reviews·69 photos
Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
Love, love, love this Spanish class and setting. It is now completely online, but this comes with great benefits. First, there are small classes (usually no more than 5 or 6) and a highly dedicated + consistent teacher. There are students from all over the US, but we meet regularly with the same students. In the class we converse with one another only in Spanish and we get to know each others backgrounds, lives, stories, etc and actually become friends with one another. The teacher verbally corrects you as you speak or in the chat, no matter what level you are. I started out knowing very little Spanish, now after 6 months I am talking to people in Spanish every chance I get. The classes are not intimidating and always feels very welcoming. Don't even think about it, sign up online and start learning Spanish at the Spanish Institute asap.
Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
I love this school, and there are SO MANY reasons why. For starters, Moni and the other various instructors are outstanding and make the classes fun. I've taken individual and group classes, and they both are amazing. Here are a few other reasons:
1. My Spanish has improved rapidly!! So rapidly! The combination of talking and spending time on grammar is such an amazing combination. This is followed up by homework assignments that, if you do them, you WILL improve quickly like I have.
Senorita Moni was amazing!! She made class so fun and I enjoyed every class. I learned Spanish so quickly and couldn’t have done it without her. I highly recommend her as she is the best teacher out there!! Moni is truly amazing!!
Positive: Value
I was searching for a Spanish class near my home, but wasn't able to find anything that worked with my schedule. Since the Spanish Institute offers classes over Zoom, I'm able to work with Moni even though we don't live in the same city. It's been a huge benefit to take classes over Zoom because I can practice conversation and work through grammar just as I would in an in-person class, but without a commute and adapted to my work schedule. I highly recommend these classes!
I have been taking online classes with the Spanish institute for about 5 weeks now and I must say, I love it. I was so nervous to sign up for classes because I am very shy about speaking Spanish for fear of not pronouncing things correctly. I have never felt more comfortable speaking Spanish in a group setting like I do in these classes with the Spanish Institute. The class sizes are small, the people I have met are super friendly, encouraging, and funny. Moni is a very caring teacher and genuinely wants to see you excel in speaking Spanish and she too is very encouraging and helpful in correcting your grammar when needed. I look forward to class every week and I love that I get to take them in the comfort of my own home. I would 100% recommend anyone wanting to learn Spanish to give them a try, you won't be disappointed. ~SG
Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
I started my journey with Spanish with the heart to learn how to speak conversationally in order to better connect with patients who are primarily Spanish-speaking. In medicine, there is robust evidence that language concordance between provider and patient improves health outcomes and deepens relationships. Medical professionals oftentimes use in-person or virtual interpreters to facilitate the conversations, but there is still a great deal to be said about connecting with patients in their native language even if just conversationally at the beginning of a healthcare visit.
Having no experience with learning Spanish prior to starting at The Spanish Institute, I dove deeply into books on grammar and vocabulary, which sharpened my comprehension through reading and writing; however, I struggled with agility in listening and speaking. When I first reached out to The Spanish Institute, Moni called me to obtain some initial details, and I have been learning with her ever since. Through conversations with her, I embarked on a transformative experience of learning Spanish from someone with a kind heart, a warm laugh, and a keen connection with her own humanity and that of her students. These qualities ensured that learning Spanish was a distinct pleasure that I had the privilege of partaking in each and every day. Despite my initial goals of learning Spanish in a medical context, the topics of our conversations range from current affairs, interpersonal relationships, and finding meaning in life. I am astounded with the progress I have made in Spanish and as a person through my time with Moni at The Spanish Institute. I have had the honor of having stellar teachers in the past; Moni shines so brightly amongst them, and I cannot wait to see how my journey with Spanish continues under her individually tailored guidance.
Local Guide·39 reviews·2 photos
Been wanting to refresh my Spanish speaking skills and found the Spanish Institute online. So happy with my class and with the instructor, Moni!
I'm in a private one hour zoom session 2x weekly and my Spanish is advancing much quicker than I thought would happen. Learning so much, so fast! Lots of conversation about fun topics. About anything you want really, just to speak. She will help with pronunciation and correct your grammar. With zoom, we can use the chat to see vocabulary spelling, conjugations, etc.
Really like this format of learning because it is conversational which is what I need and wanted. Have to speak it to learn it.
Give it a try!!
The Spanish Institute conversation groups are wonderful! My skills are improving and I love being able to learn and practice while making new friends. Moni is the best moderator! She gently encourages and quietly corrects, always infusing the experience with her positive energy.
The Spanish Institute is as close to an immersion level course as one can get without actually traveling to a Spanish speaking country. I started Jan 2018 in the Basic level Spanish class, which assumes that you possess little to no exposure to the language, though I did have some Spanish from high school. By summer I was able to progress to Monica's lower advanced class. I went from struggling with basic verb tenses and conjugations to being able to speak confidently about food, culture, and even politics and current events in the space of 5 months.
I credit two factors for my fairly quick progress. One is that unlike many other language courses that overemphasize grammar and vocabulary, Monica first encourages all her students to speak Spanish as if they were in an immersion environment, even in the basic class. 70-75 percent of class time is devoted exclusively to group discussions in Spanish only, with the rest of the time focused on grammar. I could literally feel my brain rearrange itself after each class, to the point that I would instinctively speak Spanish to my very confused wife when I get home.
And the second factor? Monica's classes are fun. So. Much. Fun. Monica creates an open and relaxing environment that has none of the stress of a classroom. My sides hurt as much as my brain did after each class from bouts of uncontrollable laughter (all while communicating exclusively in Spanish might I add). Every language should be taught and modeled after the Spanish Institute's model, with an emphasis on speaking, small class sizes (5-6 people limit to each session), and lots of fun.
I loved my experience, I had a lot of fun with Monica and enjoyed he variety of ways she taught- exercises, conversation, drill, group and solo time. The weekly conversation is so much fun!
