Spanish Circle - Linguicon

06/23/2008 Posted by blueaura

I was really excited to take classes here, since I liked the sound of the unique approach. Unfortunately the proprietor apparently can't bother to return my calls or emails. Looks like I'll have to get my education somewhere else. Shame.

05/14/2008 Posted by brett_babcock

This is the place to go if you dont like traditional classes. These classes work well because they actually make you THINK spanish, rather than learning it by memorization. It is especially good for people that are visual learners, as there are many visual examples to help you learn. The workbook and glossary are great materials that are unique to the program. I also felt that my teacher was very capable.

Pros: This method of teaching keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly engaged.

Cons: If I had to pick something, a water fountain would be nice

04/28/2008 Posted by chichris

I've taken quite a number of Spanish classes over many years, and I've never encountered anything like this. I visited a class in Course 7 (the middle of the 2nd year), and was a little thrown at first. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue, but... everyone was so friendly, and Esteban encouraged me to visit another class gratis. Needless to say, I am glad that I did. I have now finished Course 7, and am signing up for the next 6 weeks. This is really an enjoyable way to clean up my grammar. I am impressed at how much my fellow students knew after having taken once-a-week classes for only a year and a half. If you're looking for a pure conversation/immersion class, this is not for you. But if you want to hone your grammar skills in an interactive way, this is by far the best course I've taken. My ability to use Spanish outside of class in the real world has improved.

Pros: Great learning experience

Cons: Poor Esteban has trouble keeping up with the administrative side

03/20/2008 Posted by hispterdoc

As someone with a background in French, I did not (nor did I need to) start at the beginning with Spanish Circle. And when my class unfortunately disbanded, I ended up with a few free lessons and a skip ahead in level to another class that again I was well able to handle. In not quite a year I can see a difference in my skill and comfort level. I can actually have some conversations when I travel to Latin America, and my enthusiasm to learn more and improve just keeps growing. Gracias, Esteban!

Pros: Value, class size, unique approach and proprietary materials

Cons: At times disorganized

12/14/2007 Posted by labgirl1

I have taken language classes over the past four years at two different facilities, both in the city. My experience at Spanish Circle has been extremely positive: I had a consistent instructor for almost two years, and their unique program is unlike any language class I've taken. The program is strategic and structured, and is great for anyone who has limited time during the week. I have found the staff more than accommodating, and the cost of the program is reasonable compared to other facilities. I would highly recommend Spanish Circle if you are looking to start learning the Spanish language. By no means am I fluent, but I feel like, wow, I'm really getting it!

Pros: Great people, great program

Cons: For a once-a-week class, absolutely none!

11/30/2007 Posted by slfleming

After nearly 1 year at Spanish Circle, I've learned more Spanish than I thought possible after my first class. At the beginning, rather than memorizing a list of vocab words, we focused on learning how to pronounce words properly through learning basic words. By focusing on these words and slowly adding additional verbs and nouns throughout the past 10 months, these words have lodged into my brain. Due to a unique teaching process and focus on quick answer exchange in class (between 4-6 students), along with a relaxed, uncompetitive and not stressful atmosphere, I can now understand a lot of what is going on around me: on the subway in advertisements; while listening to fellow shoppers in Target; and when happening upon Telemundo while flipping channels. This class is not for people who want to take one 6-week session and fly off on holiday and be fluent. It’s just not going happen because this class isn’t about rote memorization, it is about learning and understanding the language so it makes sense to you so you can incorporate it into your life. And the price makes it easy to make learning Spanish a part of your daily life.

Pros: Great price, fun environment, convienent locations

04/12/2007 Posted by aharong

I came to Spanish Circle with little Spanish experience, but I had studied several other languages including other Romance languages. The owner did not feel I should take the placement exam and suggested I start at the beginning. I enjoyed the classes. The teachers have been very friendly and helpful. However, I find the pace to be too slow for my taste. After six months, I feel like I could be learning faster on my own. I really like the format. As an educator, I think this would be a great course for anyone with minimal foreign language experience and particularly for anyone afraid of trying to learn a new language. The approach is gentle and intuituitive. As someone with language experience and a joy for learning languages, the process was just too slow and drawn out for me.

Pros: small class size, low cost, intuitive learning approach

Cons: parking, slow pace

02/01/2007 Posted by fernlaplante

I had taken Spanish at the Instituto Cervantes (which is also very good) but decided I wanted something closer to my house and the Spanish Circle come highly recommended. I was allowed to sit in on a class for free to see if I liked it (I did) and now I am on my second 8-week session. The price is VERY reasonable and the teaching method is unique. I find myself remembering more after just a few classes than I did with the more regimented class structure from college and other Spanish schools. The class is intimate (4 students) and the teacher is friendly and helpful. It is a different and unique was of learning (forget memorizing charts and vocab, learn by doing and interaction.) I would (and have) recommended this school to anyone interested in learning Spanish quickly and easily.

Pros: Smaller classes, flexible schedule, great value. Easily accessible from CTA

10/23/2006 Posted by kevinlee9999

I am really enjoying my classes, my classmates, and my instructor. The materials are professional and surprisingly unique. When I first signed up and during my first few classes, I thought it was some kind of chain or licensed program. After a few weeks I learned from my teacher that the owner of the school not only does all the administrative work, but he also writes, illustrates, and publishes the entire program. This surprised me, because his name does not appear on any of the materials, and he is only briefly mentioned on the website as the director of curriculum. I figured if he won't toot his own horn, someone should!

Pros: program, instructors, price

Cons: parking

10/17/2006 Posted by lizzard1234

This program was not was I was expecting. After the first 5 or 6 lessons, I tried to measure my progress in the number of words I was memorizing, and was a little disappointed. Then I had a revelation: this program is about getting me to think about how to PUT WORDS TOGETHER, not to memorize a list of vocabulary. The program is sneaky: it's always engaging, but never super challenging. You won't even realize what or how much you are learning. The material is presented in very manageable chunks, and those chunks start to add up quickly. The classtime is fast-paced, but since we only meet once a week, it took 12 weeks to finish the first 12 lessons; if I had the time, I would take the class 2 or 3 times a week.

Pros: fast classes: the time flies

Cons: slow process: I wish I was able to take classes 2 or 3 times a week