El Taller — everything under one roof

With a lot of Spanish people living in New York City, we can’t help but somehow get involved in their culture. I’ve been talking about the power of learning a new language a few times, but I wasn’t able to point out that learning a country’s language goes hand in hand with learning their culture – their whole culture. This is why I want to share with you this wonderful place in NYC called El Taller.

El Taller, founded in 1979 is a community-based non-profits education institution. I would like to highlight the word COMMUNITY, because El Taller is that and more. Finding El Taller is like having your own Spanish family. You get to talk, learn and share experiences with people. Getting attached to them is so easy that you think of them as family.

Visiting El Taller is like visiting Latin America without having to leave New York. It’s everything, and I mean everything, under one roof. First off, they offer Spanish classes, both private and group classes. What’s great is that they offer a lot of schedules that you’re sure to find the one would best fit your lifestyle. They have morning classes from 8-10 in the morning, noon classes held from noon to 2pm and evening classes held from 6 to 9pm. They also offer Saturday classes which have two schedules, one from 10am to 1pm and another from 2pm to 5pm.

Dancing enthusiast can also look forward to Salsa and Tango classes. Schedule is every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 to 7:30 and 7:30 to 8:30pm. No need to bring a dance partner, as the class is highly interactive and social. You’re surely to meet new people as the class will rotate dance partners during the session. Only $12 per session, or $100 for 12 classes.

If you’re not into dancing but more into the visual arts, then you would surely enjoy the Grady Alexis Gallery which is part of El Taller. Many of the featured artists are Latinos, and most of the arts exhibited are based on Latin American Themes. The gallery prides itself at introducing new artists to the NY scene, and the art-lover would surely enjoy the beauties exhibited here.

Boasting of an art gallery and offering language and dancing lessons is not all that El Taller has to offer. They also dedicated one part of the house to Spanish music and films. Listen as performers from all over America share their music and talent for the entire world to hear.  Remember how I said listening to Spanish music helps you get familiar with the words? This is a great way to do that, with a live performer to make your Spanish experience more realistic.

El Taller is located at 2710 Broadway, 3rd floor New York, NY 10025. You can call them up at (212) 665-9460 or visit their website at http://www.tallerlatino.org

NYC Spanish Mommy and Me classes

I’m sure most, if not all of you has heard of a Mommy and Me class. Most kids are clingy to their parents. You must have seen the horror of kids screaming and shouting when their parents leave them for their first day of school. Attending a Mommy and Me (or Daddy and Me) class is an effective way to prepare your kids for school. You will have the opportunity of exposing your kids to a classroom environment, while slowly preparing them until they can attend classes on their own.   Some classes offers yoga, music, even acting. But here’s good news for Spanish learners, some schools offer Spanish classes. Yes, you can now spend quality time with your kids while learning a second language, which is sure to benefit your child in the future. Here are some Mommy and Me classes who are currently offering Spanish learning:

Hola La

Hola La offers classes through scheduled/ community classes and through daycare centers. They cater to kids as young as 1-2 ½ years old or as old as 8 years old. Enroll one child, and you’ll get 50% off the second child’s enrollment. Here’s what’s great about Hola La. They cater to families, with the parents, grandparents or caregivers getting the classes for free! You can check their website at http://www.hola-la.com/index.htm

Musica Para Mi

Enjoy traditional Spanish songs, dancing and stories with your kids. With classes held in festive environments, learning Spanish would sure be a blast. Classes are offered in 9 locations in Brooklyn Queens and Manhattan. To register or reserve for Free Trials, email musicaparami@aol.com or call 718-643-6660.

The Language Workshop for Children

Located at 888 Lexington Ave., at 66th St., The Language Workshop for Children offers Mommy and Me Spanish classes called Spanish for Tots for kids 6 months to 3 years old. Call them up at 212-396-0830.

If you have no prior experience with Spanish, then you can surely benefit learning the basics and vocabulary of Spanish words with your kids. It is a very good foundation if you are serious about learning Spanish in an advanced level in the future. Mommy and Me classes may not benefit the advanced Spanish speaker in the academic level, but it will surely give your kids the experience of having fun and learning at the same time with their parents.

Learning Spanish the Cheap Way

One of the biggest challenges when learning Spanish in New York City is the cost of the classes. Serious learners of the language usually opt for a private class, which is a very good way to learn but very expensive. Not all who lives in NYC are rich of course, which is why I will give you tips on how to learn Spanish – the cheap way.