The primary reasons for me attending The Spanish Institute was the affordable classes and prime location. After completing four months of classes I have increased my fluency, conversation, and overall confidence in the Spanish language. The teachers are friendly, personable, and very passionate about teaching. I highly recommend The Spanish Institute to all skill levels!
I am currently enrolled in the on-line offering where through FaceTime I interact with my teacher, Monica.
This has so far worked out really great for me as I am out of the area periodically. Monica has been an exacting, highly professional and results oriented teacher. I highly recommend her and the institute! I have fun and am learning Spanish. Great combo.
I have just completed my second year at the Spanish Institute with Monica as my instructor. I began at the Institute unable to complete a full sentence in Spanish. Now I can communicate with people using 5 different tenses and have a substantial vocabulary. I have traveled 3 times to Costa Rica and Mexico and can speak with the native people about many different subjects. I speak to people in restaurants, stores, any place I see Latino people. If you want to learn Spanish and have the desire to do so, I encourage you to enroll with the Institute. The classes are very small and if you want you can have private sessions also. You can customize how you want to do it, Monica is very accommodating.
Thank you!!!
A great place to learn Spanish as well as a great place to improve your Spanish if you have taken time off studying or are looking to take your decent Spanish to a higher level. Monica is an amazing teacher ... I have been taking classes off and on for years, and have taken both group and private classes. The small group classes are fun and interactive and the private classes are perfect if you have different schedule or need to focus on specifics for work and or travel or medical Spanish ect... My wife and I have also scheduled private classes together to focus on medical Spanish and those have been extremely helpful as well. I came into The Spanish Institute only knowing a couple of words and quickly felt comfortable in basic phrases , questions, directions, and numbers while traveling. I now feel fully conversational running calls at work and or traveling both in Mexico and Central America and Spain also. I couldn’t recommend it more .... I’ll be continuing to take classes to keep improving my Spanish.
I can't recommend The Spanish Institute and specifically Monica highly enough. She was amazing!!! I decided kinda last minute that I wanted to do the 15 hour immersion course. By the time Monica and I connected it was already Monday afternoon of the week I wanted to begin. She was super nice and told me I could come the next day. I ended up going Tues, Wed & Thur and asked her if I could come back for my last 2 days in a couple weeks. She graciously accommodated my schedule. That 1st week was so cool. Each day was a different experience and I feel like I learned so much because of it. One day, I was in a class of 3 other students; another day I was with 1 other student and another day it was just Monica and me and we ended up walking around Carlsbad talking and conjugating verbs. LOL It was all so natural. I felt like I was just hanging out with friends. I would highly recommend Monica. :)
Wonderful experience here taking the 5 day long immersion course with Moni! I came in with zero Spanish knowledge and by the end was able to use complex sentences both in speech and writing! Moni was fabulous, and kept the long 6 hour sessions entertaining, really tailoring the learning and teaching experience to the student! Thank you!
I've been taking Spanish classes here for about 2 months, and the whole experience has been truly amazing. For about a year, I had been trying to teach myself Spanish using online websites and other resources, but found my progress lacking. I decided to try The Spanish Institute to take the next step, and the help has been incredible. Working with Monica, I feel immensely more secure in my understanding of the Spanish language and have progressed forward to new heights. The classes are a nice mix of fun while being challenging and helpful, and Monica has been so great about tailoring the classes to the medical profession to help me better communicate with some of my patients. I would highly recommend The Spanish Institute to anyone trying to learn the language. No matter what level you are. This is one of the best ways to learn short of full immersion in a Spanish speaking country. I'm so happy with the amount of progress I've made, and I can't wait to see how far I'll have come in 2 more months!!!!
I have been taking Spanish group classes with Monica for four months once a week now. It has been a lot of fun learning Spanish from scratch with her guidance. Monica is excellent at getting the class at ease and talking. You never feel, like it is not ok not to know things, but at the same time she will challenge you to learn and use what you have learned to communicate with your fellow classmates. I am loving my experience!
It was a wonderful welcoming! For me as a not speaking Spanish and not native English speaking person it was a great experience and loved to learn with Monica: )) I learned so much in such a short time. THANK YOU so much!
Chelsea Saunders
I took online private lessons with Monica and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I felt I was able to correct mistakes I make in speaking as well as improve my confidence generally. I highly recommend, you can't beat the price and quality. Thank you Monica!!
Positive: Quality
When I first started looking for a Spanish course I was drawn to the Spanish Institute*Immersion Classes because of their excellent reviews. When I reached out to set up classes the communication and service was prompt and informative. Moni was also thorough in assessing my needs and helping me understand a good place for us to start based on my existing Spanish skills. I signed up right away! Since starting a couple of months ago, I am able to say and translate phrases much more smooth and accurate. I feel challenged in a good way and can hear the results when I speak in and out of class. I was transitioning to work on advanced grammar in short period of time as well. The classes are always fun and never a dull moment. Lots of laughs and quality learning. I say you look no further and give Spanish Institute*Immersion Classes a try!
I've been a student at The Spanish Institute for about 4 months now and the improvement in my Spanish has been remarkable! The classes are well-structured and Monica is a great instructor. She keeps the class light and fun but at the same time, very focused as she keenly listens to everything said and is good at correcting and explaining. The classes are a mix of conversation and grammar lessons so we learn new things and get to put them to practice. Originally, I had hoped to have private (1:1) lessons but have found the small group setting (~3-4 other students) to be far more effective since one gets to learn from hearing the others build on their Spanish as well!
I take classes with Monica once a week, she is wonderful! The class is not like a typical academic course where one scours over text books and passively listens to a grammatical lecture in English. The class sizes are small and they are entirely taught in Spanish (with interjections of English as needed to clarify points). Monica is patient and she works in a way that naturally develops reading & listening comprehension and speaking abilities. Be prepared for an interactive learning environment that challenges the student grow their knowledge and grasp of the Spanish language.
