Learning a new language can be a real challenge. I have been self-studying Spanish for some months by using some of the overwhelming resources online. Also, a lot of Latin American versions make it more confusing. I really needed some professional guidance, and when a friend from my yoga class recommended a good Spanish teacher, I was smart enough to contact her. I enrolled for two 90-minute sessions twice a week.
My teacher, Ana Bélen Díaz Espíldora, comes to our house in La Herradura on Mondays and Wednesdays. Our living room transforms into a classroom, and it’s a personal and great way of learning. I understand the concepts faster than relying on my research and assumptions. Of course, it also helps to have a patient teacher with a knack for good lesson planning, as every student’s capacity varies. I am learning a lot, but my inability lies in my confidence in speaking. I can speak the language in small everyday situations, but when a native Spanish speaker replies at super speed, I’m lost and have to use one of the Spanish phrases that all foreigners know: no comprendo 🙂
Ana says it’s normal and has a tailored system for me. She uses Spanish when teaching, and I understand most of her words. Our home tutorial classes often go this way:
- Describe my day or weekend while talking in Spanish
- Review Assignments’ answers and explain a Spanish story in my own words
- If my results are not good, explain the lesson again
- When it’s good, introduce a new grammar concept
- The teacher explains the grammar rule usage
- Give examples
- Ask if I understand; if not, explain with more examples
- Exercises and more assignments
- If there’s time, we talk about anything in Spanish
Grammar, speaking, and reading comprehension are incorporated in a 90-minute session. I find it effective for me. When I shared it with a friend, she said it was boring. That’s understandable. Each learner is different, and it’s always essential for a teacher to know what works for each student. This skill can be best attained by dealing with people from different nationalities and backgrounds. Ana shows her brilliant pedagogical insights here. She has been teaching for many years and is also offering Skype lessons. I recommend her.