If you google CHEAP LESSONS NYC, you would see a lot of free lessons. You get excited so you open it, and that’s when you see the catch. Most offers free TRIAL lesson, translating to “We’ll-give-you-one-free-lesson-then-you-pay-for-the-next-lessons” – which is not really free if you ask me. The reason why we are looking for a free lesson is because we want to learn but we don’t have the money for it. A free trial lesson is not enough to learn.

You would also notice that some of the websites do offer free lessons, but without a teacher. Learning this way is okay, but you have to be really dedicated enough to do self-study.  Sites like http://www.spanicity.com/ dedicated a whole page for Spanish lessons complete with audio, and http://www.spanishprograms.com/index.html offers free software which is better than your usual boring page. Another option is http://www.donquijote.org/, which offers free Spanish lesson through email.

Yeah, I agree with you. Those “free” lessons are not good enough. If you’re like me, who prefers having a teacher to accelerate learning, then you’d definitely not go for those options. Luckily, there are CHEAP options and REALLY FREE options.

For the cheap category, you may want to check the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute who offers semi-private lessons (composed of 2-5 people) for as low as $40 for 10 lessons. The school promises beautiful and elegant classrooms, professional instructors and a student-centered approach of learning (check http://www.spanishinstitute.org/spanish_courses.php for details). This is the best option for you if you want a classroom setting for learning. For a yet cheaper option, you can enroll at http://www.spanish-lessons-online.com/spanish-lessons-in-new-york-city.htm , which offers tutorial through Skype. This is the next best thing to a private class, as you will have the advantage of having the teacher’s attention all to yourself, without having to pay too much. Lessons starts at $14 an hour for a 1-9 hours or $9 per hour for 50+ hours. They also offer a free trial, so you may want to check it out.

Sounds good? Yeah, I think so. But there are even better options. How do you usually get free education? Yeah, that’s right – scholarship. Share your story at the ABC Language Express, impress them, and earn your scholarship. If you want to do a good deed and “earn” from it, you can donate your time to ESL or computer classes at A Spanish Journey (aspanishjourney.com), and have your Spanish instruction (starting at $30 per week) free. Now, if you are more of the yeah-let’s-party type. You can meet and make friends (note: Spanish-speaking friends) at http://www.meetup.com/spanishconversation/ . Joining is free, but the events are not. Don’t worry though, events ranges from $2-20, which is very cheap considering what you’ll get. Members usually go to museums, have conversations at the park, and they sometimes have dancing lessons. Events are strictly held speaking Spanish only, so I’m sure you’ll benefit a lot.

I, for one, believe that learning shouldn’t be expensive. Learning to speak a whole new language is such a beautiful experience that I encourage everybody to do it. I wish you all luck in learning, and I’m open for comments anytime. Thanks!

A different way of learning at NYC

In my last post, I gave you tips on how to choose the perfect Spanish tutor. I was thinking about that post last night, and I don’t know why but I my thoughts suddenly drifted to how to make the lessons fun. Now, I am a big fan of Mexican food. I love everything Mexican! Taco, nachos (the real one, please. Not the kind you see inside a plastic bag!), callos, paella valenciana… I love them  all! And this made me think, “Hey… Why not fuse eating and learning together?”

So, here’s my idea. Why not invite your tutor or your Spanish speaking buddy to a lunch or dinner at your favorite Spanish restaurant? You can try having tapa at Malaga restaurant [located at Manhattan’s upper East side or check http://www.malaganyc.com/default.asp?contentID=1] or why not try the Mussels Diablo at Sangria 46 [http://www.sangria46.com/media/sangria.html for details]? You can also order foods that you’re not really familiar with (or have them order for you) and guess the Spanish names for the ingredients of the food. So, let’s say you have a yummy plate of Paella Valenciana on your table. This is usually made of shrimps, scallops, clams, mussels, and chicken. Name each in Spanish and have your tutor check if you are right. You can also make some rules, like: You can only start eating when you perfect everything, or you can only eat half if you make at least two mistakes, etc. I think you should also speak in Spanish only all throughout the meal to really feel the ambience of the place. Have your tutor correct your mistakes, and repeat the phrase correctly so you can also practice speaking.

As for the cost, maybe you could split 50-50 (Hey, you’re both gonna eat!). Or if you are in a good mood, maybe you could treat your teacher. =)

One of the reason I am suggesting this is because I don’t believe the classroom is the only place to learn. Actually, the best way of learning for me is by being exposed to actual things and having fun at the same time. My mind functions more when I am relaxed, and  not being confined in a four cornered room relaxes me. Happy eating everyone!