I took the one week immersion course, followed by a handful of 3 hour private lessons. It was a great experience. My instructor, Monica, did an exceptional job assessing my level and challenging me from there. She was patient, encouraging, and fun. She made it a point to get to know me and teach me Spanish according to my goals and learning style. I would highly recommend the Spanish Institute for anyone interested in learning or improving upon their Spanish.
I wasn't sure whether I wanted to take a class at Mira Costa or try The Spanish Institute. I am so glad I chose The Spanish Institute! We get much more conversation practice with our group and Monica is there to correct us. We have fun practicing together and Monica makes us feel comfortable and keeps us going. The second part of each class focuses on grammar (verb tenses, pronouns, etc.) so we learn how to speak correctly. I can't imagine you would be disappointed with The Spanish Institute so my recommendation would be to give it a try!
I took a week intensive at the Carlsbad location with instructor Monica. I thoroughly recommend this course. Much of the time was one-one, though there were opportunities for group conversation with other students at my level. Monica was an attentive teacher, well prepared for the classes. My program was the perfect mix of grammatical review, vocabulary, and conversation. I stayed in an air bnb apartment nearby and found Carlsbad to be a great place to locate for the class. My Spanish has improved so much, including needed practice in vocabulary specific to my profession.
I love this place! I have learned so much Spanish in my 2+ years going here Yo puedo hablar casi todo en espanol ahora! Monica makes learning lots of fun. The class sizes are always small and a nice mix of conversation and grammar. I have tried other methods of learning Spanish but Monica's classes are by far the best.
I really enjoyed the Spanish class with Irma Zender. She is incredible! I came without any Spanish knowledge, and she made me talk from the first lessons. The lessons are very interesting and a lot of fun. I highly recommend!
I have never written a review for any product or service before, but the experience I have had here has truly been amazing and has compelled me to share this with whomever may be looking to learn spanish. I have been taking classes at the Spanish Institute for less than 6 months and the progress I have made has been astonishing. It was exactly what I was hoping for. The classes are tailored to your needs, your pace, and filled with encouragement. They make you feel extremely comfortable so you can focus on learning in the way that best suits you. I was looking for something that was interactive and with instant feedback, compared to a traditional classroom setting where you would be bound to the pace of the entire classroom; The Spanish Institute is exactly what I was looking for. This is the best and only way to learn spanish, and the only place to do it is at the Spanish Institute.
After a week of Spanish Immersion at The Spanish Institute, I was able to interview for a job which required proficiency in Spanish and I got the job! I came into the week without knowing much Spanish but needing to learn for work. I thought it was a long shot that I would be able to speak well after a week, but the instructors made it a reality! The best part was that I had a wonderful time while learning. The instructors are dynamic, skilled, attuned and incredibly supportive. Their commitment to their students is well evident. My friends were shocked and impressed by how much I had improved in just a week. If you want a success story with regard to learning Spanish, go to the Spanish Institute. You can absolutely learn Spanish without leaving the country.
"My two-week intensive at The Spanish Institute in Carlsbad went above and beyond my expectations. I feel I could write this review in Spanish now, but I want future students to read it! The instruction was individualized, flexible, and varied. Monica the professor used the hours to the max, allowed for creativity and individual purposes and needs, and encouraged us with much grace and patience. I would return for more in a heartbeat. Mil gracias!"
My husband and I had a wonderful experience at the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad. Both Monica and Lilly were thoughtful, intelligent and creative in their style of teaching. We found our textbooks to be helpful as well as flashcards. We hope to return for additional training in 2016.
My wife and I have spent two weeks at the Spanish Institute and although it is a long haul for us (coming from Tucson) it has been a good experience. We both speak the language reasonably well but are not completely fluent and our Instructor Monica quickly honed in on our weaknesses. With drills mixed with conversation and continued study outside of class we have definitely made some progress. We hope we can make it make back for more.
I have been taking Spanish at the Spanish Institute for the past four weeks. I began in March of 2015. In general, it has been a great experience; and my teacher Erma, is very good at making the lessons fun and interesting. Given more time, I would love to join future classes.
Over many years, I've taken various Spanish classes, but I have never been able to really speak Spanish. Over the summer, I took several weeks of intensive Spanish classes at the Spanish Institute and am continuing currently. These classes have finally helped me get over the hump so that now I can speak Spanish! Monica is an absolutely fantastic teacher who mixes the classes up with a combination of conversation and grammar. She is always engaging and fun, and doesn't allow any English to be spoken which is perfecto! Gracias Monica and Spanish Institute!
I have been wanting to learn Spanish for a while now and I found the Spanish Institute in my neighborhood so thought I would give it a go. It was a fantastic experience. I had Irma Zender and she threw us right into the Spanish speaking world. I took the six week course and I could see improvements from week to week. We had some homework to do at home and some materials for review. I highly recommend this class at the Spanish Institute if you want to start learning or improve your Spanish.
After twelve weeks of group lessons in Monica's class, my understanding and speaking of Spanish has greatly improved. She encouraged conversation and corrected misused words and phrases, including explanations about slang expressions. Her teaching style is fun and engaging and I would highly recommend the Spanish Institute for anyone who wants to learn the language.
My wife and I had a great experience at the Spanish Institute. Our teacher was great! We highly recommend The Spanish Institute. Dave & Jacquie
I have taken Spanish on and off over the past 10 years using a combination of self-teaching with books and CD's, immersion classes and travel in Spanish speaking countries, and most recently at the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad. I have had 2 previous instructors at the intermediate/advanced level at the institute: one focused mostly on grammar and de-emphasized conversation, and the other did the opposite. My most recent teacher, whom I have now had for 5 weekly 1.5 hour evening lessons, is Irma Zender. Irma provides a refreshing blend of conversation, exercises in speaking and pronunciation, listening comprehension and reading, and grammar. She also adds in interesting cultural information and regional linguistic differences about the language. She mixes things up well and makes the class fun, and she is an advocate of getting students to relax and just speak the language using the tools they know, rather than memorizing words and grammar and doing endless drills in the more traditional manner of language instruction. At first I was concerned that I wasn't learning at the level of my last class, but in the past couple of sessions the pace has been picked up. Irma is a really great teacher.
