Spanish lessons

[Judy Sacco]

I was musing about the best way to learn Spanish. I realized, ironically, that if I were in the U.S. living in a college town, I could take Spanish courses free as a senior citizen. But I don't need Spanish in the U.S. Here I need it very much, but the courses are expensive. The only intensive conversation course I know of is at Habla Ya. Very expensive for someone who is retired on a limited income. I have taken about as much reading and grammar as I can stand. Now I need intensive conversation. Anybody know if there are any deals for jubilados here?

[Julio Santamaría]

Hi Judy and Lynnie,
I'm very happy to hear of more New Boquete Citizens interested in learning Spanish!
Some of the most brilliant senior students that we've had at Habla Ya Panama Spanish School have been retirees that enroll in Spanish lessons at their local college before coming down to Panama. I know it's challenging to take lessons with a bunch of 20 year olds but the results speak for themselves: these students arrive to Boquete knowing a lot! So taking Spanish classes back in the States (or in Canada or in Europe) before you move to Panama is something we definitively recommend.
We've also had other students who have joined a Spanish course back in the States when they go back for vacation.
Something that is becoming more and more popular is for senior citizens (many couples as well) to join our Total Spanish Immersion Program for 1-3 months before they make their final move to Panama. This is an intense 20-30 hour classes per week Spanish program in which students get to live with a local host family in Boquete while they take lessons at our school.
For those who already live in Boquete and haven't had the opportunity to learn Spanish, or like Judy, really want to improve their Spanish we offer a Part Time Crash Course for New Residents.
The Spanish classes in this Part Time Spanish Course focus on practical everyday communicative situations rather than on grammar analysis and writing. Special emphasis is placed on listening and speaking. Importance is also given to the cultural and social aspects of the Latin American community.
Most students who enroll for this last course sign up for a total of 60 hours lessons and they schedule their lessons to take place 3 times a week (2 hours per day, normally Monday, Wednesday and Friday... we really don't recommend less then 3 days a week).
In 2.5 months students make a significant progress in their Spanish. In these 10 weeks students take the amount of Spanish lessons required to finish at least one of our first three Spanish levels (each of them is coursed in an average of 60 hours of group lessons).
Someone living in a Spanish speaking country should at least have an A2 proficiency (second level out of six) and a B1 proficiency is ideal (third level out of six). Few senior citizens go beyond our third level and it's not really necessary.
It's really cool to know from the beginning what you'll be able to in Spanish with the skills that you've gained in your Spanish course(as long as you work hard!). You can read the description of our level system to have a precise idea about what you'll be able to do upon completing each of our levels.
Some say that our Spanish courses are expensive... our students say that they represent the best value. We've had students study at every single Spanish school in the country and all of them unanimously agree that each dollar invested in Habla Ya goes a lot further than anywhere else (and maybe 60% of Spanish schools in Panama cost more than Habla Ya).
If you sign up for 2 levels (120 hours), as a Boquete Resident you can pay as low as $7.5 per hour for group lessons (NEVER more than 4 students in a group, though the average is 2-3). I would invite anyone to come and compare for themselves where they'll get better value for each dollar spent. We have FREE demo classes so you can come and try without any commitment.
Knowledge and skills are amongst the best investments you can make in your life... nobody can steal them or take them away and this is an investment that will definitively improve your quality of life.
It's very difficult to be more effective in teaching Spanish than someone who has a university degree in Spanish and that on top of that receives intensive training at our Spanish school, has a vast experience in teaching all types of students from all around the world and that works side by side with other colleagues who are part of Panama's premiere Spanish School. Habla Ya Language Center is on the cutting edge when it comes to understanding and utilizing the newest and most effective techniques to teach Spanish as a foreign language.
Our complete roster hasn't been updated in while but you can get to know some of our Spanish teachers through our website.
Even though 4 of our teachers are 100% fluent in English (and the rest can speak it and understand it enough to have basic to intermediate conversations) we do not encourage the use of English in the classroom. At our website you can read more about our Conversational Spanish Teaching Methodology and there is also an interesting post about this subject at the Boquete Panama Guide's Blog.
At the end of the day, something that does make the difference, wherever you choose to study, is how much you practice (and study!).
Click here for some free Spanish learning Tips...
And to all of those who relocate to Latin American and decide to learn Spanish: CONGRATULATIONS!

[CURVAS BONITA]

Judy, Share with us what you find out. We're paying $10/hour each (my husband and I) at Spanish by the River. I haven't been able to find anybody reasonable. I'm at the beginning stage, so I need more than intensive conversation. Bonnie

[CURVAS BONITA]

Lynnie, Thanks. He sounds good. Bonnie

[Ellen Ring]

I'm interested specifically in learning terminologies for: veggie, animals, flowers, and farming tools, finance, and legal terms. I'm needing to expand my vocabulary, and am in the intermediate phase with 'do and to be'.

I'm happy to help in any way for beginners or teaching English. I prefer using the barder method. Moving soon, looking forward to taking Mr. Jose's classes.

[Fontana Kekong]

Hola Lynnie!! Is that Spanish you are speaking??
I noticed today that your sign for the Pet Resort is no longer there, and you posted that your house is for rent., Does that mean you are leaving us?? All the best wishes for your future and your new business ventures, wherever that may be.. Stay in touch..
xoxo Fontana

[debby]

I think sprachreisen spanien is the best way to learn Spanish language. These are really good courses. There are many good universities which provides good Spanish lessons to students. Madrid university is famous university in Spain.

[Nilka Lisseth]

Hello Judy:

If you want we can practice, I need to improve my english and I can help you with your spanish. If you are interested, please send me a message.

Saludos,
Nilka