Who teaches your classes? 
All of our teachers are native speakers of Spanish or have native speaker proficiency. Unlike many programs, all teachers have training in teaching Spanish as a Second Language and are not just native speakers who are hired under the belief that any native speaker can teach a class.
Are classes conducted in Spanish?
Isn't immersion best? Immersion, when classes are conducted totally in the target language, works for some students, those who respond well to the challenge of not understanding the teacher 100%. For others, immersion creates a lot of anxiety that may block students from learning. Since there are different learning styles, at the Latin American Association we believe that we must teach in a way that does not exclude anyone. Therefore, we use as much Spanish as possible in the class, but it is not a total immersion program. Logically, the use of Spanish by the teacher increases with each level. In the higher levels, classes are conducted almost exclusively in Spanish.
How big are the classes?
Classes range from 8-20 students. We know that many students would like a class of 3-6 students in the belief that they will have more opportunities for interaction and more attention from the teacher. However, we have found that the size of the class is not the only variable for practice and attention; rather, it is the way the teacher manages the class. Breaking into small groups and pairs allows the teacher to circulate around the room to work with individual students on an as-needed basis. In addition, we find that with small group work, students can practice with a partner rather than speaking in front of the whole group, which can be anxiety-provoking.
What kind of Spanish do you teach?
At the Latin American Association, we teach standard Spanish that is used in all Spanish countries. We do, however, teach students regional differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. Contrary to popular belief, there is no variety of Spanish that is "better" or "purer" than another. There are some vocabulary and pronunciation (accent) differences in the different varieties of Spanish, but they are relatively minor, similar to the differences between British English and American English, for example. All varieties of Spanish-from those spoken in Spain to those spoken in Chile-are mutually intelligible; that is, it is all the same language and all Spanish speakers understand each other perfectly.
How long will it take me to become fluent?
Learning a language is a long process and really, lasts a lifetime. There are many factors which influence how long it will take someone to learn a language, including motivation, experience learning a foreign language, level of commitment, contact with the target language outside the classroom, and time. Generally speaking, although some programs make promises about learning Spanish in days or weeks, truthfully, it takes approximately 2 years for students to get to the advanced level. However, you should be able to communicate in Spanish on a limited basis in a short time.
Do you offer make-up classes if I have to miss a class?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer individual make-up classes.
Do you offer onsite classes for business and nonprofits? What about customized classes?
Yes. The Education and Language Services department offers onsite Spanish classes & customized Spanish classes for employers wishing to offer classes in the workplace. In the past, we have worked with a wide variety of clients including employers in the healthcare/medical, legal, mortgage, real estate, financial and social services fields. We also offer translation and interpretation services.
Still have questions? Call us at (404) 248-2209 or
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