It's been 20 years since I took Intro to Spanish in college, but I needed to get up to speed due to a new medical job in Southern California. After a week of Intensive Immersion classes with Monica (six hours per day), I was getting compliments on my Spanish by native-speakers. My Spanish is still a bit rough (what else do you expect after only a week?), but I'm confident I could survive without a translator if need be. Monica was also great about drilling me in medical Spanish, in preparation for the new job. She was patient and enthusiastic, and I'll be back.
I recently completed a one-week immersion program with The Spanish Institute in Carlsbad and my entire experience was fantastic. I took a basic-level program with Monica as part of my preparation for traveling to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago and it was mi buena suerte that Monica has walked the Camino twice. Apart from that, she quickly figured out my strengths and (many) weaknesses with Spanish and skillfully adapted her vocabulary to match and stretch my level. I progressed as much in a week as in a full semester of community college classes. I’m confident that I will be able to understand and communicate the basics. In addition, Carlsbad was a wonderful setting right on the Pacific Ocean for my immersion week. Everything I needed was a short walk from my hotel, including the Institute. While my family and friends back home in Ohio were shoveling snow and battling single-digit weather, I was practicing my verb conjugations while walking along the beach.
I have been taking classes at the Spanish Institute Carlsbad for 10 months. I love it. When I started I knew very little Spanish, only what I remember from High School...not much. Now I can speak confidently with members of my class as well as native Spanish speakers. I have made good friends with my fellow classmates, we have fun and talk about everything in class. The small class size makes you feel at ease. I travel often to Costa Rica, and my friends there can t believe how fast I have learned. Monica is a very kind, fun, patient, warm, smart, interesting teacher. I would highly recommend The Spanish Institute to any one, any age and level who wants to learn to speak Spanish. Buena Suerte.
Darcie
I have just completed my second year at the Spanish Institute with Monica as my instructor. I began at the Institute unable to complete a full sentence in Spanish. Now I can communicate with people using 5 different tenses and have a substantial vocabulary. I have traveled 3 times to Costa Rica and Mexico and can speak with the native people about many different subjects. I speak to people in restaurants, stores, any place I see Latino people. If you want to learn Spanish and have the desire to do so, I encourage you to enroll with the Institute. The classes are very small and if you want you can have private sessions also. You can customize how you want to do it, Monica is very accommodating. el daniel
A Google User
I've been attending the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad for about 8 weeks now and I'm learning to speak, read and write Spanish faster than I ever thought possible. I've used Rosetta Stone and it works but it's very very slow going and it won't get your conversational unless maybe you're willing to invest a couple years. It's too slow. The class sizes are small, the instructor is patient and fun and the teaching methods are engaging and fun.
I took two years of Spanish in High School and we never learned as much in two years as I've learned in two months. The best is yet to come, it's totally affordable. If you're even considering learning Spanish then I highly recommend you give TSI a call. Try and get Monica as your instructor, she's a great teacher. Go check out a class for free and see if it's for you, that's what I did.
Roxanne Lapointe
Its been 2 months since I started to attend Monica's spanish lessons. She is an expert teacher and I like the small class size. Good conversation and good vibes but she keeps us to the point. She is patient in keeping the conversation 100% in spanish even though my vocabulary is limited. I highly recommend Monica when considering a class at the spanish institute.
Renee C
After twelve weeks of group lessons in Monica's class, my understanding and speaking of Spanish has greatly improved. She encouraged conversation and corrected misused words and phrases, including explanations about slang expressions. Her teaching style is fun and engaging and I would highly recommend the Spanish Institute for anyone who wants to learn the language.
My husband and I had a wonderful experience at the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad. Both Monica and Lilly were thoughtful, intelligent and creative in their style of teaching. We found our textbooks to be helpful as well as flashcards. We hope to return for additional training.
Thank you Spanish Institute.
Dave
My wife and I had a great experience at the Spanish Institute. Our teacher was great! We highly recommend The Spanish Institute. Dave & Jacquie
I have been taking Spanish classes with Irma for 3 weeks now and I am amazed how much I have learned. She has an exceptional way of teaching and is so excited to share her knowledge with us.She makes it fun and painless to learn a new language and I couldn't of asked for a better instructor. She is patient, kind and a real joy to work with. If you want to learn from the best...go to Irma's classes!
hiba agha
I have been wanting to learn Spanish for a while now and I found the Spanish Institute in my neighborhood so thought I would give it a go. It was a fantastic experience. I had Irma and she threw us right into the Spanish speaking world. I took the six week course and I could see improvements from week to week. We had some homework to do at home and some materials for review. I highly recommend this class at the Spanish Institute if you want to start learning or improve your Spanish.
Paul Murphey
I have taken Spanish on and off over the past 10 years using a combination of self-teaching with books and CD's, immersion classes and travel in Spanish speaking countries, and most recently at the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad. I have had 2 previous instructors at the intermediate/advanced level at the institute: one focused mostly on grammar and de-emphasized conversation, and the other did the opposite. My most recent teacher, whom I have now had for 5 weekly 1.5 hour evening lessons, is Irma. Irma provides a refreshing blend of conversation, exercises in speaking and pronunciation, listening comprehension and reading, and grammar. She also adds in interesting cultural information and regional linguistic differences about the language. She mixes things up well and makes the class fun, and she is an advocate of getting students to relax and just speak the language using the tools they know, rather than memorizing words and grammar and doing endless drills in the more traditional manner of language instruction. At first I was concerned that I wasn't learning at the level of my last class, but in the past couple of sessions the pace has been picked up. Irma is a really great teacher.
