Hola, amigos!
I have been teaching Spanish and French - oui - for over 20 years, as well as ESL. I have taught middle school and high school classes on both the East and West coasts, and really enjoy the cultural aspects that we try to learn, like how to prepare a quesadilla or flan, and even make a pinata. I love to take field trips to museums and to places of cultural/historical interest such as Olvera Street. I also think it's important to be up on celebrities or sports figures who speak the language, so you may very well get the opportunity to listen to Ricky Martin sing from Evita in my class. Learning about the culture is just as important as learning the language itself. You will be exposed to the language from the very beginning and hopefully will feel confident enough to eventually ask all of your questions in the target language. Comprendes? Do you understand? Better to make mistakes while trying than not to try at all. Language is learned best through lots of practice, and if you make a mistake, that's OK. A native speaker will be happy that you are willing to speak his language and will encourage you to continue.
I am credentialed in teaching languages to adults in California and have taught night classes as well as middle/high school - still do - at Los Angeles Valley College. Adults love grammar more than teens, but that's OK; grammar can be fun, and I believe in incorporating games into the curriculum.
Both adults and teens listen, speak, read and write in the language they are learning from the onset. But I always insist on keeping a pace that is right for the individual student. So, not to worry! I teach to help, not to confuse. As they say en espanol: "Servidor de ustedes", which means "At your service."
I hope to hear from you and that we will meet soon.
Hasta pronto!
Sr. Don
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