Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be a Spanish student at Amidon Studios.
Let's jump into this fun peek into what it would be like for you to be a Spanish student at Amidon Studios.
Getting started with Spanish
First off, you get assessed before we start our first lesson. It only takes 10 minutes of chatting with me over the phone.
If you have previous experience with Spanish, then we'd have a short conversation in Spanish, talking about yourself, your interests, and your family.
If you're a more advanced speaker, you may tell me about something special that happened when you were a kid or what your plans are for the future.
That way I get a good idea of your speaking fluency, listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and much more.
I also enjoy learning about your goals for learning Spanish, as well as what you'd like to accomplish with taking your Spanish to the next level.
You wouldn't believe how much I can get to know about you both personally and professionally in such a short time.
And it's a painless and easy way for you to start to feel comfortable with me in only a few minutes!
Starting your Spanish lessons
Then we would schedule our first lesson. The first lesson will be tailored to your level of Spanish, as well as what you want to learn.
If you're a basic to intermediate Spanish student, we would typically go over greetings, introductions, and goodbyes using both formal and informal expressions that are how native Latin American speakers truly speak.
By the end of the first lesson, you'll feel more confident about your ability to speak Spanish clearly and correctly.
The convenience of online classes
Sometimes students aren't able to meet in person, so we have online lessons via Zoom.
These are convenient because you can be anywhere in the world and have a lesson with me.
For instance, Spanish students have been located in San Francisco, Atlanta, Richmond, Boston, Washington, DC, Houston, New Mexico, and Nashville and they appreciate the ease and comfort of taking lessons via Zoom.
I myself have even been traveling in Los Angeles, California and Lima, Peru while teaching my students lessons online.
Taking practical field trips
I assign all my Spanish students lessons outside the classroom where they have to communicate with other native Spanish speakers in practical situations.
For instance, you may go to a market to ask the employees questions in Spanish about food items. Or you may go to a restaurant to order food in Spanish.
I'm there every step of the way to help out when you need it, but I guarantee that by the time you take a field trip, you'll be more than ready to put all the Spanish you've learned into practice.
Having fun at social events
That's just the Spanish class portion. What about the super fun stuff, like trips and parties?!
As a student with me, you'll have trips to Mexico are terrific opportunities for you to immerse yourself completely in Spanish.
For instance, you'll order your lunch in Spanish, pay for items at the market in Spanish, and talk with museum staff in Spanish to buy your ticket to the latest exhibit.
You'll also go to fun cultural events where students get to learn more about art, dance, food, and music from various Latin American countries.
You can't forget all the cultural events happening in Mexico, too, like Día de Muertos in November.
You'll have a blast exploring the market, and you'll learn how people in Mexico honor their dead with celebrations at their graves and beautiful altars filled with their loved one's favorite food and drink.
I also take students to Valle de Guadalupe to explore vineyards, taste local wines, and eat lunch at one of the best restaurants in Baja.
And we have parties at my house with special themes! For instance, I host posadas (Christmas parties) with Peruvian and Mexican food over the Christmas holidays.
You can't forget the nights we all play lotería (Mexican bingo) together over tequila!
Plus I have Cuban-themed dinner parties and many graduation celebrations!
But that's not all! I've been lucky enough to get to become friends with many of my students through the years. So we do a lot together outside our lessons, too!
What Spanish students like you say
But don't let me tell you everything about what it's like to take Spanish lessons with me. Let my student Earl tell you for himself!
Want to see what even more students are doing? Check out my Facebook and Instagram pages for daily updates!
And sign up for updates on classes, events, and special offers Spanish students. I've got tons more fun events coming!
Jackie Donaldson is a language teacher and pronunciation specialist at Amidon Studios. She founded Amidon Studios in 2017 after managing a language institute in Lima, Peru. She's taught English and Spanish to students from all over the world while living in Peru, Mexico, and the U.S. When she's not working or studying, you'll find her gardening, playing with her cat Frankie, swimming, and exploring the globe.