I have been taking Spanish at the Spanish Institute for the past four weeks. I began in March of 2015. In general, it has been a great experience; and my teacher Irma, is very good at making the lessons fun and interesting. Given more time, I would love to join future classes. Best, Danielle Jackson-Grillo
Marina Kantarovich
After a week of Spanish Immersion at The Spanish Institute, I was able to interview for a job which required proficiency in Spanish and I got the job! I came into the week without knowing much Spanish but needing to learn for work. I thought it was a long shot that I would be able to speak well after a week, but the instructors made it a reality! The best part was that I had a wonderful time while learning. The instructors are dynamic, skilled, attuned and incredibly supportive. Their commitment to their students is well evident. My friends were shocked and impressed by how much I had improved in just a week. If you want a success story with regard to learning Spanish, go to the Spanish Institute. You can absolutely learn Spanish without leaving the country.
Joanne Del Greco
I recently completed a one-week immersion program with The Spanish Institute in Carlsbad and my entire experience was fantastic. I took a basic-level program with Monica as part of my preparation for traveling to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago and it was mi buena suerte that Monica has walked the Camino twice. Apart from that, she quickly figured out my strengths and (many) weaknesses with Spanish and skillfully adapted her vocabulary to match and stretch my level. I progressed as much in a week as in a full semester of community college classes. I’m confident that I will be able to understand and communicate the basics. In addition, Carlsbad was a wonderful setting right on the Pacific Ocean for my immersion week. Everything I needed was a short walk from my hotel, including the Institute. While my family and friends back home in Ohio were shoveling snow and battling single-digit weather, I was practicing my verb conjugations while walking along the beach.
Joel Allen
My wife and I have spent two weeks at the Spanish Institute and although it is a long haul for us (coming from Tucson) it has been a good experience. We both speak the language reasonably well but are not completely fluent and our Instructor Monica quickly honed in on our weaknesses. With drills mixed with conversation and continued study outside of class we have definitely made some progress. We hope we can make it make back for more.
Tom L.
I've been taking Spanish group classes since September 2012. Our instructor has a great way of incorporating grammar, vocabulary, and encourage conversation so that it feels fresh and fun. She is the best teacher I have ever had and I have tried several schools in San Diego. She identified the areas of my weaknesses and focused on those. Overall I would rate my experience as Superior. The instructor was the nicest teacher I ever had. She was caring and and attentive to meet each students' needs. This has been an incredible experience as I am now able to communicate in Spanish and it is a great feeling to be able to understand and help others, language used to be a barrier now is a tool. This is the best decision I have ever made in a very long time. I will be continuing to learn Spanish so if you decide to join the classes I will see you there.
Jan Elisa Mosca
To whom it may concern, " The Spanish Institute, Carlsbad, CA"
I recently participated in the six week beginner Spanish class in Carlsbad. Andrea B. is a creative and talented teacher and leader for this type of instruction. The students had little or no Spanish speaking background but she was able to adapt the lessons to include participation by everyone. Andrea has a charming personality and in conclusion, I am more motivated to continue to improve my ability to speak Spanish. The text book used is a useful reference for basic grammar and language.
Jan Elisa Mosca
Uta Peckman
I took a one week immersion course at the Spanish Institute to improve my Spanish grammar and speaking ability. Lourdes was my teacher. I have taken many different courses on the internet, and also attended many meet-up groups where people wanted to
maintain their Spanish speaking ability. Yet, I was stuck on a plateau.
My instructor, Lourdes Brewer, was the best I have ever had. She identified the areas of my weaknesses and focused on those. She was a very effective teacher in that she made me think and arrive at the correct answer on my own instead of just giving the answer to me. She also has a delightful sense of humor and made the class fun, especially because she would discuss the phrases used by native speakers. She has a great format as she would alternate between grammar, speaking, and comprehension exercises.
I will be going to Puerto Vallarta soon for a vacation and am excited about using the new expressions and vocabulary I have learned. I plan on taking another immersion course with Lourdes to advance more as my goal is to be fluent.
Uta Peckman
Luli Petersen
I've been taking Spanish lessons from Lourdes since October 2013. She has a great way of incorporating grammar, vocabulary, and encouraging conversation so that it feels fresh and fun. I enjoy learning all the nuances of Spanish, particularly phrases that native speakers use frequently. I would recommend Lourdes to anyone who is ready to start speaking Spanish!
Luli Petersen
Farnaz Javadian
Hola!
My experience at the Spanish Institute with Lourdes has been great. I've been enjoying this course very much and gaining more enthusiasm to learn Spanish.
The course material are easy to follow, yet very efficient to learn. I will be continuing to learn Spanish with Lourdes as I advance.
I want to thank the institute and Lourdes for this great class and staff you have.
Regards,
Farnaz Javadian
Shinji Katsuki
It was very good to study spanish intensively with Lourdes. I believe I established my foundation of Spanish learning skills. I set my target for Nov Spanish certificate test in Japan.
I will continue studying Spanish, I would like to travel to Spanish countries.
Thanks,
Shinji Katsuki
Bill Fulton
I enrolled in a two week total immersion course with Lourdes. I had used the pimsleur Spanish program for approximately one year. The two week course I had with Lourdes taught me more than the one year of pimsleur. Pimsleur was great for vocabulary but would make changes with conjugation without teaching the reason. Lourdes helped teach me the reason for changes in Spanish words and helped me learn the rules necessary to continue to successfully learn Spanish. Lourdes helped customize a program for me based on my employment and the use of Spanish related to my occupation. I highly recommend Lourdes and The Spanish Institute.
Thank you Lourdes and The Spanish Institute
Bill Fulton
John B.
Dear Spanish Institute,
Several months ago in April I visited my brother in San Diego. Since I'm studying Spanish here in New York I thought I would check and see if there was a Spanish conversation class that I could take while in California. I found the Spanish Institute on line and was fortunate to take a two hour class one day with Lourdes. My only regret is that it was only one two hour class.
