Spanish Circle - Linguicon

09/13/06

Great experience

by archivist_bibliophile at Citysearch

I studied Spanish in high school and learned to read fairly well but couldn't speak with much confidence (or skill.) I've been taking classes at Spanish Circle for about a year and am really pleased that I have much better pronunciation, comprehension and understanding of real speech patterns than I did after four years of more "academic" study. I'm a librarian at a university in Chicago and looked into opportunities to study Spanish on campus, but found that Spanish Circle better meets my needs as someone who really wants to use the language for traveling and day-to-day life. The classes are also a lot of fun.

(I vacationed in Central America a couple of months after beginning my classes, and was surprised that even with very basic vocabulary and grammar, I could actually ask questions and understand the replies in Spanish. This was different from previous trips to Spanish-speaking countries, where people mostly stared or smiled politely before resorting to hand gestures.)

01/16/09

this is the school to check out first...

by debbieg1234 at Citysearch

I've taken Spanish before, and have been wanting to take a class again, but have also been a little apprehensive. Checking out the options, Spanish Circle is the only place I have found where, if you have a background, you can visit a class once. I have only gone to one class, and I loved it. I chose Spanish Circle not only because of their website, but also because of reviews here on Citysearch. So here is my advice to you, fellow citysearchers: don't just skim their website and any correspondence, read them carefully. They will tell you exactly what you need to do. So, I visited my class, and ended up being bumped out because I did not respond the next day and register. This was not in the 'fine print', I just didn't follow their instructions. Fortunately there is room for me in another class with the same instructor, but on a different night at a different time.

• Pros: The option to visit once is great!

01/12/09

IF YOU REALLY NEED TO LEARN SPANISH THIS IS THE PLACE!

by 7735531000 at Citysearch

AS AN 12TH YEAR EDUCATOR I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE APPROACH, COST, REVIEW, AND SUPPORT! I WILL ADMITT THERE WERE DAYS HERE AND THERE THAT I WAS SCARED TO ATTEND CLASS FOR NOT BEING "PREPARED" BUT WENT ANYWAY. AFTER THE CLASS I WAS MORE COMFIDENT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NATIVE SPEAKERS THAT MY SPANISH IS IMPROVING. LETS GET TO THE MAIN REASON I AM STUDYING SPANISH! WELL NOT ONLY AM I MARRIED TEN YEARS TO A LATINA NATIVE TO MEXICO BUT WE DECIDED TO MOVE MEXICO IN 2010 NOW THANKS TO GWB IT WILL BE 2011. I AM GOING FOR GOOD NOT TO CANCUN TO ORDER A BEER AT SENIOR FROGS BUT TO NAYARIT AND I AM NOT LOOKING BACK. THIS COURSE IS WELL WORTH THE TIME, MONEY ETC. I AM SO INTO THIS COURSE A DAY DOES NOT GO BY THAT I DON'T WORK WITH THIS COURSE AND THINK OF MOVING TO NAYARIT MEXICO. 99.9% OF MY STUDENTS ARE LATINOS MEXICANOS. LASTLY I AM NOT AFRAID BUT PROUD TO DISPLAY MY SPANISH SKILLS AND EXCITED TO READ, HEAR, SPEAK, AND WRITE THESE LESSONS. 86 WEEKS I HAVE STUDED AND IT SEEMED LIKE YESTERDAY THAT I WAS IN THE FOUNDATIONS LEVEL. THEY EVEN OFFER CPDU HOURS THESE ARE THE HOURS NEEDED TO RENEW TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS! YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO BE "SERIOUS" TO STUDY IF YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN SPANISH THIS IS ALSO THE BEST PLACE! I AM TIRED SOMETIMES AND NEED A BREAK AS WELL BUT THIS COURSE REALLY WORKS TO ENPOWER YOU AND KEEP YOU LEARNING WITHOUT HOURS AND HOURS OF STUDY. I PAID $400.00 TO STUDY A COLLEGE COURSE. WHAT A JOKE BY WEEK THREE I WAS LOST! THIS COURSE NOT ONLY GAVE ME KNOWLEDGE BUT CONFIDENCE AND THAT IS PRICELESS IN THE REAL WORLD! A++++

• Pros: LOCATIONS, COST, CONTENT,AND APPROACH
• Cons: NONE EVER!

08/12/08

It's not what I was expecting!

by terrafirma2 at Citysearch

I see that the previous reviewer was disappointed because he/she didn't hear back from them quickly. I had a similar experience at the beginning of the year and was a bit annoyed. Their voice mail was often full, it took about 2 weeks after I filled out the information form before I got a response, and about another 2 weeks before I was able to visit a class, but once the ball got rolling, things moved quickly. In the end, they were very apologetic and ended up pro-rating out a couple of classes when I joined. I have been very happy with the program, my instructor (hola, Freddy!) and my classmates.

• Pros: fun, interesting approach to learning Spanish
• Cons: waiting to start

06/23/08

Guess I'll never know

by blueaura at Citysearch

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.

05/14/08

Teaches you to THINK in spanish!

by brett_babcock at Citysearch

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

04/28/08

Really interesting approach to learn grammar

by chichris at Citysearch

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

03/20/08

Definitely using my Spanish!

by hispterdoc at Citysearch

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

12/14/07

Extremely positive experience from start to finish

by labgirl1 at Citysearch

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!

11/30/07

A Unique Approach to Learning Spanish

by slfleming at Citysearch

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

04/12/07

good approach for beginners with not much language experience

by aharong at Citysearch

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