About taking online Spanish classes
You might already know … we have always been very proud about our product: Spanish classes in a natural setting; meaning that we teach Spanish in and around our hostels, in the garden, on the balcony, all in the open air. We have teachers that love their countries (Costa Rica and Panama) and their life here. They are very happy to show you their lifestyle and the beauty of the surrounding nature. It is a very hard time for us, here without you, our students.
Having said this, we are focusing on the present moment and we realize that we need to find a new way to go on with life and learning as well as prepare for a bright future where speaking Spanish is needed as never before!
Here a few reasons why taking online Spanish lessons now would be a good idea:
- Maybe now you have time when later you won’t
- Maybe you want to stay in touch with our teachers and keep them busy
- Maybe you want to take advantage of the special discounts we offer for April-May-June 2020
Our Online Spanish courses
Our online Spanish courses offer private lessons that will be tailored to your needs, interests, learning style, learning pace and schedule. You will also have the time and flexibility to connect from your home or office around the world. If you choose for small group lessons (max 4 students per group), which are more economical, we adapt the classes to the characteristics of the group and we will define a schedule that suits all.
Our teaching method
We use the “communicative approach” which is based on the idea that learning a language successfully comes through having to communicate real meaning. Therefore, we invite you to get involved in real communication so that you will tap into your natural strategies for language acquisition. During my master study “teaching Spanish as a second language” I became very enthusiastic about the results we obtained with “task-based learning”, an approach that has its roots in this communicative approach and basically means that students need to receive communicative tasks and practice in natural contexts.
Furthermore, we strongly believe that an important ingredient for learning a new language is the fun element. Therefore we create a relaxed and fun and inspiring learning environment that motivates attention and focus. We also define, share and reflex on objectives for each class so we make sure you learn the best way, as much and as organized as possible, in the shortest time possible.
Our online Spanish programs, just like our face-to-face programs are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) which is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes this on a six-point scale, from A1 for total beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. If you ever want, we can test your level without any extra costs.
To become a well-rounded speaker of a language, you need to build on all four foundational language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Mastering of the various skills works different among students and levels but we make sure we focus on practicing all four during your learning.
Our materials and activities
At the end of each class, your teacher sends you homework tasks for the following class. It can be a text to read, a song to translate or something to write. We use authentic materials to complement the texts we use to explain and exercise grammar structures and new vocabulary. When you start your course, you receive a WhatsApp number where 10 hours a day, teacher will be available to answer your questions related to your Spanish online course.
Our teachers
Our certified teachers are native speakers with lots of experience teaching Spanish as a second language. Most have worked with us for over ten years. They stay up to date on classroom trends and effective teaching techniques.
How does it work?
STEP 1: First of all you fill in a short form on our website.
You choose Private classes or Clases en grupo. If you choose private classes, you receive right away the option to pay with PayPal for 4 or more private lessons. If you choose group classes, you cannot pay right away cause we first need to form groups. Once the group is formed, you receive an invitation for payment. Link: spanishatlocation.estebanurrutia.com/Spanish-courses/online-spanish-classes/
STEP 2: You receive on email from us.
We ask you three questions: 1) When would you like to have your first (free 30 minutes) intake meeting for level evaluation and learning about your objectives and interests? 2)What is your current location? 3) What platform would you like to use? Skype or Zoom or other?
STEP 3: (Free) intake meeting and scheduling first class.
After your free intake meeting we send you a homework assignment and schedule your first class. You also will receive a WhatsApp number where a language teacher is 10 hours per day available to answer questions about grammar, vocabulary, learning and to make sure you keep going! We also love to hear any feedback from you so we can keep improving our online Spanish program!