Bob A.
Lourdes wrote to me to ascertain my competency in Spanish. I responded in my best Spanglish, I mean Spanish. I received a response in Spanish in which Lourdes suggested some areas where we might work. I'm a retired teacher and have to say that I was so impressed. In the class Lourdes brought in some worksheets in areas were I needed help. We spent much time conversing while covering the areas that were discussed. She was incredibly organized and well-prepared and in a very non-threatening way directed the session which really was helpful to me. We have exchanged notes in Spanish since that session and I hope that we can work together again when I'm in San Diego.
Obviously, I think she is gifted teacher.
Best,
Bob A.
Julie Stock
Here is a review of Lourdes B.
I have been attending a one and a half hour a week beginning (beg.-mid level, not total beginner) Spanish class taught by Lourdes for the past five months. Lourdes is an excellent teacher and is patient, kind and fun to be with.
She encourages us and compliments us, making it enjoyable and making us want to do learn more each week. Lourdes writes down our responses, making the learning visual as well as auditory. She individualizes instruction so each person is challenged at his/her own level. The instruction is clear, purposeful, well laid out and planned. Best of all, Lourdes personalizes the instruction making it pertinent to our daily lives.
Her assignments help us share, in Spanish, things that matter to us. For example, she asks us to describe our own homes (to teach directions and names of objects), buildings in our hometowns (to work on dates and descriptions) etc. In conversation, we learn expressions and ways to relate to others so when we travel we will be able to converse.
There is a nice blend of reading, writing, conversation using texts and technology (email, computer videos, apps etc.). The variety of modalities help accommodate our different learning styles.
Lourdes is very nice to each of us, in the class. She has created a warm environment for each of us to learn and progress. I really enjoy going to the class and doing the assignments at home and am grateful to have such a good teacher.
Thank you,
Julie Stock
Also a teacher (K-6)
David Lewi
Lourdes is a great teacher.Very patient and always catches even small mistakes (pronunciations, wrong word, wrong gender etc.) and then politely corrects you. Never overly critical though.
She teaches Spanish from a worldwide prospective and does not focus on just Mexican Spanish. This is important to me as I will be traveling to South and Central America and possible Spain and I need to know/understand these nuances. She avoids “Spanglish” which is important because that is something I have been trying to eliminate from the get go. When I get to my various destinations people will be speaking “pure” Spanish and will not understand “Spanglish”. The fact that this teacher eliminates Spanglish while living this close to the U.S./Mexico border is very impressive.
Lourdes has me write down various phrases that I want to learn which is great for me and gives a personal touch.
I highly recommended,
David Lewi
Ocean a Beach, CA
Trevor
"I took the two week immersion course at the Spanish Institute to improve my Spanish for my work. My instructor, Lourdes, was a fluent Spanish speaker who worked with me to personalize my course to ensure it met my needs. She was a very effective teacher, always taking the time to ensure that I was truly making progress every day. She has an organized and efficient teaching method in which she alternates hourly lessons between grammar subjects, vocabulary, and practicing conversational skills. Overall I was very happy with my time at the Spanish Institute, and with Lourdes' classes in particular. - Trevor"
Laura Hinchey
Hi Spanish Institute,
Just wanted to take a second and let you know how much I am enjoying working with Analhi from Mexico. She is doing a great job helping me to learn Spanish and I look forward to our sessions each week. I highly recommend her to any of your future students.
Thank you for providing such a high caliber teacher!
Laura Hinchey, Online Classes
Carol Lewis
Hola!
I had a week of private lessons, four with Anamaria and one with Monica, and found that my Spanish comprehension and speaking improved tremendously. I had felt "stuck" with a very low level of fluency and I now feel like I've been jump-started into moving toward becoming truly fluent (someday!). The teaching of both of my profesoras was excellent, very individually tailored and effective. Both are wonderful people, very friendly, lively and engaging. Thanks so much for a great week of Spanish!
Carol Lewis
Mrs. Brunner
Thank you for referring one of your tutors to us. Always reliable and punctual, he worked patiently with my son on his Spanish. Not only was his knowledge of the subject matter excellent, he was able to explain concepts in a way that my son could easily grasp. I would enthusiastically recommend The Spanish Institute to anybody. Mrs. Brunner.
Mike Anderson
Very friendly tutor, very clear and patient explanations. I am very happy with the results, my son is now back on track and his grades are great. Thank you Spanish Institute. Mike Anderson.
Bruce Endres
Hola Monica,
I just wanted to let you know that my last trip to Central America was very successful. I was able to speak, read, and comprehend Spanish for the first time. It made me feel good and also made the people that I was dealing with appreciate the effort that I have been making to learn their language. I don't know it all yet, but they really did like the effort that I was making.
Thanks to you, I am learning Spanish in a comfortable environment at my own pace. I have never studied Spanish in school before so I was very apprehensive to try. I am glad that I started and I think that I have improved greatly.
Thanks again for having the patience to help me on the road to achieving my goal. I hope to be working with you until I am a qualified fluent Spanish speaker! Thanks, Bruce Endres
Marina B.
My daughter has learned a lot of reading, writing and algo spelling in Spanish. I am very pleased with her accomplishments and her desire to learn. We hope parents will let their children have the opportunity and let them spread their wings in the classroom. Marina B.
West Marrin
"Monica is a great teacher with infinite patience and a genuine sense of humor. She has been instrumental to the improvement I have made in both speaking and understanding Spanish. She is also a kind and caring person who has been willing to talk to me as a friend." West Marrin
Roberto Monaco
Mi nombre es Roberto Mónaco y estoy estudiando con la maestra Mónica desde hace 5 meses, mi español ha mejorado un 300% por ciento. Ahora puedo hablar y también hacer seminarios en español. ¡El Spanish Institute es el mejor! Actualmente estoy tomando las clases vía skype y estoy aprendiendo mucho. ¡Yo recomiendo tomar clases con el Spanish Institute, es la mejor inversión que puede hacer en su vida!