Choosing The Right Spanish Tutor

New York City is one of the best places to learn Spanish in the U.S.A. With its 44 million native Spanish speaker residents, you won’t have to look far and wide to find the best Spanish tutor for you. But we need to keep in mind that being able to speak fluent Spanish is not all that we need in a Spanish tutor. Here are some tips to find the right Spanish tutor for you:

The tutor must be a native Spanish speaker

Of course this is one of the qualifications when you look for a Spanish teacher. As I said, some guy speaking Spanish is not enough. Remember that learning Spanish also deals with proper pronunciation, and teaching you that is just not possible without a native Spanish speaker.

The Tutor must be fluent in English

Learning is not a one way street. How would a student learn if he can’t understand what the teacher is saying? The same also goes for teachers. How would a teacher be effective in answering questions or helping the student if the teacher can’t understand what her student’s are trying to say? Being fluent in English also goes hand in hand with being accustomed to our culture to better relate with the student.

The Tutor must have studied Spanish Literature & Linguistics at College level

It is not enough that your tutor can converse in Spanish. Just like any other language, Spanish is a complex language so you would do well with someone who understands the underlying structure of the language so your tutor could provide you with clear instructions.

Professional Teaching Style

Your tutor should be patient and professional enough to understand that you are still a student struggling to learn. Having a teacher who knows how to correct a mistake with a smile and knows how to encourage you to learn would create a fun but educational atmosphere.

Experience

Having at least a year’s experience in teaching is a must when looking for a language tutor. I got to admit that some people are born teachers which mean that they have the gift for teaching and everything but nobody is good enough on their first time. You are paying good money so I don’t see why you would settle for anything less. Also, you could do a little checking on a prospect. You can ask their previous students how they are as a teacher and you could also ask what their teaching style is to help you decide if they are a fit for you.

NYC Spanish Classes

Leaning Spanish in a fast paced world such as New York City can be a real pain. Not only am I talking of the vast number of options, but I am also talking about the two things that stops people from   going to a language school – time and money.

Different people have different reasons for learning Spanish.  Some people want to learn it for business, and some want to learn it for personal use.  Whatever the reason is, most people have the same problem, and that is having the time to study. We people are often times so busy that we don’t have the time to go to classes, which is often the reason why we waste precious time not learning. Luckily, language learning schools has evolved. They are no longer the traditional school who just wait for people to enroll and that’s it. We now have different options to sort out the schedule problem.

Some schools offer private classes, and they will set a schedule according to your preference so you don’t have to rush to class after your job. This option is best for businessmen, or people who often travel since they can also reschedule your classes if you have other engagement. I don’t recommend moving your class schedule as this may delay your learning, but I guess some people just don’t have an option. You can check out NYC Spanish- NYC Espanol, who offers private classes for $80.00 an hour if the classes are going to done at their classroom, or $140.00 an hour if you want to do it at your place.

Other institutions also offer semi-private classes (made up of two to three people). Like a private class, this can be conducted at the student’s home, office or other suitable location. This option is not as expensive as a private class and unlike a big class, the teacher’s attention is almost undivided. This is one of the best types of classes if you ask me, and it’s a lot cheaper too. Some institutions, such as Spanish Classes in New York [http://www.spanishnewyork.com/], offer semi-private class for as low as $75.00 if you do it in their office and $79.00 if you want to do it in your place.

Now for those who are not comfortable studying in an office, and doesn’t have their own place to conduct lessons either, some institutions offer phone and webcam lessons. You can check out http://www.meanslanguagecenter.com for more information on this.

Generally, the cheapest option is going to a group class but you may want to be careful on this as other institutions have really big classes, sometimes up to 12 people. It tends to be really noisy, distracting you from learning plus you won’t have enough of the teacher’s attention, making the process of learning more difficult.

Crash courses are also offered for those who want to learn Spanish to survive at least a week in Mexico. Cactus [http://www.cactuslanguagecourses.com] offers a 4-week course, made up of a 2 hour classes once a week. The courses provide an ideal way to build confidence before using the language more frequently socially or when jetting off on holiday, a gap year or business trip. Their native speaker teachers gives instructions on Spanish so you’ll learn to speak and understand expressions and information that is commonly used.

Please keep in mind that the best way to learn a language is having the dedication to learn it. You may try all the courses offered in New York City, with the best teachers and undergoing all kinds of classes but these will not help you in any way if you don’t spend enough time learning and practicing the language.