Daniel
I have just completed my second year at the Spanish Institute with Monica as my instructor. I began at the Institute unable to complete a full sentence in Spanish. Now I can communicate with people using 5 different tenses and have a substantial vocabulary. I have traveled 3 times to Costa Rica and Mexico and can speak with the native people about many different subjects. I speak to people in restaurants, stores, any place I see Latino people. If you want to learn Spanish and have the desire to do so, I encourage you to enroll with the Institute. The classes are very small and if you want you can have private sessions also. You can customize how you want to do it, Monica is very accommodating. el daniel
Tom W.
The Spanish Institute is a very effective and efficient translation service. We use them for all of our translations needs. No matter the dead line they are always able to get the job done. We continue to use them time after time. I would recommend them to anyone in need to this type of service! Tom W. APC Communications
Betty Ward
I love my tutor, he is very positive and very helpful. He is able to answer all of my questions and I don't struggle any more with my Spanish. The Spanish Institute holds the top tutors in San Diego, they are native speakers, certified and with credentials. The best place to learn Spanish!!!! Betty Ward. Student.
Patrick J.
Thank you for your prompt and professional service. My client and I are impressed with the speed and accuracy of the translation service you provided. Patrick J.
Linda C. and Joe W.
My husband and I are moving to Costa Rica in December and took a series of classes from Monica to make our transition a little easier. It was a wonderful experience! She really spends time concentrating on each student's individual needs. Monica has been very patient with us (it has been 30 years since I had taken Spanish in college and my husband has never studied a foreign language.) I am truly amazed at our comprehension level after 13 weeks of her superb instruction! Granted, we're certainly not fluent, but we will be able to at least communicate our basic needs once we move. She has given us the confidence to go forth and conduct our daily business in Spanish and the desire to make this a life-long learning adventure. Monica, you are truly a gem! Linda C. and Joe W., Carlsbad
Deb M.
I would like to say how impressed we were with Diane who tutored our daughter with her Spanish. Although Diane only worked with Alison for 12 weeks, her marks improved a lot and we feel that she genuinely cared about Alison reaching her goals. Thank you. Deb M. Parent.
Arlen T.
Monica is a highly skilled and disciplined teacher. She knows how to motivate her students. She's not a "clock watcher". She's generous with both her time and her concern for each individual in her class. I've recommended her to friends and will continue to do so. Arlen T. San Marcos.
Marianne H.
Please let Maria know how much I appreciated her help! She will be happy to hear Tim got an "A" in Spanish last semester. Marianne H. Parent.
Ruben
I've been attending the Spanish Institute in Carlsbad for about 8 weeks now and I'm learning to speak, read and write Spanish faster than I ever thought possible. I've used Rosetta Stone and it works but it's very very slow going and it won't get your conversational unless maybe you're willing to invest a couple years. It's too slow. The class sizes are small, the instructor is patient and fun and the teaching methods are engaging and fun. I took two years of Spanish in High School and we never learned as much in two years as I've learned in two months. The best is yet to come, it's totally affordable. If you're even considering learning Spanish then I highly recommend you give TSI a call. Try and get Monica as your instructor, she's a great teacher. Go check out a class for free and see if it's for you, that's what I did.
James B.
Thank you for all your help with our Spanish translation project. It's so nice to work with a professional and competent organization. We appreciate your friendliness as well, and that any concerns we had were addressed promptly and completely. We look forward to future collaboration with you. James B. Production Manager.
Susan D.
My daughter's tutor was absolutely excellent. She recognized the issues and addressed each one. My daughter's confidence and interest in Spanish has improved significantly. She really enjoyed and looked forward to her tutoring sessions. Thank you, thank you! Susan D. Parent.
Nancy Hoover
I have been in Monica's conversation class for 5 months. Prior to that I had not practiced any Spanish for over 2 years and was nervous about the prospect of speaking in front of others. These classes have been quite a boom for my self confidence as Monica makes the experience not only instructional but very relaxing and supportive. It is also wonderful to converse with other students. She is an excellent teacher and human being! Nancy Hoover, Rancho Bernardo
Vicky A.
I would like to let you know how delighted we are with one of your tutors. She has restored my daughter's confidence. Thank you. Vicky A., Parent.
Mr. & Mrs. King
We would like to thank you for providing such a wonderful tutor to help our son with his Spanish. We have now achieved the levels required by our son through her skilled coaching, we therefore would like to let you know that we will not longer require her services. Thank you once again for finding such a pleasant and helpful person for us. Mr. & Mrs. King. Parents.
Jenna T.
Ana is an excellent tutor, very knowledgeable and patient with my son Tom. I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending Ana. Everyone I have dealt with has been extremely helpful. Jenna T. Parent.
Kelly C.
Excellent Spanish classes and I will recommend it to friends. It helped me in speaking, writing and understanding Spanish. The teacher is great, responsive, patient and very flexible. I have learned so much Spanish since I started. The lessons were diverse and interesting and she explained grammar in a way that made it very easy for us to understand. Kelly C., Doctor, Encinitas
Andrew Stevenson
I have tried Rossetta Stone, tapes, online programs but nothing compares with The Spanish Institute. If you want to learn Spanish fast and with confidence this is the place! Thank you Monica for all your wise words! Andrew Stevenson, Professor and Counselor, RSF.
Lisa A.
The educational experience exceeded my expectations; my classes were small and the teacher outstanding. Thanks Monica for arranging this wonderful experience for us. I will be coming back and you will certainly hear from me again. Lisa A. Director of Marketing. La Jolla
Steven R.
Yes, I passed the exam! Mario is an excellent (very patient) tutor. He is very enthusiastic and punctual. His tutoring helped me immensely. Steven R. Student.
Richard Jones
Overall I would rate my experience as Superior. The instructor was the nicest teacher I ever had. She was very caring and attentive to meet each of the student's needs. This has been an incredible experience as I am now able to communicate with my patients and it is a great feeling to be able to help others, language used to be a barrier now is a tool. This is the best decision I have ever made in a very long time. The Spanish Institute is the best!!!! Richard Jones, Doctor, La Jolla
Surf Kauai
I have been attending a conversation class at TSI on and off for several years and have found it has improved my Spanish conversational skills and given me the opportunity to meet other interesting students. The instructor in Carlsbad is excellent!
Lisa
My daughter's tutor is excellent, she is very patient, helpful, and encouraging. My daughter's grades are now "A"s. This has been the greatest decision, she is now so confident and happy and I am very happy with her progress. Lisa.
Veronica R.
I absolutely loved this place and overall language experience. The classes were lively, and my teacher was amazing. Always willing to help at whatever cost! It was the first time I actually enjoyed learning Spanish. I encourage everyone thinking about learning Spanish. I would do this again in a second. I am now traveling to Puerto Rico and I am feeling very confident and able to communicate in Spanish. Thank you Spanish Institute, you have changed my life, now I am looking forward this experience and I am not longer afraid of traveling abroad! Veronica R. Vista.
Paul B.
I've learned more in the past 2 months than in 2 years of college Spanish. The teacher is excellent, very patient, great energy, and adjusting well to the different abilities of the students. Paul B. student, Del Mar
Mark G.
Since I started I learned tremendous amount and had a lot of fun. Overall I think this program is superior by far than others. I can't wait for my next Spanish class! Mark G. Business owner, Carlsbad
Alice R.
Monica is an excellent Spanish teacher. She is fluent in English, and has a comprehensive knowledge of both the grammatical structure and day-to-day details of the language. She has obviously had a lot of experience at teaching people Spanish and obviously enjoys it herself. Alice R. Business owner, Carlsbad
Nora H.
My teacher is very flexible in structuring the lessons to my requirements, providing relevant homework in order that the 2 hours spent with her is as productive as possible. She is a very patient, helpful, she makes the lessons fun and tailors them to my learning needs. I know I have improved a lot through the exercises she assigns and through Spanish articles we have read and discussed together. She is keen on correct pronunciation and doesn't let me get sloppy or develop bad habits. Thank you very much. Nora H., Oceanside
Emily B.
I really feel like I learned an incredible amount in the last month. The teacher is very friendly and makes me feel very comfortable in the class. The other two students are very friendly and I feel very happy and enjoying every minute. I'd recommend it to anyone who takes Spanish language acquisition seriously and wants to learn in a comfortable atmosphere. Emily B. Teacher, San Diego
Kathleen R.
This is a terrific learning experience, the teacher is native and real nice. Before I started I was self conscious about saying anything in Spanish and my vocabulary was limited. The conversation class pushed me to speak and the teacher correct my grammar when I need it, I am learning a lot and very quickly. Kathleen R. Nurse, Oceanside
Tom F.
The teacher is very smart and competent. I really enjoy my class and feel I've come a long way. My conversation went from 0 to being able to express myself. I've acquired great confidence. Thank you. Mary S. Architect, Poway
Wow! There is not much room for improvement when speaking specifically about the class with Diane. I think it was stellar. If you offered the same class, 3 days a week like Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I would be there. Please consider that. I think The Spanish Institute is the best Spanish Language Institute in San Diego.
My class with Diane and my experience when calling the school was nothing less than stellar. Please contact me if you opt to offer a 3 days/week format. I can't do the 4 nights/ week, it is just too much. Tom F.
Tom White
Wonderful tutor. He is helping me target exactly what needs improvement in my Spanish skills (criminal law vocabulary and prepositions). I have already been able to use the criminal law vocabulary at my work many times, and being able to communicate with our clients in their native language is helping me gain their trust and rapport. He has also assigned me reading from Marquez and others, and reading that beautiful Spanish is helping to extend my vocabulary beyond the legal terms I am focusing on. He helps me practice translating police reports, and has a good ear for how to make certain legal concepts most comprehensible to Spanish speakers. Sincerely, Tom White
Julie
Spanish classes with my teacher not only help me improve my Spanish skills tremendously, but are also fun and enjoyable. She is vivacious, enthusiastic, and she genuinely cares about her students' progress. In addition to reinforcing areas of strength, she helps pinpoint problems and weaknesses, and then works with you to correct and strengthen those weaker areas, which allows for rapid and efficient progress. She is a native Spanish speaker who teaches excellent spoken Spanish in a 'real world' conversational context, but she also has extensive knowledge of professional terminology to help prepare students for special professional contexts, such as medical, business, and legal settings. To anyone seeking to improve their Spanish skills, I would recommend her classes without hesitation. Regards, Julie
Benedicte K.
Thank you for your email. I really liked the class. The book is clear and useful, and not too expensive. Diane was able to tailor to our study style and our needs. Class time was more focused and more intensive, and I loved to come home thinking about all the new words and rules we had covered. I always felt free and happy to ask questions; I found Diane to be approachable, enthusiastic about Spanish teaching, and inspiring on top of being very nice. Benedicte K.
Uta P.
I had a wonderful experience with my Spanish immersion class and with the teacher Diane. I intend on signing up for more lessons in a few weeks. Maybe this time, I will try a few privates in addition to a group. Uta P.
Dr. John Impellizeri
Administration, The Spanish Institute: I recently completed 10 beginner Spanish lessons with Diane Kemp through the Spanish Institute. Over-all, I had a wonderful learning experience. The classes were small, well-structured and Diane made the process of learning feel very natural. She constantly challenged me to improve my pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary and provided guidance every step of the way with her warm, enthusiastic style.
I hope to take additional Spanish lessons in September or October through the Spanish Institute. While I am sad that Diane will be leaving to work in Madrid, I wish her the best and know that she will be an asset to her new program. Sincerely, Dr. John Impellizeri, Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente.
